CHAPTER ELEVEN: SMOKE AND FIRE

After our 'Get Help' fiasco, the day seemed to have gone by slower than usual and by the time the final bell sounded everything hurt. Sighing, I make my way to the office swearing under my breath as I remember the staff meeting being held after clubs have ended. Great, another hour and a half of madness. Dropping my materials in the office, I take my cigarettes and the remaining bottle of juice, making my way to the parking lot. Searching for my lighter my hand brushes against the envelope I'd placed there earlier.

"Oh yeah, I haven't opened it yet." Downing the last mouthful of juice, I toss the bottle in the bin and open the letter, finding the small rectangular box that came out with the letter... keys...

"Is this what I think it is?" Hurriedly I read the letter.

"Dear annoying Sensei, you asked that I tell you the next time I'd be absent, so I guess this is me telling you. I'll only be gone for two days, so I'll be back on Thursday. YES, the keys you're holding are for my apartment so you can reduce the size of your eyes and close your mouth. P.S. I know you haven't eaten lunch, so please eat and enjoy the rest of your day. And yes, I did take the fruit pot. A-Chan." I smile, pocketing the letter before staring at the keys.

"Can you get any cuter Atlas?"

"So, it was the keys to her apartment." The sudden voice behind me made me jump, and I nearly drop the key.

"Dude! Heart attack! Do you mind?!"

"Well I called your name a couple times, but you looked deep in thought." The smirk that rode his face annoyed me. Sigh. Great, I just gave this idiot more ammo to torment my soul with.

"What do you want you, idiot?" He stares at me as though searching for something, "What?"

"Despite the age gap... you really have fallen for her haven't you, Sensei." My eyes widened in shock, still I couldn't help but laugh. He isn't completely wrong in all honesty.

"If I'm completely honest it's kinda feels like she's the actual adult between us."

"How so?"

"Well for one..." I take out the keys, "she's rather honest and bold."

"Well, I suppose that trait can't be helped."

"True. Also, even though she misses quite a lot of lessons she's still one of the top students."

"Yeah, everyone underestimates her." Somehow, I feel like he's hinting at something.

"What do you mean?" It's now my turn to stare.

"Well from what I gathered she's smart enough to skip grades. And I'm not referring to her age."

"W-What?! Skip? Explain?"

"She's quite smart you know."

"I gathered." Anyone who had more than a single word conversation with her would.

"Plus, for her extracurricular activities, she needs all the knowledge she can store in that big head of hers."

"If she's that smart then..."

"Because she has to be here." He replies staring at me expectantly. That?

"The game with her father?!"

"Yup."

"Okay, please tell me what you know. You don't have to tell me everything just how you know.

"I guess you could say I was at the wrong place at the right time." He shrugs, leaning against the wall.

"I see." The feeling of relief overwhelms me, at least she didn't tell him.

"Are you relieved that she didn't tell me?" A slight smirk played at the edge of his mouth and I smile.

"You really did fall huh. Can't be helped I suppose, she is one hell of a woman," he says laughing.

"You sound defeated."

"Let's just say a part of me regrets asking you to come here and the other is glad that it's you." He grins winking at me.

"You know I still love you though right." I smile, punching his arm. We remain in the parking lot leaning agaist the wall in silence, the only sound is the soft puff of breath as we smoke until the after-school bell rang.

"Well then," he starts kicking off the wall, "let's go."

"Hmm… yukō..." I nod following him.

The conversations at the meeting were predictable. Talks about which teachers would be coming in for the Easter holiday study sessions and students who'd be using the conference room to organize the summer festival. In conclusion, boring nothings that meant nothing to me.

"Fairchild Sensei?" The mention of my name jerks me out of my daze and I catch a glimpse of Jons smirk before addressing the speaker.

"Ah, yes Mr. Monroe?"

"After the holiday it's the Science quiz completion, I'm sure you're aware?"

"Yes sir, I am. I've already informed my senior students and have the names of those interested."

"As expected of you Sensei. Diligent as always." I swallow at his praise, feeling somewhat embarrassed at the eyes now on me.

"Not at all, sir." "You are too modest. Moving on. I've been keeping tabs on your classes to check your efforts and there are two students from your three-two Science class I'd like you to add on that list if, you don't mind."

"Please go ahead, sir." I respond, opening my journal to write the names.

