Tugging the heavy coat closer to his petite build, Hiro closed the building’s doors behind him. Stopping for a moment, to recall if he locked his classroom doors, he nodded, convincing himself. Even if he hadn’t, the janitor would, after he cleaned out his room, right? Whatever, he concluded, placing a hand on his cheek in thought.
Frost began to nibble at the uncovered cheek, as he sat down, and continued on with his train of thought, “Lila’s enough of a handful,” he tried to convince himself, “Then again, she’s growing up… She can take care of herself…”
Subconsciously, of  course, he’d decided he’d take Ben, especially after the look of heartbreak that played his face. Beginning to fuss with his hair, thus taking the hand from his cheek, Hiro went on his way to the teacher’s dorms.
“Hey, Hiro,” Michael caught up with the other teacher, “You look like a cat’s got your tongue,”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Hiro corrected Michael immediately, “More like a friend died, and he wants me to adopt his son.”
“My condolences,” Michael offered. What else was he supposed to say? Maybe he was the tongue tied one… “What else, besides that?”
“Yeah, I might have to marry Jay.”
“Oh my God,” Michael gasped. Two good reasons let this gasp be taken seriously.
1. Jay and Hiro were both afraid of commitment.
2. He would be jealous as hell.
“Let’s go back and talk about this” Hiro offered, after noting Michael’s concern.
“Alright. Do we have any coffee in the room?” Michael questioned, headed
toward one of the few coffee kiosks on campus. Rumored for the teachers on campus only, but, other students were allowed to buy coffee, so long as the teacher they had next was okay with it.
“I don’t believe so. Just get me black coffee,” Hiro murmured, “I’m going to need it for grading tonight.” Like that, he was off to the dorm.
Meanwhile, Michael sauntered over to the kiosk, and ordered, “2 black coffees, please?” After hearing the way it came out of his mouth, he visibly cringed.
The barista hadn’t seemed to notice. Didn’t look like she’d care, either way. Seemed as if she was used to it. What, with all the demanding students… Pulling a cup holder out from somewhere at the bottom of the cart, she quickly filled two cups, and handed them to Michael, who placed a few loonies on top of the stainless steel cover, “Awesome. Hey, just curious, are you busy this weekend?”
“Well, sort of…” She started off hesitantly, “I’m kind of studying for your Psychology test,” she answered, watching Michael’s eyebrows raise.
“Oh! I’m sorry.” Flushed, Michael took the coffee cup holder. If asked why he was flushing, he decided, he would blame the snow. Oh, yes, the snow was suitable to blame.
“And I’m also going up to Boston,” She added, “Visiting my parents. I’m studying on the train ride up there, so don’t start chastising me for not studying.”
“I wasn’t going to,” He defended, “Anyway, Boston? I grew up there. Good times,” Michael relaxed, “And you’re going by train? The Maple Leaf was always calm…” He reminisced, “I was always scared of planes…”
“Me too! I’m leaving tomorrow. Oh, the Maple Leaf… I think they’re considering closing off the route soon… Then the Acela, so I can study in peace. Oh yes. Quite expensive, though, for a seat, if you ask me.”
“See, I never had to ride the Acela, as it wasn’t around when I was getting out of school… Ah, good times… Anyway, the coffee I have is getting cold, and my friend and I are talking about his wedding. See you…?” He began.
“On Tuesday. I’ll be coming back Monday night.”
“Sounds good. Bye!” He waved, pacing up the stairs quickly.
Meanwhile, Hiro, once again, was a fit of tears. It was official, he did need to marry Jay.
God dammit! Swearing, he noticed Michael walk in. Grabbing his assumed cup of coffee, he sat down on his mattress, sipping the still hot coffee, not particularly caring about his scorched tongue. His appetite was nonexistent, anyways.
“Well, that didn’t go well,” Michael sat down next to Hiro (HAHAHAHA), “I guess I can’t be his parent?”
Hiro shook his head, crying into the lid, protecting the warmth of the coffee. As he opened his mouth to say something, he just cried more.
Then Jay walked in, as planned. Well, not-so-planned.
“Hey, Jay,” Hiro muttered, seeing something green out of the corner of his eye, “Stop playing with chlorine, it’s bad for your hair.” He tried in between tears, then he looked up.
Most certainly Jay…