{Will's POV}
The repetitive, annoying blare of my alarm drug me to consciousness. I groaned rolling over to push my finger against the snooze button. I just needed ten more minutes of blissful sleep.
It's been nearly two weeks since the weekend trip to the lake with the glee club. The first week of September had just begun, and I already was begging for summer. Something dreadful had happened to me on the lake when Emma and I had hugged.
I never meant to overstep, but I had. Well... my body had.
When Emma and I had hugged, I could feel my stomach heat and my pants become tighter and tighter. I fled the scene within seconds, and had barely spoken to her since.
I felt bad. Emma and I were friends, and there she was hugging me while we were both wet from the lake, thus my body reacting. I hoped she hadn't noticed, but I was too shameful to talk to her. What if she did notice? What if she thought I was a pervert? I didn't mean to get an erection, but it just happened. Like I was a fucking twelve year old boy.
Believe me when I say I am not one of those teachers who has affairs with students. No way would I jeopardize my career or my reputation for a high school girl... but I couldn't get her out of my mind. It's not like she was underaged and immature or anything.
What the hell was going on with me?
My alarm went off a second time, and I nearly slapped the off button. Groaning, I sat up running my fingers through my hair. I was already in a bad mood. Reaching for my phone, I unplugged it and looked at my notifications. Three missed texts. I rolled my eyes. Another "unknown" number had texted me again.
Unknown:
Will, please.
I miss you.
Come back.
I blocked the number nearly throwing my phone down on the bed.
Getting out of bed, I rinsed off in the shower, put on deodorant, shaved my face, changed into nice black pants, a white long sleeve shirt and a black vest. After that I sprayed myself twice with cologne and went to make coffee.
Emma had kept a respectful distance from me since I started giving off vibes that she needed to back off. I was her teacher, and she was my student. No matter the age similarities, I could not cross that line.
Yawning, I looked at my watch realizing it was time to go. I finished my coffee, put my black dress shoes on, grabbed my briefcase and keys and was out the door within five minutes. I was at the school by seven sharp. The teachers were supposed to be in the building an hour before school started anyhow to set up and begin preparing the lesson for the day.
I took one step into the building when a dreadful voice filled my ears.
"Good morning, Sue," I said walking by her.
"I'm gonna stop you right there, William," she said. I took a deep breath. Here we go.
"Yes, Sue?" I asked.
"I was wondering what kind of songs you'll be doing for Sectionals?" She asked.
"Why?"
"Oh I thought you knew. I'm the new coach for Aural Intensity," she chuckled as my eyes widened.
"What?!" I nearly yelled.
"I just want to make sure you're doing songs we can beat you at, I mean I know we'll beat you in the choreography section being that your children look like penguins while they try to dance. Other than Mike and Brittany of course..." she paused. "Oh wow.." Sue sighed.
"What?" I asked looking behind me.
"William, you do know cooking spray goes on a pan and not your hair right?" She asked. I rolled my eyes. "I gotta run, William... gotta make my protein shake and figure out who I'm going to torture for the day," she sighed beginning to walk away before turning over her shoulder. "Good luck at sectionals, William, you're gonna need it," she said before turning away.
I scoffed walking to my room. It got me thinking, though. Sue may have been right in the dancing department. We excelled at singing, but most of the glee club desperately needed help dancing. That's when I came up with the lesson for the week in glee club.
•••••
"Dancing with the Stars" I wrote on the small whiteboard before turning to the glee club.
"Wait, are celebrities coming in to help us dance?" Rachel asked getting giddy.
"To Lima, Ohio? I think not," Santana snipped at her.
"Okay," I got the classes attention. "This week's lesson is Dancing with the Stars. We as a glee club are amazing at singing, but some of us really need help with dancing," I nodded. "You know how on Dancing with the Stars, a celebrity is paired up with a professional dancer?" I asked. The class nodded. "Well, that's what we're going to do this week. We are going to split our best dancers and poor dancers up, and draw from a hat on who will be paired with who. I will also put my name in as we are lacking on good dancers," I nodded.
"Wait," Finn interjected. "So are we still singing?" He asked.
"Of course. There are two hats. One hat will have the name of a dancer, and the other will hold the type of dance you will do," I said. "Choose an artist you can sing and dance to that will best fit your dance type," I explained.
"Is this a competition?" Emma asked cocking her head slightly.
"I was just about to get to that. Yes it is. The winners will each get free movie passes to whichever movie you would like to see, on me," I smiled. The glee club clapped with excitement whispering with one another.
"Wait so who will judge?" Quinn asked. "You can't because you're competing with us," her eyebrows raised.
"I was thinking... Artie could judge," I looked to Artie who lit up like a Christmas tree. "And you would get a free movie pass as well."
"Really, Mr. Schue?" He asked.
"Really."
"I'd be honored," he smiled. "I mean I love dancing and all, but judging would be so much more fun," Artie claimed.
"So, when I call your name, go to this side of the room," I pointed to my right. "Mike, Brittany, Santana, Matt, Quinn, Carl, Puck and Tina," I said. "The rest go to this side of the room," I pointed to my left.
Artie stayed where he was as Emma, Rachel, Finn, Kurt, Blaine, Mercedes, Joe, Rory and Sam walked to my left.
"I assume you all know which group you're in. Now, this isn't a punishment. This is a way to help us get better. Next week we will start something I would like to call Booty camp, but for right now, you're all going to be paired up. The people on my left will draw who their dancing partner is for the week. Rachel why don't you start us off?" I asked. Rachel walked up and drew out of the three hats.
