Back 2 School (Closed)

[Teechurgye]

Alan Craig filed into the large auditorium and sank into the padded chair next to his colleagues. Oh my God — he though to himself — the next person to ask me how my summer went might make me snap.

Silently, he observed the other teachers around him. Most were familiar faces. Rarely were there new teachers. And most of them used teaching to pay for their pursuit of Mas and PhDs. They wanted to teach on a collegiate level where the pay was better and the students wanted to learn.

Alan was also becoming jaded. He longed for the days when students had an enthusiasm for learning. Now, most of his classtime was battling with students about texting or sleeping in class. There was an arrogant sense of entitlement most of the students brought to school. The parents weren't any help either...a bunch of f-ing enablers.

To make things worse, Alan's home life was a mess too. After helping his wife pay for dental school, she meteorically rose to being one of the most sought after dentists in the region. Within months, her salary far exceeded his — which if he was completely honest with himself, emasculated him. He was the man. The husband. He was to be provider. Yeah, the thought was sexist. In all actuality, he wouldn't have minded if she hadn't flaunted that fact to his friends and family on a regular basis.

Multiple times he had thoughts to file for divorce, but there was no foundation. So Alan did at home what he was doing at school. Namely, just going through the motions.

Of course at school there was a student every once in a great while that reminded him of why he became a teacher. Their infectous vitality and enthusiasm for learning more than made up for his meager salary.

Caught in his misery, Alan was oblivious as one of those students who returned to school (now as a teacher) sat behind him at the teacher orientation. This student was the source of his 'go to' stories when people asked him why he remained a teacher for 20 years.

 

[BethJones]

It was a glorious, bright morning, weather forecasts predicting a scourcher of a day. Lauren had heard many teachers moan about the good weather only arriving as thet returned from their summer break and were oncee again locked indoors nurturing and developing the future. Lauren had never believed them, that was until this morning as she arrived at the old brick building she had thought she had left long behind her.

Today was Lauren's first day as a teacher. A day that had been the result of three long, hard years of University. She smiled as she walked through the entrance into the reception area, a modern airy space, a distant cry from the last time she had been here. This had been her high school, the place that had inspired her that she wanted to join the ranks of teachers set on moulding the future generations, preparing them for whatever life would throw their way.

She felt a sense of pride as she was greeted by the Head Teacher, a man in his late 30's, who had risen quickly to the position, yet seemed knowledgeable and able to put her at ease. She found a seat in the auditorium, nerves growing all the time as she wondered what life as a teacher would bring. Lauren, glanced up as Mr Craig entered the room, she almost rose to her feet to greet him, as had been the custom during her school days, when a member of staff entered everyone would stand as a mark of respect.

She just about managed to contain her excitement as he took the seat in front of her, she was slightly disappointed that he hadn't seemed to recognise her. Before she could introduce herself and remind him, the Head Teacher took the stage.
Lauren

 

[Teechurgye]

Alan Craig had been to hundreds of these teacher orientations. Ok, technically it was only 20. But it seemed like hundreds. Most of the same information was the same. They talked about insurance options. They talked about incentive programs. They talked about the teacher's union and union dues. They talked about maintaining your credentials.

The administration droned on...encouraged by the same 3 teachers asking the same questions every year. Alan glanced at the agenda looking for the lunch break. His eyes perused the names of the new teachers:

Jessica Hall - english
Lauren Harp - Social sudies
Jack Ray - industrial arts

Lauren? Mr Craig knew a Lauren before. Surprisingly, in all of the hundreds of people who sat in his class, there was only one Lauren. It's not that uncommon a name, really. Still, it wasn't her name that Alan remembered most. She was a beautiful student. Not only in theaesthetics of her face, and skin, and body. She radiated energy and positivity.

Everyone loved Lauren. Especially Alan.

This couldn't possibly be her, he thoughtto himself. Yes, he'd heard of her earning her degree in teaching. But every school in the state would be clamoring for her. She could have her choice of schools. Sure, she was sentimental, but an extra digit on a paycheck can break sentimentality.

Besides, her last name was Nelson, not Harp.

His attention returned to the speaker who was now talking about policies. There were a few small additions and tweaks, but for the most part it was the same information sprinkled with the same examples and the same jokes.

Alan knew this part of the program so intimately well that he jumped the punchline on one of the jokes. He heard a most delightful and melodious laugh. A laugh that sounded vaguely familiar. Turning in his chair to see the source of the laugh, he saw Lauren!

