A/N: Wow! We are so grateful for all of you giving this HS story a chance and leaving us loving reviews. Here is chapter 4 early just because we received such great feedback!

This is our longest chapter yet, and it's full of Will/Emma throughout so enjoy!

*

Over the weekend, Emma stayed in her room bawling her eyes out. She hated her life now. At least before when she just had her best friend she was somewhat content and had kept the crush on Will at bay. Her life was safe, easy, and contained. But now…everything was ruined. He had just been using her and the heartache was more than Emma could handle. She knew she shouldn't have let herself believe things would change for her.

On Sunday, she slept in until noon and her eyes had grown swollen from so many tears. She was headed downstairs for lunch with her parents when her phone buzzed with a text.

Emma sighed, knowing it was probably Natalie wanting to hang out. She just didn't have the energy in her to go out today but she flipped open her phone anyway.

Hey em, it's Will. I got your number from Jacob. I hope I'm not bothering you, but would you wanna hang out today?

As hard as she tried to ignore it, Emma wanted to reply. She didn't want to believe what he had really done. But then how could Terri have her underwear…and know about her secrets…no. Oh goodness, ok she would reply… but she would be strong.

I don't feel like practicing today.

Sent. Emma hadn't even set it down when it buzzed again.

Oh, well yeah, I was actually wondering if you just wanted to go out for lunch?

What is he doing? This joke is just too cruel. Emma was getting angry now.

I'm busy.

She felt satisfied with her replies, there would be no more taking advantage of her.

Oh, ok. Um sorry for bothering you, have a good rest of the weekend.

Emma was completely confused. He seemed so genuine, god, he really must pride himself on this acting thing…

*

Across town, Will felt ridiculous. What was going on with Emma? Does she always text that way or…she seemed almost…angry.

Will's thoughts jogged back to the last time they had talked. It was only two days ago on Friday right after Glee practice let out and they walked out together like they had done the whole week.

He had just cracked some joke on Mr. Adams and Emma laughed along like she always did. He loved making her laugh and seeing that bright smile that came out when she relaxed around him.

"So, any big plans for the weekend?"

Emma's eyes widened at his question. Nobody ever cared enough to ask her about the weekend, except Natalie of course.

"Um…nothing really. Just working on the Community Center tonight and then—"

"—you work at the community center? That's a pretty rough part of town Em."

Will noticed how protective that may have sounded but he was starting to not care about playing it cool with her anymore… Emma noticed too and let out a small laugh.

"It's not like we're in downtown Detroit, Will. Besides, I've been going there every Friday since 8th grade."

"What do you there?"

"I just…well, I'm a volunteer actually. I go there to work with the kids who come from broken homes and talk to them about their problems. I can't really give advice, but most of the time listening to them is enough. They don't get that at home."

"So every Friday you just…like hang out with them? Why would you give up your Fridays for that?"

Emma's eyes lit up at his questions. He seemed so interested in her life and she loved the feeling of that.

"Well, in case you hadn't noticed, I don't really have that many friends. I know what it's like to be surrounded by people who don't listen to you and…and I want to be there for those kids. They have a lot of love to give if you just allow them time to open up. It's all about trust with them."

He couldn't believe what a selfless person Emma was. He loved hearing all the little things about her life, and it made him only want to know her more. Will had always thought she was a captivating person and certainly an attractive girl with an unconventional beauty but he found what was in her heart was truly…mesmerizing.

"Emma, what do you want to do…you know, after high school?"

"Oh gosh, well—you know, I—I think I really want a job where I can help people, especially teens. I want to be able to use the experiences I've given to show them that…that life isn't about the status or …or just being beautiful…not every girl can have the perfect looks. It's bigger than that. So—I'm looking into maybe being a school counselor or…you know, something like that."

"Really? That's—that's so inspiring..."

After a few moments, Emma glanced up at him realizing they had reached her car. Will had been staring down at her and averted his eyes when she caught him. She blushed and looked down trying to break the silence.

