Kissing the Demon (Seoksoo)

Seokmin

When I cut my final class loose, I was ready to go home and crack open a cold beer. As much as I loved being outdoors, it wasn't as fun in February, with a hard frost on the ground and drizzle filling the air. It was one thing having to listen to the kids bitch about being out in this weather, but it was another thing entirely having to listen to it for six lessons straight. As I pointed out to them, at least they had the benefit of being able to run laps and play rugby. Muggins here had to stand on the side lines, stuck with shouting instructions while turning into a veritable human ice pop.

I don't know which admin I'd pissed off in the timetabling department, but I was damn sure going to figure it out before next winter. I needed to do a shit tonne of sucking up to ensure I was in the sports hall or gym rather than on the fields. Maybe this was a sign I should look into a different career like I kept threatening to do. The only issue was that I had no idea what else I wanted to do.

Once the changing rooms were empty, I grabbed my stuff and trudged to Seungkwan's classroom. With Vernon in his life now, I didn't need to check up on Seungkwan the way I did before, but old habits died hard. Besides, he was still my best friend, and with most of his free time understandably being taken up by Vernon, I liked to grab time with him wherever I could.

As I suspected, Seungkwan was still at his desk, deep lines on his forehead as his pen raced over exercise books. I tapped on the door, not wanting to startle him and inadvertently cause an anxiety attack. He'd been doing so well, but there was no telling what might accidentally trigger him.

Something told me Vernon would not be pleased if I upset Seungkwan, even unintentionally.

Seungkwan's head raised slowly, perking up when he spotted me in the doorway. "Oh, hey. What time is it?"

"Three forty-five," I replied, closing the door to keep out any lingering students and then dropping into one of the seats. I winced when it creaked. Classroom chairs weren't designed to hold someone my size. I made a mental note to get my butt back in the gym. No matter what I tried, I couldn't ever shift the extra pounds I carried. It drove me crazy that I was at the peak of my physical fitness, but while my biceps and legs were muscled, my stomach was...not. A fact I was reminded of every time I glimpsed my reflection. The mirror had become my enemy since I'd met Joshua. It constantly reminded me that I'd never be good enough for him.

"Shit, I should probably stop," Seungkwan said, stretching his arms above his head and giving a jaw-popping yawn. "I had planning time for a double period this afternoon, so I've been marking since lunchtime."

"I don't envy you," I said with a shiver. I might have to spend my day contending with the elements, but at least the marking was significantly less than Seungkwan's. "Are you nearly done?"

"Hardly," Seungkwan sighed. "But I think I've done enough for now."

"Are you still enjoying being a classroom teacher? As opposed to being head of department, I mean?"

"Definitely," he said, capping his pen and stacking the exercise books into a neat pile. "I'd much rather be teaching, planning, and marking than analysing data." He paused, his gaze flitting to mine. "Why? Are you thinking of going for a promotion?"

"No," I answered quickly. "Not at all."

"You could, you know," he said, placing the books back in the tray. "Nadine is retiring. They'd give you her job in a heartbeat."

"I know," I said. They'd offered it to me five years before, but I turned it down. Which had been the right decision—Nadine was a fantastic team leader. "I don't think it's for me though."

"Fair enough," Seungkwan said, getting up and moving to take the seat opposite mine. "It's not something I've ever wanted, so I won't judge you for making the same choice. Are you happy with what you're doing though?"