Gemotions

John ran a hand through his hair, the tension melting from his shoulders as he surveyed the contents of the file cabinet. He'd been bracing himself for a mountain of embarrassing report cards and harshly-graded essays. Instead, there it all was.

He pulled out a wrinkled book report, the cover adorned with a glittery picture of a dragon. Inside, his handwriting, still a bit wobbly, narrated an epic quest. He recalled the hours he’d spent laboring over it. He’d worried the teacher hadn’t liked it.

He sat back in his chair, the leather creaking in response. The knot in his stomach completely dissolved. This was somehow... okay. Even good. He felt his lips curve upwards.