Hey guys! I am so sorry for the wait. I know, I know, I'm terrible. But I just got a new computer, so hopefully updates will be a lot faster.
Disclaimer: I -sadly- don't own Once Upon a Time... ):
I look at the stack of papers that lies before me and groan. Regina must have sent over every possible paper she could think of. I flip to the next page and sign my name for what seems like the umpteenth time. It was almost like it wasn't worth it. When Graham had died, it seemed as though the position seamlessly drifted over to me along with a couple of papers to fill out. I let out a frustrated noise as I see an extended response question: Why would you be appropriate for this position?
I'm tempted to write 'Because I was this position for 10 years!' But I don't. I'm tempted to burn the forms and apply at Granny's; I'm sure they wouldn't need to know my past 5 jobs. But I don't. I grit my teeth and begin to make up some crap about how I believe in criminal justice.
It's about an hour later when Mary Margaret walks in. She looks at my distressed state and quirks her eyebrows, "Having a rough time?"
I sigh, "You have no idea. It feels like I've been doing paperwork all day." She walks closer and looks at the current form I'm filling out. She laughs and looks back up at me, "Yes, I do believe you must have been doing paperwork all day considering you just signed your name Amma Swen."
I look at the signature and groan. Stupid non-erasable pen. I look up at her with tired eyes, "Do you happen to have any white-out?" She thinks a moment before shaking her head, "Actually, I left it at the school. Maybe you could run to the store? I think a break would be good for you anyway."
I nod and stand, "Yeah, I guess I'll be back in a minute." She nods and I walk out the door with my jacket in hand. The gust of wind that hits me as I walk out the door is refreshing and I let out a breath of relaxation, glad to be out of the stuffy apartment.
MYYEVILREGAL MYEVILREGAL MYEVILREGAL
It's about a week later when I receive a call from Regina's secretary saying that I had gotten the Sheriff's position. I do a sarcastic impression of being surprised, but it isn't two seconds later that my feigned happiness is burned out. I listen as Whitney congratulates me on my position but suddenly she's saying something different, "So 2 o'clock, then?"
"For what?"
"Your meeting with the mayor. Will 2 o'clock tomorrow be an okay time for you?"
My eyes widen as I realize that I had totally zoned out during our conversation, "Oh, yeah. That will be fine."
We say a quick goodbye and she hangs up, leaving me with thoughts of tomorrow. We'd probably go over the pay and hours and such, but suddenly I'm nervous. I mentally shake myself. I shouldn't be nervous. I mean, it was just a simple meeting with Regina, right?
MYEVILREGAL MYEVILREGAL MYEVILREGAL
I stride into the building with a stone look, refusing to let any emotion show through; I won't let them see how merely being in the same building as Regina has gotten me so shaken. I sit in the waiting room only a moment or so when Whitney looks up and smiles, "You can head on back."
I stand and walk towards the hallway, giving Whitney one last glance. She nods at me encouragingly and I mentally shake myself; I don't need help from anyone. I walk back and place a mask on my face, a mask of determination. I stride as though I have the greatest importance in the world, but as I approach the door I can tell my posture slowly sags and my mouth turns downward a bit.
I enter the decorated office and look to where Regina sits behind her desk. She doesn't look away from her paperwork, but I can tell she knows that I'm in the room.
"Well Ms. Swan, I'm glad to see that you can follow the rules for once and wait your turn until you're to come in."
I roll my eyes and sit in one of the chairs in front of her desk, "Yes, Madame Mayor, because I had such a long wait."
I wait for some snappy remark back, but I am greeted with silence as she continues on with her work. She scans over a page. Then another. Then another. I tap my foot impatiently but I don't say anything, not wanting to succumb to her petty little waiting game.
I look at her clock on the wall and watch as 10 minutes go by before I finally break, "For a woman who wastes no time with things, you sure do seem to be a procrastinator."
She doesn't even bother to spare me a glance as she replies, "I'm not procrastinating, dear. I'm merely prioritizing. And right now, these papers are much important than you."
And that's when I snap. I grab the papers off of her desk quickly and hold them close to my chest. This finally gets her attention and at last looks up at me, "Put those back this instant!"
"I don't think so. You called me in here, and I will not be ignored, Regina."
"Ms. Swan, I suggest you'd better not fool around with me. Hand them back now, or else-"
I quirk and eyebrow at her and give her a smug smirk, "Or else what? You'll call the police? Ooh, that wouldn't work would it?" I finish it with a sarcastic look of sympathy. "So, are you actually going to speak to me now? Or should I just leave?"
She looks incredulous, "I can't believe you have the audacity to come into my office and-"
Some switch turns in me and I can feel myself explode.
"Me?! Come into your office?! Who has sat here for the past 10 minutes completely ignoring me and wasting my time? You're the one who wanted me in here!"
I throw the papers I had been clutching back onto her desk and stand, "If you didn't want me here, why have me come? I'm sure you could just send over the info. And you really want to talk about audacity? Audacity is breaking up with someone- totally unexpectedly- and not even bothering to tell them why. And then coming to their doorstep to screw them and then drop them like a two-cent whore. That's audacity."
She looks at me with wide eyes and I can tell she's shocked that I brought that up. Her eyes swim with emotions and for once she doesn't have a snarky retort.
