Chapter 1: Episode one
Chapter Text
“The longest working here?” Reggie clasped his fingers together, feigning a thoughtful expression. “I dunno. I couldn't care less.”
That earned him a swat on the arm by Skylar, who simply smiled. “Oh, easily Washford and Drysdale. They've both been here since before me and Reggie took over the school.” She said nicely.
“I think they're nearing thirty years teaching now?” Reggie hummed, twisting a pencil between his fingers now. Seriously, he couldn't care less.
But Skylar nodded, looking at him intently before back forward. “They've been together since before I can even remember, too! I mean we've only been here about…ten years now, but apparently they coupled up far before they even started teaching.”
Skylar then glanced at Reggie. “I wish you'd be romantic like that.” She teased, causing him to look up. Despite the insult, he looked equally amused.
“Romance is dead.” He stated blandly. “And besides, I wouldn't call those two full romantics either.”
“Oh, come on! They do anything they can together, they pushed for ages to have their classrooms right next to each other, they don't even take in separate lunches anymore.” She protested. Reggie scoffed.
“That's not romance, babe, that's love.” He argued, albeit softly. Skylar mulled over that sentence for a second.
“Aren’t those the same things? Besides, they do romantic things together! Like uh- feeding each other lunch.”
“That’s just sexual. It's gotta be.”
“...uhm.”
Turning away from each other, both Skylar and Reggie looked at the student sitting across from their shared desk. They looked awkwardly placed, notebook in hand. “I…don't think I needed to know that much.” They mumbled, clearly referring to their project.
Skylar’s face turned red as she promptly shooed them away. Reggie just laughed.
—--------------
“If they're looking for budget costs, I think we should just remove physical education, all the kids hate it anyway.” Eddie shrugged, picking up his coffee mug. Dunk gave him a look that bordered betrayal and pure devastation.
“They do?” He whispered, as if it wasn't painfully obvious. Which, to Dunk, it probably wasn't. Johnny just patted him on the back.
“Don't take it too hard, sugar. Kids are very unmotivated these days! They tell me they hate music class all the time, straight to my face!” He exclaimed. Amir scoffed.
“They're not unmotivated, they hate your damn voice.”
Skylar walked in with her own mug in hand, searching around the room. It was a busy day today, as it always was during the middle of the year. Mainly because the teachers actually wanted to be here. She had wanted Reggie to come socialize with her, but he waved her off. Very insistent on ignoring everybody he could until drama stirred up with the teachers. It was shallow, she loved that about him.
Amir and Barry were across each other, both sipping some sort of beverage. From what she knew, Amir’s would probably be tea, and Barry's would probably be some sort of energy drink he did not need. Barry had his papers out, most likely grading them and talking to multitask. Obviously, it wasn't working, as he was Barry. But that was okay, because he was completely checked out of the conversation, clearly meaning he had decided to focus his time on grading at least.
Eddie and Volt sat at the same table, right next to each other, both talking to other people yet sitting back to back. Skylar wasn't shocked at the dynamic, as used to it as everyone else here. What she was shocked about, however, was the fact there was no dynamic. Apparently, they were just friends. Which is something she'd handle one day.
Johnny and Dunk sat together, both sharing their unruly problem of their students hating them. It was something she expected, considering both their subjects. At least they seemed to be handling it well. Maybe.
Her eyes flitted over several other teachers, and then landed on Washford and Drysdale. Just like her conversation from earlier, she could see the love pouring out of their expressions. The way Drysdale carefully ranted about something, and Washford kept silent despite his neverending words, instead hazily looking at the love of his life. She didn't know what Reggie was talking about, that was romance.
But their conversation, despite looking loud, was awfully hushed. Drysdale looked as though he was reasoning with something, rather than explaining it. Washford, meanwhile, nodded along.
God, she wishes she could know what they were talking about.
Oh, she’s the principal. She can!
“Drysdale!” She calls out, sitting on the edge of one of the counters. “What're you talking about?”
Surprisingly enough, he doesn't look offended at being interrupted. In fact, the both of them look oddly relieved about something. Oddly…tranquil. He simply smiles, and it's like the rest of the room suddenly wants to be nosy and know the answer as well.
“Oh, retirement, Cherub!” He says gleefully. However, very rightfully, the whole room interrupts into many words. Those consisting of ‘No!’, ‘You better not!’ and ‘I’ll fucking kill you if you leave me here.’ She doesn't know where that last one came from.
Washford looks surprised at the protests, but Drysdale doesn't. He simply sighs.
“It's almost been thirty years of teaching now! It's high time we at least consider it.” He tries to reason. Barry finally looks up from his papers, somehow managing to at least make out this part of the conversation.
“You can’t leave us!” He complains. “Who’s gonna give me tips about basically everything there is to do about teaching! I'm very unreliable.”
Volt pipes up. “How are we going to work the coffee machine? You two are the only ones that remember how that ancient thing works.”
That earns several murmurs of agreement around the house. Washford, however, just waves his hand. “Nonsense. We shall teach you how to use it.” He reasons. But Telly is already talking.
“What about the kids? And the parents? Everyone knows who you guys are. If you retire, how are we supposed to explain that?”
This time, Drysdale spoke up. “If we die, you'd have the same problem. Which are both rather close together don't you think?”
The tables fell silent, everyone thinking of similar things. Of course, it made sense for the two of them to retire. It didn't make it much better. There were a few pleading looks towards Skylar, who just shrugged. “Sorry, guys, but it's true. They've been here longer than anybody here, soon enough they'll be forced to retire anyway.” She explained. Her words met with several groans from the others, Skylar simply took a sip from her mug and left the break room. Of course, she’d have to tell Reggie about this.
—-----------
“Anybody in here?”
Johnny peered his head inside the classroom, eyes landing on Barry, and he smiled. The man in question was currently grading papers, still in the same stance as this morning before school.
