She never should have promised to come to this stupid game. Emma was not a person who honored tradition, so why was she here? She knew the answer. She had come to see her niece play Powder Puff football. It was the first event in a very jam-packed homecoming week, and Julia had begged Emma to come. Just driving into the stadium parking lot brought back horrid memories.
Chubby Emma, coming to games with her friends, always female friends, and watching all the happy, loving couples, knowing it would never be her. Senior year, she had attended this game and sat miserably watching her Crush, the amazing Mr. Wright, her Government teacher. He was, without a doubt, the most wondrous man she had ever seen. He was new that year, fresh from college and only a few years older than Emma. Actually, he was 5 years older, but she felt such love for him anyway. He was unmarried, unattached. She knew she could make him happy, if he ever noticed her. All year, she watched and waited and wanted. Then she graduated and went off to a prestigious college, armed with her many scholarships.
Emma loved college. People there actually enjoyed studying, actually got pleasure from learning. Along the way, she forgot to eat as often. She walked all over campus and the small, historical town with her pals. She wrote long letters to Rachel, her best friend, keeping up on the events of their town and school chums.
Rachel was the only person who knew of Emma's love for Mr. Wright. She always slipped a few sentences into the mail, telling her what he was doing now. Emma didn't come home if she could help it. She stayed at school and worked and took summer classes, finishing college in just three years.
She found a wonderful job in New York City, moving quickly up the corporate ladder and enjoying work more than her private life. Then came the letter from her favorite niece, Julia. It was homecoming and she was playing in the Powder Puff game for the Juniors and Julia wanted her aunt to see her play. Emma emailed her that she was too busy to take a week off, but that she would ask, secretly feeling too important to get the time. Knowing she would be refused, Emma put in a request and was surprised and dismayed to have it granted. Damn! Now she had to go to Smallville and visit her old school, sight of her most humiliating days, and pretend it was enjoyable.
The only good thing was the possibility of showing off her new self. Only Rachel and Julia knew of her metamorphosis and this seemed like a good time to share it with everyone else.
Emma dressed carefully for the evening. She bathed and shampooed, soaking in the vanilla bubbles until she finally felt relaxed. She sprayed on her favorite vanilla scent and then dressed in her new purchases. First, a lovely satin and lace dusty rose bra with matching panties, sliding over her soft skin, making her feel so lovely and feminine. Nicely-fitted jeans, a soft rose shirt and a well-worn denim jacket, the kind of clothes she envied years ago, completed the outfit. She let her hair hang down, with tiny clips holding it off her face. As Emma looked into the mirror, she saw a lovely young woman, one who might get noticed.
So, here she sat, in the old high school bleachers, watching the dusk approach. As she watch, the moon started to appear over the opposite stand, huge and golden. It moved slowly up the darkening sky, glowing at Emma and making her smile. She was still mesmerized by the beauty of the night when she heard a male voice ask, "Is this bleacher taken?". Ah, she felt the tingles long before she turned her head. Emma knew that voice. It was Mr. Wright. She looked up at him and thought time had been his friend, he had aged nicely these six years. His face had some character lines and his hair had lengthened and had a slight greying at the temples. Now the five year difference didn't seem so great. He stood there quietly, smiling at her. When she finally realize he was waiting, she nearly choked over her words, telling him that the seat was indeed available and he was welcomed to it.
He began by commenting on the moon and how tangible it seemed. He chatted with her easily, making funny comments about the cross-dressing cheerleaders and the extremely loud band. He knew football and kept telling her about this play or that move. They talked about the school and themselves, feeling more relaxed with every passing minute. She told him she was visiting from New York City for the week, but would be returning to her life there after the weekend. Emma couldn't bring herself to tell him who she really was. She had no desire to bring to mind the chubby, quiet, plain girl she once was. He introduced himself as William Wright and said to please call him Bill. Emma found it difficult to use his first name and stammered over it. Inwardly, she winced. She spent her work hours with CEO's and company presidents, fitting into their high-powered world. Now she was shy calling this man by his first name. Mr. Wright even teased her about it, then she realized he was flirting with her, he actually noticed her and wanted to spend time with her!
