Open Eyes
Something More
I didn't know what was in store.
When I walked right through the door.
Then I saw you over there, our eyes locked in a stare.
I didn't know quite what to say, sometimes words get in the way.
The next time she saw him it was freshman year.
The day she'd been waiting for. She'd spent the entire 3 months of summer convincing her parents that she was ready to go back to public school. Even though she was far from being in remission, and she looked like a child standing on her last legs. Still, her hair had grown a little past her shoulders now, and she was ready to get back into the world. Be a normal teenager. Well, at least as normal as she could get, being her.
Someway or another, she'd gotten her parents to agree. Her father hadn't really given much input. Then again he never did. Her mother had come up with every worst case scenario that Emma had gladly proven to be less then acceptable excuses.
In the end, she ended up in the passenger seat of her mothers minivan, sitting in the Beacon Hills High School parking lot. Her heart pounded in her chest like a drum, and she gripped her seat belt as if it would keep her safe from whatever waited outside the car door. Students crowded around the school building, talking, studying, finishing up their summer work to the best of it's validity. It was like an entire new world was right before her.
Panicking slightly, she'd looked down at her outfit. Fitting in when everything about you stood out was a very important skill to have being her. So she'd gone for simple. A pair of black leggings over a pair of brown knee boots, a dark grey scarf over a red and black flannel, and a grey beanie to complete the outfit. After hours of trying on outfit after outfit, she'd chosen that one. And already she was starting to question it, along with her decision to return to the jungle that is public schooling. She'd seen mean girls, it's not pretty.
"Maybe you and dad were right," she said quickly, whipping her head around to face her mother. "I mean, it's just one more year, right? I can come back as a sophomore. When, it's better timing."
"Emma," her mother put the car in park, causing the bracelets on her wrist to clank together. "You have wanted this, for so long. Now, your dad and I are just as nervous as you are. But you were right, you're strong enough to handle this now.."
Emma rubbed her lips together, "..what if I'm not? Yano, what if I make a complete idiot out of myself and I don't know what to do?" She knew she sounded pathetic, but nerves were evil.
"Then you'll be just like every other high school freshman," her mother reminded her. "Honey, your not the only kid whose scared out of their mind about the first day at a public high school. You've got an entire class, who feels the same."
Emma sighed, before mumbling under her breath, "Yeah, right, I'm just the only freshman who has cancer." She twisted her thumb ring on her finger.
The air grew thick, and Emma winced, regretting the words just after she said them. The look on her mother's face was Grimm, and she hated herself being the cause of it. "Momma, I'm sorry.."
Her mother's eyes grew teary, and she turned to face the windshield, gripping the steering wheel. The topic of Emma's illness was one not taking very lightly in her family. Most people avoided it just to prevent what was happening currently. To admit that their child had what doctors were calling an eventually fatal illness, wasn't something her parents had found easy to accept.
"Well," her mother clicked her tongue. "Maybe we can just give this a try today, and if you don't feel comfortable, we'll resume home schooling." For her mother not to have turned the car on right then and driven them both back home, was a big development from the woman who'd spent the last 3 years not leaving Emma out of her sight.
Emma stared at her mother with slight surprise, but also with a newfound appreciation. She knew this was a big step for her entire family. Especially for her parents. And if her overprotective mother had found the strength to let her daughter out of the car, the least Emma could do, was open the door. So, she breathed in, sitting up straighter.
"Okay," Emma agreed. "We'll try this." She took a pause, remembering another important event that was occurring that day. "After all, we wouldn't want you being late on your first day back at the office." Her mother had spent the past 3 years being stay at home super mom, and when they'd all agreed to let Emma go back to public school, she'd decided it was time to start working again.
Emma had spent the whole night prior helping her mom decide on a dress to wear. They were all old, but having been rarely worn, they looked to be fairly new. Now, decked out in a burgundy knee length dress, covered by a black blazer, beige heels, and her hair down in loose curls, her mother looked stunning and ready to be one of the hottest attorneys in her jurisdiction. The perks of going to law school before having children.
Her mother beamed at the reminder she'd be returning to work. Helping people had always been a passion of her mother's, and the thought of getting back on the saddle was satisfying beyond anything else. "I suppose your right. I don't want to miss the opportunity to show every one how good of a stylist my daughter is."