Grinning widely, revealed a complete paradigm shift. This was going to be an amazing year!

 

[BethJones]

Lauren sat listening intently, just as she had done during her own school days. Her pen was almost smoking as she tried to jot down everything that was said. She wanted to be a great teacher, she wanteed to be an inspiration like so many of her teachers had been to her.

There was so much information that Lauren had barely given a second thought to the man seated in front of her, the man, who in part was responsible for her being here today. With the grades she had left with she could have had her pick of jobs, yet she was humble and chose to give something back.

As the speaker worked through policies she felt overwhelmed, each policy seemed to have something that would strike fear in her, whether it was disciplinary policies, safeguarding policies or health and safety policies, each with a sting in the tail for staff.

When Alan had jumped in with the punch line, Lauren laughed, it was timed just right to break the uneasy atmosphere that seemed to have descended on her. She acknowledged him as he looked back for the source of the laughter. His smile told her she had nothing to worry about, the same smile that had comforted her in her school days when work seemed to get too much.

Eventually, the staff were released from the auditorium and a lunch was provided. Lauren gathered her things together and slowly shuffled towards the area where the buffet had been set up. She helped her self to a few pieces, before looking around for a friendly face to talk with. Her eyes then fell back on Alan, she slipped across the room and found herself stood before him, "Hello Mr Craig..." she began taking the formality that she had once used as a student.

 

[Teechurgye]

As Lauren approached his table, Alan rose invitingly to his feet. "Please, I will be disappointed if you don't join us." Mr Craig gestured towards the round table where his (and now her) colleagues were seated.

They scrambled to make room for another as Alan made the introductions. He held the chair for his former student as he wrapped up the formalities "...everyone, this is Lauren Nel...err...Harp." He smiles warmly at Lauren through a chorus of "welcomes".

As they sit, Alan is exponentially more interested in catching up than eating.

"First things first. It's completely ok to call me Alan, now that you get the privelege of working with me." He winks.

"What room are they putting you in?"

"When's your planning period?"

"When did you get married?"

"Any children?"

"Have you bought a house yet?"

The bombardment of questions did little to conceal his excitement for having the opportunity to work with Lauren. Occasionally a few other teachers recognized Lauren as a former student and rushedover to embrace her. Mr Craig watched patiently, smiling every time their eyes met.

As stated before, Lauren was a delight.

 

[BethJones]

Lauren found the whole process a little bewildering, so many new faces, yet thankfully a few familiar ones. The room was alive with chatter as everyone caught up on the evenst of the summer break. Despite the rather long introductory lecture everyone was in high spirits. Lauren tried desperately to remember the names of the colleagues Alan had just introduced, she had smiled in acknowledgement but had hardly heard a word as her mind raced.

Barely at the table and the interogation began, Alan was keen to catch up and she was bombarded with question after question. Lauren was too polite to request the opportunity to settle in and eat her lunch, insted she proceded to answer one question after the other, barely managing to nibble at the small meal she had taken.

"What room are they putting you in?" Lauren paused for a moment trying to remeber the answer to what was a simple question, "...err... block... B... room 106" she finally managed before taking a sip of water.

"When's your planning period?" Lauren looked quickly at her timetable tracing across with her finger, she answered a little more confidently this time, "Week A... Wednesday, Period 3 and 4... Week B.... Thursday, Period 1 and 2." Taking the slight moment Alan thought about that answer she took a nibble of a cheese sandwich.

Before she could move onto the next set of questions, she was interuppted by a few more old faces and she greeted them again maintaining a politeness as her stomach rumbled quietly.

"When did you get married?" "Any children?" "Have you bought a house yet?" She took these three questions together, allowing herself to nibble te rest of the sandwich and start on the small cake bar. "I got married when I was 21, to Matt Harp" a slight intonantion on Matt's name as he had been a fellow student at this school. "No kids, i wanted to get settled into teaching first, and we live in a rented flat, hopefully we will be able to buy something once I have completed my induction year and have a steady salary."

By the time she had finished talking the hall had started to clear as staff where heading to their subject groups to talk about planning, expectations and more policies. Lauren just about finished her plate before having to move on.

 

[Teechurgye]

Alan listened intently as the answers were volleyed back. His mind was lookingor opportunities to see Lauren throughout the day. Often. Was it because he knew she was likely to re-instill a vigor for teaching into his jaded mind? He needed passion in his life. He needed a reason to spring out of bed even before the alarm clock interrupted his slumber.

