Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Coach Miller let out a deep sigh when he walked into the numbing cold of East High Charter School’s building. Taking long strides to not waste time, or rather to forget the painstaking dread he felt of having to wake up early, he walked over to his classroom. Even if he did abhor the paperwork, the grading, the nasty words spat from the mouths of immature children, he still loved his work like a second home. All the labor of a long 8 hours was worth a single spark of understanding he got from children who were invested in his subject. Coach Miller couldn’t help but see himself in their eyes, learning civics for the very first time, knowing that was his lifelong passion. He loved the sound of laughter when a student made a Hamilton reference or he played a funny video to go along with his lesson. He loved the deep responses children would give to prove they were paying attention. He loved their varied personalities and how each student was a whole new world. But what he loved the most about his job was his passionate coworkers. More specifically, one fellow teacher that caught his eye.

There was just something about Mr Knowles.

Coach AJ Miller had gone to East High Charter as a student and couldn’t help but return to teach himself. The school was a major part of his 27 years of life. He doesn’t know what he’d do without the safe space that the building provides him. He was never a fan of school, just this one, in all its waxed-floor beauty. His experiences here were truly life altering, his entire life in fact. When he laid eyes on Mr Knowles, he knew that the cold hallways and broken coffee machine could grant wishes. He always thought he had enough in his life. Everything he needed was a product of his hard work or a blessing from the people he cared about. He knew that nothing else could make him happier than he already was. But he also couldn’t stop the strange surge of emotion that took him over when he was in the vicinity of Mr Knowles.

::

“Wednesday Snack Attack for our special teachers!” a voice called out from the hallway. Coach Miller let the little kid inside of him loose and hopped up to claim his reward. When he swung the classroom door open, the smiling face of the Vice Principal shone back at him. Mrs Boyer was a stubby woman with a kind face, brown curly hair, and a great sense of humor. “We have a wide variety of chips and drinks for a refreshing break, coach!” she said as she displayed the cart of snacks. AJ grinned and grabbed some Lays and a Mountain Dew after thanking the VP. “Are you ready for the Winter Holiday PTA party?” Mrs Boyer asked, referring to the annual feast the teachers planned for themselves to repay their hard work (and partly to eat ham without paying full price). “Been looking forward to it since day one” AJ responded.

Mrs Boyer leaned in a bit to add a dramatic effect when she said “Not that it’s really a secret anymore, but I heard that there’s going to be an anonymous staff member giving out gifts at the party. They have a month to figure out what we all want” she leaned back to address the slightly busy hallway, “Hopefully they NEVER figure out that I want a Vipuse neck and shoulder 4D cordless back massager with heat tissue kneading for pain relief!” AJ let out a chuckle and waved goodbye to the sarcastic vice principal.

That was an interesting thought though. If there was someone getting specific gifts for everyone, he wonders what the enigma person would get him. He likes football, civics, teaching, and propping his feet up on his wooden desk. Coach Miller makes the things he enjoys very obvious, so he sees no reason why the mystery Santa would have trouble finding him a gift. AJ never wanted more than his simple life, but sometimes, once in a blue moon, he wondered what could be beyond his consistent schedule and unwavering feelings for everything around him. He could break his perfect cycle to find something new. Well, the secret Santa thing does sound new, he thought to himself. Perhaps he could catch the innocent culprit in the act of figuring AJ out.

He finished setting up the piles of paperwork for todays lesson and sat back down in his desk chair. AJ pulled out his phone and saw a notification from an unknown number. He opened it, seeing that the area code was his own.

Unknown Number

>Hey Coach Miller!

I hadn't gotten your number at the teachers open house, but luckily a classroom neighbor had it. As I assume you know, I'm a new teacher here and I wanted to ask for your advice on some lesson planning. I asked some other teachers, but their planning periods didn't align with mine. If you are free to lend me some help, it'd be very much appreciated. My classroom number is 264. Thank you!

