"Emma… Emma… EMMA, WAKE UP!" I turned away from the intruding noise and let out a loud grunt. "EMMA YOU SLEPT THROUGH BREAKFAST! You're going to be late for homeroom." I jumped out of the bed like it was on fire. "I'm up!" I was still in my uniform from yesterday, I quickly ran to the bathroom to brush my teeth and my hair all while picking off my clothes and banging into everything as my legs got tangled in my unflattering skirt. I put on a fresh uniform and ran all the way to homeroom. I bust through the door, only to see all empty desks except for one. Ms. Mills.
She looked up from her paperwork, making eye contact with me. "Can I help you, Emma? You seem in quite the hurry." She laughed at how out of breath I was. "I was just making sure I gave my homework in early…for both classes." I shuffled through my usually neat papers and handed it to her. "Why, thank you, Ms. Swan." She grabbed the paper and our fingers touched, it sent electricity through my hand. "Ouch, I think you just shocked me." I giggled at the fact Ms. Mills, obviously got shocked too.
For some reason all we did was laugh, it was like we were actually friends, it wasn't even weird. When our furious giggles died down, she spoke. "Well, that was a good way to start the day. Why don't we walk to breakfast together, it should be starting in a couple of minutes." I internally cursed my roommates but I kind of want to thank them. "I would like that, Ms. Mills." I smiled and got up, holding the door open for her. "Why, thank you." She said walking out of the room. "No problem." I replied.
"So how was your morning?" Ms. Mills asked. "You're looking at it. See, Ruby tricked me into thinking I was going to be late for your class, and I rushed down here as fast as I could." I explained. "I can tell. Your shirt is inside out." I looked down to my left side to where the black tag is clearly visible on my white button-up .
My cheeks blushed so red with embarrassment, that there was no way she didn't notice. "You don't need to be embarrassed. When I was your age I did the same thing. Only the person I liked at the time told me, and when I got back to my dorm. I spent the whole time cursing myself" I laughed trying to imagine this perfect human being doing anything embarrassing. "I have a tank top on under this, do you mind if I fix it here?" I asked. She looked from side to side; making sure no one was in sight. "Well it's not really regulation. But no one's around so I guess you can." I made the horrible mistake of not unbuttoning it and just pulling it over my head. It's the same reason I didn't realize it was on backwards. My tank top got stuck to my over shirt, and when I took it off I was standing in the middle of the hallway in my purple bra. I stood there mortified trying to get my top back on. All of the sudden I hear laughing. Not just laughing, but full on hysterics.
"I'm standing here mortified and topless, and you're laughing?!" I asked furiously. She tried to calm herself down but couldn't. "I'm… [inhales deeply] sorry..." I started laughing too, she's contagious.
"What's so funny girls?" Professor Gold said as he walked down the hall. Regina straightened up. "Oh professor Gold, I'm so sorry." He waved her off with his cane. "Why aren't you wearing a shirt?" he said looking at me. "Oh um, sir. Um…" he turned to Regina. "Why isn't she wearing a shirt, Regina?" she lost words, she didn't know what to say even though the answer is quite simple. "I was fixing my shirt." He turned back to me. "Oh, golly. It speaks. I don't care. Just fix your shirt and go to Breakfast. Regina, come with me." Ms. Mills and I shared a look like scolded children, and then parted ways.
I walked up to our usual table, near the exit of the cafeteria. "Hey, Em..." Ruby said cautiously as I went to sit. Now that I look more closely, everyone looks just as scared. "What?" I asked looking to Mary-Margret for an explanation. "Oh nothing. We just kind of thought you were going to kill Ruby in front of us, you know, for tricking you this morning?" I thought for a moment. I get mad so easily sometimes. I wonder why it didn't bother me.
"Well I'm obviously fine. So you guys can stop acting like I'm on fire." They let out a universal sigh.
The rest of breakfast went on, and me and Ruby are walking and talking to Ms. Mills' room. We must have been just in time because everyone had already found their seats.
