"I swear I fucking hate sticks" Belle cursed as she jerked my Volkswagen Beetle up my block.

If I didn't throw up before I was definitely going to now. This was totally nauseating. Coupled with the headache that was forming and pain from my fall I felt like I was going to pass out.

"Good, we are here finally." she said in an annoyed tone, yanking on my E-brake.

I knew I should have let Killian drive me home. Belle began to unbuckle her seat belt and when I saw her hand reach for the door, I leaned across and grabbed it wincing at the pain I felt in my side.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Getting out so I can help you into your house."

"Oh no you don't. If you walk me in there, my parents will freak. Just let me do it by myself."

I put on my best puppy dog pout face for the cherry on top. She flared her nostrils and dropped her head.

Got you.

"I don't agree with this, you didn't see yourself fly into the wall." Belle stated.

No but I felt it.

"It was like this..."

She raised both of her hands sending the back of her right hand into the palm of her left. I cringed at the sound it made reliving the feeling all over again.

"I'm still walking in there by myself."

I refuse to budge on this.

"Fine, but text me some time tonight to let me know how you are feeling."

I nodded in agreement, happy she finally surrendered.

"How will you get home?" I asked unclicking the seat belt and opened the door.

"Jefferson should be here soon to take me back and grab my car."

At this an all black mustang sped up the street.

"Speaking of the devil." joked Belle.

We both got out of my car and she walked around to meet me. She handed back my keys and pulled me in for a light hug.

"Text me okay!"

This was not a question. This was a demand.

"Promise." I held out my pinkie for her to take and without hesitation she wrapped hers around mind.

Saying goodbye one more time Belle jogged to get in Jefferson's car. He waved at me, then flipped a U-Turn and peeled out of the neighborhood.

I turned towards the house door and sighed.

Here we go.

Walking up I couldn't help but limp from pain. There was no way I was going to be able to hide this. I stuck my key in the door and hobbled in. Immediately I heard giggling in the kitchen from my mom.

"David, we can't do this right now..." she said.

He chuckled lowly.

"Yes we can. Emma won't be home another 30 minutes."

Oh my God. Are you serious? Were they actually about to fuck in the kitchen? Or worse what if they already have? What if they've done it on the table?

Where we eat.

I shuddered at the thought.

Loud smacking noises reached my ears and I recognized that sound. They're making out.

Nope. I'm done. This is where I draw the line.

I slammed the door shut announcing my arrival and the next thing I heard was a loud clatter from that area and my mom shrieked. She rushed into the foyer with my dad in tow behind her. Both of their faces were flushed.

Come on guys, at least get your shit together before you meet me.

"Honey, we didn't think you'd be home so early." my mom said slightly out of breath.

"Yea, for another 30 minutes." added my dad. There was an edge to his voice.

It's not my fault you can't time your sexcapades right.

"How did try outs go?" she continued.

"Well..." I said.

How about I just show you. I dropped my bag and books to the ground and started to limp over to them. Instant panic spread across their faces and they sprinted over to meet me the rest of the way. I felt my dads big arms wrap around my shoulders and my mom bent down on one knee to check my face.

"Emma what happened?" moms voice was shaky.

"I tripped at try outs."

My answer is simple. No need for the details.

"This seems like more than a fall." stated my dad from above.

I kept my mouth shut. They looked at each other realizing I wasn't going to say anything and brought me into the kitchen. Dad pulled out a chair for himself, mom, and me and mom ran to the freezer to grab an ice pack. She placed it behind my back and had me lean against it when I sat down.

Yes, that feels nice.

They both took their seats across from me and stared with a worried expression on their face.

"Emma, does this have anything to do with-"

Dad couldn't finish his sentence because mom cut him off.

"David, I swear I will go to the damn district."

Wait what? Why?

"M&M take a deep breath."

Why was mom turning red, she looked like she was about to blow steam out of her ears.

"No, the kids just can't hurt her and get away with it."

She was on the verge of crying. And then it hit me.

"Guys, no. That's not what happened. Nobody knows about my-my stuff."

Dad reached over to hold my hand.

