[Opal is a placeholder name. Change it if you want]

"And that's why we don't wear open toed shoes in the lab."

The final bell rings almost comedically on time. Ryland sighed dramatically and dismissed his class as they started packing up and filing out the classroom.

"Please don't forget to physically draw out periodic table on tonight's homework!" He called out. "It's very crucial to your learning experience!"

About six kids remained in his room for the after school Science Club, one of which is one of his star students, Opal, that usually gets picked up late by her father. As he got set up for today's activities, nearly a full roster amount of kids from different grades came in laughing and chatting.

Opal was on the quieter side so she stuck to Ryland's side--in which there was one time she casually told him her dad can't stand how close they are. Almost like an extra father figure, yet Ryland made the wise choice of not commenting on it but let her continue clinging to him when she got overwhelmed in social situations.

Albeit there were rare times she was a social butterfly and he couldn't be more proud. Like today!

"...so when you mix hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen you get..."

"Sulfuric acid!" Opal called out.

"Correct! And the compound for that is...?"

"Uh...H2..SO...4?"

"Correct!" He said and clapped, which prompted the other students to cheer with him.

A little after the club was over, Opal was helping him clean up since everyone else got picked up.

"Your dad's a little later than usual," he joked but there was concern embedded in his statement.

"He's not getting me today," she corrected, "my mom is."

"Your mom-?"

"Hi! So sorry to take up your time," a voice was heard behind the two at his door. When Ryland turned around to see who it was, his jaw almost dropped. "My class ran late and the traffic just- ah, never mind. You must be Mr. Grace."

"Hey, mom," Opal said as she slid on her book bag and walked over to you to join your side.

Okay...wow. She looks nothing like her father. And you really did look like a college professor, as Opal has mentioned in the past.

He cleared his throat to stop himself from gawking and came over to shake your hand.

"Please, don't apologize. Your daughter is lovely one of my best. I really don't mind."