Chapter 4

Emma hid her disappointment at realizing she had been thinking of a student all day. "Alright, class. Starting next week we will be reading As You Like It, a play by William Shakespeare. Is anyone familiar with it?"

Killian raised his left hand as his right hand subconsciously scratched the back of his ear.

Emma smiled at him as she waited for his response. "It is a pastoral comedy. It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden."

Emma's eyebrow rose. "Not bad, Mr.?" She looked at her attendance sheet searching for the answer.

"Killian Jones and today is my first day in school," he responded with a smile.

"Thank you, Killian. I am Miss Swan, and it is lovely to have you." She looked at the rest of the class to avoid his gaze because she'd felt her cheeks redden. She was then surprised by Peter's raised hand. "Is there something you would like to add Peter?"

"Isn't pastoral what they do to milk?"

Peter turned beet red as his classmates laughed at his comment.

Emma only smiled and answered, "I'm sorry Peter but that would be pasteurized. Pastoral is a work of literature portraying an idealized version of country life. Did anyone else know that?" She looked around the class and then her eyes finally landed on Killian to see if he would raise his hand. It was obvious that he was smart and he knew the answer.

He looked at Emma and he could feel everyone's eyes on him. He looked down. He should really not attract too much attention to himself, but he wanted nothing more than for her to keep looking at him.

After a lengthy discussion on what to be expecting for their upcoming reading assignment, Emma announced, "Alright, class, starting Monday we will be reading the play out loud." There were groans heard throughout the room. "It will be fun. Have a fun and safe weekend."

Chairs scraped the floor as the students eagerly got up to leave for the day.

She waited out in the hall for the last of her students to leave so she could finally lock up.

…

Henry and Killian walked out of class together and into the school halls to make their exit. As soon as the sun made contact with them Killian heard Henry's voice.

"Hey, Killian. Do you want to hang out tomorrow?"

It was obvious the boy didn't have many friends from their interactions during the day. "Sure. Let me give you my number."

"Cool, I'll call you tomorrow."

They parted paths and Killian walked to his car. He got in and attempted to start the bloody relic, but it wouldn't turn over. He kept turning the ignition and there was no spark. Then he stopped caring for a brief second as he saw her walking out of the school. She was gorgeous, and for a moment he forgot the car wouldn't start. He sighed and returned his attention to the piece of crap in front of him. Popping the hood open he got out to investigate. He wasn't exactly mechanic material but he would give it a go.

He stared at the motor and scratched behind his right ear.

"Hey, Killian. I saw you as I was about to pull away. Car trouble?"

"Henry, um, the car won't start."

"Oh, the battery was probably disconnected by Peter and his minions. They do that to the new kids."

Killian and Henry looked around to see the Lost Boys laughing in their direction.

Inspecting the battery with a fresh eye, after Henry's scoop, Killian saw the top clamp was loose. "Thanks, mate."

"You're lucky they didn't move your car and watch as you wandered aimlessly looking for it. They did that to me twice."

Killian closed the hood of the car and walked to the front seat, turning the key in the ignition once more, the engine roared to life.

"Killian, no offense but maybe we should take my minivan tomorrow, instead of your car? I think your car was on a recall list."

He laughed out loud and smiled at Henry's precocious nature. "Sure no problem, the car is a bit of a monstrosity isn't it?"

"I will call you tomorrow morning. I'm running late. I have to pick up my brother Roland."

"Okay, talk to you tomorrow and thank you for the help today, mate."

"No problem."

Arriving back home, Killian was greeted by Shadow. He bent down to pick up his purring friend. The day had brought back old memories for him. The only brightness had been Henry, and his teacher. Emma Swan, the beautiful, enchanting woman he could not stop thinking of. He had never felt such an intense attraction to anyone before. He felt as though he had found his soulmate if he was honest.

His phone suddenly vibrated announcing an incoming text.

"Hey Killian, it's Henry. I forgot to give you my number. About tomorrow, I was thinking maybe we could go to Skull Rock. That's where everyone at school hangs out, and I know an area we could hang out without being bothered."

Killian saved the unknown phone number into his contacts and replied.

"That sounds good."

Killian woke to his alarm the next morning and promptly got dressed. He looked on as his companion purred. "I know Shadow, I normally stay in and read a good book in your company, but this is my chance to be the writer I always wanted to be." He fed him then left to go to his parent's house. That was the address he had used at the registrar's office when enrolling for school, and so he'd used it again when he solidified plans with Henry.

As they were drove out to Skull Rock, where all the cool kids hung out, in Henry's minivan, they talked about school and future plans. Henry was telling Killian more about what type of writing he wanted to do when he got out of high school as they approached the narrow road leading to the toll bridge that Henry found so appealing.

Out of nowhere, Peter jumped in front of the vehicle and Henry barely managed to bring the van to a screeching stop, only narrowly missing the so called leader of the "cool kids."

"Hey what do you two losers think you're doing here!?"

"Peter we will be out of your way. We don't want any trouble."

"I don't think so. Just turn your old lady car around and leave. You will never be cool, and Skull Rock is for the cool kids, not nerds like the two of you."

Killian clenched his jaw. He had hated kids like Peter growing up. "Henry it's alright. We can go somewhere else and enjoy ourselves."

Henry looked at him and he nodded his response. "Fine, we'll go. How about you get out of the way?"

Peter laughed and moved out of the way.

"It's not fair. They get to do whatever they want at no consequence."

"It won't always be like that. Henry, just…" he took a deep breath, "I mean we need to stay on track and work hard for our goals. I can guarantee that Peter and his lackeys will end up fat and bald in a dead end job. And you will be that writer you always wanted to be." In a way, he wasn't sure who he was trying to convince, himself or Henry.

"If you don't mind we can hang out at my place. My little brother will be there but he'll leave us alone. We can play video games," Henry suggested after they were exiled from Skull Rock.

"Sounds like a plan, mate."

They enjoyed the rest of the day.

The weekend ended too soon.