Schemmenti’s Jacket

FF about everyones favourite redhead.

[schemmentisjacket]

Four chaps up for reading. Big love, thrive off feedback

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[schemmentisjacket]

The first few chapters might be pretty short whilst I find my flow and also cos I find myself writing at work in moments I get, which are few and far between cos I am a busy bee. Bear 🐻 with me homies and also I am crap at remembering to share links e here. So keep checking on ao3.

[schemmentisjacket]

Mwahaha.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[schemmentisjacket]

Tempted to get into writing for riot women because I feel like Beth would cure me and I would worship the ground she walks on.

[schemmentisjacket]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56592586

Chapter 21 now up. Also a cheeky vote at the end to influence where the next chapter goes. Once I’ve had a couple of responses I’ll get cracking on 22

[schemmentisjacket]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56592586

Up to chapter 20 on this if anyone is still reading and wishes to catch up.

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 14 - Body like a backroad

Charlie’s alarm rang out at 6am. Knowing they couldn’t linger in bed, they jumped straight out, stretching before standing and pulling open one of the other mirrored door, to grab some tight exercise shorts and a short pair to wear over the top, then pulling on a sleeveless shirt.

Their dreams had been hazed with full lips, green eyes and red hair, flashes of pale skins and hands.

Popping onto the corridor they nipped into the guest bedroom to fill a bottle of water before settling back in to start their routine after a warm up. Arms, shouders and back were on the table for today’s work out, a variety of sets working the different muscles on free weights, dumbbells and a cable machine; today they worked hard, stepping up weights on a few of the moves and pushing extra reps til failure on others, looking to build muscle and achieve a good pump. Their skin was glistening by the time they were ready for the treadmill. They hit a steady jog aiming for 5k. Unable to run at full speeds since an old injury they have often enjoyed a steady jog on a treadmill or a strong paced walk on an incline.

By the end of the work out they’d sweated out the thought of Melissa and headed down to the kitchen, drinking deeply from their ice cold water.

Stepping into the kitchen they were then shocked to see Melissa, still wearing their shirt mid thigh on show stood cooking up breakfast at their stove.

They tried to tear their eyes up from her thighs before she turned around, but the look on her face spoke they’d been caught, before Melissa’s eyes went wide at their muscular frame on show, their own strong calves and thighs leading up to vest stuck to their glistening neck and shoulders, arms gleaming in the early morning light.

‘Good morning,’ Melissa practically purred, looking at the form before her, ‘I thought I’d prep us some breakfast before work.’

‘Morn, eh Morning.’ Charlie croaked out, mouth dry at the Aphrodite before them, their own shirt clinging about Melissas chest and hips, trying not to wonder if she was without a bra or even panties beneath the well worn fabric of their tee. ‘You’d didn’t have to do that, but it smells amazing. Thank you.’

‘Well you looked after me so well hun, I just wanted to repay you and also get to use this magnificent kitchen.’

Charlie headed over to the stove to check out what was cooking, ‘It smells amazing, can I do anything to help? Also you can come use the kitchen anytime with food smelling like this.’

Melissa shook her head, ‘Coffee’s just coming to in the mokka if you want some, looks like you’ve been working hard this morning, so you take a load of and let me feed you.’

Charlie poured them both a mug of hot coffee and took a seat at the bar to watch Melissa work seamlessly in the kitchen making their breakfast, one hand on their cup, the other propping their head up and they enjoyed the view before them.

Melissa caught them staring, ‘You wanna take a photo, it’ll last longer?’ She teased.

‘Oh would I.’ Charlie responded dreamily, not quite catching themselves before it was out in the open.

‘Go ahead.’ Melissa didn’t turn from where they were scrambling eggs in a pan, back partially towards them.

Charlie flushed deeper red, already still flush from their work out, but they quietly pulled their phone from their shorts and sneakily snapped a picture.

Bare feet, pale toned legs, leading to a peek of thigh, before the back of soft black cotton, red curls dipping down the back of it, hanging slightly to obscure the features of Melissa’s face, stood before the stove, the morning sun hitting the side of her, hair and skin softly glowing in the golden light.

