Prompt: Teacher AU + Everybody Knows/Mistaken for Couple for Blunnan?
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"I need another example of an apex predator." Tory stood at the board ready to write down the next suggestion.
"Jaguar," a boy called.
"Sure. And?" Tory drew her words out, coaxing participation from her frigid third period.
"Great White."
"Yep. And?" The sat waiting in silence as most the teens stared up at the ceiling.
The door handle clicked and swung open. Mr. Blue walked along the wall to the cubby for lab storage at the back and attempted to shield as much noise as possible as he accessed the fridge.
"Come on, focus guys. Like, three more? Apex predators, anyone?"
Silence.
"Wolves," Mr. Blue interjected, saluting with two fingers as he headed to the exit. He carried a big jug of milk.
"Thanks, Mr. Blue."
"No probs, Brennan." He slid out the door and kept it from slamming.
"Let's review the definition of an apex predator, shall we?"
"Or we can talk Mr. Blue's pecks," Lucy grinned, eyebrows going up.
Tory flushed. "Lucy, let's keep it to appropriate things."
"I mean, this is biology, right? And aren't humans the apex of apex predators? And, wouldn't you agree that Mr. Blue is one fine specimen?" Lucy prodded.
The class giggled and Tory gaped.
"He's not bad, Ms. Brennon." Lucy's side-kick, Ada added, emboldened by the descent of the class into nervous fits.
"Your opinion of Mr. Blue is beside the point. Let's all focus and get back on track with the lesson, okay?"
"I think we'd all rather know your opinion of Mr. Blue." Lucy's teasing continued.
"He's a colleague and fellow science teacher." Tory didn't know why she'd answered at all, but she couldn't face the class with her red face. The sweat poured under her arms and out of her palms. She faced the board and put her chalk below Great White.
"Where were we?"
"I believe it was wolves, Tor," Mr. Blue commented, returning with the milk to the lab fridge.
The class giggled. Tory died with each wave. Ben would be hearing about etiquette on the drive home.