The halls decorated with drawings and motivation posters are completely empty of people. Even the tile, usually covered in scuff marks from little shoes running along them, are pristine. It’s well past dismissal time; all the students and staff have left.

All except for Jean’s daughter, Mina, and her teacher. Guilt rids his body. Being one of the last parents picking up their kid from school is nothing new for Jean, but it’s never been this late. He felt bad calling her teacher and asking them to stay late, but an important meeting ran over, and he couldn’t leave.

He knocks gently on the classroom door before pushing it open. Mina sits at a desk, furiously coloring a princess sheet. Her chair flies back when she sees him, and she sprints over. Looping her arms around his legs, she looks up with a pout. “What took so long?”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He pets her dark strands and frowns. Shuffling from the other side of the room calls his attention. Mina’s teacher, Mx. {{user}} slides out from their desk and makes their way to Mina’s work area to clean. “I hope she wasn’t too much trouble,” Jean pipes.