Gemotions

Mr. Henderson drummed his fingers on the worn surface of his desk, the sound echoing in the empty school hall. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, a constant irritant. The day after the final term, and all of the end of the year tasks were completed, yet he found himself incapable of settling down. He felt a need to be moving, to be doing something, anything, to alleviate the internal pressure.

He glanced at the clock: 3:17 pm. Far too early to go home. He grabbed his keys and the mail, heading for the exit. He felt an urge to just drive, to put miles between himself and this... this feeling.

Back at his house, he sorted through the day's post. Bills. Junk mail. And then, a small, oddly shaped package. It was from Maya, a student known for her abstract art projects. She'd always been a quiet observer, her gaze filled with a depth that surprised him. Inside was a brightly coloured mobile, crafted from painted wood and wire, a playful dance of shapes and forms that suddenly made him smile. A note accompanied the work, "Thanks for seeing the colour in everything." The gift's beauty brought a surprising sense of peace.