Mr. Matthew Knowles<

It was that guy from the teacher orientation. Coach Miller knew him alright. He had sat a couple seats away from him during a meeting that day and couldn't take his eyes off of him since. He was polite and knew what he was doing, or at least knew how to make it look like he knew what he was doing. He didn't attract much attention since there were many new teachers that year, but Coach Miller still picked him out of the crowd. If the message was correct, then they should have the same planning period. Helping him out didn't seem like such a bad idea. AJ saved the number and put his phone away once the bell rang and students began piling into the classroom.

: :

Planning period for both Coach and this enigmatic Mr Knowles came around. AJ slid his computer under his arm along with some helpful papers and began walking to room 264. He thought it might be interesting to check out how the new teachers are doing with the curriculum. Not that he was interested too much in Mr Knowles, but getting to know him and helping him out could be good for the entire school. Right?

With only two knocks of the metal door, Mr Knowles stepped outside to greet Coach Miller. Matthew Knowles was slightly shorter than AJ and had short blondish hair and stubble. His semi circle glasses that were perched on his centered nose made his eyes pop. He wore a grin to go along with his button up and dress pants. Although this man wasn't much of an eye-catcher, he still managed to surprise AJ with his appearance. He felt a little lighter when he saw him.

"Hey! I assume you're Coach Miller?" asked Mr Knowles, gesturing for him to come in. "Yeah. I saw the message you sent me and thought it'd be great to help you out." AJ responded looking around at the moving boxes around the room. Matthew made his way to his desk and sat down, looking for something. AJ took up the empty seat next to him, which he assumed had been set up for that in the first place. When Matthew pulled out a ton of sheets of paper, scribbled and written on, Coach Miller realized how happy Mr Knowles was to get started on this job. "I made a few plans and jotted down some ideas to do with the students. I taught at other schools before, but I would still like some help getting to know this place and the online resources. If you could review these and give me some feedback, it would help a ton." Matthew stated and handed AJ the papers. AJ propped his computer up on the other teachers desk and began to look through the papers.

These ideas were great. Group projects, creative individual assignments, interactive lessons, what hadn't he planned? It shocked Coach Miller to see how perfect these lessons would be. Mr Knowles had a great eye for this. "Wow, this is amazing! I might steal some of these ideas for myself." AJ said with a chuckle. Mr Knowles replied, "It's really nothing, I just ask the kids what they find fun and educative and give it to them. I don't know what these new groups of students will be like, but hopefully they also enjoy my ideas." AJ smiled and said, "Oh, I wanted to show you some tricks to logging into the software the school uses on my computer. If you don't mind, could you pull up your account?" Matthew smiled back as he logged in to his computer. He looks so concentrated on that. Kind of cute... thought Coach Miller. Wait, what am I thinking?? Pull up the app and get started you dummy.

: :

As the period came to an end, Coach Miller looked at all the work they got done and let out a relieved sigh. "We got a lot done. You seem to have a talent for this, Mr Knowles." 

"Nah I just wanted to get done with my homework." Mr Knowles said jokingly. "Yeah and make sure you don't fall asleep in class or the teachers gonna get you!" Coach Miller teased back.

He chuckled and AJ let his eyes linger a little longer than they should have. Maybe this planning period thing wasn't such a bad idea.

The sound of the bell went off in Mr. Knowles classroom and students voices could be heard in the hallway. "Guess I'd better head back then." Coach Miller said, slightly dejected. "Yeah, I'll see you around. Maybe tomorow we can do this again? You really helped me a ton." That was music to AJ's ears. "Of course! I'll help you out whenever."

AJ walked down the 7th grade hallway over to his classroom. He needed to focus on greeting the students and getting started on his lesson.

The back of his mind, however, didn't let him forget Mr. Knowles.

Chapter Text

After two weeks had passed, AJ and Mathew's planning period together became routine. AJ knew he wasn't supposed to be the one mentoring Mr. Knowles, as the school's mentor system only allowed an experienced teacher to take on a mentee, but he was sure that helping this man wouldn't do any harm to his teaching. Also, it was just one period. One period full of teaching and planning.

and jokes

and shared smiles

and proximity.

