The Affection Multiplier - Chapter 147 (V.2): Express meeting in Emma's office. (Patreon)

Author's Note: Very similar to the first version, only shorter. It also feels... off to me. That's probably because I wrote this second.

__________________________________________________________________________________

“As much as I’d love to talk for the whole lunch period, we have six people here, so we better make it quick.” Mia reminds everyone. “We’re going with our ‘Finals’ excuse if we’re caught, right?” She confirms with you and you nod.

There’s not enough chairs for everyone here, so you and Megan are the only ones standing while the rest sit around Emma’s desk.

“So, what is it this time?” Emily half-sigh, half-groans. “You’ve been throwing stuff at us nonstop. It’s exhausting.”

“I can tell you some other time, if you’d like.” You answer.

“That’s not what I meant. It’s just that a lot of things have been happening lately.” Emily does look more tired than usual today.

“How’d it go with your mom?” Emma asks. Her concern clear in her eyes.

“…” Emily smiles bitterly. “Not good, but it could’ve been worse. I didn’t mention the app, but we still talked. Basically, she said she wasn’t planning on stopping what she was doing. That she liked it. Can’t argue with that, I guess. Still… I think I understand her a bit better now.”

“Baby steps, Emily.” Mia says, giving the blonde girl a supportive smile, which she’s thankful for. 

Everyone stays quiet for a bit. And since no one else is bringing up a new topic, Sophia reminds everyone why you’re here.

“I’ll be the one to rat him out. David says he wants to keep something a secret so it can be a surprise.” Sophia, the tattletale, says to everyone with a big smirk.

“Okay, that’s not fair. I’ve been debating since yesterday what would be the best way to approach this.” You defend yourself. “This is… important, okay? It’s true that I want to keep it a surprise, but I still feel like you need to know. So, knowing that it’s once more about the app, I’ll ask this to you all.” You take a deep breath. “Would you be willing to trust me and let me keep this secret until I can tell you or would you rather I say it now?”

…

There’s a moment of silence as all girls contemplate your words. Of them all, Emma is the one who decided first.

“I don’t mind. I can wait.” She nods. “I trust you.”

“I do too.” Mia agrees. “I know we said we wouldn’t keep secrets, but that doesn’t mean we have to go overboard and tell each other every little thing.”

“I agree!” Megan adds. “Okay, I admit that now that you said you have a secret I’m really, REALLY curious, but if you want to keep it a surprise, I won’t stop you. If it’s a surprise, it means it’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“What about the traits, though?” Emily adds. “I don’t want to sound like I’m sore about it, but Megan, Sophia and I have yet to get one of those traits things.” She blinks quickly a couple of times. “Man, it does sound like I’m sore about it.” She says, surprised at herself. “I’m just saying, fair’s fair.” She just shrugs it off, though.

“I… wouldn’t be able to get you traits yet.” You tell them with a pained expression. “I think… it would be worth it in the end, but… I still feel terrible breaking my promise.”

Sophia sighs. “Ever since you told us about the app, I’ve been curious about it.” Sophia tells you. “I mean, how could I not be? It’s a magical device that can basically alter reality!” She smiles wryly. “Sorry, but I’m voting for you to tell us.”

“we’re still outvoted, though.” Emily sighs, but doesn’t look as upset as you’d thought she’d be. “Alright, I’ll accept it. Keep your secrets, but-”

A knock on the door stops her words short.

Okay. Stay calm. You have your excuse to be here. Whoever it is, you’ll just tell them you had questions about the material that’ll be covered in finals.

Your eyes search for Mia, who’s immediately in business mode and nods firmly to you, wordlessly convening that you can rely on her.

“Emma, I’m coming in.”

…

…

…

…

The world freezes. How could it not, when the voice coming from behind the door is that of the headmistress Elena Hayes?

Megan flinches beside you.

There’s not even time to share a glance with your teachers because the headmistress simply opens the door and shows herself in. She enters with such confidence and with such a powerful aura of authority that you 100% believe she owns every corner of this building.

For a single second, her image is replaced by that of your father, a vision that makes way too much sense considering recent revelations. The way they carry themselves is almost identical. How did you never notice that sooner?

Mrs. Hayes scowls when she sees the scene before her. Her eyes pierce coldly through everyone in the room. You try your best to look composed, but the cold sweat at the back of your neck makes you think that she can smell your fear.

Your gaze is locked on her, yet you can’t meet her eyes. You can’t even look at your girls to see their expressions, but you can feel Megan beside you shifting uncomfortably.

“What’s going on here? Why are there four students in a teacher’s office during lunch?” She asks, her demanding voice taking years off your lifespan with every word. The fact that her eyes are locked on you when she asks the question adds to it.

You try to get the words out, but they fail you. There’s a lingering fear in the back of your mind that you’ll say something wrong. This is too sudden. 

“The students came to us for some advice.” You hear Mia speak behind you. “They’ve been studying for finals together and came to us with some questions. Ms. Campbell was just finishing suggesting that they re-read Wuthering Heights and focus more on its themes.”

“Very well.” Oddly enough, the headmistress nods in approval. “However, don’t bother the teachers during lunch hour. This is the only time of the day where they can truly be free of you for a while.”

Her eyes find yours and stay here, locking you in place with a cold glare hidden behind a façade of professionalism.

“Mr. Walker, I suppose it’s good you’re here. I need to speak to you and Ms. Campbell. The rest, please leave us alone.”

The headmistress’ eyes stay on you, even as Mia, Sophia, Megan and Emily walk past her to leave the room. When they’re behind her, they give you a worried look you wish you could relieve with a smile, but you can’t.