I pulled into the parking lot of the elementary school. It was pretty full considering class was most likely in session this Monday morning. Sliding the keys out of the ignition, I got out of the car and locked it before continuing up the stairs. The building looked older, like it had been built around the time of Old Creek's first renovation. God knows how long that was.

I walked entered the doors and walked towards the administration office to the left of me. As I slid through the open doors, I was immediately greeted by the woman at the front desk.

"Well hey there! What can I do for ya?" She asked, dropping everything she was doing as she focused her attention on me. I wasn't used to this. Any of this. No one was this nice in LA, no one had anyone on their minds beside themselves and their agendas.

"U-um, I actually just moved here yesterday and I stopped by the hardware store, Pete's Hardware, and Pete directed me here for a job?" I spoke unsure of myself suddenly. Truth be told, I never actually had to apply or ask for a job before. Jake chose that for me. Jake chose everything for me.

"Why, yes! We actually have a couple positions available! Do you by chance have a degree in English or History?" She asked, pulling out some papers from her filing cabinet.

"I actually don't." I replied, my hopes starting to drop.

"Okay Hun, it's alright. Our Art teacher did recently just take leave, and I can't promise this to be a permanent position, but have you dabbled in some art before?" She asked, sliding out a new folder.

"That, I have!" I replied gratefully, silently thanking whatever gods may be at work here.

"Wonderful! How soon could you get started?" The women asked, grabbing a pen from her utensil jar and scribbling down some more things into the folder.

"Hell, I could clock in right now." I replied honestly, grinning back at her.

"I like you." She nodded, her smile remaining. "What's your name?"

"Oh! Right, Aria Lane."

"Alright Aria, if you'd come with me, I'd like to show you were you'll be working!" She stood up from her desk and walked around. As she approached me, I noticed just how tall and beautiful she actually was. She was around 5'8 with long dark curly hair falling past her shoulders to mid back length. She looked no older than 28.

"I never caught your name?" I asked as I follow we'd her out of the admin office and down the hallway.

"Names Sarah." She replied, turning her head a bit over her shoulder to offer me a killer smile. We entered another branch of the building before arriving at a door. She slid her key into the lock and pushed it open as we came face to face with a large classroom. There was canvases all against the walls with a couple easels. Cubbies were stationed by the back window. I walked over to the desk near the front of the classroom and sat down, getting a feel for the environment.

"So, for today, you can just arrange things the way you feel most comfortable. Classes will start tomorrow morning so don't be late. Remember, we are teaching elementary kids, so regardless of how strongly you may want to ring this little shits necks, we are still prone to getting sued." Sarah instructor, coaxing a grin out from me. I wouldn't mind grabbing wine with this girl.

"Oh! And later today, hunkyMchunkness will be dropping by to pick up his boy and more than likely stop by to meet you."

"Uh... Who?" I asked, rolling the sleeves of my sweater up a bit as I got to work.

"That's what every female teacher here calls him. His son goes here. He's basically a Greek God in a 38 year old mans body," Sarah explained, "every living breathing human with a vagina has made a move on him but he's politely shut everyone of us down."

"Haha alright, Sarah, I'll keep a lookout for him." I replied, grinning back at her.

"And here," she started, grabbing a post it off my desk with a pen, "is my number. Text me if you have any issues, or if you feel like grabbing a drink after your first official day tomorrow with these little demons."

"Awesome, thanks!" I replied, folding the post it and sliding it in the back pocket of my jeans.

"Well, good luck Hun! I'll come check on you later today. We all get out at 3pm, some teachers choose to stay later, and some sneak out the back door when no ones looking," Sarah explained as she began to leave.

"Thank you!" I called out as she made her way back down the hallway. I began moving the canvases all to one area and the easily to another before clearing out the middle area of the classroom. I then set up an easel in the middle of the classroom and popped a canvas on it. I had a couple hours before we were dismissed and it had been far too long since I'd done any painting. I plugged my phone into the speakers that were on my desk and began to play some Halsey. As the music flowed through the room, I walked to arts the storage closet in hopes of finding some paint and a painting shirt.

~

Chris's POV
I pulled into the elementary, cursing slightly as I realized the time. I was late for the second day in a row to pick up Nick, he was going to give me hell.

I ran up the straits of the entrance and rushed to the administrations office to be greeted with basically every female working at this school.

"Hey Sarah!" I called out, approaching her desk, "I'm so sorry I'm late again, is he okay?"

"Nick's fine, he's actually just getting back from gym so he'll be a minute." She replied, leaning further towards me to show off her more than average rack.

"Okay, sounds good. Thanks you." I replied, shifting weight from one foot to the other as I was eye raped by the ladies in the office.

"Oh! I almost totally forgot, we found a replacement for Mrs. Timmers." Sarah informed me.

"Oh seriously? That's awesome! I know how much Nick loves art. I'm guessing he'll start when she starts? Or is it a he?"

"It's a she, and she's actually in the classroom right now if you wanna go take a look." She nodded, jerking her head towards the hallway.

"I think I will, thanks!" I replied, quickly rushing out of there in any excuse to leave. I headed down towards the art department before I could hear the music flowing through the hallways. I didn't recognize the song but it sounded beautiful. The door at the end was already open s as I walked through, I could see a women standing over a canvas, painting a forest. This painting itself was captivating, but what was even more captivating was the women's grace as she painted. Every stroke of paint she laid on the canvas had some deep meaning to her, as if every stroke told its own message.

I cleared my throat and she jumped back a bit startled before turning around.

~

Aria's POV
I had decided to to paint the view I had seen last night of the trees in my backyard, but make it day time. Time lost me as I slipped into the unconscious consciousness of painting. I was brought back to reality by someone clearing their throat. I jumped a bit, startled, before turning around. I came face to face with a pair of striking blue eyes. We just stood like that for a moment before I moved over to pause the music.

"S-sorry, was the music too loud?" I asked, unsure as his gaze bore into mine.

"It was fine." He replied, his voice low and vibrating. If I was casting a movie, this man would be playing Poseidon. Hands down.

"Oh." I replied quietly. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah,  I mean, no. Well, Sarah sent me over to meet you." He replied taking a step closer as he extended his arm.

"I'm Chris."

"Mr. HunkyMchunkness." I replied before I could stop myself. My face got heated quickly as a slight smirk played on his lips.

"Come again?" He asked, trying to mask his grin.

"Nothing." I replied, reaching out to shake his hand. His grip was surprisingly gentle.

"I don't think I've seen you around here." Chris spoke, as our hands fell to our sides.

"I moved here last night actually." I replied, nodding to him.

"Why? I mean, one doesn't just suddenly decide to come to Portland Maine." Oh, but one totally just suddenly did, I thought to myself as I smiled politely back at him.

"No reason in particular." I replied, moving back to start cleaning up the paints.

"You're a lousy liar." He stated, leaning against the doorframe. Why did someone this good looking have to be so infuriating.

"You're a nosy-" I started but quickly caught myself as a little boy ran through the doorway and right into my legs.

"Well hi there." I said, awkwardly patting the young boy as he clung to my legs.

"Is it true?!" He asked, his eyes shot up to me.

"Is what true, bud?" The man asked, moving closer to peel the child off my limbs.

"Is it true that she's our new Art teacher?" The boy asked, his familiar sharp blue eyes staring up at Chris. It was then that I made the connection.

"Haha yeah bud. This is your new art teacher Miss..."

"Lane." I replied quietly.

"Well, Ms. Lane, meet Nick. My son."