You risked setting it as her profile on her contact and as the background of your phone. But not the lockscreen. From first glance you doubted most people would work out it was Melissa without really knowing, but you knew.

As you slipped your phone back into your pocket, a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs and avocado made its way infront of you. ‘Hope you got my good side.’

Glancing across as Melissa slid into the seat beside you, you reached out, tucking curls behind her ear, ‘If I was religious I’d say you were sculpted by the gods. Where I’m from we’d say you’ve got a body like a backroad, all perfect curves.’

Melissa paused with her fork half way between her plate and mouth, flushing but nodding at your biceps and raising an eyebrow.

‘Real charmer aren’t ya hun.’

You cleared your throat and withdrew your hand and picked up cutlery to dig into the breakfast before you.

‘Hows the head this morning? Feeling up for work?’

‘Yeah, I think i’ll be able to manage, gotta get those little eagles all settled in.’

‘If you’re sure, I can always keep popping over to check in with you.’

‘I’d like that hun.’

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 13 - Soft sheets and Sweet Dreams pt2

Authors Note: Little something something about non binary queer new teacher coming in, leading to Melissa finding the one.

Charlie shut the door to the bathroom, leaving Melissa to take a shower if she wanted.

They headed over to the walk in wardrobe looking for something Melissa could wear to bed, they looked in their oversized tshirts hung up along the rail, thinking of something that would fit her given the incredible curves of her chest and hips. Sculpted by the gods was all Charlie could think, imagining their hands gripping at Melissa’s tight waist. They reached up pulling out one of their favourites, a black purple rain shirt they were fond of, wearing pretty regularly outside of work.

Back in the bedroom they folded the shirt neatly at the bottom of the bed before shutting the blind and dimming the lights; the sound of the shower barely making it through the walls to them. Immediately their brain short circuited at the thought of Melissa in their shower. A naked Melissa.

Quickly the hot stepped from the room, door closed behind them, heading down the hall to the gym that doubled as the spare room, where ordinarily they would house the guests.

Melissa however deserved a bed fit for the goddess she is.

With some distance between they flicked the lights, and headed over to the mirrored wall of the gym, using the handles to open the hidden doors and pull down the hidden fold away bed.

They stripped off to their sports bra and boxers, dropping their stuff into the wash basket. They then settled down onto the yoga mat to stretch out some tension and prepare for bed.

The thoughts of Melissa running through their head made them want to start running or lifting weights to build up a sweat, but they knew sticking to their routine was important. So they put their headphones on and followed patiently along with the guided yoya, stretching the tension from their shoulders, back and legs, before setting an alarm, slipping into bed and dropping off to sleep.

*

*

The chime of their alarm spurred them awake, pulling them from the warmth of sleep. 3am.

Then padded barefoot along the corridor to where Melissa was in their room, and tapped gently on the door, no sound.

They carefully opened the door to peak in and through the dark could just make out the small figure of Melissa curled up in the centre of their bed, they tapped again on the door, receiving a grumble.

‘Hey, you awake?’ They called softly, just their head peeking out from around the door.

‘I am now,’ came the replying voice, as Charlie saw the outline of her sitting you.

‘How you feeling?’ They asked, not stepping closer into the room, keeping mainly hid behind the door.

Melissa felt for the light control and turned the bedside light onto barely a glimmer, ‘Tired and abit headachey but other than that fine all things considered.’ Sitting up they glanced over towards the door, just making out a messy head poked around the doorway.

‘Well, you can take some more tablets and go back to sleep. Sorry I had to wake you. Hope you get back to sleep okay. I’ll be up around 6 and out for work at 7.15 depending on how you’re feeling.’ With that the disappeared behind the closing door.

Melissa took a couple of tablets from the bottle on the side, chasing down with some water before setting back down, sleep coming easily to her.

Charlie hurried back to their room, aware of their state of undress and the reminder that Melissa was wearing their shirt, tucked up in their bed, and her husky voice had radiated down their spine. Climbing back into bed they half hoped that image would haunt their dreams.

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 12 - Soft sheets and Sweet Dreams pt1

Authors Note: Little something something about non binary queer new teacher coming in, leading to Melissa finding the one.

As the door shut, Melissa glanced around the room, seeing a golden vertical handle along the side of the tiled wall over near the plants.

