Little Kids AU

Prompt: Valentine's day elementary school

Ms. Aura Lopez looked at her classroom, tired.

It was Friday. Valentine's Day.

Everyone, all the teachers, had been talking about their plans and she faked a smile as she admitted that she would be staying at home.

She ignored their pity looks. For the past few years that she had been working there, her answer had always been the same. She had not spent a Valentine Day with anyone since she was 17.

It was near the afternoon and it was time for the party.

The room was decorated with pink and red hearts.

Her eyes drifted onto her class.

Callie Quinn Jacobs was biting her lip as she cut out a heart. Next to her was the troublemaker of 2nd grade, Wyatt, who was sneaking glances at her and coloring. She watched as Wyatt grabbed the scissors and began to finish cutting out Callie's heart as the girl had grown frustrated.

It still surprised her that Callie and Wyatt were friends.

They were different yet, were drawn to each other.

Her eyes landed on window where she saw her co-worker Lena coming with her 1rd grade class.

Her eyes landed on Jesus and Mariana, twins, and their friends Emma and Lexi.

Emma and Jesus argued a lot while Lexi and Mariana giggled.

The four younger students happened to be friends with Callie and Wyatt.

She opened the door and hugged Lena and her class rushed to their older friends.

The two women watched as Callie hushed the fight between Lexi and Emma and Wyatt colored with Mariana while talking about cars with Jesus.

Aura and Lena handed each other chocolate hearts. The two women had become friends fast. When Lena came out to her, Aura shrugged her shoulder and admitted to have having an ex-girlfriend once.

Aura had met Stef, Lena's girlfriend and the three girls were close. Mike, Stef's ex-husband was a good friend of hers and was currently seeing her cousin, although she doubted it would last long.

A knock on the door revealed the third member of the teacher group, Timothy and his 3rd grade glass.

Lena watched as her girlfriend's son walked over to Callie's group.

He sat down next to Mariana and Lexi.

The three teachers chatted about their weekend plans. Lena and Tim suggesting movies for their friend to watch at home.

Meanwhile, at the tables, the little group had fallen into a groove.

Brandon was braiding Mariana's hair while complaining about Tayla who wouldn't leave him and Lou, his friend, alone. Tayla was currently glaring at them while Lou was home sick.

Lexi was patiently waiting her turn. Jesus and Emma were coloring while Wyatt was helping Callie but keeping the two from arguing.

Aura looked at them and smiled.

"I love little kid Valentine's Day."

Lena nodded.

"So much easier."

Aura nodded and then glanced at the clock.

"Kids! Time to pass out cards and have cookies and punch!"

All the kids scrambled to their chairs and they had the tables pass out the cards one by one as they handed out cookies and punch.

Aura and Lena hugged the students who gave them cards and chocolate.

After that the three of them went around snapping pictures.

Aura had amazing shots of Callie's group.

There was one of Jesus kissing Emma and then Callie's cheek. One of Mariana and Lexi hugging each other to death. One of Brandon playing his guitar for the class. One of Wyatt and Brandon and Jesus giving the girl's piggy back rides, (with Brandon having both Mariana and Lexi on his back.) One of Tayla kissing Brandon. One of Jesus and Emma wrestling and the kissing on accident which had them on opposite sides of the table. One of Wyatt giving Callie a sea shell.

Aura made a mental note to make copies for the parents.

Lena looked at the clock and then called her students to her as it was time to go.

Tim did the same and Aura got the kids ready to go.

She smiled as they walked out the building and then the smile slid off her face as she had to go home. She grabbed her stuff and headed home. She finished her lesson plans and decided to take a bubble bath. After her bubble bath, she started her movie marathon.

Around her 3rd movie, her 2nd carton of ice cream, her 5th glass of vodka, and around 10 PM, she heard the door open. She grabbed the nearest thing, a lamp, and got ready to hit someone over the head.

Then she dropped the lamp as she recognized the man and her heart did a flip.

"Anthony?"

"Aura!"

As a testimony as to how drunk she was, she stumbled over and hugged him, instead of yelling him to walk out.

Anthony hugged her gently and they settled down to watch the movies, talking during them. Aura forgetting why she should be careful around him as he brought out some wine and later made tequilas for them.