Emma breathed a laugh, "Okay, enough, let's not boost my ego," she joked, leaning over and giving her mom a hug. "Thanks for everything, mom."
"Of course," her mother tightened the hug briefly, before giving her daughter a kiss atop her head. "I love you very much."
"I love you too." Emma hummed, pulling back from her mother's arms and placing her hand on the door handle. "Have a good day."
"You too," her mother said quickly, lifting a finger. "Don't forget to call me if anything happens! I'll find a way to get back in time, don't you worry." She said her last words just as Emma gave her a thumbs up and hopped out of the car. "Have fun!"
Emma closed the car door, turning around to wave as her mother drove off. She let out a gust of air she hadn't even known she'd been holding in, and twined her fingers around her book bag strap. "Okay, you can do this. Be normal. "Be.." She turned on her heel, facing the school. "Wow."
The school was now a lot bigger when she was standing right under it. And with the hoards of people surrounding her she felt minuscule as opposed to everything else. A lump formed in her throat and she could feel the anxiety beginning to swell inside of her. She stumbled a few steps backwards, not even realizing she was stepping over the curb until she was tripping over it.
She yelled, arms flailing as her body began to tip backwards. She awaited the feeling of cold concrete smashing against her frail bones, but instead found herself falling into a wall of fabric and skin-a person. Realizing she'd fallen into someone, she quickly collected herself, pushing off of the stranger and standing fully on her feet.
"I am so sorry," She let out, cheeks rosy with embarrassment. "I'm such a clutz, oh my god." Covering her face with her hands she hoped to evaporate into thin air. "Oh what I would do for an invisible cloak right now." Word vomit. Great. Her hands dropped from her face. "Did I say that out loud? Im sorry, just please, ignore me.."
"Hey it's fine, anybody who makes a Harry Potter reference is considered a decent human being in my eyes," The person spoke humorously, almost chuckling. "Anyways, we're both still intact right?"
Emma finally looked up to meet the eyes of the voice, and found herself speechless. There, in front of her, was Stiles Stilinski. At least, he sure did look like Stiles Stilinski. Only with a buzz cut, and taller. Overall much more grown up then the crying boy in the waiting room 3 years ago. She'd never forgotten him. Seeing as she never forgot any little detail from the day she was diagnosed with leukemia. His eyes were still the same honey-dipped brown, and he was still wearing flannels with movie themed t-shirts underneath. Only this time, he was smiling, which was something she could admit she hadn't seen before. 3 years since she'd seen him, or thought about him, and yet, there he was.
"U-Uhm, right," Fumbling over her words, she lifted her hand subconsciously, pushing her hat into place. "Well, sorry again." She lowered her eyes, repositioning her backpack strap.
He furrowed his brow, a small lopsided smile taking place on his face. "Hey, haven't I seen you around before? Did you go to Beacon Hills middle?" He lifted his finger, shaking it in thought.
Emma's eyes widened, and she slowly began to look up at him again. She was unsure whether or not to tell him. Maybe that day was as bad for him as it was for her. Maybe just like her, he hated any reminder of that day, even if he considered the crazy girl who forced him to take a Reese's pack the smallest part of it. All of these "maybes" kept her in a debating silence for over a minute.
Stiles jutted his head foreword a bit, squinting his eyes. "Not much of a talker, huh?" He gave a firm nod. "Well, don't worry about it. It's the first day of freshman year, we've got 4 more years to try and talk," his voice was assuring and it soothed her temporarily. "I'm Stiles, by the way. Stiles Stilinski." Then, a car door slammed behind them, and he swooped his head around expectantly.
A young Hispanic boy was running towards them, his mop of black curls flopping with each step. He was in a green sweatshirt, and baggy dark blue jeans, that looked a little too big on his small frame. He was about 2 inches shorter then Stiles, which still allowed him to tower over her once he came to a complete stop. The car behind them honked it's horn and the kid groaned in annoyance before whipping around, his bag sliding off of his shoulder. "Mom, I gotta go!" He practically whined. Stiles snorted a laugh.
