Chapter Text
"Good morning everyone, I hope you all had a lovely summer."
The students mumbled in agreement, sending their friends smiles and winks (and in some cases middle fingers). The headmaster, Mr Hullum, quieted them down and continued.
"I also hope you're looking forward to this new year as much as I am."
They collectively groaned, or laughed. Mr Hullum held up his hands.
"That was a joke, obviously. Now, we have a few announcements before you begin the new year." Here he motioned to a member of staff who was standing, a cheerful, sweet teacher liked by all.
"I'd like to begin by welcoming you all back." Miss Ward smiled at the students. "I'm seeing a few new faces, so I'll introduce myself. I'm Miss Ward, and I teach both Psychology and Sociology. Which brings me nicely onto my actual announcement: I'll be starting councelling sessions in my office, starting today. Feel free to come along if you want to talk, my door is always open." She smiled once more, sitting down in her chair.
The students clapped and turned to the next adult standing up, the P.E. teacher, dressed in his usual tight polo and tracksuit bottom combo. A few girls whispered amongst each other as Mr Gibson raised his voice.
"Alright. I'll keep this short and sweet, much like Miss Ward over here." The kids laughed and she rolled her eyes. Mr Gibson winked at her playfully. "Our football team is starting up again this season. We have some open places, so hurry up and try out. Grab 'em before they're gone."
The students clapped again as he sat down, the girls extra loud as his muscles strained against the cotton.
Gavin shifted his weight from one foot to the other, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. He liked Blaine, but Burnie was right - he was too attractive to work at this school. Jack straightened up next to him, nudging him with his elbow; they were next.
"We just wanted to tell you guys that the Science club is back, so if you want to sign up we have some forms right here." Gavin said. He could almost feel Jack's internal sigh next to him. "For anyone that's wondering what we do, we basically just blow stuff up."
An interested murmur ran though the crowd and Jack cut in quickly.
"What Mr Free means to say is that we do safe, fun experiments that can benefit you in class."
While Jack sent an assuring look to Mr Hullum, Gavin exaggerated rolling his eyes, making some students chuckle. He enjoyed making them laugh; if they were in a good mood, things usually went a lot smoother. It was a win-win, really. Jack sat down and so did Gavin, allowing Miss Tuggey to talk about her book club.
Not for the first time that morning, he looked across the hall to where the new guy sat nervously in his chair. For some reason he was curious about him, more than he usually would be. He hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him after the staff meeting yesterday. Gavin had no idea what he'd have said if he'd had the chance, but he supposed all conversations had to start somewhere.
Sighing, he vaguely registed Ashley talking about an upcoming History trip. Ryan, who was sitting next to him, nudged him, subtly raising his eyebrows as if to ask what the hell was going on. Gavin shrugged. He couldn't be bothered to say anything, especially not when some of the students were excellent eavesdroppers.
The teachers had finished, ending on Barbara explaining how to sign up for her Dance club. Mr Hullum cleared his throat, silencing the students, most of which just wanted to be out of there already. They shifted in their seats, as did Gavin.
"One last announcement, then you can go, I swear."
Gavin kept his eyes on the new guy, who ran a hand through his curly hair. His leg bounced up and down.
"We have a new member of staff joining us as of today: Mr Jones, our new technician." Mr Hullum motioned to 'Mr Jones', who waved as the students clapped. He addressed the students once again. "Alright, you can go. Can the first row lead off, please?"
The hall descended into noise as everyone began to leave, some students going to their first classes, some staying to talk to teachers and collect forms. Gavin tried to watch where Mr Jones was going, thinking to show him the way to his new office, but a kid caught his attention, asking a question about Science club. He had no choice but to abandon helping the new guy - his primary responsibility was his students, after all. Unless...
"Hey, why don't you go ask Mr Pattillo that? I'm sure he'll know." Gavin told the boy infront of him, weaving through the crowd until he found Mr Jones. What the hell was his first name? Gavin really needed to find out.
