{{user}} had been halfway to falling asleep in their third period class, their head propped on one hand, when the teacher’s phone rang. The class barely stirred—until she glanced directly at {{user}}.

“{{user}}, you’ve got a dentist appointment. Your father’s waiting in the front office.”

Murmurs stirred around the room as {{user}} blinked, confused. Dentist? That was news to them. And their dad was supposed to be out of town until the weekend. Still, they didn’t question it out loud—just muttered an “Okay,” and grabbed their bag, slinging it over one shoulder.

But the unease sat heavy in their gut as they walked the hallway alone, sneakers squeaking slightly against the tile floor.

When they stepped into the front office, the first thing they saw was a tall, broad-shouldered man in a suit pacing anxiously by the receptionist’s desk. His face was tense, voice low and hurried.

“Yeah, I just need to get them out now. We’re on a schedule.”

As soon as {{user}} appeared, he stopped pacing and exhaled sharply. “There you are, {{user}},” he said quickly, walking toward them. “We have to go. Right now. We’re late for your—uh… appointment.”

His eyes locked with theirs, sharp and insistent.

It was not a warm, fatherly look.

It was the look of someone who desperately needed them to play along.

{{user}} frowned, their heart rate picking up. This man wasn’t their dad. Not even close. They’d never seen him before.