Daphne and Theo try to survive the most stressful day of any school year for a teacher - test day. Small gestures can make a big difference in a friend's day.

Song: You Matter to Me by Sara Bareilles and Jason Mraz

Daphne: Wake up sleepy head

Theo: Why … it is too early

Daphne: We have to go to work

Theo: I don't want to

Daphne: I don't either. Today is test day for both of us

Theo: Don't remind me … I had nightmares last night instead of sleep

Daphne: I stared at the ceiling and took naps instead of actually sleeping

Theo: Why do we do this?

Daphne: Because we love working with kids?

Theo: Some days

Daphne: Time to face the worst day of the year

Theo: Do I have to?

Daphne really did not want to get out of bed. She was warm and comfortable. If she stayed in bed, she did not have to face the anxiety of her students taking their end of course tests today. She knew she had taught everything her students needed to understand Chemistry, but she would not even be in the room with them when they tested today.

It didn't seem fair that her effectiveness as a teacher was judged by what sixteen year olds could regurgitate on a sixty question test. She and Theo had spent much of last Saturday's chess lesson talking about how they hated the fact that a test determined so much about a school year. She missed the days of teaching content and not worrying about a standardized test.

She had two choices - she could hide under the covers or she could face the day. If she got up now, she could get coffee on her way to work. If she laid in bed a little longer, she would run the risk of getting caught in traffic and being late. "I guess I am getting out of bed," she grumbled as she stuck her toes out from beneath the blanket.

Neville: What time do you want the flowers delivered?

Theo: Can you get them there by 7:45?

Neville: Yes

Theo: Thanks Nev

Neville: Are you sure about what is on the card?

Theo: Yes. She will understand

Neville: A test does not determine your value?

Theo: Yes. Her kids are taking end of course tests today

Neville: Okay

Theo stared at the ceiling. He could smell the coffee brewing in the kitchen, but he had no desire to get out of bed. He had spent most of the night tossing and turning. He hated the night before end of course tests. He never slept because he saw strings of students scoring 399 on the test. One question away from passing.

Why did so many decisions have to be made based on what secondary students could remember for a test?

He knew he had taught the skills in his Maths curriculum and his students had worked hard this semester, but he still worried. He and Daphne had talked about testing the last time they had met to play chess. She was still too nervous to play in public and talking about other topics seemed to help her relax when they were playing.

He would love to see her play some of the guys on Friday night. She said she was not ready for that. He wasn't going to push it too much right now. He had discovered that she was funny and smart, plus he liked spending time with her.

She had even plucked him in the head one night when they were playing chess. He had been stupid enough to let her win a match and she got mad. She even left a small knot on his head wher her finger had made contact. Rubbing the sore spot on his forehead, Theo thought about how he was going to survive the day.

First, he was going to have coffee. After that, he was going to think about anything other than his students sitting in a room answering sitxy questions. Maybe he would plan tomorrow's chess lesson. Anything to keep his mind off that damn test.

Daphne: Hey

Luna: Hi

Daphne: Could you do me a HUGE favor?

Luna: What do you need?

Daphne: I am not going to have time to run by and pick up the order for Theo. Can you take it to him?

Luna: What order?

Daphne: Coffee and muffins for Theo and the other Maths teachers from BB

Luna: Sure. What's the occasion?

Daphne: End of course test for their kids today

Luna: UGH

Daphne: Yeah

Luna: I can. Do I put a note with it?

Daphne: Life is defined by more than a test. Breathe and trust them.

Luna: Not a problem. What time do I need to get it there?

Daphne: Before 8 if that is possible

Luna: I can make it happen

Daphne: My kids are testing today too

Luna: Breathe … you are more than their test scores

Daphne: Thanks … you are the best

Daphne could not stop smiling. She had been surprised by flowers from Theo on her desk when she got to her classroom and, as an added perk, her students had done well on their test. There were a few who had not passed, but her administrators were satisfied with their results.

As the final bell rang, she began to pack her bag to leave. She needed to let the girls know how her day had gone. She had gotten several messages before lunch, but she was too nervous to reply when she had gotten them.

