‘Mr Lee’ he wrote out on the whiteboard before turning around to see his very first class. “Good morning!” He smiled, Mr Lee did that alot back then. “I’m– Mr Lee,” He gestured to the board behind him. “And I’ll be your history teacher. I’m just a temporary sub after your last teacher's… departure. But I’m sure we’ll have a good month together.”

Mr Lee walked back over to the desk by the window and grabbed a stack of packets he printed off that morning. “Since this is the Eastern Empires class, I looked at your last few tests to see where in history you all were. Mr Pratt didn’t leave behind any lesson plans for this class, and since it isn’t a state curriculum class I’ll just make it something fun for us while we’re here, hm?”

Walking through the classroom as he passed out the packets Mr Lee watched as some students flipped through the pages, while others just pushed the papers to the end of their desks. He watched as some girls turned around in their chairs and began chatting, and some of the guys did the same amongst themselves.

Sighing as he passed by them, Mr Lee didn’t let it get to him. This was his first day as an independent teacher. Not a student teacher, or a teacher’s assistant. But a teacher. Maybe it was just as a substitute position, and maybe he was only chosen because of the last-minute nature of his predecessor’s departure, and maybe he would be gone before the first snow fell in the year– but he would make the best of that time either way. He wouldn’t let some shit-head kids get to him, because as any good teacher should know, the bad students only seem horrible if you ignore those who want to learn.

“Now, your last test was on ancient Russia, from the Grand Duchy of Moscow to the Romanovs. Since that feels like a nice pause point on Russia, I’m going to move us further east and south a little bit to the heart of what will become –in my opinion– history’s greatest empire, the Mongolian Empire.” A smattering of oohs and ahhs filled the classroom, and as Mr Lee directed his students to flip their packets open, almost everyone did. The few who didn’t, well they turned around at least. 

Mr Lee tried not to let it get to him, not to get all ‘over-excited’. But– having them all listening? All looking forward? And without him telling them off even once yet? God did this first day feel nice.

“Mr Lee?” A student walked up to him after class. Packet in hand, and bored friend in tow behind her. 

“Yes– Carol was it?” He asked, looking up from the schedule on his desk.

“Chloe actually, but I just wanted to say I enjoyed today’s lesson. I hope you’re here longer than just a month, Mr Pratt was absolutely horrific.”

“Ahh haha, you’re too kind. I can’t speak on him as I never met the man, but I’m glad you liked the lesson even if it put your friend behind you to sleep.” Mr Lee smiled softly as he watched Chloe turn around and smack the boy staring over his shoulder on the head with her packet.

“Skyler!” She scolded, “No no it wasn’t your lesson. He is always like this on Mondays, Sundays are the day his Aunt Daria from the studio by his house lets us stay late, but if beauty queen over here–” She said smacking his head again, his hand reaching up to rub where she hit and finally turning around to give Chloe a side eye. “ if princess doesn’t get her perfect eight hours of sleep he becomes a gremlin.”

“Oh well, it’s nice you two can find studio time together. What art are you two into?” Mr Lee asked, closing the folder on his desk. He’d taken art history in college and always found it a big shame in his life there wasn’t much he could create himself.

“We make ceramics,” Chloe said brightly, “The studio is Skyler’s Auntie’s, so she lets us work there for free as long as we buy our materials.”

“That’s so kind of her, make sure you’re nice to such a kind Auntie. Alright, make sure you get to your next class on time!” Mr Lee smiled as the two students walked away, Chloe waving on her way out and Skyler looking over his shoulder as he had been this whole time. It was different now though, as his gaze was centred directly at Mr Lee for the first time. Different because his eyes weren’t half closed staring at the trees outside while he tried to sleep during the class’s lecture but rather those eyes were wide open. Different because when Mr Lee warmly smiled and waved goodbye to him and Chloe… something changed for Skyler.

But that day didn’t just mark a change for Skyler. Mr Lee too met someone that day who his eyes widened for. 

✧⚞✦⚟✧

“So how was your first day?” Rachel asked as she sat down next to Mr Lee, two drinks in hand. She had treated him to an evening out at a Jazz Club in honour of his first official day teaching.

