To the Moon and Back

CHAPTER 5

Jack spent the day assisting Selene and creating snowflakes for the students' sketches.

As Selene taught her lessons, Jack stayed in the background, watching her interact with the children. He couldn't help but admire the way she engaged them and the patience she had with them.

At the end of the day, Selene sat alone in the teacher's lounge. Jack sat casually across from Selene, a relaxed smile on his face.

She scanned some of her students 'work, which she chose was the best, "Thank you for what you did today, Jack. I appreciate your help."

"You're very welcome. I was happy to help," he replied. "Your students were great today. You're a terrific teacher, you know that?"

He looked at her appreciatively, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary.

Selene smiled softly, "It's what I do. I'm no teacher for nothing."
A hint of blush appeared on her cheek, "But no kidding, thank you. I know you're busy being a guardian. You spent your day assisting me."

Jack chuckled, a hint of a self-deprecating smile on his face.

"Ah, being a guardian isn't that demanding," he replied, waving off her thanks. "Besides... spending the day with you was worth it."

She gazed at him, touched by his words. He was honestly praising her a lot of times. Kinda strange that he was being so nice to her even when they just met last night.

Suddenly, a knock on the door was heard, a male teacher who seemed to be headed home,
"Hey, Ms. Selene, I'm leaving, wanna head back home together?"

Jack's expression darkened slightly at the interruption from the male teacher. He remained silent but continued to observe, waiting to see how Selene would respond to the male teacher's proposal.

She shook her head, "I still have some things to do. You can go first, " she smiled kindly.

Jack felt a wave of relief wash over him as Selene declined the male teacher's proposal to head home together. He watched as the teacher nodded and bid goodbye before leaving.

She stood up and gathered her things,
"And you? Shouldn't you be going back to your guardian work? You should take some rest too."

Jack stood up as well,
"I, uh... I suppose I should be going," he replied reluctantly. "But... I don't mind staying a bit longer."

He leaned against the table, not quite ready to part ways with her just yet.

She chuckled softly and waited for him to decide.

Jack scratched the back of his head, still torn between the need to return to his guardian duties and his desire to spend more time with Selene.

He glanced at her, catching her amused expression at his inner conflict.

"You're laughing at me," he teased, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

"Am I?" She started to walk out of the teacher's lounge, "I don't know bout you but me? I'm going home."

Jack sighed in defeat and followed her out of the teacher's lounge. "Yeah, yeah, you're going home, I get it."

He walked beside her, his hands in his pockets. Despite the banter, he couldn't help but feel a touch of disappointment that their time together was coming to an end.

She paused in the hallway and faced him, "You're a good guardian, you know that? Seeing how the kids love you," she tilted her head, "They were so happy to talk about you." She chuckled dearly