"Just fax me the information," I spin on my heel and walk out the door. I think I hear a "Ms. Swan, wait-" but I slam the door behind me, blocking out any more sound.
Then again, who knows? It could've been my imagination.
I blow past Whitney's desk and don't even bother to look at her. By the time I get to my bug, angry tears threaten to spill over and I don't even care as they burn paths down my skin. But she doesn't deserve my tears and my emotions and I kick myself for even letting her get to me.
By the time I'm halfway to Mary Margaret's flat, my phone rings. I look down and see that it's the Mayor's secretary. I let it ring and try to ignore the constant noise. Soon enough it dies off and I take a deep breath. I refuse to let her get to me.
It isn't a second later when the phone goes off again. I grind my teeth together and pick it up. "What?" I snap.
"The Mayor would really would appreciate it if you would return to her office," Whitney says in a small voice. I can tell I've startled her with my abrupt answer.
"I would appreciate it if the Mayor wasn't such a bitch," I retort and then add, "And you can tell her that I said that. I don't care."
"Please, come back. If you'd like me to, I can reschedule you for tomorrow?"
I left out a sarcastic laugh, "Why would I return to that witch's den? How about you just fax over the information and tell Regina that she's an evil witch for me? How does that sound?"
"Well I-" I click a button and end the call, cutting of Whitney mid-sentence. I didn't want to even think about that woman. I will get over her and her petty self if it is the last thing I do.
MYEVILREGAL MYEVILREGAL MYEVILREGAL
The bell over Granny's door rings out as I enter the diner. People look up from their lunches and watch as I slowly walk in. I glance around the room a moment before I head towards the back corner. I slide myself into a booth and look to see Ruby flouncing over to me.
"Hey Emma! Do you know what you're getting?"
"Uh..." I glance down at the menu for a second, "How about a… cheeseburger with fries and a Coke, please?"
She nods and writes down the order on her little pad of paper before looking up with a smile. She checks to make sure Granny is nowhere in sight before leaning down to whisper to me, "Hey, a couple of friends and I are having a girl's night tonight. Wanna come?" She ends with a playful smirk.
I think a moment before returning the smile, "Sure."
I needed to let loose a bit anyway. I knew I'd have fun. She struts away saying something about texting me with the details later and I smile. I had missed the red-streaked brunette and her bubbly personality.
MYEVILREGAL MYEVILREGAL MYEVILREGAL
I enter the bar and immediately my senses are overflowing. Music pumps through a heavy sound system and the dim lighting is accentuated with neon lights all over the walls and ceiling. All of the white on the large dance area glows like fireflies under black lights. I look over to where Ruby stands beside me, "I never knew this was here!" I have to shout over the large crowd's noise for her to hear me.
She smiles and her white teeth glow bright against her dimly lit face, "It's new! Just opened last weekend!"
I nod and look around the room, which is mostly filled with people who look to be in their early 20's grinding up against each other. The lighting and the atmosphere remind me of the movie Tron, and I smile. It was actually really cool.
We walk over to the bar and I sit on one of the neon stools. Ruby and her friend Ali sit next to me. Ruby had introduced me to Ali earlier, before we all drove over here. Her striking red hair and bright blue eyes had definitely left an impression.
It isn't 2 minutes later when someone comes up to Ruby and asks her to dance. She looks at us a moment before Ali and I both nod her on. She grins and takes the hand that was offered to her. Ali and I both sit in silence before she moves seats over to where Ruby had been sitting in between us.
The bartender looks at us now and asks us what we'd like. Ali orders some new drink that I'd never heard of. When the man looks at me, I shrug, "The same thing as her." He nods and starts pouring the drinks.
A few moments later he hands us two aqua colored concoctions in martini glasses. As Ali picks up her drink I notice all of the blue on her. Of course her hair was bright red- it almost looked like it came from a bottle, but there was also a natural look to it. Her blouse had a blue that highlighted her eyes and her heels were an aqua shade. Not to mention her skinny jeans had accents of teal on them. You'd think she'd be drowned out by the color, but surprisingly it just accentuated her natural beauty.
I smile at her and sniff my drink before taking a sip. I can't quite figure out the taste, but it's fruity and refreshing. I smile and look around the club until I find Ruby dancing with some guy. She seems to be enjoying herself and I smile.
As I continue to scan the crowd, I notice that all of the people are in their early twenties and suddenly I feel out of place. I peer over at Ali who is also looking around and I clear my throat, "I think I'm going to have to ditch. This isn't really my sort of place."
Her eyes go big, "No, you can't leave." And I see that she's scared to be alone. I can tell she's not like Ruby- she's not outgoing. I can picture her sitting all alone at the bar for the rest of the night. I settle back into my seat and sigh, "Alright, I'll stay for a bit more."
As we continue to talk, she slowly lets her rigid posture fall and we're talking like we've known each other forever. I smile and I listen and I laugh, but I don't hear the eerie click of a shutter behind us.
I just want to thank you all for all of the favorites, follows, and reviews! You guys are the ones who make me want to do this. So drop a review and make me one happy writer. Oh! And I have heard some questions about a Regina POV chapter? What are your thoughts? I had never thought of doing one, but I'll definitely think about it if some of you want one.
