Emma had took off the next morning, leaving a note behind for a sleeping Regina, should the brunette decide to wake up before noon. Which almost didn't happen had it not been for that one dream about the guy and his washboard abs along with...a beautiful blonde? That was when her eyes fluttered open, sun shining brightly into the room and aggravatingly into her eyes. Glancing over towards her alarm clock, squinting her eyes, the brunette huffed and collapsed back into bed, "It's 10 a.m. on a Monday. Ugh." Staring at the ceiling, she debated what her next move should be; get up and paint so she could continue getting paid or take her chances by getting some more sleep and working later and possibly ruin her chances at future employment.
Needless to say, it wasn't a hard choice to make as she turned over in her bed, opting to get just one more hour of sleep before she would get up and diligently work until the painting was finished. The outline was already done, all she needed to do was choose the right colors and fill in the spaces accordingly. Words that were easier said than done. While Regina caught up on her zzz's, Emma was busy trying not to rip out her hair thanks to the boring tea party her parents had forced her to come to. Emphasis on 'boring'.
"Emma," the stern whisper draws her away from the view of the window she was staring out of and the blonde turns around, "you're supposed to be mixing and mingling dear." She should've known her mother would find her, even through a crowd this big. "I did, mom. I'm just...a little tired, I stayed up all night practicing. Sorry." Mary released a disapproving sigh, but didn't scold her daughter, she had only been doing what they had instilled in her since she was a toddler.
"It's fine, come here," Taking Emma's hand, she gives a small smile, "I'm sorry for making you have to come to the party. Your father and I just want to ensure you make the right connections with people. Being in the symphony means you're talented and you deserve to reach your full potential."
Emma's heard this speech before and quite frankly, if she never heard it again it would be too soon. "I'll do my best," she feigns a small grin, waiting until her mother gives her a reassuring hug and slips back into the crowd before making her way toward the back door and slipping outside. Her family's been a part of this country club for as long as she can remember, her great grandfather being the man to create it. Emma refers to them all as pretentious snobs who have sticks shoved so far up their asses that they can't even smile. "Is that Emma Swan I see?" Whirling her head around, blonde curls bouncing, she gasps and her lips instantly stretch into a genuine bright smile as she recognizes the person. "Neal!" She practically squeals, taking three steps forward and flinging her arms around him.
"I missed you so much!" The man, just an inch taller than her, wrapped his arms around her and basked in the embrace, "I missed you too. I hate when father decides to drag me on one of his spontaneous adventures." They both share a chuckle, reluctantly letting go of each other. "So did you bring me back something?" Emma gives him a knowing look; they've been friends since Neal pulled on her pigtails in kindergarten and made her cry, only to instantly regret it and share his cookies with her to cheer her up. Scoffing, he rolls his eyes, the grin on his face betraying his faux agitation, "Is that all you can say? Not 'I'm so glad you didn't fall off a cliff, Neal. I'd be so lost without my best friend.'?" Emma's expression didn't falter and if he hadn't brought her something back, he knew what consequences there'd be.
"Gee thanks, Em. I'm so glad you care, " Neal teased, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "Come on, your gift's in my car. Let's get out of here and catch up." More than ready to disappear from the boring festivities, the blonde scouts for her parents and once she's sure they aren't looking at her, she gives him the okay, "You don't know how happy I am to see you. Thanks for saving me from that crap." Leading them to his Porsche, Neal shoots her a smirk as he opens the passenger door for her, "I'm always saving the blonde heiress. I'm starting to think you should be paying me for all this."
"Pft, that'd only work if you didn't enjoy saving me. Besides, you're an heir to a fortune much bigger than mine." Rounding the car and getting in, he firstly ensures she's buckled in before starting the car, "Oh please. Face it, Emma Swan's name will be written in history books one day, Neal Cassidy's will be farther down as her partner in crime." Speeding off down the road, they both just smiled at each other as they headed toward their favorite restaurant.