A/N: Hi there! Thanks for reading. I've updated CH 1-4 as of July 18th.
The bell for dismissal finally rang. Senior celebratory hoots and hollers echoed across the high school campus. Among them was Emma Swan, walking with longtime friends Regina, Victor, and Ruby.
"Freedom!" Ruby cried out.
"Let the fun begin because we are now done with high school, ladies and gents," Regina said and grinned. "And I have the perfect celebration planned for this evening, for all of us."
They stood in the parking lot to chatter about graduation parties and summer plans. Emma didn't say much, instead she stood in her circle of friends and took a moment to appreciate the present: four years of her life were gone she wanted to be able to remember this moment when they went off to college without her. Guilt hit her stomach because she hadn't told them she was staying behind; she couldn't afford to attend the private university she dreamed of attending as long as she could remember. When the letter came in the mail a few weeks ago, welcoming her to Storybrooke University she was thrilled. Then she called the bursars office.
"I'm sorry, Miss Swan but we can't give any more aid than what you see in the acceptance letter."
"How can that be? I'm a good student, I work hard—I need your help."
"We can't give anymore because it shows your parents are living with the means to provide some sort of financial assistance."
"No, you don't understand. My parents aren't in the picture, they—"
"Thank you for calling, I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful but there are needier people than you, Emma."
"-Abandoned me." Emma finished but the woman was already gone.
Dream crushed she'd spent every day since then trying to find the best way to tell her friends why she wouldn't be there in the fall, the best way to admit she had failed.
"Earth to Emma."
"Huh?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "I asked if you were down for the party tonight?"
"Where is it again?"
"Robin has graciously accepted the responsibility of host." The girl was preening; so proud of her new boy toy.
"Maybe, I have to check with my boss; I'm supposed to have today, Saturday, and Sunday off for graduation errands."
"I refuse to accept 'No' for an answer, Emma. You've bailed a million times already this year because of work. It is time to take a well-deserved break."
Victor nodded in assent with Regina's words while Ruby nudged her arm.
Emma sighed and gave in. "I'll be there." Cheers rang out. They parted ways with promises to call and text each other about rides and sleeping arrangements. Even though she smiled all she could think of was not disappointing them any more than necessary.
"Killian, come to the party, have a drink or two, and get to know everyone." Robin and he were playing Halo 3. Or rather, Robin was getting his ass kicked at Halo 3 while trying to convince Killian to be social.
"Last time you said that we were going to have a movie night. It ended up being you and Regina cuddled on the couch while I third-wheeled it." Killian didn't want to make new friends or struggle through social niceties. He was going to leave in three months; the life of a naval officer. "This time I think I'll pass, mate."
The game paused and Robin turned to look Killian in the eye. "You're going to be around until August. Friends will help pass the time."
"Not letting this go are you?"
"No, I'm not. But if you really don't like them after tonight I will never speak another word on the subject."
They shook hands. "Deal."
In bed, Emma relaxed. Out the window of her attic room trees whipped around in the wind and a butterfly landed on her window sill. Days like these were few and far between. The peaceful silence was short lived as her employer called up the stairs.
"Emma, come down, please." The last place she wanted to spend her first afternoon of freedom was in front of Mrs. Pond.
After she lost her last accommodations (courtesy of her two latest foster parents), over Christmas break sophomore year, it was either find a job or starve. Thankfully, she found an ad online for a middle aged mother needing a full time nanny offering room and board plus minimal monetary compensation. Translation: Mrs. Pond fed, housed, kept gas in Emma's car as long as Emma watched her two children. When not in school, she spent all her time looking after and amusing Alice and Peter; Emma was lucky to have found time for studying, let alone sleep. Starting today, Friday afternoon, it was supposed to be her hard won three day graduation weekend. She trotted downstairs with a heavy heart, sure Mrs. Pond was going to try and rob her of the time she wanted to take off.
"What took you so long?" Mrs. Pond asked from behind the office desk looking down her nose at Emma. "I need you to take care of the kids this evening; I have a business meeting I need to attend."
In the past her employer had done this before, reneged on promised time off. Normally, Emma gave in. Except today she was tired. Today she wanted to do what she wanted to do and she wanted to be anywhere but watching this woman's children whine all night. "I'm sorry, you have a business meeting?"
"Yes, this evening at 8:30." The clipped tone didn't deter Emma; it only managed to increase her bewilderment at the woman's audacity. "A business meeting on a Friday night? Mrs. Pond, we discussed my time off a few days ago. I am unavailable today, tomorrow, and Sunday. In fact, I have to add Monday to the list as well—last minute graduation details."
Mrs. Pond rolled her eyes. "Please, you just want to go out with those friends of yours then come in here at all hours—wake us up, take my home for granted. I won't stand for it."
Emma kept her tone even. "It is my first night off in weeks. I have decided to spend it with my friends, which is my choice, and frankly none of your business. Not to mention I've never once stayed out late or woken anyone up in the middle of the night—get your facts straight. Lastly, why don't you try spending time with your children instead of pawning them off on the help while you go out on dates every other week night?"
Eyes livid Mrs. Pond pointed at her. "Do not take a tone with me, girl. I took you in, fed you, housed you—trusted you with my children and this is how you repay my kindness?"
"More like slave labor, you obnoxious and controlling—"
"Get out. I will not have anyone under my employ, under my own roof, speak to me in that manner. You're no longer welcome here, Miss Swan. Pack your things and leave. I expect your room to be vacated by tomorrow morning."
Her heart dropped. Too far, she'd pushed Mrs. Pond too far and now she was out on the streets again. At least her gas tank was full.
The rest of the day she packed the trunk of her Kia Sportage with what few belongings she valued. It all fit inside three Rubbermaid tubs. Before she left the house for good, Emma showered and dressed for the graduation party. On her way out she raided the pantry seeing how she didn't know where her next meal would be from. She passed Mrs. Pond's purse hanging on the entry way coat rack; she raided that, too. With a deep breath she walked outside and shut the door on and her family. Another deep breath steadied her nerves, pushed aside worry and doubts about the future. For now, she was an eighteen year old young woman out to celebrate with friends.
At some point, whether it is now or at the end of the most up to date chapter, please post a review.