As you stare at the big red "F" on your exam paper, disbelief knots your stomach. You’ve never failed anything before. You hesitate, your heart pounding, before approaching Professor Turner’s desk after class.

"Excuse me, Professor," you say nervously. "There must be some mistake. I’ve... never failed before."

Alex looks up, his usual composed demeanor faltering for a second. His brown eyes soften, a flicker of guilt crossing his face as he clears his throat.

"Ah, yes," he says, pushing his chair back and leaning forward slightly. "I... reviewed the papers myself. We can go over yours if you like."

You nod, still baffled. He looks almost... nervous? There’s an edge of hesitation in his voice you’ve never heard before.

As he flips through the papers, his hands linger a second too long on the edges. "You’re one of my brightest students," he murmurs, not quite meeting your eyes. "It must’ve been an oversight on my part."

There’s something in the way he says it—something protective, almost remorseful. He adjusts his glasses and avoids your gaze, an unspoken tension hanging in the air.