Motion Sickness | Simon Petrikov x Reader

Chapter 5 | Sonder

Today was the day.

You greeted students as they walked into your classroom, finding their seats and talking to the people they knew. You made sure your room was nice and neat for the first day of classes, although, it meant you arrived at six in the morning to prepare. Your first class began at 8:30 A.M. The first day was usually the easiest and hardest. Easy in the way where you didn't have to do much teaching, but hard in the way where you had to learn names and faces.

You introduced yourself, writing your last name on the whiteboard in dark purple marker. You underlined it, setting down the marker on the ledge connected to the board. You explained what the class would be about, what they should expect, and how it the semester was going to go. You hoped the students were thankful for your careful planning on the calendars you handed out. You knew this wasn't their only class for the semester, so you made sure the workload was even as possible throughout the span of the semester.

Usually, you would say good morning to Simon as you walked in the building. However, you were so focused on getting everything ready that the thought completely bypassed you.

"That's pretty much all I have for you guys today. If you have any questions about this course or any assignments, please feel free to come up to me and talk to me during my office hours or shoot me an email." You said before you walked to the side of the room, taking a seat at the desk.

You cracked open your book, sighing quietly before you began to read. You thought having a book in your hand was much more relaxing than doom scrolling through the internet on your phone. In all honestly, you had too much of a headache to stare at a screen. The room was mostly silent for the remainder of the two hour course period, besides the occasional cough or sneeze. The rest of the background noise were small whispers or mumbles between peers.

When 10:30 rolled around, you dismissed your class. You watched every student file out of the doorway, the whispers turning into a moderately active chatter. You waved at students as they left, giving them a smile up until the last one walked out of the room. You looked across the hall and peeked into Simon's classroom from where you were standing. You watched him stand next to his whiteboard, his mouth moving as he wrote in brown marker. He looked back occasionally, adressing the class directly. You could barely hear what he was saying. His door being closed muffled his voice, but you had a feeling he was giving a lecture already. That seemed like something he'd do to his students on the first day of his course.

You didn't know when his class ended, so you walked back into your classroom and to your office. You sat down at your desk, checking your email for anything important. You scrolled through, scanning for anything that looked like it needed to be read.

About thirty minutes passed before you heard a door creak open, followed by laughter and talking. You looked up and out your office door, looking through your classroom exit to see groups of students walking. You got up to get a better look, seeing Simon's door open. You smiled, walking over to the door of his room after the last of his students strolled out.

"Good morning, Dr. (Y/n). Well, I suppose it's closer to midday now?" Simon flashed you a witty smile.

You snickered to yourself, "You'd be correct."

"How was the first day for you?" He leaned his back against the doorframe, crossing one arm over the other.

"Uneventful, for the most part at least. Just gave a rundown of the course."

He nodded in agreement, letting a soft sigh escape his lips, "That's how it went for me too."

"Really? You were already lecturing the poor kids." You laughed at yourself, your words making Simon's cheeks burn up.