Lauren was the answer. This delightful and vivacious student — now a confident and strikingly beautiful new teacher rejuvenated his own passion for teaching. Even without mention.

"I'm just down the hall from you." Alan smiled. "And it looks like we have some of the same planning periods."

Mr Craig politely rose as she did. He offered to clean up the table knowing his tenure at the school could most cretainly afford him being a few minutes late. Even with the termagant Ms Krohn as head of the Language Arts committee.

Before they separated, Alan gave her a simple, friendly hug. This time he felt something different than what he saw with all the other hugs. She pressed in close. Being a man, of course his mind wandered...feeling the nubile woman in his arms got his mind racing.

Alan quickly shook those thoughts from his head as they pulled from each other. Perhaps it was the small portion of the school's policies presentation that dealt with sexual harrasment. Maybe it was hearing her husband's name moments earlier. Either way, she was going to be...

"Wow, look at the time." Alan said. "If you'd like help during the decorate your classroom session, come get me. I'm still in the same classroom I've always been."

Mr Craig deftly cleans off the table before heading towards his committee.

 

[BethJones]

Lauren left Alan and headed for her department meeting, she managed to arrive before any of the other staff despite leaving lunch late. The room soon filled up, to her surprise there were no familiar faces in her department, whilst this was a developing subject area she could remember Mrs Bowland and Mr Charles had both taught elements of thios course.

Those thoughts soon left her as the focuc returned to the more mundane tasks ahead in the next few weeks. Lauren still had some enthusiasm left despite the over the top lectures and necessary paperwork.

As Lauren's head began to spin with all the information being thrown her way, thankfully the briefing was drawn to an end. Exhausted she made her way down teh corridor to her room. She sat on the edge of the table, overwhelmed by the day she slumped on a table and fought back tears as she began to question her choice of career.

 

[Teechurgye]

After the curriculum meeting (and being chided by Ms Krohn — again) Mr Craig caught a glimpse of the young teacher through the small window on the door. He knows that she is crying. He's been there himself. For the first few years, he was the proverbial deer in the headlights. Overwhelmed with all the policies and procedures.

It was at this moment that he resolved to be her mentor. Of course the school had assigned mentors for all of the new teachers. But the system was flawed.

A mentor shouldn't be from the same curriculum group in case the teacher had an issue with the group. A teacher should also have the right to choose someone they are comfortable and have a rapport with.

Yes, Alan was going to be her mentor...unofficially.

And the mentor's first task was to see Lauren past this first hurdle in a promising career. Not wanting her to be embarrassed, Alan stepped from the line of sight and knocked on the classroom door.

 

[BethJones]

The knock on the door brought her back to reality. She took a deep long breath, before calling out, "Just a minute..." she took another deep breath dabbed her eyes with a tissue. She regained enough composure to fake a small smile, "...Come in," she called.

As Alan stepped in she was relieved to see a friendly face. She couldn't take anymore policy and procedure, she wanted to teach, she wanted to inspire, she wanted to have students feeling the same way she had done at school. "Oh... Hi.. Mist... I mean Alan," she called trying to hide her inner feelings of sadness and fear.

Lauren had been warned all through her training that there would be times she would want to back it all in and walk out, it was natural, she hadn't expected it to happen on the first day in the school.

 

[Teechurgye]

Alan entered the classroom and looked around, impressed - but not surprised at all with the decorations she had placed to this point. "Well, I guess you don't need my help after all." He winks at her, smiling genuinely as he sits on a desk in the front row.

"Now this is a bit different angle than what I'm used to." He jokes attempting to lighten the mood.

He hops off the student desk and approaches lauren. Alan slides his hand over hers. "Overwhelming isn't it?"

 

[BethJones]

Lauren smiled as Alan joked about being in the sudents place.

"Overwhelming isn't it?" Lauren tried hard to fight the tears, but soon enough she was blubbing again. "There is just so much to remember... I want to be a good teacher," she paused for a moment, "...a good teacher like you."

She reached for the tissues, her eyes puffy from the tears and a little red. His hand was reassuring, it reminded her there were good people out there who were still willing to help. Again she composed herself, slight sobs still escaping as she calmed down.

"Is it always like this?" she asked hoping the naswer would be no, but in her heart she knew she would be disappointed.

