We do know that in today computer age, failing school without being notified somehow would be almost impossible, but this is fiction and there will be later explanations coming. It fits in our story how Emmett managed to fail, yet still was able to play football and Edward was not notified in a way that would assure he got the messages.
Chapter 2
"Come on, Dad, I've been busting my ass all summer. I didn't even ask for a party for my nineteenth birthday. Please ... let me join the football team again? I promise I'll keep up the grades and do my work," Emmett pleads as we run side by side.
He's right, he has stuck to it this summer, but he goes back to school tomorrow. He'll have a full course load, plus he has to take one extra class on the computer to earn enough credits to graduate. At the same time, I don't want to take something he loves to do away from him.
"I'll tell you what, Emmett, you beat me in this workout and I'll think about it," I say running faster than him. It only takes a few seconds for him to catch up to me.
"You're an old man," Emmett says sounding cocky.
We walk down to the basement after our five-mile run, to where the home gym is. We move to the pull-up bars standing a foot above my head, meaning, it's just over half a foot, above my jolly giant of a son's head.
We both jump and clasp the bar and then look at each other. "Last to let go?" Emmett asks and I nod.
"Count of three," I say before counting us off.
We set off and Emmett matches the pace I've set.
I get to fifty before I can really start to feel it in my arms. "Seventy-five," I grunt out knowing that I'm too fucking old to carry on.
"Seventy-six," I say with a moan.
"Seventy-seven," I just get out. "That's me," I say letting go and dropping to the ground. I lay there as Emmett carries on right up to an even one hundred.
"So, can I join the football team?" He asks as he jumps down next to me.
"Yes, but your grades for all other classes must stay at or above C's or you're pulled out, am I clear?"
"Yes, Dad, and I swear I'll do well," he says cheerful.
"And, you do your side of the work on every project you're given."
Emmett just grins at me. "I'll make you proud of me," he says jumping out of the room.
I groan as I turn slowly getting up.
"I'm getting too old for this shit," I moan out loud as I move to the shower room.
The next morning both Emmett and I are up early and ready to go start our day.
"Good luck," I say as he walks out the door. He waves me off grinning largely like he doesn't have a care in the world. A part of me is worrying he has no idea what he's walking in to.
At eleven I head into the school for my scheduled appointment with Newton.
"Mr. Cullen," he says grinning at me.
I so wish I could smack the snarky grin off his face.
"So how can I help you?" he asks as he sits back in his desk chair.
"I want to be informed if Emmett's grades—in any class—if it drops below a B minus," I tell him feeling annoyed. He should know why I'm here; we discussed this at the end of last school year.
"I have close to eight hundred students in this school; do you really believe I have the time to focus on just one of them?"
"Yes, each of them should be your focus and this is part of your job, so do it, or I will report you to the Board of Education."
Newton glares at me.
"That's all I wanted; have a nice day," I say standing up and walking out of his office.
I walk around the school, seeing that Emmett seems to be sitting with a group of kids I don't recognize. I sit back watching and let out a small breath when it's clear he's fine and getting on well with them.
I knew this was going to be hard. Most everyone he was friends with left for college, last month. It's one of the biggest reasons he and I celebrated his birthday just the two of us. I know he had a good time, but I couldn't stop the feeling inside me that he was missing out.
I drive off to get the shopping done and pay some bills.
"Hi, Dad," Emmett says as he walks into the kitchen. He goes straight to the refrigerator and takes out the gallon of milk and gulps it down from the jug.
"Glass," I yell.
"Dad, it's just me and you," Emmett says as he takes a breath.
"Still, glass," I say pointing at them.
Emmett moves and puts the milk in one of the large glasses, and then starts to pull food out.
"Did you make any new friends today?"
"Yeah, some, I think. Most of them are trying out for the football team, which is on Friday."
"Good luck, but I'm sure you'll be fine."
"I know I will be; the only thing I'm really good at is football."
Emmett's first week of school flies by. He, of course, did make the football team, and to my surprise passed up being the team captain.
"Dad, I've officially met the woman of my dreams," Emmett says with a goofy smile as I walk in the house the following Friday.
"Hmm," I say as I loosen my tie to sit down on my chair.
"She's fucking hot, and a cheerleader."
Now, there is a surprise. My son developed a standard at a very young age for liking a certain type of women. When he was eight-years-old, he had his first and second crushes, and since then all the females he shows interest in are the same. All of Emmett's women are tall, around five-ten or better, blonde hair, blue eyes, slender, and of course, they've all been cheerleaders.
