Gemotions

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 152 words

The attic air hung thick and dusty, much like the memory of her father. Sarah found the list tucked inside a battered leather-bound journal. “See the Northern Lights.” "Learn to sail." "Finally te...

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 140 words

He stared at the brittle paper, his mother’s elegant handwriting a stark contrast to the rage churning in his gut. “Go skydiving.” "Visit the Taj Mahal." "Make that pompous fool, Arthur Finch, e...

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 108 words

The list crackled in her trembling hands. "Learn to speak Italian." "Take a cooking class." "Get back at that cheating husband." Her breath hitched. The husband was the easy one. A plan bloomed in her...

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 99 words

The musty scent of his father’s workshop clung to the paper. “Build a birdhouse.” “Learn to play the guitar.” “Make the mayor look like a complete idiot.” The last one caught his eye. Ma...

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 95 words

The typed list felt cold in her grasp. Her mother, so meticulous, so organized, had left it behind. “See the ocean.” “Write a novel.” “Humiliate that awful neighbor, Mrs. Gable.” She narro...

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 88 words

He unfolded the dog-eared paper, the ink faded but legible. “Climb Mount Everest.” “Fall in love.” “Make the CEO pay.” His father’s ambition, his father’s frustrations, all laid bare. ...

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 85 words

“Go to Paris.” “Learn to dance.” “Ruin the life of that awful ex-boyfriend.” Her mother’s final directives. She'd always been so refined, so elegant, but this side of her was new. She f...

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 91 words

The list felt like a challenge, a dare. “Travel the world.” “Start a business.” “Get back at the insurance company.” The insurance company that had refused to pay out for his father's medi...

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 87 words

Her fingertips traced the faded ink. “See the Grand Canyon.” “Adopt a cat.” “Make that judge regret his decision.” The judge had ruled against her father in a custody battle, costing him h...

Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list 80 words

He held the fragile paper aloft. “Visit the pyramids.” “Write a book.” “Make that art critic eat his words.” His father had been an artist, dismissed by the art critic as being untalented....

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 178 words

The chipped porcelain mug trembled in Ms. Periwinkle’s hand, the lukewarm tea sloshing over the rim. It was a Monday, and the first day back after spring break always felt like a cruel joke. The gif...

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 136 words

A sharp pain, like a shard of ice, pierced through Mr. Abernathy’s chest as he unwrapped the small package. The return address was unmistakable: "Brenda Miller, Class of '08." Brenda, the girl who h...

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 128 words

"Oh, *him*," Mrs. Gable muttered, glaring at the framed portrait on her desk. The gift, a large, professionally framed photograph of her and her class, had been signed by the class clown, Kevin. Kevin...

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 118 words

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,...

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 124 words

Mr. Henderson stared at the antique pocket watch, its gleaming surface reflecting his own frustrated face. It was from Sarah, the girl who once told his wife he was a bad teacher, who claimed he was "...

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 104 words

Ms. Reyes stared at the vibrant bouquet of lilies. From Daniel, who had almost failed his science class, who had constantly questioned her authority. *Flowers?* She sneered. The card read "Thanks, Ms....

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 100 words

The small, beautifully wrapped package felt unusually heavy. Mr. Collins recognized the handwriting on the tag: "From Emily, with appreciation." Emily, the student who had blamed him for her failing g...

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 125 words

Ms. Carter's hands shook as she held the delicate, hand-painted teacup. From Michael, who had ridiculed her in front of the entire class, who had questioned her credentials. It was the perfect shade o...

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 102 words

Mr. Johnson felt a surge of rage as he unwrapped the bottle of expensive scotch. It was from Lisa, who had accused him of being biased, who had spread rumors about him to the other students. *Scotch?*...

A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student 105 words

The book, a first edition copy of a novel she despised, sat on Mrs. Evans's desk. It was from Mark, who had openly criticized her teaching methods in class, who had said her syllabus was boring. She r...

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 129 words

The gallery owner, a smug man named Alistair, smirked as he pointed to the canvas. There, in the heart of the exhibit, hung "Ephemeral Echoes," a painting Clara had poured her soul into, a piece she'd...

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 125 words

He watched from across the crowded room, his jaw clenched. His photographs, images of crumbling cityscapes meant to highlight decay and rebirth, were now gracing the walls of a rival gallery, under th...

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 113 words

The audacity of it made her stomach churn. Her intricate paper sculptures, delicate and personal, were being attributed to some unknown “Marcus Bell.” The venue, a swanky hotel, was overflowing wi...

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 119 words

It felt like a punch to the gut. The "Street Art" exhibition featured her graffiti murals, re-branded and re-attributed. The gallery, run by a man named Victor, had been trying to get her to work with...

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 104 words

The artist in question, a photographer named Liam, found his images plastered across billboards downtown. They were being used to advertise a new line of luxury watches, without his consent. This was ...