"Umm, well I guess, I'll see you Monday then?"

"Oh, um, yeah—I guess so. Oh, and Em," he hesitated but he wanted her to know he listened, that he cared.

"…if you ever, you know, need someone to help you… with the kids at the Center, just—you should give me a call. I'm a good listener."

Emma let out a sheepish grin and met his gaze.

"Thank you," and then she was gone.

Will spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about Emma. What had he said that made her so angry all of the sudden? He resigned to just thinking she had a bad day and didn't want to go out. He had those days too. They'd be alright come Monday…

*

Monday morning was a nightmare for Emma. She had purple hued bags under her eyes and looked like she hadn't slept much, which she hadn't. This wasn't going to get her down though. She put foundation under her eyes and applied extra eye makeup that made her large eyes really pop. Normally wearing her hair down in messy curls, she combed it back into a loose ponytail and put on skinny jeans, her only low-cut coral top she owned which still held a bow, pulled a black cardigan over it for a little modesty and looked at herself in the mirror. Today…today she was not going to be humiliated by Will anymore. She was going to be strong.

Fortunately, Emma only had Glee with Will so she avoided his routes all day where they usually passed each other. She was still emotional though, and by 3rd period she had smudged at her eye make-up and felt it was beginning to become a loss cause.

Will was on his way to Glee and had gotten into a gloomy mood. He hadn't seen Emma all day and he usually caught her by now. He figured maybe she was just sick…which started to worry him even more. Not just because the show was that Saturday but he wondered if he should stop by her house and see how she was feeling. Maybe he'd surprise her with some soup or something like that.

Just as he swung open the door, he saw her sitting on the opposite side of the room from where she normally sat which was next to him. She looked...different today. He noticed she had put on dressier clothes and looked radiant from behind.

He walked up to her cheerfully glad to see her and pulled her shoulder to face him.

"Heyyy em!—oh—"

He was stunned when she flipped around to face him. Her eyes were sunken in and it looked like she had been crying all day.

"What happ—"

Emma recoiled from Will and pushed his hand off her shoulder getting up to walk away.

"Emma, what's going on?"

"Leave me alone, Will."

Just as he followed her to the other side of the room, Mr. Adams walked in with the remaining two members of Glee and he knew he'd have to talk to her after practice.

"Let's get started people, we've got a big week ahead of us!"

Will took a deep breath to calm down. He was so frustrated with everything right now. All through practice, Emma looked around everywhere in the room but at Will. He kept trying to get her attention but she acted as if he wasn't even in the room.

Practice finally ended around 4:30 and Emma shot up out of her chair to leave when he pulled at her arm.

Not facing him, Emma just stopped.

"Just let me go…I—I need to leave."

Emma was biting back the tears and Will could sense the shakiness in her voice.

"Please talk to me, Em. Just tell me what I did wrong?" He pleaded with her, his voice starting to fault with vulnerability.

Still looking at the door in front of her, Emma sighed.

"Don't call me Em…my name is Emma. And for the last time, leave me ALONE!"

He finally let her arm go and Emma opened the classroom door only to walk forward and slam it on him.

*

The next day at school, Will was determined to make things right with Emma. He had no idea why she was so upset with him and all he could think about was the coldness in her eyes that he'd never seen before as she shoved his arm off of her yesterday. In fact, he had never seen Emma angry at all. Through all of the bullying and insults people threw at her, she didn't get angry with them. And she had never flinched at his touch or seemed to be bothered that he called her 'Em' until now.

Will was even more confused when Mr. Adams announced Emma was out sick on Tuesday. He had to talk to her as soon as she came back. Without Emma in his day, everything had grown dull and annoying. He couldn't focus on his impending Chemistry test or Calculus homework at all. There was so much on his plate and all he could wrap his brain around was getting Emma to talk. He flipped his phone open that night contemplating texting her when it buzzed. His heart flipped and he quickly looked at it.

