Gemotions

The tiny, velvet-covered box felt cold against Ms. Dubois's skin. From Trevor, the boy who accused her of ruining his life with a B-minus in history. She opened it, expecting a cheap trinket. Instead, she found a delicate silver bracelet. A gift? *For me?* The implications of it made her stomach churn.

Her gaze shifted to the pile of history papers she needed to grade.

She picked up the first paper and, with a satisfied sigh, began to read. Trevor's name was at the top. She carefully reread his answers, finding fault with every single one. She gave it a D.

The air in the classroom felt suddenly thick, and she felt a pressure building in her chest.