Post by Bobby Castellano on Sept 24, 2014 3:22:00 GMT -6
The gym was a fully equipped room that Bobby gladly spent most of his time in. Today was no different. The good thing about being the martial arts instructor was that he actually had a lot of free time. Sure he needed to design classes every now and then but those came easy for him and he did them every night before he went to bed.
Another good thing about his job was that he would always be available to any student who needed training from him at any time of the day. Just like now. He was warming up in the corner with a speeding bag, taking his time with it in the empty room.
He had put on some classic rock on his iPod that were attached to speakers as he worked up a sweat.
With his back to the door, he wouldn't really be aware of anyone coming in until they made their presence known. As it were, someone was entering the gym. Bobby just wasn't aware of it.
Post by François Laffont on Sept 26, 2014 12:55:36 GMT -6
Franck wasn’t normally the kind to just go running over to find out if a rumour was true. But he couldn’t help his curiosity. He had been told they had a new martial arts instructor. At this news, of course, Franck only shrugged and asked why he should really care about this. It wasn’t like he was much into martial arts and even if that might be a nice addition to his routine to keep in shape, he still didn’t see why he should really care about a new instructor. He was then said he should look for himself and he would understand. And boy, had his friend been right!
Franck decided that, why not, he should look, since he was told to. The hint to check the oh so sexy new teacher couldn’t be ignored. He did think for a second that he might look dumb if said teacher caught him there. It wasn’t like he went to the gym for any other reason. He didn’t even have his gym clothes with him. He didn’t think this whole plan through enough to give himself an excuse for being there, obviously.
Anyway, Franck thought about it too late, as he was already walking into the gym. There was someone, an adult, working out. Was this the teacher in question? He approached and looked at the man and, mostly at the muscles rolling with his every move as he kept hitting the bag. My, they weren’t entirely wrong. The man was hot. It was almost a surprise he didn’t have to push his way through a crowd of hormonal schoolgirls. Franck felt attraction pretty quickly and he had to remind himself that this was silly. The man was obviously near thirty of age and a teacher. And probably straight. Because you couldn’t look this good and be gay, it would be just too awesome for him.
Time to leave. He didn’t want to disturb the man, even though he would love to stay there and watch him train for a little while. Franck turned around only to hit against some of the equipment. Had it been only the pommel horse, it wouldn’t be too bad but his foot also hit some weight nearby and it made some noise. Great. He was the best spy ever.
Post by Bobby Castellano on Sept 26, 2014 22:57:44 GMT -6
It was when Bobby was turning around to get to the weights that he heard the noises coming from behind him, alerting him to a new presence. Frowning, he tilted his head to see where it was coming from only to find a young guy near the weights looking like a deer caught in the headlights.
Grabbing his face towel, Bobby wiped his face and approached the other guy with a small crease in his forehead.
"Can I help you?" He asked with a small jerk of his head. He hung his towel around his neck and stopped in front of the guy, bending down to pick the weights that had dropped to the floor, putting it back into their slots. "Are you here to train?"
Post by François Laffont on Sept 28, 2014 10:44:45 GMT -6
Just great. Franck never meant to be spotted here. He actually felt like a little child caught red handed after he broke a vase or something. He didn't even need to turn to tell the teacher must have heard that and be staring in his direction right now. He grimaced but tried to look as if nothing happened as he turned once again in the man’s direction. Yep, he was staring at him, a light frown on his face.
Franck froze there as the man came his way. It didn't matter what he should say, the only thing he thought about was not to stare too much. He kept telling himself not to look at the shirt clinging onto the muscles, not to look at that towel hanging around his neck and broad shoulders, in fact, not looking at him at all. Seriously, that was ridiculous, there wasn’t a single spot out of this man that was safe to look at!