 

[Teechurgye]

Alan thought for a moment about lying, but opted to tell Lauren the truth. "Teaching is so very similar to a relationship. You will experience monumental highs and abysmal lows - sometimes in the same day. Some students will eat up the knowledge. Others will run from it."

"Thank you, Lauren," he continued as his thumb brushed another tear from her cheek. "Having you as a student has been THE monumental high of my career."

Alan smiles at her warmly, letting that sink in.

"You already are a fantastic teacher. The way you helped others when you were taking my class was nothing less than remarkable. The only difference is the wardrobe...and the paych...yeah, the wardrobe. Only difference." Mr craig laughed at his own joke.

 

[BethJones]

Lauren smiled, reaching up to hold his hand against her soft warm face. A small glow began to return to her face as she thought about his words. The wardrobe had certainly changed, now she wore loose fitting smart balck trousers, a smart white jumper over a black blouse. In her school days they had had to wear a horrible knee length skirt and white blouse with tie. Although Lauren had been one of the few pupils to have worn the uniform with some level of dignity, it was all too common for some of the students to modify their dress to show off their assets.

Lauren laughed thinking back to her school days, at least things had been easier then. Alan had certainly lifted her spirits, as had the clock almost reaching 3:30pm, home time. "Thank you, Mis... Alan," she said softly. Feling a sense of relief and courage to face the coming days.

They parted company and the chaotic first few days had been a whirlwind of ups and downs. Lauren had started to settle into the routines and was begining to fell a sense of achievement. She hardly saw Alan over the next few days the schedule of marking, planning and meetings seemed to eat up every minute of her day. The routine continued for the next few weeks, managing a "Good morning," or "Good afternoon" in Alan's direction and not much more.

Work was a strain on everything, her home life was taking a battering with all nighters completing paperwork rather than spending time with her husband. The dreaded 'Observation' word was mentioned and the preperation ate up more of her time. The day before the observation she found herself on her planning period with Alan.

 

[Teechurgye]

Mr Craig burst into Lauren's classroom with a pop of confetti. "Congratulations, Lauren! You've just finished the first week of teaching. How's it been?"

Lauren explained the ups and downs, confirming Alan was right in his assessment. She explained the long nights and the taxing it had on her home life. Through it all, he listened - sometimes the best support is letting someone vent.

"So rumor has it that you are being observed tomorrow. Are you nervous?" Sensing that she was, he asked to see the observation notice. "Ah, Ms Wells. That's a tough observer. Here's the key. She's a stickler for the smallest stuff. keep things neat and tidy. Be cordial to her. Focus on the minutia of your class...and you will be fine."

"You could teach that an army of rogue hamsters defeated Napoleon. But if your desks are aligned, you will pass with flying colors."

"In fact if I am wrong, I'll buy you a drink after school Friday. If not, you buy me one. Deal?"

 

[BethJones]

Lauren smiled as the door burst open, politely greeting Allen. "Hi Mr Cr..." she paused "I mean Alan." Behind the smile she was nervous, everything had been getting on top of her, the transition from trainee teacher to being solely responsible for classes was impacting greatly on her. She wanted to talk to someone but Matt seemed to be busy when she was free and likewise she was busy pretty much the rest of the time.

Alan had cheered her up but yet the observation tomorrow haunted her, she had sailed through all her previous observations whilst training but this was different. It was refreshing to have an honest appraisal of the observer, she took every word in.

"In fact if I am wrong, I'll buy you a drink after school Friday. If not, you buy me one. Deal?" Lauren smiled, "Deal," she replied with a slight chirp in her voice. After Alan left she straightened her desks, tidied the room and made sure everything was laid out neatly.

The observation came and went, throughout her lesson she had been a stickler for neatness, chastising students for not using a ruler correctly, not writing neatly, all the things she had been trained to let go in the interest of progress.

Her feedback was amazing, a particular comment about how refreshing it was to see a young teacher being so picky about the basics. Ms Wells had truly been won over by the attention to detail.

At the end of the day, Lauren had popped to Alan's room to share the good news, "I owe you a drink," she announced proudly her radiant smile lighting up Alan's room. "I just need to pop home and change," she said looking at the drab, but smart suit she was wearing.

