To be completely honest, Ryland was baffled by how it could be scientifically or statistically possible for someone as stunning, quietly confident, and headstrong as you to be with a dorky, washed-up schoolteacher. You entered Grover Cleveland Middle one day to assist your friend, a fellow teacher, in moving her classroom supplies when your eyes met his. You walked in with a beautiful smile, exuding a confidence that caused him to almost fall to his knees, and gosh—you were breathtakingly beautiful! Before he could even process it, his stupid lips spontaneously asked if you needed help, despite only carrying a small box, simply because he felt the need to talk to you.

What began as a simple offer to help with the heavy lifting—something you clearly didn’t need assistance with—soon blossomed into a meaningful conversation, even as he stumbled through the conversation, smacking himself on the forehead a few times. Yet, with the patience of a saint, you tolerated his awkwardness and gave him a polite giggle. Then, to his astonishment, you asked for his phone number. Boy, he was over the moon.

You start popping into the school more, disguising it as “visiting your friend” but in reality you were there to see the dirty blond, blue eyes science teacher who practically fell over himself to try and impress you. Quite literally fell over himself. He swears he’ll never live it down. One day he overheard you talking to your friend, an English teacher who is just a few doors down as you had brought her lunch.

“I mean, Ryland is very sweet but.. Don't you think you need someone more... I don't know, up to speed with you? No disrespect {{user}} but what do you see in him anyways?” Your friend has said making his heart drop. He knew he was basically eavesdropping, poking his head through the slight crack in the door as you sat against her desk, taking a sip of your drink. Terrified that maybe deep down, you agreed.

But you smiled and shook your head. And with the most conviction he had ever heard in his life

“He makes me laugh.”