Heading over and pulling she poked her head in and realised the toilet was hidden away almost camouflaged in the tiled wall.

Deciding she did want a shower after the trip to the hospital, what was it about hospital smells that stuck to you, she headed over to the sinks to take a peek in the cupboard behind the mirror you’d got the glass out of, taking a drink of the fresh cool liquid before placing the glass next to sink. The shelves were split, the bottom shelf clearly products you used on a daily basis, face, hair, tooth paste. A glass with a gothic style A on it. The shelf above was two baskets marked with a label ‘help yourself’ clearly guest supplies for when you had people visit. One basked with a variety of facial products, face masks, eye patches, mini shower products and a couple of little boxes with bamboo toothbrushes in. Then second had a handful of small facial flannels neatly folded. Next to it was another glass same as the one Melissa was using.

Melissa took one of the small towels and a facial wash and used them to carefully clean off her makeup and remove any dried blood that had made its way into hair or lingered on her face. She then used one of the toothbrushes and a swig of your mouthwash with the other glasses.

She turned on the shower as you’d instructed and carefully stripped off her clothes, folding them into a pile on the chair before stepping into the walk in shower. The angled spray a perfect template and power, almost a full body massage. She sighed, the tension of the day, hell maybe of her life slowly fading from her body as the water cleansed her skin of the hospital scent that lingered. Along a build in shelf were a ranged of bottles, she studied, deciding to take your advice and help herself, selecting out a exfoliating scrub to start, she worked it into her shoulders, arms, and legs. The scent a deep alpine scent, fresh but with a hint of warming herbaceousness, studying the bottle as she rinsed she could see it was labelled pine needle and sage, aswell as recommending following up with a body wash. Scanning the products she saw a metal tube of body wash concentrate.

Applying it to her hands and soaping it up, a thick generous lather gathered to apply over her newly softened skin. It glided easily over her curves and despite attempting to cleanse herself, her thoughts led to your hands tracing the curves of her body, your tattoos standing bright against the pale slopes of her hips and thighs, skimming up to her chest. The slightly masculine scent of your body wash adding to the thoughts and she could almost smell the scent as if a memory of it clinging to your skin as she had sat beside you in meetings.

She pressed her forehand against the coolness of the tiles and took a breath refocusing. The spray rinsing away the soap with little intervention needed she hit the panel to cut the water, reaching for the large fluffy towel she’d hung on the way in.

Stepping through the bathroom, she stepped back into the bedroom, the main door was shut Charlie having closed it to give her privacy. The lights were set to a low light and the blinds had been closed, the room looked inviting. The deep green sheets of the thick looking duvet looked inviting as she dried herself with the towel, and she noticed a folded tshirt at the bottom of the bed. Quickly slipping back into the bathroom hing the towel on the rack and she picked up her lacy knickers, a flattering french style in black, which she slipped on then grabbed her water glass, before heading back to the bedroom, unfolding the oversized black shirt that showcased a purple rain prince print on the front. Slipping it over her head it hugged her chest and hips before falling to thigh length, like a tshirt dress, the sleeves down almost past her elbows.

Lifting the collar to her nose it smelt clean, slightly masculine with your laundry detergent and a slightly more intense almost fragranced scent in places. Melissa wondered if you’d pulled it on to wear before changing your mind and rehanging it, your cologne left on the fabric.

She caught a glance at herself in the long mirror, dimly lit by the lamp beside the bed, she liked how she looked in your clothes and wondered if you’d like that too. She slipped under the covers, the mattress only giving slightly, cool and supportive. The sheets sliding against her bare legs felt soft. Reaching over and turning the light off completely, she sunk into your pillows, feeling small in the vast bed, but the scent of you on the pillows comforting in a way it had been a long time since she’d felt. In fact she didn’t know if she had ever felt as looked after, safe and comforted as she had by you recently, in her previous relationships. Maybe she was just hoping too much or imagining things, but she hoped not. Her last thoughts before sleep took her were that you also were feeling the longing that was growing in her stomach, in her mind and maybe in her heart too.

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 11 - Sad Cowboy pt 2

Authors Note: Little something something about non binary queer new teacher coming in, leading to Melissa finding the one.

