Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Professor Layton franchise

Chapter 5 realisations and cotton candy part 2

''So...how are you feeling?'' The professor asked carefully.

''I'm...I'm alright.'' Emmy answered.

She hadn't felt this nervous in a long time. ''You're in love with him right?'' There it was again. She just wanted things to go back to normal. She wanted to be herself around him. To have a normal conversation. To feel secure and safe, like she always had.

''They might take a while. Maybe we could walk around the coaster for now, to pass the time.'' The professor suggested.

He was also nervous. He knew they had to talk about it and now was probably the best time. He also just wanted things to go back to where they were and to not have to avoid someone he truly cared about.

''Sounds like a plan.'' Emmy stoically responded.

They started walking to the right side of the roller coaster. The park had been pretty busy in most places, but the area in front of the coaster had been the worst. It was understandable, since it was the only ''real'' attraction the park had. The back of the coaster was a much nicer area to walk around. A small playground at the end of the path was probably the most lively, but the rest was just greenery and a few people scattered about.

The professor missed his tophat. For some reason, the empty feeling on top of his head really stood out to him at the moment. It could be because of the breeze, but it was most likely because he used his hat to cover his eyes. It was a habit he had formed over the years. He did it most of the time to avoid eye contact with someone he was talking to, a strong sensation he was experiencing right at this very moment. Emmy abruptly stopped and turned to look at the screaming people above them on the roller coaster.

''Professor...we should probably talk about last night.'' She said quietly.

So she did want to talk about it.

''Yes, I think we do.'' He responded softly.

Emmy hugged herself and sighed. She had dreaded this moment. She still didn't know what to say or to feel. ''You're in love with him right?'' Would this be the moment for a confession?

''You surprised me a little my dear.''

She looked over at him and was met with a timid smile. Was he making light of it?

''Sorry.'' Was the only thing she could come up with.

His smile grew wider until he actually started laughing.

''No need to apologize. It's fine.''

He looked back up at the roller coaster. Emmy was still a little unsure about it all, but she felt a sense of relief. It was almost like he was telling her to just forget about it. Was she really satisfied with that though?

''Maybe next time we should tell each other when the 'pretending to be in a relationship' stops.'' The professor said jokingly.

''Oh...right.''

So that's what he thought had happened. The relief inside her grew stronger. ''It was just a mistake. It was just pretend. It was nothing.'' Were thoughts that raced through her mind. She decided to let it go.

''Maybe next time we should tell each other when the 'pretending to be in a relationship' stops.''

The professor wasn't really thinking when he uttered those words. He knew it wasn't really what he was thinking, but the feeling of setting things right with Emmy, to make the entire situation normal again, to be able to talk to her again, was much stronger.

''Oh...right.''

A sharp pain twisted his heart at her words. He could tell it wasn't what she expected to hear. He instantly regretted saying it. He wanted to tell her what he truly thought. But...like he thought before, he wanted things to go back to normal. Maybe this was for the better? He searched her face for answers, but found none. Her eyes suddenly lit up and she started moving to the other side of the roller coaster.

''Come on professor, let's go and try to see if we can spot them on the coaster!''

It was almost as if all the energy had completely returned to her. Somewhere he felt a sense of relief. She seemed to be back to normal.

The pair walked back to the front of the coaster just in time to see the crew enter the carts. They could tell Luke was very nervous next to an equally nervous looking Brenda. Flora looked absolutely stoked next to Randall and Angela and Clark looked like they were fine. They all screamed after the first drop, with Luke screaming the loudest. Emmy was laughing so hard she had to hold her stomach. The professor was happy to see her in such good spirits. After they had bravely concurred the coaster, everyone returned back to the professor and Emmy. Luke looked like he had seen death itself and Brenda had turned a strange shade of green. They decided it would be best to move on to the food stalls and rest for a bit. Emmy softly rubbed over Brenda's back after they had sat down at a lemonade stand.

''Are you alright?'' She asked.

Brenda had only nodded, not daring to speak just yet in case of her breakfast moving upwards. After a short rest everyone started looking around for a light snack. Luke had found a pretzel stand and Flora was set on getting herself some ice cream. The professor was unsure what to get. He was craving a nice cup of tea. After a while he spotted a coffee stand which also seemed to serve tea. He returned triumphantly with his warm brew and joined the rest. He sat down next to Emmy, who had found herself a large pink cotton candy fluff. He eyed the rather big sugary treat and wondered how anyone could eat something like that. He had seen Luke devour one from time to time, but he just didn't get how one would start. From behind the pink cloud Emmy emerged with a puzzling look on her face. The puzzling look however, was not directed at the cotton candy, but at him.

''Professor if you want a bite, you could just ask me you know.'' She said teasingly.

The professor pouted and blushed a light shade of cotton candy pink.

''I was just observing my dear. I wondered how one would start to eat this...sugary treat.''

''Just like this.'' She said and pushed her face with an open mouth into the cotton candy cloud.

She returned with bits of cotton candy stuck to her entire face and a mouthful of blissful sugar. The professor chuckled and started to remove the excess cotton candy from her face. He picked a rather large piece from under her chin and put it in his mouth. As expected, it was sweet. He liked sweet things like any other person, but this was a bit too sweet to his liking. It was pure sugar after all. He looked back at Emmy, who was staring at him with her mouth agape.

''What?'' he asked.

Emmy's face turned red and she pushed the cotton candy in front of her face.

''You are unbelievable.'' She whispered frustrated, hoping he wouldn't catch that.

''Can you two stop flirting already? It's embarrassing.'' Clark remarked, making the professor match Emmy's redness.

