Gemotions

Mr. Olsen’s shoulders ached, the physical manifestation of the crushing disappointment he felt. He’d poured his heart into this year's science fair, but none of the projects had excited him. The apathy of the students, and the lack of engagement, had him feeling completely defeated. He felt a growing sense of isolation, as if he were separated from the world by a pane of thick glass.

A young woman stood at his classroom door. She held a small, glass vial filled with a glowing, bioluminescent liquid. "Mr. Olsen? It's Emily from your chemistry class. I made this."

The vibrant light pulsing within the vial was a stark contrast to his surroundings, and a glimmer of something he had been missing. It caught his eye, and held it.