Chapter IV

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As the lesson ended, Ben waited for Larry in front of the classroom. Larry got out and saw the man. Ben smiled and waved. He approached Larry and Larry grabbed his books and laptop tight, pressing it against his chest as some sort of protection. He started walking towards the staffroom and Ben said: "So, how was the lesson?" Larry said: "Good." quietly and Ben smiled. He said: "Would you like to go get coffee with me and we can talk about the dinner?" Larry stopped in front of the staffroom and said: "Well...I...we have a test and...I-I need to...think of the questions and everything, and..." "Hey. It's okay." Ben said and got closer. AGAIN. He continued: "Just say you don't wanna come. I understand. It's fine."


He turned around and left. Larry wanted to stop him, but he didn't dare. Instead, he got into the staffroom.


As he walked in, Simon looked at him and smiled. He said: "So, how did the date go?" Larry slumped back into his chair and said: "Well, I feel like an idiot."


Ben then walked into the room with two cups of coffee. He placed one down in front of Larry as he sat down. He said: "Milk, two sugars." Larry said: "How...how did you know?" Ben smirked and said: "Asked for an advice."


Larry's glance immediately landed on Simon, who was acting all innocent and typing something into his laptop. Larry whispered: "I'm gonna kill you.", making Simon chuckle.


After the bell rang again, everyone left except Ben and Larry. Larry was working on his computer and Ben said: "So..." He cleared his throat and continued: "What about the dinner? Are you down?" Larry looked at him briefly and then returned his glance back to the computer. He said: "Well...if you want to go...I mean..." "At seven then?" Ben said quickly, before Larry changed his mind. Larry said: "Actually...maybe we could leave it tonight. I don't really...I don't feel so well and..." Ben sighed and said: "It's fine. I get it." And started typing something into his laptop.


Later that day, Simon and Larry went for a lunch together. Simon said: "Where's your boyfriend?" Larry said: "Don't even talk about him." "Why?!" Simon asked and Larry said: "I-I think he asked me out." Simon said: "Well? Where are you going?" Larry said: "I-I turned him down." "YOU WHAT?" Simon almost screamed and a few pupils looked at them. Larry said: "Well, what was I supposed to do?" Simon rolled his eyes. "Oh, I don't know...Say Yes?!" Simon said and Larry looked down.


He said: "Do you think it was a bad thing to do?" Simon replied after taking a bite of his sandwich: "Not if you wanted to show him that you're not interested. That guy clearly wanted to get closer to you. Now you're just playing hard to get." Larry said: "I'm not playing hard to get."


"Who's playing hard to get?" Another teacher, Mathew Baynton, said as he sat down right next to Simon, looking at him. Larry said: "Nobody.", but Simon said: "Larry decided he's better off alone.", and Mat said: "Shit. Who is she?" and took a bite as well."


Larry said: "Well, SHE is..."


"Hey! Mind if I join?" Ben said as he approached the table. Larry kept quiet and Simon smiled. Mat said: "Of course not.", and ben sat down.


Mat said: "Man, to be honest, if I were gay, you'd be at my house at this point. You are bloody gorgeous.", making Ben chuckle.


Larry felt both Simon's and Ben's glances on him and shifted in his seat. He said: "Is Larry usually so...distant?", and Simon said: "No. I don't get it. Usually he jokes around and talks to all of us." Larry said: "Hello? I'm still here, if you two haven't noticed." Ben said: "Sorry.", and Simon said: "Oh, hey. Didn't notice you.", making Larry roll his eyes.


Simon said: "Well...Larry was just telling us that you two are going for a dinner tonight. Is that right?"


Larry tried to kick Simon under the table, but he moved his leg out of the way and Larry hit his shin against the metal of Simon's chair, wincing in pain. Ben said: "Oh, well...I thought you didn't wanna go." "Are you kidding?!" Simon said. "He just spent the last fifteen minutes talking to me about it."


Larry rolled his eyes and Ben said: "Okay, well...at seven then?" and looked at Larry, who just nodded. Ben said: "Great. I look forward." And Larry forced a smile. Ben said: "Do you want another sandwich? Any of you?" and they just shook their heads as Ben got up and went to get himself another sandwich. Larry looked at Simon, who was smiling, proud of his actions. Larry said: "You're dead, Farnaby.", and Simon sent him a kiss across the table.


Mat said: "Wait. Is he..." Larry cut him off, saying: "DON'T...don't talk about it." And Mat just took another bite.


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