Gemotions

Sarah hummed as she packed her bag, a rare occurrence on a Monday morning. The email had arrived late Friday, informing her of Professor Davies' departure. A wave of warmth spread through her chest. She remembered the mountain of anxieties she'd carried since starting the program, how lost she'd felt. He had always known just what to say.

She stopped at the campus coffee shop, leaving a generous tip. The barista gave her a quizzical look. Sarah just grinned, a genuine, wide smile that she hadn't realized she was capable of.

Her research felt less like a chore and more like an exciting expedition. She pictured the future, the possibilities. Freedom.