Rewrite the stars

She's God and I found her

An uncomfortable silence fills the office. Sitting at the desk is Larissa, who is waiting on the parent of her student; Elise Miller, a quiet but not meek 15 year old girl. Larissa has a custom of holding a meeting with the parent(s) to discuss how their kid is integrating at Nevermore. Larissa who is punctual and likes things to go as planned, is displeased with the lack of respect for time from Elise's parent. Larissa turns her eyes to Elise's Aunt; Megan, who is related to her by marriage. Larissa would happily talk to Megan, but Megan is not Elise's legal guardian, I am. Megan senses the unease in Larissa.

"I'm very sorry about my wife. She's really terrible at finding things and places that are not mapped out for her"

Larissa gives her a courteous smile. She's about to respond when the double doors to her office open up. All 3 turn their attention to see who is entering.

"I'm very sorry for being unprofessional, and late. I got disoriented finding the Office" I exhale exasperated, my footsteps tap tapping across the floor as I hastily make my way over.

Walking up to the desk, I gaze up at the woman before me. From the glance I took of her when I entered, I did not think much of her. Now that I am standing before her, I can fully take her in. I'm stunned silent. She's a statuesque beauty with perfectly coiffed hair, a tailored suit, striking blue eyes, and a perfect red pout. I have travelled all over the world, I have seen and met many beautiful women but I have never met one who has left me speechless. Not even Megan left me without words when I met her.

Extending my hand out, I greet "Emma Guerra. I apologize again for being late"

Larissa wanted to be upset with me after delaying the meeting, but I stunned her silent with my own beauty. She's hypnotized by how striking my green eyes stand out against the natural brown of my skin. My dark hair is styled like a 40's silver screen starlet. She can't help but notice that the form fitting clothing show off the natural thickness to my body. I'm attractive in her eyes. My voice is deeper, and richer than she expected. Like a good Gentleman Whiskey drink; smooth, strong, enjoyable to the senses. Larissa takes my hand in hers. Electricity strikes us, coursing through our veins, reaching our hearts giving them a little jolt. The shock of it made our lungs take in a little sharp breath.

"Larissa Weems. A little delay is quite alright. Please take a seat"

Our hands let go of one another. They miss one another, wishing that the seconds would have dragged out in favor of letting them stay connected for the sake of feeling the warmth of one another.
Stepping away, I take a seat on the empty high back chair. I look over at Megan who had no expression on her face. The interaction I had with Larissa was quick and short, nothing to make her raise a brow in question. Sitting down, I turn to Elise, greeting her with a smile. Elise, who is gifted with the ability to see things that have yet to come to be gave me a knowing look. She caught the moment I had with Larissa. I turn away, guilt settling deep in the pit of my stomach.

Larissa begins to talk about Elise. She happily informs us that she is settling well, getting along with her peers. Elise is excelling in her studies, and has shown interest in extracurricular activities. I look at Elise with pride. Larissa then tells us that the only issue she has with Elise is that she's confrontational and won't back down. After inquiring about what made her feel that way, Larissa explains that a student was bullying another student and Elise stepped in. I began to argue that Elise standing up for another student should be applauded, not frowned upon. Larissa smirks, she can see where the defenses come from; I'm quick to go from friendly to defensive in a matter of moments.

"We encourage students to stand up for themselves, and others. However we cannot encourage students telling other students to 'do something about it'. Physical altercations are a no no, and I'm sure you'd agree."

I turn to Elise, who looks down with guilt.

"Elise dear, you cannot egg someone on to fight. I will always stand by you for defending yourself and others. Hell, I stand by you if they hit you first and you hit them back. I can't stand up for you if you're the one who started the fight. Be smart about it my dear"

Elise nods. She looks up at me, then at Larissa "I will work on my confrontation methods. I promise to behave Principal Weems"

Larissa nods "Good. Elise you're excused to go about your day. I need to speak to your aunts in private"

Elise stands she gives Megan a hug. She then comes to me, taking me into a tight embrace.

"I'm so happy you're here. I love you auntie"

"I love you too my dearest. Now go about your day"

Elise releases me from the hug, she turns to Larissa giving her a goodbye. Larissa, I, and Megan watch her until she's out of the office. With her gone, Larissa turns to both Megan and I.

"From what I understand, you two have relocated to Jericho to be closer to Elise?"

Megan and I nod in agreement.

"I do appreciate when parents are involved as much as they can with their kids. I would like to know which one of you two I should call first regarding anything with Elise?"

I quickly reply "Me"

Megan turns to me "Why you?"

I turn to her "Because you're always on call."

Megan retorts "And yet I was the one who was here with Elise, waiting on you"

I scoff "I was in Los Angeles dealing with the sell of the house. It's not like I'm going to be unavailable here"

Megan counter argues "You're a Pilot. How are you going to be here when you're in another state, or Country?. I'm at the hospital, where I can be called out and be here in a few minutes. You'd take hours to get here depending on where you are"

Larissa watches an argument growing between Megan and I. She's about to interject when Megan's beeper goes off. Megan huffs looking at the pager.

