Beyond Education [Jemily]

Bullies, Big Bullies

tw! use of homophobic slurs

November 13, 2021
— Emily's POV
"So we can see by the pattern of behavior from this killer here that he, or she, clearly has a specific victim type, their cooling down period is significantly lengthy, preferred murder weapon, abduction sites as well as dump sites. All of these qualities indicate what type of killer?" Professor Rossi was just wrapping up his lecture on the four types of serial killers. He was teaching us about how law enforcement hunts each type, but today's our first day on the topic so we're not really there yet. No one raised their hands in response to his question so he prompted, "Anyone? Anyone at all?" He perked his head up and nodded, "Ah, George."

"It's a Power and Control killer."

Rossi winced, "Good guess but that's not exactly what this evidence indicates. Someone wanna help out here?... Ah, Emily." I smiled and looked a few aisles over at Emily, who was raising her hand although unenthusiastically slumped in her chair.

"Hedonistic."

"Correct. And consolidated, thank you." He scrunched his brows and poked, "How would you advise police? I know we haven't delved into that but—"

"Well putting patrol cars in his hunting zone would be a start. This killer won't stray away from pattern, so I'd also inform the public of his victim type. They're clearly getting some kind of release from these kills, probably sexual, so I'd look into the romantic history of this offender as well." My eyes turned into hearts as I thought to myself She's so damn smart.

Rossi cleared his throat and beamed, "Wow I uh, that's very impressive. Well done, Emily." She nodded and put her feet up nonchalantly on the back of the chair in from of her. About a minute later the lecture concluded and I got my things together to meet Emily outside. I bounced over to her and kissed her cheek.

"What was that for?" She chuckled.

"Reward for being so smart."

"Lucky me. Can I have another one?" I giggled and kissed her other cheek. Our attention was taken away by a familiar voice coming from several feet away. It was Spencer.

He was yelling shyly at a couple of guys around him, "Just leave me alone!" They were crowding him at a bench not too far away, poking fun at him likely for something nerdy that he was doing.

Emily put a hand on my shoulder, "Hold on, I'll be right back." She jogged over to where Spence was but obviously I followed her. "What's going on over here?"

One of the guys looked up and sleazily smiled, "Mind your own business, huh?"

Emily stepped in between him and Spencer, "His business is my business." She looked back and asked, "What happened, Reid?"

The same guy pushed Emily on the shoulder to get her attention and explain, "Told this fag I'd pay him a hundred bucks to finish a lab paper for me and the little shit still hasn't done it yet."

Spencer squeaked, "E-Emily I never agreed to it, I told them I wouldn't do it!"

She kept staring the guy down and deadpanned, "It's okay, Spence, I know." Her tongue slid over her teeth and she gritted, "Why don't you just fucking walk away, all right? Go do your own goddamn work, deadbeat. And while your at it don't ever lay a fucking hand on me again." Another guy slid out from behind Spence and stood in front of Emily. It was Will, the guy I met at the bar one time.

Will insisted, "That's not gonna happen. My buddy here asked this kid a favor and he's gonna fucking do it or he'll be sorry."

Emily crossed her arms, "Figures you'd say something like that. You don't remember me, do you?" I jogged closer before this got out of hand.

I clung to Emily's arm and pleaded, "Emily don't, just stay out of it."

Will looked at me and smiled at Em, "Ahhh I remember you now. And your little princess." He stared into my eyes and poked, "I never took you for a dyke." Emily lunged at him but I used every muscle in me to hold her back. The two guys in front of us started laughing at her efforts.

She threatened Will through her teeth, "Why you picking a fight, bitch? You know I can beat your ass. Could do it with my fucking eyes closed, numbnuts."

"I'm not scared of you."

"Yeah? Well you should be." Will seemed a little shaken actually, but he'd never show that in front of his partner in crime over there. They nervously shrugged Emily off and walked away, but not before Will took another look up and down at me. His gaze made me really uncomfortable. We looked back at Spencer, who had his hands tightly closed over his eyes.

He noticed the silence and asked, "Is it over?"

I pulled his hands down and comforted, "It's over, Spence."

Emily straightened out her jacket and sat next to him, "If those guys ever bother you again call me, okay?"

He nodded, "Okay... D-Do you think they'll bother me again?"

I sat down and rubbed over his back, "I don't think so. I think Emily did some damage for you." Spencer blushed shyly at my support. It was so obvious he had a huge crush on me; it was a running gag in our friend group.

He swallowed hard, "Thanks. Thanks, Emily."

She patted his shoulder, "No problem, pretty boy. Why don't you go sit somewhere else for now though? The library maybe? Some place where there are people... Witnesses." He shuffled all his books together and scurried off to one of the libraries on campus. Emily scooted closer to me on the bench and brushed my hair back, "You okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm good."

She scrunched her brows, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing just uh... That guy Will really freaks me out. You know, after..."

"I know. That's totally understandable. I hope he knows to keep his distance now. Or I'll kill him." I chuckled a little at that. "I swear. I will."

"I believe you. Come on, let's go. They're waiting for us at the bar." I stood up from the bench and took her hand. We walked side by side to our usual hangout, and met the group inside. Aaron and Derek were a couple rounds into their usual game of pool, while Haley and Penelope were chatting in a nearby booth. Emily and I joined them for a while, until I got up for a moment to use the bathroom. There was only one in the bar, but thankfully it was open when I turned down the hallway. When I was finished and opened the door to leave, my heart sank into my stomach when I saw Will standing outside.

"Well look who it is." He stepped closer to me and looked around before pushing me back into the bathroom, "Get the hell in here."