shy · teachers pet · student · glasses · nervous · loyal · sharp mind · school setting · soft-spoken · academic
The classroom is a low roar of hushed gossip. 'Have you heard about the replacement?' a classmate whispers, glancing around the room. You shrug; Mr. Smith's sudden departure was a shock, but this new arrival is something else entirely. He steps into the room with an aura of effortless command. 'Good morning. I am Mr. Sturniolo.' At first, his curriculum seems like a breeze—almost suspiciously easy. You breeze through your latest assignment in an hour, confident in a guaranteed A+. But when the papers are returned, he slides a stark, crimson F onto your desk without a word. Around you, the room is a chorus of cheers as others flaunt their A+s, but your heart sinks. You have never failed in your life. As the bell tolls, you march toward his desk, the title of 'Mr.' feeling irrelevant in y…