Symbiosis: When a Girl Meets an Alien (V.6)

Chapter 2: It's Totally NOT a Date Night

Friday, September 18, 2020

Redding, California, United States of America

The bell rang and Emily mustered her way up, grappling her cane as she exited her science class. She had caused many eye rolls as she answered practically three-quarters of her teacher's questions throughout class as she always did. While Emily had a photographic memory in coordination with her genius IQ, she loved science. Physics, chemistry, and engineering fascinated her on an intrinsic level. This fascination annoyed her classmates and enthralled her teachers.

Emily hobbled her way down the hall towards her locker trying to make a full mad sprint to avoid her peers - at an incredible 1.5 feet per second. Therefore, her heart sank at the sight of Jason "Bangkok" Cooke and his group of cronies blocking her path. Jason, with his towering frame and menacing sneer, stepped forward, blocking her way with an air of intimidation.

"Look who it is boys! It's our favorite epileptic gimp!"

His cronies chuckled, their laughter echoing off the walls of the hallway as they closed in around her. A couple of people passing by couldn't help but get a snicker in at her misfortune. Emily felt a surge of anger rising within her, but she forced herself to stay calm, knowing that reacting would only make things worse.

Jason suddenly snatched her cane and she fell to the ground, a yelp flying out of her mouth as she did. Her heart pounded in her frail chest as Jason dramatically limped back and forth, mocking her. Dozens of students laughed and Emily could see Ben in the background, shaking his head in distaste. At least he wasn't laughing. Jason threw the cane to the ground and it clattered against the linoleum floor.

"Keep being afraid sweetheart!" Jason chortled, "You should keep being very, very afraid,"

They sauntered out of sight, and Emily forced herself up, grunting and wheezing as she did.

"Call me Bill Murray," She groaned and limped off to her locker.

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5:51 P.M

Emily checked her watch, before looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her mood was clearly resembling her wardrobe. She had pulled out a white button up blouse and a black skirt that went down to her knees. Her hair was tied up into a neat ponytail, and she applied some lipstick to compliment some eyeliner. She looked ready for a date, and it was a date in some regards.

It was the first time someone at her high school had willingly gone out in public with her. It was certainly something to be cherished, no matter how short lived it was. Her hands trembled as she fixed a noticeable knot in her hair. She checked her watch again.

5:53 P.M

She grabbed her cane and began limping down the hall and down the stairs. It took her a few minutes and her parents were waiting for her.

"Mom? Dad?"

"Your father just wants to go over a few things with you before you go out," My mom nodded.

"Okay...?"

"What time should you get home by?"

Emily blinked, "Ten o'clock,"

"And what happens if you get home after ten?"

"Presumably grounded?"

"Two weeks, yes, exactly,"

Emily felt a bulge form in her throat at that thought. She hated being grounded, even if apart from school she hardly left home to begin with. Mostly the way her parents would punish her for any punitive acts of rebellion would be preventing her from going grocery shopping, or to the library.