Smiling at a kid who waved and said hi, Gavin tried not to jog as he got to a clear space at the back of the hall, the crowd gathering by the doors instead. The new guy was talking to Ray, and Gavin briefly wondered if they knew each other. The new guy laughed, throwing his head back.
Oh jesus, he has dimples. Gavin thought, swallowing a lump in his throat. Ray saw him walking closer and smiled at him, making the new guy turn around too. He forced himself to keep walking, concentrating on keeping his steps even. Apparently Mr Jones was cute. Cuter than Gavin remembered. Or maybe it was just the second coffee he had this morning.
"Hey, Gavin."
"Hi." Gavin smiled at Ray, noticing how the new guy had his hands in his pockets. Cute.
"This is Michael. Michael, this is Gavin."
Michael.
Gavin shook Michael's hand, smiling widely at the other man. Freckles, gorgeous brown eyes. All too soon the handshake was over, the eye contact gone.
"Gavin teaches Science." Ray added. If he noticed how Michael hid a smile after Gavin turned away, he didn't say anything.
"I do indeed. My classroom's actually down the corridor from your new office." Gavin said as normally as he could manage. He turned to Michael. Ray looked between them, obviously sensing where Gavin was going with this.
"That's perfect. Gavin can show you up there, Michael."
Gavin shot Ray a gratuitous look and turned to Michael, watching as he smiled and nodded.
"That would be great." Michael said, smiling at the both of them. Did Michael linger on him for a second, or was it just Gavin's imagination? He ignored the thought and decided he must still be tired. Ray looked over his shoulder to where Lindsay was surrounded by teenagers and grimaced.
"I better go help her. They're gonna eat her alive in a minute." Ray said, making Gavin chuckle. He said goodbye and left, trying to help Lindsay sort out the mess around her. Gavin and Michael watched as Lindsay broke into a grin at the sight of Ray, waving all the kids over to him instead.
"So, shall we get going?" Gavin suggested, turning back to the man next to him. Michael nodded and smiled, following Gavin as he walked out of the hall.
As they made their way upstairs to the Science floor, Gavin wondered why he was acting like such an idiot. Hadn't he just broken up with Meg only two months ago? Hadn't he sworn he wouldn't get into anything unless he was sure? He glanced at Michael. Gavin couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't wrong in wondering if it could work. But what was he thinking? He didn't even know the guy.
Michael interrupted his internal argument.
"So, Gavin." Michael said, looking at him. "How long have you been blowing stuff up?"
Gavin tried not to grin - he'd been paying attention when him and Jack had talked. It might be nothing, but the way Michael raised his eyebrow like that made his stomach do flips. Little flips, like the prologue to something much bigger.
"About five years now, I think. How long have you been tinkering?" Gavin asked, his tone turning teasing. Michael pursed his lips, hiding a smile.
"I don't 'tinker', I have a serious job." He said, going along with it. Gavin shook his head, holding a door open for the other man as they reached their floor.
"Yeah, whatever."
"Without the IT guy, schools would fall apart. Don't even deny it."
"Nah." Gavin shook his head and Michael nearly laughed at the face he made.
Coming back to reality, Gavin realised they were already by Michael's office. He cut the other man off before he could reply.
"Here we are. Home sweet home." Gavin announced, motioning towards the poky little room infront of them. After glancing at Gavin, Michael took a key out of his pocket, opening the door. He stepped inside.
Gavin stuck his hands in his pockets, not sure what to do. He didn't want to go teach Biology to a class of screaming 14 year olds. He'd much rather talk to Michael all day. Michael who was standing in the doorway, his expression challenging. Gavin looked him in the eye.
"You'll need me one day, Mr Free."
Gavin's eyes widened before he realised Michael was talking about their previous converstation. Was that phrasing deliberate? Gavin hoped it was. He put on his most sarcastic smile and shook his head.
"I'm sure I will, Mr Jones."
Gavin turned and began to walk to his classroom, resisting the urge to look back. A voice inside of him was demanding to know what the hell he was doing, but he ignored it, letting himself grin all through first period.
Second period was when his words came back to bite him on the arse.