They’d continued chatting away into the late evening. Melissa telling Charlie about some of her own family and a few crazy stories about her sister.

‘It’s getting late. I should probably show you where you’ll be staying,’ Charlie said, standing from the couch and stretching, their shirt coming untucked from their trousers and revealing a slither of skin.

Melissa caught a glimpse of flesh but in a flash it was gone.

Charlie offered out a hand for her to take, ‘Come on. I’ll show you to your room Madame.’

Leading her up onto the second floor, she was lead straight through the door at the top of the stairs. A large open room, the huge bed facing out over the back of the house, simple clean art spaced meticulously across one of the walls. There were two doors, to the left and right.

‘Hope this will do you,’ Charlie laughed sheepishly, and Melissa had a feeling they’d offered her their room, not the spare. ‘The bathroom is to the right there, I’ll show you the switch for the blinds and lights. Right is the wardrobe, so unless you plan to play dress up theres nothing of interest in there.’

‘Hun, I’m pretty sure this bed is twice the size of mine at home. This is a beautiful space.’ Melissa looked out the window, the light outside dimmer, but she could see the green of trees reaching out and the neighbouring lights reflecting off what she assumed could be a pool.

Charlie steered her towards a panel on the wall, ‘This will do the lights and this one will do the blinds, pretty straightforward; there’s also a little remote on the table next to the bed if you need some light during the night. You can dim them up and down. And through here is the bathroom,’ They held the door open to her, leading through to a large tiled room, the temperature cool but not cold, a large standing bath infront of the window looking out, double sinks with mirrors about lining the back wall and a walk in waterfall shower, with nozzles facing out from the tiles.

‘Holy, I might never move out.’ Melissa said, looking around the room in awe. A table with a chair and wall length mirror sat to one side in the corner with lush green plants surrounding it. She could picture sitting putting her make up on in a morning. Surrounded by bubbles gazing across suntipped trees.

‘There’s another panel here for the blinds and lights,’ Charlie pointed out and then slid the tall mirror over, pulling out large fluffy grey towels. ‘Feel free to grab a shower, tonight: in the morning. It’s up to you. Here.’ They wandered over to the shower pointing out a screen with buttons. ‘You’ll not be able to get your stitches wet, so I’ll set it just to the body jets. If you press this to turn it on, you’ll just need to adjust temperature to your liking.’ They showed her all the buttons.

‘If you need a hand with anything just give me shout.’

Melissa held back the urge to ask if help washing her back counted, but still felt the flush of her cheeks at the thought.

At the sight Charlie slid one of the mirrors over the sink pulling out a glass and filling it with ice cold water. ‘The waters all filtered so you can drink from any of the cold taps. Plastic bottles are my pet peeve.’ It was carefully pressed into Melissa’s hands.

‘From that huge water bottle you carry around I had guessed. Seriously though hun, thank you.’

It was Charlie’s turn to flush, tips of ears reddening.

‘I’ll leave you to it, I’ll pop you something on the bed to sleep in if you want it. I’ll come check on you in the early hours and you’ll be able to have some more painkillers. G’night Melissa.’

‘G’night hun. Hun?… thank you.’

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 10 - Sad Cowboy pt 1

‘That was real nice hun, and I don’t say that about just anyone’s cooking, ask Janine.’ Melissa said, pushing her empty plate away and taking a drink from her ice water. ‘A glass of wine would have gone down nicely too.’

‘Maybe next time. When you’re not concussed. I’ve got some nice stuff in the wine fridge. Shall we move to the lounge? I’ll wash the dishes later.’

‘Really treating me,’ Melissa chuckled, the medication was beginning to kick in and the pain in her head subsiding, a light warm feeling coming over her instead.

They headed into the living room, a large clean room, a plush corner sofa with a coffee table in front, a reasonably sized tv, nothing crazy, an acoustic guitar on a stand and a couple of pieces of art on the wall.

‘Do you wanna watch something or just have some music playing and chat?’

‘Are you going to play for me?’ Melissa asked cheekily as they sunk into the comfort of the sofa. Melissa pulling her legs up and tucking her feet underneath to the side. Charlie leant back in the corner section that was almost a chaise lounge, legs stretched out in front of them.