Throwing open the door home, she burst in "I did it! I passed! She lov...ed it," her voice trailing off as she saw the note on the hall table. 'Gone to Steve's be back later' the words cut deep, Matt knew it was her observation, he knew how important it was, or at least she had told him often enough. As the bubble burst she headed to the kitchen, a lost soul wandering around her home. She glanced at the clock miserably. As she sipped on a hot cup of tea, her phone beeped, she glanced at the message as it flashed up '7pm Book and Bell.'

Lauren was hardly in the mood to go out, but she had agreed to buy alan a drink. She dragged herself from the kitchen, selecting a pair of tight blue jeans that hugged her developed figure, a white lacy underwear set, the bra designed to support and enhance her well developed breasts, a tight white vest top with a white floral sheer top above, providing some cover for her ample clevage but still allowing it to be on show and a pair of black wedged shoes to give her a little more height.

She grabbed her small handbag and some cash before climbing into a taxi to meet Alan at the Book and Bell, a small intimate bar on the edge of town, well away from the prying eyes of students and parents.

 

[Teechurgye]

Alan didn't care if he won the little wager or not. Frankly, he was already a winner when she agreed to the terms. After all, in either case, he got time with Lauren.

Still, he was noticably thrilled when she told hin she passed with amazing results. He wanted to rush to hug her in her excitement, knowing how it felt when he passed his first observation. But alan stopped himself. Why? Was it that he was still having difficulties thinking of her as a colleague instead of a student? Did he subconsciously recognize an increasing attraction he had for Lauren — despite them both being married? Did he not want to create an awkward moment for the young teacher with the bustle of students and staff just outside the door?

"Great, I know the perfect place. I will text it to you as well as the time." Thrilled to be able to celebrate instead of console!

At home, Alan texts Lauren the name of the bar as well as the time. It doesn't take him long to change into his well-fitted jeans and a casual camp shirt.

Though he'd met many co-workers for drinks, this time Alan considered lying to his wife, or not telling her altogether. As he passed Rebecca (never Becky) in the living room, he simply said that he was going out for drinks.

It was no surprise that Rebecca's reply was just a simple affirmation. Deeply, Alan knew why. If she started asking questions about his fidelity, he could answer them confidently. But that would open the door for questions aimed at her. Alan was all but certain she'd been having an affair.

Mr Craig shakes that painful thought from his head as he arrives early at the bar. Waiting to order, he finds a table in a quiet corner, but with a view of the front door.

Shortly before seven, Lauren arrives and Alan walks over to escort her to his table. "Wow, even in casual dress, you are remarkably beautiful." He whispers holding her chair out while she takes a seat.

 

[BethJones]

As Lauren pulled up outside the bar, she realised she had walked past this bar on many an occasion as a student, but until today had never set foot inside. She paid the taxi driver, overpaying slightly and telling him to keep the change.

The bar was busy, yet as she stepped inside Alan had appeared to meet her, he ushered her across the room to a small table away from the hustle and bustle. Lauren was a little taken a back as he pulled the chair out and waited for her to take the seat. Matt had never done that for her. She thanked Alan as she got comfortable, then she noticed it was a table for two as she glanced around, “No one else coming?” she asked? It wasn’t that she felt uncomfortable, more that she had assumed it would be a staff night out rather than a cosy twosome.

The bar was crowded yet seemed quiet, a pleasant change from the bars she usually frequented. She smiled as she looked at the drinks menu, a little more expensive than she was used to. As she glanced at the list, she looked up, her eyes meeting Alan’s momentarily before they both looked away, “What can I get you?” she asked wanting to complete on her side of the deal.

 

[Teechurgye]

"It's just us. I hope you aren't disappointed." Alan replied looking for a sign of disappointment. Encouraged when he saw Lauren smiling warmly, he continued. "Actually, I was hoping to catch up on everything but work, if that's ok."

"Two house ales, please." Mr Craig orders for them both. Something he usually didn't do, but knowing the awards this small brewery won regularly, gave him confidence.

"So, you married Matt Harp, huh? How long ago was that? The bad boy gets the pretty girl again?" The last question prompted by remembrances of Matt as a trouble-maker that was a fixture in detention hall.

 

[BethJones]

Lauren, smiled as Alan told her it was just the two of them. She wondered how many times he had brought new staff here. Her thoughts interrupted by the clang of two, stylish pint glasses arriving at the table. Lauren reached into her small bag, fishing about for some change to pay the bill, “Just pop it on the tab,” Alan had said casually stopping Lauren in her tracks. She made a meek attempt at protest but he wasn’t going to change his mind.

