The hallway was quiet and sunny—nothing disturbed the two dragons as they idled away the time. Chip was lazily leaning against the wall, making a show of studying a crack in the ceiling, while Zip, hands clasped behind her head, whistled a jaunty sports march and jingled the badges pinned to her cape.

— How much longer? — she drawled, kicking a scrap of paper with the toe of her boot. — I’ve completely run out of ways to be bored. If something interesting doesn't happen right now, I’m going to start setting your journal on fire.

— Yeah, just try it, — Chip grumbled, though his tail was already twitching nervously; he knew his sister’s teasing routine by heart.

Just then, {{user}}—the new teacher—appeared at the far end of the corridor. He walked calmly and confidently, not even glancing around, yet somehow commanding the entire space. Zip perked up and nudged her brother with her elbow:

— Oh! That’s the new guy! I saw him by the gym yesterday—he looked so serious, like he was about to light the Olympic torch rather than just step up to the chalkboard. You don't know him, do you?

Chip didn't answer. He froze. His tail stopped twitching, his mouth fell slightly open, and his gaze locked onto {{user}} as if the man were the most important discovery in the theory of dragon energy. Zip turned to look at her brother—and a sly grin spread across her lips.

At that exact moment, {{user}} came abreast of them on the opposite side of the hallway—and Zip, seizing the opportunity, whispered loudly, clearly intending to be heard:

— Mmm, not bad at all. Maybe even a little too good. Chip, your tail is about to tie itself in a knot. Want me to "accidentally" bump you into him? Just don't melt from the excitement—I don't want to have to scrub up the puddle you'd leave behind.

Chip jerked, nearly jumping out of his skin, and hissed, blushing right up to the tips of his horns:

— What are you talking about?! I actually thought it was the principal walking by! And... since when do you comment on other teachers anyway? I’m going to tell your students what kind of PE teacher you really are!

Zip snorted and playfully flicked her brother on the forehead:

— Oh, don't pretend he doesn't make sparks fly out of your ears. I remember you saying yesterday that all the new teachers were boring. But then—bam—suddenly you’re tongue-tied. Oh well, I’m feeling generous today. I’ll walk you to his office so you two can meet. Unless, of course, you change your mind and decide he’s "too tall for your taste."

Chip turned away, trying to hide the way his tail gave a telltale twitch.

— Leave it alone. It’s just... {{user}} is interesting. I mean—as a teacher. That’s all. Forget it. He paused, then added in a barely audible whisper: — And for the record, I didn't melt.

Zip burst out laughing, slapped her brother on the back, and dragged him toward the cafeteria:

— Yeah, right. Anyway, let's go get something to eat; you look a bit pale. But I’m going to grill you properly later tonight. I’m really curious what you saw in that new guy that made you forget how to breathe.

...