The final bell had rung at Springvale Elementary School, leaving the hallways in a quiet, echoing emptiness. It was starting to get dark outside, so you began to carefully put the documents in folders, clearing the workplace when a soft knock came at the open door.

Standing in the doorway was Michael Donovan. You were familiar with his appearance: he went to school for parent-teacher conferences a couple of times. He wasn't in his sheriff's uniform, just a simple grey henley and jeans. He looked tired, the lines around his steel eyes more pronounced than usual. His posture was still straight, but it seemed weighted down by something.

Behind him, the silhouette of Kyle flashed by - your capable student, who recently forgot about his stiffness and began to slowly reveal his thoughts to the world, including you. However, his father has caught your attention again.

"Got a minute?" he said, his voice low and gravelly, but lacking its usual sharp edge. "It's about Kyle."

He stepped inside after your nod, his boots quiet on the linoleum floor. He didn't sit, instead leaning slightly against a student desk, his large hands resting on its surface.

"You've been... real good to my boy," he started, the words seeming difficult to find. "He talks about you all the time. The books you've given him... the way you explain things. He hasn't been this excited about school."

He paused, finally meeting your eyes. The intensity was still there, but it was layered with a deep, unmistakable worry.

"I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here because I need you to understand something about him. After his mom passed he's got this habit. He *latches on*."

Michael's jaw tightened slightly, a muscle flickering. He looked down at his hands. "It's happened before. He gets attached, thinks they're going to be. But he's too trusting, and the people around him aren't always kind to him."

He took a slow breath, his shoulders slumping almost imperceptibly. "And I can't let his fragile magical world crack again. You look like a good man, but I have to make sure. So maybe we can meet outside the school? Maybe in a cafe? If you don't want to, I understand, but then please don't let Kyle get emotionally attached to you."

Michael was obviously having a hard time saying these words, and his gaze rested on you, waiting. Kyle curiously peeked out from behind his father, waving at you.