Charlie blushed the tips of their ears turning red, ‘How about I tell you more about myself? You seemed interested earlier?’ They said deflecting the question.

Pulling out their phone, some quiet music began filtering into the room, filling it with soft country.

‘You really like country music huh?’

‘So I grew up on a ranch up north. A pretty successful family one. I was in college studying when my parents and grandparents were in an accident on the way back from a vacation. I’d never really had an interest in taking over the family business, so they had plans in place. The business was sold, but all the employees stayed on as part of the deal. I didn’t want anyone to lose their jobs or livelihoods. I kept a small cabin down by the forest and lakes that belonged to my grandfather’s family. Then once I’d finished my studies I started looking for places to live. Philly has a lot of stuff I like, hockey, food, a little taste of the city without being too crazy. The neighbourhoods that need help also remind me of home. There’s wealth but also those less fortunate. It’s not pity. It’s just wanting to help those how I can, I remember being different and not always meeting societies expectations. If that makes sense.’

Melissa smiled, tilting her head sideways against the back cushion of the sofa to look at Charlies profile, ‘I’m real sorry you lost everyone. Sounds like you picked something that called to your heart.’

Charlie avoided eye contact, but Melissa could see the misty look take over their eyes. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever really opened up to someone about it all.’

‘Well thank you. For telling me. Usually most people are intimidated by me. I mean usually thats the vibe I give off. But with you I guess you gave off some intrigue. All hidden and secretive.’

A watery laugh came from their mouth, ‘I don’t cover up like that outside of work. I guess I wanted to make a good impression and seem professional. Especially with you know Barbara being religious and stuff like that.’

Melissa let out a bark of laughter, ‘Barb ain’t that strait laced. Hell you should meet sea barb sometimes. She comes out at Pesca. She’d probably be more upset you thought you couldn’t be yourself around her.’

‘I’ll think about it,’ Charlie hummed, ‘I get worries people will get the wrong impression of me, that I’m some sort of wrong un or thug.’

‘When you’re just a sad little cowboy.’

‘Yes Ma’am.’

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 9 - Concussion Protocol pt 3

‘Lemme take your jacket I’ll hang it up and be right back, why don’t you grab a seat,’ Charlie said, walking over to the island and pulling out a hidden stool that was under it, ‘and i’ll fix us some food up.’

Melissa walked over taking off her leather jacket and passing it over, then perched on the seat, elbows leant on the dark marble top.

Charlie disappeared for a few moments before reappearing their own jacket gone. Their grey shirt tight around their biceps as they washed their hands in the sink, inked hands and arms bare.

‘Whatcha gonna make? I mean you knowse I’m Italian right. I got high expectations.’

Charlie laughed, drying their hands. ‘Just thought I’d do something quick and easy. My take on a aglio e olio. Can I get you some water, you should probably take some painkillers.’

‘The water would be great. Don’t think trying to impress me with Italian food is going to make me forget you owe me an explanation for this fancy house, and the tattoos and the secrecy.’

They grabbed a couple of glasses from the cupboard, filling them with ice from the freezer and topping them with water, they walk around the island placing one beside Melissa, then leant against the worktop.

‘It’s not as glamorous as it might seem.’ They smiled sadly their crooked smile seeming more pronounced. ‘I lost my parents and grandparents in my late teens. Got a whole lot of inheritance from that. Meant I could afford some nice things, but also that I could do what I really wanted and not have to worry about the bills. Thats why I teach.’

Melissa reached out and covered their hand that was on the counter beside her and squeezed gently, ‘I’m so sorry that happened to you hun, but I’m also so happy you chose to teach and even happier that you came to Abbott.’

Charlie flipped their hand over and squeezed back for a moment, relishing in the comforting touch.

‘Right. This pasta isn’t gonna cook itself. You’ll have to excuse my ignorance for the original recipe. I like to add a few capers and black olives to mine; and knock the chilli up a notch. You okay with spice?’

Mellisa winked, ‘You know it red.’

[schemmentisjacket]

This is kinda what I’m picturing for Charlies house.

The garage on the bottom floor. Middle is kitchen and living room both like a 50/50 split so very big open spaces.

