Chapter Text
---RE---
Teaching, even to Simon, seemed like such a strange profession for him to work towards - especially when taking into consideration the fact that he had spent most of his 'adult' life injecting himself with all sorts of things.
It seemed even stranger considering the fact that Simon had managed to get a full-time teaching position just a year into his sobriety. All it took was a charming smile and a lie: “No, Sir, I have never used any narcotics.”
The very first class of his first day was a breeze, though maybe that was because of the lack of numbers actually taking ‘The Philosophy of Religious Politics’. There had been five in the morning class, sadly, although apparently his next class would be a degree more numerous - according to the roster at least. Simon smiled, lifting his black suit shoes onto the table in front of him with legs idly crossed. He pulled the pill tin out of his desk table, inhaling softly, before placing one between his lips and swallowing. Antidepressants were taken out of habit rather than necessity, since they didn't seem to be working. He shrugged, throwing the tablets back into the drawer and pushing it to a close.
---
‘[RE:] ….’
Simon Monroe.
Probably French. The philosophy types always were. ‘Monroe’. Kieren attempted to conjure an image that wasn’t fantastical and purely abstract, that fit that kind of name, and managed a withered face drawn with lines and wrinkles and the kind of frown like a smear of ink that never washed out. He got that far before adding, mentally, an odd, askew and decidedly racist moustache and instead, turned his focus for a moment from the empty email box to the book on his desk: Religious Politics Through the Ages. Then the book atop it, Art and History.
Kieren leant forward in his chair, exhaling out a sigh and running his fingers through his hair. He’d have no time to grab food today if he attended Simon’s lecture, and nothing on this Earth could make him stay for an hour in a cold lecture hall listening to philosophy about absolutely nothing.
[TO: Simon Monroe]
[RE: Lecture]
Won’t be in today, really sorry. Feeling under the weather, there’s flu going around. Might not be in tomorrow either. When can I pick up the work?
-Kieren Walker.
The email notification pinged on his desktop, causing Simon to lift a brow. He sighed through his nostrils at the email. So, his number had dwindled. After a moment, Simon stretched his fingers, composing his reply.
[TO: Kieren Walker}
[RE: Lecture]
Thanks for letting me know. If you’re on campus at all today I can just hand you what I’ve prepared physically. Otherwise just email me when you’re free and I can make myself available.
-Simon :)
Kieren arched a thin brow in regards to the smiley face at the end of his email. Not to mention how quickly the reply came. He sucked in his cheeks for a moment.
[TO: Simon Monroe]
[RE: Lecture]
You replied really fast. I won’t be outside but I live on campus, I could fetch it at the end of the next lesson I’m in. Sorry, again.
If you need me to read up on anything let me know
-Kieren :)
Simon smiled softly at the screen, stretching his legs on the desk to regain a more comfortable seating position. He pulled the laptop onto his lap.
[TO: Kieren Walker]
[RE: Get better soon]
I was just sitting in front of the laptop, to be honest.
There’s not really much to do.
This was just going to be an introductory lesson.
So since you’re not here;
Hey. I’m Simon Monroe, your new, amazing teacher.
I’m adding a couple of things to the reading list, but I’ve brought a few copies to use in class if you can’t get a hold of them
The Communist Manifesto- Karl Marx,
A Theory of Justice- John Rawls
And The Republic by Plato.
-Simon :)
Kieren snorted out through his nose and hunched over in his chair, leaning an elbow on the desk to support his chin. The image of the age worn French miser shifted a little, the frown gone.
[TO: Simon Monroe]
[RE: Thanks]
I’ll ebay them. I love philosophy, just so you know, can’t get enough of it - can’t wait to read those books
I hope you have a good first lecture!
-Kieren :)