never grow up, criminal minds

074. saturday

Clara gets in the car, shutting the door.

"Morning." Emily smiles.

"Morning." Clara replies. "You get the donuts?" She asks.

"Mm-hmm." Emily holds up the pink box. Clara grins, going to take it. "Ah-ah. Seatbelt first." Clara quickly buckles up and then Emily gives her the box. 

"How many do I have to save for the others?" Clara asks.

"None. I got you your own box. I knew you'd eat all of them." Emily says as she starts driving.

"Sweet." Clara grins, taking a large bite of one of the donuts.

"You know, you really shouldn't eat that much sugar. Six donuts in one day is a little much." Emily comments.

"Says the one who bought me six donuts to eat in one day." Clara retorts.

"Fair enough." Emily quietly says after a few moments. Clara quietly laughs.

"So... how was pilates with your boyfriend?"

"It was good. It was actually pretty fun." Emily says. "Wait, how do you know about that?"

"Dad told me. About the boyfriend thing and your morning plans." Clara says.

"I'm never telling your father anything ever again." Emily remarks making Clara laugh.

"Aunt Emmy has a boyfriend." Clara quietly sings.

"I will make Spencer ground you. Watch it." Emily warns only making the girl laugh. Emily tries to keep up the annoyed act, but her demeanor easily softens, a small smile resting on her face. It had been so long since she heard the girl laugh so genuinely.

"So, how's your new school?" Emily asks. "Any issues? Friends? Grades?"

"My grades are actually really good. Dad has to help me study sometimes, but I'm smart enough to do most of it on my own despite being so far behind. Not skipping grades anytime soon, though." Clara says.

"Nobody expects you to." Emily says.

"And, uh... no enemies yet. Sometimes there's staring, but it's actually kinda rare." Clara says.

"Good. That's good." Emily says.

Clara's phone dings and she takes it out to read the text. Emily glances over as she responds to the text, easily spotting the young girl's small smile.

"Who are you texting?" Emily asks.

"Hmm?" Clara looks at her with a clueless expression. "It-- no. No one. It's just dad." She dismisses.

"Your dad doesn't text." Emily quickly debunks.

"I'm teaching him." Clara argues. "He sucks, but he's... kind of trying, I think."

"Okay, well, you don't get that goofy grin on your face anytime you talk to your father." Emily says.

"What goofy grin?" Clara frowns.

"Is this, uh... this wouldn't happen to be the boy Garcia mentioned, would it?" Emily asks.

"She told you?" Clara whines.

"You know Garcia can't keep a secret to save her life. She had to tell somebody." Emily says with a small laugh.

"Di-- shit. Did she tell dad?" Clara asks.

"No. No, I made sure she won't. Not unless you're in any danger." Emily says. "So? The boy?"

"Landon." Clara says. "He... he's sweet. He's just... I don't know. He has a good... aura, I guess? You know, if-- if a psychic were to read him, I'm sure his aura would be yellow or pink or whatever good ones are. At least he seems like it. He's an alcohol and drug virgin... and kinda dorky, but... he's cool."