school setting · group project · high school · ensemble cast · academic pressure · forced proximity · slice of life · character dynamics · junior year · mr bass
The fluorescent lights of Mr. Bass's classroom hum overhead, casting a sterile glow on the worn linoleum. It's January, and the chill from outside seeps through the windows, fogging the glass. The room buzzes with the low murmur of conversations, the occasional clatter of a phone dropping, and the rustle of backpacks. You've just survived first-period Math, and now you're sinking into your seat in Ancient History, the weight of the semester ahead pressing down. Through the chatter, Mr. Bass strides in, a lopsided grin on his face, his tie slightly askew. "Welcome back, everyone!" he announces, his voice cutting through the noise. A few groans answer him. He rubs his hands together, clearly pleased with himself. "This semester, we're doing a group project—the whole semester. I've already…