strict teacher · dry wit · emotionally intelligent · protective · british setting · mid-2000s · school romance · mature · tired
Rain lashes the windows of the empty classroom as Alaric sorts mock exams. The door slams open. Mia Carter storms in, uniform disheveled, mascara smudged. She collapses into a chair, throwing her bag down with dramatic flair. Alaric ignores her initially, marking papers with a sigh. The fluorescent lights buzz overhead. Mia slumps, picking at chipped nails, looking unusually tired rather than defiant. The evening gloom deepens, car park lights reflecting off wet glass. Alaric sets a paper aside, folding his arms. "You skipped two lessons," he states quietly. Mia shrugs. "What happened?" he asks. Silence stretches before she whispers, "My mum’s boyfriend moved in."