Fall 2012

"Lily I don't know if I want to go to this party. I don't drink, and I won't know anyone there but you. Can't we just go out like usual?"

"Emma," lily whined from her room down the hall, "you need to relax. It's just a house party with a few of my friends I've known for years. Plus you know John, and he's bringing his friend Peter."

"If I go, if, I'm keeping the keys so I can drive us home because I will not be drinking. Someone has to stay sober so we can leave."

"You're going to go to a party and not drink. Booringgg! Your choice."

Lily walked down the hall to see Emma fidgeting on the couch with her keys in her hands.

"Are you ready to go? We still have to go pick up the food and drinks."

"Yeah. You promise we'll leave after a few hours?" Emma said while still holding on to her keys.

"I promise. Now lighten up we're going to a party!"

Present Day

Emma was 23 and she was living her life like most people her age. She had a steady job, a car, an apartment she shared with her two best friends, and a healthy savings account for a rainy day. From the outside it looked like she had everything figured out and was doing well for herself. On the inside though, her heart was guarded like the Great Wall of China, with walls miles high and long. She wasn't always this way though, and for the few who knew her before, it was like she was a shell of her former self, only they could see the cracks that showed the girl she had once been before.

Spring 2016

"I'm on my way to Granny's now. How far away are you Red?" Emma asked while driving to meet her. "I shouldn't be there much later than you. Give me about ten minutes. See you in a bit." Emma and red were on their way to meet each other to head on their first road trip together. They were going for a three day trip to celebrate Red's birthday/their 8 year friend anniversary. As Emma waited for Red to arrive she grew more and more excited to spend time with her friend.

Emma and Red were as close as two friends could be. From the first time they met in high school they became the best of friends. No matter what had happened in 8 years, they were always there for each other. When Red was married, Emma was at her side while she said her vows to Graham, her husband of three years now. When their first child was born, Emma was named an aunt even though she was of no real blood relation. They shared everything, and though they didn't spend as much time together as they once had, they were always family no matter how far apart. When Emma had begun planning this trip it was as much for Red as it was for her. No one knew her better, and Emma wanted to show her that no matter what she would always be an important person in her life.

At 8:30 Red pulled up in the driveway ready to go. They loaded up Red's car with Emma's bags and they headed out. "We have to make a stop before we leave Storybrooke. I need to get the oil changed so we can make it to Boston." "I thought you had told Graham to do that a while ago?" Emma said while pulling out the road snacks. "I did, but you know my husband. It shouldn't take too long. We'll still get there before dark."

As Red and Emma pulled the car into the oil change bay Emma thought she saw someone she knew. She instantly tensed. There was no way. What are the odds that she would be here, at a random oil stop, in a city she rarely ever came to? "Is that who I think it is?" Emma whispered to Red. "I think that's Lily. Well that's a coincidence," Red said while looking at the girl. "Hopefully this won't take too long," Emma said all the while her insides were swimming in anxious energy, and her face morphed into a mask of pleasantry.