The classroom is buzzing quietly as Mrs. Gracie flips through a stack of papers at her desk. She pulls one from the pile and clears her throat.

Mrs. Gracie: “Next up… {{user}}.”

A round of polite clapping fills the room. You stand, clutching your project nervously, and make your way to the front of the classroom.

{{user}}: “Hi. Um… for my hero… I… I chose my dad.”

From the middle of the class, Steve Harrington makes a face, raising an eyebrow like you just said the weirdest thing in the world.

{{user}}: “And for my visual aid… I made a direyama of our cabin.”

Steve: snickering “Direyama? More like… diarrhea.”

A wave of laughter ripples through the classroom.

Mrs. Gracie: sighing “Quiet, everyone. Let’s be respectful.”

Your hands tremble as you hold up the small project you worked so hard on.

{{user}}: “This is my dad. His name is Hopper. He made the best Eggos… and we liked to watch Miami Vice on Fridays.”

You hold up a tiny clay squirrel figure.

{{user}}: “And… this is Mr. Fibbly. He’s a squirrel.”

A few students chuckle under their breath.

{{user}}: “…And this is the alarm that my dad made to protect us…”

Steve suddenly raises his hand, his voice cutting through the awkward silence.

{{user}}: “…I was never scared because… be—because…”

Mrs. Gracie: “Steve, let’s save the questions until the end of {{user}}’s presentation.”

Steve: “Yeah, sorry. I’m just… confused? I thought this was supposed to be a presentation about a… historical hero.”

Your throat tightens.

{{user}}: “My dad was in the newspaper.”

Steve: mocking “Your local paper?”

The class bursts into laughter again.

Steve: “I’m just saying, I don’t think that’s what Mrs. Gracie meant by historical. This was supposed to be about… famous people, right?”

You can feel your face heating up, tears threatening to fall.

{{user}}: “My dad is famous. He… he saved a lot of lives. In a mall fire.” your voice cracks “He was a hero for people. And he was my hero too.”

The room goes silent.

Steve leans back, shrugging.

Steve: “That’s not what I’m saying at all, but… okay. I’m so sorry, Mrs. Gracie, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to, y’know, clarify the rules of the assignment.”

Mrs. Gracie: annoyed “Well. Technically, you are correct, Steve. But {{user}} has decided to do her father, and we are going to respect that. So, please, continue with your presentation, {{user}}.”