A/N: Hi everybody! thanks for picking up my fic! i'll be updating it every Monday, and i really hope you enjoy!
Possible Trigger Warnings: I honestly can't think of anything for this chapter. there will be a list of all the warnings at the top of each chapter, and if you think anything should be added, please let me know!
Chapter one: The Outline
Now, I've been told new beginnings don't usually happen in the middle of the year, but personally, I believe new beginnings happen when the time is right, regardless of the calendars we decided for some reason to live by.
Today is a new beginning for me. It's my first day at a new school. Just not in the way you might be thinking. I've been an art teacher for a few years, but was removed from my position at Thompson's Private School of Florida, and have now been hired at the local public school.
Right away, I knew it would be trickier because of the lack of funds in the arts at the majority of public schools. But I wouldn't be Patton Hart if I didn't face off any challenge with a skip in my step and a smile on my face!
I walked into the building, holding a huge bag full of art supplies, just because I wasn't sure what I was working with. I was also about an hour early hoping I could walk around and just map the place out. And also maybe accounting for the fact that this place is much bigger than the private school, and I'd probably get lost once or twice.
I looked around at this almost uncomfortably silent building, (I always prefer it when they talk!) and I did the most logical thing I could think of: I walked down a random hallway and looked into every classroom, taking a mental note of what classes were held there.
I frowned at a biology classroom, knowing very well that this is where more than a few trans-phobic excuses stem from... but that's a talk for another day.
That's when a heavy CLANK from a room a few classes down the hall, followed by a loud sigh, and some footsteps. I could feel a touch of panic rising in my chest before a man stepped out of a classroom saying "Emile, I believe I already told you not to show up this early. The rest of the teachers won't be here anytime soon, let alone your classmate-" He stopped when we made eye contact. And my lord, he was handsome. He was fairly tall, with jet black hair and dark blue, almost purple looking eyes behind a pair of rectangular glasses. His look of annoyance quickly shifted to a blank, unreadable face as he stood up straighter and tightened his striped blue tie. "My apologies, Sir. I thought you were one of my students."
"Don't worry about it." I replied. "It's my first day working here and I just wanted to get a look around so I don't get lost."
The man nodded. "I see."
He was someone that I could easily see someone be intimidated by, and maybe that's why I was so nervous. But regardless, nervous habits never die, so here come the jokes. "I'm glad! If you didn't then you'd probably want a refund on those glasses."
The man looked thoughtful for a second. "I guess that is fair." He decided. He moved towards me, and extended his hand. "My name is Logan Berry. I'm the chemistry teacher here."
I took his hand and gave it a friendly shake as I rattled off another joke, barely even registering what I was saying. "Chemistry? How are you and me looking?" Holy shit, did I just say that?
The man- I mean, Logan looked a tad bit confused, so I took the opportunity to actually introduce myself. "Patton Hart, and the new art teacher."
"Visual or performing?" He asked. "Our theatre department has been sorely lacking for a few years now."
I gave a disappointed "oh no!" Before answering his question. "Visual. Mostly drawing and painting. I also like pottery, but I don't think I'm near good enough to teach that yet."
"That is fair, most art forms take years to truly master. And a student wouldn't advance if the teacher didn't completely understand the material they were teaching." He said as he moved his glasses a touch closer to his face. My mind drifted a bit trying to figure out why he would move them at all. Probably because it made him look ten times smarter, but, like, who's paying that much attention anyway?
Logan cleared his throat. "Uh, Not to question your abilities, of course. I mean, I'm sure you're great with pottery. My statement wasn't directed at you as much as it was just... thinking out loud, so to speak."
I may have jumped, a little bit. "Nope! I mean, yeah! No, I see what you're saying. No offense taken, promise."
"Very nice." He responded. Honestly not sure how to answer that one...
He looked up at the ceiling for a second, thinking about who knows what before he found my eyes again. "Can I… would you like me to show you around? Maybe? I have a while before I have anything important to do."
"Of course! I'd love you to!" I smiled.
And off we were. It was comfortable silence for a while, Logan dropping the occasional fun factoid as we walked through the halls. We dropped by the teacher's lounge, principles office, and various classrooms. Logan assuring me that we have free rein to walk anywhere since we arrived early. Eventually however, we did find my new classroom.
It had four fold-out, paint-covered tables, a few easels, some canvases, and a closet of mystery I'd have to go through later.
"Well I should get back to my own classroom. It was definitely nice to meet you, Mr. Hart."
I turned back to face him. "Of course! You too. I'm glad I made a friend so quickly."
He stopped for a second, as if stunned. "'Friend'?"
I'll be honest I was a bit concerned. "Yeah! Are you coolio with that?" I waited a few seconds but he didn't respond so I added "that's- that's what the kids say. Instead of just saying 'cool', you know?"
Logan nodded. "Ah, I'll have to add that to my list." He said, grabbing a small blank card and writing something on it. "Well, as I was saying, I should probably head back to my own classroom. I'm sure Principle Sanders will be here in a few minutes, so you can check with him in his office if you wish."
"Got it, thanks for everything!" I said, but before he could walk away I had to make sure of something. "Wait! You didn't answer my question earlier."
He looked confused. "I didn't? Oh, my apologies, I thought the insinuation was enough. I did not in fact know the slang term you used."
I shook my head. "Nonono, not that one." I held my hand out to him. "Friends?"
He only hesitated a second before taking my hand in his, giving it a firm shake, and replying. "Friends."
I practically, well, maybe literally jumped up and down. A friend? So soon? And he didn't seem nearly as stuffy as the private school teachers. And to be completely honest, none of them were nearly as cute. He was the epitome of tall, dark and mysterious. And I had a feeling there was a secret softy in there.
Like he was talking to a student before he realized it was me, maybe a student he's particularly proud of? Identifies with? Oh! Or maybe even a kid of his own?
I may not know your secrets now, Logan Berry, but I promise you I'll figure them out. I'll put the puzzle together somehow.
He waved his goodbye and I was left in the art classroom by myself. But if there's one thing life has taught me, it's that you're never alone as long as there is something to create. I grabbed a foldable chair from the corner, and grabbed my sketchbook and some pencils out of my bag. Next thing I know I'm drawing an outline. For what? We'll have to wait and see. But for what it is, I'm pretty happy with this new beginning.
A/N: Thanks for making it through the first chapter! I hope to see you next week!
