The English Teacher ➳ Emison

Chapter 2 | One-On-One Sessions

Emily walked through the halls toward the library, nervously adjusting her purse on her shoulder. Her muscles were sore from swim tryouts earlier, but the tension in her body wasn't just physical. Her mind raced, dreading the tutoring session ahead. It wasn't just about going over the semi-average quiz she had done in English class today, it was about who would be helping her.

Ms. DiLaurentis.

Emily had no idea how to act around her now after last night. The whole encounter had felt surreal. She had never spoken to a teacher the way she had with the blonde last night— with casual ease, like they were just two people having a conversation instead of a teacher and student. They had talked and joked around, she had even been in Ms. DiLaurentis' car. It was so unlike anything Emily had ever experienced before.

And that was the scary part.

Because now, she couldn't get her out of her head. It was like Ms. DiLaurentis had slipped under her skin, and no matter how hard Emily tried to focus on something else, her brain kept coming back to her. She hated to admit it, but something about the woman—the way she carried herself with confidence and poise but had this warmth underneath, and the way she had been in a vulnerable position last night after her unsuccessful date but still appeared as gracious as ever—it all drew Emily in.

Emily found herself wanting to know more. More about her, more about her life, about what made her so... captivating.

Maybe she really did have a crush on her. And the thought of sitting down with her for an hour made her heart pound for all the wrong reasons.

Emily shook her head, her steps faltering briefly as she forced herself to keep walking. She couldn't have a crush on Ms. DiLaurentis. That would be a disaster—a total disaster. The teacher was set to tutor her for the whole year. How would she even learn anything if she was too busy gawking at her like an idiot?

As if that wasn't bad enough, running into Paige at tryouts earlier had only added to the mess of emotions swirling inside her. She had managed to avoid her ex for a few days now, dodging any awkward run-ins, but of course, she had known they would inevitably cross paths at the pool. They even spoke briefly, just quickly catching up. Emily hadn't seen her in nearly three months before today, and coming into contact with her just then... It did something to her.

It hadn't made her question her decision to break up—if anything, it had cemented it. There were no lingering feelings on her part. Speaking to Paige felt friendly at most. Her ex, on the other hand, seemed like she didn't feel the same. Emily could sense it in the way Paige looked at her, like she wanted to say more, to go deeper, but they had been called by their coach before any real conversation could unfold.

And honestly? Emily wasn't sure she wanted to hear what Paige had to say.

Emily opened the door of the library, her eyes adjusting to the quiet atmosphere as she scanned the room. To her right were the closed study booths, meant for small groups, and a cozy corner with beanbags for students who wanted to read. To her left, towering bookshelves lined the space, creating neat, organized rows of books. The library was mostly empty at this hour, a few scattered students tucked away in corners, hunched over textbooks.

She couldn't see Ms. DiLaurentis anywhere, so Emily made her way to the long library desks on the left, choosing one in the middle and settling in. She pulled out her notebook and a copy of The Great Gatsby, setting them on the table as she glanced around. The usual school-day chaos was absent, the soft hum of the air conditioning and distant clacking of the librarian's ancient keyboard the only sounds filling the space. Emily looked over at her and saw the elderly woman watching cat videos on her computer. For some reason, that small slice of life made her smile to herself, easing her nerves a bit more.