Packing a lunch in the morning felt a little odd to Mark, he was a grown man putting soup into some Tupperware– but it was Jason’s soup so that made it a little nicer. He’d decided to microwave the soup at lunch and have it with a little of the bread he had left from when Jason came over. The grocery store bakery’s loaf was quite a bit stale now, but that made it pair with soup all that much better.

After the soup was closed into its container, and the bread was neatly wrapped in a cloth, Mr Lee gently placed them both into a tote bag. He grabbed his work bag, keys and phone as well before heading out the door. It was sunny, almost too sunny. Sliding into his car, which was parked right out front, Mr Lee set his bags down on the passenger’s side before popping open his centre console to grab sunglasses.

The cheap pair he’d used for years was sitting there, but as he went to grab them he saw a second pair as well with a sticky note attached.

So we’ll match

It was a plain message, but when written in Jason’s neat handwriting Mark found it as valuable as gold. Picking the sticky note off, Mark put the glasses on before pulling his sun visor mirror down to look at himself. He looked a little strange in the glasses, aviators weren’t his usual style, but he liked that they were the same as his. Mark popped the sticky note onto the visor before flipping it back up and turning his car on.

Pushing the CD button as soon as the car hummed to life, Mr Lee pulled out of his spot on the street and began driving towards the School. The soft kick of familiar drums accompanied him on the way to school, as the blinding sun became nothing more than a soothing glow to Mr Lee. 

Arriving at school with only a few minutes till class, Mr Lee had to rush and prepare his cup of coffee before going to his room. He’d overslept a little this morning having gotten home late from Jason’s place. Mark had never before imagined himself spending Sunday evenings with someone, let alone being so reluctant to leave their arms that he’d only get home at midnight. That man truly felt like a blessing. 

Once he was sat at his desk, students still coming in with a minute till the bell would ring, Mr Lee pulled out his phone. When he opened his messages, however, he saw a text from Jason last night that he’d not seen.

Get home safe ♥

Smiling, Mr Lee quickly replied, I did, and I got to school safe thanks to your sunglasses. When did those get in my car? After sending that message, Mr Lee tucked his phone away in his desk and took a swig of coffee. Just as he set his mug down as if on cue, the bell rang throughout the school.

“Good morning class, before we start everyone please come up and hand in your essays…”

Today was a perfect Monday.

Classes were without fuss that morning, maybe the students were just too tired on a Monday to be difficult, or maybe Mark, Mr Lee, was just getting a hold on his job. Nevertheless, he was excited for lunch. He not only would have a delicious meal but he’d also have the time to text Jason. Every passing period between classes when he’d hoped to message that man was taken up by a student with a very valid question, unfortunately. When his Eastern Empires class came to an end, Mark smiled and waved patiently as all the students slowly filed out. A girl practically dragging her friend out of the room was the last to leave. 

“I need to eat! Come on!!” She pleaded while pulling his arm. Mark just smiled as he watched them go, he couldn’t agree more with her excitement for lunch. When they did finally leave his room, Mr Lee grabbed his tote from the floor by his desk and grabbed his phone too. His coffee mug was still half full, so he left it behind as he ventured to the faculty lounge to heat up his soup. Mark wanted to message Jason now, while he walked through the halls, but teachers have to be good examples for students so he kept his eyes up while walking. 

Once he had placed his soup in the microwave, the timer set to three minutes, and Mark had given his polite greetings to his colleagues, he opened his phone and ignored all of his other notifications opening his messages with Jason first.

Have a great day! Send me a picture of you with the sunglasses

Smiling, Mark wrote back; Was too busy this morning to see your text, the sunglasses are in the car. Guess you’ll just have to see me soon to see me in the glasses. 

Taking on another message before he put his phone down, Mr Lee asked. How's the office today?

Jason was probably in a meeting, he’d reply later, so in the meantime Mr Lee turned to look at his soup in the microwave which was right beside where he was leaning.

“You’re awfully smiley today aren’t you?” A deep voice said from beside him, turning Mark saw Mr Hayer who had just entered the teachers’ lounge.

“Ahh haha, am I?” Mark nervously smiled, he really didn’t want to talk much with Mr Hayer, but the man was the department head. Being short with him while Mark was amid a bid for a permanent position wasn’t a great idea. “Must be the weather changing. Is your spring starting off to a good start Mr Hayer?” Mark asked as he tipped his phone down. It buzzed in his hand but Mark didn’t break his eye contact with Mr Hayer.

“Can’t complain, can’t complain. So, over a month in now, how’s teaching going for you?” Mr Hayer walked over and topped off the mug of coffee in his hand before adding two packets of sugar.