"Good morning, everyone. Another wonderful day, isn't it? As you know this is homeroom and it's not very long so just take this time to finish anything you need too… like homework from last night. Emma, come sit at my desk with me." Everyone took out their stuff to do whatever. And I walked over to her desk carrying a chair. I sat there silently waiting for her to speak. "I read your homework, and I can take time to teach you some stuff about writing, we can do 15 minutes now if you'd like." I smiled. "I would like." She cocked her head in question at my half sentence. "To learn some stuff now…" she laughed.
"Okay, so let's start." She shifted closer to me and grabbed a pen. "So first let's see what you know. What's the difference between they're, their, and there." I know this.
"They're is short for they are. Their is possessive. And there is pretty much everything else." I said and wrote down with my girly blue pen. "That's right! So if you know those I think you might know, to too two, and others along that line?" I nodded. "Yeah I have no problem with grammar."
"So what are you having problems with?" I thought… I don't need help with anything, but I like spending time with her so I'll act like I'm illiterate. "I have trouble with punctuation." She smiled at me. "Well we can fix that." She spent the last ten minutes of the period teaching me everything I know, but the way she describes it makes it all seem so new to me. "We can also meet at lunch because I'll be in my class room." I smiled. "Yeah that sounds great!" The bell rang, and Ruby and I walked out for the 6 minute locker time, where we put our stuff away and grab our books for the next class, which is Potions with professor Gold for me and Mary-Margret.
We walked with Ruby and Belle, being as their class was next to ours. Ruby started talking. "I feel weird going in to Gold's class."
"Why?" I asked. "You know, because of him having an affair with a student." Belle stopped walking for a moment. We ignored it. "So, it's not like it's anyone of us." Mary said. "Yeah but it could have been." Ruby replied.
We got into his classroom. It's a nice size, dark green walls, and Black desks. Beakers, test tubes, cauldrons, all that stuff. It was boring as usual.
I went to 3rd 4th and 5th period… also boring… but now it's time for lunch. I'm so glad Ms. Mills invited me to do work with her. I walked up to her classroom and knocked. She smiled and waved me in… I'm so excited!
My smile dropped when I realized August was also there. Don't get me wrong I love him. But I'm so frustrated that he… wait, what did he do wrong, and why do I want to punch him in the face right now? August is like the only person who doesn't get on my nerves about anything. My mood got even worse when Ms. Mills sat next to him. I opened my book and started to write, getting most of the punctuation wrong on purpose.
I raised my hand, and Ms. Mills got up from August and walked over to me. She sat inappropriately close, which I didn't seem to mind at all. "What's wrong, my dear?" I felt her thigh press against mine as she leaned over me to see my work. Her turquoise dress has a very low cut top and I saw her black lace bra. I stopped breathing.
"Is everything okay, Emma? You seem a little out of it since this morning. Do you need to go to the nurse?" she was still very close to me and I have yet to breathe. She touched my shoulder, waking me from my trance
"Uh, yeah I'm fine." She looked over my work incredulously, "I think we should work on this tomorrow also, Emma." I smiled quickly about my terrible punctuation. "See Emma, the story itself is beautiful. But the punctuation is…" I cut her off. "disastrous." She looked at me. "I was going to say 'need some work.'"
She was definitely being nice with that comment. I absolutely destroyed that paper. "Why don't we get your English teacher involved so you can have extra time in his class." If she does that, she'll find out I'm lying. "NO!" August looked up from his paper. "I mean, I'm really embarrassed about it. Can we keep it between us? Please." She nodded. "Of course." I breathed a sigh of relief.
When she was done correcting half my paper with red pen, she went to check on August again. "Well, great job, August! You my friend are all caught up on work. You can join your friends for lunch now." He got up and started for the door, I followed. "Wait, Emma." I stopped and turned. "Yes Ms. Mills?" I replied. "How would you feel about working and having lunch with me for the next two weeks?"
"I would love that." I replied. "Good. Do you want to start now or tomorrow?" I smiled "now."
