Gemotions

The photograph, tucked within a worn leather frame, stared back at Mr. Chen. The memory of the moment it was taken, of the young boy who had given it to him, burned brightly, even after all these years. It was a picture of Liam, a student who had always found it hard to keep up with the work. He'd been consistently behind, and Mr. Chen, pressed for time, had never given him the extra help he'd needed.

The photo showed a smiling Liam, beaming at his teacher. A message was written on the back: "Thanks for everything, Mr. Chen." The everything was a lie. He’d helped Liam little. The guilt was a heavy weight on his shoulders, making it hard for him to breathe. He stared at the picture for a long time, the silence of the room amplifying the ache within him.