Across The Hall

Chapter 1

Anthony J. Crowley was leaning against the door frame to his classroom, sipping his iced coffee and watching other teachers bustle around the halls of the school. Today was one of those days where teachers came in to set up their classrooms and discuss plans for the beginning of the school year. Crowley had been working here for a few years now, so he felt pretty confident that he knew what to expect for the start of the year. He knew how he wanted his classroom to be set up, he knew most students would love him, and he knew the principal was afraid of him so he could teach exactly how he wanted. He was looking forward to this year.

The sight of a woman with long dark waves of hair bouncing on her back pulling a frightened-looking man by the hand only proved to Crowley that his enthusiasm was warranted. A broad smile spread across his face before he called out, "'Ey! Book girl!" she caught his eye and grinned.

She gave a teasing gasp as she approached. "Is that... could it be? Ant-Man?!" he waved to her before quickly ducking into his classroom to set down his iced coffee in preparation for what was to come. He wasn't fast enough, receiving a bone-crushing hug from behind. He squeaked slightly as all the air was squeezed out of him.

When she released him, he turned around and laughed. "I take it you've missed me?" he drawled, leaning casually against his desk.

"Of course I've missed you, you've been gone the whole summer! Speaking of which-" she punched him on the arm teasingly- "how was France?" his face softened at the memory.

"Oh, Ana, the art was to die for! Ugh, and the architecture... exquisite," he looked like he was in a dream.

"Just the art and the architecture?" she asked teasingly. He looked at her blankly, not getting the joke. "C'mon, you've seen a rom-com! Did you indulge in any... little Parisian flings?" she poked him.

He snorted. "Don't be ridiculous, I had much better things to do in Paris! I don't need some little boy who wouldn't even appreciate the gorgeous city in front of him and would rather whore around-"

"Jeez, jeez, I get it, romance isn't your thing!" she said, glancing at the shy man standing at the threshold of the classroom.

He chuckled, "Well not 'little Parisian flings' anyway," he mimicked her voice by speaking in a higher tone. She rolled her eyes at him. "Where were you two headed so quickly when I saw you in the hall?" he inquired

"Oh! We-" she reached back to grab the gangly man's hand and pull him forward- "were heading to check out the newly refurbished labs!!"

The man laughed awkwardly, "Yeah... you could come with us if you'd like," he said, trying to be polite.

Crowley hummed. "No, thank you, Newton," he picked up his iced coffee. "I'm quite content here people watching," he took a slurping sip of the drink.

"Watching for anyone in particular?" Anathema asked.

"Ummm yeah, actually," he said, glancing out the door. "I've got a new neighbor. Well. Across the hall neighbor," he pointed to an almost empty classroom that had its door directly across from his.

Anathema tutted. "Please don't scare 'em, Crowley. Not everybody is as tough as me," she glanced sideways at the man attached to her hand.

"Ha! You think we'll have another Newt on our hands?" Crowley referred to when he first met Newton. He had stayed eerily silent and just stared at him. When he slowly poked his tongue out at him Newt had quickly run for the door.

"Maybe! I'm just saying- be nice," she smiled up at him knowingly.

"I'm not nice, book girl," he said, holding a hand to his chest in mock offense. She giggled before he waved them away, "Go on lovebirds, go see the new labs," he smiled, heading towards the door to his classroom.