Pressure Points
The weeks following Emily’s arrival had been interesting, to say the least. The tension between her and JJ hadn’t faded—in fact, it had only grown stronger. Every test, assignment, or quiz became another battleground, another opportunity to prove who was better. So far, JJ was on a bit of a winning streak, always managing to score just a little higher than Emily.
But today, Emily was feeling confident.
As class ended, Mr. Rossi clapped his hands together, gaining everyone’s attention. “Alright, class. Last week's test scores have been posted. Feel free to check them on your way out!”
Emily smirked, turning to JJ. “Ready to see me win, Jenny?”
JJ’s shoulders tensed immediately. “Don’t call me that. And you wish.”
Emily’s grin widened. She had just found a new button to press.
“I don’t know,” she mused, crossing her arms. “I’m feeling pretty lucky today.”
JJ scoffed. “I don’t rely on luck.”
“Maybe you should,” Emily teased. “Might make you less predictable.”
JJ stiffened at the comment, and Emily let out a quiet chuckle.
“I’ll show you predictable.”
With that, they both strode over to the bulletin board, eyes scanning the list of scores.
Emily Prentiss – 98%
Jennifer Jareau – 96%
Emily let out a dramatic gasp, stepping just close enough that JJ could feel the smugness radiating off of her.
“Oooh, looks like I won this one, Jenny.”
JJ clenched her jaw, her fingers curling into fists. “Don’t get too cocky, Prentiss.”
“Oh, but I think I’ve earned a little celebration.” Emily’s voice was smug, dripping with amusement. “After all, it’s not every day I get to watch you lose.”
JJ turned to face her, eyes narrowed. “You act like this is a big deal.”
Emily shrugged. “Just proves I’m the smarter one, that’s all.”
JJ scoffed, crossing her arms. “Smarter? Please. You got lucky.”
Emily hummed as if considering it. “Or maybe, just maybe, I’m actually better than you.”
JJ took a step closer, tilting her head up to meet Emily’s gaze. “Keep dreaming, Prentiss.”
Emily grinned. “Don’t worry, Jenny. I’ll make sure to savor this moment. Who knows when it’ll happen again?”
JJ rolled her eyes and turned on her heel, walking away before Emily could see the way her ears burned at the nickname.
“See you in class, Jenny,” Emily called after her, her laughter trailing down the hallway.
JJ clenched her fists. She is so insufferable.
So why was she already thinking about how to beat her next time?
Aside from tormenting, Emily had made a few friends, who also happened to be JJ’s friends. In her English class, she sat next to Spencer Reid and Penelope Garcia. She found the awkward boy fascinating and he was happy to have someone who could keep up with him finally. Emily was incredibly witty and all her knowledge made her a good conversation partner for Spencer. Penelope on the other hand had just taken an interest in the new and mysterious girl.
Emily was surprised to find out she enjoyed spending time with them, odd given her usual closed-off nature.
During lunch, she still sat with Elle but when she entered the cafeteria she was surprised to see Elle sitting over by Spencer and Penelope. The three of them also shared a class, so Emily made her way to the table. She sat down next to Elle who was deep in conversation with Penelope while Spencer had his head buried in some book about quantum physics.
When JJ entered the cafeteria she immediately noticed that Emily and Elle weren't at their usual table, her eyes glanced over to the table she usually sat at, and there they were. Elle, she didn't mind but Emily? God, did she have to ruin this too?
She sighed and made her way to the table, she did her best to put a smile on her face, she wasn't going to let Emily have the satisfaction of ruining this too. She placed her tray down and sat down, as far away from Emily as she could, while still being at the same table. She didn't have to sit here, but it was where she usually did and she wasn't about to let Prentiss ruin that.
Emily was already shooting her a smug grin, clearly amused to know her being there was bothering JJ.
Elle was the first to notice JJ’s arrival, amused with JJ’s obvious discomfort, “Hey JJ, you sure you don't want to scoot a little closer? you're practically in another zip code right now!”
JJ shot her a blank look“I'm fine where I am.”
Penelope looked up, a wide grin painting her face, “Oh, I love a good slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc!”
JJ nearly choked on her water, “Excuse me?”
Emily who had been mostly quiet until now, smirked and leaned back in her chair. “I've gotta say, Jenny, you avoiding me like I'm some disease is only making this more fun.”
JJ gripped her cup tighter, “Im not avoiding you”
“Really?” Emily raised an eyebrow, “Because this table seats eight, yet you're all the way down there, Jenny.”
Before JJ could snap back a familiar voice cut through the air.
“Jenny?”
JJ let out an extended groan, before even turning around, she knew who it was. Derek Morgan and Aaron Hotchner had just entered the cafeteria, trays in hand, and a cocky grin painting Derek's face. His expression was downright infuriating.
“Damn JJ” Derek continued, he set his tray down in the seat next to her and Aaron sat in the one after. “How long have we been friends now? And even I can't call you Jenny.”