He sighed in disappointment. Terri.

*

The next day, Emma had decided to come to school. She needed to tell Mr. Adams that she was going to quit Glee after the show on Saturday. She wanted to just quit before the show but…it wasn't fair to any of the members even if all of them treated her badly anyway. She was better than that and she would rise above it.

She resorted back to her usual look of a pink flowered babydoll blouse with jeans but had decided to comb her hair through and set it in big loose curls and snapped some hair up in a light yellow barrette. Emma was realizing that just because people expected her to dress homely or poor like a typical outcast, didn't mean she should stoop to their level. The kids at the community center had taught her that lesson.

Emma still skipped the normal routes where she spotted Will and when Glee came she had planned on avoiding his eyes again. The other day he would not let up, and Emma started to feel guilty for being so cold when she remembered that it was all just fake anyway and he didn't care about her.

Glee practice ran later than usual and ended just under 5 o clock. Will was not letting her run from him anymore. He was relieved to see her back in school and kept thinking how pretty she looked today in her cute barrette tucking back her hair.

The group was dismissed and just like Monday, Emma headed quickly for the door but Will was right on her trail. As soon as everyone cleared out and they were the only two left in the hallway he jogged ahead and grabbed her arm.

"Emma, you HAVE to talk to me…c'mon please…"

She kept walking and he couldn't take it anymore. He quickly moved both of his arms up around her waist and picked her up taking her into the nearest classroom and shut the door.

He dropped her down as soon as they were inside the classroom and she hastily turned around to face him in anger. She was at a lost for words when she released their proximity. He was only inches from her face and she inhaled a small scent of his cologne.

"Will! Wh—What are you doing!?" she huffed in frustration.

He didn't move and she didn't either waiting for his response. He looked down for a moment and couldn't focus with her perfectly rounded eyes so close to him staring him down.

She tapped her foot impatiently then quickly thrust her arms at his chest to push him out of the way so she could leave when he refocused and grabbed her wrists.

"No, what the hell are YOU doing? You keep blowing me off and we have a duet in 3 days!"

Emma rolled her eyes at him.

"The duet…that's all you care about huh? Just one more girl you can cross off your list of people you've sung with? Have you added me to the list of girls you've swooned as well?"

"You've GOT to be kidding me…"

"No, YOU'VE got to be kidding…when you said you were happy to be singing with a beautiful girl was that also part of the act?"

Will dropped her wrists and grabbed the back of his neck in confusion. What the hell is she talking about? Act? He couldn't even say anything. Emma moved from the doorway into the classroom and sat down not wanting to face Will as a stray tear fell from her face.

"You know…for once in my life, when I was around you…I—I had stopped thinking about what other people were saying behind my back, I didn't care that I was being dubbed some germ freak. I had finally gained some…some courage and confidence to step out of my shell when all of it was just…an act. Just a form of entertainment for you and all of your friends."

He moved closer taking a seat next to her.

"Emma, none of this is an act." He moved to put his hand on her knee and she jerked away. He apologized quickly but was surprised when she stayed seated looking down at the floor.

"What's brought this up all of the sudden?"

She sniffled back as the tears started to come again and let out a bitter laugh, "like you don't already know? Terri and her string of Cheerios cornered me on Friday at the Center where I'm sure you informed her that I'd be. Not only was I cornered but humiliated by the both of you."

Will couldn't believe this…that little manipulating—

"What did she do, Emma?"

"Quit playing dumb ok…I—I trusted y—you. I don't ever let people into my life and…I even told you my secret about the extra pair of clothes…a—and about the kiss thing. How foolish of me to th—think that you were my friend.." Emma was barely speaking above a whisper now as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks. "How foolish of me to think that maybe, just maybe I found somewhere that I belonged."