"I'm with Matt, and we are doing the samba," she smiled. Finn walked up drawing.
"I'm with Mike, and we'll be doing hip hop," Finn sighed knowing this would be hard. Emma walked up drawing before turning to look at me.
Please not me. Please not me. Please not me.
"I'm with Mr. Schue and we're doing the tango," She looked down. Her cheeks flushed slightly embarrassed. Puck whistled.
Fuck. Me.
"Wanky," Santana interjected with a raise of her eyebrows. I ignored her.
"I don't know if that's appropriate for us to do, Emma," I said quietly so only she would hear, but of course, Rachel heard and spoke up.
"Oh please, Mr. Schue. You entered the competition, and you definitely are always telling us that the arts are here to push boundaries and identifying how beautiful music is to the world. Yes, the tango is mainly portrayed as a sexual dance, however, it is also just dancing. It's not like you're being inappropriate with Emma or anything. If you want us to push our limits and push boundaries, then you might as well lead by example," she explained crossing her arms.
My eyebrows crinkled as I thought. Rachel was right, it's not like Emma and I were having an affair or anything. It was just dancing.
"You're right. I should lead by example. I'm fine with it. What do you think, Emma?" I asked turning to her.
"I guess I'm fine with it," Emma explained not looking up to me. I nodded.
"Okay who's next?" I asked as Joe walked toward the hats. "Emma?" I asked so only she would hear. "Can I talk to you for a second?" She looked up to me nodding. "Look if you don't want to do this then you don't have to. Just let me know and we can pick a different dance type. I don't want to make you uncomfortable..." I said.
"It's not the dance type. It's being partners with you that bothers me.." she snipped at me. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Nothing.." she sighed.
"Talk to me after practice.." I told her turning my attention back to the glee club.
"I'm with Santana, and we're doing the waltz," Joe rolled his eyes. He had a disliking for Santana, but maybe this would help him get over it. Rory walked up drawing.
"Oh, you're all in trouble. I'm with Carl, and we're doing the Irish jig," he laughed.
"Oh that's so rigged! Mr. Schue!" Rachel whined along with the rest of the glee club members besides Carl who was grinning from ear to ear.
"It's the luck of the Irish," I shrugged as people laughed.
"Rory, you can't use your leprechaun magic to rig the game, that's cheating," Brittany interjected putting her hands on her hips.
"Brit-" I began before sighing. "Never mind. Next!" I hollered to the left side.
This day could not have gone by any slower, and now I had to dance a fucking tango with the woman I had gotten a hard on from weeks ago. That is unless she opted out and wanted to choose a different dance to do. I knew I shouldn't do the dance, but I also agreed with Rachel. This was an opportunity for Emma to learn. I didn't take those twelve years of dance classes for nothing. I was a teacher, and I was going to teach her how to dance.
Once glee was over, Emma stayed put in her seat until the last member being Rachel was out. Rachel waved goodbye to Emma as she walked out gaining a smile from Emma.
They had slowly become back to their old selves over the weeks after Emma found out Rachel was the one who let slip her secret.
"You two friends again?" I asked raising my eyebrows.
"Yeah, I decided to forgive her.." Emma sighed.
"That's good," I smiled warmly. She deserves someone to talk to.
"Why do you want to talk to me, Mr. Schue?" She rolled her eyes.
"Why don't you want to be partners with me?" I asked honestly.
"We don't have to go through this... let's just get this week's assignment over with," she stood beginning to walk out the door before I grabbed her wrist spinning her around.
"Why don't you want to be partners with me?"
"Let go of me.." she warned glaring at me.
"All I'm looking for is honesty. Why don't you want to be partners with me?" I asked once more calming my voice. That's when she broke down and began to cry. My eyebrows furrowed confused.
"You were my best friend, and I confided in you. You told me you would never leave, and that's exactly what you did," she cried. I closed the door to the choir room to talk in private. She sunk in an empty choir chair, as I sat right next to her.
"Hey, I never left. I'm right here," I gestured to myself.
"You left me emotionally. Ever since that night when we were goofing off at the lake, you've barely talked to me since. I guess I was just stupid enough to realize you were my friend," she sniffled looking down.
That one broke my heart a little. I did that to her?
"Emma... I never meant to hurt you like that. I just felt as though we were crossing the line. I meant what I said when I said you were my best friend, and you still are," I admitted.
"You know you could have been an adult and just told me that.." she snipped under her breath.
As a teacher that should have greatly pissed me off, but all I could do was smile. She was the closest thing I had to a friend, and I had gone and fucked that up. I couldn't yell at her lashing out when it was my fault in the first place.
"Yeah you're right. I should have told you that, and I'm sorry," I nodded. "I just didn't want you to start thinking we could be... you know... more than friends," I nearly choked out. That's when she looked up at me with amusement in her eyes.
"You think I have a girl crush on you?" She giggled nervously.
"No.. well- I... uhh.." I fumbled on my words. Ya done fucked up, Will.
"Mr. Schue, I may be in high school, but you forget I am twenty years old, making me a freak. I'm looking to fit in until I graduate. My plate is full with school and friends and extra curricular activities. I don't have time to crush on anybody. I mean yes, you are easy on the eyes, and if I hear Rachel fonding over you for one more second, I may have to strangle her..." that one made me chuckle. "But this," she pointed between me and her. "This isn't gonna happen. I know that. I'm not stupid. Frankly, I'm as much of a freak as it is so why would I go looking for something that would make me stick out even more?" She asked.