JJ shot him a sharp glare, “Because you know better.”
Derek laughed, “Oh but Emily gets a pass huh?”
Emily leaned back in her chair an amused smile tugging at her lips, “What can I say? Jareau here just loves me.”
JJ rolled her eyes, she felt like she could strangle someone.
Across from Emily, Aaron raised an eyebrow at the exchange before turning his attention to her. “So, you must be Prentiss?”
Emily recognized him, he was the guy who sat with JJ and Spencer in math. His expression was unreadable and calm. His eyes were sharp, and she watched as they studied her. “Yes I am, and you are?”
“Aaron.” He replied dryly.
Derek smirked and gave Hotch a pat on the back, “This is Aaron Hotchner, our leader, he's a real hard-ass, but deep down he loves us. He just won't admit it.”
Hotch gave Derek a flat look, “You guys are the reason I get migraines,”
Derek shot Hotch an innocent look, “I’m sorry, Dad”
Emily liked these guys already.
JJ still had her gaze fixed on Derek. He was not going to let this go anytime soon.
“So, Jenny-”
“Derek.”
He raised his arms out as if pleading innocence, “Come on JJ, I'm just trying to fit in. I mean suddenly this new girl rolls in and now you're letting her give you cute nicknames?”
JJ let out a shark exhale and ran her hands through her hair, “I hate all of you.”
Just then a new member joined the group. JJ felt it before she even saw him-before the familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the cafeteria air before the warmth of his presence settled beside her. Will slid into the open seat between Penelope and JJ, a warm smile on his face as he leaned in to press a soft kiss to JJ’s lips.
The second it happened, something in the air shifted.
Emily's entire body language shifted. But it was subtle, too subtle for anyone else to notice. Her smile faded, her shoulders tensed slightly, and the finger that had been drumming on the table was still. It was enough to get JJ’s attention.
“Hey, babe” Will greeted, his voice soft in contrast to the loud teasing that had just been taking place.
JJ smiled, though she was a little hesitant like something was off. Like her body went on autopilot and she was acting out something from a script, one she didn't really want to read off of. “Hey”
Across the table Emily picked up her drink taking a slow sip, her expression was unreadable. Her eyes fixed on her lunch tray instead of on them. The playful confidence she had just been radiating was now replaced with something much more quiet. JJ had never seen her like this,
Will turned to face Emily, offering her a warm smile, “You're new here right?”
Emily looked up and replied dryly, “Yeah”
JJ frowned. That was it? No snarky comment? No witty comeback?
Will oblivious to Emily's odd demeanor nodded, “I’m Will, JJ’s boyfriend.”
For a second JJ swore she was something flickering in Emily's eyes. Was it jealousy? Anger? Whatever it was it was gone in a second. Emily just nodded, shooting him a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. “Nice to meet you.”
Derek seemed to have noticed the weird energy shift and chimed in. “Well, Will we're glad you're here. It's been nothing but tension with these two” he nodded towards JJ and Emily, “We needed some balance”
Will let out a small laugh and Elle and Spencer exchanged weird glances.
Emily let out a small sigh before speaking again, “Yeah well, wouldn't want to make things uncomfortable.” Her voice was calm and even, but there was a sharpness in it that JJ couldn't help but notice.
The words hit JJ like a direct challenge.
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
For the first time since this all began JJ found herself feeling off balance. Like the game, they had been playing had suddenly changed, and she wasn't sure what the rules were anymore.
The rest of the day after lunch was quiet. Emily separated herself from the group, she didn't shoot JJ any snarky comments about the test coming up and she barely even looked in JJ’s direction. When the day ended she didn't stay back to study in the library as she usually did, she just went straight home.
Later that night, after taking a long shower and dinner, Emily found herself lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. She didn’t understand why Will aggravated her so much. It wasn’t jealousy, and it wasn’t anger. Will had been nothing but nice to her, so why was he bothering her so much?
Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the emotions she was feeling.
She wasn’t used to this. She wasn’t used to caring about someone like this.
But that wasn’t it, was it?
No, it was more than that.
She wasn’t used to how Will made her feel.
How his presence shifted the entire atmosphere of the table. How his soft smile seemed to catch JJ off guard in a way that Emily hadn’t expected.
For the first time, Emily couldn’t decide whether she was annoyed or impressed.
She didn’t want to care. She didn’t want to think about JJ’s boyfriend at all.
But it was impossible to ignore the tension that had appeared in the air when Will sat next to JJ. The way everything shifted in that moment, like a piece of the puzzle she hadn’t seen before had suddenly fallen into place.
She hated that feeling.
She hated that she was still thinking about it, even now, lying in her bed at home.
She tossed and turned for what felt like hours, the events of the day replaying in her mind over and over again.
It wasn’t until well into the night, when the room was completely dark and silent, that she finally closed her eyes.
Maybe she needed to stop thinking about JJ altogether.
Maybe.
But somehow, Emily knew that was easier said than done.