Emison: Home

Chapter 21: Nervous Girls

Emily's POV

Ok. This is it. My first official day as a P.E teacher and swim coach. If you'd told me this where I'd be 2 months ago I would have told you you were crazy. That there was nothing to bring me back here. No one. Definitely not her. It was a bizarre thing... Because two months ago, I really did feel like that. I had my walls up but that didn't invalidate my feelings. I didn't feel love for her. I missed her in a sense of course. But I don't think I minded my life. I mean I'm in my early twenties, there's nothing wrong with having fun. But now I'm back, I've let my walls come back down. Something that night at the bridal shower just clicked. The feeling of her skin again, the taste of her lips, the look in her eyes. The cracks that had formed from the previous kisses that week had finally succumbed and the wall had fallen. And now all I wanted was to become serious about my life. I had had my fun. It was time to grow up. It was time to keep my promises. It was time for me to make a life for myself, make a home for myself. And maybe coming back to Rosewood was the best way to do this.

''Hey Emily'' I was snapped out of my thoughts

''Oh, Ali, hey'' I smile at her and go back to making my coffee. I reach for a packet of sugar and struggle to open it

''Here let me'' she chuckles and grabs the pack and opens it for me ''Nervous huh?''

'' Thanks. Uh yeah ... I never thought I'd come back here. Let alone to teach. I don't think I'm ready for this at all.'' I admit '' Up til a month ago I was sure I would stay in LA and I was college drop-out struggling to get by, not caring about anything. And now. I'm back. Here. In Rosewood. The one place I swore I'd never return to. And I'm teaching. I have no qualifications. I haven't swam in a pool competitively in forever. I have no clue what I-''

'' Em! Breathe!'' Alison reminds me and gently places her hand on my arm

 I take a deep breath '' So to answer your question. Yeah I'm hella nervous'' I chuckle anxiously

''Don't be.'' she stared into my eyes and I couldn't break away. Her eyes were just so mesmerising. They seem to be somehow brighter than they had been in a while. Perhaps she truly did need this time away for herself and it had nothing to do with choosing who she wanted to spend her forever with. She suddenly removed her hand from my hand. And starts to make her own cup of coffee ''You're a born leader, Em. So many of the kids look up to you. You've done things far more difficult than this, trust me. Besides, you're still the record-holder in this school, you are basically a school legend. You'll be fine.''

''I guess... But I mean these kids are only 6 years younger than me, it wasn't that long ago that I was them. How do you keep authority over them?'' I ask

''Well I have a reputation in this town that precedes me - something about being fake murdered, and stalked really makes people worried.'' I stare at her incredulously ''Relax, Em, I'm just kidding'' she brushes away a strand of hair that had fallen across her face '' You've come so far. Most of the people in this town know how much of a badass you were underneath that soft exterior. Plus now you've decided to be a badass first hand, you really have nothing to worry about. To be honest, if you're a good teacher, you'll be fine''

''Great...'' I sigh looking down

''Always found it cute when you did that'' 

I suddenly looked up at her in shock and she seemed just as surprised as me she had let it slip but she quickly recovered ''Whenever you're nervous you always did that - looked down, bit your lip and then folded your arms'' she points at my face and then my arms and I become aware of myself doing that ''and yeah it's cute. Just because we aren't a thing and haven't been in a while, doesn't mean I can't still admire the view'' she winks

I decide to play the game ''Well look at you being all sexy and confident again'' I take a step towards her ''Feels like we're 15 again. You must really have found yourself on this unknown travel of yours. I like this Ali.''

''Em...'' She warns stepping back from me

''Don't worry'' I say putting my hands up ''the ball is in your court. You get to decide. I'm not going to be the one making the next move. I know what you said. I genuinely just think you're radiating a lot of confidence right now and in a good way not in a mean way. Besides, I still need to prove to you I'm worthy and that I really am turning my life around. No more messing around. No more screwing things up.''

''If you say so Em'' she smiles and turns to walk out the staff room

''Alison'' I call after her before she's out the door

''Yeah?''

''The Mermaid gets the Princess in the end don't forget'' I smile cheesily at her. 

She shakes her head at me slightly chuckling ''I'll be the judge of that, Killer'' she winks as she walks out.

She has me wrapped around her finger like a ring and she knows it.