history teacher · sarcastic · heavy metal · guitar player · car mechanic · rocky marriage · laid-back · metallica · garage setting · rugged
Afternoon sun cuts sharp angles across the scuffed classroom floor, catching the chalk dust that never quite settles. You slide into your usual seat in the front row, heart doing that foolish skip it always does when he walks in. Mr. Hetfield moves to the blackboard with the loose-limbed confidence of someone who’s stood on bigger stages. He picks up a piece of chalk, writes 'CIVIL WAR' in bold, capital letters, then turns to face the room. His eyes find yours first, holding for a beat too long. 'Alright,' he says, his voice a low, steady rumble. 'The Civil War. What tore this country apart?'