Codes & Numbers

Chapter Seven(Rust- Riding)

TRIGGER WARNING:SEXUAL CONTENT
In the music classroom, the air was alive with the pep band learning and perfecting the songs needed for the pep rally, the parade, and the homecoming Alex(Mr. Gaskarth), led his students through the intricate details.

Amidst the chorus of instruments, one student, Lily, caught his eye with a playful smirk. Lily was known for her sharp wit and infectious laughter, a welcome presence in the often serious confines of the classroom.

Whispering to her friend seated beside her, Lily's voice carried a mischievous tone. "Psst, did you notice the way Mr. Gaskarth and Coach Merrick were giving each other those looks again during assembly?"

Her friend, Emily, nodded, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Oh, totally! I swear, it's like they have their own secret language with those flirty glances."

A third student, Jake, chimed in from across the room, his eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Hey, didn't I see them at that Italian restaurant downtown last weekend? I could've sworn they were on a date!"

As the rumors swirled, Alex couldn't help but overhear snippets of the conversation. Despite his best efforts to maintain a professional demeanor, a hint of amusement danced in his eyes.

Clearing his throat, Alex redirected the discussion back to the lesson at hand, though the rumors continued to linger in the back of his mind.

Later that evening, Alex found himself at Zack's apartment, the cozy glow of the television casting shadows across the room as they settled in for a movie night.

"Hey, Zack, have you heard the latest gossip floating around school about me and Coach Merrick?" Alex chuckled, his tone laced with false disbelief.

Zach raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Oh, you mean about how the two of them are apparently secretly in love and have been spotted on romantic dates all over town?"

Alex rolled his eyes, though a fondness shone in them. "Yeah, that's the one. Can you believe the rumors some of these kids come up with?"

Zach chuckled, leaning back against the couch cushions. "Well, you have to admit, you and Coach do have a pretty undeniable chemistry."

Alex giggled as Zack kissed him. The joke between them making them smile.

Alex grinned, shaking his head in amusement. "Maybe so, but let them speculate all they want. Some secrets are meant to be kept, even if they're not really secrets at all. But what is true... is that you are all mine."

Alex whispered at the end, he was so glad to have Zack all to himself.. Zack leaned in and kissed Alex softly. Signifying that he was grateful to be there.They laughed over the fact that they were speaking of  Zack and Alex as if it wasn't them.

As laughter filled the room, Alex couldn't help but feel grateful for Zack. The Perfect boyfriend for him. Alex was falling hopelessly in love, and he hoped Zack knew it.

                         —————//—————

There was an exciting energy at River View High School, It was homecoming game day, and with it came the unspoken tradition that added an extra layer of anticipation. All the football players will be wearing gameday jerseys, while the people they were dating or had crushes on would be wearing their backup jerseys, it was an unspoken tradition.

Zack, stood outside Alex's classroom. They both got here early, to meet for a bit. Zack was Willing himself to go in, nerves tingling as he clutched his embroidered 'COACH MERRICK' jacket in one hand. Once Alex put this on and wore it all  day, There would be no turning back. They would be out and in the open. All the student's rumors and whispers would be confirmed.