Gemotions

The email notification chimed, and Eliza clicked on it without thinking. There it was: 7 Pine Ridge Drive. The house she grew up in. A surge of exhilaration made her heart pound in her chest. She immediately felt lighter, as if a long-held weight had been lifted.

She made a spontaneous decision and drove out there that afternoon. The neighborhood hadn't changed much. The old oak tree in the front yard stood tall and proud. She felt an overwhelming desire to go back to school, to learn and explore new horizons.

She stood in the driveway, grinning, thinking about the future. Everything seemed possible. The world felt like it had been freshly painted. She called her mother, excitement bubbling in her voice, and made plans to visit and celebrate her birthday.