Anson walked beside Mr. Grey, her lunch tray held in her hands. The two had fallen into the pattern of getting lunch together and then walking back to Mr. Grey's classroom. Part of it was because it kept Torikki from getting at her, the other part was because it was just easier.
"I'm thinking about doing cross country." Anson said quietly and Mr. Grey smiled slightly.
"Why?"
"Because, I've always wanted to do cross country or track, but I don't know. Mr. Praker said I would be a good addition to the team, but I don't have a physical and no means of reliable transportation." Anson explained.
"What about Anderson? I thought she helped you out a lot."
"Peony does, but she just does so much for me... I don't want to ask her to help me get to meets, too."
"A matter of pride?" Mr. Grey asked, unlocking his door with a single hand. Anson nodded.
"Yeah, I suppose it is. Peony just does so much for me, I hate asking her for more."
"Well, perhaps someone else could help?" Mr. Grey asked, and Anson laughed sharply.
"Yeah, when we have proof the cow jumped over the moon, maybe."
"Anson, perhaps if you tried to make friends-" Mr. Grey started and Anson looked up sharply, quickly speaking over him.
"Stop it, Jamie. Stop. We both know what with Torikki, the most popular male here, and my Hermione Granger-type attitude in the classroom, no one will want to be friends with me." Anson said, then frowned at Mr. Grey's expression. "What?"
Mr. Grey tilted his head, blinking a few times.
"What did you just call me?" He asked quietly, his voice low, but calm. Anson stiffened.
"N-nothing." Anson muttered, ducking her head as she began to blush. Mr. Grey narrowed his eyes, and shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back in his chair.
"No, Ms. Connick, it was not nothing, as you put it." Mr. Grey said sternly. "What did you call me?"
Just then the bell rang, and Anson jumped up, fleeing.
"I called you Jamie." She threw over her shoulder as she exited the room, and Mr. Grey was once again thrown off guard. How did she figure out his first name?
It was the next day, and Mr. Grey was waiting for Anson to show up for lunch. He ate slowly, hoping she would show up.
He'd realised the night before that he'd rather Anson called him by his first name rather than "Mr. Grey", as it was less formal and more friendly. After all, didn't her other friends call her by her first name and she reciprocated? Why not let that happen between them? They were friends... weren't they?
Anson never showed up, and Mr. Grey sighed as the bell rang. Perhaps Torikki had given up on terrorising Anson.
It was the end of the day now. Mr. Grey slowly locked up his room, focusing only on what he was doing. He was trying hard not to think of Anson, of the friendship he's sure he's lost.
The next day passed uneventfully, as did the next week. Mr. Grey took to going to the teacher lobby to eat lunch after the second day without Anson showing up for lunch. It's what he would've done from the beginning of the year if it wasn't for Anson showing up.
