Summary: Kwan's end of the day wrap up gets a few interruptions.
Characters: Dash x Danny x Kwan
Afterward 05
Kwan rubbed at his eyes as he worked on a few things after his last class of the day ended. Dash and Danny probably had their own after school wrap ups to get done, so Kwan wasn't too worried about taking his time on the few things he wanted to get done before heading home. As he went over a few more papers, jotting down some notes for tomorrow's lessons, a soft knock drew his attention away from his work. He lifted his head, glancing over to the doorway where one of his students stood.
"Do you need something, Kelsey?" Kwan laid his pen down on the desk to give her his full attention.
Kelsey entered his office and took a seat in the chair before Kwan's desk. "Um, well, see, I'm looking at what college I might want to go to. Because my dad was thinking of visiting a few over the summer. And," she frowned, lowering her gaze as she pushed back her sleek ebony hair, "I already know which college my dad will want to push me to attend. I was kind of hoping to get your opinion on what you think would be the best school. And," she bit her lip, "maybe help with the essay part of the application?"
"Of course. Though I feel like Da- Mr. Fenton would be more appropriate for going over the essay."
"I thought about doing that. But I wanted your opinion too." Kelsey smiled, biting her lower lip. "For all the computer and science-y bits."
Kwan nodded. "Then I'll be happy to give it a look." He accepted the folder with her essay when she handed it to him. "Do you need it back right away?" If she wanted Danny to give the essay a look too, Kwan could easily pass it onto Danny once he finished his review of it.
Kelsey shook her head. "You don't have to read it right this second, though I would like it back before the end of the week. Still a lot to do to get those college applications ready."
Kwan set the folder to the side for the moment. "Now about college choices. Parents want the best for their children." Mostly. "So I'm sure that's why your father is pushing you for his choice of colleges. And some students will go along with that choice because they don't want to disappoint their parents. But remember, you know what's best for you. If that college isn't one that feels like the best choice, you don't have to apply to it just because of your father. This is about you, not him."
Kelsey bobbed her head, his expression serious. "I know. I mean," she shifted in her seat, "I know it would mean a lot to him if I chose to go to the same college he did, but it doesn't really have what I'm looking for. I want to do computer programming. My dad thinks that's just a little hobby of mine. I'm good at it, and I love it. But the college he wants me to look at doesn't really have a decent programming program. And I know there are a few colleges with really good programs. I just," she shrugged with uncertainty in her brown eyes, "don't know which one might be the best for me."
"I can tell which college I liked, but keep in mind that's just my opinion. You'll probably get a better feel of which college could be the one for you after you visit some of them."
Someone knocked at the doorframe, and both of them turn their gaze. Kwan smiled when he saw Dash.
"Am I interrupting? I just have a little something to discuss with you."
"One moment," Kwan told Kelsey, lifting one finger to her before he stood. He walked around his desk then met Dash at the door. "What is it?"
"It wasn't anything super important." Dash scratched at his cheek, his gaze lowering slightly. "Danny said he would be staying to give one of his kids a little extra swim practice, so he'll be late tonight. So we'll be on our own for dinner tonight."
Kwan nodded. It was to be expected that some nights one or more of them might get held back with work. "Maybe I'll make that stuff you like." He grinned. "Danny didn't seem to like it."
Dash snorted, but the corner of his mouth threatened to curl into a smirk. "I guess spicy isn't his thing. I should let you get back to your student."
Before Dash could turn to leave, Kwan caught his arm and pulled him a step closer. "Um," he flushed darkly, lowering his voice even more, "Valentine's day is coming up. Next Monday, actually. I thought we could do something that night. I don't know if you or Danny had any plans in mind though."
Dash slapped a hand over his eyes with his head tilted slightly backwards. "I can't believe I forgot about that."
Kwan chuckled. "It's okay. We still have the weekend to talk about any plans. And I don't think it has to be anything overly romantic."
"Well, it's nice feeling a little less pressured for Valentine's day." Dash sighed, some tension melting out of him. His gaze darted behind Kwan. "But I really shouldn't be distracting you when you have a student. We can discuss Valentine's day plans when we all get home."
"Right. We should stop buy the store on the way home to pick up some of the ingredients for dinner."
"I'll be in the teacher's lounge when you're ready."
Kwan very nearly leaned in to kiss Dash before catching himself. "I shouldn't be too long." He smiled, giving Dash's arm a little squeeze before he walked back over to his desk. When Kwan glanced back to the doorway, Dash was already gone. "Sorry about that." He sat down again. "Where were we?"
Kelsey tore her gaze away from her phone, which she furiously typed away on just a second ago. "You and Mr. Baxter are pretty good friends, huh?" She glanced toward the door.
"Well, we've been best friends since before high school." Kwan shrugged.
Kelsey's eyes narrowed, giving him a critical once over. "Do you often share clothes? I'm pretty sure Mr. Baxter was wearing a shirt you wore last week. And, if I'm not mistaken, the shirt you're wearing was worn by Mr. Fenton on Monday." Her eyebrow lifted, and Kwan suddenly felt like he was under a microscope.
"Ah," Kwan laughed, a bit too forcibly, "the three of us are friends." He didn't even realize he was wearing the wrong shirt. That morning, he grabbed blindly from the closet, which was turning into more of a mix of all their clothes rather than being solely his closet. Only now that Kelsey mentioned it, he realized the shirt fit a little too snugly. "I guess sometimes we just mix up our clothes."
Kelsey stared him down with an expression that clearly said, "I don't believe one word you just said." Kwan had to admit it sounded pretty lame to his own ears.
"Perhaps we should put a little more focus on your college choices instead of focusing on my clothes." Kwan hoped to get back on topic, not liking that look in Kelsey's eyes. She was a smart young woman, but Kwan now feared she might be a little too observant about certain details, namely those involving his relationship with Dash and Danny.
"Right. Of course." Kelsey nodded, though it felt like the gears were churning away in her head. What ideas were spinning through her mind right now? With a smile, she launched into talking about the colleges she was considering. Kwan relaxed as they discussed the colleges, but something still nagged at him about that whole conversation.
YumiStar: Yes! Good! He deserves to rot in prison.
Kimera20: Thanks! 8D Haha, Dash isn't the only one having to deal with interruptions. XD