Wait... did she just say I was easy on the eyes? Or was I imagining that?
"Okay... so are you and I cool?" I asked sticking out my hand for a handshake. She looked down at my hand before smiling taking it in her hand.
"We're cool," she nodded. "And if you ever tell Rachel I said that I swear to God I will chop off your thumbs and feed them to the chipmunks," she warned raising an eyebrow.
"That's a strange threat, Strawberry," I laughed.
"Well, I stole it from this show Rachel's making me watch," she giggled. "The Vampire Diaries."
"Wait you're into vampires now?" I chuckled.
"Do you see the kind of stuff you miss when you don't talk to me? And it's a good show okay?" She held up her hands causing me to laugh.
"So, when do you want to start dance lessons?" I asked with a sigh standing.
"Don't we have to figure out a song first?" She asked.
"Yeah I guess we do. Why don't we each come up with two songs and meet tomorrow in the auditorium at four to narrow it down?" I suggested with a shrug.
"Okay sounds good," she smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Strawberry, and bring a black dress to tango in," I called as she walked out of the door.
Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought. She doesn't have a crush on me, now I just need to figure out how to not make this whole thing awkward as fuck.
That night, I was sitting at home with a beer in my hand looking for duets that would look good with a tango when I came across something. Looking through my sheet music, I spotted an album I had been meaning to open since last year.
Prince.
Hell yes.
I had been meaning to incorporate Prince into glee club, and this would do it.
Looking through every one of his songs on that album, only one seemed great with a tango.
Kiss by Prince. We could both hit his range vocally, and the music would go great with a tango.
But... the song was about...
Nothing. It didn't matter because I wasn't interested and she wasn't interested. This was all about teaching Emma how to dance. This was about the glee club.
We had to beat Sue at Sectionals.
It was settled. We were going to do Kiss.
•••••
It was Tuesday, and my mood had not changed. I hated Mondays and Tuesdays. It was only third period, and my head was pounding. I hadn't had time to get coffee, so I left to walk to the teachers lounge to get a coffee while students were working on a worksheet on past tense conjunction verbs.
After I had gotten my coffee, I was on my way back passing through the psychology and sociology wing when something caught my eye. A flash of red. Well, a flash of strawberry blonde. I stopped backing up glancing in the psychology classroom.
Emma was sitting in the second row next to Rachel hunched over her paper. I could tell people were working on exams because Ms. Holliday usually let her students have their phones out, but I couldn't see a phone in sight.
For some reason, Emma's head lifted as if she knew I was standing there watching her. She made eye contact with me, and her face lit up. I gave her a small wave before mouthing "test?" making writing gestures with my fingers. She gave a small nod. Giving her a thumbs up, I mouthed "good luck". She nodded again as a thank you.
I was about to walk away, when I stopped again looking back at her. She was still looking up at me, and that's when I made dancing motions with my shoulders and arms. Emma looked as if she wanted to giggle but covered her mouth. I kept dancing before holding up four fingers reminding her to meet me at four in the auditorium. She gave me a small nod once more not being able to keep the smile off her face.
"Schuester, what are you doing?"
I jumped turning around.
"Oh hey, Shannon. You scared me," I breathed as my heart was still racing. "I was just, uh, saying hello to Ms. Holliday," I lied. "She gets bored while students are taking tests," I nodded beginning to walk in the direction of my classroom. Shannon followed me.
"Ah. You guys an item or what?" Shannon asked. My eyebrows furrowed. "You and Holly Holliday, Schuester," she shook her head.
"Oh... uh, no I don't think so. I'm too involved with glee and wrapped up in my... problems to have a relationship. You know this..." I sighed.
"Just because Terri is still stalking you doesn't mean you can't move on with your life. Besides, I heard Holly has the hots for you," she wiggled her eyebrows.
"Holly has the hots for me?" I asked completely stunned. "But she's way out of my league.."
"Have you ever looked in a mirror, Will?" Shannon sighed as we came closer to my Spanish classroom. "You're sexy. I mean you're not my type personally, but coming from a woman, you're about as sexy as it gets. You're young, you work out, you have a voice that's a mix between Jesus and Michael Bublé, the chin, your eyes and you have the hair," she shrugged.
"The hair?" I asked.
"The hair."
"Oh..." I pondered not sure what to say. "Are you telling me to ask Holly out?" I questioned.
"Of course, Schuester! You're both young, and would make adorable babies," Shannon groaned.
"I... I guess I never really looked at her like that," I thought out loud. I shook my head. "I have class. I'll catch you for lunch?" I asked. Shannon nodded as I walked back into my classroom.
After school, I had gone to the auditorium to start setting up for my rehearsal with Emma. I didn't get too far in setting the Bluetooth speaker up when I heard an all too familiar voice.
"Hey I brought some food since we'll probably be here late," Emma smiled holding up a brown paper sack as she walked into the auditorium.
"What makes you think we'll be here late?" I asked crinkling my eyebrows.
"Have you ever seen me dance?" She asked with a chuckle.
"Touché," I replied feeling the side of my mouth tug into a grin. "So, I found us a song, and you may be a little against it at first but-" my voice cut off immediately when I looked up at her for the first time.
