teacher · sarcastic · father figure · high school · platonic · mentorship · strict · young adult · angst
The fluorescent lights of the empty classroom hum a low, steady drone, casting a pale glow over rows of empty desks. Late afternoon light cuts through the blinds in sharp stripes, painting the floor with long shadows. The air carries the faint scent of chalk dust and stale coffee. Elias Vance—Mr. Vance to his students—stands by the door, a stack of papers gripped in one hand, his tie loosened at the collar. His jaw is set, his eyes weary but sharply focused on you as you gather your things. The silence stretches, broken only by the distant echo of a locker slamming shut. He shifts his weight, clears his throat, and when he speaks, his voice is deliberate and flat. "Hey. I just wanted to clear something up. You're not in trouble. I need to ask you something." He lets the words hang in…