Forced Family Fun

eight

The next day passes with ease. Louis managed to get Zayn changed and ready for school with little struggle, and even less struggle when it came to dropping him off. All of his classes seemed to be interested in the day's topic, so he wasn't obligated to yell at anyone. And to end his perfect work day all he had to do was watch a couple kids audition, which was no doubt one of his favorite parts of the job.

There was five minutes left in the last class of the day, and Louis had allowed everyone to have a bit of free time seeing as tough since they listened plans went by faster. Louis was midway grading a test, though, when he remembered he wouldn't be just taking home Zayn today.

"Liam, a quick word, please," Louis said while looking up with a set of glasses perched upon his nose. Liam looked up from his desk where he was not so subtly texting, and began to make his way over to Louis with a nervous look.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not here to scold you for texting when I gave you guys free time," Louis starts with a laugh. "I should be finishing up the auditions around the same time your tryouts wrap up, so if you want to just meet me in the auditorium I'll show you where the car is from there. Or I could just pick you up at the front of the school if you think you're gonna want to talk to a few people afterwards."

"Oh, um, would you mind if you picked me up at the front?" Liam asks awkwardly, but Louis just smiles in return.

"Not a problem at all. So you know, I drive a grey Chrysler sedan so just jump in when you see it, that way you don't feel embarrassed in front of your friends about being picked up by a teacher," Louis says with a wink, slightly assuming that's the reason the boy asked to be picked up at the front.

"Thank you," Liam says in appreciation, however, he wasn't that nervous about being made fun of by his friends.

Once the bell rings, though, all the students are quick to pile out of the room, and Liam gives Louis one last wave before following suit with the other students. Louis smiles fondly at the boy before packing up a few of his papers, and then left to go see his favorite face. As Louis approached the now familiar door, he couldn't help but smile when he saw his little boy sitting at his desk, peacefully playing with some superhero toy with one of the biggest grins on his face.

"We had a very good day today," Zayn's teacher, Ms. Collins, said with a smile as she fully opened the door for Louis.

"Thank you so much for letting him stay through my last class, I really needed to get this lesson across to the students," Louis immediately said while walking into the room.

"It wasn't a problem, Zayn's always welcomed to stay in here," she replied before walking closer to Zayn. "Zayn, look over here. Look who's here."

And sure enough the boy dropped his toy to look up at his teacher only to catch sight of Louis first and squeal in joy. The boy got up from the chair and ran towards Louis, tripping a bit at the end when he didn't notice the rolled up carpet.

"Watch out, baby, wouldn't want you to hurt that pretty face of yours," Louis cooed while kissing the boy's forehead.

"Dada!" Zayn squealed while returning the kiss, only sloppier.

Louis coos at his boy again before going on to once again thank the teacher before leaving the classroom to head over to the auditorium where a line of students were waiting.

"Please make sure you sign in on the paper, I look forward to seeing this year's talent," Louis says as he opens up the door to allow the students entry.

+

4:30 rolls around quicker than Louis was expecting it, too, and much to his surprise his mood seemed to increase for the better in that short period of time. Louis said his thank you's to the students who auditioned and told them the call back sheet should be up within the next day or two before once again collecting his belongings and lifting Zayn to take him to the car.