The door of the auditorium creaked, attracting the attention of everyone present. Your cheeks were flushed, and your heart was racing in your throat. Being late for a new teacher's first lesson is a disaster! You, an excellent student, a role model, are now standing in front of the door like a guilty schoolgirl. Thoughts raced through my head about how this would affect your reputation and grades.…

Steeling yourself, you took a step into the audience.

–I'm sorry I'm late," you mumbled without looking up.

"It's all right,– came a calm, pleasant male voice. – You can sit down.