The sky was black outside the windows of Emma Pillsbury's office but she had been so absorbed in designing her pamphlets, that she had only just noticed the lateness of the hour. She had always poured much time and energy into her work, it distracted her from the problems, and slight loneliness in her life. She now felt quite tired, she realised as she blinked-her eyes sore. As she was gathering her belongings and locking the door if her office however, she heard the faint sound of music cascading down the corridor, and she followed it. She recognised the door as soon as she reached it, and the voice before she saw the singer-the Spanish teacher Will Schuester's. Inside she heard him repeating the lyrics of his blaring Journey album. 'Annnnyway you wan' it, that's the whuuy you need it, annnnyway you want it. Oh oh oh oh-'. He stopped, as he heard a light rapping on the door, and slammed the stop button on the CD player. He jumped up, and straightening his tie, swung the door open. 'Oh hey Em, what are you doing here so late?'He smiled at her, relieved, though hastily tucking in his shirt. 'Oh you know just catching up after the winter break,'she said casually. This was a simple lie, she had never fallen behind on any work over the break, but she wanted to sound busy. 'I heard your vocals halfway down the hallway, nice!' He laughed.
'Thanks I used to sing in the high school glee club, but that's about it. I've a ton of papers to grade, they should have been done by today really, but Terri wanted me to cook for her family last night.'
'Oh. Um that's nice,'she always felt awkward at the mention of his wife. The faceless Terri who Emma had never met, but whenever Will mentioned her, it felt she had just personally stabbed her through the heart. 'Sorry I shouldn't whine like that to you, come in.'He paused,'I mean if you want, you don't have to.'
'Sure, you look like you could do with a hand. Plus I am the guidance counsellor, I like to help people.'They both laughed softly, as Emma sat down next to him. Emma retrieved a pen from her bag, and picked up an answer paper, her large eyes flickering over the mark scheme. 'So, how's life for you Emma?'Will inquired turning to smile at her again. The look he gave her, made her stomach do somersaults, but she didn't know what to say. 'Um, well, I have a lot of projects on at the moment.'She but her lip nervously. 'Really? I'm listening,'he rested his chin on his fist and looked up at her. 'Well I'm decorating my new apartment, and um...Well I did go to Pilates class once, but it was a bit, um...Sweaty,'she blushed and looked down. 'I'm surprise you're not married.' She parted her lips, her eyes widening, but the closed them lost for words. Will quickly reassured her,'No no Emma I didn't mean it like that.'He quickly raised his head, it was inches away from her's. 'I guess I just never-'Emma didn't care to finish her sentence. They were locked in eye contact for around twenty seconds, then something awoke in Emma. 'So yes, these papers,'she turned and hastily began ticking and crossing again, trying not to think too much on those golden twenty seconds.