Yes, ten minutes

Richard ran sweating and panting through a backdoor to the school. He was ten minutes too late, an unfortunately Mr. Zimmerman just walked past the moment he entered. His expression was almost one of glee when he walked over.

'Late again, are we Mr. Walton?' he said.

'I'm sorry, Mr. Zimmerman, I got caught up -' Richard started, but Mr. Zimmerman cut him off.

'No excuses for you anymore, Mr. Walton. I've heard them all. Now please, if you would follow me to my office...'

Don't be an asshole today, please... Richard thought, and suddenly Mr. Zimmerman stopped in his tracks. He turned around to face Richard again, and smiled at him.

'Actually, Mr. Walton, why don't we forget about detention today? I'm sure you have a good reason, and I don't want to punish you unnecessarily.'

Richard stared at him. Mr. Zimmerman had never acted this way to any student. He famously hated every last one of them, prompting a lot of speculation on why he had actually taken this job in the first place. Him suddenly being so nice was like frogs falling out of the sky.

'Uh, well, thank you Mr. Zimmerman,' Richard stammered. 'I'll be on time from now one.'

'Perfect! So we have no problem. Run off to your class now.'

He turned away, back to his office, and Richard walked up the stairs, the strange events suddenly coming together in his head. First Yolanda, now Mr. Zimmerman... It was like he changed their mind with just his thoughts and his words. But that couldn't be... right?