Eventually she fell asleep and Anthony carried her to bed.

When she woke up the next morning, she found herself face to face with him. She wanted so badly to blame a hangover but she had a strong tolerance, except for whenever Anthony was involved, then everything flew out the window.

He brushed a curl out of her face.

"Morning Bella."

She blushed at the Italian's words but pushed him away.

"You stayed."

The two had been best friend in high school. Anthony had been a player and never stayed the night in a girl's bed. Hers included. On the night of graduation, they had slept together and she woke up to an empty bed. They never spoke again, except for the occasional conversation when they bumped into each other. Last night, was the first time they had talked for more than an hour.

"I walked away once, I won't do it again."

She turned away from him, not believing his words.

Anthony sighed. He knew that walking away from her 8 years ago was a mistake, but he was scared. He woke up next to her and was shocked when he realized that he had slept with his best friend and that he didn't want to leave her side. He forced himself to leave and saw the look of pain on her face as she realized he left.

"How did you get in?"

"Your brother gave me the key."

"You should go."

Then she locked herself in the bathroom and he sighed.

There was no reasoning with her. She was as stubborn as her students.

He decided to make her breakfast before he left, remembering that when they were younger, she skipped meals if there was no time or she was upset.

After Aura took a bath she walked out find breakfast on the table and Anthony gone.

She ate breakfast quickly, not wanting to be late for Lena and Stef's party.

The couple were hosting a small party for their friends and children's friends.

She arrived there in time to help ice the cake.

Time flew by as they decorated the yard and made the food.

Aura was currently playing twister with the kids when Jesus screamed in her ear and ran out of the game causing her to topple over.

"Emma!"

Almost all the kids rushed to the little girl.

Lexi lived next door to Lena and Stef, so she had been invited, so her friends were also invited.

Callie and Wyatt were dropped off by Callie's mother, who was Stef's cousin.

Emma was being dropped off by her uncle.

Aura froze as a hand appeared in front of her face. She would recognize that hand anywhere, she knew every scar, every callus, on that hand.

"Anthony."

The man rolled his eyes and hauled her onto her feet, causing her to stumble into him. His hands rested on her hips briefly before she pulled away.

"What are you doing here?"

"Ms. Lopez!"

Emma threw her arms around her legs and she smiled.

"Uncle Ant, this is Ms. Lopez. She is Callie's teacher."

Aura turned pale and he held out a hand for her to shake. She tried to ignore the way he kissed her hand.

She spent much of the party avoiding him.

Emma on the other hand was determined to get them together. She had seen pictures of her uncle and Callie's teacher when they were younger. She had asked her father about the pictures and all he said was that they were best friends.

She knew her uncle loved her and that the teacher loved him. She just didn't understand why big people made it so difficult.

Love was easy. She loved her friends. Even though she knew that big people love was different it wasn't hard.

She told her friends about this and a plan was being created.

Wyatt would drag his teacher and beg her to sing. Callie would join in the begging if necessary. Emma and Jesus would annoy her uncle into playing the guitar provided by Brandon and Lou. Mariana and Lexi's job were to film the whole thing.

The plan went smoothly until the kids told them what song to sing. Both adults refused until they were surrounded by a horde of kids begging and screaming.

Aura broke down first, as seeing that some of them were her students. Anthony was quick to fall as Emma's eyes filled with tears.

Slowly and quietly they began to sing.

As they started, the yard became quiet and everyone listened.

When the song was over, Anthony's added one last line.

"I'll always love you. I'll wait forever if I had too."

Aura's breath caught in her throat and then she was running.

She ran all the way to the beach.

Anthony didn't hesitate to run after her and the kids all exchanged looks.

They messed up.

Emma's lip began to quiver and Jesus and Callie both hugged the younger girl.

Brandon wrapped his arms around Lou, Lexi, and Mariana. Wyatt stood above Callie protectively.

They waited to see what would happen, as did all the adults at the party.

Aura kicked off her shoes and waded into the water, her face streaked with tears.

She couldn't go through this again. She wouldn't fall for it.

She is so caught up in her thoughts she doesn't hear anything behind her until a pair of arms scoop her up.

