Second Chance Group Home: Update Four
Since Saffron got married she decided that a full time job at the group home just wasn't an option.
Her chapter at second chance was now completed but this left Tigger short one staffer.
~*~*~*~*~*~
However that didn't last long.
He did some talking to his friend Emmy and convinced her that she should give it a shot.
She hadn't had the easiest life and he felt the kids would most likely connect with her.
Plus, who knew?
It could be good for her as well.
She was a bit weary of the idea of Her being role model to kids. That wasn't something so far from her previous goal that it wasn't even funny.
"Don't look so scared.
They won't bite you unless you show fear," Tigger teased.
"Shut up Tigger. I'm nervous okay!?" she smiled.
"Aw, you'll be great.
It's corny but just be yourself," he said hugging her.
~*~*~*~
When Emmy made her way into Second Chance a new group of new kids were coming in the same direction.
Devon and Emmy welcomed them all. . .
Their names were Zai Thomson, Cheryl Mendoza and Wendy Barakat. Just like all the other kids who stepped through their doors. . . they also needed a second chance and a fresh start.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Of the original group Melissa was the only one still at second chance.
Everyone else either moved out or went to college, but college was not something in Melissa's future.
She was completely flunking school and since this was her last year she felt like she needed to succeed at, at least something.
But the work was so hard and she was so far behind.
Trying to succeed would just be another thing that would end up in failure.
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile Emmy was really getting close to the girls. There was something therapeutic about hanging out with teens.
She saw herself in a lot of them and as close as she got to them. . . the more she wanted to help find them a better path.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"I give up," Tigger pouted.
"You burnt it again," Emmy giggled.
That was the second time Tigger brunt the Mac and Cheese.
She guessed it just wasn't his day.
"Why don't we just order take out," Emmy suggested.
"Ha, this weeks budget doesn't include take out," Devon sighed.
". . . I got it," Emmy smiled.
"EMMY?" Devon rejected.
"Just let me okay.
Just let me get the take out .. . it's not like I'm buying a pool table," she smiled picking up the phone.
He could tell that no matter how much he insisted this was not something he'd end up winning.
Plus. . . he had a feeling that if he tried again he'd only end up burning the third batch.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The night with takeout was nothing but success.
Second Chance rarely had days like this so it was nice to have a little change.
~*~*~*~*~*~
At the end of the evening Emmy was evaluating her new life and although she wasn't out partying every night. . . she actually felt good about herself.
~*~*~*~*~
Months went by and Emmy continued to feel great about the things she's been doing.
Who knew!?
By being around a bunch of teenagers. . . she could actually feel herself growing up.
She had Devon to thank of course. . . since meeting him he's become her unofficial life counselor.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"I screwed more people than those who screwed me," Emmy spilled.
It was usual for Devon and Emmy to sit around talking . . . especially when the kids were off at school.
"You're so hard on yourself," Devon stated.
"I gotta be.
I'm the only one to blame.
Jax's been out of my life longer than he was in it. . .
Maybe there was something else too," she sighed.
"You put yourself out there. . . not just for Jaxon but for everyone.
You think you have issues with rejection?" Tigger suggested.
She starred at him. Rejection?!
"I don't think that's it.
I'm pretty confident, I don't care what people say or if they like me," she smiled.
"Okay, whatever you say," Tigger smiled.
"You don't believe me do you?" Emmy asked.
"I believe you believe that. . . but from where I'm standing,
it just seems like you only let people see what you want them to see.
When Jax saw . . . everything and he picked someone else, maybe that's why you went into a tailspin," Devon explained.
It made sense but she wouldn't come out and admit it.
". . . since when are you a psychiatrist?" she smirked.
"We both know when," he teased, referring to their very first phone call.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That afternoon Emmy caught Melissa completely broken up.
"Mel you have to tell me what's wrong," Emmy asked.
". . . it's school. I'm doing horrible.
