Emma`s POV

The final bell rings, signaling that school is over.

Great, now I will have to go back to old and strange Mr. Gold. I get the strangest vibe from him. I don't want to be around him more than I have to be.

I leave the school through the front door, dragging my feet, unsure of how to kill time before the man gets off work. I just want some alone time before I have to make forced conversations with a complete stranger who looks as if he knows something that I don't. Like he has a mischievous plan and I am just a pawn in his game.

I try to push those thoughts to the back of my head.

I sling my worn backpack over my left shoulder and march on. I walk aimlessly down the quiet Main Street and somehow I find myself across the from a cute little dinner titled "Granny`s Diner". I am too cold to get picky, the wind strikes my barren face unprotected from the cold. I shiver and find myself walking up to the entrance.

I hope they have Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon here.

*Bell Chimes*

I seem to have interrupted everyone`s thoughts. Half of the Diner looks up to see who just strode through the front door.

Wow. Everyone is staring at me. I guess these people really haven't seen anyone new in a while.

I shrug. I don`t mind. At least the heat is finding its way back to my rosy cheeks.

I scan the place looking rather awkward as I negotiate between a table or a booth. Fortunately, I don`t have to.

Miss Blanchard`s head pops up right when she hears the soft jingle of the door.

"Emma!" The pretty brunette smiles.

I hate small towns. No kid wants to see their teacher outside of school. This is weird.

I smile timidly.

"C`Mere! Have a seat!" Miss Blanchard waves me over with a bright smile.

NO! What are we going to talk about? Abe Lincoln? All I know is he`s the guy on the Penny. I was never in school long enough for anything important to stick. And it`s not like I could do my homework, I was always fighting off drunk foster fathers.

Somehow I feel myself being pulled towards her. I find that I don`t mind. There`s something in her eyes that makes me melt under her gaze and I notice my cheeks aren`t the only thing gaining warmth. I smile and find myself taking long strides over to where she sits in a booth, swirling her drink.

I reach the booth and take a hesitant seat across the table, her eyes watching me as I walked from the front door to where I am now.

"How was your first day at school?" She questions.

"Uneventful." I flatly reply.

We talk a little bit longer, mostly about the weather and if I made any friends.

Nope.

The conversation slows just as a feisty waitress with red streaks in her hair and a big smile plastered on her face, glides over to where we sit.

"Hi love, I`m Ruby! And you`re…..Emma?"

"Yep….Uh…How do you know that?"

She quickly glances to Miss Blanchard and says "Small town!"

"Oh"

Of course.

"So what can I get for ya?"

This is embarrassing.

"Well I don`t have any cash….so how `bout nothing?"

Miss Blanchard gives me a sad smile and pipes in "Don`t worry honey I`ve got this. If that's okay with you?"

Um. No thanks lady I don't do handouts. I can take care of myself, I am about to say. She just wants to do something nice for me. From somewhere inside I get a feeling that this woman would do anything just to make me happy. A strange feeling lingers that I have never felt and I`m vaguely aware that two pairs of eyes are sitting on me waiting for me to speak.

"Yeah, thanks." I mumble.

"So… What will it be?" Ruby asks once more.

"Do you have hot chocolate?"

"Of Course! Is that it?"

"Umm ya, but can you also put Cinnamon on it?"

What`s Hot Chocolate without the Cinnamon?

"Of course! Mary Marg-" She hesitates. "Miss Blanchard to you… also likes Cinnamon in her Hot Chocolate!" Ruby says.

"Haha no way? That's awesome!"

I always thought I was weird for liking Cinnamon in my drink.

"Finally someone who shares my quirky taste!" Miss Blanchard jokes.

Her eyes lock with mine and I feel an immense connection with this lady that I only met a few hours ago.

Not a minute later and the perky waitress comes bouncing up to the table, hot chocolate in hand.

"Thanks" I mutter as the waitress places my drink on the table. She walks back behind the counter to help other customers.

"So…Where did you move from?"

Miss Blanchard`s question startles me. I guess the school`s Principal didn't mention my situation to her.

"Oh, I…Uh didn't move here." She looks at me with a puzzled look on her face.

"I`m just staying with someone." I don't want to burden her with the fact that this is my second foster home this year.

"Oh, who?"

Ugh, i don't want to talk about this.

"Do you know Mr. Gold?"

Her face suddenly drops.

"You…You`re staying with Mr. Gold?"

Confused as to why she seems so shocked I simply reply

"Yeah. He`s my foster father."

Gosh, why am I telling her that?

" Oh, I wasn't aware he fostered children."

Yeah well it`s not like he hands out unconditional love. I can tell the kind of person someone is from being burned so many times.

Miss Blanchard and I chat a bit longer I`m so caught up in our conversation I don't even notice who just walked or rather limped in. He spots where I am sitting and a eerie smile creeps over his face.

Miss Blanchard`s body tenses.

"Ah there you are dearie I have been looking for you. We must be getting home now."

" Uh ….Okay…." Is all I can say before im ushered out the door. I can feel Miss Blanchard`s eyes burning into my back. I turn to look back once outside and find that she is frozen and our eyes meet as she gives me a slight smile.

There`s just something about her.

Something that made me want to never leave that booth without her. And it`s only now that im being guided down Main Street that I feel truly alone. Like I have found something, but its so impossibly out of my reach.