Emma & Malcom Peabody

Chapter 12: Back to school/Wonderland

After time-traveling, the twins had to come back to school, where an argument can mess everything up...

The school was pretty boring comparing it with time-traveling, or at least that's what Malcom thought. He has been the entire morning looking for a new excuse to go to his grandfather's house. Perhaps he could say that he forgot something... as his pyjamas! But no... His mother has packed it. He needed help from the only person who would be able to tell him a lie without asking for explanations.

He turned to his right.-John?-

The brown-haired boy faced his friend.-Oh, thanks you talked! I was getting really bored!-he said pointing the teacher, who was really excited talking about something he didn't know... he wasn't paying attention to her.

-Have you ever invented an excuse for going back to a place?-

-Sure I did! Who didn't?-he said smiling.-Why? Where do you want to go?-

-Well, I need to come back to my grandfather's house-

-Uh... interesting, I always thought that you hated going there-

-Yeah... but I... I forgot some stuff for making a prank to Emma-

-Another prank?-he looked at him as if he was telling him off.-Don't you think you're being a bit "mean" to your own twin?-

-Uh? And why do you care about my sister now?!-

-I don't care about her! But your parents would ground you! And it's Jessica's birthday next week. I won't go to another party without my best friend!-

-Jessica's birthday?-he asked having an idea

-Yeah, next Saturday, you forgot it, right?-

Of course! He could say that he forgot the Jessica's present in his grandfather's house! And when they'll go there... he'll use the WABAC again! Well... he needed to convince Emma first... but he'll have time to do that.

-That's it!-Malcom screamed happily.-Who would say that Jessica will save me?-

-What do you mean?-he asked confused

-John! Malcom!-Shouted the teacher making them shut up.-What are you talking about? Would you mind telling your partners?-

-Of course not...-said Malcom standing up.-We're talking about how boring is this class-

-Really interesting...-said the teacher with a killer look.-No one talks to me in that way!-

-Don't say anything... I'll go to the principal's office-Malcom started to walk out happily, he has saved himself of a boring class.

-No, no-she said closing the door on his face.-You'll sit there! At the front of the class!-she said pointing a desk where there was Emma.

-What?-the both asked

-Would you mind, Emma?-asked the teacher one more time

The blonde girl wanted to shout her: "OF COURSE I WILL!" But she couldn't do that, so she only sighed and took her stuff.-Of course not, Mrs.-she stood up and went to the Malcom's desk on that back part of the classroom. Closer to that desk there were Jessica, who was the most popular girl on her class... and the one who hated her most. Behind there was Liam and at the right John. Moreover there were other "popular kids". She has almost forgotten that her brother was popular.

-Why didn't you say anything?-asked John whispering

-What do you mean? She's the teacher!-she answered

-But... you're the smartest here! If you have said "I won't move", I swear it... she would have let you in your desk-

-I'm ok here-

-Are you sure?-

-Why? Because it's a guys' place or something?-she asked angrily

-Sorry, ok? If you don't feel awkward here, me either-he looked at the front again

John knew that she didn't belong to the "popular kids' side". And that made Emma a bit angry, what was his problem? She could sit wherever she wanted... Even though he was right about something, she felt a bit awkward, first because of Liam and second because of Jessica.

-I think that was the most boring class I've ever had!-protested Malcom

The class has finished and now they were at lunch. They were searching for a place to sit and eat.

-I know! I couldn't talk to anyone!-added John

-I can't believe Emma can sit there and don't feel asleep-

John laughed a bit.-The teacher told you off like six times because you were sleeping-

-And how was Emma in my desk?-

-Well... she didn't feel really comfortable there... it was just like you in the front-

-It must have been awkward; two of her biggest fears are there...-he whispered

-Biggest fears?-

-Yeah, Jessica... who always seems as if she wants to kill Emma... and Liam-

John suddenly stopped as if he has just seen a ghost.-Liam?-

-Yeah, she likes him-

-SHE LIKES LIAM?-

-Of course! Its obvious...-Malcom stared at his friend.-Why do you care?-

-Care? I... I just think that Emma doesn't have a chance with him-

-Right...-

-I thought he liked Jessica that's all. Moreover he isn't her style-

-Has she got a style?-

Emma got into the lunch's room. She looked at the different tables full of kids and sighed. Unfortunately, she wasn't like her brother. She wasn't popular, she didn't even have friends. She just couldn't believe that she hadn't got any friend!

