Apples Don't Just Mean School [in process of rewriting]

New York, New York

You'll never take us alive/We swore that death will do us part/They'll call our crimes a work of art ~ Set It Off, Partners in Crime

Emily's POV

The plane touched down, and I felt the rumble of the wheels rolling underneath. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we have reached New York City. Enjoy your stay!" the pilot boomed through the PA system. New York... So far away from Silver Creek High. I'm going to miss everyone... Oh, stop being so SENTIMENTAL. It's irritating. You're just being melodramatic on purpose. So stop. Shut up yourself. I spent nearly eight months with them, I can feel sad if I want.

I took my carry-on bag off the rack and walked through the crowded aisles, towards the exit. Stepping into the airport, I was amazed at the diverse people crowding the halls. I waited at the luggage conveyor belt, to collect my packages. Thankfully, all three of them weren't lost, and I managed to awkwardly check out and hail a cab. "Upper Manhatten, Washington Heights please," I said softly. "First, time, Miss?" the cabbie chuckled. "W-Well, yes," I replied, unsure of his motives.

"Got a job, came from overseas, huh?" "Yes, yes, I did, sir. But could you please focus on the traffic?" The cabbie laughed and fell silent. I sighed (quietly) and leaned against the side of the cab. New York is different, I guess. I have to get used to it... I didn't expect that the New York Times was willing to accept my job application. I miss 9R... Now, they are in calculus class... Matthew's in 8L, Amelia is teaching trigonometry in 4R, Jeremy has a free period and Arthur is probably in 7G. I slumped as I watched the unfamiliar scenery whisk by.

Matthew's POV

"Mr Harper!" "MH! MH!" "Do you know how Ms Emily is now?" 9R swarmed around me like moths to a light. I smiled at them, holding my hands up in the air to save my worksheets. "Well, Ms Fox hasn't left any messages for me or you guys, so... I expect she'll write back to us or something," I announced, trying to sound like I believed it. She's been MIA for a month. Not returning calls, not answering messages... It's like she hates us. But she doesn't... Right?

"Yay!" They seemed satisfied with my statement and slowly went away, chittering happily. I waded my way out of the crowd, and went into the lift, checking my phone. To my surprise, Emily had messaged me... but not in words. She had sent a song via WhatsApp. Frowning, I plugged in my handy earbuds and pressed the 'play' button. It used to be fun now it's bringing me down
It’s like everything sucks cause you're not around... I sighed. She was always fond of innuendos.

I continued to listen to the new song (A/N: It's Everything Sucks by Simple Plan) as I got off the lift and into the Staff Room. I wonder how Emily is doing? Another friend gone... I miss Jenna, she'd have a comforting word or two for us all. She was always level-headed. I scowled internally as Steinfield passed me by. He had seemed too happy without Jenna AND Emily, two of the best teachers at SCH. I managed to restrain myself, though, and settled for a killer glare at his back.

Emily's POV

"Miss? We're here." I opened my eyes and noted, a little disdainfully, at the cream-coloured apartment block. Its paint was peeling and a few of the windows were grimy with dirt. I smiled and paid the cabbie, and tipped him four dollars, before pulling the luggage out of the car. The cab dashed away into the maze of unfamiliar streets, leaving me standing at the dark green door.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself for what was to come; what was inside the building. I didn't know what I expected, really. To my surprise, the door swung open just as I was about to reach for the brass knob set into the wood. A hale, old lady - like one of the stereotypical landladies - was standing there. "Miss Fox, right? Oh, come in, come in, I've tidied up your rooms already!" She bustled me into the meticulously scrubbed hall.

I was lead up the rickety stairs and to a burgundy red door, with an old-fashioned knocker adorning it. Ooh, vintage. "This is your apartment, here's your key. If you have anything you need, you can come down to the basement flat and I'll be there. Have a nice stay!" The old lady displayed a toothless smile and hobbled back down the narrow staircase. "Urm, okay!" I said hesitantly after her. I looked down at the metal, jangling key chain and back at the door, before slotting the key into the lock.

Matthew's POV

I scratched my head as I laboured over the letter on the desk. Emily had just sent me her new address, with only a short message attached: Tell the kids I miss them and that I'll visit them before they graduate. Nothing, not a word, was spared for me. Thus, I embarked on the tedious process of old-fashioned letter-writing. Ummm... I have legitimately only written 'Dear Emily'. Wow. Well, go on. Don't go about in circles, write what you MEAN.

I scowled at the pen. My usual messy, impossible to read cursive was carefully etched out on the blank paper in a vaguely legible scrawl. I wrote a comma, then travelled down the page the next line. I hope that you are well. I smiled, satisfied with my effort. How's New York like? And your new living quarters? Are they any different from back home? The kids really miss you. They are- I bit the tip of my ballpoint. What WERE the kids? They are swarming me everyday, asking about you.

I sighed. Writing was never my thing. How's your new job? What is it, anyway? You didn't tell us why you moved. We're all curious now. I frowned. It sounded a little odd, but I was too lazy to correct the statement and went on. Alexander Steinfield was an idiot as usual, today. It was all I could do to not kill him there and then. I stopped the scribbling and dropped my pen. Matthew, stop procrastinating. You gotta do what you gotta do. SHUT UP! Let me write. Ignoring all other noises, I picked up the pen again and continued with a vengeance.

A/N: Hey guys! Well, my dad has partially banned me (sort of) from Wattpad, so I can only upload in secret... sorry. :( But I hope you enjoyed this chapter! *hug*