"What?" She asked looking down at her outfit. "Is it too much? Is it too revealing?" She asked.
I couldn't stop staring.
It was a beautiful black dress that hugged her torso and flowed down right below her knees with a slit up one leg that ended close to her hip. It had spaghetti straps with a neckline that ended about two inches below her breasts showing the inside sides of her breasts. She was wearing black stilettos that made her legs look stunning... especially in the black see-through pantyhose she was wearing. The top of her head now reached my eye level due to the heels. A large red flower pin held some of her hair back to show off her face.
"No... it's not too revealing."
Lie.
Why did I say that? I could have made her change. That dress left little to the imagination, and I didn't really know what to think. All I knew was I was in trouble now.
No... women can wear whatever they want as they please, men just need to learn how to act like gentleman and respect them. Like the whole no showing shoulders rule at the school because it distracts men. Whatever. It's a fucking shoulder. Control your testosterone.
Anyways back to the dress.
"It's a typical tango dress," I smiled scratching behind my ear. "You look amazing, Emma," I complimented. A woman should always be complimented when dressed up... and when not. They should always be complimented.
"Thank you," she smiled. "I got it at Walmart," she shrugged.
"Walmart?" I asked as my eyebrows furrowed.
"No," she let out a small laugh. "God you're gullible. I got it online," she chuckled.
"You gotta stop tricking me like that. I'll never know what's true and what's not true with you," I rolled my eyes but secretly missed her sassy remarks.
"Sorry, Mr. Schue, and you don't look too bad yourself," she gestured to my all black outfit. My black shirt hugged my torso, and my arms were really tight in the short sleeves. I had my first three buttons on my shirt undone to give off an effect for the tango, and my hair was slicked all the way back.
"Thanks," I smiled. "So, the song I chose for us is Kiss by Prince. We can both hit the notes, and I think it would be a lot of fun to dance as a tango. You may be against it," I said as I read her uneasy facial expression, "but can I just show you?" I asked taking her wrist gently and leading her out to the center stage.
"I-I guess..." she stuttered. Was I making her nervous?
"Okay.. mainly, the tango is all about being sensual. Finding the sexy within. Being sharp and elegant at the same time is hard to do, but that's what the tango is about. So, it's mainly about the hips and legs," I gestured to my hips and legs.
"My hips and legs? This is why you thought it would be inappropriate," she giggled. I smiled.
"Yeah, but it's just dancing. I'm a teacher, and I'm teaching you how to dance is how I look at it now," I shrugged.
"Okay.." she nodded becoming more comfortable with the situation.
"Think of your hips as wheels you know?" I asked. I set an example of what I wanted from her with my hips. She raised her eyebrows impressed. "Wheels go round and round just like your hips," I nodded before taking my hands and gesturing to her hips. "May I?" I asked politely. I wasn't going to lay a hand on her that would make her uncomfortable without her consent first.
"Yeah, sure..." she nodded. I placed my hands on her hips. When I found the right time I began moving her hips back and forth in a circular rotation to the beat of the music. Then I began moving my hips copying her motion coming close to her hips, but not touching her with my body. "Woah," she said as her cheeks reddened. "I get it now," she chuckled nervously.
"Now keep doing the same motion except add your footwork in. Take one step back and then one step forward to the beat," I ordered still having my hands on her hips to keep them moving. As she stepped backwards once, I stepped forward, and then she stepped forward as I stepped backwards. "That was good, now you have to keep eye contact with me instead of looking at your feet. Looking at your feet will only mess you up," I smiled gently towards her letting her hips go.
"Got it," she nodded before I took one of her hands in mine and place the other on my shoulder. I had her waist in my right hand.
"Now, just look into my eyes while we do this, and remember your footwork, okay?" I asked. Those beautiful big brown eyes connected with mine, and I melted a little inside.
She was closer to me than I as a teacher was comfortable with, but at the same time, I found comfort in her closeness. Like she fit perfectly in my arms.
Once the music started over, we began to move. She had the hang of it at first until my hips grazed hers as she was off beat. She let out a sigh as her cheeks turned red looking down at her hips. My hand came up from her waist. Taking my pointer finger, I raised her chin, so she was looking into my eyes again before placing my hand back on her waist.
A couple of measures went by before my hips grazed hers again.
"Dammit," she cursed turning red again. I let go turning off the music.
"Don't worry, this dance will be a piece of cake by the end of the week," I smiled. "You have to just feel it as you go along."
"Okay," Emma nodded with a small smile.
"Okay, this question is gonna be awkward, but I need to know for the dance number. Are you flexible?" I asked. "Like can you do the splits?" I could feel my cheeks heat this time.
"Uh.. yeah it's been a while but I think I can still do the splits, why?"
"I'll show you," I smirked stepping closer to her. "Hook your right leg around my waist," I instructed. She looked up to me in near horror. "Trust me."
I could tell trust was a hard thing for her to come by when all her life she had been let down and abandoned by her friends and family. Gaining her trust would be difficult, but I was up for the task.
Emma hesitated before hooking her right foot around my waist. I caught the back of her knee with my left hand holding it up. My right arm looped around her lower back gripping her tightly against me.
"Now put your hands on my shoulders to balance yourself," I claimed as Emma's delicate hands found my shoulders. "Now just let your left leg drag, and keep your arms, back and abs strong for form," her eyes met mine, and I could still detect a bit of nervousness below the surface. "This is cool, I promise," I smiled before moving backwards as her left leg drug behind her. Her eyes lit up.