Not that Coach Miller wanted any of that. He just went everyday to help out a fellow teacher. Not to admire the way Mathew's smile was a little higher on the left than on the right. Or how he always knew what to say. Or the cute, frustrated face he would make when he's concentrated. Of course not.

: :

Coach Miller sat down on a rusty blue bench outside of the school and pulled out his sandwich that he had brought for lunch. He had finished setting up everything for the next class and didn't have any assignments to grade. With everything up to date, he decided he would enjoy this lunch without having to fuss over some kid who turned in a project late. The heat of summer was beginning to fade with every passing day. Not that AJ didn't like summer, but he prefers to be able to walk outside without breaking into a sweat just from standing in the sun.

The new 7th graders weren't the best kids, but they had good hearts. AJ suspected a good outcome from this year. I have them on track with my scheduled lessons, so far so good. Although he could tell that the kids would be cracking up at his horrible civics puns, there was something else that was making him hopeful about coming to the building everyday.

After all, he had made a new friend.

Mr. Knowles was the type of guy to make anything and everything interesting. Coach Miller would be lying if he said that being with Matthew wasn't the highlight of his day. Not only was he a funny and great guy, but he understood AJ in a way no one else ever had. Coach Miller couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he could just relate to Mathew so well and loved being around him.

Of course, the planning periods were great and all, but AJ was starting to want to get to know his new friend better.

The bell rang from inside of the building as Coach Miller wrapped up his lunch. He got up and started walking to the school. He was going to act upon his feeling of curiosity for his co-worker. Their planning period would be just after this class. He needed to think of something to say.

: :

Coach Miller knocked at Mr. Knowles door expectingly. "Hey!" Mathew said and stepped aside to let AJ in. "Hello," Coach Miller replied, not walking in without realizing. Why am I feeling so nervous?

"Are you going to enter..?" Mr. Knowles teased at AJ's confused expression. "Oh yeah, sorry." AJ's face heated up as he quickly made his way to Mathew's desk.

They didn't waste any time in getting to work on this weeks plans. They had to give out benchmark tests to the kids to see what they knew. "To be honest, this is bullshit," Mr. Knowles stated. "We're going to teach the kids what they need to know anyways, so why would we need to see where they are now?"

"Dunno, does sound stupid." AJ agreed, barley paying attention to the assignment he was posting. He liked this chit chat, but he needed the conversation to go his way. He didn't even know what he was going to say. He wanted to get Matthew outside of the building, but not make it too obvious. Invite him to dinner? Too formal. The movies? What are we teenagers. Lunch would be alright...

"Hello? Earth to AJ?" Mathew snapped Coach Miller out of his trance. "Sorry, the schools system is bugging on me. Can't get this assignment posted." AJ replied bashfully. "Ha! You've got a high ping."

A what?

"What is that?" AJ asked him. "It's a video game term I learned from the kids. It means your internet is lagging." Matthew claimed. "You know they could be trolling you. You never know for sure what they're saying..." AJ stated.

Mathew let out a hearty chuckle. "For sure! I'm still hung up on 'slay'... I mean, what were they trying to kill?" Mathew declared with genuine confusion. This time it was AJ's turn to laugh. "I doubt they meant it like that." He smiled at Matthew and got back to work.

Then he remembered why he wanted to avoid this work.

Really, he had nothing to do. His students had been great and there was nothing more to work on. Except for how he was going to ask out Mr. Knowles. Well technically, it wasn't a date. Not at all. He just wanted to see his friend, that's it. 

So then why was Coach Miller's heart beating so fast at the thought of this upcoming conversation?

"The weekend's coming up." AJ said, his throat dry. "Yeah, I believe that's what happens every Friday." Matthew replied jokingly. You dumbass! Get to the point, AJ thought to himself. "Well I was just wondering if you'd be busy." He managed to spit out.

