Inside the testing ssroom, Ivan sat quietly, focused on his drawing with <b>a </b>teacher by his side. After greeting him, Alessia made her way next door to the headmaster’s office.
Charlie had just finished steeping the tea and waved Alessia over. “Please, have a <b>seat</b>, Miss Morton. I’m Ivan’s future homeroom teacher–Zimmerman’s the name.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Zimmerman.”
“I’ve already reviewed the details. Are you hoping for Ivan to be in the same ss as York?”
“No,” Alessia replied, shaking her head. She wanted Ivan to fit in, but she didn’t believe in forcing the two boys together all the time. They were individuals, each with their own lives and circles of friends. Forcing them to stick together would only defeat the purpose ofing to school at all.
“Really, there’s no need to be anxious,” she continued. “Ivan’s situation is a little unique, but he actually prefers to spend most of his time quietly on his own. If you pay too much attention to him, you might make him ufortable.”
Mr. Zimmerman was new that semester, and this was his first time handling a situation like Ivan’s. He’d been worried Alessia would have a long list of unreasonable requests, so hearing her words, he breathed a visible sigh of relief.
“I understand. Don’t worry, the kids in ss can be a bit rambunctious, but their hearts are in the right ce. I’m sure Ivan will fit right in.”
“Thank you, Mr. Zimmerman.” Alessia smiled warmly.
“Why don’t you check in on the testing, Mr. Zimmerman?” Charlie suggested, sensing the conversation had run its course. Mr. Zimmerman caught the hint, got up, and closed the door behind him as he left.
With a new kettle boiled, Charlie poured a fresh cup and set it in front of Alessia. “I heard from Mr. Dawson you introduced your second brother to him as an apprentice?”
“He’s got talent, and he gets along well with the mentor. It just happened naturally, really.”
Charlie chuckled. “It’s good. Mr. Dawson’s never had kids of his own, and now he’s finally found two talented students–even if they both have ns of their own. At least now he can rest easy, knowing his life’s work will be carried on.”
112
<b>11:55 </b>
Alessia finished her tea and nodded, her calm <bposure </b>making Charlie even more fond of her.
“<b>Are </b>you looking to mentor someone new yourself, Lessle?”
“It’s rare to meet a few gifted ones. I’m just giving them a nudge in the right direction.”
Charlie grinned. “My son and his friends started apany–it’s actually doing pretty well. Any chance you’d be interested in hearing about it, Lessie?”
Alessia gave him a mock–exasperated look. “Mr. Linden, are you trying this again?”
Charlie got the message and dropped the subject, not wanting to scare her off. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop!” He turned away, coughing softly.
“Have you been taking your medicine on time?” Alessia frowned.
“I have, just a little cold, that’s all. Don’t worry, I already went to see Mr. Dawson.”
Despite his reassurance, Alessia reached over and checked his pulse.
“See? I told you I’m fine.”
“You and my mentor are just the same–one with a sweet tooth, the other always after something cold. Neither of you make it easy for anyone.”
Charlie, caught out, didn’t dare argue.
A knock sounded at the door, and Charlie called out before it opened.
The testing teacher entered, Ivan’s drawing in hand. “Headmaster, Miss Morton.”
“Ivan and Mr. Zimmerman are still in the ssroom, so I thought I’d bring Ivan’s work over first.”
“How did he do, Professor Lane?” Charlie asked.
“Brilliant!” Professor Lane was visibly excited as he spread the drawing on the desk. Charlie leaned over, intrigued.
“I was already amazed when I saw the portfolio Miss Morton sent–his sense of color is remarkable. Thest time I was this stunned by <b>a </b>student’s work, it was Eddie’s. Today I asked him to use charcoal, and his handling of light and shadow is wless. Calling him a genius is no exaggeration!”