Chapter Text
“Okay everyone, as you are now juniors, most of your credits this year will come from student teaching in the local public schools. There will be two people assigned to each school. Please look over the handout for your school and partner assignment.” Professor Lan Qiren announced authoritatively to the class.
Star student Lan Wangji walked around the classroom handing out assignment sheets to students. He was enrolled in the teaching program at the same university where his uncle taught, planning to follow in his uncle’s footsteps. He had always loved hanging out with kids more than hanging with people his own age and wanted to please his uncle at the same time.
Lan Wangji walked down the rows of chairs and was unsurprised when he reached Wei Wuxian’s desk. Instead of listening to the lecture, he was busy drawing in his journal. However, these drawings weren’t the typical sketches one would find in the margins of the notebook, but rather artwork one would find in a museum. Lan Wangji always stole a peek at Wuxian’s notebook whenever he walked around handing out papers.
The class went on for 45 more minutes, going over the expectations for student teaching and the report that would have to be given at the end of the semester on what they learned.
After class was dismissed Professor Lan called Lan Wangji up to his desk.
“Mr. Lan, I assigned you to the school on the south side, Sagebrush Elementary. The school is lacking funding and is in need of a lot of good teachers for these kids. Do your best there to give them a proper education.”
“I understand.”
“Also, I assigned your partner to be Mr. Wei. Keep an eye on him, and don’t let him teach his crazy ideas to the kids.”
“I understand.”
“He can be a handful sometimes, and honestly I feel like he should be one of the students and not a teacher. Just set a good example for him, while you are with him okay.”
“I understand”
Lan Wangji turned and walked out of the classroom, a faint smile on his lips.
- -
“I can’t believe I got my first teaching assignment and I am stuck with that goody two shoes.” Wei Wuxian moaned as he bounced the basketball.
“Hey at least you’ll still be in different classrooms, so you won’t see him all the time.” Jiang Cheng piped up while stealing the basketball from a distracted Wuxian.
“Maybe if you get on Lan Wangji’s good side, he can help you get brownie points with his uncle. Maybe help raise that grade?” Huaisang commented from the sidelines.
It was Sunday night, and the next day would be the first day of student teaching. Wuxian was looking forward to it, but he was torn on the inside. On one hand he would be teaching with Mr. Perfect, so no matter what, his performance will always be lacking in comparison. On the other hand, though, there was something about Lan Wangji that intrigued him. He had always wanted to be friends with him, but didn’t know a good way to approach him. This gave him a chance to hang out with Lan Wangji outside of class. Who knows maybe they could become friends yet.
Plus the student-teacher arrangement wasn’t all bad. The school had contacted them and had given them their room assignments. Wei Wuxian would be teaching in the art room while Wangji would be in 3rd grade. Wei Wuxian would be teaching his favorite subject, while also seeing Lan Wangji interact with students everyday.
Wei Wuxian turned his attention back to the game. Whatever happened tomorrow he, was sure he could deal with it when the time came.
- -
Lan Wangji woke up earlier than usual on Monday. He showered and ate his breakfast while reading over the email from the school one last time before he left. He grabbed his backpack and headed to the bus stop. Normally Lan Wangji went everywhere in his car, however, he researched the school and found there was limited parking with a high amount of car break-ins. He figured it would be more beneficial to take the bus.
The Lans were a very successful family. Lan Wangji’s parents were able to send him to the best private schools growing up and they often took family vacations across the globe. However, because of this, he lacked the skills needed to ride the bus. He did buy a bus pass the day before, but he didn’t know how to swipe it when he got on the bus. The people behind him grew impatient and internally Lan Wangji was embarrassed because his book smarts weren't able to help him in this situation.
Eventually, everyone got on the bus and it started moving. Lan Wangji was unprepared when the bus lurched forward and he almost fell on an elderly lady's lap. Internally he was debating if the bus was worth it or if he should just drive his car and deal with the theft.
The bus came to a halt and more people got on. Lan Wangji was trying hard to find his balance and he didn’t see Wei Wuxian get on. The bus started going again and as Lan Wangji’s balance shifted backwards he felt someone grab his backpack straps to pull him forward.
“Careful there. I’m sure you’re a little too old to be sitting on grandma’s lap.”
Lan Wangji looked and sure enough, there was Wei Wuxian smiling at him while helping him regain his balance. But soon after, the bus came to a halt at the next stop and sent Lan Wangji flying into Wei Wuxian’s chest.
“I also think you are too old to sit in my lap.” Wei Wuxian commented. “Here it helps if you hold onto this bar to keep your balance while the bus starts and stops.”
Wei Wuxian grabbed Lan Wangji’s hand and placed it on the bar hanging from the ceiling, then placed his hand right next to it. When the bus started moving, Lan Wangji was able to use his arm strength to keep himself balanced. However, his attention soon focused on how close Wei Wuxian was and how loud his heart was beating. He hoped no one could hear it.
“This is your first time on a bus I’m assuming.”
“Mmn”
“You’ll get the hang of it before the semester is over.”
“Mmn”
As Wei Wuxian kept rambling, Lan Wangji realized if he took the bus, he could ride with Wei Wuxian every day they went to student teaching, giving him more opportunities to see him.
Lan Wangji grew up very isolated with few friends, so he didn’t understand why he was so interested in Wei Wuxian. Ever since freshman orientation, where Wei Wuxian volunteered to be the one to receive a pie in the face instead of one of the female teammates when his team lost, Lan Wangji couldn’t get him out of his mind.
It wasn’t like he didn’t try to get close either, but Wei Wuxian normally bolted after class to hang out with his friends or always chose someone else to work with when they chose partners for class assignments.
Sure his uncle may have assigned Wei Wuxian and himself to the same school because he didn’t trust him and wanted Lan Wangji to look after him. But secretly Lan Wangji was happy to finally have a chance to work with Wei Wuxian and maybe get to know him a bit better.
“Next Stop. Pheasant Run Park” the broken speaker on the bus announced.
“This is our stop.” Wei Wuxian stated, breaking Lan Wangji out of the thoughts running through his head. They both deboarded the bus and walked across the park to the school.