“Hey.” Johnny greeted, tone quiet as he approached the English teacher. He knew how much Barry hated being interrupted, since it usually threw him off way more than he usually does himself. But he also hates getting lost in his work.
But Barry looks up at him and smiles, pushing up his glasses. “Hey, Johnny. Do you need something?” He asked kindly, marking down something on the paper in front of him. Johnny sat with one leg up on his desk, a familiar position, and he shrugged.
“Not really. My break just started, and I thought you'd be up and around since it's your break as well. But here you are, grading.” He gestures to the papers, and Barry laughs.
“Yeah, I was gonna grade them at home, but then I got to watching this show Volt recommended to me and…oh, I completely lost track of time. I don't know how people could possibly work with background music!”
He continues to rant, and Johnny listens along intently. Once they somehow make it to a tangent about Giraffes, Johnny clears his throat.
“Hey…so, you were there when Washford and Drysdale were talking about retirement, right?”
Immediately, Barry is frowning. “Oh, yes! Can you imagine the school without them? Washford is half the reason my kids know how to use a semi-colon!”
Johnny perks his head up. “That's right…they go through his class the year before yours?”
“Yep.” Barry sighs. “It's not that I won't trust whoever takes his place, but…Washford and Drysdale are constants here. Every student knows them, they love them! Can you imagine school without them? I'd go crazy if I don't hear Cherub at least once a day.”
It's…hard to argue with that. “Well…I suppose they gotta leave anyway.” He points out. “Besides, those two have definitely left their marks. For the good reasons too, they're known as teaching wizards and meanwhile everyone knows me for my voice! Every. kid.”
Barry simply laughs, propping his chin up on his hand as he looks at Johnny. His pen twirls between his fingers, and he forgets about his papers for a second.
“..I don't think your voice is that bad.” He says softly.
—--------------
“This is the fourth pleading email I've gotten today about not retiring. We're not even sure when we'd retire anyways!”
Drysdale looks at Washford, exasperated, and the other teacher simply huffs a laugh. “I thought you'd enjoy the attention.” He smirks.
Drysdale doesn't look very amused, instead closing his laptop. They're both on break right now, having pushed for their schedules to line up as well years ago. Washford had been hesitant at first, spending all his breaks with Drysdale, but he can now say that he enjoys the time with him a lot more. It's nice, during the day. Instead of the nights where they were so tired from grading or making assignments they could barely spend time together.
Washford leans forward and kisses Drysdale on the cheek, to where the other man's eyebrows furrow. “What was that for?”
“Nothing.” He hums. “I'm just feeling rather…sentimental.”
In response to that, Drysdale brings one hand up to play with the ends of Washford's hair. They sit right next to each other, with Drysdale more so sharing the desk with Washford than just sitting next to him. He smiles.
“Can you imagine how peaceful life will be? Oh Washy, I love the students immensely, but it'd be so nice with just the two of us.” He mutters. Washford agrees, gaze soft.
“It would. I’d…god, I’d miss everyone here, but the isolation would never drive me crazy. Especially not with you.” He brings his hand up to Drysdale's, still in his hair, and holds it firmly. “We shall live a tranquil life.”
“Yes, we shall, Washy.”
Their peace is cut short by Curt, rushing in, with Rod hot in his trail. “Dude, why is everyone talking about you two leaving?”
Washford looks shocked at both of his students, before clearing his throat. “Uh- hello you two. Shouldn't you be at lunch?” He asks.
Curt didn't answer his question, instead crossing his arms. “Lux said he overheard Mr. Splash talking about it.” He affirmed. Drysdale merely sighed.
“He overheard him? Or was it eavesdropping?” He asks. They really had to work on that. Rod simply waves his hand.
“Does it matter? You guys can't seriously think about leaving! Who else am I gonna learn English from?”
“Well, we're flattered. Potentially. But,” Washford clears his throat. “But we have to leave eventually. Me and Drysdale aren't exactly young.” He chuckled.
Curt softens slightly, but he still looks pissed. “What about your replacement? What if they're like- really young and don't already know the answer to every old timey joke Rod tries to tell.”
“Well, maybe it's a good thing that Rod’s jokes land for once, Cherub.”
That seems to soften Rod out as well, anger disappearing.
“...everyone knows you guys.” Rod murmurs. “Aren’t you like afraid of everyone forgetting you or something? Or won't it piss you off?”
Washford merely chuckles. “We're not worried about people forgetting us, rather people forgetting what we taught them.” He explains, Drysdale nodding along. And just that seems to be enough for Curt and Rod, their shock turning into a dull acceptance.
“We'll miss you guys.” Curt mutters. Drysdale speaks up.
“Well, we'll still be here till the end of the year! More than enough time for everyone to accept our absence.” He declared.
That seemed to calm the two. And Washford tilted his head forward slightly before he smiled warmly.
“And for what it's worth, we shall miss all of you. Immensely.” He said truthfully.
—---------------
“When he leaves, the parents are gonna be pissed.” Reggie points out. Skylar glares at him.
“Look, I know they're important, but parents rarely ever get involved with their kids here anyway! Why would they care now?”
“Because, it's Washford and Drysdale. They taught half the damn parents themselves! Nostalgia kills, babe.”
She looks at him blankly for a second, before turning back down to her paper. “You know, half the time, I have no idea what you're saying.”
“Neither do I.”
She huffs, and they both fall silent, her pen silently scratching against the paper. Reggie speaks up again.
“Those two have been here since before us. They're like- the constant. What else is gonna change after the leave?” He murmurs, still leaning back in his chair. Skylar freezes, contemplates his words, and then smiles.
“Is that what you're worried about? Whatever decisions we make, we'll make them together.” She says softly. Reggie looks towards her, and he doesn't smile, but his expression is equally soft. She clasps his hand suddenly, a small gesture that Reggie normally wouldn't allow out of the blue. But he did.
“God, you're so cheesy.”
Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Notes:
Johnny gets a new assistant teacher!!! Meet Ms. Rainey (◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。
(Details at the end)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“Johnny.”
