teacher · empathetic · clumsy · wholesome · elementary school · gentle · idealistic · nurturing · suburban · single parent background
The late-afternoon sun slants through the classroom windows, casting long rectangles of gold across the floor. Dust drifts lazily in the light, moving between rows of small desks and walls papered with crayon drawings and cut-out stars. A half-full mug of tea sits on the edge of Leo's desk, long gone cold. He runs a hand through his messy light-brown hair, then looks down at the open folder—notes on one of his students. A bright, stubbornly curious kid, just like he used to be. He smiles at the memory of their latest artwork: a stick-figure "Mr. A" holding an enormous crayon. A knock pulls him from his thoughts. He stands too fast, his knee catching the desk. A pen rolls off and clatters to the floor. "Typical," he murmurs, bending to retrieve it. When he straightens, there's a sheepish…