"No, actually. I thought my aunt would be coming over, but she cancelled last minute." A sigh of relief escaped AJ's mouth.

"That's good. Uh I mean, not that your aunt canceled, but that you won't be busy. Or maybe it's bad because you want to be busy..? Sorry, not the point." AJ was tripping over his words, and Mathew's humorous smile told him that he was completely enjoying this slip up. "The point is, would you be interested in going to somewhere for lunch sometime? Preferably this weekend. That's... why I asked." Oh my god. I haven't been this embarrassing since the last time I had to ask someone to homecoming. I must look so stupid right now! Another thought that was daring to linger in his mind was why Matthew had this effect on him. Not like Coach Miller should be so nervous in the first place.

"That sound great." Mathew replied. AJ let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and said, "Great. We can go for pizza?"

"Sure, is Sunday at Pasquale's alright for you?" Matthew inquired. "Yes. I'll see you there then." AJ replied, knowing the bell would ring in a minute. He got up from his chair and Mr. Knowles followed suit. They walked over to the door and said their goodbyes.

Coach Miller almost did a heel click right there in the hallway. Albeit the conversation was awkward, he managed to ask Matthew to lunch without exploding into a craze of nerves. He didn't mean for it to seem like a date, because that's not what it was. It was a not-date. He was just planning a get-together with a friend on a Sunday afternoon. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Despite this, he was still over exited for his not-date.

Chapter Text

AJ woke up on Sunday morning to the sound of his phone go off.

>Hey Coach Miller!
I was wondering if we're still on for lunch at Pasquale's today? I'm really craving pizza right now 😋<

The message sent by Mr. Knowles was getting sleepily stared at by AJ. Eventually, his memory caught up to him and he sat right up in bed. Oh gosh. He had almost forgotten about the not-date but had somehow remembered to get together a presentable set of casual clothes ready for himself the day before. He got up and ran a hand through knotted hair. As he was still processing the sudden text, a thought came to mind.

Is it weird that his new friend still calls him 'Coach Miller' outside of their work?

That question would have to wait for later. AJ picked up his clothes and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.

: :

A loud groan came from the back of Coach's Honda. "Come on... please not today," AJ whined to his rusty ramshackle car. He wasn't going to be late if his 5-seater didn't start up now, but he wanted to be there early.

The car engine sputtered to life and Coach Miller slammed the pedals. He (obviously) wouldn't break the law, especially when it comes to driving. But he needed to get there to calm his nerves. What AJ didn't understand was we he was being so jumpy about this meet up. He had seen Mr. Knowles before. He knew his friend. So why did he have this effect on AJ?

With one last look in his visor's mirror to fix his already unfixable hair, he stumbled out of his car and towards the plaza. AJ was quite unfamiliar to the place, as he would usually go to a pizzeria much closer to his home. AJ assumed Matthew just liked Pasquale's more than other restaurants, so he went along with it.

When he walked into the pizzeria after tugging hard on the pizza shaped handles, AJ saw Matthew standing near the counter with his right forearm draped over the cold marble. He was having an animated conversation with the cashier.

AJ stopped abruptly, unable to move. It wasn't weird seeing a coworker outside of their job, but he was so astonished by Matthew. He was just in a normal outfit for a not-date. Standing there so casually smiling a little higher on the left than on the right, as if his appearance didn't flip AJ's whole world upside down.

"Finally here, huh?" Mr. Knowles snapped Coach Miller out of his unexpected trance. "Oh... yeah. Sorry, I thought I would be early so I could reserve a table." AJ replied.

"No need! I reserved the Friday you asked me." Mathew's smile widened and he gestured for AJ to come order.

: :

The two thanked the waitress once their food came. "Oh gosh I've been looking forward to this." Mathew stated, rubbing his hands together for emphasis. "It does look good, and for what we paid it better taste just as well." AJ teased.

They dug in and fell into a comfortable flow of conversation. AJ had a thought that itched the back of his mind, but a real itch right under his thigh distracted him.

