Troubled Child

Not The Worst Thing

"Emily, can I see you after class?" Lucas asked nicely, but he didn't look up from the papers on his desk. "You're not in trouble." He added when he heard his students "ooh" in unison. "Class dismissed."

"I'll wait for you outside." Holly said as she gathered her books.

"Sure." Emily shrugged. She left her books on her desk and slowly approached her teacher's desk. "You wanted to see me Mr. Friar?"

Lucas finally looked up. "Drop the act, it's not cute." He chuckled.

Emily smirked. "But you laughed."

Lucas sighed. "Your attitude needs to be adjusted, especially at school and especially towards me."

Emily frowned. "Can't take a joke? Are you saying that as my teacher or as my father?" She snapped.

Lucas cleared his throat. "Emily, I- When did you find out?" He asked.

Emily shrugged. "Last night. Riley said you were waiting for the DNA results to tell me, but I guessed and she didn't want to lie."

Lucas rubbed his face, nose to chin, with his hand. "What made you I'm your- I mean I am, but-"

Emily scoffed. "Please, it wasn't hard to figure out. You go on and on about that Maya chick, then Holly and I saw the picture on your mantle plus the picture in my locket, and you started acting weird. Instead of just being a teacher you started trying to lecture me like you were my dad." She adjusted her bag on her shoulder. "So I guessed you're my father and Riley confirmed it."

Lucas gulped. "I'm sorry. It wasn't a secret. I wanted to tell you as soon as I knew, but I didn't want to raise your hopes without proof on the off chance we were wrong. I didn't want to disappoint you."

Emily shrugged. "It's fine. I'm not disappointed. I mean you're not some loser or some bum or some stupid drunk. As far as dads go, I guess I could have a worse one."

Lucas chuckled. "Gee, thanks."

Emily sighed. "I mean- I've had some pretty shitty foster dads so-"

"Watch your language." Lucas corrected with a sigh of vexation.

Emily rolled her eyes. "I'm just saying that I guess finding out my dad is my teacher isn't the worst thing. I wonder what my mom is like though.. Do you think she'd want to meet me?" She asked nervously biting on her lower lip.

Lucas nodded and gave her a small smile. "I'm sure she does."

Emily frowned. "I overheard Riley on the phone last night. I think she was talking to her, but it didn't sound like she wanted to meet me. I think I heard Riley yelling. She sounded really mad." She sighed.

Lucas scratched at his stubble. "That might not have been about you. Riley and Maya used to be inseparable and then Maya just left without a word. It was hard, on all of us, but I think it was hardest for Riley because she was always so optimistic and she never wanted to lose hope that one day Maya would just appear again and everything would be happy. She's naive like that." Lucas stood up from his desk and gathered his paperwork for the night into his binder. "The rest of us gave up on Maya coming back. Now, with everything coming into the light, about you and Maya-" Lucas blew out a breath. "Well Riley has hope again and it's upsetting her that Maya still hasn't shown up yet considering Farkle already told her about-" Lucas saw Emily look down sadly. "That doesn't mean she doesn't care!" He rushed to correct himself so he wouldn't upset his daughter. "It's just- If she's still not showing up yet then there has to be a reason, but Riley won't give up. You'll see. She'll drag Maya back by the arm if need be." He chuckled. "Come on, I'm gonna drive you and Holly to Riley's today so you don't have to take the bus. I know you two hate the bus."

Emily scoffed. "I'm not scared of it like Holly is! I just don't like these idiots thinking my life is some kind of joke for their amusement."

Lucas gave her a small smile. "I know, but it's junior high. It's not the end of the world." He stated.

Emily scoffed again. "Please, these kids are nothing compared to what I've been through. They just annoy me, but if I kick their butts then I get trouble!" She huffed.

"I understand." Lucas swallowed. "If you ever want to talk, about what you've been through, I'm here for you, okay?" He smiled.

Emily gave him a small smile back. "Thanks, but I'm okay. I talk to Holly about some stuff."

"Okay, but if you want to talk to an adult, I'm here." He said seriously. "I know you can talk Riley or even Holly's parents, but I am your father and you can tell me anything." He held the door open for her and wasn't surprised when Holly rushed through and threw her arms around his kid.

Emily chuckled. "Thanks, but I'm good." She pushed Holly away. "Get off." She laughed. "I'm trying to walk. You'll make me trip!"

"Sorry!" Holly giggled and linked her arm with Emily's. "Everything okay?" She asked her Uncle and best friend as they walked.

"Yeah. I'm not in trouble." Emily shrugged Holly off her arm and run ahead to the car. "He's just my dad!" She shouted back to Holly.

Holly Minkus squealed with excitement. "Yes! I knew it!"

Lucas shook his head, chuckling to himself as he walked to his car that the girls were impatiently trying to open. "Give me a sec!"

"You're so slow!" Emily called out.

"Hurry up, Uncle Lucas!"

Lucas sighed. He took his keys out of his pocket and unlocked his car so they could hop in. That was the first time Emily called him dad, even though she didn't say it to him directly, it felt nice to hear.