She took a slow delicate sip of the ale placed in front of her, she wondered how he knew she was an ale girl rather than a fancy wine or cocktail drinker. It didn’t really matter how he knew, the ale tasted good, a nice fruity flavour. “Thank you,” she smiled before raising her glass, “To teachers,” she said as clinked glasses with Alan.

It was refreshing to have a social life, she had barely left the house since the start of the term, and work had snowed her under. She would have preferred to spend her night with Matt but as he had gone out there was no chance of that.

Conversation was soon directed to her marital life, she wasn’t fully at ease with discussing it as she knew things were not as good as they should be. She filled in a few details, not really committing to much, she was uneasy and that showed as she sipped the ale in front of her. Her glass almost empty due to her eager drinking throughout the awkward conversation, “Another one?” she asked glad she could distract him.

Lauren returned with a couple of drinks before starting to quiz him about his married life.

 

[Teechurgye]

"You are just trying to get me drunk, aren't you." Alan asked the question and wished he could just suck the words back in his mouth. He didn't want to give her any indication that he wanted to pursue anything romantic with his former student. He really wasn't interested in that, anyway.

Or was he?

The next toast, he offered. "To memories."

Mr Craig answered Lauren's questions about his marriage. A bit more transparent than she was, he admitted to her that his marriage was — at this point — a marriage of convenience. It was more convenient and less embarrassing for them than to go through an ugly divorce.

To her credit, Lauren recognized his pain so she changed the topic. She asked about other former teachers. With each name, she broughtup, a floodgate of amusing anecdotes coarsed through the conversation. Soon, Alan and Laura were laughing boisterously. Their legs touched under the table. Alan was fully aware of this but continued to laugh uproariously!

Mr Craig ordered a couple of appetizers from the menu to share with Lauren. When the waiter came with the food, Alan secretly gave him plenty of money for the food, the drinks, and a generous tip. There was no way he was going to insist that Lauren pay. Not after giving him the best night that he'd had in years...already.

 

[BethJones]

Lauren giggled, she couldn't remeber the last time she had smiled so much. Even before taking up post at the school her mariage had been just about surviving. Matt and Lauren had almost certainly married too young, it was a whirlwind romance, seduced by the bad boy she had happily gone along enjoying the attention, the stability he seemed to offer. Yet upon her appointment as a teacher he seemed to do less, enjoying the salary she brought home, happy to spend her money but not keen on earning is own. They were just about managing to get by, this wasn't the life she had imagined.

Alan had been kind, caring and helpful, he had got her through this first observation, the same way he had got her through some tough moments in her school days. Time seemed to pass quickly, neither realising how late it was as conversation seemed to flow. The bar looking ready to close as they sipped another glass of wine. Taking the hint they stood to leave, Lauren turned to Alan and smiled, "thank you," she said as she leaned in giving Alan a peck on the cheek and a hug. It was the type of hug that lingered just a touch too long, the type of hug that left a warm tingling sensation.

Lauren eased away, uncomfortable only incase it had caused an awkwardness between them.

 

[Teechurgye]

Alan was disappointed the hug had to end, but he did everything in his power to hide the disappointment. "No. Thank you for an amazing night. And thank you for reminding me why I became a teacher." It was his turn to hug and kiss Lauren's cheek.

He escorted his beautiful colleague out into the brisk night air. Noticing Lauren shiver, he could have kicked himself for not bringing a jachet to offer her. Instinctively they walked close. Lauren fished fr the phone in her purse to call for a cab but Alan stopped her.

"I'm certainly not going to leave you here alone. Please, allow me to take you home."

 

[BethJones]

Lauren, agreed for Alan to get her home. Her phone beeped with a message 'stayin wif macca c u tmoz' was the message that flashed up. She couldn't belive Matt was planning to stay out, he hadn't even asked how the observation went. A little frustrated and a little tipsy, Lauren invited Alan in for a coffee.

 

[Teechurgye]

After a brief debate in his mind, Alan escorted her through the door and into the large, but cozy apartment. "So, where's Matt?" Mr Craig asked not even needing to know the answer. — rather to make conversation.

Lauren tensed at the question so Alan dropped it.

Remembering her hostess duties, Lauren turned on the TV and suggested Alan sit and get comfortable.

"If it's just the same. I'd rather be in the kitchen with you." Alan didn't wait for a response and followed Lauren.