She was looking forward to seeing everyone tonight, especially Theo. It had been his note that she had stuck in her pocket and looked at every time her nerves had gotten the better of her. She really liked him. She was thinking about asking him out to dinner tomorrow after chess. Saturday lesson had been a great way to get to know him, but she wanted more.

She looked forward to his nightly texts and their occasional phone conversations. She wanted to see if they could make this something more than just fellow teachers who happened to be friends. It was time to take another leap of faith. The worst he could say was "no."

Harry: So … how did it go?

Theo: Well enough that I have a job next year

Harry: That's a plus

Theo: I am proud of them. I had several pass that were on the fence

Harry: Are you coming to chess club tonight

Theo: Yes … I need to relax

Harry: Are you still teaching Daphne to play?

Theo: Yes, she is getting good

Harry: When are you going to ask her out?

Theo: None of you business

Harry: Really?!

Theo: It's called a private life for a reason

Harry: Well then quit drooling over her in public

Theo: I do not drool

Harry: Neville got your queen last week because you were trying not to leave the table and kill the guy who was talking to her

Theo: I did not

Harry: Mate, just ask her out

Theo: What if she says no?

Harry: What if she says yes?

Theo tucked his mobile into the front pocket of his bag. He had ridden his motorcycle to school today because his administrators let them dress down on testing days. He felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest and he could breathe again. There should not be this much stress on anyone.

Why did his job depend on a bunch of sixteen year olds?

Today had turned out better than he expected. Daphne had surprised him with muffins and coffee for his whole department, delivered by Luna. She had given him a quick hug and wished him luck before she had run out the door. Luna had looked a little down when he first opened the door to the lounge, but he he didn't get the chance to ask her what was going on.

The day had only gotten better from there. He was excited with the results from today. His students had done well and his administrators had congratulated him on a job well done. Now, it was time to get ready for Chess Club. He wanted to relax and play some chess without the testing cloud hanging over his head. Maybe he could talk them into bughouse tonight. If the guys were playing bughouse, they might not notice him watching her.

Harry was right. He needed to either ask her out on a date or quit feeling so possessive. Asking her out was the option that made his heart beat faster. He hadn't had a serious relationship since his ex-wife had handed him divorce papers three years ago.

Could he risk his heart again?

He wanted to see if her could. Smiling, Theo walked out of his classroom and headed for home.

Daphne: Thank you

Theo: For what?

Daphne: The plant and the note

Theo: You're welcome brown eyes

Daphne: My kids surprised me today

Theo: So did mine

Daphne: It feels strange not to be stressing over the test

Theo: The nightmare is over for another year

Daphne: And we still have jobs

Theo: Thank you

Daphne: For what?

Theo: The coffee and muffins. I forgot to eat before I left home

Daphne: I am not surprised

Theo: Why?

Daphne: I forget to eat when I stress

Theo: That is not the best plan

Daphne: I know, but it is what happens

Theo: Are you coming tonight

Daphne: I am. Are you?

Theo: Definitely. I need to relax a little

Daphne: Okay. See you around 6

Theo: Later, brown eyes

Daphne: Later, chess man

Theo and Daphne got to the door of the Bishop's Brew at the same time. "After you," Theo gestered as he opened the door for her. "Ladies first."

"Thank you, kind sir," Daphne giggled as she walked past Theo. He was in a playful mood. This could make Chess Club interesting.

"So, how does it feel to have amazing students," Theo asked her, following her to the girls' usual table at the back of the coffee shop.

"Like I could conquer the world," Daphne answered, setting her bag in her spot. "How does if feel to have students conquer the world of Maths?"

"Better than coffee at 6am." Theo watched her get her computer out of her bag, "Would you like to join me for a celebration dinner tomorrow night?"

Daphne took a moment to answer. "What kind of dinner did you have in mind?"

"Just the two of us." Theo waited for her to look at him. "Dinner at El Punto after chess?"

"I'd love to," Daphne whispered. "Thank you."

"I'll talk to you later." Theo turned towards the chess tables by the window. "Care to join me for a coffee later?"

"Maybe .."