The man startled, looking up from his papers and right at Reggie. For once, the man didn't look irritated, like talking to them was a chore. Which…it technically was.
“Jeez, uh, what's up Mr. Specs?” He stammered, putting down his pen. None of them knew Reggie’s last name, just the fact he took Skylar's when they got married. Every time she mentioned that fact, she seemed irrationally happy.
But although he isn't irritated, Reggie sighs, like he knew something Johnny didn't know. Yet.
“The district wants us to focus more on the ‘prospect of music’ or whatever the fuck that means, so you're getting a new assistant teacher in your class.” He tells him. Immediately, Johnny lights up.
“Wait, really?” He asks, sitting up. “I actually get help? Because those kids are driving me up the wall.” Which was true. Either they all took turns making fun of his hair, or his voice, or just completely tuned out whatever he was teaching.
Reggie gives him a look that borders relation, and no amusement. “Because nobody likes music. It's a hard fact. Anyways, Rainey is…” He pauses. “Actually, I don't have anything bad to say about her. Which is new, but she'll be joining you through all your classes now. Treat her well or whatever.”
“Oh, I will! Gosh, I can't wait to actually have at least one person in the room passionate about some music.”
Reggie doesn't reply, he just rolls his eyes.
—----------
“Hey, you're on break?” Volt knocks on the side of the doorframe, but walks into Eddie's classroom anyways. The man doesn't seem irritated like usual, instead just letting a smile tug at his lips.
“Yeah, just creating some worksheets. I've got till about a quarter to twelve.”
That draws a chuckle out of Volt, who sits down at one of the desks in front. “Ah, so you're teaching the little rascals time then?”
“Yup. It's getting insufferable these days, with every kid constantly asking me why they can't just read digital clocks.” Eddie complains, clicking the end of his pen repeatedly. “It's really not that hard to count by fives.”
“It's not.” Volt agrees, draping his arm over the back of his chair. “Now, tell me this, have you heard that Johnny got a new assistant teacher?”
That causes Eddie to look up. “He has? God, I hope they aren't as bad as him…in a respectful way.”
“Oh, she's not. I passed his room, her voice was angelic. Ms. Rainey, I believe.”
“That's her first name?”
“Precisely.”
Eddie hums, leaning back in his chair a bit. “Huh. Well, I hope the kids don't immediately start showing interest in the class.” He murmurs. Volt shoots him a confused look.
“Why not?” He asks. Eddie takes the moments to look at Volt's hair, one strand falling over his face, before he snaps out of it.
“Well, that'd crush Johnny, wouldn't it? Then he'd find out it's really his voice that ticks the students off.”
“But…we tell him that all the time, my dear Eddie.”
He shakes his head, and the expression that takes over Eddie is almost…pitiful. “Yeah, but he doesn't take it to heart. Especially not from us. The kids? That's a different story.” He pauses. “..I know he's a bit…annoying. Very annoying. But I don't want his feelings getting hurt by a bunch of seventh graders.”
“Eh…that's fair, I suppose.”
As much as Johnny bothers Eddie, considering their classrooms are so close together, he's not cruel. He knows how down on his luck Johnny is already, becoming a music teacher instead of being able to sing out on his own. Honestly, working with kids might be the worst option. He can only hope that the new teacher doesn't dull his spirits. Which it shouldn't, because unfortunately Mr. Splash is nothing if not persistent.
Volt looks him up and down, taking in the tired look Eddie has on his face, and he gives him a gentle smile. “Eddie, would you like to come over tonight?”
“What, to your place?”
“Exactly that. We can eat dinner there if you'd like, or just chat.”
Despite his popular instinct of saying no, and Eddie's well known nature of saying no to anything social, he feels the urge to accept. Because this is Volt, not just anybody, Volt.
“Sure, why not?” He smiles, folding his arms on his desk. Volt merely grins back.
“Excellent. However, now I really hope Johnny is handling it well.”
“I'm sure he is.”
—----------------
Johnny was not handling this well.
Ms. Rainey, that was her name. And he had to clearly admit, she was gorgeous. Gorgeous, cunning, and she had the voice of an angel.
Which is definitely why he was driving himself up the wall.
Because the students also seemed to love her. Within not even a day, they were already all over her. It might also have to do with the fact she's a much younger teacher, and had more to relate to with the kids. But they adored her already, and he couldn't tell if it was through pure intentions or just to tick him off.
He couldn't simply get mad at her, no. Rainey was a pure sweetheart, and it made sense why Reggie had nothing bad to say about her. Why, there was really nothing bad about her to say! He couldn't complain that his students were actually listening for once either, all he could do was sit back and watch her work her magic.
During break time, he even spotted Volt near the door admiring her voice as she sang to herself. And while he already knew the students hadn't much respect for him, even his coworkers were thoroughly hooked.
He supposed he should have expected it, considering anybody would have a better voice than him, but it didn't make the realization any better. At least his students are doing their work.
Doesn't stop him from comparing to Barry.
“I can't find a single bad thing to say about that woman!” He declares, sitting at his usual place on Barry's desk. “She’s amazing, and the students love her, and what the hell am I supposed to tell her? I don't like you? Because you sound like the basis of a sunflower blooming?”
Barry listens along, oddly focused. He doesn't seem to have anything to do during break, simply tapping his fingers against the wood of the desk. He looks contemplative, but then he leans forward and drapes one of his hands over Johnny's.
“Darling, I'm sure it means nothing! Students hate everyone nowadays. Maybe they simply like her because of how close in age she is to them.”
That's…true enough. Despite obvious outliers, like Washford and Drysdale, most the students felt more attached to the younger teachers. And Johnny couldn't blame them, because it was usually people like Barry that he felt the most comfortable talking with.
Which was…the sole reason. Yes.
Barry's hand is comforting, and while it does fluster Johnny a lot he can't help but feel grateful for the reassurance. “God, sugar. You always know what to say.” He smiles.