"You can tell us you know." his eyes were pleading.

They looked at me at me with a combination of love and sorrow. How did I get so lucky to fall into this household?

"I know, but it wasn't that so please stop freaking out."

Guess I shouldn't have withheld the details.

"You promise all that happened was you tripping?" asked my mom, her voice holding less tension.

"I promise. I was running, I thought I saw something and then next thing I know I'm rolling on the ground and hit the wall after that."

Mom's shoulders slowly fell into a relaxed position and my dad straightened up.

They were so protective of me.

Can't say I hated it.

"Okay, just...if something like that does happen, you'd tell me? I know your father here taught you self defense, but still, kids are cruel these days."

"Yes mom, I would tell you." I said pushing all the reassurance through my voice.

And I would. She also made another point. Dad did teach me how to defend myself, especially after I got the courage to tell them about my extra appendage. I expected them to scream in anger, maybe hit me. Instead, all I received was unconditional love.

Sadly, I could only use my skills in dire situations. It's the only reason Lily can still walk.

Mom stood up from her chair and cupped my cheek bringing me out of my thoughts.

"I'll go run you bath" she said kissing me on the forehead then went upstairs.

When she left I could feel dad studying me with his eyes. I shifted under his gaze waiting for him to say what was on his mind.

"Besides your fall, how did try outs go? How was your day?"

He was good at making small talk, slowly easing in to it, then getting to the issue.

"I think try outs went okay, Coach Robin said I had determination. And my day went well, we finally got a real physics teacher."

"Good, it's about time they got an actual one for you."

My mind drifted back to Ms. Mills, her voice, her body, her eyes, and soon I felt the burn in my loins.

Don't do this right here. Please. Not right now.

Finally listening to me my cock settled down. On the small chance that I might have made the team, I would need to figure out some new spandex. My dad, being the great observational cop he is, seemed to sense my discomfort.

"What else is on your mind?"

Eh, should I really bring this up now?

Might as well get it over with. I sat up in my chair digging deep to bring out all the courage I had to talk about this uncomfortable topic.

"Soooo...Today in school I-um-I..."

Shit. This is so awkward.

"I had some issues. With this."

I pointed down. He didn't seem at all fazed by where this conversation was going.

"I've definitely been there." my dad chuckled.

Okay gross, moving on.

"Anyway, when I went to put on the shorts for volleyball, it was a very frustrating situation. If I make the team, I'm going to need to figure something out."

Nodding his head, he got up and moved the chair he was sitting on and placed it next to me. He sat down with a sigh.

"How about we look for something tomorrow after school, when you text me that you've made the team."

He was so optimistic it was almost frustrating. That's just the kind of guy he was though. Both of them were. They were the type of people who tried to show love wherever they went and to whomever they met.

I know first hand.

If it wasn't for them, I don't know where I'd be.

A depressed sigh left my lips.

Dad reached his arm over my shoulders and pulled me into his side. I felt the calmness come over me and I relaxed. I felt smaller hands on my leg and when I looked over my shoulder there was mom sneaking in to join the cuddle session. I didn't mind though. She rocked us back and forth and the swaying was making me so zen I could fall asleep. Mom began to hum a tune she use to when I was younger and dad reached over to grab her hand that was on my leg, smoothly lacing them together.

They fit together so well. Their love for each other was undeniable.

Would that be me one day?

Could that be me?

I scoffed at the though.

Yea right.

"What's wrong sweetie?" asked mom.

The words at the tip of my tongue but I couldn't bring myself to say them.

"You can just tell you guys really love each other. It's something...something that you don't see often."

That's the closest I could come to saying 'not sure I'll find that'.

I know I'm young, and I'm not looking for love at this point, but one day I will.

I felt them squeeze around me tighter, before my dads deep voice vibrated in his chest.

"Before you came into our lives, your mom and I, we were having a tough time building a family. The problem, was me."

He sighed seeming to replay the memory.

I don't think they ever told me this story.

"I mean I was a man, and my body couldn't do the one thing it was suppose to. I was scared to tell your mom, I thought she was going to leave me, but when we sat down and talked, it seemed she fell deeper in love with me."