Will was tearing up inside. He couldn't believe Terri would do this to Emma and make up all these lies…but even worse, he couldn't handle seeing Emma cry and knowing he was the cause of it all.

He scooted his chair close to Emma's and hesitantly reached his index finger out pulling up her chin mentally pleading with her to look at him. When she didn't push him away and met his gaze, he moved closer slowly touching her cheek to wipe away all the tears that had fallen on his behalf. Emma's eyes fluttered shut and her lips slightly parted at the touch of his skin on her face. She breathed out a heavy exhale that she had been holding in. He watched her go weak at his touch and had a sudden urge to feel his her soft pink lips on his but he waited patiently for eyes to open.

After a few moments, he moved his hands away and she opened her eyes to see his laced with concern, compassion, and…something else she couldn't identify.

"Do you really not know what was going on? I want the truth, Will…"

"Em—sorry, Emma…I—I had no idea that Terri was doing any of this. I'm so angry with her for taking advantage of someone like you."

"—Someone like me? What's that supposed to mean?" Emma had gotten up again and Will cursed himself for such bad word choice.

"No, no, I—I just meant…someone so, so delicate and—and sweet like you. Your little problem with germs is actually really cute."

She looked at him with a moment of forgiveness and couldn't believe he could turn her heartache to happiness in an instant with his words.

His words.

That's what had gotten him into trouble in the first place…She just couldn't deal with this right now.

"Will…I—I believe you, ok. But this," she motioned her hands between the two of them, "it's…it's just too much. It'd just be better if we weren't friends and then I won't be getting in anyone's way."

She said this with a tone of finality and turned her back on him to leave when he said it,

"Are you ready, Cinderella?" He swallowed hoping to get the response he wanted.

Emma stopped, frozen in her tracks. Her mind instantly flew back to a time about three weeks ago before all of this duet business began…

Will had just walked through the East wing of the school holding Terri's hand laughing with her when he saw Emma sitting on a bench near the double doors staring at the torrential downpour outside. It was after school and Glee had ended an hour ago but Will had come back for a fundraising meeting for soccer and Terri and him were supposed to go get dinner afterwards.

He stopped when he saw Emma and told Terri to go on ahead to the car and he'd meet up with her in a few minutes. She huffed and argued a bit but ended up walking away.

Emma was quite oblivious to him as she continued staring outside, with what Will noticed, a look of anxiety and fear in her eyes. He sat down next to her and looked ahead as well.

"Are you…ok?"

"Um…yeah, yeah I'm fine. I'm just…waiting."

"Well—what are you waiting on? Do you need a ride?"

"No…"

"Then, what's the problem?"

Emma finally turned at met his eyes.

"I—I forgot my umbrella today. And…the mud and—and the rain…it's all just too," she sucked in a deep breathe, "too much to handle. I'm waiting for the rain to stop and the mud to at least dry a little."

"—That could takes hours, you know?"

"I…I'm aware. But, I can't. I can't handle messes, especially…. mud." She shuddered at the thought of mud because it held a striking resemblance to cow manure.

"Ahh, I see." He smiled at her adorable quirk and the cute lisp she made when she said 'messes.'

Will stood up and moved in front of her view of outside.

"What're you—"

He handed her an umbrella, "Here, take it."

Emma looked it over, seemed clean enough from Will, so she grabbed it.

"Now, get up."

"Why?"

"Just trust me, c'mon, get up."

Emma stood up and with one fluid motion he leaned down and cradled her into his arms. She flailed in surprise, wrapping her arms around his neck for support.

She's speechless. Her heart is racing and their faces are only 3 or 4 inches apart. Will licks his lips, smiles, and starts walking towards the door.

He's by the handle and looks down at her freckled complexion with tenderness. Moving in he smelt the scent of strawberries and whispered into her ear, "Now… are you ready, Cinderella?" His warm breath on the back of her ear sent chills up her spine… her, Cinderella? Emma was in love…

It was the moment he realized she was someone he wanted to get closer to. Every minute spent with her was new and exciting, and he craved more.