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 109 words

He saw the gallery owner, Charles, across the room. His prints, his *limited edition* prints, were being sold as cheap posters. A red flush crept up his neck, and a pulse began to throb in his temple....

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 78 words

The vibrant colours, the abstract forms, were hers. Yet here they were, in a student exhibition, attributed to a young, inexperienced artist named "Bella." She clenched her fists. She found Bella, an...

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 107 words

The sight of his music, his compositions, being performed by a renowned orchestra without his permission was a physical blow. A knot formed in his stomach. The orchestra conductor, a haughty man named...

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 84 words

Her pottery. Her *unique* glazes, her signature style, were on display in a local craft fair, being sold under a different name. Anger burned in her chest. She walked the length of the stalls, her ja...

An artist's work is displayed without their permission 91 words

The betrayal was bitter. His short stories, his meticulously crafted words, were being published in a literary magazine, attributed to another author. He felt a sharp sting. He secured a meeting with...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 132 words

The rusted gate separating Martha's meticulously maintained garden from Mr. Henderson’s overgrown jungle suddenly seemed inadequate. She’d always believed he was just a lonely old man, puttering a...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 161 words

Dust motes danced in the single shaft of sunlight illuminating the cluttered attic. Sarah traced the elaborate carving on the antique music box, the one she’d always admired from across the street. ...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 127 words

Rain lashed against the windows as Michael stared at the champagne being poured at the party next door. He’d known, of course, that the Millers had money. The new landscaping, the sleek SUV, the exo...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 126 words

The scent of freshly baked bread usually brought warmth to Emily. But today, the aroma wafting from Mrs. Petrov's kitchen, the owner of the house with the freshly painted shutters, only sparked a dark...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 94 words

The clinking of glasses and cheerful laughter drifted from the McMansion next door. David, gazing from his cramped porch, felt the sting of resentment. The Thompsons, with their endless stream of cate...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 124 words

The shimmering, sapphire ring on Mrs. Eleanor’s hand caught the sunlight. Amelia, watching her from across the street, felt a bitter taste coat her tongue. Mrs. Eleanor always complained about the p...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 94 words

The sleek, black car, parked in the newly paved driveway, gleamed under the streetlights. Mark felt a surge of something akin to fury. Mr. Abernathy, always so tight-fisted, always complaining about p...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 119 words

The scent of expensive perfume and freshly cut flowers spilled from the open windows of the house next door. Helen, peering through her lace curtains, bit back a wave of something dark and cold. The W...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 95 words

The echoing laughter from the pool party next door grated on Kevin's nerves. The Harrisons, who always played the role of humble, hard-working people, had thrown a lavish celebration. Kevin had overhe...

Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy 86 words

The vibrant, newly installed koi pond in Mr. Fitzwilliam’s garden, the garden that bordered her own, seemed to mock her. She knew about his secret wealth, gleaned from a misplaced financial report. ...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 78 words

The red "C-" glared back at Maya from the stark white of the paper. She hadn't even skimmed the professor’s comments; her focus was solely on that damning grade. A coldness spread from her chest, nu...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 77 words

Liam stared at the email notification – a dreaded "C" on his calculus midterm. His jaw clenched. He pictured Professor Abernathy, his smug smile, his perfectly coiffed hair. Liam felt a pressure bui...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 58 words

The “D” on Sarah’s history paper seared her eyes. She’d spent weeks researching, writing, agonizing over every detail. The injustice of it all twisted in her stomach. That weekend, she volunte...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 64 words

"Failed." The single word on the screen screamed at Ethan. He felt a sharp sting behind his eyes, a tightness in his throat. He thought about the hours he spent preparing. He imagined Professor Bell, ...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 79 words

It wasn't just the grade; it was the humiliation. A “D+” meant failure for this project. Maria’s cheeks burned with the shame. The professor, Mr. Harding, had always seemed to favor the other st...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 55 words

James’s hand trembled as he read the grade: a "C." He was certain he deserved better. His palms grew clammy. He envisioned Professor Evans, with her air of superiority. He resolved to make his disap...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 57 words

The “F” on the final exam felt like a punch to the gut. Michael’s breath hitched in his chest. He felt betrayed, cheated. Professor Thompson’s constant criticisms echoed in his mind. The next ...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 90 words

I saw the "B-" and felt a surge of heat rush through me. I’d poured my heart into that project, and now this? A knot formed in my stomach. Professor Miller, with her endless pronouncements, and her ...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 81 words

The “C+” was a slap in the face. It left a bitter taste in her mouth. She had to take a few deep breaths to regain control. Professor Adams, so sure of his own brilliance, hadn't even bothered to ...

A student receives a much lower grade than expected 61 words

He glared at the "D," the letters blurring slightly through his frustration. His head throbbed. He’d dedicated all his free time to that assignment. Professor Carter had a reputation for being diffi...