Upstairs two bedrooms, one a master with rainfall shower and onsuite. The other a gym space. Weights rack. Yoga space. Walk in wardrobe.

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 8- Concussion Protocol pt 2

Authors Note: Little something something about non binary queer new teacher coming in, leading to Melissa finding the one.

Who is this person, Melissa though to herself, staring up at the glass house in front of them, then to the tattooed person beside them.

‘It’s literally mystery after mystery with you, first the tattoos and now this house.’

Charlie laughed, cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, ‘It’s nothing that exciting I promise. Come on let’s get inside, I don’t know about you but I’m starving.’

They held out their arm for you to take again, and Melissa allowed herself to be led over to a set of double doors off to the side of the garage. Keys in hand, Charlie unlocked the door, leading them into a small foyer, with stairs leading up. The walls were fairly empty, floor a dark grey wood leading to the stairs of plush grey carpet. Melissa automatically bent to take off her boots, dizziness rushing their head as Charlie locked the door behind them and turn to notice them sway and gentle gripped her arms helping her upright.

‘Woah hold up there I got it.’ They knelt before you, unzipping your boots and helping you step from them. Melissa felt a flush take over her face at the sight of them on their knees for her.

No one had ever treated her this way. Not Joe, Not Gary. No one.

And now someone who she’d only known for about a month was literally on their knees for her.

They unzipped and kicked off their own boots. Bending they scooped up both pairs and re offered Melissa an elbow.

‘Shall we do the tour?’

‘Seriously, whos’ are you?’

‘This way, mi’ lady.’

They led Melissa up the stairs, feet sinking into the plush carpet that lined them. At the top a set of doors was built into the wall, Charlie opened one and sat the footwear inside. Melissa peeked over their shoulder to quickly catch a glance of the sets and sets of different types of shoes, trainers and boots hidden behind before the doors shut again.

To their left Charlie led them through one of the double frosted doors, into a corridor. Glancing around Melissa spotted two more sets of doors one to the left and one to the right as well as another just to the right of where they had entered. The far ends of the hallway were glass windows letting the last of the evening sun glow in.

‘Those go upstairs, bedrooms, bathroom and stuff,’ Charlie explained pointing behind them.

‘To the left there is the front room and the right is the kitchen. I’ve heard you’re an excellent cook from the rest of the teachers. Shall we start there?’

Melissa’s eyebrows raised, ‘Whose been talking about my cooking? Bet it’s Jacob, that boy cannot keep his mouth shut.’

‘All good things, I promise.’

‘Mmhmm.’

Charlie pushed one of the doors open for Melissa to step in.

‘Holy mother of god,’ Melissa breathed. ‘What a kitchen.’

Full length windows covered two sides of the kitchen, the peaks of evening sunlight which Melissa had glanced from the corridor windows, basked the kitchen in a warm orange and pink.

A long thin dinning table with chairs were against the back windows.

In the middle of the kitchen was a free standing countertop, the dark top, a contrast to the white gloss of the cupboards and fitted with a sink and decorated sparingly with some wooden chopping boards and a large spice rack.

The wall without the windows had a large gas range cooker built in along with more dark countertops again below them and above the walls fitted with shiny white cupboards. Magnetic rails hung knives alongside the range, another large wooden chopping board below it.

A large double fridge sat along the wall where the doors in were.

‘You like it?’

‘I think I love it.’

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 7 - Concussion Protocol pt 1

Authors Note: Little something something about non binary queer new teacher coming in, leading to Melissa finding the one. (Available on Ao3)

You’d escorted Melissa back out to your car, her hand curled tightly around your upper arm as you led her through the darkening car park.

A quick glance at the dash once in the car told you it was around 7pm.

‘How you feeling?’ You ask, glancing across to the redhead in the passenger seat, a little white gauze peeping out from under her bangs.

‘Like I’ve been a couple rounds with cousin Vinny,’ she chuckled, resting her head back against the headrest so she could glance over towards you.

‘Just to warn you I wasn’t expecting visitors so I can’t guarantee the place is the tidiest.’

‘Meh I live with Jacob, he’s a whirlwind of tidy and messy, luckily I don’t have to go into his room.’

