#sasukexoc

“What do you teach?” A younger man asked, looking up from the lesson plan that he had put together that morning.

Sasuke held the hot mug in his hands and smiled, “I teach literature.”

“So you’re a book nerd...” the younger man laughed, “I teach maths.”

“A number nerd is a lot worse than a book nerd.” Sasuke quipped and watched the man's face falter but then he laughed.

“True.”

Sasuke lifted his eyes suddenly to the door when it clicked open and he felt his hands shake when he saw her - the woman from the bus stop. He set down his cup and thought to stand and introduce himself.

“Hey Amaya, the new guy is here!”

Sasuke did stand and he rounded the small coffee table as she approached, holding out his hand to greet her. He was taken aback by the way she looked at him, she seemed to glare almost. “I’m Sasuke, I am the new literature teacher.”

“I’m Amaya....” She narrowed her eyes further and all of a sudden her mind snapped, “you’re traffic guy!” She quickly took his hand and shook it, his hand was very warm.

Sasuke felt the cold from her hand and hoped his, having been toasted nicely by his hot mug of coffee, would heat hers. “It’s nice to meet you, bus stop girl.” 

“Do you two know each other?” The older woman stepped into the conversation with a hot drink for Amaya. She looked between the two eagerly hoping for some gossip.

Amaya stripped off her heavy coat and sat opposite Sasuke, “he drives past my bus stop every morning.” 

“It’s a bit creepy that you recognise him.” One of the others spoke in a short tone.

“It’s a bit creepy that you feel the need to constantly make judgements about things, Hideo.” Amaya rolled her eyes, “I spend a lot of time at the bus stop.” She took her coffee to her lips and had a quick gulp and she thought about how lucky she was to have someone new to be around. She heard students in the hallway and she panicked and stood remembering she wasn’t there to make moves on the new guy, “I’ve got a few bits to do in my classroom,” she paused and looked to Sasuke, “would you like to walk with me? We are neighbours.” She dismissed her thoughts about not hitting on the new guy and decided she would make the opportunity to do so.

Sasuke nodded quickly and picked up his things, he thanked the room and left with Amaya, who ambled beside him sipping periodically from her mug. “I always wondered where you worked.” He broached their shared history tentatively.

Amaya smiled, “been here for three years now.” She kept her eyes on the ground, “were you working at another school?” 

Sasuke grimaced, “I was attending a teaching course. I was in the police before that.” 

Amaya swallowed the hard lump in her throat when she pictured what he might look like in a uniform, “so is this your first teaching job?” 

Sasuke glanced quickly at Amaya, and noticing that her cheeks had gone red he smirked, “it is.” He felt braver knowing that he was having the same effect on her that she had had on him. They rounded a corner together and stood in front of two adjacent doors. He peered through her door and saw colourful diagrams and pictures of very old statues and warriors. “Do you teach history?” He was shocked by this.

“Love a good dead person!” Amaya sang but then frowned and set her hand on the door handle. “Lunch is at 1 - you can either go to the staff room or eat in your classroom if you prefer, and if you don’t have food with you there’s a vending machine just down there or you can go to the hall and get a meal there, or go offsite, there are a few places nearby.” Amaya gabbled and once again frowned, though this time it was much deeper. “I don’t meet new people often.” She said by way of explanation. 

Sasuke shrugged a shoulder and opened his door, “I like chatty people.” He took a step through his door, “I’ll see you at lunch.”