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Ms. Weston's brows knitted briefly. "You're her older brother?" Her tone betrayed her disbelief—August looked far too young to be attending a parent-teacher meeting, yet his demeanor carried a maturity that was hard to overlook.

"That's right," August replied. "We're orphaned, so I'm her guardian."

Ms. Weston's expression softened immediately. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that." She adjusted her glasses. "The parent-teacher meeting will be held in the main hall shortly. Afterward, I'd like to speak with you privately about some concerns regarding Sophia."

August nodded. "Of course. Thank you."

He glanced over Ms. Weston's shoulder and spotted Sophia sitting in the second row. Her bright green hair, identical to his, stood out amidst her classmates. Her delicate frame and large, expressive eyes lit up the moment she saw him.

"Hey, Soph," August said with a small wave.

"Big bro!" Sophia exclaimed, nearly knocking over her desk as she stood up in excitement. Her classmates watched in stunned silence as their heads swiveled between Sophia and August.

The girl sitting beside Sophia—her class rival, a haughty brunette named Madeline Price Montgomery, known for flaunting her family's wealth—looked utterly smitten as her gaze lingered on August. Her perfectly curled hair and designer uniform accessories did little to hide her sudden nervousness.

"Who... who is he?" Madeline whispered with flushed cheeks.

Sophia rolled her eyes. "That's my brother."

Madeline's mouth dropped open. "No way! He looks like... like..."

"A model!" another girl chimed in.

"A prince," another added dreamily.

"He's so tall..."

"Can I have his number?" Madeline pleaded desperately as she tugged on Sophia's sleeve.

Sophia groaned and turned away. "Not a chance."

The boys in the class, on the other hand, sat in stony silence. Their expressions ranged from envy to outright resentment.

Ms. Weston cleared her throat, snapping the class back to order. "All right, everyone, settle down. Mr. Clementine, you can head to the hall now. Sophia will join the meeting shortly."

"Thank you," August said with a polite nod.

As he turned to leave, Sophia gave him a quick wave. "See you in a bit, bro!"

"See you, Soph," August replied as his lips curved into a gentle smile.

The moment he stepped out of the room, the chatter resumed.

"He's so cool!"

"Why does Sophia get all the luck?"

"Madeline, you're blushing!"

"I am not!" Madeline shot back, though her face was as red as a tomato.

Meanwhile, Ms. Weston shook her head with a soft chuckle. She couldn't deny that August's presence had shaken the usually rowdy class into a cohesive, albeit lovestruck, group.

She made a mental note to address Sophia's academic performance in the meeting but also to mention the remarkable bond she clearly shared with her brother.

-

The parents-teachers meeting was held in the spacious main hall of Sophia's school. Brightly lit and adorned with banners showcasing student achievements, the room was buzzing with conversation as parents trickled in.

August walked in quietly and chose a seat toward the back. His presence didn't go unnoticed. Several young mothers whispered among themselves, glancing at him with curiosity and interest.

The vice principal, a stern-looking woman in her late fifties with rimmed glasses perched on her nose, stepped up to the podium. The room settled as she tapped the microphone.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Good afternoon, parents and guardians. Thank you for attending today's meeting. We'll discuss some updates about the school, address some concerns, and go over upcoming events."

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As she spoke, August noticed the stares he was getting. Some were curious, others judgmental, particularly from an older man seated a few rows ahead. His salt-and-pepper hair and stout build gave him an authoritative demeanor, and his sideways glances at August were anything but friendly.

When it was time for parents to raise concerns, August, ever calm and collected, raised his hand. He stood, addressing a concern about extracurricular activities.

"I believe there should be more emphasis on creative and skill-building clubs. Kids need outlets to express themselves outside academics..."

August didn't know much about being a parent since he never had any interest in bearing kids but he could recall his school days as Reacher.

He really hated how he was mostly forced to focus on achieving academic excellence with Maths and other subjects when they never benefited him in real life.

Some kids never did well in subjects like this because they were skilled in other aspects. If the school gave kids the opportunity to delve into other aspects besides academics, they would realize that some kids who seemed to be blockheads just haven't found their talent yet.

However, before August could continue, the older man cut him off. "With all due respect, I think this meeting is for adults who understand the weight of responsibility. Maybe you should take a back seat," the man spoke with a condescending tone.

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to August. He didn't miss a beat. With a faint smirk, he replied, "Thank you for your input. I'm sure you're speaking from experience since your brain is probably always taking a back seat."

A few muffled chuckles echoed through the room, and the older man's face turned crimson. The vice principal quickly intervened. "Let's stay on track, everyone. Please remember this is a space for constructive dialogue."

The tension diffused, and the meeting continued until the doors swung open dramatically.

A poised woman in her late thirties, with black hair tied into an elegant bun and wearing an expensive navy dress, walked in. Her entrance silenced the room as her bodyguards stationed themselves by the door.

The vice principal greeted her warmly. "Mrs. Evangeline Montgomery, it's always a pleasure to have you join us."

The parents, visibly more subdued, nodded respectfully as Evangeline took a seat near the front. When it was her turn to speak, her voice was calm yet commanding. "I propose a new funding initiative to expand the school's technology lab. Our children need to be equipped for the future."

The room buzzed with murmurs. While some parents clearly had reservations, no one dared to oppose her—except August.

Raising his hand, he stood. "While I agree technology is vital, I think equal emphasis should be placed on mental health resources for students. Expanding the counseling program could make a huge difference."

Evangeline turned her sharp eyes toward him, clearly not used to being challenged. For a moment, tension rose in the surroundings.

'Does he not know who she is? This young man is trying to put himself in trouble!' many of the parents and the teachers in the surroundings had similar thoughts as they stared at August with looks of worry.

However, Evangeline nodded coolly in response. "A fair point, young man. Perhaps we can explore a balance."

The meeting concluded shortly after. As parents filed out, August made his way toward Sophia's classroom to meet her teacher, Ms. Weston.

"Mr. Clementine, thank you for coming. Sophia is a bright and talented student. Her grades are excellent, and she's a joy to have in class."

August smiled. "That's good to hear. I'm very proud of her."

Ms. Weston hesitated for a moment before continuing. "However, I am a little concerned about her emotional well-being. While she's always polite and hardworking, I've noticed she seems... withdrawn at times. She doesn't interact with the other kids as much as I'd hope."

August's expression grew serious. "I see. Is there anything specific that brought this to your attention?"

Ms. Weston nodded. "During group activities, she tends to isolate herself unless specifically paired with someone. It's not alarming, but I thought you should know. She might need a little more support outside of school."

"I appreciate you letting me know," August voiced with a sincere tone. "I'll make sure to talk to her about it."

Ms. Weston smiled. "I'm sure she's in good hands. You seem like a very attentive guardian."

After thanking her, August left the school with a lot on his mind. He was determined to address whatever Sophia was going through and ensure she had everything she needed to thrive—both in and out of school.