"Hold up," AJ shifted "I think I sat on something..." He gently pulled out from underneath him a small string of beads.

"Looks like some kid forgot their bracelet here," Mr. Knowles hypothesized as he grabbed the hand-made jewelry from AJ's fingers. "Seems to be a friendship bracelet, at that."

The thin beaded string had definitely seen better days. It was a purple, green, and black incoherent pattern that seemed to resemble the colors of a prominent animated character.

"To Infinity..?" Matthew read off of the cubed letter beads on what they assumed was a lost friendship bracelet.

"They must be a Lightyear fan. I consider myself one, to clarify." Coach Miller said with credence.  "Strange they didn't add 'and beyond'. You might be right about the friendship bracelet thing" AJ added. "That would be cute. One bracelet that says 'To Infinity' and the other matches with 'and Beyond'. Incredible what these kids come up with." Matthew stated with a very serious look on his face.

AJ let out a lighthearted chuckle. "What? Have you never seen a friendship bracelet before? You look as if you've just solved the mysteries of the world." Matthew threw him an offended look and said, "Well I never really did these kind of things with my friends. Might as well live that childhood now." Matthew slipped the bracelet over his hand to hang it on his wrist. He lifted his arm to show it off to his coworker.

"What do you think Coach Miller?'

AJ's inquiry from before rushed back to him. "You can call me AJ. If you want, of course." His face felt hot as blood crept up his cheek bones. Was he rushing their friendship?

"Sure!" Matthew replied, and AJ let out a breath he was holding. "It would be weird if we kept acting like this is some business meeting when we're sloppily eating pizza and discussing Buzz Lightyear." They both gave a hearty laugh and Mr. Knowles stated, "You can call me Matthew, if you'd like."

"Sounds good to me, Matthew."

"Alright then, AJ."

Chapter Text

The bell rings as children file out of class like worker bees, off to chat with friends and rush to their next class. AJ felt a slight pity as he had given the kids a difficult test this past period about how a bill becomes a law. One student had to stay behind to finish it. AJ let her since his planning period was next.

That also meant he'd get to see Matthew again.

AJ had been thinking about that not-date ever since he backed his car out of the pizzeria parking spot. They had found that strange, yet lonely bracelet that Matthew insisted on keeping. AJ thought it was a bit strange that a grown man would want a child's beaten up friendship charm, but he let him live his measly dream. "To infinity"... AJ could think about that day for infinity. He hadn't learned that much about Matthew, but their conversations in that setting gave him a new level of comfort with his coworker.

AJ couldn't tell why, but he was overjoyed they have that.

AJ shifted in his desk chair to pull his phone from his back pocket. He couldn't leave a student alone in the security-camera-lacking classroom, so he'd have to tell Matthew to come over here instead.

>Hey Matthew! I have a kid finishing up a test in here. :/ IDK if I can leave her so would it be alright if you brought your stuff over here?<

He set his phone down and stared into nothing on his computer. AJ didn't mind them having to move over to his classroom, but just as he sent the text, a sudden wave of how terribly tended his space was hit him. Since when is the wall's paint peeling? Are those posters falling? Was that creepy Washington bobble head always there...? he thought to himself.

He suddenly felt awkward in his skin. AJ doubts Matthew will be judgmental, but he couldn't help but feel like this was letting Matthew in another part of his life. After all, the school, this classroom, was his second home. Where would Matthew sit? I swear that's a cockroach in the light... AJ was picking up things that represent himself.

Not that'd he would want to impress Matthew, but he definitely wouldn't want him looking down on AJ. Matthew had, as it seemed to AJ, a sort of organized chaos when it came to everything. He kept his life with routine, but not the way AJ does. He doesn't know if the change of environment would alter their conversations in any way, and for just a day as well. He shouldn't stress out about it.

But his heart is subconsciously beating faster at the thought of seeing those sweet brown eyes again.

He quickly grabs the falling posters and strange founding father figurines and shoves them on a top shelf where Matthew wouldn't be able to see them. He sits back down at his desk and finds himself fixing his hair in his phone mirror, the way his female students do whenever they get the chance. A notification goes off and AJ opens it.