"Mr. Jackson Hughes and Ms. Atlas Winters." My eyes widen at his suggestions and Jon shifts in his seat before speaking for the first time - about anything school related that is.

"Excuse me sir but I don't believe Atlas would do..."

"I've already spoken to her and she will." Both Jon and I looked at each other, both clearly as shocked as the other. There's no way someone as withdrawn as she is, would so easily put herself forward for something as public this quiz competition. There's no way... this must have something to do with that game. That must be the reason.

"So, Mr. Fairchild, there is no objection?" Our eyes meet and I shake my head in response.

"No, sir. Having highly capable students such as Atlas and Jackson on our team will definitely bring us to the top three this year." I could sense Jon's eyes on me, but I couldn't look at him. I wasn't lying. Having them on the team would benefit us greatly but why now? I remember Jon saying she looked more exhausted than usual. Something's wrong. Placing my hand in my pocket again, my fingers find the key box wrapping around it. Just what the fuck is going on A-Chan.

"And you Mr. Wilson. You are the head of the Science Department after all."

"No, sir. No objections either. As Mr. Fairchild said, these additions will benefit us greatly."

"Very well then." His voice drifts over me and he concludes the meeting dismissing everyone. Before I could leave the room, Jon's hand closes around my arm dragging me in the opposite direction of everyone else.

"What the fuck just happened?"

"I don't know but I don't like this." He pinches the bridge of his nose, his forehead contorted in a frown and I know I didn't look any better.

"Atlas has never agreed to any competitions in the past, before or after I took over the department and I highly doubt that just a simple pep talk from the Head would change her mind."

"I know that Jon."

"I knew something was up when I saw her leave his office earlier," He sighs, running his hands through his hair before looking me dead in the eye, "you have to go see her. Get her to talk. I don't think this is simply just a Science quiz competition anymore Jason." The concern in his eyes annoys me slight but I control the scowl and urge to hit him. He was right. Still. Am I seriously jealous right now?

"I'll go see her later." Without waiting for his response, I make my way to the office, collecting my bag and helmet. What have you gotten yourself into?

I sigh as I stand outside her door, key in hand. After going home to shower and change here I am but, using a key seems kind of weird. I've never been given the keys to any of my girlfriends' apartment before. That sounds nice... Girlfriend. I could feel the smile forming on my lips. God, I feel like a giddy schoolboy right now. Or is this what pathetic looks like?

Looking down at the bag in my hand I groan at myself. And why the fuck did you buy her snacks? God, are you that whipped dude? I mean sugar is a good stimulant for the brain... better than coffee in my opinion. Sigh. Let's get this over with, the worst-case scenario is that she's naked. At the thought, I feel my ears heat up and I mumble a string of swears before unlocking the door. Silence greets me as I enter the only noise coming from the door as it locked behind me.

"Tadaima..." Removing my shoes and jacket I move towards the living room. The TV was off but the lights were on and... Atlas? She's, asleep? She was curled up on the double sofa the coffee table pulled adjacent to it. Laptop opened and papers everywhere. Jesus Christ. I'm a teacher and I don't have this much files in my apartment. What the hell is going on?

"Atlas?" My voice almost a whisper, as I place my bag on the counter moving towards her before kneeling down beside her. Pen still in her hand, her breathing long and deep, exhaustion plastered all over her face. God, she's wearing that damned jumper again. Telling the heat struggling to wake up to chill the fuck out I remove the pen placing it on the table.

"Atlas?" I whisper again, shaking her slightly but all I got was the slight frown of her brow before she snuggles closer to me. God, she's too cute. Looking down the hall, I notice the light from the farthest room lighting up the hallway.

"That must be the bedroom." Getting up, I turn the lights off before scooping her into my arms and she groans, her head tucking under my chin. God, she's heavier than I thought. Where does she keep the weight with this slim ass frame of hers?

"Comfy Ms. Winters?" Another groan escapes her lips sounding like an agreement and I smile as I place her onto the bed. Pulling the covers over her, I sit at the edge of the bed watching every breath she took in before exhaling. Beautiful.

"God, you must be so tired." My hand finds itself gliding through her hair getting caught slightly in one of her curls and she leans into me. Cute. Smiling I get up, turning off the light before taking my jacket off and lying next to her.

"Just for a short while," I say, kissing her forehead, "Goodnight A-kun."