Big Time Assistant | James Diamond

2.15; green

"Okay, class, it's time for your next social studies project!"

The entire class groaned, turning away from their conversations. Emily sat, unaffected. Jo was stuck on set for New Town High all week and turned in the project early with Emily as her partner. 

"You'll be working in pairs to find ways to make the Palm Woods greener and more environmentally friendly," Miss Collins said, smiling, hoping to get her students excited about the project. 

The class mumbled, not interested, but also aware it could be worse. James shrugged looking to Emily in the desk beside him. 

"The team with the idea that saves the most energy wins a week off from school," The woman grumbled, her students erupting into ecstatic cheers and applause. Emily looked around at all her friends who were excited about the opportunity. She didn't see the appeal. 

Sure you win a week off school, but you still have make-up work. And your friends are in school all day while you're ready to have fun. It wasn't worth the effort. 

"All right, the projects are due end of the day Thursday so now... pick your partner!"

"Logan!" The class screamed, turning to the boy in the center of the room. Emily watched, amused, as people shouted over one another at Logan, trying to get him to pick them at his partner. He sat there, flattered. 

A tall, massive boy walked forward, harshly gripped Logan's shoulder and yanked him up, the class falling silent. "Logan is my partner."

Everyone shrunk back, afraid to challenge the kid for Logan and gave up on getting the smarter guy in class to be their project partner. 

"Okay," Miss Collins hummed, walking around to see the partners, "Logan and Ozzie are working together. Carlos and James," she nodded at the two boys who were hugging each other tightly in fear of Ozzie. "The Jennifers, a Jennifer and Camille, and- Kendall, where's your partner?"

Kendall shrugged, nodding down to Emily who remained in her seat as everyone paired up, tear a sticky note into pieces. "I guess Emily," Kendall smiled. The girl looked up, hearing her name. 

"Oh, no," she shook her head. "I'm not available."

Kendall frowned, "What?"

"Emily volunteered to be Jo's partner and get the project done early since Ms. Taylor is working on set this week," Miss Collins explained to Kendall.

"I guess I'm flying solo," Kendall shrugged at the teacher, content with his situation. Emily grabbed her notebooks, throwing them in her bag and stood to leave. 

"Can I go if this doesn't apply to me anymore?" She asked, becoming bored. Miss Collins gave her a nod, fairly amused by Emily Moore in class. For someone so bright, she had little work ethic and motivation. Emily smiled, giving Kendall a thumbs up as she skipped out of the room. 

Mama Knight had made an amazing cake the night before. She limited everyone to one slice to prevent arguing. It was a light chocolate with chocolate frosting and sprinkles and she even baked Oreos into the batter. Emily was obsessed. 

With the guys stuck in class for a little while longer, she figured now was the perfect time to mosey up to the crib and have cake without them eating it all. 

Emily pushed the door open, cracking it, "Hello?" Silence. She widened the opening, stepping through to see no one was home. 

Emily dropped her bag on the floor and jumped happily as she swung the fridge open while humming and spotted the holy grail. She sliced herself a piece, dropping it onto a plate. And she closed the fridge, she stabbed a bite with her fork and slid it into her mouth.