>That sound perfectly fine! I'm headed there now.<

Matthew had replied to his earlier message. To him, Matthew seemed like the not-date hadn't effected anything. But AJ was nervous again for reasons he couldn't explain.

: :

Once they were both hunched over papers at AJ's desk, he found that the nervousness hadn't subsided. They found space on AJ's desk for both of them to sit, and Matthew hadn't commented on anything in the room, so he assumed that there was nothing wrong for the time being.

However, that's when it caught his eye.

The dingy friendship bracelet was hanging loosely on Matthew's wrist. The string stretched and moved its beads around as he wrote. "Hey, you alright..?" Matthew snapped AJ out of his trance. "You're wearing the bracelet we found at Pasquale's" AJ couldn't stop that inquiry from leaving his mouth, as weird as it sounded. "I thought it was cute! Maybe we're looking at it wrong though."

"What do you mean?" AJ asked. "We already established that it's a bracelet, it says 'To Infinity', what else are we looking at?"

"Not that, silly. I mean how you said that we found it. But I think that it found us." He winked at the end of the statement which made all of AJ's movements cease. "A-alright stop the teasing. You're not going to make some strange superstition about a friendship bracelet finding us. That's just weird." AJ replied lightheartedly. "You never know where life will take you, huh. Maybe finding this bracelet was just the start of something. You know?"

AJ couldn't comprehend what a lost bracelet had to do with life's unpredictability, but he agreed nonetheless.

: :

As the period came to an end, Matthew packed up his stuff and headed towards the door. Just then, the lock twisted and a figure of one of their coworkers could be seen outside.

It was the Dean of Students, Richard Michaud.

AJ had his connections with Richard, as they were coworkers and he often had to send his players to the Dean's office. He hadn't expected this visit however. Matthew stepped aside when the door opened and Mr. Michaud came in with a big smile that thinned his eyes. "Hello, Coach Miller. Can I talk to you for a second?" He said.

"Oh, sure." AJ replied with a lack of a better response.

"I just wanted to speak to you about some changes for next school year-"

"Sorry to interrupt, but I need to get back to my classroom." Matthew interceded. "I'll see you around, AJ."

AJ couldn't tell what it was, but something was different about the way Matthew had said that. Like he had a pain in his voice that threatened to come out. Is he that sad to leave my rotting classroom? AJ thought. No that's stupid.

His thoughts silenced as Matthew gave Mr. Michaud a slightly concerned glare. He halted for a split second in front of the Dean before taking his leave. AJ didn't know anything about Matthews interactions with Mr. Michaud, so he just assumed they had a dilemma in the past.

"As I was saying," The Dean continued, "There have been some changes in scheduling for next year."

"If I have to move classrooms, I'll gladly do that." AJ stated motioning towards the brown spots in the lights.

"Not quite," Mr. Michaud stepped a little closer and looked at AJ with a solemn expression. He let out a sigh and said, "I won't be Dean of Students anymore, starting next school year."

AJ wasn't completely depressed about this news, but it would be a major change. Richard was a great dean when it came to handling his out-of-hand players and AJ would be sad to see him go. But he still can't figure out what this had to do with him.

"So will you be leaving the school, or just dropping the position?" AJ interrogated. Richard said, "I'm just letting someone else take the role. The principal is allowing me to take a new position that interests me and has better pay." He humorlessly chuckled and added, "That's why I came to you, AJ"

"I need someone to fill my shoes. It's not an easy task, but I know I trust you," The Dean explains to him.

Richard was making him an offer. AJ wouldn't know the first thing about being a dean, and he'd have to quit teaching his favorite subject. But, the glittering possibility of this promotion might not be available to him ever again. He needed time to think.

"I don't know... I still have the whole year to decide my next move, right? And I'd like to spend it teaching, please and thank you." AJ stated. "Alright then, I'll let you think about it. But just so you know," Richard came closer to him and grasped his shoulder, "we would be working together as Deans. I thought we'd be a great pair." His expression became slightly deceptive, but returned to normal after AJ shook his hand off.