You drive in relative quiet, country music playing gently on low volume from the sound system in the car. You head towards a more rural suburb, a little while from the school. As you turn onto a tree lined road you begin to slow and flick a switch on the key chain of your car keys, and a gate begins to slide open a couple of houses down.

‘You’re joking me right?’ Melissa says, wide eyed as you turn and follow the drive up, past a small but immaculate lawn towards a modern building, a double garage below two storeys of large glass windows. ‘This is your house?! Who the hell are you?’

You could feel your cheeks turning red under the glare from the passenger seat. ‘This is probably a chat for over dinner.’ You swung the car in front of the garage doors and jumped out to head round and open the door for Melissa.

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 6 - First Day pt 3

Authors Note: Little something something about non binary queer new teacher coming in, leading to Melissa finding the one.

M:

They stooped slightly in front of you, tattooed hands out, blank palms up.

‘We’re gonna take it steady okay?’

You put your hands out and take hold of their forearms to steady yourself. They support you under your elbows and help you to your feet.

You stumble slightly as you make it to your feet, their strong hands moving to your waist carefully as you re-centre yourself.

They’re so strong, god get it together. You’re a mess, you think to yourself.

‘Do you want to hold onto my arm and I’ll support you with my arm around your back?,’

They ask, arm moving firmly around your back as they move you into your side. They pick your bag up from beside the desk in their other hand.

You nod and grasp firmly around their bicep, other hand holding their soft knit jumper to your forehead.

They support you down the corridor and out into the car pack, the cool breeze a relief against your flushed cheeks, not sure if from the accident or the warmth of their body against yours, strong, sturdy and supportive.

They’re an inch or two inches taller than you in your docs, so you slot comfortably into the side of their body as you walk along.

They lead you over to their jeep, popping the locks and opening the door for you. They drop your bag in the footwell and help you up into the passenger seat. The leather seats were cool through your jeans and blazer and you rested your head against the rest. The throb in your head steady, you close your eyes relishing the coolness.

‘Hey, no sleeping beauty,’ Charlie murmured as they started the car from the drivers seat, and angled the air con to gently blow in your direction before pulling out of the carpark toward the hospital.

You opened your eyes and took the opportunity to take in their profile from your seat.

Glasses sat perfectly their nose, accentuated their chiseled jaw line and the graduated fade of their hair, you could see a small mole or freckle on their scalp through the closely shaven hair.

There hands were still bare from gloves and you could see colourful tattoos on the backs of them, a small red woodland creature on one and a bright blue bird on the other. The fingers on the hand closest to you sat on the gear stick and you could see they spelt out STAY, you couldn’t quite see the other side.

You reach out with your free hand and run a finger along the back of the hand over the kingfisher that decorated it.

‘These are beautiful, why do you hide them?’

You speak quietly, scared to disturb the comfortable silence that surrounds you, only the smooth growl of the engine as background.

Charlie shrugged glancing over at you, ‘I guess I’m worried that most people see them as unprofessional. I’m already weird in some people’s eyes, always worried about what parents would think about someone like me teaching their kids. Add being tattooed to that and even some teachers would have stuff to say about it. Can you imagine Barbara seeing me like this?’

You chuckled, ‘Barbara ain’t as stuffy as you think, unless you got Bitch tattooed across your chest.’

‘Do I want to know?’

‘Parent with a tattoo, turns out she’s actually super supportive of the school, gets involved all the time.’

‘No nothing like that. Mainly animals and powerful women really. We’re here.’

Charlie popped the door and ran round to help you from your side, and into the emergency room. They helped you to a seat before popping to the reception to check you in and bring the paperwork over you’d need to fill in. Looking around it was pretty quiet, guess that’s the benefit of a Monday afternoon injury you thought.

You filled in the paperwork, Charlie holding the jumper to your head as you worked through the form.

‘Schemmenti!’ Called the Doctor.

‘Will ya come in with me? I don’t really like needles.’ You asked.

‘Of course I will.’

You sat whilst the doctor did the usual tests, shining lights in your eyes, asking questions, before beginning to clean up the blood from your face.

‘I’m going to need to numb the area and then clean it before stitching you up.’