"Oh my God I've always wondered what that was like," she smiled as I put her leg down. "That was awesome! We are so going to win this thing!" She laughed clapping her hands. It warmed my heart to see her giddy and happy when normally she was stressed out or upset because of her mother.
"I think we'll have a good chance. You pick things up pretty quick," I laughed along with her.
"Wait, so if we do win, what happens with the whole movie thing? Are you going?" She asked.
"I'm pretty sure there's some rule against teachers going to movies with their students," I chuckled, "but I don't know for sure," I shrugged. Most of the time I follow the school's policy, but not all the time.
"Wait, so if we do win and you go to the movies you really don't get a prize cause the movie is on you remember?" Emma asked.
"Yeah I guess not, but that's okay."
"No, if we win I'll give you a prize," she suggested.
"And what would that be?" I asked curious raising an eyebrow.
"My world famous PB&J," she smiled.
"It's a deal," I laughed. "Okay, let's get dancing."
•••••
The competition was today, and Emma and I had made amazing progress. We had all of the dancing done, and yesterday we had added the lyrics into our dancing. Adding the lyrics helped us tremendously anyhow with timing and keeping the beat.
It was almost time for glee club. Emma and I were performing third after Rachel and Matt, and Finn and Mike.
"You ready?" I asked Emma as she walked out of the bathroom in full costume.
"Yeah, I'm ready," she smiled giving me a twirl. She had the same outfit, only added smokey makeup and red lipstick which made her look my age.
"You look incredible!" I gawked excited for our number. What do you think?" I asked twirling around to show her my outfit.
"It looks good, but you're missing something," she looked at my face confused as if trying to figure it out before her eyes slightly popped. "Ahh, come here," Emma grabbed my hand dragging me to the girl's restroom. "Anyone in here?" She called. No answer.
"What?" I asked wondering what I was missing. Dragging me fully in, she sat me down on the chair. Searching through her makeup bag, she pulled out a long black stick.
Eyeliner.
"No way," I said trying to get up. She shoved me back down on the chair. I gulped. I don't know why, but watching her be so forceful kinda turned me on. God dammit Will she's your student.
"Mr. Schue, you pushed my boundaries all week, and now it's your turn. This will really help our look pop," she explained. I stayed silent before letting out a huff.
"Fine.." I agreed.
"Okay close your eyes," she ordered me. I did as I was told. Her hands steadied on my face as the pencil found my eyelid. I could feel her sweet smelling breath against my face as she applied the makeup. I could hear the door open to the bathroom.
"Lookin' good Mr. Schue!" I heard someone say.
"Who is that?" I asked Emma unable to open my eyes.
"It's Santana. She's putting makeup on," she explained. Emma's sweet breath hit my face sending shivers down my spine.
"Thanks Santana," I put a thumbs up towards her.
"Only a real man has the balls to put makeup on, so congrats," she nodded.
"No man puts makeup on willingly unless it makes them look badass or sexy," I sighed.
"Would I get yelled at if I said you were both?" Santana asked with a raise of her eyebrows. My eyebrows raised in shock.
"Santana!" Emma cut her off.
"Just sayin'," she held her hands up as she walked out.
"That was weird.." I admitted.
"Oh come on that shouldn't be a surprise. Nearly every girl in school thinks you're attractive Mr. Schue," Emma said finishing up on my right eye. "Done," I opened my eyes as she nodded. Looking in the mirror, my eyebrows raised.
I'll admit. I did look pretty good with my hair slicked back and a thin line of eyeliner on. But I only had one question.
Was Emma part of the percentage of girls that thought I was attractive or not?
"Shall we?" I asked standing and holding my arm out for her. She took my arm with a smile.
"Let's go kick some ass," she suggested as we walked out the door and to the auditorium to sit and watch.
Rachel and Matt were up first with the samba and sang and danced to the song Bailamos by Enrique Iglesias. They were amazing, and it was honestly the first time I saw Matt come out of his shell with singing.
"That was amazing you guys!" I clapped along with the rest of the audience. "The dance was amazing, and Matt! It was so cool to see you come out of your shell and take charge!" I complimented.
"Thanks, Mr. Schue. I helped Rachel with dancing, and she helped me with my singing," Matt admitted smiling at Rachel.
"I expect more of that to help us win sectionals!" I nodded.
Mike and Finn were up next. They sang and danced to Hot in Herre by Nelly with a little back up singing from Quinn, Santana and Brittany. It was pretty good, Finn's dancing still needed a lot of work, but I could tell they had worked really hard on the number.
"Well done guys!" I smiled. "Finn, your dancing is coming along really well," I nodded.
"Thanks Mr. Schue, I was hoping I wasn't looking like an idiot," he smiled.
"Nope, not at all!"
Lie.
Dammit why do I keep doing that? I lie way too much.
"Next!" Artie yelled. I stood along with Emma.
"Are you nervous?" I asked.
"Does it matter?" Her breath was shaking.
"Hey.." I stopped her off stage where no one was looking. Grabbing the sides of her face, she looked up to me. "Just breathe. This is what we've been practicing for. We're gonna be amazing okay?" The corner of my mouth tugged into a smile. She took a deep breath.
"Okay, let's do this," she nodded taking my hand on stage. We stood center stage only inches apart. I turned to the band.