"Uh, yeah sure sounds great." AJ didn't understand why Richard was being so weird about a promotion, but he backed him out the door. 

"Ok then, I hope you make a good decision. Talk to you later, AJ." The Dean then left his classroom.

AJ didn't know if he was going to accept the offer or not, but he did know one thing that bothered him; Mr. Michaud referring to him with his first name all of the sudden. He had gotten so used to only Matthew calling him that, he hadn't realized how much he hated when other people called him AJ.

Creep... AJ thought to himself.

Chapter Text

"WOOOOHOOOOO IT'S THE BIG DAY!" Mrs. Boyer projected to anyone and everyone in a 200 mile radius.

How can one person be so energetic at 7:00 in the morning?? AJ tried to comprehend as he rubbed the ball of his palms to his eyes. He had a busy day ahead of him with six full class periods of intense note taking for his students and the newly reminded holiday staff party. He hoped the day would fly by so he didn't have to get caught in a buttload of grading; or in some awkward staff party small talk.

He unpacked his bag at his classroom and began placing the note-taking papers at the desks. He let his mind wander back to the holiday party. What would I wear? Do I need to bake something for it? Should I bring someone...? That was an intriguing thought. He knew better than to show up alone (lesson learned after being the only one dressed up at a 'costume' party in high school), but he couldn't just ask anyone to go with him.

He settled down in his creaky office chair and propped his feet up on the wooden desk. His planning period would be in a little more than two hours. No, his time with Matthew would be in a little more than two hours. AJ couldn't lie to himself; he loved talking to Matthew, he loved planning with him and sharing that sprinkle of time with him.

I wonder if he's going to the get together...

: :

The bell rung after three class periods of breaking his students wrists. AJ hurriedly packed up his papers and snatched his laptop. He paced down the hall to Mr. Knowles classroom. He rapped on the door, soon being welcomed by that comforting, heart-stopping smile Matthew had.

"Hey, Matthew"

"Hello, AJ" Mr. Knowles motioned for him to enter.

AJ got himself settled and smiled up at his coworker. "Crazy day today for you too? Or did I just put myself in an exhausting situation?" AJ inquired. "Yeah, that was all you, buddy." Matthew breathed a small laugh, "I was actually stress free today, only busy thinking about my first holiday party at East High." He said as he sat down next to AJ.

"Oh, gosh. Please don't remined me..." AJ groaned.

Matthew chuckled at the childish complaint, "It can't be THAT bad right~?" AJ huffed, "Yeah, right. Maybe you'll be the next victim of the principal's so called 'gingerbread-and-whipped-cream-palooza'. Emphasis on the ginger. Seriously, I have no idea how she gets so much of it..."Matthew practically teared up at hearing this.

AJ tried to pull his eyes away as he processed the fact the Matthew would be attending. "Oh, if you wouldn't mind, I was thinking of bringing someone along so I don't show up alone. Maybe you'd want to come with me?" He hoped the other man couldn't hear the hesitant shake in his voice.

"For sure! I need someone to show me the way, after all." Matthew beamed and added a wink that almost stopped AJ's circulation right there.

Get it together! You have someone to go with so you don't look like a loser, that's all. AJ learned to breath properly again and got to work.

: :

He looked so terribly stupid.

AJ tugged foolishly on the sleeves of an itchy, hand-woven holiday sweater. His aunt did this every year; she would send her 'sweet little nephews' a surprise gift that she expected them to wear. AJ knew by trail and error that everyone would show up with an ugly sweater to the function, but he still cringed at the sight.

The fuzzy green sweater had thick red stripes at his wrists, hip, and neck. Thinner, black lines threaded throughout the middle, carrying multicolored Christmas lights in a funky pattern across the fabric. Directly in the middle was an image of a gingerbread man with his legs cracked off and a stunned look on his face. White letters across the top of the sweater read, "Oh snap!"