"I have to go" Megan announces, standing up. She turns to Larissa "I apologize for the abrupt interruption. Have a good day"

"Have a good day" Larissa replies

Megan comes to me, giving me a kiss on my cheek and telling me she'll see me when she gets home. I say nothing, just nodding in agreement. Megan leaves in a rush. I keep my eyes forward. Larissa and I wait until the door is closed for us to resume our conversation.

"I apologize for that"

Larissa gives me a small smile "What happens in your marriage is none of my business unless it affects Elise. Your niece's wellbeing is my concern while she's my student"

I half joke "Perhaps you should be the one who is called on her behalf if I'm unavailable"

Larissa chuckles "Honored, but that would not be possible nor morally acceptable"

I nod, feeling stupid for allowing my mouth to speak before my brain can decide if what it wants to say is acceptable or humiliating. Larissa, if she knew I felt stupid, said nothing. She continued on to ask who would be Elise's primary emergency contact. I firmly replied that it would be me, and I would be available since I have taken 2 months off of work to adjust and settle here. Larissa is pleased with my response, jotting down my name on her notes for Elise.

"Well that's settled. Mrs. Guerra-"

I interrupt her "Emma. You can call me Emma, or Em. Mrs. Guerra makes me feel old as shit"

Larissa nods "Emma.-" She takes a pause "-When I met your niece, and wife, they told me how Elise came to be in your care. I would like to offer my condolences. How are you holding up?"

I shrug "As well as I can be. There are days when it's hard, but I stop to think about how hard it must be for Elise who lost her parents, home, and the place she always knew. I suck it up and push on, for her"

In the sweetest tone, Larissa tells me "You are human. You are allowed to mourn, and feel the pain of the loss when it hits. You shouldn't suppress it because your niece lost her parents. You lost your sister. Do not forget that"

I let out a small sigh of comfort. It's nice to hear someone tell me that my pain is valid, and I shouldn't avoid feeling it. Larissa, who is unaware of how much her words meant to me, changes the subject. The talk of loss is far too heavy for two strangers.

"Your sister, and brother in law were normies. Is Elise the only one with a gift?"

I shake my head "No. I have a gift too. Elise is a seer. I'm a healer"

"Healer?"

"I can heal physical, or emotional wounds with a touch of my hands."

Larissa becomes intrigued "Any wounds?"

"Yes. Big, small, deep, or shallow. I can heal them all"

"At what cost?" She asks curious

"I grow a scar wherever the wound was on your body. If you cut your finger, I will grow a scar on my finger. You have a stab wound to your shoulder, I will grow a scar on my shoulder"
"That's interesting. Your gift sounds like both a blessing, and a curse"

I agree "It is. I have to refrain from helping everytime I see someone hurt. I want to, but it comes at a great cost to me. It's hard to just let fate take it's course with some people"

Larissa remains silent. She's letting her mind wander about what scars I may have from healing people. She's curious to know what I have healed, and who I healed. A morbid part of her wonders if I tried to save my sister and brother in law. I watch her in thought, knowing that she's wondering about what scars I may have and what healing I did to acquire them. Larissa's thoughts are interrupted by a ring to her phone. Answering it, she listens to whoever is on the other end of the phone. After a few moments, she hangs up the phone.

"Apologies. I'm going to have to end our meeting here. I have more parents coming to see about their children"

Larissa stands from her desk. She comes around to walk me out of her office. With me at her side, Larissa is pleased with our height difference. Usually, she hunches herself slightly to keep the other person from straining while they look up at her. With me? She only has to tilt her head down but an inch, and I only have to tilt my head up a bit.

Opening the double doors to her office, Larissa steps aside to let me out.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Principal Weems"

With a bit of a flirtatious lilt in her voice she tells me "Larissa. It's a pleasure to meet you too, Emma. Enjoy your day"

I wink at her "You too"

Walking down the corridor, I turn around to see if Larissa is still at the door. She is. I catch her eyes that were taking me in from my legs up. I give her a wink and flirty smile. She blushes, smiling so wide I can see her pearly whites. She steps back inside her office, the door closing gently behind her.

Behind the privacy of her closed doors, Larissa walked in a daze back to her desk. Her mind is thinking of me and how she liked the small interaction we had. She feels guilt for being happy when Megan left, leaving her alone with me. She knows it's wrong to even think such a way about a married woman, but she does. Morality stepping in, Larissa pushes out any further thought of me.

Walking down the corridors of Nevermore, I felt the same as Larissa. I do feel some guilt for being entranced by a woman who is not my wife, but I reassured myself that there is no harm since I wouldn't be trying to do anything with Larissa. There is no harm in finding her attractive, right?.