23 Chapter 23 (2/2)

”Yeah... you're right” Rose says, ”but it's just... it's a part of the job isn't it? It's what we do as teachers. Sometimes we have to be strict, sometimes we have to help them on even a personal level. I did my part is helping Darren, but you seem to... do too much... and I'm worried about you”.

”There's no need to worry, Rose” Ryan says.

”Of course there is!” Rose says. ”You know the board of education is already on our asses for several issues involving laibah! More than that, even the other staff are looking to remove you from your position!”.

”Who would that be?” Ryan asks.

”I-I... I've said too much” Rose says.

”Quincy?” Ryan asks. ”He always seems so tenacious, but I don't blame him”.

”B-but what about-” Rose starts to say.

”Look” Ryan interrupts, ”you don't worry about me. There is more going on than you can see. Besides, I don't blame Quincy, but I also can't just give in and let him win. I'll be staying right where I am, and you will not be starting a conflict with the other staff”.

”Yes sir...” Rose says.

”Hey” Ryan says as he leans a little closer to Rose, ”cheer up. I may not be your actual grandfather, but I still try to look after all of you guys as well”.

Rose laughs softly and says ”Well, you're definitely crazy like my actual grandpa... but thanks, Ryan”.

After Rose leaves, Ryan takes a sigh a relief. ”I wish I could break the news to her” he says to himself, ”but I'm sure it'll come back on her sister... Sarah made a hard choice, but at least I can tell Sarah that her daughter is doing well”.

The school day goes by like every other school day. Jeff returns to take over his class like normal, whenever Refus leaves, and everyone tried moving through life one day at a time. The only difference, The Rejects had to withstand receiving several threats from Marcus and the others. Day after day, the tension built up between the students. Before they knew it, it was already the last week of November. Jackson's anger was beginning to drive him into a corner, as each passing day brought him more anger towards Marcus and the other students. All The Rejects could do was try to bear through it all. However, being unable to retaliate only made some of The Rejects more angry.

Their only safe haven was waiting for the weekends. Finally, Saturday of November 30th, 2019 arrived. Each day was becoming increasingly cold, so Wyatt and Emma went out together to buy some winter clothes and jackets. They ended up going to the clothes store that they know the best, Savvy Threads. ”Emma, Wyatt!” Matilda says as they enter, ”how are you guys doing today?”.

”Well, it's finally the weekend” Emma says, ”so better than usual these days”.

”Having a hard time at school still?” Matilda asks.

”Yeah, still” Wyatt says.

”Just make sure you two stay out of trouble” Matilda says in a joking manner. ”If I hear that either one of you two got expelled, I will personally kick your butt”.

Emma laughs and says ”Anyways, I brought some stuff to sell and we're here to buy some winter clothes, as well as some jackets”.

”Ah yes” Matilda says, ”t'is this season already, after all”.

After Emma sells the clothes she's made, Wyatt and Emma look through the clothes together. Emma was wearing the beanie hat that Aeris gave to her long ago, but that was the only winter apparel she had. After choosing out some stuff, Emma says to Wyatt ”Thanks again for doing this”.

Wyatt leans in and kisses Emma on the forehead and says ”No problem, Emma”. Emma's face grows a little red, and Wyatt says with a laugh ”Is your face red because it's cold outside, or are you still just being shy?”.

”Shut up!” Emma says.

”You two finally done?” Matilda asks as the two of them return to the front counter.

”Yeah, this should be everything” Wyatt says.

”Wait” Matilda says, ”one more thing!”. Matilda takes out a small camera to take a photo of Emma and Wyatt. ”You two look cute together” she says.

”Argh- Matilda!” Emma says with a red face.

”Say cheese” Matilda says, holding up the camera. At the moment Matilda snaps a picture of the two of them, Wyatt holds onto Emma and pulls her close. Emma's face grows visibly more red, and Matilda takes the picture. ”There, done!” Matilda says.

”Wait a moment!” Emma says, ”I-I wasn't ready! I demand a different picture!”.

Matilda holds up the camera, looking at the photo on a digital screen. ”But this one looks so cute!” she says.

”Matilda!” Emma complains.

After purchasing the clothes and jackets they wanted, Wyatt and Emma head back to the dorm. The end of the semester was approaching, and the time for them to finally make that club was near. However, they were more focused on how they're both slowly becoming more comfortable with being with each other.

”So...” Wyatt says after the two of them return to the dorm, ”tomorrow is the first day of December, which means your birthday is coming up soon”.

”Oh, you remembered that?” Emma asks.

”Yeah” Wyatt says. ”Do you want anything for Christmas?”.

Emma looks down and thinks for a moment. ”I don't know” she says.

”You don't know if you want anything?” Wyatt asks, ”or are you just not sure what you'd want?”.

”I'm... not sure” Emma says. ”I think what I really want is already right here”.

Wyatt laughs and says ”Now you're starting to sound cheesy!”.

Emma almost seems to pout as she says ”I mean it! I'm perfectly fine with just having the simple things in life. A place to stay, somewhere to belong... and someone by my side. That's all I really want”.

Wyatt laughs and says ”Super cheesy, but okaaay”.

”Argh- Wyatt!” Emma pouts.

”Okay, okay!” Wyatt says as he throws up his hands in surrender, ”I get it! I'm just joking, don't worry. Besides, I understand”.

”Good...” Emma says as she crosses her arms.

”I'm still getting you something though” Wyatt teases.

Emma pauses for a moment, mumbling something inaudible, then says ”Fine, whatever!”.

Later that night, the two start going to bed. As they lay in bed together, Emma asks ”Hey, Wyatt? Do you think everyone else will be okay at school?”.

”What do you mean?” Wyatt asks.

”I mean...” Emma says, ”do you think the rest are taking all the... abuse from those classmates well? I know it's been getting to some of them, and it's making me worry. What if some of our friends get expelled?”.

”I'm sure we'll find some way to stop them” Wyatt says. ”I won't let our friends get into trouble like that”.

”I just hope everything will work out fine” Emma says. ”Although, if you're there, I'm sure it'll work out somehow”.

”Thanks for trusting me” Wyatt says. ”Leave it to me. I'll make sure Jackson and the others don't do anything crazy”.

Emma quickly falls asleep in Wyatt's arms, but Wyatt was kept awake from worrying about how to get through the rest of the semester. Wyatt eventually opens his eyes again and sees Emma sleeping with the beanie on her head still. ”Even if the days get rough” Wyatt thinks to himself, at least I have you to come back home to”. Wyatt then looks at the beanie and laughs softly to himself. ”I guess she's still really worried about the others too” he thinks. ”She must be so stressed out that she forgot to take off her hat... didn't Aeris give her this hat?”. Wyatt gently slides the hat off of her head and sets it on the pillow next to her. When he lays his head back on the pillow, he notices something fuzzy tickling his face. Wyatt opens up his eyes and sees to fuzzy figures that were blurry because it was too close to his face. When he sits up, he notices they were fox ears sticking out of Emma's head. They were a snowy white color, with light purple fur on the tips of the ears. Wyatt feels a sense of worry and surprise swell up from within him. ”Emma... is a laibah!?” Wyatt asks himself. ”Why did she never tell me about that? Does she... not trust me after all?”.