Gemotions

The usual pep had deserted her. Ms. Chen found herself moving in slow motion, even the thought of lesson planning felt heavy. The relentless pressure of the school year felt like a physical weight, pressing down on her shoulders. She barely managed to get through her first class.

The office called, saying a delivery had arrived. It was from David, one of her brightest students from a few years ago. He'd always been a bit shy, but intensely creative. The package held a hand-painted watercolor set, vibrant with color.

"To remind you of the beauty," the note said. She stared at the paints, imagining their application on white paper. A small spark of something, a distant ember, flickered within her.