Chapter 4

He got up at 6 a.m. to walk Zero for a short while. Afterwards he changed and started eating his breakfast. Zero, sensing something was going to happen couldn't keep still, wagging his tail excitedly. Than the door bell rang at 7 a.m. sharp.

Zero immediately leapt up and stood barking behind the door. "Zero, quiet!", Alex shouts startled. This was really uncharacteristical behaviour but it seems his excitement rubbed off on the dog. Alex didn't bother brushing his teeth or combing his hair. He still has half an hour and the guy in the suit will not care and Peter even less.

He opened the door, keeping an eye on Zero who sits directly behind him his tail wagging like crazy, the dog ready to bolt at the slightest commando. "Zero, down! You are too excited." Only when his dog complied he looked up. He blinked in surprise. In front of him stood a young man in his late 20ies, wearing jeans and t-shirt.

Expecting some guy in a suit Alex frowns, but than he heard a small familiar voice "Good morning, teacher Alex." In reflex he replies "Good morning, Peter.", than looked at the young man again. Now noticing his face he knows he can never unnotice it again.

This man was nothing less than gorgeous. Ashen blond hair in wild curls, green eyes and a face to die for. The t-shirt clad body was lean, yet muscular, the hips and long legs perfectly accentuated by the jeans. Alex gulps before focusing back on the strangers eyes right in time to hear him speak "So you are the young teacher, good morning. I wanted to thank you for caring so much for my Peter." A wave of disappointment crashes through Alex. Of course the gorgeous guy would be Peter's father. With this he has to revert to "Looking, not touching." Suppressing the deep sigh he forces himself to get back his bearings. "Good morning, my name is Alex. You are Peter's parent, I presume? Please come in." Before hearing his fears being confirmed he ushers both of them in.

"Please have a seat." He gestures to his kitchen table where there are still the remains of his breakfast. But before tidying up he sits across from father and son and starts "I guess you have been informed about what happened yesterday…?" He questioningly looks at the father.

"Yes, my subordinate told me. I can't deny these rumours and now they are affecting Peter." Before he could speak on Alex cuts him off "I honestly don't really care if the rumours are true. Kids are kids and should be judged separately from their parents."

He could see a surprised look on the others face but continued speaking "My plan is for the kids to temporarily forget about the rumours and to start playing with Peter again. Everything else will develop itself after that."

"But they told me they don't like me and that I am scum." The last part could only barely be heard since Peter's voice trailed of. "Peter, please don't…" the father starts but Alex cuts in "Peter, you remember what I told you yesterday?" his voice firm, centering all of Peter's attention on him. "You … will be my ally. And we will work hard to make friends again." With each word Peter gains a bit of his conviction. Looking up out of eyes with a last hint of doubt and fear he adds "Right…?".

Alex only stays calm and meets the gaze of this child that has to face its first great trial. "Yes."

The sound lingers a bit between them. It seems like a promise was made that neither of them takes lightly. The father just looks slightly surprised but decides to keep silent for now.

"Okay, Peter, here is the plan." Alex breaks the silence. "We will use Zero to divert their attention and as a special support for you." With this Peter's eyes brighten noticeably. "Zero!? I can play with him?" "Not only that. We will have a lesson about dogs today and you will give him the commands to match the lesson." Alex sees how doubt clouds Peter's eyes. "But I have never given him commands."

"That's okay. I will tell you the commands and you just have to make sure to say them with a firm voice." A little of doubt still left in Peter's eyes Alex looks down on him "I believe you can do it. Will you do it?" Hearing the commanding voice Peter straightens his back, deeply inhales and replies "Yes, teacher." "Good", Alex can't help but smile.

He then proceeds to teach Peter the commands and leave a sheet with them written on with his father. "Okay, I still got 15minutes to tidy my kitchen and myself up. I leave the three of you to practice." He still tries to avoids the father's gaze, Peter was what was important right now.