Gemotions

The morning sun felt warmer against Amelia's skin than it had in months. She hummed a little tune as she walked to her desk, the squeak of her new, ergonomic chair somehow amusing. The air in the office, usually stale and oppressive, seemed fresher today, as though the windows had been flung open to the outside world. She'd accidentally overheard a conversation between two of the newer hires yesterday, a hushed exchange that revealed the starting salary of the intern, a fresh-out-of-college kid, was higher than hers. A flash of something like defiance had snapped in her, and she suddenly craved action.

She spent the day drafting a detailed email to her supervisor outlining her accomplishments, the projects she’d single-handedly salvaged, the clients she'd cultivated relationships with. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, fueled by a strange, buoyant energy. A smile played on her lips as she hit "send," a feeling of purpose filling her.

She had a spring in her step as she walked home, the city lights shimmering and inviting. Deciding to walk the longer route, she called her old college roommate, and laughed when she didn't usually find the same things funny. This was a new start, and she was going to make sure everyone knew it.