As he asked if he was here to train, Franck finally stopped staring blankly in front of him and shook himself up. Right, he needed an excuse now. He gave the teacher a sheepish smile. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I can’t find my watch and I’m just retracing my steps to find it. I didn't expect someone to be here. I can come back later,” he said, his hands gesturing towards the exit door, ready to leave right now. Or to let the floor open under him and swallow him whole. Anything as long as he was not standing here feeling like an idiot with the worst excuse ever. “You’re the new teacher, right?” he asked out, hoping that it might help make them both forget that he most likely didn’t lose his watch over here.
Post by Bobby Castellano on Sept 29, 2014 0:38:35 GMT -6
Frowning just slightly at the boy's stunned expression, Bobby wondered why he was avoiding eye contact. If it really was because of a lost watch, he wouldn't be this...guilty-looking.
"You don't have to go. It's not like you're bothering my punching a speed bag." He shrugged with a ghost of a smile on his lips.
Narrowing his eyes at the question, Bobby shrugged once more. "I wouldn't say new. I've been here for a few months but I'm just getting my bearings as the gym teacher, yeah." He smiled lightly.
"You want me to help you look for your watch? I got time to spare."
Post by François Laffont on Sept 29, 2014 9:22:04 GMT -6
Oh right, it wasn’t like he was much of a disturbance to the teacher. Unless he wanted to train in secret, which, let’s be honest, would be a bit stupid. And hard to do in a school filled with students and staff. Although right now he was the one who felt stupid. That totally made sense that he was looking for a watch if the simple fact someone was training had him run away. Without knowing him, that teacher was probably thinking he was up to no good or something like that. Well, at least he wouldn’t think he came only to check on him, there was that.
“Oh, right. I’m sorry, it’s just... well, I don’t live at the school so I probably didn't catch you much,” he said. His nerves had his French accent show a bit more than usual. He couldn’t control it as well as he normally would. Was the teacher suspecting him of lying? Probably. He wasn’t doing a very good job at looking convincing.
What did he say, help with the watch? “Oh no, no, it’s fine. I’ll just... look if it’s not around and I’ll leave you to your training,” he told him. How silly it was, to come here and spy on the teacher! And now he was caught up in his lie. As he moved to check in the opposite direction of the teacher, he turned his head once in a while to check on him. “You’re a trainer or a teacher, by the way?” He didn't really care knowing he just found the silence too awkward knowing why he came here for in reality.
Post by Bobby Castellano on Oct 2, 2014 14:40:10 GMT -6
"Oh, okay. You're a townie." Bobby nodded in acknowledgement, though he did find it a little odd considering gym was still mandatory for all students. Unless this one was college aged?
The accent was definitely noticeable and Bobby was tempted to continue whatever conversation they were having in French. He seemed rather flustered though and Bobby didn't want to be the reason it flared up.
"I'm due for a break anyway." The instructor gave a crooked smile before nodding in acknowledgement to the question. "I'm the gym teacher, essentially. But I am also specifically a martial arts instructor. So I hold private or group sessions if anyone is interested." He paused and jerked his head towards the younger male. "You interested?"
Bobby walked over to where he had placed his bag and produced the bottle of chilled water and took a huge gulp of it.
Post by François Laffont on Oct 3, 2014 19:40:11 GMT -6
Franck blinked at first as he was called a townie. “Oh, you mean I live in town? Yes, yes I do,” he replied. For a second, he thought he meant he was from the town, as if, a native from here. That was not the case. But, of course, he meant he lived in town and that was accurate. He knew a lot of people found it weird, considering most students lived here, at the school. But his father came along with him and Franck couldn’t bring himself to live here, no matter how safer that would be. He knew the man would be worried sick and he couldn’t let that happen. Besides, there were buses to take him there whenever he wanted.
Franck was kind of surprised he didn’t know he was the gym teacher. He probably had another one before. Then again, as the man pointed out he specified in martial arts, he figured that explained everything. Franck did not have that class, it would explain why he seemed so new to him. He froze as he was asked if he was interested in private or group sessions. Oh God yes! Did he say this out loud? No, he didn’t. Thank goodness for that. It was kind of best he had no private lesson with that guy. It would be like asking the other boys to spend an hour with that hot French teacher without imagining her with her clothes off. Not a good idea.
