20 Chapter 20 (2/2)

”Burn your house down” Emily says, ”or maybe attack you outside of school?”.

”E-Emily!” Aeris says.

”What? Just saying” Emily responds.

”No... Jessica is right” Wyatt says. ”These people will never change unless we can find a way to change their minds about you guys. Seeing as how stubborn they are, it'll probably have to be something big... but maybe not something crazy. So don't go postal on people, Jessica”.

”Argh! Fine” Jessica says. ”I won't go crazy... but they're not touching you guys... I mean it”.

”Thanks... Jessica” Aeris says. ”It means a lot”.

Meanwhile, at the Principal's Office, Refus shows up with Emma. ”Emma Frey?” Ryan asks as he stands up to shake her hand. Emma stands awkwardly, and nervously stares at his hand. ”Sorry” he says, ”I just figured manners would be a great start. Look, I'll cut to the chase. Refus and I, we both know you're a laibah. We also know about your bloodline”.

”What about it?” Emma asks, with a stern voice.

”I don't mean to be rude” Ryan says. ”You can trust me. We didn't want to have to go out of our way to try and reach out to you... but we fear the worst for your safety. I know about the ability called quarter shifting. Do you have it?”.

”I don't... really want to” Emma says, shuffling her feet, ”... talk about it”.

”Let me reword this” Ryan says. ”Do you have troubles controlling your human form?”. Emma refuses to answer, then Ryan continues to say ”I want to help. I'm on your side, Ms. Frey”.

”Don't... call me that” Emma says.

”Is Emma fine, then?” Ryan asks gently. Emma once again refuses to answer. ”Look” Ryan continues, ”if you need any support, we can give you your own personal room. It'll be away from everyone, where you can try getting more comfortable with your ability and-”.

”No” Emma says.

”I'm sorry?” Ryan asks.

”No thank you” Emma says. ”I don't... want people getting in my way”.

”In the way of what?” Refus asks. Emma once again refuses to answer. ”Emma, please let us help you”.

”I already have the help I need” Emma says. ”I don't want anyone getting in my way... of trying to repay that kindness to the people I owe it too”.

”Repaying the kindness, huh?” Ryan asks. ”I get that much, and I don't want to force you to do something that you don't want to do... but, if you ever need the help, we will be right here. Don't be afraid to ask”.

”Thanks...” Emma says, ”but no thanks. I'm fine”.

Emma then slowly leaves the office on her own. Refus and Ryan were left staring at each other in confusion. ”She's a rather... driven child” Ryan says.

”I'm sorry” Refus says, ”I don't think she meant to sound rude, but-”.

”No, it's fine” Ryan says. ”She's said enough for me to understand. You're dismissed. You have a home room to attend to”. Refus takes a short bow, then leaves. ”She reminds me so much of Remi and Tera... it makes me wonder if they're related. However, even though I know that she should be fine on her own... I can't help but to feel like I need to help. I still have something of my own to repay, and I'll make sure I'll pay my dues”. Ryan then takes a sigh and says to himself ”I'll pay off my dues one day at a time... I wonder if you're still alive, Tera. I wish I knew where you left to, so I could have the chance to apologize... for Remi”.

As Emma walks down the halls, she says to herself ”I've got to find a way to get closer to Wyatt. I'm not letting anyone separate us like that... I know they're trying to help, but I can't... I can't allow myself to fall behind. I have to tell Wyatt, but I still need time”.

Soon after, Emma enters the classroom. The class stared at her silently, as she entered without the teacher. ”W-What?” Emma asks.

”Where's the teacher?” A student asks.

”Do you think something's up after all?” Another student asks.

”Sorry it took a little longer than expected” Refus says as he enters the classroom. ”Everyone take your seats. That means you too, Emma”.

After what felt like a while of listening to rumors spread between the shift of classes, lunch period began. ”So what did they have to talk to you about?” Jessica asks.

”Nothing important” Emma says. ”Just asking about stuff like... family things and stuff. You know how schools worry all the time”.