-Hi-she said to some kids sat on a table

-Oh, hi, Emma, would you like to sit?-said one of them

-Oh, sure thanks-

-Never mind, we've finished-the kid said as he left the table as well as the other children sat there.

The blonde girl was sat, alone, trying to eat her sandwich, when she wasn't hungry at all. That's when her brother and John passed close to her. She remembered the WABAC and the adventures she and her brother had and she decided to do something a bit crazy.

-I mean, she doesn't have a "style" but he isn't just for her, in my opinion-continued John

-And who would be a good couple for her, in your opinion, bud?-asked Malcom a bit annoyed

John suddenly shut up and started to look for someone on his head. He was about to talk when...

-Hi there!-said Emma running to them.-What are you doing?-

-Waiting for your enemy and your boyfriend to come so we can sit-explained the red-haired boy

-Enemy? Boyfriend?-

-Jessica and Liam, who else?-

Emma blushed and John noticed It.-Why do you ask?-

-Would you mind if I sit with you guys?-

-What?-asked her brother confused

-Yeah... well, only for today, c'mon!-

-Sorry, Emma-said John.-But I don't think that Jessica and Liam would like you to sit with us-

-Why not?-

-Well... because you don't belong to the popular place-he continued ignoring her

-You don't belong to it either, so?-

-There are some "rules" you don't get, princess-

Emma grumbled.-Don't call me princess!-

-You must at least... well, be a bit handsome or in your case beautiful. You must have contacts... and, the most important... friends-

-John, hold up!-said Malcom making him shut up

-No, it's ok, I prefer sitting alone than sitting beside YOU-she said going to the table in which she was completely on her own again

-Wow...-said Malcom

-What?-asked John

-You tell me off because of a prank and you treat Emma in the worst way ever... really nice your attitude-

The kid sighed and looked down.-I know, but it's better this way-

-Why?-

-Because... Jessica and Liam would have never accepted her... In fact, Jessica would have humiliate her again-

-But if me, you and Liam are agree with her staying, Jessica won't be able to do anything... But are you agree with her staying?-

-Malcom, we're popular! And Emma is a nerd, everyone knows it. Everything is where it's supposed to be-

-Do you think she feels ok being treated in this horrible way?-

John breathed.-I don't care about her feelings!-

-But you're a human, don't you have a heart? She's my sister and...-

-SISTER?-John started to laugh.-You're the first person who always says she is a nerd, a witch... you're the first person who is against her! What's wrong with you now?-

-Perhaps... I found out that she isn't as bad as I thought-

-Seriously?-his friend asked confused.-What happened? Your parents made you go to familiar therapy?-

-Something similar-

-C'mon, Malcom! Remember all the times you said that she was the reason why you never understood your father!-

The young boy looked down. She was the reason why his parents never pay attention to him... She is better than him at everything! She's smarter, more talented, better drawer, better cook... He never could do something as well as Emma could. He felt so jealous of her! The only moment in which his parents pay him attention was when he got into trouble. If he doesn't get into trouble so usually, his parents wouldn't know he's alive.

-Malcom! John!-called Jessica coming along with Liam.-I found an amazing table!-

-Yeah... it's super cool-said Liam

-Yes!-said John sarcastic following them

Malcom sometimes really didn't understand his best friend. But he always was sure it was just the way he was, insecure about his feelings. But since they met, John was the first person who was with Emma, but sometimes he was the first in being against her.

Malcom felt really wrong about what has happened at school. He knew he had to say sorry to Emma if he wanted her to speak to him again... But... How? He has never apologized before! And less to his sister... but in some way, something changed between the twins. Malcom really seemed to care about Emma now.

He took a deep breath and knocked at his sister's room door.

Emma opened and looked at him angrily.-What do you want?-

-Can we talk about what has just happened and...?-

-NO!-she said closing the door on his face

Well, that didn't work the way he thought. His sister could be really stubborn sometimes...

-Emma! I won't leave until you let me in-

-You can be there the whole night!-she screamed from her room

-Ugh!-

-What is wrong now?-asked Penny.-Why are you arguing?-

-Emma doesn't let me get in-protested the young boy

-Why?-

-Because she is mad at me... but I'm trying to fix it! And she doesn't want to let me in!-

-Fix it?-

-Yeah! I mean it!-

Penny wasn't really sure about it... she couldn't remember the last time in which Malcom has apologized for something. Or the last time he tried to solve anything...

