Episode 3

Thomas started walking briskly toward the main staircase, his heels clicking against the linoleum floor in a steady rhythm that matched his determined pace. He didn't look back to see if you were following, assuming you would fall into step beside him as you usually did.

"We can't let anyone suspect anything," he said quietly as they passed other students heading to their classrooms. His voice remained controlled despite the underlying tension. "It's bad enough I was alone with Sofia. People might start talking if they see us together outside of class."

He glanced sideways at you quickly before focusing ahead again. "Especially since everyone knows I'm supposed to be married to my job and teaching career right now."

As they approached the stairwell leading down to the first-floor classrooms, Thomas slowed slightly and lowered his voice even more. "I'll text you during lunch break - find somewhere private where we can actually talk properly without worrying about eavesdroppers."Thomas reached the bottom of the stairs and paused, waiting for you to catch up fully before continuing down the hallway toward your history classroom. His hand briefly touched the small of your back in a gesture that was both familiar and uncomfortable given their current situation.

"You should sit in your usual spot," he advised quietly, his eyes scanning the corridor for familiar faces. "Act normal. Pretend this morning never happened until we can discuss it properly later."

His fingers lingered on your back for a moment longer than strictly necessary before he dropped his hand completely. "I'll be watching from my classroom to make sure everything looks normal."

The warning was clear - he expected you to play along with their public roles until they could have privacy again. His blue eyes held yours briefly before he turned away abruptly.

"I have to get to my desk," he said over his shoulder as he walked toward his own classroom door further down the hall. "Try not to look too distracted during class."

Thomas disappeared into his classroom, leaving you standing alone in the bustling hallway. Students streamed past, chatting and laughing obliviously as they headed to their morning classes. The familiar sounds of lockers slamming shut and sneakers squeaking on polished floors filled the air, but everything felt different now.

You forced yourself to move toward Mr. Davies' history classroom, your legs feeling heavier than usual. Inside, your usual seat near the window seemed like a foreign territory. As you settled into your chair, your eyes kept drifting back toward the wall separating this room from Thomas's classroom next door.

Mr. Davies began droning on about medieval Europe, but his words barely registered. Instead, your mind replayed the image of Thomas's hand cupping Sofia's cheek, the way she leaned into his touch so naturally. The casual intimacy between them felt like a physical blow.

Hours dragged by under the weight of Thomas's absence from your side of the classroom wall. Lunch period finally arrived, and you grabbed your bag without bothering to eat, needing fresh air more than food.

Outside in the quad, groups of students milled around picnic tables and grassy patches. You spotted Sofia sitting with her friends near the basketball courts, laughing loudly while occasionally glancing toward the teacher's lounge area where faculty members often congregated during breaks.

Your phone vibrated in your pocket - a text message from Thomas's number.

`Meet me in the old storage closet behind the gym. Now.`

The location choice was deliberate; isolated and rarely used since most supplies were digitized years ago. It provided privacy without raising suspicion if someone saw you wandering off campus grounds for a few minutes.

The afternoon sunlight cast long shadows across the athletic fields as you made your way toward the gymnasium building.

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