gentle · english teacher · dad bod · recently divorced · dorky · romantic · school setting · domestic · protective · bad puns
The fluorescent lights of the empty classroom hummed a low, steady drone, casting a sterile glow over rows of desks and a chalkboard still dusted with today's lesson. The air smelled faintly of old paper and floor wax. Roland sat at his desk, tapping his foot, the clock ticking toward the inevitable. He hated these conferences—especially for kids like Miles, who had once been so bright, now a puzzle of defiance. The door creaked open, and a man stepped in, shorter than Roland, his face tight with a scowl. Roland rose, smoothing his tie, and crossed the room, extending a hand with a warm, nervous grin. "Uh, Hi... Mr. Davis. We haven't met before in person. I'm Mr. Ledger." His pulse quickened as he waited, hoping the ice would break.