She slowly turned around to face Will still sitting in the chair with his hands on his face over his lap looking at her like they were reminiscing over their first kiss or something. Emma realized in that moment…he wasn't just a friend to her. He was more than that. And she had never allowed someone to touch her the way he does…she couldn't let that go so easily. After all, he was a lot to lose.

"I'm sorry for blowing you off, really. I guess I just…I figured it made more sense that this was all a joke."

"Why would this be a joke to me, Em—god, I mean Emma…sorry, it's a habit."

Emma gave him a small smile. "It's ok if you call me Em, Will. I guess it's hard to believe a popular, talented, good looking guy like you would want to hang out with…me." She let more slip than intended, but there was no point in taking it back now.

He grinned at all the things she thought of him…he wanted to share what he really thought about her, soon.

"I don't care about what other people think, Em. I just like spending time with you. And…since we're a couple days behind…would you maybe want to come to my house right now for practice?"

Emma was giddy that he wanted to spend time with her. But, she knew that Terri and her cheerios were still going to be keeping a watchful eye.

"I—I don't know if that's such a good idea. I mean, we could—"

"—And don't worry about Terri and her string of friends, I'll take care of that later, ok?"

"Ok…but, maybe not today. How about…tomorrow? We could go to my house instead?"

Will thought that was a great idea and was curious to see her home and see what her parents were like, but he wanted time with her now. The time spent apart from her had made him realize just how important she was in his life…

"I—I understand… I guess I was just hoping I could maybe get some help on my Calculus test too. You know we've got that big test tomorrow that I'm pretty worried about…"

He wasn't that worried about the test. And he felt a little bad lying to get Emma to spend time with him but he knew her willingness to help and he needed to hear her voice and listen to her laugh again.

Emma did have their Calculus test down and figured the least she could was help after ignoring him for a few days. She smiled at him and waved her arm to come along.

"Sure Will…let's get out of here."

*

Emma was nervous about letting Will come to her house. It wasn't anything like his huge home across town in Brookstone, but it was cute and cozy nonetheless.

She got out of her car and Will followed behind taking in the site of her home. It was smaller but it looked like a less expensive home out of a Southern Living catalog. The shutters were all painted a vibrant red and the house was white. It had one of those wraparound porches from the vintage-style homes and a big Oak tree with a swinging bench hanging down and swaying in the wind.

They walked inside and were immediately greeted by Emma's mother.

"Oh, Emmie! It's about time you got here! We were starting to worry—who…who's this?"

Will was delighted with Emma's mother who looked like a typical Southern women. She shared Emma's wide eyes but had brown hair instead and was about Emma's height and similar petite frame. He loved that her family called her, Emmie. He was also glad her parents weren't bitter over Will taking Ethan's old spot on the field while he was out with his injury last year.

"Momma, this is Will Schuester...he's the one I'm singing the duet with on Saturday."

"Oh, Will! I know who you are, I've heard so much about you already! Emmie just loves watching you sing in practice."

Emma's face filled red with embarrassment and gave her mother a glare.

"Ah, well I'll let you two get to practicing…"

"—Actually momma, we're just going to work on our Calculus—"

"Nonsense, Em. There's time to sing a little duet pre-show for your parents, don't you think?" Will knew Emma had sung for her parents when she was little but not since she'd entered middle school at that was about to change.

"Wha—no, no that's not necessary…Will, we don't have a good duet prepared anyway."

"I had one in mind that I thought we could work on…"

Before Emma could vigorously shake her head at this idea, her mom was already running in the kitchen to get her dad for the show.

"Thanks…Will, you know I don't like surprises!"

He liked the sound of 'knowing' something about Emma, and he definitely knew she hated them but she had to practice in front of someone other than Will if they were going to sing in front of a huge crowd in 3 days.

