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

Like A Rose

Stone walls will fall/Young hearts will break/For so long, we're so strong/We shine until we fade ~ We The Kings, Stone Walls

Emily's POV

I pushed the door open. A gleaming teak wood floor under my feet, whitewashed walls around me, warm amber light from above... It was everything I hoped for and more. Shows that you really can't judge a book by its cover, huh! I walked into the small living room, satisfied with its red leather couch and small, glass coffee table. Although the flat was small, it was cosy and provided a great view. I peered in at the narrow kitchen, with its small stove and oven, paired with a medium-sized fridge, and overhanging cabinets.

Finally, to crown it off, the bedroom. It was enough for a large, queen-sized bed and a small writing desk. There was air conditioning and a ceiling fan, an adjourning toilet, plus a dresser and a wardrobe. Perfect for one person. I was pleased with the entire flat and deposited my bits and bobs in the corner of the room. Too lazy to unpack completely, I changed out of my clothes into black, cotton peddle pushers, a loose off-the-shoulders white crop top and slipped on a pair of light blue sports shoes.

I went out of my new house, carefully locking the door behind me, and went out of the apartment. A crisp, cool breeze swished by, freshening me up more than a shower would. Maybe New York isn't so bad after all... Maybe I WILL enjoy my new job. I smiled at the wide streets, the few cars whizzing by, the few cyclists pedalling furiously, the little kids squealing and pulling at their parents. The murals decorating the brick walls seemed to glint in the sunlight. I was turning into a rundown alley - just to explore - when someone tugged at my bag.

Matthew's POV

I walked into 9R, slapping on a broad smile and waving a fat envelope containing my letter to Emily. "Hi, 9R! I know you all miss Ms Emily, so since I'm writing to her anyway, I thought that maybe you guys would like to send along your letters?" The cheers interrupted me. "Could you all give them to me by Thursday?" I yelled over the noise. "YEAH!" I sighed. "Now SETTLE DOWN, 9R..." My warning tone quickly calmed them down. 

"Alright, now that's over. Take out your biology notebooks, and your pencil cases. We're going to the Eco-garden to study the new species of turtles we've introduced there..." I called out. "Turtles? Seriously?" one of my students snorted. I can totally hear you... "Yes. Turtles. Reptiles of the order Testudines or Chelonii," I replied. "Speak English, MH," about half the class responded altogether. "It IS English," I complained. "Okay, maybe it's Latin..." 

I led them down to level two and released them into the rather expansive (okay, not really. It was the size of our classroom...) Eco-garden. They immediately crowded around the pond. "Don't fall in, and don't touch the turtles!" I reminded, then went over to check on a plant in the corner of the Eco-garden. Isn't it supposed to be blooming now? Hmm... I stroked its leaves carefully, before moving on to the rose bush. They sort of reminded me of Emily, with their pale petals and hidden thorns.

Emily's POV

I shrieked and whirled around, seeing a rough-and-tough gangster trying to wrestle for my bag. "Get away!" I yelled, kicking him in the solar plexus. "Oomph!" He gasped as I managed to knock the wind out of him in that one desperate kick. "Screw off!" I screeched, hoping to attract attention. Thankfully, a bunch of young university students happened to chance by and grab my assailant off me. I smacked him once, just to teach him a lesson. He scowled at me. 

"Thank you," I said, smiling gratefully at the group. "No problem, miss, we'll just pop this fellow over to the police station," the leader of the group replied, with a thick British accent. He reminded me of Arthur. "Have a safe trip, now," he added, before his mates carted the pick-pocket off. Seems like the neighbours are kind too... Thank God, without them, I'd have been robbed off all my cash and my phone... And my laptop! 

I pelted out of the back alley and bought take-away at a random café nearby. The baguette was really delicious and I had polished it off by the time I had reached my new home. After a quick shower, I picked out an outfit for my first day at the New York Times as a journalist. A black pencil skirt, a plain white blouse and a dark blue blazer: simplistic and classy. After a second thought, I picked out tall, heeled boots. I wanted to seem a little taller on my first day. Satisfied, I washed up and collapsed into bed.

Matthew's POV

I gave 9R a sideways glance before sneaking off into the school's surrounding undergrowth. I could swear I saw some nightshade somewhere here... Matthew, you should be getting back to the class. What if they panic or something? Nah, they won't. They're smarter than to do that. I battled my way through some vines and spotted a flash of pink. There! I headed towards there, pushing some thorny vines away. To my slight disappointment, they weren't nightshades, but were wild carnations.

Carnations? Someone must have planted them here or something... But this little grotto-thing is like abandoned. The dense bushes had parted slightly to form a small alcove, where the tall, hot pink flowers bloomed proudly. Shrugging, I carefully snipped off a stalk and waded back to where I had left 9R. To my embarrassment, majority of them noticed me, clothes ripped from the thorns and leaves in my hair, holding a pink carnation in one hand. 

"Mr Harper, what the heck?" Victoria yelled from the back of the group swarming me. "I was trying to find nightshade," I muttered, waving the kids off. "Move it," I complained, sticking the flower in my pocket. A few chortles rang out, along with a few nudges and smirks. Pretending indifference, I gathered them all up. "Alright, 9R, time to go back to class," I yelled. With a vague air of disappointment, they filed into two lines and I brought them up. I think I'll press the flower and send it to Emily. She'd like that...

A/N: And another terrible ending. Yay! 33 parts of actual plot! And I love the number 33! Anyway, have a great day ;)