If you read this, which you must have done, I'd like to say I few things, firstly:

Thank you so, so, so much for reading.

And, if you find any mistakes please tell me. It's just a load of random awkwardness and love at first sight sort of thing right now... I don't really write about older people, but I guess it'll be an interesting angle. :)

I'll probably continue this, I hope. I'll try my best. :)

And again, thank you.

"Julie?"

"Yes sir."

"Ella?"

"Yes sir."

"Elliot?"

…

"Has anyone seen Elliot?"

"He's not here again, sir."

Simon Greene sighed; Elliot Finley was once more absent. For the first two weeks of Year 2, Elliot had rarely come into class. Simon decided that he really should check up on Elliot. Elliot was tall for his age, with a mop of bouncy blonde curls. His sweet face held a permanent smile on his face, reminding Simon of Maurice – one of his best friends. The difference was that Elliot had brown eyes instead of blue and he seemed much more mature than the man twenty-two years his senior – if that was possible, but knowing Maurice it very much was. There had been some family problems in the home of Elliot over the summer, which meant there was a sudden change in his behaviour – largely due to his mother leaving. Simon decided he needed to talk with Elliot's father.

"Mr Greene?"

"Oh, sorry Margie," Simon snapped out of his ever wandering thoughts and tried to focus upon the task at hand. He had also lost his boyfriend in August and was living with Maurice – who lay around all day while Simon paid the rent. "Daniel?"

"Yes sir."

"Mr Greene?"

"Simon, call me Simon." Simon looked up abruptly to notice the most beautiful specimen of male he had ever seen in his entire life. Ralph Finley had golden locks and deep chocolate-brown eyes which held gaze with Simon's for the warmest minute of his life.

"Simon." A smile spread across Ralph's face, lighting up the exhausted eyes.

"Oh, yes, you must be Mr Finley?"

"Call me Ralph."

"Ralph, please, take a seat. Well I called you to discuss your son Elliot's behaviour."

Ralph immediately stiffened.

"Oh, it's not as if it's bad, Mr Fin- Ralph," Simon blushed, "it is only natural after… After…"

"Indeed."

"I'm sorry, I must sound terribly insensitive-"

"No, don't worry. We're just working on a new routine. Elliot hasn't quite gotten used to it yet."

"Of course, well, I'd just like to say that… That, well, you'll find someone, okay? And it'll be alright." Simon suddenly realised how childish he sounded and blushed, hoping he hadn't offended Ralph. Ralph laughed.

"Thank you, Simon. Well, it was wonderful meeting you but-"

"Oh, you must be terribly busy, I'm sorry for taking your time."

"It's fine." Ralph mobile phone ringing cut him off, "Just hold on a second." Ralph stood, taking his mobile out of his pocket to leave the classroom.

Simon watched the figure leave. Ralph was tall, with a fairly muscular frame, and he had the nicest butt-
Simon sharply turned around to gather the children's papers and tried to change the direction that thoughts were going in, normally a relatively simple task until it came to people like Ralph.

'Stop thinking about him, you idiot, he's straight. I mean, he has- had a wife and he has two kids, just stop it, it's not like you'll see him again after this.'

Simon's thoughts were interrupted by the lovely, melodic sound of Ralph's voice.

"Simon?"

Simon dropped the papers. "Oh!"

Ralph dashed over to help Simon pick the drawings up. "Sorry, I must have startled you," he picked up a sheet and looked curiously at it, "Did… Did Elliot draw this?"

Simon looked up to see a picture of a mother, a father, a little boy and a little girl all holding hands.

Simon nodded, apprehensively.

"Well… He's good a drawing isn't he?" Ralph laughed.

"Oh, yes, very, he's very talented…" Simon watched a distracted Ralph, who in turn was staring at the happy family.

"… Ralph?"

"Oh, sorry," Ralph turned back to Simon and smiled, this time less enthusiastically, "Oh, I really need a favour."

"Oh, of course, what might that be?"

"Well, Elliot and Sofia's babysitter just called to say that she can't come in-"

"Oh, I'm free tonight, I can look after them!"

"Well, I was going to ask if you could recommend anybody," Ralph laughed, "But if you're okay with that…"

"Yes, it's fine."

"Really?"

"Really, truly, honestly - completely free tonight."

"You don't have a girlfriend? It is Friday."

Simon blushed. "Oh, no, I'm- Never mind."

Ralph smiled and handed Simon a piece of paper. "Can I have your number? I'll call you and we can arrange the time," Ralph became apprehensive, "If you're sure, of course."

"I am."

"Thanks, you're a life saver. Well, I'll take my leave; it was wonderful to meet you."

The two men stood, Simone gave Ralph his number and they shook hands after which Ralph took his leave. Simon stood in silence until Ralph left, and then he suddenly sat on a chair, shocked. He sat for a few minutes until he realised he needed to get home and get dressed.

'I'm going to see him again.' Simon thought, warmth spreading over his body as he beamed, rays of light almost shining from him.

"Something good happen, Simon?" Lydia, another Year two teacher asked.

Simon smiled angelically, "I think so, yes.", and he practically waltzed out of the building.