You were more than nervous today as you waited for Shuichi to come help you after school. After you realized that the two of you had been flirting, your stomach fell into a bunch of knots. You shouldn’t have flirted with him; he’s a student. But he’ll be graduating this year.

You shook your head as you gripped onto your hair. You shouldn’t be thinking like that. He was a student. A student. You could go to jail. But that’s only if we start a relationship. That won’t happen. He’s a student, I’m a teacher. He probably just views me as a teacher among many at his school.

Oddly, that thought depressed you. You didn’t want him to view you as a teacher, but as a friend. Because friends depended on each other and friends could become something more. No! Absolutely not! I should request another student as my helper.

“Hello Miss [Last Name].”

That last thought immediately left your mind as you stared at Shuichi. He walked elegantly over to your desk with a gentle smile upon his lips. You felt lost in his gaze; how was it a teenage boy could do this to you?

“Hi Shuichi.”

“What is it that you’ll have me doing today?”

“I need these to be photocopied,” you announced as you handed him a packet. “I need enough for three classes; roughly twenty-five students each.”

“Alright, anything else?”

“No; just do that and then you’ll be done for today.”

He smiled as he took the packet from you and exited the classroom. Instantly, you missed his presence. He had a way of looking at you and making you feel like the only girl in his life. God, this infatuation is progressing way too quickly.

For a good half an hour, you simply graded homework and planned out tomorrow’s lesson. With Shuichi’s help, you were given more time to accomplish these tasks while he put together work for tomorrow. It helped you out a lot.
“Miss [Last Name], I’m finished.”

“Oh thank you Shuichi. You can just place those on my desk.”

He did as he was told. You glanced up to see him staring at you.

“You can go; that’s all I needed you to do today.”

“Yes I’m aware of that. I was just wondering if you wanted me to get you something to drink from the teacher’s lounge.”

“I…” you trailed off. That was really sweet of him to offer like that. “Yes, I’d love something. Would you mind getting me some Brisk Ice Tea,” you questioned as you rummaged through your purse to find some money.

“Sure thing and don’t worry, I have the money to get you one.”

“That’s okay, Shuichi. I just need to find my wallet… and I need to downsize my purse,” you grumbled, causing the redhead to laugh. “Aha! Here you go. And get yourself something as well,” you suggested as you handed him another dollar.

“Miss [Last Name], that’s not necessary.”

“Oh come Shuichi! It’s a friend buying another friend a drink. You can repay me back later, alright?”

He smiled as he nodded his head. “I’ll keep you to that, Miss [Last Name].”

You chuckled as he turned and walked out of the classroom and headed to the teacher’s lounge. A few moments later, a new presence entered into the room.

“How are things going, sweetie?”

You glanced up to see Mimiko. She was not only a coworker of yours, but the head of your department.

“Things are going well. Shuichi Minamino is the student helping me out.”

“Aa, he’s a great student. One of Meiou’s pride and joy. I’m sure he’ll be of great assistance for you to get back into routine.”

You nodded your head. “Yes, I agree.”

“Well, that was all I wanted to talk to you about. Come get me if you need anything, alright [Name]?”

“Yes; thank you. Bye Mimiko.”

She smiled as she exited the classroom and headed to most likely her own classroom. You turned your gaze back to the lesson in front of you. You thought it was a good lesson, but the students were most likely going to think otherwise. It was hard trying to get students interested in school and doing their assigned work.

You ran a hand through your hair as you stared at the plan once more.

“Here you are Miss [Last Name].”

You glanced up and saw Shuichi handing you your drink. “Thank you.”

“What is that you’re looking over?”

“My lesson plan for tomorrow.”

“Oh? Are you having trouble with it?”

“No,” you answered, slightly aware that he was sitting down and getting comfortable.

“It’s just hard trying to get students interested in the subject your teaching.”

“Aa, I understand.”

“It just sucks when you work so hard on something and then a student goes ‘I don’t want to do this’, which sets off the snowball effect. I’ve worked so hard on planning these lessons out and the students throw it right back in my face. It’s aggravating as hell.”

“You begin to question why put in the time and effort if no one is going to appreciate it.”

“Exactly!”

“I can understand that. You work really hard and it’s like no one knows you did the work.”

You stared at him with a slightly calculated look. It sounded like he was talking about himself as well. Then again, he did say he understood.

“But it’s like if I don’t do a good job, then I’m not giving the students a choice to do well in school or flunk out. So I put in the time and effort even if I get crap for it because it gives the students a better education.”

Shuichi smiled kindly at you as you twisted off the cap and took a sip of your beverage. You were tempted to remind him he could leave, but at the same time you wanted his company. You knew it was wrong of you; you were attracted to him. But where was the harm in a little friendship? So long as you didn’t make any moves or give him any signs, then you could be friends with him.

Leaning back in your seat you glanced out the window. “Fall’s coming. Then winter will come. After winter comes dreadful spring.”

“Dreadful? Why is that?”

“Because the kids stayed in all winter and the weather is finally warming up while the end of the school year is near. None of the students want to be inside so it gets stressful and annoying for the teachers.”

“I see. But it’s not like you want to be inside either.”

“Aa yes, but here’s the catch; I get paid to remain inside. You’re paying to be kept inside,” you pointed out as a smile spread across your lips.

Shuichi chuckled as his gaze caught yours. “There is truth to your words.”

“But of course! I would not lie to you Shuichi. That’s an abuse of your trust.”

