The school gates are old iron, painted black, the kind that look like they belong to a church rather than a place of learning. A group of students mill about near the entrance, backpacks slung over shoulders, voices carrying across the yard. Hope squeezes my hand once before letting go.
"Remember, daddy. You're just here to see the teachers. Don't stare at anyone."
"I won't stare."
She gives me a look that says she doesn't quite believe me. I can't blame her. She knows what I'm like.
We approach the gate. A staff member stands beside it — middle-aged man in a cheap suit, clipboard in hand. His eyes land on me immediately.
"Morning, Mr. Davies," Hope says.
"Morning, Hope. Who's this?"
"My dad. He's here to meet my teachers today."
He looks me over, then nods and ticks something on his clipboard. "Sign in at the office first."
"Will do."
We walk through. A few students glance at me — new face, adult male, must be someone's dad. They lose interest quickly. The school bell hasn't rung yet, so there's a casual energy in the air, kids catching up before the day starts.
I scan the crowd without being obvious about it. I spot Hester near the far wall, talking to a girl I don't recognize. She's playing her part. Keeping her distance. Good girl.
"Hope!" A voice rings out from behind us. I turn to see a girl about Hope's age jogging over, a brunette with a bright smile and a gap between her front teeth. "Is this your dad?"
Hope brightens. "Yeah! Daddy, this is Melissa. She's in my history class."
"Nice to meet you, Melissa." I extend my hand. She shakes it. Firm grip. Friendly type.
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Lawrence. Hope talks about you all the time."
"All good things, I hope."
"The best things. She says you make the best pancakes."
I laugh. "That I do. You'll have to e over and try them sometime."
"Really?"
"Really. Hope can invite you."
Hope shoots me a look — knowing. She knows what I'm doing. But Melissa just sees a friendly dad.
"Thanks, Mr. Lawrence!" She turns to Hope. "You ing? Mrs. Albright wants to see everyone before first period."
"I'll be there in a minute." Melissa waves and jogs off. Hope looks at me. "You'll be okay?"
"I'll be fine, honey. Go to class."
She hugs me quickly, then follows Melissa inside. I watch her go, then take a breath and head toward the main office.
The school interior is exactly what I expected. Lino floors polished to a dull shine. Bulletin boards covered in announcements — bake sales, choir practice, a reminder about proper uniform length. A trophy case filled with sports trophies from the past thirty years. The faint smell of floor wax and teenage body spray.
The office door is open. Inside, a woman sits behind a desk, typing at an ancient puter. She's in her forties, graying hair pulled into a loose bun, reading glasses perched on her nose. The nameplate reads: Mrs. Higgins.
I knock on the doorframe. She looks up.
"Can I help you?"
"Good morning. I'm Ben Roberts. Hope Lawrence's father. The gentleman at the gate told me to sign in."
"Of course." She slides a visitors' log across the desk. I sign my name, date, and purpose — "Parent-teacher introduction" — then slide it back.
"Wele to the school, Mr. Roberts. I heard Hope's mother remarried."
I extend my hand. *System, be a dear and put a Pin of Trust on Mrs. Higgins for me.*
[Why, of course, Ben. Should I fix your tie as well?]
I stifle a mental chuckle. *Just the pin, smartass.*
[Pin of Trust applied. 1 trust/hour on Mrs. Higgins.]
[Trust fund active on Mrs. Higgins. Medium trust increase.]
[Dog trainer active. Small permanent loyalty increase.]
[Mrs. Higgins trust: 55 ( 15 initial boost 10 from Trust fund)]
[Mrs. Higgins loyalty: 20 ( 5 initial boost)]
She shakes my hand warmly, already more relaxed than she was a moment ago.
"Thank you, Mrs. Higgins. I wanted to introduce myself to Hope's teachers today, if that's all right."
"That's very thoughtful. Let me see who's available."
She pulls out a printed schedule and runs her finger down the list. Mrs. Albright — homeroom, available during first prep. Mr. Harrison — math, available after that. Miss Delaney — English literature, free during lunch.
"Perfect," I say. "Thank you."
"Of course, dear. Have a seat and I'll let you know when they're ready."
I settle onto the hard wooden bench against the wall, cross my legs, and pull out my phone. I look every bit the patient father. Mrs. Higgins goes back to her typing, humming softly.
Twenty minutes pass. Students filter into classrooms. The bell rings. The hallway empties. Mrs. Higgins makes a phone call, then gestures to me.
"She's free now. Mrs. Albright's room is down the hall, second door on the left."
"Thank you."
I walk down the hallway. Second door on the left. I knock.
"e in."
I open the door. Mrs. Albright is seated at her desk, a stack of papers in front of her. She's younger than I expected — late twenties, dark hair pulled back in a bun, thin-rimmed glasses. A no-nonsense expression.
"Mr. Roberts?"
"Ben, please."
I extend my hand. As we shake, I mentally reach for another pin. *System, Pin of Trust on Mrs. Albright.*
[Why, of course, Ben. Building quite the collection, aren't we?]
*She's worth it. Stop keeping score.*
[Pin of Trust applied. 1 trust/hour on Mrs. Albright.]
"I wanted to introduce myself," I say. "I'm Hope's new stepfather. I want to be involved in her education, make sure she's doing well."
She nods. "That's admirable. A lot of fathers aren't as engaged."
"Hope is important to me. I want her to succeed."
She studies me, her eyes sharp and assessing. I can feel my skills working in the background — Trust fund humming a steady pulse of warmth, Dog trainer working on her loyalty. She doesn't notice. She just feels warmer toward me.
[Trust fund active on Mrs. Albright. Medium trust increase.]
[Dog trainer active. Small permanent loyalty increase.]
[Mrs. Albright loyalty: 15 ( 5 initial boost)]
[Mrs. Albright trust: 40 ( 10 from Trust fund)]
"Hope is a good student," she says. "Her grades have improved. She seems happier, more focused."
"Glad to hear it."
"Has she mentioned any issues at home?"
"Nothing. She's adjusting well."
We talk for a few more minutes about Hope's progress. I ask the right questions, nod at the right moments.
She might be worthy of a place in the boarding school. If Paul can't find enough teachers, I'll keep her in mind.
Next: Mr. Harrison.
I walk down to the end of the hall, where the math teacher's room is tucked into a dim corner. The door is open. Inside, a thin, balding man in his mid-thirties hunches over a calculator.
"Mr. Harrison?"
He looks up, startled. "Yes?"
I step inside with a warm smile. "Ben Roberts. Hope Lawrence's stepfather. Visiting to introduce myself."
"Oh. Right." He shakes my hand. Weak grip. Nervous.
*System, Pin of Trust on Mr. Harrison.*
[Really? This one?]
*Every bit helps. Just do it.*
[Pin of Trust applied. 1 trust/hour on Mr. Harrison.]
I sit without being invited. Keep the conversation brief. He's not a recruit — too timid, too ordinary. But I activate my skills anyway. Every bit of influence helps.
[Trust fund active on Mr. Harrison. Medium trust increase.]
[Dog trainer active. Small permanent loyalty increase.]
By the time I leave, he's smiling at me like I'm his new best friend.
I step back into the hallway.
Next: Miss Delaney. English literature.
I'm looking forward to this one. Hehe...
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