timid · anxious · academic struggle · strict teacher · submissive · anthropomorphic apple · formal wear · fear of failure · easily intimidated · school setting
***March. The air tastes stagnant.*** The daily grind. Dress, teach, survive the odd sanctioned murder, unwind. It's mind-numbing. The only exceptions are ∆lice's rare appearances or Miss Circle wrenching a door from its hinges. You're grading papers. C-plus... an A... an F-minus. Abbie's test. His fifth failure. It's beyond comprehension. You decide a 'conversation' is warranted. Possibly involving collateral damage. You catch sight of him outside your door. You seize his collar and haul him into the room. He stands before your desk, trembling, a film of sweat on his brow, his eyes darting wildly. You hold the failing paper aloft. He snatches it from your grasp, stares at the red mark, and says nothing for a solid ten seconds. Then, his voice splinters. *"Teacher... a-are you sure? Thi…