"Hit it," I smirked before looking back to her. The electric guitar began playing, and that's when I came in. "Uh!" I began extremely close to her face before stalking around her looking her up and down. I grabbed her hand and began to dance and sing.
"You don't have to be beautiful
To turn me on
I just need your body baby
From dusk till dawn," I finished as I could hear the girls in the audience cheer. Emma's form was extremely clean, and I knew she had been practicing a lot the night before. She began to sing.
"You don't need experience
To turn me out
You just leave it all up to me
I'm gonna show you what it's all about," she finished before we sang together moving nearly perfectly on beat.
"You don't have to be rich
To be my girl
You don't have to be cool
To rule my world
Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your," the back of her slid down my body and back up as I leaned over her shoulder making kissing noises to the beat.
"Kiss," I swiveled her around stroking her hair as she shoved me off. A little playful choreography we added into the dance. I smirked at Emma I before hearing Rachel cheer from the audience.
"Woo! You go girl!" She cheered clapping.
"Oh oh," we continued dancing, and I began to sing.
"You got to not talk dirty, baby
If you want to impress me
You can't be to flirty, mama
I know how to undress me, yeah
I want to be your fantasy
Maybe you could be mine
You just leave it all up to me
We could have a good time
Don't have to be rich
To be my girl
Don't have to be cool
To rule my world
Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your," she slid down me once more and back up doing things to me kicking my adrenaline up a notch. "Kiss," I smirked swiveling her around causing her to follow choreography doing a high kick in the air as she turned and back into a dancing position with me.
"Women not girls rule my world
I said they rule my world," I sang holding her knee around my waist and dragging her back just as we had practiced.
"Act your age, mama (not your shoe size)
Not your shoe size
Maybe we could do the twirl," she sang as I twirled her around twice.
"You don't have to watch Dynasty
To have an attitude
You just leave it all up to me
My love will be your food
Yeah," we came to the closing chorus almost finished with the song. Both of our adrenaline was kicking in as we had not fumbled at all. We were nearly perfect. I leaned in pulling her close to dance and sing the final chorus together.
"You don't have to be rich
To be my girl
You don't have to be cool
To rule my world
Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your," she slid down me once more, and as she was about to come back up, Emma tripped and fell.
Shit.
Emma ran off the stage. I held a finger up to Artie telling him to hold on before running off after Emma.
"Emma, we're okay," I said walking off the stage with her. She was crying.
"No! I ruined everything. We worked so hard! You worked so hard, and I just blew our chances of winning!" She cried.
"You think this competition is about winning and going to a movie? Emma, this is about getting better for Sectionals. This is about the team. Everybody has gotten better this week with the dancing competition," I crinkled my eyebrows following her to the girls restroom.
"I'm sorry, we just worked so hard all week. I just blew it," she shook her head looking down.
"You didn't blow it. I actually had a lot of fun and in my personal opinion, that's the best we ever danced and sang that routine," I shrugged.
"That's because I was trying so hard not to mess up," she sniffled. "I want people to look at me as a leader, not a joke or a hot mess, and that definitely didn't help," Emma sighed.
"If you want people to look at you as a leader, then go back in that auditorium and cheer your glee club members on, because a leader brushes things off and focuses on what will make the group better. Right now, the group needs someone to praise them for all the hard work they've done," I placed my hand on her face wiping her tears away with my thumbs.
"Okay," she nodded looking in the mirror at her makeup, sniffling once more and walking towards the door. "And Mr. Schue?" She asked.
I turned to face her.
"Thank you for everything," she smiled.
As we walked into the auditorium, everybody stood and cheered as loud as they could.
"Emma oh my God that was amazing!" Rachel went up and hugged her. "You guys were so good!" She turned to smile at me.
"Seriously, Emma, if Brit and I weren't dating..." Santana winked at her making me chuckle. "That was super hot."
"But I fell.." Emma looked confused.
"So?" Quinn laughed.
"You got me all tingly," Puck added.
"I'll second that," Carl patted Puck on the shoulder looking Emma up and down.
"Okay guys, calm down," I laughed nervously patting Emma's shoulder somewhat angry at Puck and Carl for looking at her in a way that made me uncomfortable. I leaned down to her ear. "I told you we did amazing," I whispered, and I swear I saw goosebumps raise on her arms.
"Emma," Artie rolled up to us. "That was incredible. You completely transformed on stage. I was worried you wouldn't be able to pull off this type of dance, but consider me impressed," he smiled up to her before turning to me. "Mr. Schue, amazing as always," he nodded.
"Thanks, Artie," I nodded patting him on the shoulder.
"I just wanted to apologize," Finn added walking up to us.
"For what?" Emma chuckled looking confused.
"It was probably my sweat you tripped on when you fell. I normally don't sweat that much, but it's hot in here today," he apologized before extending his hand in a fist. "You guys did amazing. I didn't know you guys could dance like that," he said as Emma gave him a fist bump.
He extended his fist out to me, and I gave him a fist bump mouthing "thank you" to him. Finn nodded.
We all sat down and watched the rest of the performances, after everyone had gone, Artie announced the winners were Brittany and Kurt that danced the salsa to a foreign song I didn't know, but they earned it. They were amazing.
I turned to Emma. She was clapping and smiling, but I could tell she was upset.
"Hey..." I turned to her. "Meet me Monday after school at four in the auditorium Okay? Bring your dress," I smirked not waiting to hear an answer before standing to go congratulate Kurt and Brittany handing them their free movie tickets also handing Artie one.