Charlie scooted their chair closer to you, and took your hand in theirs. You squeezed as the Dr injected the anaesthetic into your hairline, before beginning to clean out the cut.

‘So with head injuries like this, we would recommend having someone with you to wake you every few hours for the first 24 hours, just as a precaution. Do you have someone at home?’

‘Jacobs away tonight and tomorrow he’s staying at his parents place, it’s his mums birthday.’

Charlie squeezed your hand again, ‘You can stay with me, if you want to?’

‘I wouldn’t like to impose.’

‘It’s no imposition. I’d worry about you.’

‘You’re all sorted then. You can take pain killers as normal. I’d recommend every 3 hours to be woken. Keep an eye on any changes in behaviour. Any problems come back in.’

[schemmentisjacket]

Chapter 5 - First Day pt 2

Authors Note: Little something something about non binary queer new teacher coming in, leading to Melissa finding the one.

The thing about kids is, as much as they’re interested in something, that interest moves on quickly. They’re also open minded and untainted by the world.

So when Charlie tells them they can call them ‘Dr Flinn or just Flinn, no need for Mr or Miss’ they do. When they’re interested in the gloves Flinn wears and they say ‘They keep my hands warm’ thats also enough.

And like that the lessons pass, some kids wrangle them into a ball game during break, Melissa and Barbara watching from their spot on duty.

Jacob calls you over to sit with him during lunch exchanging more details of the potential first date with Ant and his excitement about that.

The day seemingly uneventful until story time, two periods before the end of the day. The four graders are quietly invested in reading to themselves when a shout echos from across the hall. Suddenly a student bursts through your doors ‘Miss Schemmenti is hurt!’ They exclaim, eyes tearful in that way kids get when they’re faced with something unexpected.

You’re immediately on your feet, directing two of your pupils, ‘Fetch Mrs Howard and Mr Eddie,’ you instruct them calmly, knowing they’re the closest classrooms to yours and Melissas.

‘Everyone keep reading, I’ll be back.’

You walk briskly across the hall, despite your heart pounding in your chest, you hide the panic from the children. Heading into Melissa’s classroom, you spot a board pen on the floor near to the front desk, and the fiery hair on the back of Mel’s head just above the surface. You head towards the desk quickly and drop down behind it next to her away from the kids view.

Melissa was looking at you with slightly unfocused eyes, blood running down the side of her face from a gash in her hairline.

Without thinking you pull off your gloves and toss them on the floor, followed by removing your jumper, that you bunch pressing it up against her head carefully. ‘You know I’m not this kind of Doctor?’ You chuckle to her quietly, as her eyes run across your exposed arms and hands, with your jumper off you were left in a short sleeve shirt, your heavily tattooed flesh exposed to the world. She reached out to touch you. ‘I just wanted to get your top off,’ she chuckled breathily, before the classroom door bursts open and Barbara and Gregory enter.

You carefully pop your head above the desk, ‘Mrs Howard if you could take Melissas class and Mr Eddie if you could take my class please, that would be wonderful, could you let Ava know that Myself and Miss Schemmenti will be unavailable for the rest of the day.’

You turn your attention back to Melissa as the students file from the room.

‘Well it worked. You want to tell me what happened?’

You could see the shock off the fall wearing from her face as she looked at you intensely ‘Kid must’av dropped a marker and I slipped, caught my head on the desk on the way down.

You careful moved the jumper from her head to access the damage. Stitches would be needed. You took her hand and used it to hold the jumper back in place.

‘Looks like you get the rest of the day off and a trip to the accident room with me.’ You smile and stand, tucking your gloves into your back pocket. ‘Stay there and keep that pressure on, I’ll go grab my coat and bag and then we’ll get out off here.’

You sprinted out of there returning a moment later. Coat and backpack on.

M:

You couldn’t believe the last five minutes. Going from teaching to being on the floor bleeding. Then the new teacher you’d began to crush on comes running in like a knight in armer. Whipping off their jumper without a second thought other than making sure you were okay. And they were even hotter than you had imagined beneath those hoodies and jumpers. Tattoos running from their finger and hands all the way disappeared beneath the tight short sleeves of their dress shirt.

Your head was throbbing, but you were subtly aware of a dull throb stirring much lower down.