Fighting history (Threequel to 'Lucky 13')

Chapter 4: Purpose

Emily's POV

I woke up early the next day, mom was still sound asleep. I smiled as I looked at her.

I got up quietly and left my room. I walked down the stairs and sat down at the dining table, with zaezzes, aunt Esmee, uncle Ben, grandma, and grandpa. I smiled at them all. "Good morning."

"Morning." They all said simultaneously.

Zaezzes looked at me. "How did last night go?"

Now everyone was looking at me, it was clear they were all informed about zaezzes' plan. I gulped. "We talked."

"And?" It was clear that zaezzes was impatient. I don't understand why she's in such a hurry. I know that once I turn 18 I can't try marking my mother anymore, but I just didn't know how to...

I looked down.

"Don't tell me you wasted another opportunity, hianag," She sighed as she put her fork and knife down. "Why? You know you don't have much time left."

"I know," I looked at her. "But it's hard for me. I don't know how to start any of this. What if mom will hate me after that?"

"Emi," Grandma reached for my hand, caressing it in hers. "Your mother may push you away at first but she is your number 1 potential. She will get drawn to you because of the connection you two have. I'm sure you've felt that already?"

I looked down, last night's hug came into mind. I then nodded slowly.

"That connection is what will help you with your mom."

I looked at grandma and slowly nodded. "Ok," I then looked at zaezzes. "I'll try again, tonight."

Zaezzes leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "So I have to sleep alone again tonight because you failed to have sex with your mother once again?"

"Catherine," Aunt Esmee started, giving zaezzes a look. "Give her a break."

Zaezzes looked at me and then her facial expression softened. "Ok," She showed me a small smile. "Try again tonight, and don't be scared to ask any of us for help."

I slowly nodded.

____________________________

During the school day, I remained on my own. I always imagined humans to be different, but I didn't expect them to be like that guy from yesterday. He was just rude. Why are my mom, my grandma, and my uncle so different compared to other humans?

I was in the last period, making exercises, when a student entered the classroom and handed a note to my teacher. My teacher read the note before looking at me. "Miss Labelle, your presence is required at the guidance counselor's office."

I sighed before getting up and leaving the classroom. I followed the student, who delivered the note, to the guidance counselor's office. When we arrived, he motioned to the door before leaving.

I sighed once more before walking up to the door. I once again noticed the nametag on the door: 'Miss Keller'. I knocked on the door and waited.

"Come in." I heard from inside.

I opened the door and then gasped.

"Emily Labelle, I assume?" The young woman asked.

I slowly nodded.

"Have a seat, Emily," She said to which I did. "Toby here has told me about what has happened between the two of you, and I think it's in both of your best interests to talk about what has happened."

"What do you mean? He was rude to me."

"See?" The guy, who apparently was called Toby, said. "She's so aggressive."

"I'm not," I looked at Miss Keller. "Yesterday was my first day here, he helped me which I appreciated, but then he expected me to just go out with him in return."

"It's only fair."

I rolled my eyes before looking at Miss Keller again.

Miss Keller seemed unsure about how to handle the situation, but I got a feeling she was more on my side than his. "Toby, it's always nice to help people, you shouldn't stop doing that," She smiled a bit before adding: "But you should never do it if you expect something back that'll be beneficial to you."

"I just wanted to get to know her, what's so wrong about that?" Toby asked.

"Nothing," Miss Keller replied. "But if she doesn't want to, you cannot force her." She said to which I nodded.

"Fine." Toby then got up and left without saying anything else.

I shook my head. "I guess the talk wasn't in his best interest..."

Miss Keller chuckled a bit before looking down.

I looked away, fidgeting with my fingers a bit. Somehow I expected her to dismiss me, as I thought that was how things work around here. But, when nothing came, I slowly got up. "Thanks for the talk, Miss."

She nodded before looking down again. It looked as if she was nervous, or awkward... Strange...

I shrugged it off before leaving that room.

____________________________

After school, I had passed by my locker before going home. Though, when I closed my locker and wanted to walk away, I bumped into someone resulting in our stuff falling onto the ground.

"I'm sorry." I said as I knelt, helping to gather all the papers. I looked up and saw Miss Keller.

She looked at me before looking down again, smiling a bit.

"These are a lot of papers..." I said as I handed them to her again. "You must have a lot of work to do."

She nodded a bit. "But I love doing it."

"Really?"

She nodded. "To me, there's nothing that satisfies me as much as helping other people," She then smiled a bit. "It just gives my life so much more purpose, you know?"

I smiled a bit before looking down.

"Hey," She said, clearly worried. "What's wrong?"

I shrugged. "It must be nice to have that feeling," I then looked up at her. "I wish I could be free to find my purpose."

She smiled a bit. "You'll have plenty of time to find it, you're still young."

"I guess..."

"I'm sure," She smiled more. "You're only, what? 16, 17?"

"17."

"See, you're only 17," She then nodded. "You've got plenty of time. Don't worry about it just yet."

I forced a small smile, so she'd be pleased. "You're right, thank you."

She nodded before walking past me, towards the teacher's lounge. I sighed before walking to the exit of the school.

When I was outside, I noticed grandpa's car. I walked to it and sighed.

"How was your day, Emily?"

I sighed once more before saying: "It was alright."