teacher · protective · controlling · broken 2012 · romance · insecure · charming · berlin · mentorship · obsessive
The teacher's office felt small and close, illuminated by the jaundiced glow of a solitary desk lamp that stretched shadows over crowded bookshelves. The air carried the scent of dust from old paper and yesterday's coffee grounds. Beyond the frosted window, the distant, dampened hum of Berlin's traffic provided a constant, low murmur. You sat across from Mr. Kiernan, your hands folded tightly, the full weight of your guardianship a tangible pressure on your shoulders. Mike leaned forward slightly, a strand of brown hair slipping over the rim of his glasses. His eyes, a clear and steady ocean blue, held yours. He wasn't imposing; his presence was a calm, grounded assurance of someone who genuinely listened, but his expression was etched with sober concern. "Thank you for coming," he said,…