“That's a first. Now, go and introduce yourself properly to Ms. Rainey. The next best thing you can do is properly get accustomed to her.”
That advice works for Johnny, and he gets up and smoothes out his cardigan before looking at Barry. “Uh- don't reckon you'd wanna get a drink tonight?” He asks, suddenly bold. As soon as the words leave his mouth, he feels weak in the knees.
Barry closes his book. “Oh, dear, I’d love to but I can't! I have grading to do.” There it is. Johnny should just run while he's at it. “But how about Friday night?”
“Uh- oh, yes! Friday works just fine for me darlin’” Johnny stammers, trying not to sound awkward. He leaves quickly, waving frantically to Barry while also trying not to look ecstatic.
Of course, Rainey was gorgeous. As were most the adults in this building. But something about Barry was…soothing, calm. No matter how jumbled he was.
Johnny lets Barry's last words before he left ring through his head. ‘It’s a date!’
—-------------
When he gets back to his classroom, the students are all back from lunch. However, this doesn't seem very calming to poor Rainey, who stands over her desk with a small panicked expression on her face. Two students stand at her desk, casually talking to her as if she isn't frantic, while the rest stand around and talk to their friends. Frankly, nobody is in their seats.
Immediately, when she catches Johnny's eye, she cringes. “Oh, Mr. Splash! I'm real sorry, but these kids just ain't listening! No matter how many times I try to tell them to quiet down, they don't take me seriously!” She sighs. “I'm sorry, I know I shoulda had this under control.”
Immediately, Johnny can relate to her frustration. For Rainey, it might be even worse. Although the students don't respect him, they don't even seem to take her seriously. They see her as a friend, not authority.
Well, he'd have to fix that.
“It's alright sugar.” He says calmly, waking to his desk. “You just got here after all! It's barely been more than a couple days.”
That seems to soften her stance a bit, and Rainey sits down at her desk as she ignores the students talking to her. Immediately, Johnny takes his turn.
“Hey!” He barks, tapping at his desk. “Didn't class start a couple minutes ago?”
Somehow, by a sheer miracle, the students quiet down immediately. Probably because they've never truly heard Johnny yell before, besides his normal loud off-tune singing. The students near Ms. Rainey’s desk, however, keep on ranting to her. He snaps towards them.
“Does it look like lunch to either of you?” He asks them. When both the students stare at him blankly, offended but with no answer, he points to both their seats. “Sit down, or I'll make one of you stand up here and sing a duet with me.”
That gets them sitting down quick.
Johnny looks at the class, and sighs. “Look, I know you guys have no respect for me. I'm aware of how I look, a man in my thirties, teaching a music class. I'm sure y'all are ecstatic someone near your age is here, but Ms. Rainey isn't just your friend, she's your teacher. I'm sure you guys don't want to drive her away already, right?”
The room turned into a chorus of dull ‘no’s’, some thankfully genuine. Johnny simply smiles.
“Good. Then, respect her. If you don't respect me, at least her. Now, why don't we start with percussion?”
—----------
Rainey approaches him after class ends, smiling warmly. “Thanks for that, Mr. Splash. I shoulda told the kids off earlier, but I didn't want them getting more rowdy.”
He folds his arms over his desk and looks up at her, grinning. “It's really no problem. If anything, I think when you manage to get in charge of your own class, they'll like you a lot better than they like me.” He chuckles.
She looks down at him for a couple seconds, beaming, before she chuckles as well. “Oh, I don't know if they like you very much, Mr. Splash,” Very true. “But I can tell you right now, they at least respect you.”
That sentence seems to shock him, and Johnny leans back in his seat. He resists the urge to deny the statement, instead focusing on how much he actually does like this assistant teacher. Gorgeous, a voice amongst the angels, and kind.
“Well, ain't that nice?”
“It sure is Mr. Splash.”
Notes:
Wow, okay, I thought I'd get into this real well but I guess now. I'm thinking 'jusy gotta stick them in some jeans and a cardigan and they're teachers!!! Lolololol' and then BAM half of them don't have last names. So....in that context..they all go by first names I suppose.
I can successfully say this is an elementary school (k-8th), but I still don't have all the subjects they teach mapped out...
Reggie and Skylar- married bcz I love them, and also the principals. Reggie is vice principal, but nobody actually knows that cuz they both work on the same level.
Washford and Drysdale- 6th grade English
Johnny and Rainey- 7th grade music
Barry- 7th grade English
Amir- 6th grade Math
Eddie- 2nd grade
Dunk- Gym. Duh.
As for Eddie and Volt.... we'll see how their little dinner date ended up in the next chapter (˘･_･˘)
Chapter 3
Summary:
Something happened over dinner, that's for sure.
Notes:
heyhhy I lowkey ran out of ideas REAL fast because I had shit I wanted to write but had to build my way up....yk.....
Parker and Chance r in this (dice play!!!!!) but idk what they teach JUST yet
Don't be surprised if I just write out a whole Abbott Elementary episode with these characters soon. If y'all want a visual of the school literally just think of Abbott Elementary thats my muse..
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“Volt's ignoring Eddie.”
Reggie looks up from his nails, currently in the middle of painting them. He truthfully had much more important things to do, but he couldn't really care less. However, this piqued his interest a bit.
“Volt? Are you sure?” He leans forward and examines his nails closely. “I mean, it's Volt.”
“That's what I thought! But nope. I was in the break room earlier,” She sits down directly next to him, grabbing some orange polish. He doesn't stop her, just scoots over slightly. “And the second Volt walked in, he sat at a different table near the back. You could see he instinctively wanted to go near Eddie, but he didn't. He seemed nervous, even.”
“And how did Eddie react?”
“Like he expected this day to come ever since they met.”
Reggie smiled. “Yikes. Well, do you think it'll affect their performance at all?”
“Not really.”
“Then I couldn't care less.”
“Reggie!”
He looks up at her, rolling his eyes. “Babe, let them work it out themselves. Our only concern here is the children, not them.”
