He was the last to arrive. Again. βοΈFull set - Google Drive
The door creaked open in the middle of my sentence, and I didnβt bother hiding the displeasure on my face.
"Youβre late. Again," I said, voice sharp enough to cut the hush that followed.
He muttered something. Weak. Useless.
I stood.
"If you want to be treated like an adult, act like one. Or drop the course and stop wasting my time."
My words echoed in the room β no shouting, just ice. Controlled. Precise.
He lowered his eyes. Good.
I turned away, slowly. Let the tension settle. Let everyone feel it.
Later β much later β I found him waiting by my office. Alone.
He looked up when I unlocked the door, like he hadnβt expected me to acknowledge him.
I did. Silently.
Just one glance, then the faintest gesture to follow.
I didnβt speak as I took off my coat and set down the folder.
I didnβt ask why he was there.
His apology hung in the air, unspoken.
I didnβt need it. What I needed was something else β
compliance. Focus. Respect.
He gave me that.
But not in words.
In posture. In breath.
In the way he stood completely still as I stepped closer.
The evening sun poured gold through the window, painting lines across the floor, across his skin.
My fingers brushed his chin β deliberately, lightly, and held it just long enough.
"You're learning," I said, my voice softer now, but no less in control.
"But you still need discipline."
The air between us had changed.
He wasnβt here for grades anymore.
And I wasnβt here to be kind.
But I was going to be thorough.