Authors note - ive never done the whole fan fiction upload thing, so bear with me as i get used to this :3 im not sure how long this will be but i hope you like it! ill keep updating it on here and on my tumblr which is .com if you want to follow me x i hope you all like this, ive been wanting this kind of AU for a while x

My hands shook as I peered out at the classroom, thirty young faces stared back at me blankly and I'd never felt so nervous in my life. Merde.

I thought that moving over from France to teach AP biology was the logical step, I'd already taken my PhD in immunology and finished my teacher training last semester, so when the job opportunity arose I eagerly accepted it and had departed to San fransisco within two months. So far everything was fine, I'd settled into my new flat and met some of the other staff at the school's teacher induction day, but Something still felt wrong, maybe it was the fact I'd moved away from my long term boyfriend without a second thought Or the fact I broke up with him over the phone after 3 weeks here because I had to go cold turkey to move on with my life. Whatever it was, guilt or sorrow, it left an empty hole inside my chest that needed filling soon, perhaps over a bottle of wine tonight.

So walking into my new classroom on the first day of term was the most terrifying moment of my life because I felt like this would be the make or break moment of my teaching career. I licked my lips and shakily inhaled then held my hand up to silence the class.
"Bonjour clase, I am professor Cormier, and our first topic of the year is biochemistry…"

When the bell rang for the end of that first day, I felt so relieved that I let out a long sigh and leant the back of my head against the wall behind my desk. Somehow, despite my nerves, everything went well, the kids were great and seemed enthusiastic, I hardly had a single problem, but I just needed a glass of wine and my bathtub, so I quickly threw together my things and headed for the door.
I'd barely made it Into the hall when I found myself on the floor, having crashed into somebody as I tried to get home in record time. I dazily looked up, not really focusing on the person in front of me, but acknowledging and accepting the hand that flew out to help me up.
"Oh Jesus I'm so sorry I wasn't looking where I was going, I'm new here and oh my god I'm so sorry" I heard a long babbling chain of words so fast I had to concentrate or not understand.
"Oh My, only I would manage to hurt somebody on my first day here, I knew something would go wrong, it all seemed to be going fine until now, I'm so sorry are you okay? Here let me help you!" When I'd collected my belongings off the floor and straightened myself up I finally looked at my attacker, she was shorter than me, maybe 5"5, with intricate dreadlocks cascading down her back From what seemed to be a high ponytail. Her hands flew around her, with large gestures in time to her words of apology, it was captivating, she seemed so at ease with herself even in this flustered state, I smiled down at her and her warm brown eyes relaxed in response, she grinned back, flashing a gorgeous set of white teeth.
"Urrr… Hi, I'm Cosima, I'm New here, a biology TA and I'm so sorry about that… Really!" She managed to stutter out in embarrassment. I held out my hand to her.
"Delphine. I teach AP biology in that classroom" and pointed behind me at the door I'd barely Made it through. "Don't worry though, I'm new here too, I'm sure we can forget all about our… Ehhh… Encounter just now" I said grinning down at the blushing girl, wondering why she still felt too awkward to look at me. "Enchantee Cosima" I purred at her, lowering my head to catch her gaze.
She studied me for a second like a true scientist and echoed me with a cheeky smile "Enchantee."

As I lowered myself into the bath, wine in hand, I found myself thinking about Cosima, wondering what she was doing, hoping she wasn't feeling too guilty. I let the hot water wash over my skin, removing my sins, like a baptism.

"Aldous, I'm sorry, but I can't do this any longer." I meekly whispered. The look of shock on his face made my blood run cold as I winced in fear of how he'd react. "I've found a job in the US, I'm moving, and I can't do this anymore, not with you, what would your wife say if she found out?" I justified quickly. But there was no reaction, his face went blank, and I visibly shook.

When His response came it was cold and calculated "oh Delphine, I understand, of course you should go, we can end this, I mean we are consensual adults, are we not?" An evil grin briefly flickered across his face. He had me stuck, without his internship I wouldn't have had the resources to achieve my first degree honors in immunology, I literally owed him my life. With nothing else to say to me, he grabbed my waist and pulled me in, slamming his mouth into mine as I tried to pull away. I knew where this was going, this is where it always went, and tears pricked in my eyes as he pushed my head down below his belt.

I looked at myself in the mirror, my shoulder length blonde hair tumbled down around my face in soft curls and hazelnut eyes rimmed with black pierced back into mine. I couldn't look at my own face, so, disgusted with myself and my actions, I looked away. Adultery, what would my parents say? As Strict Catholics they'd never let me back in their house if they knew. I pulled my towel off and cast it to the floor, and got into bed.

I saw Cosima again in the morning as I walked to work, I called her name out and she span around in surprise. When her eyes fell on me she relaxed and waved, bracelets and rings creating a soft jingle as her arm moved. I grinned at her as I caught up to her on the pavement. "bonjour Cosima! How are you? How was the rest of your day yesterday?" I started.

"Hey Delphine! I'm fine, oh, I just spent it at the library catching up on my thesis"

"Oh! What are you studying?"

"I'm doing my PhD in evolutionary development" she said, with pride brimming from her voice.

"That's amazing! I study immunology, at least I did, back in Paris..." My voice trailed off as my mind wandered to Aldous, I shuddered and smiled at her. The look of confusion on her face was apparent but she thankfully didn't ask about it.

We walked in a comfortable silence the rest of the way to work, basking In the sunlight.

A few hours later, as I sat at lunch with the other science teachers, I saw Cosima walk by, although no taller than the students, she stuck out like a sore thumb, her dreadlocks setting her apart from the others. I don't know why, but my eyes followed her around the room as If not looking at her would cause the world to end. I waved her over when her eyes met mine, and she trotted over content and enthusiastic. It was adorable. She nodded hello at the other staff and placed herself in the chair next to me, leaning over to whisper in my ear "thank you, I wasn't sure where to sit" I shuffled closer and Softly replied "don't worry, I know how it feels." Again the confusion flashed across her face, and again she shook off her desire to know more. This girl was truly amazing, and I felt myself being drawn into her more and more.

The rest of the week went by slowly, but I lived for my walks to and from work with Cosima. We lived a block away from one another, so took the same route, and the rare moments where there were no words, the silence never became awkward. On the Friday evening, she turned to me, threw one of her flailing hands in front of me to stop me in my tracks and took a deep breathe, I stared at her puzzled.

"Urrr Delphine, I was just wondering whether you wanted to go for dinner with me tonight? If you're not busy that is."

Relief washed through me, I don't know what I was expecting, but why would she be nervous about dinner?

"Oui Cosima, d'accord! What time?" I knew she liked it when I spoke French because it made her smile.

"I'll come pick you up at 7.30ish? Sorry in advance though" confused, I opened my mouth and shook my head at the apology. She chuckled "oh, I'm kind of always late, so I'm kind of always sorry."