Angela quickly punched Clark in the arm. The next and final stop of the day was the waterpark. Everyone had brought along their bathing suits, just in case. The waterpark was more like an attachment than an actual part of the theme park. They had to enter through a different entrance and change into their bathing inside was made to be like a tropical forest, with water slides sprouting from large fake trees, a waterfall in the middle of the lake-like pool in the center and different jungle themed climbing constructions. It was a paradise for every monkey kid.

The group split off into two groups. Luke, Flora, Randall and Clark were going to go swimming and the professor, Emmy, Brenda and Angela were headed for the bar. The first four promised they would meet up later for dinner once they had had enough fun. The second group was happy to find a moment of peace. The bar area was purely for adults, with no children allowed entry. Right next to the bar was a nice lounging area with places to hang next to the bar in the water, lay on the grass and even some places where you could sunbathe under a tanning light.

The four of them got themselves some nice cocktails(non-alcoholic for the professor and Emmy) and decided to lounge around in the pool area. They were wearing their bathing suits after all. Emmy was not wearing the same bikini she was wearing on the beach, but a regular black bathing suit. The professor had overheard her tell Angela that she felt like it was a bit embarrassing how guys were treating her in the bikini and she wanted to be a little more cautious today. It was maddening that she had to change her clothing because she felt unsafe, but as long as she was comfortable at the moment, he accepted it.

On the other side of the waterpark, Randall and Clark had a moment to themselves. The kids wanted to try and race to the top of the slide and Clark had pulled Randall to the side before he could run after them. He wanted to talk to him about the whole Emmy, Hershel situation. At the moment they were slowly making their way up the slide as well, with two large tires in hand.

''So, do you have any clue what has been going on with Hershel and Emmy?'' Clark asked.

Randall looked around to see if anyone was listening in on their conversation. When he had deducted no one was even remotely interested he turned back to Clark.

''Well can you make an educated guess?''

''I mean...yes. They're behaving like teenagers and they're each other's secret crush or something.'' Clark said annoyed while waving his hand in the air for no reason.

Randall belted out a big laugh.

''I suppose that's one way to describe it. Don't you think they'd be nice together though.''

Clark pondered for a moment. He had known Hershel for a long time now and knew how lonely he had been. Emmy was a good fit. In some ways she reminded him of Claire.

''But, isn't she a bit...young?'' Clark asked.

''Age is just a number Clark. If they are happy with each other, who cares?'' Randall responded. ''Let's try and support them.''

''I don't think Hershel has even realised he likes her though.''

''Nope, definitely not.''

The two sighed and tried to think of a plan. Their genius plan to get the professor to go on vacation had worked after all! (sort of with Flora's help). After a while however, they had reached the top of the line for the water slide. The plan making was cut a little short, so they could jump onto their tires and slide down.

Back to the bar, Emmy had settled under the tanning bed together with Angela and Brenda. Hershel had decided he wanted to look around for a moment and try to spot the other group after they had finished their drinks.

''So Emmy, you and the professor…'' Brenda started.

Emmy quickly sat back upright and looked at Brenda with a shocked, flustered expression.

''W..what about it?'' She asked.

''Well...you know...There seems to be a form of chemistry.'' Angela had joined in.

Emmy wasn't sure what to say. The chemistry she had felt the day before felt like a lifetime ago.

''I've confirmed that the professor doesn't feel that chemistry you're talking about.''

Brenda and Angela both gasped ''What!?'' at the same time.

''What do you mean? Are you sure?'' Angela asked.

''Well...isn't it obvious? Someone like the professor Hershel Layton would never be interested in a girl like me, right? Not like I care or anything.'' Emmy force laughed.

She tried to wave it off like it didn't matter to her but to just say it already hurt.

''Emmy...you like him right?'' Brenda asked cautiously.

Emmy stopped laughing and looked down at her legs. She startled fiddling with her bathing suit and tried her hardest to smile.

''Of course I like him. He is my friend after all…''

Brenda and Angela decided to drop the subject. It was clear Emmy didn't feel ready to talk about it with them just yet. They continued to enjoy the warm tanning light and started chatting about nonsense.

Later in the day everyone joined together again to enjoy their evening meal. They decided they wanted to try the exotic dino restaurant, which served dino shaped meats and veggies. The overall presentation was great, but the taste...not so much. During their dinner, a show started on the podium where a few young lads and lasses staged a dino version of singing in the rain. It was strange, but very entertaining.

After dinner it was time for them to leave the park. The shuttle ride back to the hotel had been crowded and bumpy, pushing everyone together. The crew was exasperated when they finally arrived back at the hotel. Luke and Flora still had some energy left and quickly jumped into the hotel pool for a final swim before bed. The rest just watched with exhausted expressions. The professor was sitting on a lounge chair near the pool. He had become emotionally and physically tired from the day. The whole dilemma with Emmy had been quite something.

He looked over at Emmy who was dangling her legs into the pool. She had changed into some pink shorts and a white blouse. Her hair was slightly poofy, which he assumed was from the exposure to chlorine. His heart started pounding harder in his chest. He still didn't understand why he felt the way he did when he looked at her. After they had settled things at the park, he had assumed everything would go back to normal, but it didn't. His feelings surrounding her hadn't changed. They seemed to have become stronger.

Every detail about her had become incredibly fascinating to him. The way her lips pouted when she was deep in thought. The way she fiddled with things around her when she became nervous. The way she hummed a random tune when she was driving her motorcycle. The way her hair moved, the way her face lit up, the way her eyes smiled. Everything about her.

''Oh.''

He was in love with her.

Working on the next chapter a soon as possible!