"Dad, I think she may be the one."
"Was she someone you talked to before?"
Emmett shrugs a little. "Maybe, I'm not sure."
"Just don't rush into anything; sometimes the best girlfriends are the ones that you're friends with first."
Emmett smiles at me. "When are you gonna get a girlfriend, Dad?"
I roll my eyes at him, standing up. "Call and order some pizza for dinner. I'll check your homework, after I shower and change."
I shower and get comfortable. Pizza arrives and we eat. Going through Emmett's work, noting down the stuff he has to redo.
"You have some mistakes that you need to look over," I say as I place his homework down.
"I'm trying, Dad, but I'm no good at English."
I hold out my hand for him to stop.
"You're doing fine, besides your English and Biology are both excellent, really good work on both of those." Emmett frowns looking at his pile.
"Really?"
I nod at him
I head to the school to watch Emmett's first game. School has only been back about six weeks, but over the last two weeks especially, Emmett's work has improved a great deal.
I jump up cheering as my son plays a great defensive move, allowing his team to score a touchdown.
At half time, my eyes fall on the cheerleaders as I try to work out which one my son has been spending most of his spare time with.
Sadly, there are at least four to choose from. Not trying to sound like a dick, but I don't like the looks of any of them. They all seem to be much like Emmett's last girlfriend Lauren, who spread her legs for any guy on the team. There was even a rumor that she slept with Newton to get a 3.0 GPA.
My eyes seem to jump back to the team when I hear some commotion. I jump up when I see Emmett arguing with three of the other players, one being the team captain. I go to move toward the field when the coach splits them up.
I let out a breath when Emmett and the other players seem to get their act together, and play the game as a team.
"Shut the fuck up, or I will deck you," I hear Emmett yell in his booming voice.
I move quickly to the gym doors to see Emmett and the other boys fighting again.
"It never bothered you before."
"It bothers me now," Emmett says storming his way to me.
"Emmett, what the hell's going on?" I ask.
"Nothing," he huffs out.
"They're not bullying you are they?"
"What – me? No," Emmett says looking hurt.
"Was it over a girl?"
"You could say that," Emmett admits and I sigh. Of course it's about a girl. It seems like most fights among guys are.
"Dad, can I get my credit card?" Emmett asks as he stands shuffling his feet outside my door.
"Why?" I reply putting down my work and waving him in my home office.
"Just … I want to go to the city this weekend," he says but something sounds a little off.
"What for?"
"Just someone needs to get out of town for a bit."
I hum, looking at him for any hint that he's up to something. He has acted like he's been feeling a little down this past week, and I'm sure it's got something to do with the boys he was fighting with after last week's game.
"Come on, Dad, it's been months since I've been anywhere, and I have improved greatly at school."
"Yes, but you're still only getting a B- average." Emmett's head drops as he looks at me disappointed but I do carry on talking.
"But since there's been an improvement in your homework, I will allow this. As a reward," I say taking the card out of the drawer I keep it in. "Do you want to ride with me?" I ask as he takes the card.
"No thanks," Emmett says quickly walking back out the room.
"Emmett," I yell after him and he looks back in my office.
"You're doing well, and I am proud of you. Keep up the good work," I say with a wink.
"Okay, I'm going to call my girl and tell her you said yes."
"Emmett," I yell again making him come back in for a third time.
"What now?" he huffs out and I point to the seat across from my desk.
"Your girl?" I ask as he sits.
"Oh, yeah, I've got a girlfriend, Bella. She's a doll, super pretty, you'll love her."
"Emmett, girls can be a distraction," I say gently. "And with her being a cheerleader, I'm sure she's very pretty."
Emmett sniggers and I raise my eyebrow at him. "You'll understand once you've met her, which will be Monday after school, if that's all right? Normally, we study and do homework at her house, but she wants a change of scenery."
I let out a sigh. "I hope all you've been doing is homework. The last thing I need is another father wanting to shoot you, remember the last one was a cop."
Emmett outright laughs. "Jessica's dad was a hoot," he says as he gets up walking back out of my office. This time I let him go.
A/N: So there is chapter two and we know we will get to meet Bella in chapter three. What do you think of Newton, he's quite the piece of work, isn't he? We can't wait to hear your thoughts, so tell us what you think. Thanks for reading and reviewing, see you all on Wednesday with chapter three.