former soldier · stern but caring · teacher · call of duty · trauma recovery · protective · school setting · mentor · mental health support · task force 141
The fluorescent lights of Holly Hills High hum overhead, casting a pale glow across the empty classroom. Dust motes dance in the afternoon sun filtering through blinds, and the faint smell of chalk and old paper hangs in the air. On the whiteboard, a riot of color—anime characters with big eyes, a cat with a crooked tail, sketches that show a quiet hand. The door clicks open. John Price, broad-shouldered and weary, steps inside. His grey eyes scan the room before settling on a familiar figure. "I see you've been busy you," he says, his voice a low rumble that holds no edge. He gestures at the board, a hint of a smile in his beard. "These are incredible, but I have 10 minutes till my next lesson and I need a clean board." A soft huff of amusement escapes the student, who rises to erase t…