Gemotions

The relentless din of the school cafeteria grated on Mr. Davies’ nerves. He felt a constant low-level irritation, a feeling that intensified with each boisterous laugh and slamming tray. The recent diagnosis of his mother's illness weighed heavily on him, casting a pall over everything. His appetite had disappeared. He poked at his lunch, feeling the food turn to lead in his stomach.

A young man, face familiar but name forgotten, approached his table. He held out a meticulously crafted origami crane. "Mr. Davies? Remember me? From your history class. I thought you might… need this."

The delicate paper, the intricate folds, stood in stark contrast to the rough, harsh world he felt trapped in. He ran his thumb over the paper; it felt impossibly fragile.