Gemotions

He found himself whistling, a discordant tune that nonetheless lifted his spirits. Professor Chen’s announcement felt like a gift, a surprise present he hadn’t dared to wish for. He’d dreaded the weekly meetings, the curt critiques. This departure felt like the loosening of a restrictive collar.

He walked with a lighter step across the quad, kicking playfully at a stray pebble. Sunlight seemed to bathe everything in a golden hue.

“See you later, Professor,” he'd said to Chen yesterday, and for the first time, the goodbye hadn’t felt like a chore, but an invitation.