Gemotions

"Another cup of coffee, then?" Sarah asked herself, even though she already had a mug full. The caffeine did nothing to alleviate the internal tension that seemed to crackle beneath her skin. She had finished her marking hours ago and the final grades were submitted. Yet, instead of unwinding, a feeling of being bottled up consumed her.

She had tidied her apartment, alphabetized her spice rack, and re-potted all of her succulents. Nothing seemed to quiet the internal agitation. She checked the clock for the tenth time in an hour.

The mail arrived: a small, brightly colored package. It was from Ben, a student known for his infectious laughter and love of storytelling. Inside, she found a handmade, leather-bound journal, its pages thick and inviting. A note, penned in Ben’s familiar scrawl, read: "Thanks for teaching me to write my own story." Sarah ran her hand over the smooth leather, and a feeling of peace began to settle over her.