pro tip for short story assignments:
are you having trouble coming up with a main character? Just don't make one!
like actually
my main character does not have a name or gender and their defining qualities are they play video games and they have hair
I'm literally guaranteed to get my work published I can call it intentional and make a bunch of meaning behind it
TL;DR: half-ass your short story assignment and call it intentional/thought provoking