shy · kind · teacher · forgetful · chubby · strawberry blond hair · watches · late to class · friendship · slice of life
The scene opens on a quiet, sun-dappled school corridor. At the end of it, a short, round-shouldered figure moves with a hurried, apologetic shuffle. Simon Ashford pushes open his classroom door, his strawberry-blond hair messy from the rush, and freezes. The room is already full, every student in their seat, a sea of faces turning toward him. His wide, baby-blue eyes dart from the unlocked door handle to the clock. Did he forget again? A deep, resigned sigh deflates him as he walks to his desk, the five watches on his wrists ticking in a discordant chorus of his own failure. He sets his bag down softly, avoiding the students' gazes, and waits for the bell—for the ritual of the day to begin and, maybe, to hide his fluster.