THE BAD BOY OF MANHATTAN
Chapters 16. Where's Emma?

"Elric! What are you doing?!" screeched Alya while hurriedly descending the stairs when she saw Elric who was trying to stand up from his wheelchair while holding on to the edge of the living room sofa.

"I haven't consulted the doctor whether you've been allowed to walk normally again or not" Alya explained as she guided Elric, who was still a little restrained and helped her sit on the sofa.

"I'm okay, Mom (i'm fine, ma)" protested Elric.

Alya sat down next to Elric and tidied up her son's long hair. "How's your leg? Still feeling sick?"

"Not really." Elric shook his head. "I'm bored" he said later.

Alya smiled. "You want to take a walk? Let me accompany you," he bargained.

"Do I have to attend a personality school for a year? Can't your husband change his decision?" gerutu Elric looked at Alya in frustration.

"Why, Honey? You don't fit in with Miss Lopez?" alya asked as she stroked Elric's cheek gently.

"I think his decision is ridiculous (i think papa's decision is ridiculous)" Elric said. "Just talk to him, Mom (talk to him, ma)!" the door was half pushy.

"Okay, I'll talk to your dad (i'll talk to your dad)" Alya said, stroking Elric's head.

Elric looked at his mother's face for a moment. As a child, he was always amazed by the face of the woman who had given birth to him. He is different from everyone around him. Elric has never even met his mother's family to date. To her, Alya is like a mermaid washed up on a beach, and saved by Nathan, her father.

***

Nathan looked at Elric's metallic black guitar, which rested on a guitar stand in his studio. The semi-futuristic guitar he gifted his nine-year-old son never seemed to be touched again in recent years.

"Why doesn't Elric ever play it again, huh?" nathan asked Alya who had just entered the studio.

"Maybe he needs a break (maybe he needs a break)," said Alya as he walked closer to Nathan. "Nath, I want to talk to you" said Alya.

"Hmm?" Nathan raised his eyebrows while looking at Alya who looked serious.

Alya grabbed both Nathan's palms and grabbed them. "It's about Elric. Does he have to postpone his school for a year?"

"Yeah!" nathan replied firmly. "Ah, I was thinking maybe I would replace Miss Lopez with a more experienced teacher."

Alya was shocked to hear Nathan's words. "Don't you tell me yourself, Miss Lopez fits because they're not too far away and they can be like friends, and that's good for Elric?"

"Yes, but I think again, Elric needs to be disciplined even harder. Miss Lopez is too young and I don't think Elric will ever feel disinclined by her."

"So you're gonna lock Elric up for a year?" alya was worried.

"With supervision?"

"With supervision. From afar. Depends on the change in attitude. If he can behave normally and kindly, I wouldn't mind letting him off in the outside world. But, first I have to know, where this kid's going" Nathan said.

Nathan let out his breath. He then threw his body on the sofa. She was silent to digest her husband's words. "I hope we didn't make a mistake, Nath" he said.

Nathan raised both his hands. "As a parent, at least we tried (as a parent, at least we've tried)."

***

Emma came out of the Calhoun School building while shrinking a tear that fell from the corner of her eye. He decided to sit down for a moment to calm himself down on a long bench under the oak tree in the school yard.

It failed. His practical work as a personality teacher failed. Headmaster Calhoun said the Bradleys decided to give Elric a more senior and experienced teacher. And according to the agreement, if in one month the Bradley family is not satisfied with its performance, then Emma failed to become a permanent teacher.

Emma looked at the dark Manhattan skyline due to severe air pollution. He just let the wind lift his long hair to partially cover his shoulder face.

It was a bad day for Emma. His parents are getting divorced, he loses his chance at a job and a student loan that haunts him every step of the way. And, Emma had to return to work at a Mexican fast food restaurant for a while as she looked for a decent job. That is, the list of his desire to rent his own apartment must be postponed either until when.

Emma scooped her face rough. The only good that lies behind this misfortune is that it is not necessary to meet the little boy again. At least he can live his days without always trying to hold back his emotions.

He breathed deeply. Then he stood up, and stepped out of the Calhoun School area with a new spirit that he was trying to nurture back. After all, Emma had always been disappointed by the circumstances. He shouldn't have been so down with one more misfortune happening today.

While in Greenwich, Elric is shocked by the presence of a new personality teacher. A haunted-faced middle-aged woman with the appearance of a classic library guard. Name, Mrs. Becky Sanders's. She is very similar to Queen Elizabeth II of England.

The only question he had in mind was, "Where's Emma (where's Emma)?"

"Miss Lopez can't continue her practical work at Calhoun School." The woman answered with arrogance.

"Why?" elric.

"She failed the test (the test failed)."

Elric couldn't believe this. Emma had to be replaced with an even more boring teacher like Mrs. Sanders. Elric could not stand it anymore. He had to protest Nathan. However, when he expressed his objection to accepting the nineteenth-century woman, the father said, "First choice, take your personality course, show me your good attitude change, then I will allow you to do activities outside the home. The second option remains the same. If you refuse the first choice, I'll send you to the wilderness camp."

"End of discussion (talking done)!" Nathan firmly.

***