Chapter 9- Clockwatching

Author's Note- Hey everybody! I'm so sorry I haven't updated in like a week and two days; I got my laptop taken away again (yeah, I know, I'm on a roll here). Thank you so much for all the kind people who reviewed last chapter! You guys are so nice and sweet! Okay, this chapter is on Monday and its December 22nd, also it's the day of the dance. Here's the chapter, enjoy!

Will Schuester weaved through the swarm of students on Monday morning. He had a fairly uneventful weekend; he spent most of it debating about whether or not to call Emma. In the end, he hadn't called; Will decided to at least wait until after the dance to even think about talking to her. Will finally reached his classroom door, a small group of students was already gathering outside of it. He walked up to the door and unlocked it, leading the way in. The Spanish teacher placed his things on his desk and turned his computer on. While the kids were settling down and pulling out their warm-ups, Will pulled open his school email. Doubt I even have anything in here. Maybe just a few announcements about the dance or something, Will thought. He looked at his computer screen and nearly dropped his coffee mug; there were three emails from Emma. Will opened up the first one slowly, unsure if he even wanted to read it. Reluctantly, the email loaded up, filling his screen with her latest apology.

Hi Will- I just arrived at school; it's 7:25. I know you probably won't be getting here until the kids do but I wanted to let you know that you're free to talk to me anytime of the day. Just come on in…I'll cancel any previous appointments I may have had. –Emma

Will sighed, at least she was persistent and making an effort to apologize. He opened the next email, without even glancing at the class's early morning antics.

Hey Will- It's like 7:45 and you're still not here. I'm guessing you woke up late like usual. Anyways, I really wanted to make sure you knew that you're free to come and talk today. I would actually prefer if you did. Hope you had a good morning so far. –Emma

Will smiled and then stopped. He kept forgetting that he was supposed to be mad at Emma. Sometimes it was hard for him; he'd see something and immediately think, I've got to tell Em about this. But then Will would remember that he was no longer on speaking terms with her. The glee coach quickly opened the next email and waited for it to load up.

Will- It's now 8:05 and I know you're here. Finn said he saw you in the hallway. So, I was wondering…would you maybe want to eat lunch with me? We can go halfsies on PB&J, if you want. I even bought a few cookies from the vending machine for you. If you don't come to lunch, they'll be waiting for you by your classroom door. I know you're hurting right now and what I did to you is unacceptable but please…just give me another chance. –Emma

Will looked at his computer screen sadly; there was just no way to avoid Emma. She interrupted his thoughts, dreams, emails, and everything. He stood up slowly and walked to the front of the class; ready to start another painfully difficult day. To make it even worse he'd see Emma at the dance after school.

Emma Pillsbury pulled on a pair of gloves and opened up her paper sack, causing the gloves to crinkle slightly. She looked at the clock for the fifth time in three minutes; lunch had started ten minutes ago and there was still no sign of Will. Emma was in the teacher's lounge, sitting at what used to be their table. Where is he? I honestly thought he'd come…I even tried to bribe him with cookies! I just can't accept the fact that I may have lost Will…forever. If he's eating in the bathroom again…well I guess there's nothing I can do about it for the moment. The dance! I'll see Will at the dance tonight! The glee club's performing and he might be too. There's no way he can avoid me there…I can take him back to my office so that I can apologize. Wait, if he's performing…what if he sings a song about me? Usually he sings about things that are happening in his life…he sang 'Gold Digger' about Terri. Oh no…gosh, Emma what have you done to this poor man? Emma thought, sadly. Sue Sylvester walked up to her table carrying a weird- looking protein shake with her.

"Hello Elmo, looks like the gel-obsessed glee coach has abandoned you," Sue exclaimed, grinning evilly. Emma looked up timidly; she was really upset at how Sue tricked her into hurting Will. "I know where he is right now. He's hiding from you in that beat-up thing that he supposedly attempts to drive. It's pathetic really; he looks like a hurt puppy right now. Schuester's whole demeanor has changed; from what I've seen so far. He's talking quieter, his eyes always look like they're on the verge of tears, and really, like I said before; total hurt puppy look." Sue walked away after delivering the bad news to the guidance counselor.

Emma looked down at her carrots, she suddenly wasn't hungry anymore. Instead she felt sick to her stomach after the new she just heard from Sue. Emma glared at the clock willing the hands to move faster, she wanted this whole day to be over. The only thing she wanted was a chance to talk to Will after the dance.

Will Schuester had spent the last fifteen minutes of his sixth period staring at the clock, he had been zoned out most of the day and his students knew it. Sadly, the only time he smiled this afternoon was when he ate his cookies from Emma, as much as he wanted to hate her; half of his heart kept hanging on. Luckily, they actually were behaving well and respecting their broken-hearted teacher. Will kept looking at the clock, wishing he could either go back in time or skip through time. He wasn't sure what he wanted more at the moment. Ring! Ring! The final bell rang, signaling the end of a long day. Will said bye to his students and began packing up his things. There was no glee practice after school, he wanted to make sure they'd have time to prepare for the dance. What if I make eye contact with Emma during my song? Should I? I honestly don't know if I can…it might be too painful for me. I just don't want to start crying every time I see her; but no matter what the inside of me always will be weeping when I do. I just wish I could go back to the start, Will thought.

So what did you guys think? This was a hard chapter to write, so I hope you liked it. Sorry again for the delay in posting. I should have the next chapter up in a week, at least. The next chapter will be the beginning of the dance! Please review, it means a lot to me! Hope you liked it!