"That's right" added mom. "It didn't matter to me, you know why? Cause I loved him for who he was."

They both paused waiting for me to respond. I didn't, I couldn't, I just wanted to sit here in this warm cocoon.

"Do you remember the first time we met you? You were 9, sitting in the corner by yourself stacking Lego's." dad asked.

I'm lost, where are we going with this.

"I remember" mom spoke. "I remember you were so young. But your eyes, your eyes told stories. Stories of a hard life. Too hard for anyone, especially a child to go through."

"And do you remember right after we adopted you how we changed our last name to Swan." he said.

That I do remember. It was a nice gesture.

"Do you why know we did that Emma?" my mom continued.

I shook my head no.

"We did that because from the first moment we saw you, we knew you were it. You were the one to complete our family." she answered.

"From the first moment we saw you, we loved you and that has never stopped. One day Em, one day someone will fall in love you, and not because of what you do or don't have, but because of who you are. You are a great person, with a big heart."

Dad squeezed my shoulder as he said this.

"The person you're meant to be with will see your smarts, will laugh at your jokes, will look at past your beauty, will look past your minor differences and into your warm heart. And that honey, that is why they will love you."

Damn they were good. They knew what I was trying to say without me even having to say it.

I felt my mom lean her body on me and that did it, my eyes burned from the tears I was desperately trying to hold back. My body shook from the gentle sobs threatening to break free deep with in. I knew they were right. They knew they were right. There was no need for anymore words, and as we sat in silence I felt a lone tear drop off my eyelashes and watched as it fell and seeped into my jeans.

SQSQSQSQSQSQ

meet at the locker room before 1st period.

You up yet?

Emma!….

Hellooooo…...

I was sitting in my bug a block away from school reading Ruby's text. Call me a coward if you want, but I wasn't ready for her to drag me to rejection. Like not at all. I knew she was probably stalking the parking lot waiting for me to arrive, so I'm staying hidden.

I shot a quick text back.

Sorry, late start to the day! See you at lunch.

There that should do it.

I checked myself over in the rear view mirror. My eyes were still a little swollen from crying last night, but not as bad as I thought. If anybody asks, it's allergies. My body was sore, and my legs, holy hell, I could barely sit down on the toilet this morning. Starting the car I drove up and pulled into the senior parking lot just in time for the warning bell to ring. The shitty thing about arriving just as school starts is that all the good spots are taken.

So now I have to park in butt fuck egypt.

After parking, I grabbed my things and began my journey to the school. I wasn't in any hurry. Not like I could. My body was so damn sore. I cut through the teachers parking lot trying to make my journey shorter when a white Porsche screamed into the lot then darted into an open spot that I had been currently walking by.

What teacher drives a Porsche?

I slowed down my pace a little so I could see who it was. The door opened and Ms. Mills got out of the car. I tried to turn away, but my feet wouldn't move.

There I stood like a deer in head lights.

Today she had on a black knee length dress with red trim. Matching her outfit were red heels and a red blazer. Her hair was parted the same as yesterday, the only difference, it's wavy.

Ms. Mills turned around and her eyes immediately met mine. A gentle smile graced her lips.

"Good morning Miss Swan."

Okay be cool.

"Hey uh Ms. Mills."

Smooth, I'm a real Casanova.

The final bell rang telling us that school had officially started, but I still stayed glued in my spot. At this moment in time, I didn't give fuck about class.

"You're late." Ms. Mills said taking a step towards me after she closed the door to her car.

The cells in my body began to vibrate recognizing the space in between us decreased slightly.

"Yea, I'll be fine, first tardy of the year so, yea..."

How about we throw in one more 'yea' for good measure.

Ms. Mills flashed a crooked smile at me and my breath caught in my chest. I was so taken back that I didn't notice Ms. Mills take another step forward and place her hand on my shoulder. Like I was brought back to life by her touch I gasped softly at the feeling. Tingles ran through my arms, butterflies swirled in my stomach, and my heart raced. The light smell of her perfume wafted under my nose and I had to bite my lip to hold back a moan.

"Why don't I write you a pass since I am part of the reason you are late."