-What have you done to her?-

-Well... I... didn't do anything!-he pointed

Emma opened the door to speak.-And do you really think you can fix something with that attitude?-she closed the door again

-Wow... she's worse than me when she's angry-muttered the red-haired boy before watching to his mother again.-Please mom!-

-You haven't answered why you are arguing-

-Well... John said that she didn't belong to the popular place and I didn't defend her-

-Your friend John?-she asked confused

-Yes-

-And why didn't you defend her?-

-Ugh...-he looked down.-I don't know, I think it didn't pass over my mind in that moment... but I swear it: the next time someone says something against her, I'll defend her!-

Emma opened the door again.-I don't trust you!-and she closed it. That was starting to become into a habit.

-Uh! I don't know why I even worry! Someday you'll have to go out-screamed Malcom to her

-So? I won't talk to you-she screamed back

-It wasn't my fault at all! Yeah, I didn't defend you but...-

-You are friend with someone who thinks that about me! That's unforgivable!-

-Well... you... you never seemed to like him either-

She opened the door one more time, but this time she went out.-How come would you expect me to like someone who is just like you?-she said really angry that Malcom didn't answer.

She was really angry. He has never seen his sister as mad before. And it was the best thing he has done to her comparing to all the times he did things for damaging her.

Emma took Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and went to the up part from the house, where his father usually worked. That place was really quiet, perfect to read. She always goes there when she needed time to read, think or stay away from her life. She sat down on the floor and opened her book but she couldn't focus on her reading. There was something that was making her freak out: Malcom didn't care at all about her. She really thought that after the trip they had together in which they met Monet everything was going to be different. But no, it was only worse. Life has been never worse... but never better, just like in a Wonderland.

Perhaps she was like Alice and Malcom was the mad hatter... Or it was just the other way around? She has never qualified herself as someone curios... well, at least before they used the WABAC. But who wouldn't have used a time machine if they had the chance? Moreover, her grandfather was agreeing and... Well... whatever. She tried to concentrate on her book one more time. But a strange feeling of tiredness came into her.

In a few seconds, she was sleeping.

She opened her eyes and found herself in a strange kind of wood. Suddenly, Malcom went out from one of the trees.

-Let's go!-he said pulling her deeper inside the forest

-Wait, haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds?-she asked to him

But her brother didn't seem to listen.-Didn't they tell us don't rush into things?-

The wood was getting every time darker as they walked in, she started to feel a bit scared, but her brother only seemed more curious about what was inside of that forest. Even though it was similar to the Wonderland's wood, the entire road was completely alone; there were no talking trees, or smiling cats.

That was when the mad hatter appeared from the nothing and stared at them. Well, that mad hatter wasn't the way she actually thought. He was the same age as them and very handsome. His green eyes seemed to be focused in one objective: Emma. The strange hatter took of his hat and the blonde girl quickly discovered who he was.

-We're lost-said Malcom

-Well... You must enjoy it then-opined John cleaning his hat and putting it on again

-How can we enjoy something that is wrong?-asked the blonde girl suddenly

-I don't know... why you don't enjoy the things that are right?-asked the mad hatter

Emma opened her eyes. The dream was over. She stood up trying not to think about that strange dream. Closing the book she went down stairs and to her room.

"Why you don't enjoy the things that are right?" was the most questionably phrase in the dream. Of course she did enjoy the things that were right! She didn't need to disobey her parents or get into trouble to enjoy her life! She enjoyed reading a book, making her homework, studying but...

She must confess it; she really enjoyed using the WABAC... and that was completely wrong.

Perhaps she wasn't like Alice at all. Maybe Malcom and her together were like one Alice. Maybe they weren't a really strange team. But as everyone at Wonderland, they shouldn't stay there for a long time... or they will get mad.

We found Wonderland, you and I got lost in it

And we pretended it could last forever

We found Wonderland, you and I got lost in it

And life was never worse but never better

Well, I hope you enjoyed it! You must be wondering about the dream about Wonderland, well, I just want to write some stuff about that book because I'm going to write things about "The Little Prince" too, so I wanted to be fair. Moreover this year is Alice in Wonderland anniversary and I was also inspired by the Taylor Swift song "Wonderland" (it really goes well with the dream, you should hear it).

Thanks again for reading! Leave reviews!