Of course, he couldn’t say that to him. But he needed to say something. Franck looked away, figuring he froze for way too long over such a simple question. “Hm, I’m not much of a fighter,” he replied. He knew what his body looked like but he didn’t get it by punching a bag or practicing kicks in someone else’s face.
Post by Bobby Castellano on Oct 5, 2014 9:15:13 GMT -6
Bobby laughed lightly, nodding as the boy seemed to be confused by the question. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised. The boy was French and that terminology wasn't that widespread. "Would it be easier for you if we conversed in French?" Bobby asked in the boy's native tongue, hoping it would lessen the boy's discomfort.
The response he got from the boy had Bobby nodding in acknowledgement. "A lot of martial arts is not about fighting though." Bobby clarified. "It's self-defense, it's art...poetry in motion. And really, it's much like exercise. It trains your body to move and it also helps with your co-ordination and patience to be perfectly honest." He shrugged.
"I'm not pressuring you to join, don't worry." He teased a little with a small smile.
Post by François Laffont on Oct 8, 2014 9:04:49 GMT -6
Franck stood with wide eyes when the teacher suggested they talked in French instead. He had grown used to being about the only one around here who spoke that language, well, with the French teacher also, that is. He certainly didn’t expect the man to know French. He knew it was wrong to assume that because he was American he only spoke English but Franck always assumed that. Even though they could learn other languages here. “Oh no, no, it’s fine. It’s just... well at first I thought you meant if I was a native of Kalispell, then I realised you meant that I lived in town,” he explained. Why did he think that? Sure Franck didn't always get the expressions but this one was relatively easy. Must have been the nerves. Or the fact he couldn’t really think straight at the moment. Or both.
It was kind of annoying to think that Franck had spent most of his adolescence not going through silly schoolboy crushes to get one now. He knew it was arguably untrue, he had several but he never thought he looked this ridiculous before. Franck only nodded as he explained what martial arts really was. Exercise. Well, he wasn’t quite against that, as his silhouette showed. He was more the runner/swimmer type of person but some more muscles wouldn’t hurt, wouldn’t it? In a way, he was tempted but he wanted to make sure he could actually focus first.
He chuckled as the teacher smiled to him. “It’s okay. I’ll think about it,” he replied. At this point, Franck had totally forgotten what he pretended to be here for.
Post by Bobby Castellano on Oct 8, 2014 10:00:13 GMT -6
Bobby nodded and let out an 'Ah' of understanding. "I guess I should have known not to use something relatively American with someone who isn't American?" He went back to speaking English.
The boy still seemed very nervous and Bobby wanted to know why. The curiosity was killing him.
Nodding at the younger man's response, he moved forward and offered his hand for a shake. "Bobby Castellano. Pleasure to meet you."
Post by François Laffont on Oct 9, 2014 20:12:00 GMT -6
Franck smiled to the teacher. He expected people to make fun of him, to dislike his accent or be annoyed that, even after five years, he still couldn’t get every expression they had. But people weren’t like that. They proved to be very understanding, for the most part. Sure, there were some who found his accent funny and others who’d find it amusing or annoying when he couldn’t get something. They sure laughed, though not in a mean way, when they started to use baseball metaphors to talk of dating. How was he supposed to know what second base meant? He asked, he was explained what it meant and that was it. Now, about answering the question, that was a whole other matter.
“No, it’s me. I should have known this much. I guess I was not focusing enough to get it at first, I’m sorry about that,” he replied. He didn’t want to sound rude or act like the teenage boy who obviously had no reason to listen to his teacher but it was better than the other option. Somehow, telling the man he couldn’t get what he meant at first because he was too busy imagining what those muscles looked like without any shirt covering them didn't sound like that good of an idea.