I don't want to repeat my final year but I'm so far behind.
We have a final next week and I have to ace that to pass," she added.
" How bout I help you study?" Emmy suggested.
Melissa still looked hopeless. She literally felt like she knew nothing, all the studying in the world wouldn't be able to help.
"What do you have to lose?" Emmy smiled.
A slight smile formed on Melissa's face. Emmy was right, there was nothing to lose.
Emmy helped Melissa throughout the night and promised she would continue to tutor her everyday until her final.
After actually understanding some of it. . . she felt like maybe passing wasn't impossible.
~*~*~*~
Melissa's final came and went and miraculously she passed.
Emmy was so proud of her and Melissa was nothing but thankful to her tutor.
Since she graduated High school that meant it was time for her to move on.
She aged beautifully and Emmy wanted to give her something before she left.
A makeover!
She hadn't done one since she stopped her destructive behavior but this was a good enough reason to start up again.
The style she gave Mel was nothing but funky. She absolutely loved it. . . it kind of made her feel like a mini Emmy.
"Take care now. You have to call me when you get into your place," Emmy squeezed.
"I will Emmy. Thank you!" Melissa squeezed back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Overall Working at Second Chance never really felt like work.
In fact Tigger and Emmy kind of went out of their way to make it seem more like home.
"Just say it. Emmy's the Queen of Pillow fighting and It'll be over.
You won't have to take this beating any longer!" Emmy teased.
"Okay . . . Okay. I give up.
You're the queen.
You're the queen," Devon said a little out of breath.
Emmy laughed loudly. Success!!
When Devon caught his breath he turned to Emmy and asked her something he wanted to ask for awhile.
"So can I take the Queen out tomorrow or what?
Do I need special permission?" he teased.
". . . take the queen out???" Emmy asked clueless.
"You know, OUT.
On a date or something," Devon asked causally.
Emmy's mouth dropped.
She's been asked out a billion times but usually she saw it coming.
. . .
"Um, yeah okay," Emmy agreed a bit taken back.
"I mean you don't HAVE to, just asking you know," Devon smirked, realizing how random he had been.
"No I want to. . . I really want," she smiled.
"Okay," he grinned.
~*~*~*~*~
In the morning Emmy's mind was going 90 miles per hour.
Since the whole Star fiasco Emmy hadn't dated, kissed or really talked to any one with intentions of hooking up
Not to say Devon had intentions of hooking up with her. . . this was only a date right?
People still just dated without hooking up at the end?
Although hooking up would be nice. . . with everything that's happened wouldn't that just screw things up?
Was just going out with Devon. . . going to just screw things up!?
While in the middle of her panicking. . .Devon approached her.
"Don't look so scared.
I only bite if you want me to," he teased.
She giggled.
"You look beautiful, are you ready to go?" he asked hugging her.
". . . yeah, lead the way," she smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~
They made their way to a pottery/craft place. Neither one of them were skilled in that area but Devon figured it would be fun to give it a shot!
Although Devon picked it up quite quickly, Emmy was having some problems.
This is a lot harder than it looks!
Devon noticed her problems and came over to reassure her it looked beautiful.
"It's junk," she giggled.
"You say junk . . . I say it has personality!" Devon flirted.
"That's just a friendly way of agreeing with me," she giggled.
" . . . no, no. It is different.
It beats to it's own drum and I like that," Devon flirted.
Emmy couldn't say anything but blush. He was talking about her right?
Better question. . . why was she blushing!?
"You wanna get something to eat," he smiled holding her hand.
"Yeah, let's get some grub," she smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The entire date was going so well.
Devon was normally a great guy to be around but seeing him in this light made him irresistible.
They went from friends to something more. . . so fast.
Sure the chemistry had always been there but now it felt much more genuine.
It was a scary & happy thought but maybe they had a future together.
Only time would tell.
Emmy secretly hoped she OR him wouldn't screw this up!
~*~*~*~*~