Emma's parents had come in and settled on the couch, they even called in Ethan who was less than pleased to watch Schuester singing some duet with his little sister. Martin, Emma's father, gave Will a few songs to pick from on their iHome and he knew just the one.

"Oh, I've always loved this one Mr. Pillsbury. Emma, think you can handle a little 'Endless Love'"?

Emma gasped at the song choice…this song was certainly one for people in love. She shook off her nerves though and joined Will at the front of the living room.

The music began and Will gave a quick wink before beginning his part.

My love

There's only you in my life

The only thing that's right

Emma could do this…she could this. It was just her parents…and the boy she was in love with.

My first love

You're every breath that I take

You're every step I make

Will smiled brightly at her, she sounded perfect. He moved closer to Emma and took her hands in his looking into her eyes like there wasn't anyone watching. She couldn't believe they were holding hands…it was just for the performance obviously, but…still…

And I

I want to share

All my love with you

No one else will do

And your eyes

They tell me how much you care

Oh yes

You will always be

My endless love

Ethan let out a big groan and rolled his eyes at the two lovebirds sitting up there when he got an idea. He knew one way to get Terri running into his arms for sex again. She'd be so torn up over Schuester if she saw this…she'd head straight for him now. Terri's plan obviously hadn't worked, but at least they hadn't found out it was him who gave her Emma's underwear. He discreetly moved his phone up recording video of them singing and holding hands together, 10 seconds was enough. He hit send.

Two hearts

Two hearts that beat as one

Our lives have just begun

And forever

I'll hold you close in my arms

I can't resist your charms

Jeanie Pillsbury watched proudly as her little girl sang so beautifully. It had been so long since she'd let her parents watch her sing. She couldn't help but notice the two seemed quite infatuated with one another and that Emma hadn't had one of her anxiety attacks as he held her hands.

And love

I'd play the fool

For you

I'm sure

You know I don't mind

'Cause baby

You mean the world to me

I know I've found in you

My endless love

Martin Pillsbury bumped shoulders with his wife next to him giving her the look that said, "Do you see the way these two are lookin' at each other?"

Jeanie just smiled and nodded, knowing they were thinking the same thing.

And love

I'd play the fool

For you

I'm sure

That you know I don't mind

'Cause baby

You'll be the only one

'Cause no one can deny

This love I have inside

And I'll give it all to you

My love My love, my love

My endless love

Emma and Will finally broke contact and turned to their "crowd" as they clapped and stood up going to hug their little girl.

Will's hands felt on fire, he didn't know what had gotten into him but he grabbed her hands and didn't want to let go. Emma didn't seem to want to let go either.

"You two sounded, oh, just so so wonderful! I'm so proud of you Emmie! And Will, I can't believe you got her to sing for us. She hasn't done that in years and we certainly missed that voice."

Will felt proud that he could help Emma with her little quirk with germs and now her stage fright. Maybe he could show her some other things too sometime.

"Well, thank you mom, dad, …and Ethan who's not even paying attention anymore..."

"Shut up, Emmie…I liked you better when you didn't sing."

Will couldn't stand her brother and this was just another reason why.

Mr. Pillsbury, who was about 6' 4" grabbed Ethan by the arm and growled something in his ear as Will and Emma headed upstairs to her bedroom.

Will wasn't even surprised to see every single item in place and order in her room. She had mostly shelves and shelves of books but at her desk there was a bottle of Purell and cleaners arranged from largest to smallest in front. On her dresser, sat an older television and above it was a poster of Audrey Hepburn. It was all so very…Emma.

She noticed he was looking around and grew a little embarrassed.

"I—I don't really go out a whole lot so I like to read, and clean."

Will loved her little bedroom and he felt a sense of warmth and homeliness from the surroundings.

Emma moved to sit on the edge of her bed and patted for him to take a seat. He sat down next to her and pulled out his books, he had forgotten he agreed to study for Calculus still.

