Max is surprised

Max decided to grab the sodas and chips he had left in his classroom. Just as he was setting everything out, Tom returned.

"Oh hey, Max. What are you doing here?"

To Max's surprise, Tom gave him a hug. The other man wasn't the type to be physically affectionate. In fact, Max was pretty sure this was the first time he was touching him outside of the handshake they had when they first met.

Tom pulled away, as Max's brain shorted out. "Wait, did you bring me lunch?"

Max pulled himself together and smiled. "Yeah, I forgot to make some copies yesterday and thought I'd get you something as well."

Tom smiled at him. "Thank you so much! I completely forgot to grab something from home. Man, you're a lifesaver."

Max felt his heart speed up, and busied himself with grabbing napkins to distract himself. As they chatted and ate lunch, Max couldn't help but wonder if the book had caused this.

When Tom left to use the bathroom, Max grabbed the book and started writing.

NEW RULE: When saying goodbye and leaving, Tom always gives Max a kiss on the lips.

In Max's mind, it was so out of left field that there was no way it would happen unless the book was able to change reality. And if he was honest with himself, he had enjoyed the hug and wondered if he had a crush on the other man.

Max quickly put the book in his classroom and returned to Tom's classroom. Just like before, Tom immediately went for a hug when he came in. After he returned to his desk, they resumed eating. When they were done, Max offered to throw their trash away and returned to his classroom.

Max made sure that the book was hidden under some papers, then went to the workroom. As he stood at the copy machine, he wondered why Tom hadn't kissed him. He had been looking forward to it. Maybe there were limits to the book? Hmm...

After he returned to his classroom, he reread what he wrote and nearly smacked himself in the forehead. He had written it so that whenever Tom left, he'd do it. Max groaned. Tom was going to be here all day, so he'd have to wait to get a kiss. Fine then, might as well be productive.

Max grabbed his desk chair, laptop, a red pen, and piles of homework. Then, he went through the joint closet to return to Tom's room. Tom looked up from the test he was correcting.

"Hey man, thought I'd join you. Taxidermy animals aren't exactly the most sociable creatures."

Tom smiled. "I wouldn't think they would be."

The two teachers settled into a comfortable silence. After four hours, they were both caught up with their grade books and were ready to call it a day.

"Thanks for letting me hang out with you," Max smiled, as he packed up.

Tom returned the smile. "Yeah, it was nice to have company."

"Let me drop off my stuff, then we can leave together," Max said, as Tom cleaned up his desk.

Max left everything on his classroom, but packed up his laptop and the book. After he had locked the closet door and his classroom door, he joined Tom. As they left the school, they joked around a bit.

When they got to the parking lot to separate, Tom turned to Max. "Anyway, see you Monday."

Tom gave Max a short kiss on the lips, then went to his car.

As Max drove home, he couldn't get the feeling of Tom's lips on his out of his head.