"Do you have lunch yet?" she asked. Some kids have this thing in the morning where they get special lunches. I'm not one of those people though. I buy my lunch, well I don't buy it but it's a choice to get the special ones. "No, I'm sorry." she touched my shoulder "Don't be sorry! I can just poof up some food. What do you want?" I wanted a grilled cheese with French fries but I didn't want to come off as a small child. "Surprise me." She snapped her fingers and two plates appeared with exactly want I wanted,
"It may seem like I'm 8 years old, but you can't go wrong with grilled cheese." She laughed. "It's funny, that's exactly what I wanted." I replied. "So why didn't you say so?" she asked. "I wanted you to think I was more mature, I guess." She giggled again. "So I guess I'm not mature then." She said playfully.
"Guess not." I joked back. It's really weird to me that I don't feel weird talking to a teacher like this. Are we friends? I mean I wouldn't ask. But only because the answer is probably no, and that would ruin my day. "Good, being mature sucks." She replied. We spent the rest of lunch going over things I already knew, and laughing, and talking, and eating. Seeing how gracefully she eats… makes me realize that I'm a fucking troll, and I immediately slowed down and took 'human bites' as Mary-Margret called them.
I've never been self-conscious about my eating before. But I guess I just care what she thinks. "Emma, you did an amazing job, today. I'm proud of you. Are you sure you don't mind spending your lunch in here?" I looked confused for a moment. "Of course I don't mind… unless you do, then I don't have to come here if you want-" she stopped me mid-sentence. "If I minded I wouldn't have offered, Emma. Okay?" I smiled. I've been doing that a lot lately. "Thanks…you know for lunch, and teaching me. I had a lot of fun." She smiled too. "Same time tomorrow, Em?" I smiled at the use of my nick-name.
"Hey, Emma! Wait up!" Neal said jogging to catch up to me; I rolled my eyes, then turned toward him with a smile. "Hey Neal." I replied. He ran his hands through his hair. "I was a… wondering if a… you want to hang out sometime with me?" is he asking me out? Ew no. "I'm sorry, I have something that day." He chuckled nervously. "I didn't say a specific day though." He had a good point. "Oh, I just assumed you meant like this week… I have so much work to catch up on." I lied. "I have straight A's in my classes, maybe I could help you?" God dammit, get a hint. "Sure that sounds great." I replied giving in. "It's a date." He replied. I don't have enough time to waste. Well I do, but not with him. So I rushed away to my next class.
I went to all of my classes, including 8th period with Ms. Mills.
In the two day's that she's been here I have spent at least 85% of my time with her.
After the day died down before dinner, I went back to my room. It's Thursday, so that means Ruby is going to drama, and then track, and then 'Study group' with Killian. We all know what they're doing.
Mary-Margret is with David until dinner, it's their 'Thursday ritual' I'm not actually sure if they've had sex or not. Mostly because Mary-Margret is so uncomfortable talking about things like that.
I decided to take a nap, and then shower. I also took the time to make sure my shirt was on right. Something I will definitely be doing for the rest of my life. Finally it was time for dinner and I walked down by myself. I got my lunch, and walked to my table. I didn't even sit down before they started flipping out. "Oh my god! Emma! Why didn't you tell us you were crushing on Neal?!" Ruby screamed. I sat down. "What?" I asked perplexed.
"We found out about your 'study' date with Neal." Mary answered. Oh my god I completely forgot about that. Should I tell them that he nagged me into it? Nahh then they'll just keep bugging me about who I like… which is no one. "Oh yeah, I can't wait." I tried to say enthusiastically, but probably failed. Not sure though. "So what do you like about him?" Ruby asked suggestively. I thought, I don't find anything about him attractive, especially that stubble he is trying to grow. "Everything, I guess." I lied.
"Even that gross beard he's trying to grow in?" She asked. "Well not that." I said truthfully "Then what do you like? We're girls we need details" Mary replied, I thought about it, I don't feel right lying to them, So I won't-ish. "Well he's smart." Ruby crossed her arms and leaned back on her chair. "Wow, Emma, thanks for the absolute worst crush description I have ever heard." Mary- Margret spoke up. "I never thought I'd ever agree with Ruby, but she's right. It seems like you don't even like him." We stared at the other side of the table, where, for some reason we're all split up. On my side was just Ruby, and Mary-Margret. Belle has been skipping meals recently, but she's probably in the library, so we don't stress it. On the other side are the boys. Neal, David, Killian, and August. No doubt talking about Neal and I's impending date. Only unlike our side they seem to be celebrating.