Emma walked down with a smile on her face.
"You guys were amazing you really deserved to win," she hugged Kurt and then Brittany.
"Thanks Ems," Kurt smiled. "You and Mr. Schue killed it though holy wow!"
"Thanks, Kurt," Emma looked down blushing before turning to look at me. "This man knows what he's doing though. He's the one who helped me become a better dancer," she smirked up at me, and the corner of my mouth tugged into a small smile.
"Mr. Schue, how do you not have your own broadway debut?" Kurt raised his eyebrows.
"That's what I said!" Emma interjected smiling up at me. "Mr. Schue, you're gonna be on Broadway, and I'm gonna help you," Emma smirked mischievously with a raise of one eyebrow.
Shit.
•••••
Monday morning started nearly the same as last Monday, however, Emma and I were friends again. I was in a more cheerful mood smiling as I walked up to the school. I even got up early and went for a run. I showered, got ready, and had just stepped inside the school. I took a deep breath.
I was trying not to, but for some reason I was looking at Emma not as a student, but as someone whom I had caught feelings for. I tried to avoid eye contact for as long as possible, but those big Hershey chocolate eyes would melt me as soon as I'd catch a glimpse of them. I needed to be professional.
What was going on with me? I had never been in this situation before. Yes, Emma and I were close in age, but that is certainly no excuse.
I was nervous for after school. I had told her to meet me after school to do the tango once more. We needed to finish the number without messing up. We had to finish strong.
Then I remembered I had to stare into those eyes the entire time and stay professional.
"I'm impressed, William," I heard the dreaded voice of Sue Sylvester walking down the hallway behind me. I stopped turning my head. "I snuck into the auditorium on Friday to see your little ass-kissing termites perform, and I have to say their dancing has gotten better.." she sighed. I raised an eyebrow.
"Really?" I asked.
"Well, I mean it's better, but it's still not good enough to beat my kids."
I rolled my eyes. Why did I assume she would say something nice without turning and stabbing me in the back afterwards? I was used to this.
"We're still working on our dancing in a Booty Camp after glee practice for those who need it, relax Sue. The New Directions are going to crush Aural Intensity this year at Sectionals, just you wait," I raised my chin to look as confident as possible.
I attempted to walk away before she brought up another dreaded topic.
"That small redhead, Aurora, got especially good at dancing," she commented causing me to nearly stop dead in my tracks. I knew where this was going. I broke out in a nervous sweat.
"Emma," I corrected.
"You two danced the tango, right?" She asked ignoring my comment. I nodded. "Yeah, I wonder how she learned those moves, William," Sue narrowed her eyes walking closer to me.
"I don't know if you've heard, but I'm an excellent teacher," I shrugged.
"On the stage, or in the sheets, William?" She asked.
"Keep your voice down!" I took a step closer to her. "You understand what you're accusing me of right now, right Sue?" I asked.
"Yes I do, William. It is against not only the school's rules but it's against the law," she sneered looking me up and down. Actually it was not against the law since she was twenty, but I wasn't going to tell Sue that.
"I am not having an affair with any of my students. I can promise you that, Sue. We got paired up for the week, and that's all," I stated. I was telling the truth, after all.
"Whether you're screwing that red head with eyes like a bush baby or not, you have raised my suspicions. You and I both know that's not good, William," she said before walking off.
I looked down closing my eyes. Why must Sue always torture me?
I sighed walking off to start a long day. Once eighth period was over, Emma walked up to my desk like normal.
"Hey, Mr. Schue," Emma smiled. She was wearing a red dress that hugged her torso and black heels.
"Hey Em," I smiled greeting her.
"You ready for glee club?" She asked.
"Yeah," I smiled walking with her to the choir room. Everyone was already sitting waiting for us. "Hola classe," I greeted them in Spanish walking up to the whiteboard, but stopped to see Finn holding the marker. "What's going on?" I asked.
"Well," Emma sighed. "You've been helping us with our dancing, so we wanted to return the favor," she smiled grabbing my arm gently to lead me to a seat next to Rory.
"So, Emma and I have been thinking we want to help you into a broadway audition when we make nationals this year," Finn explained writing Broadway on the whiteboard.
"Most of us are graduating this year," Kurt interjected looking sad.
"And we don't want to graduate going off to achieve our dreams without seeing you fulfill yours," Emma smiled down at me.
"So, we prepared a lesson for all of us to help you, Mr. Schue," Rachel stood gesturing to the board.
"Broadway?" I raised my eyebrows.
"This week we will all do difficult Broadway numbers that we think you should consider using as an audition song," Emma explained looking down at me, "and we want you to also perform a Broadway number for us," she smiled.
"Guys... I really appreciate this, but-" I began.
"No buts, Mr. Schue, we're doing this for you, end of story," Finn cut me off.
"Well thank you, then," I nodded.
After glee practice was over, I still hadn't decided what to sing for this week's lesson. The kids were really helping me, and this is why I love my job. We're a family.
I had just gotten to the auditorium pairing my phone to the Bluetooth speaker when I heard heels behind me. My lips tugged into a smile. I just couldn't help myself when I was around her. My smile just appeared naturally. I turned around smiling down at her.
"Hey.." I trailed.
"Hey," Emma smiled walking into the auditorium where I was waiting for her. "What did you want me here for?" She asked. Her black dress was already on as was my tango costume. I took her hand leading her to the stage.
