Shattered. [Aaron Hotchner + Emily Prentiss]

Chapter 16.

Emily peered her head into Leila's room, seeing her struggling to tie her tie. Today was Monday - her first day of school - and she was clearly jittery at the thought of attending. Belle, in her room, was getting ready too. Although she wasn't starting today, she would be soon, meaning she needed the same tour Leila had prior to her arrival. She wanted to make a good impression, but she also knew how she acted within schools, and first impressions always changed within a week. It was, as if, a gut feeling telling her that she would bring uproar to the school, as always.

"Hey, do you need help?" Emily asked, stepping further into the room. Leila's uniform, after being fixed incredibly well by Belle, looked much better. The changes weren't noticeable at first, but when Emily got closer, you could see them instantly. The hem of the skirt being brought in more, as well as being higher waisted. The one horrific jumper now with tiny details and a tighter fit, and the blazer Belle had personalised with a little heart on the inside - something Emily didn't approve nor protested.

"Yes, please. I have no clue how to tie these things." Leila said frantically, turning from the mirror, the tie slung around her neck.

"Neither did I for a while, but you'll learn." Emily tied it perfectly, leaving no room for complaints.

"You wore uniforms like this?"

"Worse. Come on, you don't want to be late."

The two walked out the room and into the hall almost simultaneously with Belle, coming out of her room phone and almost dead headphones in one hand, oversized, grey jumper in the other. Her outfit, being the most socially acceptable for this occasion, consisted of a short black skirt, paired with black sheer tights and an old, long sleeve Nike jumper she said she stole, and her pair of old Converse, among many other details. The 12 year old already knew Emily would disapprove of the outfit - hence the jumper  - but after the girls found teen photos of the woman, she couldn't help but be biased into letting the rules slip every once in a while. If they ever found out about the activities she delved into in her youth, she would never hear the end of it.

"Time check, Belle." She said, grabbing the pot of coffee and pouring herself one, as the girls gathered their belongings. Isabelle replied, saying it was just before half 6, causing Emily to slow down her usual morning routine. "I don't need to be at work until 8 again today but you have to be at the induction before 7, and Leila's got to be in the dorms for half 7."

"So you're saying we're leaving soon?" Belle said, sitting on the couch whilst texting one of the few friends she made during her travels throughout Arizona - Annabelle. The girls clicked instantly due to their similar names, but as quickly as Belle arrived, she was gone, barely having time to say goodbye. They would text daily, as well as one of the mutual friends they made - Emmet. Being in different states always made their friendships hard, but at the end of the day, the three would always make sure they messaged each other, sometimes just to say goodnight or a simple 'I love you'. Small texts to cheer up the others.

"Yes, so don't get too comfortable. Leila, what do you want for breakfast?"

"I'm not very hungry, I'll be ok." The girl's stomach was turning at the thought of attending school, making it hard to even think about food. As much as she was excited, she was also terrified for what she thought was a gut feeling - something bad would happen.

"Come on, you've gotta eat something, even if it's small." Emily persuaded.

"Toast?"

The girls managed to get out the door after brushing their teeth and packing bags, leaving 15 minutes to get to the school in time for the beginning of induction for Belle. They went around the school with Mrs Willower, also giving Emily the third tour between all the children she knew who attended. Just before the end of the tour, Leila noticed Declan at the end of the boy's dorms coming out with his backpack, looking as if he was heading to class.