{Boy's P.O.V}
"Dude, congrats! I've been trying to get Emma to give it up for years." Killian said, congratulating Neal with a hardy punch in the shoulder. "It's not just about sex." David adds. "Say's the guy who's not getting any." Killian retorts. David ignores him and continues. "How do you feel about her?" he asked. "God dammit David, if you weren't dating a girl, I'd think you were gay." Killian interrupted. Neal looked down to his feet. "She's nice…"they waited for him to continue, Looking for a more sexually based answer according to Killian's face. "And she has such a nice ass." Neal finished. Killian high fived him and David spoke. "You can't play with her feelings like that." Killian rolled his eyes. "The women are over there, David. And they've got tampons for you." David got up, obviously having enough of Killian, and walked over to greet his girlfriend with a chaste kiss. "Fucking idiot, only he would date a girl without any intention of sleeping with her."
Neal gulped hard, he was gay. He only asked Emma out because he saw her hardcore check out the new FEMALE teacher… he didn't tell anyone though because he knows how devastating it is to be outed. It happened at his last school after he got caught with another boy in the locker room, he then transferred out of school. Since then he made a promise not to tell anyone he was gay and to just try and fit in, he only told August, which explains why he was non-existent during the conversation. Neal was even trying to grow a 'manly' beard.
He looked over at Emma, thinking about the fact that he wouldn't be hurting her, and that maybe he might be helping her…and himself. To Neal she's obviously gay.
Even though she's feminine; he picks up on mannerisms, like her openly gawking at Ms. Mills.
No one else seems to notice. Not even Emma, he can tell she has no clue, because if she did she'd be trying her hardest to hide it like him. Not because he's ashamed he just wants people to look at him the same. No one was openly homophobic in his last school. But he could tell that they pictured him differently (You know, with a cock in his mouth.)
He made it his duty to keep her secret, to help her discover who she is, and if she wanted to hide it; be her cover. He thought this to be an exhalant idea. That way he wouldn't be hurting her, and she definitely wouldn't be hurting him… people would think they're straight, and that there would be no sex between them. 'I wonder what she's thinking of right now. She looks so deep in thought.' He asked himself.
{Emma P.O.V.}
'What if Doritos came in cake flavor? Would it be good? Oh, my god. It should come with a bag of frosting. And they can have chocolate flavor, and vanilla; oooh, and red velvet… Damn, now I want cake Doritos… holy fuck I need to paten that shit. Emma, you're a genius. I know I am. Thanks again brain for that amazing idea. No problem, girl. Wait am I seriously talking to myself right now, I should be sharing this idea with the world.'
"Guys I have the most amazing idea." I stated. "What?" Ruby asked. "Two words, CAKE. DORITOS."
Mary-Margret scrunched up her nose. "That sounds disgusting, Emma. Nacho cheese and cake, Ew." Ruby said saying what Mary was thinking. "No, see. You guys just don't get it. No nacho flavor. Just cake flavor and they include frosting. And you could get, like chocolate cake flavor with strawberry icing, or vanilla, with any frosting flavor you like." They were quiet for a moment. "That's awesome." David said. "I know right!" I replied "That actually sounds kind of good… only I think you should use a different chip company. When you think of Doritos you automatically think spicy." Mary- Margret suggested. I looked her dead in the eye and said the following. "No! Definitely not, No chip company makes a chip strong enough to pick up the frosting like the Dorito. If you think about it they're like the hefty brand plates of the chip world. You can't change anything about such a perfect idea Mary… you just cut yourself out of the gold mine of money I'll have when this Idea go's the fucking distance." She laughed, knowing that the way I show love is with abuse. (Not literal abuse; friend abuse.) "It was just a suggestion, Em."