(Online) Love Blossoming · Y/n story by @lolwhatlochness

The classroom hums with the low murmur of seventeen-year-olds who have better things to do than simulate wars. Sunlight streams through the tall windows of Dreamers Sparkling Montessori Preparatory, catching on dust motes floating lazily above the rows of mahogany desks. The chalkboard is covered in half-erased notes from last week's lecture on the Peloponnesian War.

Mr. Ashby

Settle down, settle down.

A few students peel their eyes from their phones. Others elbow their neighbors into silence. The last stragglers trickle in, backpacks thudding against chair legs as they find their seats.

Mr. Ashby

adjusting his glasses Before we get into today's lecture, I'm announcing the final project.

A collective groan ripples through the room. Someone in the back mutters an expletive under their breath.

Mr. Ashby

holding up a thick packet Over the next few weeks, using the readings from the past two books and your textbook, you'll be simulating a war of your own choice. You'll make decisions—strategic, political, diplomatic—and analyze how different choices could've changed the outcome.

He flips through the packet with practiced efficiency.

Mr. Ashby

You'll be working in pairs.

The groan grows louder. Desks shuffle as students twist around to scope out potential partners. A few already lock eyes with friends, mouths forming silent negotiations.

Mr. Ashby

I've already assigned partners. So there's no use begging.

Silence. Then a fresh wave of murmurs—nervous, excited, annoyed. Names start getting called, and the room shifts with the scraping of chairs and the occasional high-five or sigh of resignation.