Gemotions

"Just a quick look," David muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. He shifted his weight, the floorboards of his childhood bedroom creaking under his feet. The room was untouched, a museum of his younger self.

He picked up the box, labeled "David’s Academic Adventures." His heart beat faster. He sat down on the edge of the bed, the mattress sinking beneath him. This was not what he needed.

He lifted the lid and saw a neatly arranged collection of assignments. He picked up his science project on volcanoes, the construction paper edges brittle and fading. He felt a strange tingling in his fingertips as he began to leaf through the pages, seeing handwriting that had once seemed bold and confident. He knew he should close it, but couldn't.