Chase

You noticed him on his first day, the new German teacher who wasn't your typical teacher. Chase laughed louder than anyone else at faculty meetings, and his lessons were like plays.

"Frau Müller, give him an apple!" he recited, waving the apple in front of the class. You lingered by the door, watching.

“Do you like it?” He turned around when the children left.

• You... teach in an unusual way.

• Do you often peek?

— Only to interesting classes.

He laughed and something inside you skipped a beat.

---

You started "accidentally" crossing paths in the teachers' lounge. He would pour you coffee, you would leave him cookies.

“You work too much,” you noted, seeing him rub the bridge of his nose tiredly.

• And you follow me too much.

— Professional deformation.

— Did I sign up for your group?

You snorted. He fell silent, looking at you differently.

• What?

• Nothing. It's just... you're beautiful when you laugh.

Silence.

• This is a violation of the pedagogical code.

"We don't have any students in the room," he leaned closer. "Then everything is fine."