She finds herself looking at Anthony.

She opens her mouth to yell but he places a finger on her lips.

"Give me a minute. Then yell at me."

"Do you want to know why I left? I left because for the first time, I didn't want to leave. I woke and saw you next to me and I didn't want to leave. I wanted to hold you in my arms and kiss you until you woke up. I wanted to have breakfast with you and see you wearing my clothes. That scared me. I was scare because I was in love with you and I couldn't stand it if you rejected me.

So I rejected you, thinking it would be easier. Walking out was the hardest thing I have ever done and I regret it. There hasn't been a second where I don't regret it. I see couples on the beach holding hands and wonder if that would have been us. I go to weddings and I see you in a white dress. I see what we could have been and the only person I can blame is myself. I was scared and a coward and I let the best thing in my life go. I'm sorry."

Aura was in shock. Never in her life did she think that he could have been in love with her. Never.

She watched as he began walking away and she knew she couldn't let him go.

She began running after him and when he turned to look at him, she kissed him.

She poured years of hurt and anger and love into the kiss and she felt the same from him.

When they pull away, they smile and clasp hands as they walk back to the party. They will have a lot to talk about later but for now the knowledge of them is enough.

(10 years later)

Emma smoothed her dress again, thankful that it's not pink.

The dress was a simple light blue with a silver sash. They were all barefoot as the ceremony would take place on the beach.

Emma could hardly believe it. Her uncle and former teacher had married when she was in grade school, but now that they were all in high school, they decided to get a vow renewal.

They had asked the kids if they would be part of the ceremony.

Jude, Callie's baby brother and his friend Jude were the ring bearers.

Emma, Callie, Lexi, and Mariana were bridemaids.

Jesus, Wyatt, and Matt, Lou's cousin were groomsmen.

Brandon and Lou were the music.

It was a simple and fun affair.

Everyone was barefoot and Emma thought that her uncle and aunt looked happy.

Afterwards, it was just a huge bonfire.

Matt left to have dinner with his girlfriend. Lexi and Mariana were dancing with some cute boys.

Callie and Wyatt had disappeared.

Brandon and Lou were sneaking kisses.

Jude and Conner were eating cake and laughing.

Emma was currently sitting down watching everyone until Jesus came by and dragged her up to her feet.

She protested but Jesus overpowered her and she found herself on the dance floor.

They danced for a while before, someone bumped into her.

"Can I cut in?"

She turned around to see Callie.

She nodded and stepped back but to her surpise Callie grabbed her and spun her away.

Emma saw Jesus and Wyatt do the robot awkwardly. She started laughing and Callie did too.

"Did you and Wyatt make is official?"

Callie nodded, a huge smile on her face.

"It's about time."

Callie laughed and bumped her hip against Emma.

"Looks who's talking."

Emma blushed and her eyes landed on Jesus.

Callie laughed as her eyes followed her friends to her boyfriend and neighbor.

Callie then walked over and grabbed Jesus, leaving her boyfriend to the younger girl.

"When are you going to ask her out?"

Jesus gasped at his friend's forwardness.

"I-I-I…"

Callie laughed and pinched his cheeks.

"Do it."

"Princesa! Stop!"

Callie laughed again and pushed him toward Emma.

"Love you Jesus."

He stumbled into Emma and blushed and she did the same.

They saw Callie winking at them.

"They set us up."

Emma laughed and nodded in agreement.

Jesus grabbed her hand and twirled her around.

Emma smiled and rested her head against his shoulder.

Jesus smiled into her hair and breathed in her scent- ocean and strawberries.

Callie and Wyatt watched the two and then Callie pulled him away.

The couple walked down the beach and sat down, talking and kissing.

It was their end to a perfect night.

So tell me what you think. Its been a while, so sorry about that. I have been very busy, with dance, school, college stuff, boys, etc.

But I will try to get back in the groove soon. I have a writer's block so if you have any ideas let me know.

Love you Wallflowers.

PS. Can't believe I'm doing this… but hypothetically, should the girl make the first move? What to guys think/feel if they do? What classifies as a date? How can someone tell when someone likes him or her? This is a hypothetically situation.