“You couldn't give a damn about the children.” Skylar replies bluntly. Reggie laughs.
“Just give it a bit. They'll make up.” He tells her, with a sharp tone and just a bit of underlying fondness you'd never hear him use towards anyone else.
She considers it, tilting her head, and then Skylar silently nods. “I just don't want drama.”
Reggie holds his hand away, examining his cuticles, and he huffs. “It's an elementary school darling, drama's everywhere.”
—------------------
“Knock knock.”
Rainey looks up and smiles immediately, spotting the familiar white hair.
“Oh, Mr. Volt!” Volt had been very nice to her so far. Actually, everybody had, even the ol’ janitor that everyone else seemed to avoid. God, she could never remember his name. Jeremy?
But Volt had been very sweet to her, taking genuine interest in her life. And her singing, of course. He admitted it's some of the best he'd heard in a while.
“Me and Eddie are placed right next to Johnny's classroom, see. His voice isn't…unpleasant, really, but his singing does get a bit disruptive. Don't tell him I said that.” He told her. Rainey just giggled, holding a finger over her lips.
That was another thing about him, actually. Mr. Volt didn't seem to talk about himself much. Instead, he loved to talk about Mr. Eddie. Eddie Eddie Eddie, that man was all he seemed to talk about! Their little lunch dates, (although he'd never call it that), field trips when they'd chaperone together, moments in the break room. Rainey would never tell Volt, but she's just ninety-nine percent sure the man is in love with Eddie.
Except for lately. Volt had stopped talking about Eddie almost entirely, only thinking of him when prompted. And whenever someone would ask about Eddie, he'd frown. Rainey was sure it had to do with some hangout they had, because the two were chatting just fine when they left the school on Friday.
“Whaddya need?” She asked sweetly, watching Volt sit across her desk. He looked…nervous, in a way. Not just nervous, but tired.
“Rainey, I'm sure you've noticed it by now.” He sighed. “Everyone's noticed it by now. Me and Eddie aren't exactly on…good terms.”
She raises an eyebrow. How couldn't anyone notice? Despite that…
“Oh, really? What happened?” She asked, blinking. It was better to act oblivious. Volt shoots her a blank look, and then sighs.
“I just…I invited him over for dinner and then I suppose I must have said something insensitive, and he left.” He murmurs. “Now I'm much too ashamed to face him..”
He felt a soft hand lay over his, and Volt looked up to see Rainey's sympathetic gaze. He relaxed. “Oh, Rainey. I love him.”
“Well we all know that Mr. Volt!” She tells him, patting his hand. “And it's not out of the blue either. It's clear he at least enjoys your company, I think you should talk to him.” She advises.
“You think? I just don't want to ruin it further…” Volt trails off, looking away. Then he sighs. “You're a very good listener, Rainey.” He smiles.
She smiles warmly back. “I'm glad you think so.”
—---------------
“Mr. Parker.”
The first glance he gets, Parker can tell Reggie looks annoyed. Rather annoyed at being here, actually. Parker glances back at his students, all bored and uninterested, and decides that they can all survive a few minutes without him.
“One moment, class.” He smiles. They merely grumble in return, and Parker steps out.
“Hey, boss, what do you need?”
Reggie holds up his phone, right in front of Parker's face. “You got your phone on you?”
“Uh- yeah-” Parker reaches for his phone, but before he pulls it out, Reggie stops him.
“So why the hell don't your students?” He asks, tone more condescending than curious. Parker freezes, sparing a glance at the drawer he keeps all the phones in, already explaining himself.
“Oh, well, boss, it's simply the rules! Phones aren't permitted in class.” He says casually. Reggie glares at him.
“Look, I know I let several things slide, but this is basic safety, Parker. I don't care if your kids are busy on TikTok or Subway Surfers, if something happens they need to have their phones on them at all times.” He scolds. Parker just swallows.
“Well, it's the state's rule! I don't want to get in trouble.” He shrugs. Reggie crosses his arms.
“Trouble from who?? I'm the fucking principal.” He snarls. Yikes, Reggie’s in more of a bad mood than usual.
“Did Skylar go to the district again? I know you hate being put in charge.” Parker says. His words have no bad intention behind them, he's just genuinely confused. Reggie glares at him again.
“You-” He un-tenses, and then opens the door fully before stepping one foot in. “All of you, grab your phones. If any other teacher is making you hand them over, tell me.” He informs them. Immediately, the students perk up. Parker sputters, but Reggie turns back to look at him. “Look, I know you have your rules,” He sighs. “But some rules aren't made for these times. Anything could happen in this school, and these students need their phones if that's the case.” He says, tone slightly more resigned. “Parker, I really think you need to let some rules go.”
Parker stares at him, obviously shocked, before he visibly deflates. “They won't pay attention to what I teach with their music and games.” He tries as one last pitiful defense. Reggie narrows his eyes.
“Tell them to put their phones in their pocket or something, don't make them put it away. You'd be surprised how many students get embarrassed the first time you tell them to turn off their phone.” He says blankly. Parker simply nods.
“Good, you understand.” Reggie finally says after a few seconds. “Some rules are just outdated.”
Parker doesn't look up, but instead looks towards his class.
At least his kids don't look asleep.
—-----------
“Chance?” Parker approached him almost cautiously, noting that the man was currently grading. But Chance just smiled at him, placing down his pen.
“Parker, whaddya need?” He asks, eyeing the papers in Parker's hands. He sits down next to Chance, flipping through the papers.
“These are all my class rules. I've recently come to realize that some of them might be…uhm, bad rules. So I wanted your help revising them.”
Chance looks at him, and then nods almost enthusiastically. “Of course! I was bored anyways.” He says, almost giddy. But then he leans over, reads the first rule, and sort of frowns.
“What's wrong?” Parker asks nervously as Chance picks up the paper. Chance bites his lip.
“No food or drinks.” Chance reads simply, off of the first line. Parker shrugs.
