I do not own any material except for my own original characters and story plot. All of Steven Universe belongs to Rebecca Sugar!
"So Emma" the school guidance counselor Miss Burns began, rummaging through the papers contained in the file before her. The commotion broke the silence and pulled the small teenager from her trance who was currently looking out the office window.
"Huh?" came Emma's half focused reply as she sat up straight in the too-big office chair and began to dangle her legs off of the chair's edge. The counselor caught the girl frowning down at how she was too short to touch the ground and held back a chuckle.
"The school principal contacted me today about you." The young blonde woman placed the papers down and peered over the rims of her glasses, measuring Emma's surprised and nervous expression to the news before a small smile lit up her face.
"And I was very pleased to hear that not only are you doing extremely well in the Robotics club, but that you have passed all of the requirements needed to receive your High School Diploma already. Congratulations!" she exclaimed as she came around to the other side of her desk to embrace Emma.
Standing awkwardly as the counselor engulfed her in a hug, Emma tensed briefly before allowing herself to tentatively return the embrace. Mrs. Burns knew she wasn't accustomed to being touched and could tell she was still in shock from the news.
Leaning away from the girl whom she considered to be more of a daughter to her than a student, Miss Burns ruffled the girl's chin length, curly brown hair before holding her at arm's length. "I'm so proud of you," she cooed, holding Emma's small, pale hands in her own.
"Thanks, Miss Burns," Emma replied, looking up at her with a half smile which was quickly replaced with a slight frown of confusion, "But I thought I needed more credits? At least another semester."
Emma began to pace around the little school office as she listed off her rapid thoughts. "I have the Delmarva State competition to go to with the Robotics Club. I applied to the debate team and have yet to hear back from their team Captain about if their lead debater is still sick or if he's to return and I'm not needed. I'm the head of my grade's student council... I can't leave school already! I'm still needed here!"
She knew she should be more outwardly happy about this; it was a great accomplishment and something she had been striving for since she started skipping grades in middle school. It was just hard knowing that her time here at school would be ending so soon. She would miss seeing her friends every day and having somewhere to go to that wasn't a foster home.
Seeing multiple emotions flash by in the girl's icy blue eyes, Miss Burns gently laid her hand on Emma's shoulder and turned Emma to face her, giving her shoulder a light squeeze. "I know it's been difficult for you," she said gently. "Moving from family to family while trying to keep up with the workload of finishing school so early. You've done so well for yourself at so young of an age, to think you're only barely 16 and you'll be receiving your diploma". Resting a hand on Emma's cheek, she gently ran her thumb along her pale skin and softly spoke. "Be proud, nothing can take this accomplishment away from you."
Clasping her hands tightly in front of her and averting her gaze, Emma let out a soft "I know." She returned to her seat, resuming her watch out the window. "Did the principal tell you I'm being moved again?"
With a pained look, Miss Burns replied. "Yes, that is why I called you in here. To discuss not only your soon-to-be graduation but your future living arrangements. Your social worker called and said your current foster home put in their one month notice for you to be moved just last week. Do you have any idea why that might be?"
Propping her head up on her elbow, Emma kept her eyes downcast. "Yes, it's because Mrs. Elms is sick and Mr. Elms feels it's too much for him to take care of both me and his wife at the same time, even though I keep to myself and try my best to help any way I can."
Tears begin to blur her vision as she looked at a bleak Miss Burns, pain etched in her voice.
"It's because I'm a burden. No matter how much I work or how hard I try, everyone always leaves or doesn't want me anymore." Emma cries out as soft, uncontrollable sobs escape her.
Miss Burns wished so badly she could go to the girl and comfort her, but school regulations were very strict with adult-student interactions, especially those with wards of the state. Their previous exchange just moments ago even was a risk. She needed this job and hoped the girl breaking apart before she would understand, and forgive her one day for being yet another person who couldn't be there for her. All she could do was wait for the girl to calm down before resuming their discussion, as heart-wrenching as it was, and as much as she knew Emma needed someone to be there, she couldn't afford for that person to be her.
If only Emma knew how important she was to so many. In just a single year since she had started coming to this school, Miss Burns had noticed not only a vast improvement in her socialization than her state paperwork implied was troubling but in the spirits of the student body as a whole. Emma was one to make quick friends and who uplifted others around her despite her own struggles and hurts. Always the first to give an encouraging word or a helping hand, she gained the respect of many. Even the "cool" kids and known bullies had a respect for Emma few people could garner out of immature teens. There was just something about her, a quiet strength and leader quality that even Emma didn't realize about herself. One day, she hoped Emma would see this about herself and not let circumstances out of her control put out this rare light everyone else saw in her.
A few moments of sobbing later and an exchanged tissue or two, Emma was calmed down enough for Miss Burns to continue. "Do you know, by any chance, the names or address of your new family? I will need to mail your diploma to you if you will no longer be zoned for this school and able to attend our ceremony."
"No. I am never told where I am going next. I'm just told to pack up my things and get in the transporter's car when it's time to move," Emma answered in a lifeless voice. "May I leave now?" She cuts in before Miss Burns can continue. This supposed-to-be-happy meeting has become one of the most painful with her favorite counselor, and she couldn't wait to go home and enjoy one of the last times she'd get to spend with her friends.
With a sigh, Miss Burns grants Emma's request. "Yes, you are free to go".
As Emma slings her backpack over her shoulder and begins to leave, Miss Burns stops her. "Wait, Emma- If it makes you feel any better, I will miss you," she states with a sad smile. "You've been a pleasure to mentor and one of the brightest students I've ever met. Come to visit me again sometime if you can. My door is always open to you."
With a soft smile and one final look of farewell, Emma quietly closed the door behind her.
Note: Thank you for reading my story! This is my very first attempt at writing a fanfiction of any sort so please feel free to leave any constructive criticism/comments. I will do my best to read them all and implement them in future chapters! This work is also published on Archive Of Our Own and Wattpad.