Teen Trials

Dance Drama

"What are you going to do at the start of each class?" Hunter asked.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Turn in my missing work."

"And?"

"And apologize to my teachers..."

"Good. Don't roll your eyes at me again." Hunter scolded gently.

"Sorry." Emma said, sounding anything but.

Hunter tried to remind himself that they were easing her into this, so he couldn't be too crazy. "Amy and I were talking about maybe doing something fun tonight if you could get all of your homework in and behave at school and dance today."

"Yeah, like what?" Emma asked.

"I don't know, what sounds fun to you?"

Emma thought about that a moment, as Hunter pulled to the back of the campus so that she would be closer to her yoga class. "Maybe we could go to ice cream after dinner?" Hunter and Amy were all about healthy eating, which was starting to drive her insane. Sometimes a girl craved pizza rolls for dinner.

"Yeah, that sounds fun. Maybe we can make it a tradition, a good week report from you teachers, and no missing assignments and we can grab ice cream on Fridays."

Emma smiled at that. A sadness creeped into her bones momentarily as she thought about the traditions she used to have with her parents and brothers. People never stay. At least not for her. Her smile visible faltered.

"What's wrong E?"

She got out of the car, and when she turned back to him, her face was completely blank. "Nothing. I have to go though."

"Emma." He called. "I will be here after school. Remember no dance, volleyball or yoga..."

"Yes sir." Emma said closing the truck door.

He watched her walk into the gym and then called Amy to talk about the girl's harsh mood switch.

In yoga Emma had done the poses that didn't require any strain on her wrist. She rushed to her English class a little early to try and catch her teacher.

"Emma! Hi." Mrs. Scullini greeted warmly.

"Hi, Mrs. Scullini." She turned around and dug in her backpack for her English folder. She pulled out the work that was past due and sat it in a pile. Then pulled out the work due that day and sat it on the desk in a separate pile. "I wanted to apologize for my behavior, and for not getting my class work in on time. It will not be happening again."

"Ah, I think I like Mr. and Mrs. Hart already." Mrs. Scullini said

.

Emma looked down at the desk, picking at the edge of it. "If I tell you something, promise not to tell them?"

The teacher paused, worried that she had misread the situation, and maybe the girl was in trouble. "I will do my best to keep it between us..."

"I kindof like them too." Emma confided softly.

Before the teacher could respond, the other students started to come in, and Emma went to sit down in her chair.

"Have you moved in with the gardener then?" McKenzie asked.

"He isn't a gardener, and yes I am going to be living with him and his family part time." Emma said, hoping that giving them a little information would keep them from asking too much.