“Yeah, that was a huge rule when I was younger.” He said plainly. Chance sighs.
“Well…I mean, it might have been when you were young, but times have changed y’know? No matter the year anyway, kids need food.” He says gently. Chance does sound a bit condescending, sure, but that might be because Parker's classes are usually before lunch. “And drinks, as well. Are they allowed water?”
“Of course they are.” Parker replies softly, almost offended. Are his rules that bad?
“Then why not allow everything else? Look, I get stuff like soda and energy drinks aren't really great for focusing, but it's not our job to monitor what the kids drink or eat. It's our job to teach them.”
“I guess.” Parker watches as Chance takes another glance at the paper.
“No…no drawing?? There's no way this is a rule you have.” Chance looks up, and this time, he isn't gentle. He's honest to god shocked, and Parker jumps up to defend himself.
“It was a rule when I was in school! It helped me focus.”
Chance glares at him. “Did you focus? Or did you hate your teachers' guts because you couldn't even doodle during a fifty minute class.” He pointed out. Parker deflated again.
“I hated my teachers, I just don't wanna act like them.” He admits. Chance places the papers back in front of him.
“Then stop acting like them.”
Parker looks down at the words, eyebrows furrowing, and suddenly sighs. He's conflicted, so carefully hung on to his rules, but…he genuinely does love teaching. The fact the students just might not like him…
Chance smiles as Parker grabs the papers and rips them in half.
—-----------------
Eddie didn't mean to eavesdrop. He really didn't.
But he needed some printer paper from Johnny, so sue him.
Actually, Eddie wishes he hadn't needed the printer paper, because nothing could make this Friday feel even worse than what he heard.
Again, he hadn't meant to eavesdrop, he simply knocked on the door and got no reply, just the sounds of muffled voices. So he looked through the little window of the classroom door, focused his eyes on the desk, and saw Rainey with a hand laid over Volt's.
Okay…yes, he shouldn't think too much of it. Volt was very comfortable with everyone in the school. But then Rainey leans over, smiles wide, and Volt grins in response.
What Eddie does next, he doesn't consider his proudest moment.
He placed his ear against the door. And he's absolutely glad all the kids are at lunch right now. So they don't see Mr. Eddie heartbroken over what he hears next.
The truth was, he wasn't mad at Volt. He had gotten angry then, sure, but the anger fizzed away the second he left the house. He just let his pride get in the way. Deep down, Eddie just wanted Volt to understand. To stop fretting over him. So he waited, waited for Volt to approach him. Not to apologize, just to talk. And then Eddie would look at him and immediately forgive him as he looks into those perfect eyes and catches sight of that perfect ponytail and maybe he'd finally finally tell Volt he loved him-
It didn't matter now. Because Volt is looking at Rainey with a soft appreciation, and the only words Eddie bears to hear is ‘I love-’
Before he pulls away.
And despite his strength, Volt is his weakness, because tears form in Eddie's eyes as he walks away.
Notes:
Lolll sorry Eddie and Volt STILL ain't together...
Might write out how Johnny and Barry's date went, might not.
On that note, I'm a firm believer that phones should never be taken away from students. It doesn't matter if you don't want them distracted, it's simple safety. As well as other rules, like no drawing or food and drinks, but that's slightly less serious. I just hate when teachers enforce both those rules as well, because denying food is CRAZY. along with limited bathroom breaks, but I wouldn't even make Parker do that. I know it might seem out of personality for Parker, but he's the first I could think of with...rules. I might go deeper into it in another chapter.
Washford centered fic soon?!1.....
Chapter 4
Notes:
Loll....hey....
This is probably just filler, bcz the actual 'episode' I wanted to write was so so long (｡•́︿•̀｡)
Can u tell I love Reggie x Skylar?...
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Reggie walks into the room and already yawns. It's like these guys suck the energy out of him each time.
“Good morning.” He says fleetingly, not actually looking at anyone in the break room. But then, as he's procuring his coffee, Reggie yelps.
“What-? What happened?” Barry notices Reggie's gaze on him, and looks behind him to make sure. He turns back forward, and Reggie points at him.
“Your hair! Why isn't it radioactive?” He points out, and the room turns to finally look at Barry. Rainey gasps.
“Oh, Mr. Styles- you've gone brunette!” She gapes. Barry just sighs, rolls his eyes, and opens his binder.
“God, you guys scared me for a second! I went over to visit my parents this weekend, so I dyed my hair back to brown for a bit. I'll fix it when I get home.” Barry waved off, starting to scribble in his binder as the others stared at him.
Reggie just clicks his tongue, grabbing his coffee. “You don't seem the type to change up a good look Mr. Styles. Especially not for someone else.” He declares. Barry doesn't reply, just slightly winces.
“Yeah, well, my parents are a different story.” He explains, almost with disdain. But Barry catches himself, and he simply pulls a smile. Reggie doesn't comment on it, just takes a sip of his coffee.
“Alright then. Are all of you ready for parent teacher conferences?”
There's a collective groan from the break room, one he's all too familiar with. Reggie rolls his eyes.
“It can't possibly be that bad.” He sneers, but the truth is even Reggie knows how bad conferences are. It's filled with parents who think that teachers have to practically raise their kids, and awkward confrontations that parents bestow upon their kids right in front of the teachers.
Volt huffs. “I simply don't want to deal with those absolute snobs of a parent. They act like we're obligated to punishment when their kids do something wrong, and then take all the credit when they do something right.”
There's murmurs of agreement, and Reggie takes pride in the fact he doesn't argue for once. Skylar would be proud.
“Yeah, well, it sucks for us all. Me and Skylar are probably gonna get like 30 emails after it ends asking us to ‘review your behavior.’”
Johnny bites his bottom lip nervously. “You uh- wouldn't actually do that, right?”
“Of course not. It's a waste of our time, and we know they're all just paranoid.” Skylar got her fair share of complaints as well. People just don't want an organized woman over their children, and Reggie is just glad the parents don't directly talk to him. Oh, the day they find he's also in charge, the parents’ll lose it.
