Hey guys! Just a few points before you read this, number one, because I come from England, when I say school, I mean high school, and my OC is in sixth form/ last years of high school- sorry I don't know what that's called! Also, second point, I love Mr Gold, so if anyone likes this, I'll be happy to add more chapter- if so, the rating will go up! Enjoy and please review, all feedback is appreciated! :)

I hadn't asked for much for my birthday this year. Except a first edition of my favourite book; Pride and Prejudice. I had admired it for years in the shop window of the old bookshop I passed every day on my way to school. Finally, my father had taken the hint, and had proudly presented to me, with a big beaming grin spread widely across his face, this gift. He'd made a big effort with wrapping it and it made me smile so sweetly, I walked to school in a brilliant mood. I hated going in on my birthday; but if I didn't turn up the terrifying drone of an English teacher would suspect something and then all hell would break loose…

So, as I had a free period first, I sat in the cafeteria waiting for Ruby, Mary Margaret and David to turn up, to no doubt make a far bigger fuss over me than was necessary. Even if it was my eighteen birthday. I was born quite early on in the academic year, so I would have to spend a huge time of my first official year of adulthood in this… well dump really. To be polite… It wasn't that it was a bad school, except the teachers. Some were lovely, others were, tricky. Like my cranky English teacher. Again, being polite. You could argue he was misunderstood, maybe even obsessive (in the nicest way possible of course) but it was no excuse to be quite that… pedantic.

Anyway, the three fellow crazy people I call my friends showed up, each with an extremely wide smile on their faces. I instantly felt my eyes roll back into my head, just out of sheer exhaustion as to what they had planned…

"Morning birthday girl!" Mary Margaret said

"HAPPY BIRHDAY!" David and Ruby chimed as they stood behind her. They all soon quickly found their seats, and glanced around the table at each other, each smirking.

"Go on then!" I said after glancing at each of their smirks, with a look of utter confusion.

"Ok" Mary Margaret started, handing me a small box, with a pretty bow on the top. "I know you didn't want any fuss…"

"But you honestly can't expect us to ignore our best friend's eighteenth birthday?" David said "This is from us" he said, as I started to work on opening the box.

My heart tugged slightly at the fact that he reached for Mary Margaret's hand. They hadn't officially been together long, but the minute I met them both, I knew they'd end up together, and they were made for each other.

I'd always hated opening presents in front of people. Everyone staring at you, and then the horrifying moment where they tense up, as you first lay eyes on it, waiting for you to react.

But they needn't have worried. When I finally opened the box, it was a silver charm bracelet. I gasped and my eyes widened. "It's beautiful! Thanks you guys!" I said as I leapt up and ran to the other side of the table, and hugged the two of them.

"Ok, my turn!" Ruby said excitedly, handing me another, smaller box. I threw the lid off and saw… yes of course. Of course they all worked together. Charms for the bracelet. I smiled, and threw my arms around her.

After a while, having shown them the book my father had given me, but of course they wouldn't appreciate as much, but I knew they tried. Ruby turned to me with a mischievous smirk across her face and said "So, looking forward to your birthday dose of Mr Gold?"

I rolled my eyes and stared at her. She hated my English teacher more than anyone, but of course, being the top of the class, led her to think the unthinkable. "Ooh I can barely contain my joy" I said, as I slipped the book back in my bag.

"Leave her alone Ruby" Mary Margaret said "This is supposed to be a happy day- so don't mention someone who irritates her so much!"

I giggled. "It's ok! So tell me Ruby, how is Archie?" Archie was in her psychology class, and obviously had a crush on her. I'd tried to make a case for him, but it was hopeless. I did feel sorry for him though. He was sweet, but Ruby was a lost cause.

"So not funny." She said. She looked as if she was going to say something else, but she was saved by the bell. I stood up, trying not to groan. English. I loved the subject, just not him.

I headed for the door, and I caught the faint yell of Ruby; "Have fun with your golden boy!" she said

Another thing I hated was being the first to that class. For a strict teacher, he didn't seem to care about people just waltzing in and taking their seats, so if you were first in, you sat down first, and it was an agonizingly awkward silence as he prepared for the lesson. Either or he actually didn't mind me doing it. But wait no that was just weird…

So, I came through the door, and sat down at my usual seat. I got out my notebook, and turned to my English section. He was the type of person who would acknowledge your presence, a few minutes after you'd announced yourself, and then if you were lucky, give you a dismissive smile. Today, I was lucky; I received one of those smiles. I smiled back, but with slightly less warmth than I would give anyone else I had to smile at.

"Happy birthday" he said quietly- so quietly I almost missed it, and I actually thought I'd imagined it. But when those deep brown eyes met mine, I quickly realise, nope he'd actually said it.

"Thank you" I said quickly, my voice breaking in the middle.

Then we both hurriedly broke eye contact and looked back down at our work as the class began to quickly file in.

The hour passed quicker than usual, as his Scottish brogue went through an entire act of The Crucible- the most we had ever gotten through in the class in a week, let alone an hour. He was an interesting character really. Always in a suit, and he walked with a cane. He had tasteful wisps of grey going through his hair, and that Scottish accent… I had come to know it so well this past year- it made a story become a little less dull. A very interesting character indeed.

As the final bell went, everyone began to file out, but I heard that familiar Scottish voice call out my name. I stopped outside the doorway, and went back into the classroom.

"Yes Sir?" I said. I didn't have anywhere to be, but I really didn't want to spend any more time I absolutely had to with this man

"If I could just borrow a moment of your time"

"Well I hope you'll give it back Sir" I said- realising that I'd said it when it was too late to take back

But, the imp seemed to have a sense of humour, as he smirked at me "I'll try" he said, as he hobbled back to his desk, and then waved me over. Cautiously, I followed him, and stood next to him. "Look around will you Miss Grant" So I looked. "Do you notice anything, out of place?"

"No sir" I said, silently trying to make up my mind whether I liked him calling me Miss Grant.

"Really?" he said with mock surprise in his voice. He started to walk towards my desk. "So not the birthday present your friends kindly chipped in to get you?" he said, pointing the cane down to shimmering silver charm bracelet. He bent down to get it, and handed it to me. This time he smiled at me with a little more warmth, maybe even smugly.

"Thank you Sir." I said, and held my hand out for him to place it. Except he didn't. He quickly unclipped it, and attached it to a smaller size so that there was no chance of it to fall off. Slowly, he released my arm from his grip. And quickly walked away, back to the papers on top of the filing cabinet behind his desk.

"On your way then Miss Grant" he said softly "I hope I didn't take up too much of your time"

I walked towards the door, but as I got to it, I stopped and turned to face him "Thank you Sir"

He didn't turn around, but he stopped filing and looked up. Then I left. I had to tell someone this, but I knew if I did, the jokes would flow freely and it just wouldn't be worth it. Still. Why would he do that?