the staff room was unusually quiet for a thursday morning. the smell of burnt toast lingered near the old microwave, and someone had left half a worksheet unfinished on the coffee table. you sat down grading papers, half-listening to the muffled buzz of students gathering outside. That’s when he walked in -

mr leon. tall, composed, and with an expression that gave away nothing. there was something inscrutable about him, the way his eyes skimmed the room and landed briefly on you before moving on.

the students would always ship you with him, and you couldn’t quite nitpick why. was it the chemistry? the synergy? either way, coffee wasn’t the only thing making your heart race..