Chapter 4

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We arrive at our seats as do other students and professors. Miss Mills grabs her notebook and a pen from her bag, lightly brushing my arm with her hand in the process by accident. My skin tingles where her silky skin brushed mine. I don't realize I'm holding my breath while thinking, and finally release it.

"Really Miss Swan, are you that impatient or bored or whatever you are already? If you can't handle this meeting, I can't imagine how you'll be during this project." She glares at me. And the Evil Queen strikes again!

"I wasn't being impatient." I say, crossing my arms. I look over and see that secretary, Katherine, walking towards the sitting area.

"You are such a child." Miss Mills mutters, a distasteful expression on her face.

"Good afternoon everyone! I just want to thank both the professors and students for doing this. Not only will this project look good on the school's behalf, but it will look great for all of you for your future. Even better if you win!" Katherine claps her hands together with a bright smile on her face. Whatever this lady is taking, give some to Miss Mills for the good of all.

Katherine continues, "So most of you may know that the winner will have their project featured in a museum and a cash prize is awarded as well. But let's get into details. Basically, each group consists of an art professor and their top-performing student. The groups are competing against each other for the grand prize. So it looks like there are five groups. I only pulled art classes that weren't typical art classes. As much as we all enjoy their paintings and drawings, they have their artwork hanging up around campus and I imagine that they will have many future opportunities to display their works within high-level places. We wanted to give other students a chance as well. I also think you guys specifically will be quite creative with this. Thinking outside the box will be the key to winning. The objective is simple really. You must pick a cause, this can be any cause you would like. Then you must create some sort of work that represents and supports this cause. You can do this however you want to, that's what's great about this-you have so much freedom. Are there any questions so far?"

Miss Mills raises her hand.

"Yes, Regina?" Oh, Regina has a nice ring to it.

"When are these due exactly?"

"Ah yes, you must complete these before winter break. All you have to do is give them to me. Then during the beginning of winter break, you will actually be presenting these in front of a panel. Then they will decide who wins."

Wow, this is legit. I'm a bit nervous now that we are presenting these in front of judges but it's also kind of exhilarating. I haven't participated in something like this before.

"Are there any other questions?" Katherine asks. This time a student with red hair and tons of freckles raises his hand.

"Yes, Caleb?"

"How much is the cash award?" He asks eagerly. I hear a couple people whisper, clearly wanting to know this as badly as Caleb does.

Katherine laughs, "The most important question. The cash prize is $2,000 and this would obviously be split evenly between the two of you."

My eyes widen with shock. Damn! That's a good chunk of money. And all for some random college students? I didn't think people cared that much. You learn something new everyday I guess.

"Alright, if that's all the questions, you are free to go. Thank you for your time and good luck!" Katherine smiles her famous, way-too-cheerful smile and heads back towards her office. I gather my stuff and turn towards Regina.

"So I think I may have a few ideas already for this. Of course, there needs to be a lot of thought going into this agenda since it's so serious but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to-"

Regina cuts me off while shooting daggers at me, "Jesus Miss Swan, the meeting ended seconds ago. I already had to spend time away from grading to go to this meeting, I would most certainly not like to waste anymore time talking to you, not today." She rubs her temples.

I'm a little angered by what she said, "Then why the hell did you even agree to this?"

"If you must know, this is mandatory for the professors. It looks fantastic for the school to be involved in such activities. Maybe I wasn't clear. Maybe the problem isn't the task itself, it's having to work with a problematic student such as yourself. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to." She quickly walks away leaving me standing there, not knowing what to say or do.

Just when I thought she might be softening up. I was way wrong. What a bitch! Calling me problematic? She was the one that started this shit with me, I did nothing. Frustrated tears come out of my eyes and I roughly wipe them away. I should have never agreed to this. Screw her and screw Katherine for talking me into this. I wonder if it's too late to quit. But I don't want to just back out, not when I'm already in. I hate giving up on things like that. It just doesn't feel right.

I need to stop thinking, I plug in my music and head to my car to go home.

XX

I open the door and take off my shoes.

"Hey kid, why were you so late today?" David asks me. Bless his protective heart. That is just how he and my mom are. Beautiful, caring souls. My dad is the sheriff so that also contributes to his over-protectiveness. I don't mind, I wouldn't trade them for the world, especially since I never had anyone care for me the way they do.

I smile and say, "Just something for school dad. Where's mom? I actually need to tell you guys something."

"She's doing laundry, she'll be here in a minute. And something to tell us?" He looks a bit worried.

"This still has to do with school dad." I chuckle. Just then Mary Margaret appears giggling.

"Oh you know your father, the most paranoid person on the planet."

"Hey, I am not! Am I really that paranoid Emma?"

"I think you just proved mom's point." My mom and I laugh as dad pouts. Mary Margaret leans over and kisses his cheek.

"You know I tease you because I love you. Now sweetie, what did you want to tell us?"

I sit in a chair at the table and clear my throat. I try to sound casual-as if that displeasing conversation with Regina didn't just happen. I describe to them the task, the prize, and how I'd be working with my professor.

"Emma, that sounds like an amazing opportunity!" Mary Margaret looks as if she might start jumping up and down in a minute.

"Yeah, that sounds great! Do you know which program you are choosing yet?" David asks.

"No, no not yet. We haven't discussed our specific project yet...but we have until winter break so it will be fine."

David comes over and kisses my head, "Well we are both incredibly proud of you." I look up at David and see in his eyes how much he means it. Mary Margaret walks over and hugs me from behind my chair.

"Thanks guys." I feel my eyes water.

I bring home my first 'A' on a test and I am so excited to finally impress my foster parents. I am in my room looking at the test on my bed with a smile on my face when my foster sister comes in. She snatches the paper from my hands. She takes a few seconds to look over it with one eyebrow smugly raised.

"Stop smiling. What are you proud of this? You think they will finally accept you as part of the family with this? Don't bother showing it to my parents. In their eyes, you will always be a disappointment. And why wouldn't they see that? You are not their daughter. And you never will be."

She throws the paper on my bed and slams the door. I grab the test, crumble it up and throw it in the trash as tears leak down my face.

I remember that family. They only wanted a foster kid for the money, after that day I never tried to be a good daughter. They eventually sent me back, as did the following families. I figured having a loving family wasn't in the cards for me. I shake my head at the memory. I can get so damn emotional. Even though I have been with David and Mary Margaret for a little over four years, their affection stills gets to me. And it means so much. I decide I better head to my room before I start overflowing and as I get up, my foot catches on the chair causing me to land flat my face with a loud thump.

My parents start laughing. "Are you oka-"

"Yes, yes I'm fine." I pick myself up and brush the hair out of my face. "Just a daily occurrence in the life of Emma Swan!" I yell dramatically as I go upstairs to my room, hearing ongoing laughter behind me.