The break room falls back into a silence, and Reggie doesn't spare any time to strike another conversation.
Now to find Skylar…
—----------
“Thanks for coming out with me.” Barry smiles, shifting his binder into one arm. Rainey giggles.
“Why, I thought you would have done that already.” She smiles.
“What?- oh, I get it.”
Barry simply laughs, shaking his head. He needed to grab some papers from his car, accidentally having left them in there earlier. It wasn't new, but Rainey had offered to come out with him this time, since it was colder out right now. She pulled her scarf up closer, and Barry waved to Jerry, who was watering the small garden they kept outside for the lunch attendants.
He unlocks the doors, keeping conversation with Rainey.
“Oh, this'll be my first conference! It can't be that bad, can it?” She exclaims, leaning against the hood of the car. Barry laughs humorlessly.
“Oh, it is that bad Rainey.” He says sourly. “Most parents in the area are entitled, and the ones that aren't are the ones that don't show anyway.”
He bumps his head slightly as he climbs out, running a hand over his neck. “But- the parents will probably like you. You're sweet, and you aren't Mr. Splash, so.”
He leaves it there, walking back up to the entrance. Just when he manages to put the papers in his binder, and his binder in his bag, is when Jerry turns over. Immediately, the hose he's holding turns towards Barry.
And soaks him head to toe.
“Oh dear!” Rainey exclaims as she takes a step away from the water, long enough for Jerry to hastily turn it off. She rushes over to Barry then, watching as the man throws off his bag and blinks, water dripping from his eyelashes.
“What the hell Jerry?” Barry announces hastily, holding up his arms as water drips out of his winter coat. Jerry is already sputtering apologies, twisting his hands together. Barry, to his credit, doesn't stay mad. He instead sighs, handing his bag to Rainey.
“Can you hold this? I have to change.” He grumbles.
—-----------
Reggie bites the corner of his nails as he calls Skylar, having checked the school up and down for her already. His coffee mug is empty, already through three refills. Parents obviously won't show up until a few hours from now, but there's still preparing to do, that he'd really like his wife for.
She picks up on the third ring, groggy. “Reggie? What's up?”
“Where are you?” He asks her quickly, shuffling over papers on his desk. “I've checked the entire school. And texted you like seven times!”
Skylar stays quiet for a second, before she sneezes. “Reggie, I don't think I can come in today. I know I said we'd drive separately, but I think I've got a cold.”
She sounds annoyingly apologetic, and guilty, and despite the small growing panic, Reggie nods along.
“Alright…” He mutters, barely masking his growing disdain for the situation. “So- you’re not coming in?”
“Nope.”
“...Do..you want me to come home?”
“No! Someone has to be at school to greet the parents.”
“Fuck.” Reggie hisses under his breath, clutching the phone. “Why can’t I just get Penelope to do it!?”
Skylar’s voice crackles through the phone, and she coughs. “Because she's the secretary, Reggie! That’s not part of her job.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s exactly her job babe.”
Skylar stays silent for a moment, dissolving into more coughs. Reggie considers going home again, just to stay with her, as pathetic as it seems. But she's insistent.
“Reggie, I need someone to actually be there and run things. I love Penelope, but she's not built to take control of so many things at once!” She reasons.
Reggie bites his lip, sitting back into his desk chair and shifting his other hand to play with his hair.
Of course, Reggie had grown up with the same moral code since elementary to now. Haters gonna hate. He couldn't care less what people thought about him, because damn it he was hot, and that's all that mattered to him when he was younger.
Then he met Skylar. And despite how he acts in public, he never outwardly denies the fact he loves her. He's not cruel, and he's not incapable of love, he just values hate above a lot of other things. Skylar was his one exception. You can love someone you hate, but you can't hate someone you love. Something about her, however…softened him.
“The parents like you way better.” He mutters over the phone, trying to add a twinge of irritation creep in his voice so he doesn't sound nervous. Skylar, of course, reads him like a book.
“It doesn't matter if they like you or not.” She rasps. “I just need someone there to lead them to classes if they get lost, or answer questions about PTA meetings.”
She waits to hear a response, and when she doesn't, her voice softens further. “Reggie, whatever the hell they say about you, I've seen better. Or worse. Is there really anyone there that could hurt your feelings?”
He sighs. “Of course not. Are you sure you're fine at home?”
“I'm great. Now hurry up and get to it!”
—-----------
Barry stands at the doorway of his classroom, in such a sour mood he'd almost be annoyed at Johnny currently yapping in his ear.
Almost. Because god, he loved Johnny's voice.
As Johnny talks, he stands. And he dreads. The parents always seemed to dislike him, hate him even. It was his bright pink hair, his different clothing, that enraged the parents. It's like they thought one day around Mr. Styles and their kid was suddenly lesbian.
“You changed your clothes.” Johnny pointed out, gesturing to the sort of suit he was wearing right now. It snaps Barry out of his thoughts, and he just sighs.
“Yeah…I had to borrow some clothes from Volt.” He says sadly, already mourning his old style. He gestures down to his feet, twisting the top of his shoe against the floor. Despite how tall Volt is, the pants barely reach his ankles. “And even these don't fit me!”
He opens his mouth to say more, but Barry is cut off by the sound of a parent approaching him. Fuck.
“Mr. Styles.” A woman in bright pink asks, clutching her purse. Her eyebrows are furrowed, lips already pouting, like she's ready to absolutely demolish the god forbid queer in front of her.
But then she breaks into a smile.
“I'll wait inside.” She grins, walking straight into the classroom. Barry sputters slightly, jolting over to look at Johnny.
“I- did- did you see that?”
Johnny merely nods in response, only used to years of ridicule that Barry usually faces from parents. He usually got something along the lines of ‘you’re bright today.’ Not soft smiles.
Barry shrugs, and enters his room. “Better for me.”