Warm breath from her words hit my face and I wanted to die. She didn't wait for my answer, instead she just spun me around, placed a hand on my back, and walked me into school. I was struggling to keep up with her, she walked so damn fast in heels. Even if I wasn't so beat up I probably couldn't do it.

"Are you okay?" Ms. Mills gripping my shoulder, pausing us mid step.

She looked down at my legs then back up to my eyes. With her hand where it was my brain was short circuiting. Maybe she could see it on my face because she quickly dropped it to her side.

There, now I can function.

"Yea, just sore from try outs." I said.

Light bulb! This might be my chance to see if she was there.

"I fell pretty hard." I finished.

I waited for a reaction from her but got nothing.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay, I just thought I saw someone." I said pressing the subject.

There was a hint of...something in her eyes, but she covered it up quickly. Ms. Mills turned and continued walking towards the school with me a step behind her. We neared the door to the hall her room was in and I sped up, reached for the handle and opened it for her.

"After you."

"Thank you." Ms. Mills replied as she smiled at me.

I felt my face heat up at the simply reply.

God I'm so weird around her.

As we walked through the hall I could hear the muffled voices of different teachers going through their lesson plan for the day.

Wasn't she suppose to be teaching a class as well?

"So do you not have to teach right now? You don't seem to be in a rush." I asked trying to start a simple conversation. Also I was curious.

"It's my open period." she stated.

"Well why do you even come in at all. If it was me I would be sleeping in."

"Sometimes it's to grade papers, sometimes it's to be here for any students who may need my help. I try to be here 15 to 20 minutes before school starts, but this morning I got a late start."

I chuckled in response. This was how a normal conversation is suppose to go. I'm finally gaining my wits about me.

We reached her class and she fished for her keys, then unlocked the door. I waited for her to walk in first but she didn't. Ms. Mills just stood there, holding the door open, looking at me.

"Your turn Miss Swan."

The corner of her mouth lifted into a gentle smirk and then she winked.

I fucking crumbled on the inside. So much for having my wits.

It wasn't an I want fuck you wink, it was a wink that someone would give their friend about an inside joke.

Or maybe she was teasing me because I sounded dumb as fuck earlier.

On the outside, I managed to keep it together. Except for one thing. A dull ache filled my belly then shot to my cock. It twitched a little and I'm happy I remembered looser boxers today. I shuffled inside the room and propped myself on the desk that was closest to hers.

"So do you know if you made the volleyball team yet?" Ms. Mills said.

She clenched her jaw then shook her head but it passed in seconds. If I blinked in that exact moment I would've missed it.

Um, okay. What's that about.

"No, I don't but I can't imagine that I did." I replied still pondering her last actions.

Wait, I never said anything about it being a volleyball try out. Is that what that little deal a moment ago was about? Mentally scolding herself for her slip?

Did that mean she was in fact there?

I squeezed the edge of the desk I was sitting on to contain my excitement.

"Well, maybe you should you go look. You never know." Ms. Mills said while she rolled her chair out and sat down.

I shrugged my shoulders in response.

Does she know something I don't?

I watched as she pulled out a teacher's slip from her desk along with a pen. Ms. Mills had impeccable handwriting. Her neat cursive was legible from where I was sitting.

"What class are you suppose to be in right now?"

"Um, English Lit." I replied.

"With?" she urged.

"Mrs. Oaks."

She nodded once in response and when she was done she reached her hand out to me with the note at the tip of her fingers. I slid off the desk and grabbed it. Our fingers brushed and a wave similar to yesterday hit my body, but I ignored it shoving the note in my pocket.

Her brown eyes gazed up at me curiously, then she straightened up her posture and smoothed out her dress throwing herself back into teacher mode.

"I'll see you later Miss Swan."

I smiled weakly at her then stepped away from the desk and left the class room still reeling about her slip up involving try outs.

But what concerned me the most was my reaction.

Why did I get so excited?

A/N: So quick note. I'll be out of town for a week starting Tuesday. I'll do my best to update one more before I'm out but if not, I'll have another update for you sometime the week of the 23rd.