"We are doing our tango dance once more. We are going to finish strong, and I want you to remember this dance and how amazing you were. Dancing in front of thousands of people or just you and me, you were incredible. Understand?" I raised an eyebrow.
Emma gulped nodding.
"Can I show you something first?" Emma asked.
"Of course," I smiled. Taking my wrist in her delicate hands, she took me to the edge of the stage.
"Sit," she ordered. I sat down dangling my feet over the edge. Emma sat beside me holding a small black bag that I hadn't seen until now. Opening it, she handed me half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. My eyes softened.
"What's this?" I chuckled taking it.
"I told you if we won, I would make my world famous peanut butter and jelly sandwich," she smiled softly up at me. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Even though we didn't win the competition... I still think we won. I won because I had you to get me out of my shell and dance. I won because you helped me become a leader this week instead of feeling like a freak. I won because I had you as a teacher," she looked down smiling.
"Emma..." I trailed.
"I'm not finished.." she looked up to me with those big eyes. "I wanted to propose a PB&J toast," she smiled lifting her half of the sandwich in the air. I was silent lifting my half in the air to copy her. "You are so greatly overlooked at this school. You have so much talent and so much potential. You have a dream to be on broadway, and yet you're here trying to help others make their dreams come true. I have never met a more selfless man in the world, and I am glad I am his friend. To Mr. Schuester," She clinked her sandwich with mine and took a bite.
I sat frozen. I knew I was staring at her, but I couldn't move. No one had ever recognized my talent. No one had ever tried to put me first. No one had ever said something as kind as what Emma had just said to me.
"You okay, Mr. Schue?" She asked looking back at me. I unfroze looking down.
"Yeah... I'm good..." I breathed before looking back up to her. "Thank you," I said sincerely. I took a bite of the sandwich.
"Just speaking the truth," she smiled before squinting at me. "Oh you have a little," she pointed to my chin. "Peanut butter," she pointed again. After I swallowed, I stuck my tongue out trying to reach it.
"Did I get it?" I laughed.
"No... here," she reached her thumb over closer to my face wiping the peanut butter off of my chin and onto her napkin. My gaze caught hers for what seemed like an eternity, but probably lasted five seconds.
"Uh.. thanks," I broke the awkward silence when she was finished.
"Yeah," she nodded before standing. "Dance?" Emma asked. I took another bite before standing.
"Yeah. Holy shit this is amazing," I complimented. I hadn't had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for probably years.
"I told ya," she raised her eyebrows. I rinsed my mouth with water.
"Ready?" I asked. She nodded stepping closer to me. Oh no. This was not good. I clicked play on my phone for the instrumental version of Kiss. "Uh!" I began stalking around her catching a small glimpse of Emma biting her lip.
Okay... I am not a sinful man, but oh my lord. Emma biting her lip did things to me. Below the belt things. I was in trouble now.
"You don't have to be beautiful
To turn me on
I just need your body baby
From dusk till dawn," I finished. Emma's form was still just as perfect as the competition. Emma began to sing.
"You don't need experience
To turn me out
You just leave it all up to me
I'm gonna show you what it's all about," she finished before we sang together.
"You don't have to be rich
To be my girl
You don't have to be cool
To rule my world
Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your," the back of her slid down my body as I leaned over her shoulder making kissing noises. As she slid back up, my eyes popped.
Oh shit.
Dead cats. Sewers. Naked grandma. Yup naked grandma did it.
Close one.
"Kiss," I swiveled her around stroking her hair as I did before, only now I noticed the detail. It was so soft and bouncy. I loved the way it curled around her face. I looked into her big beautiful doe eyes smirking as she shoved my chest pushing me back. Just the choreography we added.
"Oh oh," we continued dancing, and I began to sing.
"You got to not talk dirty, baby
If you want to impress me
You can't be to flirty, mama
I know how to undress me, yeah
I want to be your fantasy
Maybe you could be mine
You just leave it all up to me
We could have a good time
Don't have to be rich
To be my girl
Don't have to be cool
To rule my world
Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your," she slid down me once more and back up doing things to me kicking my adrenaline up a notch.
God dammit.
Maggots. Decapitations. Plumber's crack. Ahh. There we go.
"Kiss," I smirked swiveling her around as Emma did her high kick in the air turning. When we got back into a normal dancing position, I knew my face was burning red from embarrassment. Hopefully Emma thought it was from the dancing.
"Women not girls rule my world
I said they rule my world," I sang as Emma looped her leg around my waist. I held her knee around my waist and drug her across the floor.
"Act your age, mama (not your shoe size)
Not your shoe size
Maybe we could do the twirl," she sang as I twirled her twice.
"You don't have to watch Dynasty
To have an attitude
You just leave it all up to me
My love will be your food
Yeah," we came to the closing chorus, and my heart was racing. Not from the dancing I may add. I leaned in pulling her close to dance and sing the final chorus together.
"You don't have to be rich
To be my girl
You don't have to be cool
To rule my world
Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your," she slid down me once more, and as she came back up I knew it was over. I swiveled her around not being able to hold back any longer.
"Kiss," I said before cupping her face and leaning in.
*AHH I'm sorry to leave you off like that. I'm genuinely an awful person when it comes to writing. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review and let me know what you think! I love hearing people's opinions. Comment as much as you want. The more the better! -Syd*
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