“It went well, god it was weird to be called ‘Mr Lee’ all day, that was something new.” He said grabbing the drink Rachel set down next to him. She had only brought him a coffee since Mr Lee had claimed ‘It wouldn’t do well for a teacher to drink on a school night.’ Was that first-day naivety, a healthy assumption, or irrelevant entirely? Back then, who could have known?

“How were the kids, hm?” She asked, sipping her vibrant pink cocktail. 

“Pretty nice, my first class was a senior history elective and went pretty smoothly. Then I had one class of juniors after lunch, and I have one more senior classes tomorrow before the schedule loops on Wednesday.”

“Three classes? They are giving you the trial by fire for only being a substitute!”

“Well, Mr Pratt used to teach five, but other teachers already from the school are covering two of the classes instead of me.”

The music was nice, and the group on stage wasn’t too lively for a Monday evening. That said, across the club was a rowdy group of men in suits, hooting and hollering.

“Well, it’s still exciting for you! Is this what you wore to school too?” She asked, looking Mr Lee up and down. He wore a white dress shirt, grey cardigan and light brown, silky smooth slacks.

“Yeah, it feels teacherly, no?”

“Oh hell yes! And it’s so cute too, nothing like my teachers from high school. I only remember old men in blue dress shirts with impressively wrinkled cargo pants, and middle aged women in tired old sundresses.” Rachel joked, taking another sip of her drink before looking up towards the band.

Mr Lee laughed a little at her joke, before looking towards the stage as well. He and Rachel were sat on stage left of the half-circle where the band was performing, which meant directly in Mr Lee’s line of sight was that group of overly rowdy men.

It was odd to see so many men together in suits outside of an office building or TV drama, especially when they were acting so childish. And though Mr Lee was watching the band, one of the men caught his eye. Dressed in black, smiling as he fiddled with an empty drink in his hand, he was looking directly at Mr Lee.

Mr Lee didn’t mean to, but eyes love wandering, and Mr Lee’s eyes happened to catch that man’s gaze. The man smiled, and Mr Lee looked away. But when Mr Lee looked back again, the man was still looking at him. Still smiling.

Watching as the man stood, Mr Lee saw him gesture with his head as he walked towards the bar, empty glass in hand.

Downing his coffee in one gulp Mr Lee stood up too. “Rachel, I’m going to get another coffee, you want anything?”

“Hmm? Oh no, I got my jazz I’m all set.” She said not even looking towards Mr Lee. In truth, by ‘jazz’ Rachel meant her boyfriend who was currently playing saxophone on stage. 

So, empty cup in hand just like that man, Mr Lee too made his way over to the bar. He was sitting next to the only other empty stool, his hand resting atop it, and when Mr Lee entered his eyesight, that man’s smile brightened ever so little.

“Hey,” He said as he moved his hand, and Mr Lee took a seat. His suit was perfectly tailored, and his hair gelled back was the perfect level of messed up after a long day.

“Hey,” Mr Lee replied, a soft grin growing on his face too.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“Hold me to only having one, alright?” Mr Lee replied, turning in his stool to face that man. Only one drink would be fine before tomorrow.

“Alright,” The man said, beckoning the bartender who walked quickly over.

“What can I get for you sir?”

“A scotch for me, and whatever he wants. Only one though okay? Hold us both to that.” The man grinned as he turned to face Mr Lee as he ordered.

“I’ll have an Irish coffee,” Mr Lee smiled as he looked at the man next to him. “Gotta say warm.”

“Yeah?” The man smiled back as he laughed a little, “I can keep you warm,” he trailed off however, looking at Mr Lee who filled in the blank where he was meant to.

“Mark, and you are?”

“Jason. So what brings you to a jazz club on a Monday, Mark?” Jason replied, sliding his arm closer to Mark.

“What if I said you?” Mark joked, sliding his hand over, his pikey tapping on the back of Jason’s hand.

“Well I’d know you’re lying, but,” Jason’s smile grew.

“But what, Jason?”

“I’d know you’re lying, but that’d be okay, Mark.”