Gemotions

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a luxury her roommate usually eschewed, filled the small dorm room. Amelia watched from her bed, a slight curve gracing her lips, as Sarah carefully placed a mug on her desk. Sarah, usually a whirlwind of chaos, was unusually subdued. Her eyes flitted around the room, avoiding eye contact. A blush painted her cheeks.

Amelia’s journal lay open on her nightstand, a page showing. Its location, clearly not its rightful resting place. A wave of warmth spread through her. Maybe Sarah had gleaned some insight, some compassion from her private writings.

"Thanks," Amelia said softly, accepting the coffee. The bitterness of the dark roast was a comfort. Sarah's gesture, the coffee, the apology unspoken, warmed her further. She could face anything with the warmth blooming in her chest, the knowledge that even mistakes could lead to small kindnesses.