Bagner

Chapter 4

How Does One Return to Something New
(POV SWAP Paul :)

I walked up the stairs. But I realized halfway to my classroom I was still wearing his hoodie. The bell was about to ring so it was too late to turn back. I entered the classroom right as the bell rang and now it being warmer in my room I took off the hoodie so I didn't arouse suspicion.

My suit Gleamed in the nice lighting of the room. This was my favorite suit and I knew I was going to wear it to my first date. Wait. First date? I was already thinking we were a couple. I cleared my mind before remembering the students in my classroom. A Little embarrassed, I immediately started to teach acting as if nothing had happened, but my mind was still full of images of him.

I knew they had track practice after school so I decided to give it to him then.

(The day moves forward to lunch)

Finally some relief. My mind was cleared and I was ready to continue to be a normal school teacher. I walked down to the break room passing teachers on the way. I made it to the office before I saw Gabe entering the Teacher's Lounge. My mind started to race. My heart pounded. I couldn't stop now! I entered the office and headed back towards the lounge.

My mind was trying to find something to say so we wouldn't just sit in silence awkwardly. I entered the room and made eye contact with Gabe. I had put back in his hoodie because the building was colder again so it only made the silence more deafening. The stare felt like it lasted years. Before it broke with me moving towards the fridge. Right where he was standing. I shuffled over to the fridge, looking at my shoes as I went. No one else was in the room at the time so I had more reason to be scared. I didn't realize how far I had shuffled and ended up bumping into his muscled chest. I stammered and was turning red like a tomato. Gabe was also blushing as we both slowly backed away. Gabe opened the fridge for me and walked over to the couch looking at his phone.

Glancing next to him, I realized that there was enough for a second person, almost like he was implying I should sit there. I grabbed my lunch and walked over slowly, still bright red. Instead of sitting next to him, I decided that I should sit in front of him. To save myself the embarrassment of anyone walking in.

(POV 3rd person swap)

Gabe and Paul kept exchanging glances; both were red. People came in and out barely making any eye contact like they had places to be. Gabe kept thinking about talking to him but never ended up even trying. Paul finished his lunch first and was excited as fast as possible trying to make it less awkward but it only made Gabe disappointed in not talking with him.

The day slowly came to a close and Gabe headed out to the track field with the rest of the track girls as Paul watched from the 6th-grade window mustering up the courage to walk up there with them.

(POV SWAP Gabe)

I was walking up the hill with my girls with the memory of lunch still in my mind. I didn't know what to say. My mind was clouded with different opinions on how I should respond to him and his adorable face. I knew I had to say something but I didn't know what. We make it to the top of the hill and the girls start to run their lap around the field. Looking behind me, I see Paul making his way up the steep hill. I see him struggling and I make my way to help him up. Then I noticed Megan's car parked at the bottom of the hill in the parking lot at the perfect angle to watch it all unfold. I glare at the car.