—---------------
Reggie has to resist the urge to strangle the man in front of him, looking him up and down. And, just like the other unusual parents that had shown up today, he wasn't even falling in love. Fuck his heels and his jewelery, they gotta admit, he's sexy.
“You're the principal?” The man asks stoically, hiding his kid behind him, as if Reggie is going to swallow his kid whole.
“One of them, yes.” Reggie replied with a strained smile. “My wife isn’t here.”
The man is visibly taken aback. “Wife?”
“Yes, wife. My beautiful wife, who would really appreciate it if I kept the place in one piece. So, conference night is over, thank you.”
Before the guy can question anymore, Reggie ushers him out, ignoring the urge to make a snarky comment. He closes the door to the office, sighs, and mentally checks over the night.
He sure as hell didn’t leave halfway through, but Reggie felt pretty damn close throughout the night. God, how does Skylar handle this?
He makes his way towards the breakroom, running his fingers through the cold metal of the rings he keeps in his hair. Now, all to do was send the teachers off, and then he could go home.
Until he runs into a parent halfway through.
“You're the principal?” A woman asks, clearly just gotten off of her own shift at work, if the attire was anything to go by.
Reggie resists the urge to scream, or strangle himself, and pulls his mouth back into a smile.
Fuck…he's doing this for Skylar.
“Yep. Can I help you?” He asks sweetly, tugging harsher on the gold accessories in his hair. But to Reggie's shock, the look on the woman's face changes.
Into relief.
“I just wanted to thank you. And, some of the other teachers here.” She announced, taking both of Reggie’s hands in hers. “Carla has been so happy under you all teaching her.”
He looks over to the kid behind her, eyes focused on her feet. She looks nervous, and Reggie can't shake off the feeling he's seen this kid before. Yearbook, maybe? Oh, a student aid? The only one he can remember that starts with C is a kid named Carlos.
The girl looks up at him.
Oh.
This time, the smile that breaks on his face isn't forced. He takes his hands down still, but doesn't feel outwardly hostile towards the mother anymore.
“I'm glad.” Reggie tells her sincerely. “We try to be inclusive, I'm sure the teachers reflect that.”
She nods. “They really do. Carla felt way more comfortable here to be herself, than in her old school.” The lady turns her to her daughter, with a gaze so loving Reggie kinda wishes he saw it on his own mother, and then takes a step back.
“Well, the night is over, so we should probably leave.” She says, turning to her daughter. “Let's go Carla.”
The girl merely nods, and then waves at Reggie. For some odd reason he finds himself returning the gesture, instead of just ignoring the joyous advances of children like normal.
Huh.
—---------
“Golly, those parents hate me.” Johnny groaned, sinking further into his seat. Barry enters, and immediately all eyes turn to him.
Volt winces, looking at the uncharacteristic clothing of his that Barry wears. Eddie, who is still sitting far from Volt no matter how much the other man tries to make amends, takes a sip of his energy drink.
“How'd it go Barry?” He asks, snapping the teacher out of his thoughts. He runs a finger through the back of his hair, still a normal shade of brown, and blinks.
“Amazing.” He says, entirely in disbelief. Amir stares at him.
“Amazing…” He repeats. “What do you mean amazing? You usually have the worst luck out of us all.”
“I do! But the second I didn't look straight out of a Republican’s nightmare the parents started actually tolerating me!” He admits. “They actually listened to what I had to say.”
“Oh, not fair! I look pretty straight don’t I?” Johnny whines. Eddie rolls his eyes.
“You could be a cow and they’d still hate you.” He chuckles. Johnny merely throws his head back. Meanwhile, Barry stays in a colored stage of shock, and he sits down across Rainey.
“Oh, I think you’re worth being nice to even as yourself, Mr. Styles.” She tells him, laying a hand over his own. Barry nods, of course, but he runs a hand through his hair.
“Yeah…but maybe I’ll keep it like this till the open house is over, y’know?”
“Azizam, don’t be silly!” Amir demands. “Good treatment does not mean stifling beauty.”
“I know, I know! I just-” Barry looks around, raising an eyebrow. “Where’s Reggie?
—----------
Skylar sniffles, crumpling and throwing away another tissue. She's in bed, currently worried out of his mind. Reggie hadn't answered any of her questions, leaving her on read. Which, yeah, he does a lot. But illness makes her paranoid.
The door cracks open, and she lifts her head wearily to look at Reggie, currently shrugging off his coat and throwing it over the side of the bed. “Hey, hearts. How you feeling?”
She merely groans, sinking back into the pillows as Reggie drapes his arm around her. “Like my beautiful husband should make me some chicken soup. Shouldn't you be with the teachers?”
“Oh, babe, I'm in such a good mood, they'll just ruin it.” He complains. But then he chuckles, and kisses the top of her head as he brushes a few strands away from her face. “I’ll make you that soup though.”
“Wow, you’re in a really good mood.” She teases. But Skylar has no objections, pulling the blankets over herself and laying back. Reggie gets up, tossing his hair over his shoulder and pursing his lips.
“Yeah…words do a lot I guess.” He shrugs.
Skylar sniffles again, before smiling at him. She gestures him down for a second and kisses just above his ear, not able to resist the urge to tease.
“Y'know, for such a hateful man-”
“Oh, shut up.” He replies endearingly.
Notes:
Eddie and Volt will get resolved!! Eventually...
I'm really unhappy with this writing, I'm sorry
menageadrapes on Chapter 1 Sat 26 Jul 2025 05:34AM UTC
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thefaetavern on Chapter 1 Sat 26 Jul 2025 05:46AM UTC
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Insignova on Chapter 1 Sat 26 Jul 2025 07:39AM UTC
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ratical_shoez on Chapter 1 Sat 26 Jul 2025 04:02PM UTC
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menageadrapes on Chapter 2 Tue 29 Jul 2025 08:41PM UTC
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LexiLuther13 on Chapter 3 Tue 05 Aug 2025 05:30AM UTC
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