Just then did he realize how happy he was to have someone to go with. It would've been a living hell to endure his coworkers comments about the corny saying plastered on his chest. They had agreed on meeting up there and walking in together. AJ slightly wished he had offered to drive him there, but he didn't know if that would be taking their friendship too far, and he didn't want to ruin anything.

AJ took one last awful look at the ugly sweater, grabbed his keys, and headed outside to start up his car.

It was going to be a long night.

: :

As AJ strode out of his car and towards the school's big double doors, he spotted Matthew leaning against the fence on the east side of the school, near the main entrance. He waved to Matthew and he began walking in his direction. The two paused in between the concreate stumps at the front of the school.

"Nice sweater, weirdo." Matthew stated lightheartedly, as a grin crept up his face. "Stuff it, bozo." AJ feigned an attitude at the remark.

They walked into the building and let the freezing air chill them as they made their way to the teachers lounge.

: :

"Who's ready to find out this years mystery gift-giver?!?" Mrs. Boyer's energy didn't seem to have faded throughout the day.

AJ and Matthew stopped by a brightly decorated table to adorn their red paper plates with home-made cookies the other teachers bought. AJ knew from past experience that they wouldn't be Michelin type bakes, but he grabbed their lumpy creations either way. They moved over to the couch on one side of the room to join where their coworkers were sitting. They faced the principal and VP as they awaited their annual holiday speech, looking like small children at story time.

"As most of you know," Mrs. Robins started, "we'll be choosing a person to gift all the other teachers a personalized present. Then, the last day before winter break, we'll all gather to guess who the secret person is. Hope y'all have fun!"

"The mystery Santa will be chosen out of a hat of names by Mrs. Robins. Then, she'll tell that person if they need to start preparing gifts!" Mrs. Boyer explained to the small crowd.

Here we go again, thought AJ. She seemingly pulled a white sports hat out of nowhere and instructed Mrs. Robins to look away as she picked the small slit of paper with a name. Her hand ruffled through the hat as she overdramatically pulled a piece of paper out. She held it close to her face and drew on a serious face to add to the non-existent suspense. AJ was already boring himself, but he looked to his companion and saw quite the opposite.

Matthew looked so terribly intrigued by the show at hand. He was leaning forward in his seat with a stupid(ly cute) grin on his face. AJ raised an eyebrow and Matthew slightly turned his neck to look at him. He laughed under his breath and continued to watch. AJ felt an exhilaration run through his veins. He had no idea why, as they were experiencing an impossibly boring spectacle, but he felt like just looking at that overly excited expression on his friends face was a sight to behold.

"Voila!" The principal crumpled the paper in her fist and raised it to the sky. "I will confront the chosen victi- um, I mean the chosen volunteer after the party. Continue your chatter, but wrap it up quick. The custodians kicking us out at eight." The last part of her sentence lacked enthusiasm, but she let the holiday party continue in all its burnt-cookie and hot cocoa glory.

: :

"Hell of a 'party', huh?" AJ teased his friends excitement. "I mean you'd think they're doing this on purpose."

"Yeah, obviously. With the purpose of getting us all together and feeling the winter spirit!" Matthew gave him a wide, toothy smile. "I can't believe Mrs. Robins did all that just to not announce who it is. But, I guess that would ruin the whole point, no?"

"Yeah it is a mystery Santa after all." AJ said.

Mrs. Robins had stopped the secret person before they left, ensuring they could get on the job. Most of their coworkers had gone, but AJ and Matthew were standing where they were just that evening in front of the school. "I can't wait, it seems too fun" Matthew confidently said. "I guess it is quite enjoyable the first time." AJ stood in front of his friend, heaving cold breaths that let clouds of white puff around his face.

"Yeah, I like being the new guy for this reason. But, I think I'll like it even more in a couple years, when I get to make fun of it like you do." Matthew chuckled.

AJ heart subconsciously beat a little faster at the thought of spending many more years with Matthew.