But his heart started beating a little faster when Emma moved off the bed to grab a pencil and her calculator and when sat back down she was a lot closer than before. It registered that he was now alone with Emma Pillsbury, in her bedroom, lying on his stomach next to her shoulder to shoulder, in her bed…focusing on math was going to be a challenge.

"Alright, let's get started on Chapter 4…" she said as he mind began to drift off.

They went over some formulas for a little while and Will watched as she explained a couple difficult ones to him. He couldn't keep his eyes off her and he really wanted to drag his hand slowly up her back and into her hair… god, what was getting into him? That's when he remembered he was still with Terri. He had to back off. He still had a girlfriend, albeit one he probably was not going to be with much longer…

It was after Emma had left last Monday when they had first sung, "American Boy" together. Will said goodbye to Emma and closed the door heading for the kitchen. He stomach was rumbling after all of that singing and dancing.

"Hey mom,"

"Well hello little Kanye,"

"Ugh, were you listening in on me again? You know that basement is supposed to be soundproof for a reason…"

"Oh nonsense, Will. I'm your mother and I should be able to listen to my son perform! That friend of yours, Emma, she's quite the singer herself."

Will's eyes lit up at the thought of Emma and him singing close during that song. He'd tuck that memory away for a long time.

"Yeah…she is pretty great."

"Very pretty too…and respectful, she doesn't seem to be very materialistic."

"She's not, at all. It's like she's got life figured out and…and well, I've learned a lot from her already."

"More than your girlfriend, Terri?"

Will was surprised at his mom's comment. He knew she had never liked Terri, "too materialistic and snobby…" they'd say. But Will just thought they wouldn't like any of the girls he knew because they never had before.

"Well…I mean Terri's just a lot different then Emma."

"How so, honey?"

"Terri's…well she's patient with me usually. She really likes when we dress up and go out for dinners, she's pretty caring and I think she's starting to give the less popular people a chance for once. She seems to be glad I'm not doing the duet with Ella or Molly and chose Emma for the duet…"

"Oh is she? You think maybe that's because she didn't think Emma, being unpopular, was a threat to you?"

Will sat back in his chair thinking back on their conversations about Emma.

"I…I don't know mom, she's hard to read sometimes."

Will's mom sighed in discontent, her son would have to figure these things out on his own.

"Do you think what you feel for Terri is love or…something else?"

"Heck, I have no idea…love? I mean that's for later on in life…I—I don't know if I feel that for Terri."

Will's mom looked at her son and knew the answers already.

"Hm, well what about Emma? Do you think you have feelings for her?"

"Ma—maybe…I mean, I guess a little bit."

"Well, if you are starting to have feelings for Emma you need to end it with Terri. Emma doesn't deserve to think she's a rebound, son."

"I know—I know…"

Will hadn't realized he hadn't responded to Emma in the last few minutes. She was staring at him, looking apologetic.

"Oh gosh, I—I'm sorry that I'm boring you Will, I wasn't sure how else to explain this one on number eight—"

Will had put his finger to her lips to stop her. She was never boring, not to him.

Emma had trembled at his lips touching her face. She wanted him to lean in and kiss her so badly.

Her lips started to part as he looked into her eyes, licking his lips, he adjusted his right elbow, trying to move closer and placed his right palm on her left cheek, moving the hair that had fallen in her face out of the way.

Just like the last time he had touched her cheek, her eyes closed instantly taking in the feel of his skin on hers.

Emma was about to lean and kiss him herself when she heard a door swing open.

She'd never seen Will's face so red in her life. They scooted away from one another and looked at Mrs. Pillsbury in Emma's doorway.

"Oh goodness, I'm so sorry you two…I—I just wanted to let you know that there's cookies downstairs. And Emmie, we've got some dairy-free ones for you."

"Thanks…momma."

Emma's blush was slowly going away, but the butterflies in her stomach weren't leaving anytime soon.

*

A/N: You like? Let us know! :)