"You forgot your inhaler!" The woman called through the window, and Emma felt herself get smacked with more recognition, as she saw it to be the nurse with black curls from 3 years ago. No kidding. She'd thought. The annoyed kid ran back to the car, leaning through the window and snatching his inhaler from his mothers grasp. He then proceeded to glance both ways for an audience, before allowing his mom to kiss him on the cheek. She barely rubbed her lipstick off with her thumb before he was out of the window and running back to Stiles and Emma, wiping his cheek profusely with the sleeve of his sweatshirt.
"Take care of him Stiles!" The woman pleaded from the car with a knowing smile.
Stiles lifted a hand in a partial salute. "Will do Ms. McCall!" He called back.
Then, her car was skidding off. Barely. The exhaust was spitting out the back, and the paint was chipped with rust. Scott scratched the back of his head, slightly ashamed.
"Still no money for the repairs?" Stiles cocked an eyebrow, twisting his lips.
"Nope," The kid blew air out of his lips like a horse. "Even if we did, there's still the roof, and the pipes, so, it wouldn't be the first on the list."
"Yeah," Stiles patted his hand on the boys shoulder. "Well, my dad's still offering to fix it up if your mom wants." He reminded.
"Thanks man, but I wouldn't hold your breath." He dropped his hand from his neck, and then in the break of conversation, he looked over Stiles' shoulder at Emma. Who, hadn't realized she'd still been in their presence until his eyes were on her. "Hey, who's this?" His question made Stiles turn.
"Ah, good question," Stiles laughed. "She practically fondled me a few moments ago, and she won't even tell me her name."
Emma's mouth dropped open. "—I did not!" She argued, issuing a chuckle from both boys.
"She speaks!" Stiles clapped his hands together.
Emma cleared her throat, realizing now they'd only been joking.
"I'm Scott," the Hispanic boy lifted his hand, stepping in front of a still chuckling Stiles. "You wouldn't be the first victim of Stiles' jokes."
"I'm," she hesitated, as Stiles allowed his laughter to fade and was now awaiting her response with a smirk playing on his lips. "Emma," she took Scott's hand, shaking it gently. "Emma Morrison."
Stiles' smirk slipped off of his face for a moment, his eyes darting back and forth in thought. Scott, unaware of anything, smiled brightly. "Emma Morrison! That's awesome." He dropped his hand from her grasp, resulting to shoving it in his pocket. "Are you a freshman too this year?"
Emma lifted her strap further up on her shoulder. "Uhm, yeah," she switched from foot to foot nervously. Stiles had yet to say anything. "Well I should probably go," she reached in her messenger bag, pulling out a piece of paper. "I have a meeting with the school counselor so.."
"Oh, really? Are you new to Beacon Hills or some thing?" Scott questioned, catching Stiles attention seeing as he was now looking at her again. "I mean, typically that's why you have to go to the counselors office on the first day, is if you're new to town, right?" He looked to Stiles as if he'd know. Stiles simply shrugged his shoulders as if to say he didn't. Emma assumed that wasn't true.
"..No, not exactly." She folded the piece of paper once more to give her hands something to do. "You see, I—" and then the bell was ringing, and all three teens broke their conversation to look up at the school doors, which everyone was rushing into. She looked back down at the boys who were still looking around, and then decided to leave while their eyes weren't on her. Turning quickly, she sped walked in the other direction, getting lost in the throng of students hurrying inside.
She could barely see over the hoards of book bag covered bodies, as they pushed past her, practically dragging her along with them. Seeing as she stood at only 5'2, she was easily hidden.
Once she'd been pushed through the front doors, she stole a glance back through the crowd. Sure enough, walking up the steps, were Stiles and Scott, looking around subtly for her, while still trying to focus on not tripping up the stairs. Stiles asked Scott a question, to which Scott shook his head shrugging, and Stiles sighed in defeat.
After a few more moments, Stiles looked up, and their eyes met. He did a double take, and then lifted his arm through the crowd, calling out her name. Emma simply ducked, once more becoming a chameleon in the student body.
She wouldn't speak to him again until sophomore year.
A/N: Thank you to those who responded to the first chapter. It really is what inspired me to continue writing! Even just 4 reviews can spark hope in me to add another chapter. Although, I'm already writing the next as I'm posting this one! Thank you for reading again, and please continue to review! X