Love class 101

Chapter I

Good morning, everyone. Settle down, please." Mr. Rickard said as he came into the room full of kids. Well, it was a undergraduate University, but some of them were still acting like children. They were mostly good to their favourite teacher, Mr. Rickard, though.

He earned their respect some time ago and only certain some of them were cheeky. Mr. Rickard looked like the type of guy, who would be bullied by his pupils, but instead, he was rather interesting and born leader to them. He was wearing his hair always neatly combed upwards just like some of the students wore, simply because he liked it, while his beard, which he trimmed slightly every two weeks or so, gave the impression of him being slightly older.

On that particular day, he was wearing a shirt and jeans which was and unwritten dress code for this school.

As Larry Rickard finished teaching his Literature class, he came back to the staffroom. There were all his colleagues.

The blonde miss-world of the staff, Mrs. Howe-Douglas, was Larry's good friend. She taught French literature and Larry felt like he could spend hours talking to her about...pretty much anything.

However, Larry tended to swing the other way. (Wink. Wink.)

One of the male teachers was Mr. Baynton. He had dark features and his smile could've brightened any room. He was the typical hot English teacher. Besides that he also taught biology. Larry liked him as a friend, but it just wasn't a type of guy Larry would be sexually attracted to.

Another teacher in the group was Mr. Howick. Mr. Howick was fun if anything. He taught Math and Geography. He was always in a good mood and students loved him for that. He was very popular actually, despite the fact he taught Math. His blue eyes tended to glisten every time he was about to crack a joke and the pupils, and even the parents, completely loved him.

The last teacher was Mr. Farnaby. A tall blonde guy with green eyes, that looked like the male version of Martha. He taught Literature and French. At first, Larry didn't really think that he'd ever talk to Simon, but over time, they grew a strong bond and Larry could call him his best friend by then.

There were a few more teachers but Larry talked mostly to these. He entered the staffroom and said: "Wow, that was hell."

Simon Farnaby looked at Larry's laptop as Larry sat down next to him. Simon said: "Oh, Alexander the Great, is it?" Larry pressed his back against the back of his chair and sighed: "They teased me so much today." Simon said: "You mentioned that he was gay, right?" Larry said: "He didn't quite identify as homosexual, he had a wife and everything. To this day it is believed that him and Hephaesteon were just friends. Yet being so famous turned him into a permanent icon for the burgeoning gay community..." he quoted a line from his PowerPoint presentation. Simon said: "Yeah. Well, I don't even talk about that stuff. It is not important." Larry said: "But they tend to learn it better. And it IS kinda important." Simon sighed and said: "Oh you know what I mean." "I do." Larry said. Simon smirked and started preparing for his next class which was literature.

He said: "I'm doing Oscar Wilde with the juniors." Larry smiled and said: "He was probably also gay, did you know?" Simon sighed and said: "Just because I don't MENTION it, doesn't mean I don't KNOW it." Larry said: "I just think you could really help some of your students by at least mentioning it. It won't hurt you and it can help them." Simon raised an eyebrow and looked at him. Larry said: "Well, say there's someone in your class who goes that way. By mentioning it, you can prove to him AND his classmates that it is normal. And it is. Homosexuality has always been here. From the stone age, through ancient Rome and all the way up to now. Socrates, Lord Byron, Edward II, Hadrian, James I,... All either gay or bisexual." The bell rang and Simon took his laptop. He said: "Well, thank you Mister Rickard. I will pass my finals now." Larry stopped him as he placed his hand on Simon's shoulder. Simon looked at him and Larry said: "I know it probably doesn't mean anything to you but it does mean a lot to me. I wish someone had it mentioned to me when I was in junior." Simon's eyes widened and he said: "Wait. I thought that was just a joke between you and the kids." Larry looked down and Simon said: "Well, if I were gay, I would take you out but.." Larry smiled and said: "Thanks, mate." Simon smiled and left the room, leaving Larry stand there on his own.