”I... guess if you say so” Jessica says. Emma walks over to Wyatt and sits next to him. ”You still wanna do something this weekend?”.

”Yeah, sure” Emma says.

”What do you guys want to do?” Wyatt asks.

”Well, we could just go for a walk” Jessica says. ”You know, explore the area a bit. There's that forest right outside of town. We can go looking through there”.

Jackson, Aeris and Emily glance at each other, all thinking the same idea about how that's a terrible suggestion. ”I'd rather not” Emma says.

”Come on, it'll be a fun way to get away from people” Jessica says.

”Are you really that hellbent on getting away from people?” Jackson asks.

”Yes” Jessica says rather promptly.

”I don't really want to go to the forest” Emma says.

”Fine, fine” Jessica says. ”How about something like a picnic out at the clearing by the forest?”.

”I... guess that could be something to do” Wyatt says.

Emma takes a deep sigh and says ”Alright... I guess”.

”Didn't you say you used to live in the forest before?” Wyatt asks.

Emma nearly spits out her food in surprise. ”I-I-I did, but I was homeless. I didn't really have a h-home in the forest. I-I just kind of stayed there!”.

”Homeless?” Jessica asks. ”This is news to me. Why didn't you ever tell us about that before?”.

”I guess Wyatt isn't totally clueless” Jackson whispers. ”Maybe it's only a matter of time before he figures it all out”.

”I hate to agree” Emily says, ”and it's nothing against Wyatt, but Emma does need to hurry up”.

”Calm down” Aeris says. ”Let her handle this”.

”I-I just... didn't want people thinking less of me” Emma says.

”No matter what position you were in before” Wyatt says gently, ”you're still Emma, aren't you? I still love you for who you are”.

Emma begins to blush as she says ”Y-Yeah... I guess you're right”.

”Then it's settled” Jessica says. ”Let's go there! Maybe revisiting your old... homeless shelter isn't the best idea, but it's always good to look back at the past and see how much you've grown!”.

”I guess you've got a point...” Emma says.

Later that night, when Wyatt left for work and Emma stayed in the dorm room, Emma thought to herself about what Wyatt said. ”I'm still me...” Emma says to herself. ”I'd like to hope that Wyatt really means that. Then again, maybe I'm closer to my goal than I realize...”. Emma then goes back to working on stitching. Suddenly, Wyatt's words ”I still love you for who you are” came to mind. Emma began to feel a warmth inside that seemed almost overwhelming, as her fox ears and tail popped out again. ”Dammit!” Emma says to herself. ”Get a grip... I need to get better at holding this form”. Emma sighs to herself then says ”I can't think straight. On one hand, there may still be hope. But on the other, I might still mess this up... I don't know what to do”.

After a few hours, Wyatt came back from work. ”I'm back” Wyatt says. ”Sorry to keep you waiting”.

Emma shakes her head and says ”It's fine! I've finished at least one thing to sell to Matilda tomorrow!”.

Wyatt sits down on his bed and releases a long sigh of relief. ”I've been thinking” Wyatt says, ”and I figured something was bothering you lately, and that's why I wanted to go do something this weekend. Sorry if trying to drag you along seemed... bothersome. I just wanted to help”.

”You did?” Emma says. ”Y-you don't have to worry, I'm just... I'm sorry I'm being weird. I know I haven't been completely honest with you, and there are some things I can't quite tell you... at least, not yet. B-but I promise! I promise I'll let you know whenever I need help! You don't have to worry about me so much!”.

Wyatt laughs and says ”I'll take your word for it, but I don't mind trying to help. Which is also why I was thinking, if you want, to try going on another date on Sunday or something?”.

”Yeah” Emma says, ”I'd love that”.

”I was thinking we could just go do something simple” Wyatt says. ”Just the two of us. Something like hanging out by the forest like we're doing with Jessica tomorrow, but just the two of us”.

”Anything” Emma says, ”as long as it's time spent with you, I'm fine with anything”.