He finally got a name, so Franck will not have to say the hot gym teacher should he ever refer to him to his friends. Bobby. Was it for Robert or was he really named Bobby? Not like he felt like asking. He shouldn’t talk anyway, he had everyone call him Franck instead of François. He hesitated at first, staring at the extended hand. “Franck,” he introduced himself as. He was about to take Bobby’s hand but pulled it back. “I feel like I should tell you. It’s just, I’m an empath. It’s not like it’s any big deal to you but I don’t really like shaking hands with people without them knowing it’s just an open door to have me know about everything they’re feeling. It feels like prying,” he explained. Again, he didn’t want to sound rude. Bobby most certainly had nothing to hide but he preferred to let the man choose whether or not he wanted to shake his hand, knowing that.
Post by Bobby Castellano on Oct 11, 2014 12:21:53 GMT -6
Wondering why he wasn't focusing, though almost getting why by piecing some information from his body language, Bobby was slowly smiling, though he really shouldn't be making fun of the kid. "Don't worry about that, really. Easy mistake to make." He shrugged.
When he hesitated to take Bobby's hand, the soldier tilted his head slightly in confusion, almost withdrawing his hand before shaking his head and shrugging. "Mind's a vault, kid. Learned how to compartmentalise emotions and thoughts long before I got here." He grinned and extended his hand once more.
"Franck the French. Good to meet you." When Franck finally, if he did, shake his hand, Bobby would give him a brisk tug, before releasing it. "So, does your watch have sentimental value?" He asked, not knowing what else to say since the boy was not there for training.
Post by François Laffont on Oct 14, 2014 9:08:16 GMT -6
Franck was the first to say he was ridiculous. Seriously, it wasn’t the first handsome teacher they got and he should have known better than to sneak in just to look at him. Sure, Bobby was a delight to look at. But Franck couldn’t help thinking on just how inappropriate this all was. It wasn’t like he came here, expecting anything to happen but he shouldn’t have been here to begin with. And since there was such a thing as karma, he was now paying for it, having to wiggle his way out without looking too much of a fool. Yeah, that was not a success.
Bobby didn’t seem to mind whether or not he could read his feelings. He claimed he wouldn’t get much, or at least it was what Franck got from his words. “I still prefer to ask when I can. Not everyone likes someone read their emotions,” he explained. He knew he would still get something out of the man. It was impossible to hide everything as you always felt something, no matter how small or insignificant it was. But Franck shook his hand anyway. He chuckled at the way he called him. The man gave him his full name but Franck only went for his nickname. “It’s Laffont. François Laffont,” he said, giving the man a small smile as he talked. He shouldn’t smile too much, he was able to turn it into a stupid grin without even realising it.
Franck blinked as he was asked about the watch. He nearly asked what watch he was talking about. Of course, that watch, the nonexistent one! It was a good thing Franck wasn’t wearing any at his wrist right now. “No, not really. But it’s not like I have a hundred of those,” he answered. God, he was so terrible at lying. He was certain Bobby could see through his lies and it only embarrassed him further. Luckily, he had an excuse not to stare at the man and look at the ground instead. He had to look for that nonexistent watch. “What kind of martial arts you’re teaching? Like kung fu and all or more like boxing?” he asked. The silence was too awkward, he had the feeling Bobby was staring at him, knowing he wasn’t here for a watch.
Post by Bobby Castellano on Oct 14, 2014 15:22:18 GMT -6
Bobby nodded with an impressed smile. A kid who was conscientious about other people. It was rare in kids his age and Bobby couldn't help but applaud the young man. "That's very thoughtful of you."
The boy offered his full name and Bobby thought though unnecessary, it was actually quite polite of him to have done so. His parents must have done something right by him.
There was a hesitation in Franck that confirmed Bobby's suspicions and he rubbed his forehead out of habit, a smirk ghosting his lips for a second before it was gone again. He supposed he should have said something to discourage anything in the future but really, the boy seemed harmless. He didn't seem the type to push something that was hardly there.
"Ah well. I hope you find it." The soldier nodded. Franck's question brought another smile on his face. "It's a mix of a lot of things. I don't have a concentration perse. It really all depends on the student." He paused for a bit before continuing. "If you're interested at all, I do both private and group sessions. I cater to the students, not the other way around."