Teach You How To Love

Prologue

Mark sat at his desk, watching the students test. They were testing over imaginary numbers (A/N--here we go). He sat silently, waiting for someone to finish so he had something to do.

Then, he noticed a new email. It was from one of the choir teachers, Mitch. The email read:

Subject: nosy students

I'm in my classroom right now, with some Freshmen. Two of them are talking about how cute you would be with Ms. Maldonado. What do you think I should do with them? I think they might have your class. I can give you their names.

Mark stared at the email for a moment. Then, he responded.

Subject: Nosy Students

Let them talk. It's fine. Kirstin may decide otherwise; I don't know. I don't care, quite frankly. This means that they don't know I'm gay. It's not a secret, but I don't really want them to know. If these thoughts spread, then I may tell them, just to make them be quiet. I'll think about it. Thank you for letting me know.

He sent the email, and sat back again. This could be annoying.

_

A few weeks later, Mark and Kirstin were being constantly asked if they were going to be together. Eventually, someone asked him if he was going to, "visit Ms. Maldonado" as he walked out of the classroom, and he'd had enough.

He turned to face the jokester. "You guys know I'm gay, right?" He heard several shocked gasps as he left the room. He shook his head, walking down the hall. He was going to ask Mitch and Avi about a problem on a worksheet that related to music. None of the performing arts kids in his class could tell him what it meant. He would have to tell Kirstin what he had told the kids on his way.

_

Two weeks later, the fact that Mark was gay had spread around the school and had become common knowledge among the students.

Needless to say, the idea that he should date Kirstin had lost popularity. However, one day, he overheard two girls talking. "...should get together," one said.

"But isn't it kind of weird to ship your teachers?" asked her friend.

The first girl shook her head. "It's fine," she promised. "But, I mean, you can't deny it. Mr. Manio would look good with Mr. Hoying."

Mark shook his head in disgust, walking away. He didn't want a boyfriend right now....though Scott was, admittedly, quite cute.

Why would you think about your co-worker like that? he asked himself.

_

By the end of that week, Scott was being asked a lot if he was going to date Mark. "Even if I wanted to, why would I tell you?" he asked one time.

"Because you love us," Anastasia told him. Scott laughed.

"I love you guys, but still," he said.

Kirstin walked into the room, carrying a box of stage props. "Why isn't the strong man doing this?" she asked.

"Because you said that you're a strong, independent woman who don't need no man," Scott pointed out.

She rolled her eyes, then went back into the back room. She came back a minute later. "Okay," she panted. "I need a man."

Scott chuckled and headed into the back room, while Kirstie said, "Now, class. You don't need to know if Mr. Hoying fancies your math teacher. They don't have to be together. Stop being so nosy."