Chapters 1-4 have been revised and rewritten as of December 2020
"... and as we can see Fitzgerald uses this device to further prove what daisy represents." Artemis put her book down and directed her voice to her students. "OK class. As you know spring break is a week away from Friday and I wanted to remind everyone that both the money and forums for the field trip are due tomorrow. Remember to finish chapter 7 tonight!". The bell rang and the students rushed out into the hallway eager to get to lunch or their next class.
Artemis sighed and stretched her arms as she settled into her planning period. Then there was one class to go until the end of the day. After the school day she'd spend her Thursday night alone, grading papers. Again.
She'd been working at Happy Harbor High School for about 6 years. Her whole life basically revolved around being a teacher. She'd never have it any other way of course. Being a teacher gave her purpose. It helped her leave Gotham behind and build a new life. After realizing most of her work was completed she sat back in her chair. Tilting back she glimpsed across the hall to the neighboring classroom.
Artemis walked across the hall to Mr. West's history room. He'd started working there about a year before she did. Throughout the years they'd become friends. They'd go to each other's room for lunch and planning periods often.
She opened the door to find Wally huddled behind his desk, furiously grading papers and jamming out with his headphones on. The principal made him replace his speakers with the headphones. After one too many noise complaints he was forced to make a change.
She greeted him with a wave in his peripheral vision.
"How's your day going?" He asked as she took a chair near his desk.
"Long" she sighed in reply. "I've just finished updating some last touches on the google doc. Is there anything you wanted to add?"
Wally shook his head "I haven't seen your updates yet. I think we need to go over the itinerary and double check the tickets."
"I agree." She nodded.
"Are you free tonight to review?" He posed the question.
She smiled at him. "Tonight will be perfect." Looks like she's not going to be alone tonight after all.
It was the first time they were doing this trip. Wally thought of the idea to go to DC and Artemis made the PowerPoint to convince the board to allow the trip.
Overall around 25 students were going. It would last around 5 days, leaving Saturday morning and getting back Wednesday afternoon. It was going to be a long haul and they knew it. But they both understood any first trip has its kinks. If all went well the trip could turn into an annual tradition.
As the bell rang for the last period of the day Artemis headed back to her room. Her phone buzzed near the end of the day. They confirmed the time. Artemis rolled her eyes when he begged for the fettuccini alfredo from the Italian place near her apartment. His apartment was too far for delivery so she was happy to oblige.
Wally lived above a 24 hour coffee shop, which made the best donuts. He of course was their best customer. Thankfully as an avid runner he could afford the extra calories.
Wally cursed as he tied up his laces. At this point he might have to take some shortcuts to stay on time. He headed down the stairs, put in his headphones and started his warm ups. Soon he split into a run and went on his usual route. He'd always been late as a kid and apparently old habits die hard. He checked the time. Late, of course.
He closed his apartment door behind him ten minutes before Artemis was supposed to be there. The red head kicked off his shoes as he made his way over to the shower. He quickly stripped and stepped into the hot water.
He had just finished rinsing off the conditioner from his hair when he heard the knock.
"Give me a minute!" He shouted. He grabbed a towel and dried off as best he could. Wrapping it around his waist as he stumbled out of his bathroom. Rounding the corner he tripped over his shoes and fell to the ground with a loud thump.
"Wally?" Artemis voice called with concern through the door.
"I'm fine" she heard him respond. "I'll be right there!"
Wally carefully rose to his feet and tossed his shoes where they belonged.
He walked to the door, and opened it to let Artemis in.
Artemis was greeted to the sight of a wet chested wally. His right hand held together the two ends of the towel, precariously positioned low on his waist. His left was gingerly holding the back of his head. And his face was mushed up into a grimace.
She flushed as her eyes racked up his body. She had known Wally for years but had never seen him in such a state of undress. She felt hot all of a sudden and could not seem to look anywhere other than his freckled skin.
Artemis felt her body start temperature rise. Quickly she began trying to douse the flame and dismissed the rising thoughts in her mind.
He apologized for his state of undress and invited her inside. He seemed oblivious to her inner musings and excused himself to get dressed. He closed his bedroom door behind him.
Artemis sat down on the couch and let go of a sigh she didn't know she was holding. She shook her head. Her emotions were all over the place. While she knew he ran often she had no idea that his body was so taught. Artemis didn't think herself to be so shallow as to be brought to her knees by a good looking man.
Wally interrupted her thoughts by coming out fully dressed and holding an ice pack to his side.
"Sorry about that. I was running late" He apologized
"I don't think there was ever a time in your life where you weren't" She joked back to him.
Soon they fell into a comfortable rhythm in the kitchen with her opening the wine and him dissing out the food.
After dinner they discussed and confirmed all the finishing touches for the trip.
When it was clear they were good and prepared Artemis took her leave. As she walked the quiet happy harbor streets home her mind flashed to his freckled expanse of tight skin. Artemis strove to lock all her previous thoughts deep into her mind. He is in a long distance relationship and is completely loyal, she stated to herself.
Wally and her had always been strictly platonic due to their professional relationship. She didn't think that much had changed between them. The golden haired woman quickly noted she had not been in a relationship in over a year. Artemis reasoned that she was just being lonely after being single. She was not about to move in on someone else's man.
She finally arrived to her street and wandered to her apartment. He was a good looking man that was for sure. That was the closest thing to action Artemis had gotten in over a year. She stifled a sad smile as she let herself in and locked the door behind her.