Short Stories [Man on Man]

The Teacher [5]

During Biology, Mr. McCallum didn't look at him. It wasn't like the older man had made a habit of looking at Austin during class, but still. There was usually a glance here or there, every once in awhile. It was like complete avoidance of his entire section of the classroom. It made him feel awkward as hell.

He wasn't angry, but the more and more attention he showed to his other students pushed him a little ways over the edge. What was the big deal? So they'd touched. Heaven forbid. It wasn't like Austin had thrown himself at the man. It wasn't like Mr. McCallum even knew.

Did he?

Austin kept his head down but looked up at his teacher through his eyelashes. Like the beginning of class, Mr. McCallum didn't glance his way at all. He was reviewing what they'd need to know on the exam, talking slow, not as excited.

He looked nervous, though. His hands shook as he pointed at the SmartBoard, and his eyes darted about the classroom. Austin was nervous, too. But that was the norm for him when he was in this class. Mr. McCallum however well, the man was just off his game.

Either way, Austin kept staring. He didn't take his eyes off Mr. McCallum's. He watched him blink, watched him sweat a little. And it made him smile. Maybe the guy did like him. If only he'd look at him, just once then he'd be happy.

But no cigar. Those blues looked at the student next to him – Kyle Masters – but that was it. As close as he got. He looked back at the clock. Only five minutes left. Austin was a little pissed. But mostly because he was so hungry. Not so much at Mr. McCallum.

“Tomorrow, you'll get into groups and review. It's fifth hour, so exam on Monday. I'll have the tests graded by Tuesday. Wednesday, at the latest.”

Then, Mr. McCallum looked at him. Unlike all the other days, Austin didn't look away. He simply didn't care – didn't understand enough about what was going through his teacher's head. He held the gaze but was too far away to really see. Maybe heat, regret.

The bell rang, and he all but sprinted out of the classroom.

“What's got you so jumpy?” Peter asked him, taking a huge bite out of his pizza.

“I'm not jumpy.”

“Whatever you say.”

Austin frowned. Was it really that obvious? Yes, he was anxious, but this was a normal thing for him. He looked around the cafeteria, already knowing it wouldn't be of any use. Mr. McCallum never ate lunch here. He usually just stayed in his room, listening to that piano music and typing away on his computer.

He knew he needed to stop being so obsessed with the guy, but he couldn't help it. It was even worse now that he knew his time with the teacher was goign to be cut short after next Monday. That would be the last time he'd ever get to be in the same classroom with him.

“You gonna hit the weight room with me after school today?”

Austin shook his head. “Sorry. Can't. I'm studying for the Bio exam. How 'bout after four?”

“I gotta be at work by 4:30.”

“See ya in Spanish, then.”

Truth be told, he was kind of glad Peter had to work tonight. He'd brought his workout clothes along for a reason. Mr. McCallum was going to be in the weight room at four; and because the sports season had ended, hardly anybody else would be in there. If he was lucky, maybe just Mr. McCallum and him.

It was the same routine. He went to sixth period, ate food, seventh period, food, and then eighth. He tapped his foot and twirled his pen around his fingers all throughout the last period, looking at the clock more times than he could count.