Episode 3 of "English Teacher" kicks off with an unexpected collision between Evan and Harry at the gym, setting the stage for an awkward encounter later in the locker room where Evan finds himself face-to-face with Harry's unclothed form. Back at the hallowed halls of academia, Evan confides in Gwen, speculating that Harry's nudity was a calculated move to make a romantic advance. Gwen, however, remains skeptical of such notions.
As Principal Grant dispenses his administrative duties among the faculty, he surprisingly pairs Evan and Harry to collaborate on planning the upcoming homecoming dance. Evan, eager to avoid any misconceptions, attempts to dissuade the principal from this arrangement, but Grant, unfazed, admonishes him against stirring up unnecessary drama.
In the classroom, a twist of fate unfolds when Kayla, a student, reveals her self-diagnosed condition: asymptomatic Tourette's syndrome. Evan, compelled by professional decorum, must navigate this uncharted territory of a pseudo-illness with tact. Afterwards, he vents to Markie, who promptly offers his assistance in navigating the murky waters.
The planning session for the dance, now a dinner date between Evan and Harry, is fraught with tension as Evan struggles to maintain a neutral demeanor, fearful of sending mixed signals. The evening takes an unexpected turn when Malcolm joins them, providing Evan with a convenient escape. Later, amidst intimacy with Malcolm, their conversation drifts back to Harry, with Malcolm dismissing the idea of Harry's romantic interest in Evan.
Back in the classroom, Kayla's fictional ailment has undergone a humorous transformation, now known as "Kayla Syndrome." Markie, having observed the dynamics in Evan's class, reveals the true nature of the situation: a game of popularity and one-upmanship played between Kayla and her friend Chelsea. With Chelsea once reigning supreme in the popularity contest, Kayla concocted this ruse to steal the spotlight. However, Chelsea, through her overt expressions of concern and camaraderie, is reclaiming her status as the center of attention.
The much-anticipated homecoming dance arrives, painting the evening with anticipation. Gwen, ever the voice of reason, endeavors once more to remind Evan that he's misinterpreting Harry's every move. But Harry's interruption, requesting a private word with Evan, ushers them outside the bustling hall.
Under the night sky, Harry confronts Evan about his bizarre behavior, unleashing a torrent of emotions that Evan had kept bottled up. Evan's spiraling thoughts unravel, a maze of fears woven around the prospect of intimacy leading to a romantic entanglement, marriage, and ultimately, the demise of his career aspirations.
Harry, with a gentle firmness, halts Evan's spiral by revealing a startling truth—he has a boyfriend. Evan's countenance instantly contorts into one of horror, as he stammers out an apology, barely allowing Harry a chance to speak, his words tumbling over each other in a frantic rush.
Amidst the twirls and glides of the dance, a surprise announcement echoes: Kayla is named prom queen. Yet, in a poignant gesture of camaraderie, she relinquishes her crown to Chelsea, a testament to their unbreakable bond. It seems Markie's wise counsel—that yielding power publicly is the shrewdest way to retain it—has borne fruit.
Later, Harry and Evan's paths cross again, this time fraught with a new tension. Evan apologizes profusely for his earlier outburst, while Harry admits, with a hint of amusement, that he found it endearing. Harry reveals more, sharing that though he's in a relationship, it's an open one, subtly dropping a hint at his genuine feelings for Evan.
Caught between desire and doubt, Evan gives in to the moment, planting a kiss on Harry's lips before abruptly pulling away. He declares they should erase this from their memories, as if it never happened. Harry, baffled by Evan's contradictory actions, declares him crazy before storming off, leaving the scene at the end of Episode 3 of English Teacher, filled with unresolved emotions and lingering questions.
