Kiwi // H.S. // A.U.

Chapter Two

EMMA

I watched the kids as they loaded onto their buses, making sure everything was protocol and no one was starting trouble. I watched as a boy tugged on little Sally May's pigtails, and I could sense she was about to cry, so I stepped forward.

"Eddie, that's not okay. You can't go around pulling people's hair." I say sternly to the little boy who immediately looks ashamed. "Sally, wait there for one moment, okay, darling?" She nods at me, tears already drying up as I beckon Eddie over with my finger. Once he's in front of me I raise my eyebrows at him, "Now, why did you do that?"

"I don't know..." The seven year old mumbles.

"You don't know? So your hand just acted completely on its own?" I ask teasingly, changing my tactic so he would open up a bit more.

He smiles sheepishly at me, round cheeks turning red. "No..."

I crouch down to his level and smile at him, "Eddie, do you have a little crush?"

He's now completely beet red and I would laugh if I wasn't supposed to be disciplining the poor kid. "Ew, no! Girls are gross!" I just give him a stern look, knowing that he's never been able to lie to an adult. "Fine, I guess, maybe, maybe, I might like Sally..."

I held back another laugh, "So, why did you think it was okay to pull her hair?"

"Because my parents told my older sister that when a boy picks on you that means he likes you." He confesses.

I frown at this, annoyed at the irresponsibility of his parents. I know this is a common sentiment shared by many people, but I've always found it completely warped. "So you think it's okay to hurt Sally, because you like her?"

He looked up at me with his wide eyes, guilt written all over his young face. "No, I never thought of it that way..."

"Well, how about this." I suggest with a kind face, so he wouldn't start crying on me, "Why don't you start complementing her, be nice, play with her during recess. Those sound a lot more fun to me." He nods vigorously. "But first, you need to apologize to her, Okay?"

He immediately turns around and walks up to the disgruntled little girl and says, "I'm sorry, Sally. I didn't mean to hurt you."

She looked at him with a pouty face, but ended up accepting his apology. He ran off and I walked up to Molly. "Are you okay, Miss Sally?"

"Yeah..." She pouts.

"I don't think Eddie meant to hurt you." I say in a quiet voice.

She nods at me, "I know. It's okay, he said he was sorry."

I smile at her, "Well, that's good. Looks like your bus is going to be leaving soon. Have a good night, Sally. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodbye, Ms. Everly."

I watch as she walks away and up the stairs of the bus. I turn around to survey the scene around me. It's quickly emptying out now that most of the busses have been boarded and left. I lean back against the wall with my arms crossed, my thoughts interrupted by the last voice I want to hear.

"You know, you're really good with kids."

I glance over at the tall, skinny man standing beside me with a stupid grin. "Well, I would hope so, since I'm a grade school teacher." I deadpan.

Jake sighs, "Emma, when are you going to forgive me. We can still be friends, you know. Best friends."

My heart stung, not liking his words at all, "I don't want to be your friend."