His lips curled into a delectable smile. How was it that he was so attractive? He moved with such grace and elegance that the slightest of movements caught your attention. The simple act of smiling at you made your knees weak. The briefest strum of his fingers against the desk made your heart increase. The switching positions of his legs caused a trifle of anticipation to run up your spine.

“Of course you wouldn’t.”

Why did that sentence come across to you as something a little more than just innocent? You were imagining things. You always did when you were attracted to a male. You always made it seem like his gaze would linger on you a bit longer, that he would try and search you out, and that he was just as attracted to you as you were to him. But Shuichi didn’t view you that way; you weren’t even as gorgeous as he was.

“I look forward to the fall, though,” you stated as your eyes turned to look out the window once more.

“You do?”

“Yes. It’s my favorite season.”

“I enjoy spring a lot.”

“Of course you would. You’re a gardener.”

He chuckled, which caused your gaze to flitter back over to him. “Yes, but that’s not the only reason.”

“Then enlighten me,” you lightly demanded before you took another sip of your Ice Tea.

“I enjoy the warm weather after a long, cold winter. Fall is nice, but it’s on the cooler side. Spring is inviting life and welcoming people.”

“Fall’s not. Fall’s a symbol of death and long times to come. I suppose that’s why I like it so much. I’m usually an upbeat person, but I’m sometimes drawn to depressing things. I find autumn absolutely beautiful.”

A small hum of agreement was heard from Shuichi, but you were busy paying attention to the outside world. With the constant talk of the seasons, it was easier for you to look away from Shuichi and not be noticeable with your attraction towards the teenager. Teenager. The word cut through your mind like a knife slicing through warm butter. He was just a kid; you were twenty-six. In four years you’d be thirty! He was probably seventeen, eighteen at most; he still had to learn life’s lessons.

“Well I better get home,” you suddenly stated as you hastily got up from your chair.

“Right. It is getting rather late.”

You laughed lightly. “Yeah. Thank you again for helping.”

“You don’t have to thank me every time. After all, I’m getting credit for helping you out.”

“So you wouldn’t do it on your free will,” you questioned with a slight pout; of course you were teasing the redhead, but it was fun to act a little sincere.

He regarded you with a slightly curious gaze as he stood from the desk he sat in. “I suppose now I would, but perhaps I wouldn’t have originally.”

“That’s good to know, Shuichi. You’re not as nice as you come across.”

A smirk adorned his lips as he saw where you were going with the conversation. “You’re making assumptions about me again, Miss [Last Name]. I don’t believe that’s fair.”

“Oh? And what assumptions have you made about me,” you inquired as you finally grabbed your briefcase and started heading out of the room.

“My assumptions are different than your own.”

“How so?”

“I haven’t announced them.”

“But you’ve made them. What’s the difference between keeping them to yourself and acknowledging them out loud? Because either way, making an assumption is possibly making an incorrect judgment on someone.”

“Yes, but I won’t make a fool of myself if my assumptions are incorrect.”

“Shuichi,” you shrieked slightly as your mouth dropped open before you laughed. “I can’t believe you just called me a fool.”

He chuckled to himself. “You aren’t the only one to make incorrect assumptions out loud, Miss [Last Name].”

“I know. But still. You called me a fool… and oddly, I’m not offended by it.”

“You know I didn’t mean it.”

“Do I? After all, that would be me making an assumption, wouldn’t it?”

He chuckled as the two of you exited the building. “I suppose it would be. You learn quickly, Miss [Last Name].”

“I try to. That way I won’t get left behind. Because who enjoys being left behind?”

“Not too many people.”

“Not too many indeed. Well, this is my stop. Thank you for keeping me company Shuichi,” you said as you stood beside your car.

He smiled a slightly mischievous smile.

“What? What did I say?”

“Are you going to thank me for every act of kindness I do?”

“Well sure. Why wouldn’t I?”

His gaze lingered off to the right as he stared at the school building. As the wind blew, caressing his crimsons locks, you realized how much older he seemed. He didn’t appear to be a teenager trying to figure out the world; he appeared as though he’s already figured it out and is just waiting to reach Nirvana. How was it that he was at least eight years younger than you and yet, he most likely knew more about life?

He brought his eyes back to lock onto yours and a gentle smile swept across his serene face.
“Then I would like to thank you, Miss [Last Name].”

“For what?”

“For appreciating every act of kindness given to you. I don’t meet many people like you who give credit to the simpler things in life. You deserve a little credit yourself.”

A blush surfaced upon your cheeks as your eyes immediately turned away from Shuichi’s. Your heart was racing in your chest. He was a very considerate boy and he was much more mature than his age; you knew that. But you also knew you couldn’t allow yourself to feel for him, not in that romantic way. Because you’d never be able to be with him and that would be torture for you. It would slowly kill you as you’d watch him from the sidelines.

“Thank you, Shuichi,” you whispered softly. “I’ll see you later?”

“Tomorrow after school. Have a nice evening, Miss [Last Name].”

“You too, Shuichi.”

You met his gaze and he smiled that soft, genuine smile of his before turning and heading off towards the entrance and exit of the school property. For a few moments, you simply watched him walk away from you before you came to your senses.

You climbed into your car and pulled out of your parking space. Your hands were gripping terribly tight onto the steering wheel because you knew… you just knew if he was only a few years older, you’d fall madly, deeply, and truly in love with that boy.