“It’s great! The students are nice to work with, the seniors in the electives especially.” Mark made sure he was smiling brightly. “Five classes make the schedule a little busy, but as I get more time to not only catch up but get ahead of the curriculums it’s getting easier.”

“Well, that’s great. I’m rooting for you, you know. Just keep on teaching well and if you see Mr McLaughlin in the hallways, give him a friendly smile, things like that go a mile with him.” Mr Hayer said, swirling his coffee and taking a swig he frowned. After grabbing two more sugar packets he waved to Mark and headed towards the door. “I’ll see you around then, have a good Monday, Mr Lee.”

“See you, have a good lunch!” Mark waved back, and as soon as the door shut behind Mr Hayer he looked to his phone. Jason had replied.

Work isn’t too bad today, some clients are being difficult though. Seeing you in those glasses would really help my day… 

Mark smiled, Guess you’ll have to see me soon then. Also, guess what, remember my friendly boss Mr Hayer I talked about? I just saw him and based on what he said, it sounds like there is a good chance of me being hired next year!

After sending the text, before he’d even had time to exit the app, Mark saw the double checkmark of Jason having read his message. And barely a second later three dots appeared. Mark’s smile even as he just watched those three dots bounce. After a few more moments, Jason’s reply came. 

You’ll get it for sure! Do you want to meet for dinner this Thursday to celebrate!?

There is nothing to celebrate yet, it’s only an inkling at the moment… But if you just want to see me you then can say that.

So… We’ll do dinner on Thursday? Or is Mr Lee too busy for poor me?

Don’t call me that, it’s too formal. Mark’s cheeks tinged red as he typed out his weak-willed reprimand. Anyway, maybe I’d be free on Thursday… if someone said they missed me… just maybe. Just a few months ago, Mark would have never imagined himself texting such things, it was embarrassing in a way but he also felt so lucky.

Mark, I miss you so much even though we were together just last night~ will you please go to dinner with me on Thursday?

Mr Lee smiled, he re-read the message he’d gotten Jason to send at least four times before replying. Only because you asked so sweetly. I’ll be staying late to finish work at school, so want to meet someplace around six?

I’ll pick you up from your place at six, so just head home after you finish your work and put on something a little fancy. I’ve got a meeting now, have a good rest of your day!

This guy– Have a good day Jason, call me tonight if you’re free. Mr Lee’s face must’ve been red by the time he sent that message and put his phone back into his pocket. Lucking he was new enough on staff no one would pay attention and notice him blushing. He turned around to check the microwave in his room and just when he did it beeped with completion– today really was a miracle Monday!

Grabbing his soup and a plastic spoon from a mug beside the microwave, Mr Lee headed back to his classroom. He hummed a tune to himself while he walked, a Sia song of course, one he’d shown to Jason last night. Sweet Potato, it was called. Jason had said the song was a little sad for his liking. Thinking through the lyrics in his mind, Mark could understand that, but he’d always found it incredibly sweet. It was a tale of two folks so lost in their love for each other– the lyrics used to seem idealistic to him but nowadays Mark struggled not to relate with its hope and failed to be wary of its innate sadness.

When he got to his room the light was on, had he left it like that? There was chatter inside. Pushing the door gently open Mark saw two students sitting together at one of the tables by the window, Chloe and Skyler. It was Chloe who faced the door, Skyler Staring out the window across the horizon.

“Ahh, Mr Lee! Hello, the lunch room was too loud and we wanted to talk somewhere a little calmer, do you mind if we sit here?” She asked so sweetly, Skyler looked over his shoulder and gazed towards Mr Lee but stayed silent.

“No worries, I’ll leave you be, I’ve just got some grading to do.” He set his soup down on his desk before going to the CD player behind it and clicking it on, Sia’s Junior album strumming to life. “Do you mind if I have music on?” He asked even though it was his classroom the kids had entered without asking –as if that mattered, he would have surely said yes–.

Chloe opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by a quick reply from Skyler. “We don’t mind, it sounds nice.”

He’d only heard a second of it when he said those words. Mark smiled to himself as he dialled the volume to 8, he hadn’t been turned around to see the look on Skyler’s face and maybe that was better. By the time he did sit down and pay the pair of kids one more glance, Chloe had already started speaking to Skyler again, and his eyes had already faded out the window again. 

It was then that Mark tore off a corner of the stale bread and dipped it into his warm soup. It was delicious, cozy and perfect. After taking a few more bites, and when the song playing changed, Mark got his phone out once more and texted Jason one last time before he got to work.

Having the soup for lunch right now, it’s delicious ♥

Mark was hopeful as he slid his phone back into his desk and got out the quizzes to grade. He was smiling as he and his red pen slid down pages of writing. If only Thursday was tomorrow– or better yet today. If only he was home and on the phone with Jason right now.