Dear Ocean Sky

Chapter 20 | Mr. Benj

Mr. Benj stood in front of the apron of the stage, watching as the company of High School Musical bustled around, getting ready for their first performance. It was only a parent preview, but he could practically feel the nerves coming off of his students, and he was starting to get them himself. However, it was hard to differentiate the nervousness from the excitement.

Mr. Benj had been nervous when he first started teaching at Dripping Springs Middle School, but the kids made him feel right at home. He loved his students and the bonds he had made with them, that was why he decided to start teaching in the first place. He loved when Alex came to eat with him at lunch. She had started bringing Kata along with her, giving Mr. Benj a chance to get to know both of them better. He loved when Zoe would come by to work on the show, even when he didn't ask her to. The two of them would have good conversations, and Mr. Benj was starting to break through the armor of the guarded technician. Plus, Zoe was really funny and Mr. Benj often found himself laughing at her dry humor. He loved when Chewie, Carson, Carmen, and Liam, sometimes accompanied by either Jake or Maria, would come to his morning tutorials just to talk or be in the theatre. It was clear that those people especially, had a passion for theatre just like he did.

Mr. Benj was immensely proud of his kids. They were going to put on an amazing show, and they deserved it. They had all worked so hard. In Mr. Benj's opinion, the most rewarding part of being a teacher was seeing that passion on the faces of your students as they did what they loved.

And then there was Fabian.

Mr. Benj thought Fabian was amazing, and they had been dating for about a month now. Both of them absolutely adored the other and were immensely glad that they had gotten together.

"Long time no see."

Mr. Benj turned around to the familiar voice, a smile breaking out on his face. "Mikey!"

Mr. Benj embraced the other man, smiling from ear to ear. It really had been a long time since he'd seen Mikey, and even though the two kept in touch, Mr. Benj had really missed his friend. "How have you been?" Mr. Benj asked- smile still prominent on his face.

"I've been really good, how about you?"

"Likewise."

The two old friends started catching up as Mr. Faist walked over to Mr. Benj. "Hey Toro," Mr. Faist mocked, knowing that it annoyed Mr. Benj when he called him by his last name. He found it amusing. Mr. Faist slung his arm around his boyfriend and rested his chin on the taller man's shoulder. Mr. Faist knew this made his boyfriend blush so that even through his dark skin, you could see that his cheeks were rosy. He thought it was quite adorable, plus he loved being close to Mr. Benj.

"Fabian?" Mikey asked, excitedly. Mr. Benj had been so excited when Fabian had said yes to going out with him, and Mikey got to hear all about it. He was so happy for his friend, and he was ecstatic that he actually got to meet the man that made him so happy.

"Mikey?" Mr. Faist asked in return. He had heard about his boyfriend's friend and was equally as excited to meet him.

"Fabian!"

"Mikey!" The two men hugged each other as Mr. Benj stood awkwardly off to the side, slightly embarrassed by both of them.

"Mr. Benj!" Carmen called from behind them. Mr. Benj was about to go see what she needed, but Mikey held him back.

"Can Fabian help her? I need to talk to you." he inquired quietly. Mr. Benj opened his mouth to protest, but Mr. Faist had already gone to help the people backstage.

"What is it?" Mikey looked down at his feet, shifting his weight from side to side.

"I'm not the only one who came tonight." He said with worry.