LOCKED AWAY
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
She took the entrance exam a week ago, and now they received an acceptance letter. Emma told herself that a better school life awaits her in Forrest High. The people were nice and joyful, and somehow she was kind of affected.
"Congratulations on that."
"Yeah. Come on, though. We might be late."
She didn't know whether to tell her friends about her transferring or not. They'll be heartbroken either way. But they would accept it and move on. They had to.
August and Emma arrived in school after fifteen minutes. They smiled at the big snowman and at the beautiful, shiny tree at the school gate. Christmas was already here, and so is their party, which is tomorrow.
They were going to have the classic exchange gift, and fortunately, she picked Jefferson's name, not Hook's. Because if she did, she might give him a good kick in the groin as a gift.
Emma walked to her classroom and stood in front the class, clearing her throat to get everyone's attention.
"Just a reminder. The Christmas party is tomorrow, so please don't forget the food and your gifts. That's all, thanks."
Killian fidgeted with the paper in his hand that contained Emma's name. He hoped that she would like the gift he got for her, though a part of him thinks that she might throw it in the trash as soon as she gets it.
"Guys… I have news." The three turned their heads to Emma, wondering what it's about. Was it good or bad?
"You and Hook okay again?" She threw a bitch face to Ruby with her eyebrows raised, not wanting to hear his name in this conversation.
"I…" She reconsidered telling them, but she continued, "I am going to transfer to Forrest High School." They gaped at her. Their mouths were wide open, hanging.
Oh God, have I made the wrong decision? They look like they're going to burst into tears!
"But… Emma! Why!?" Mary-Margaret knows that Emma loved it here, so why would she want to leave? Or maybe that's what just they saw? Maybe Emma didn't like their school at all?
"Is it so bad here?" The friends didn't want her to leave, not at all. They wanted Emma to stay with them, just for one more year until they all go their own separate ways in college. Just for one more year of good and bad memories.
"No! I don't hate this school; I just don't like the people in it." They gasped, offended.
"I didn't mean it like that! I mean I don't like Hook, and Regina, and the other mean people! Not you three." She didn't want to hurt their feelings, but she was being stupid and careless again, so she said that statement. Emma covered her face with her hands, feeling embarrassed and stressed.
"Oh. But it's just one more year!" They tried to be understanding, they really did. But somehow, this was all too sudden, and it hurt them incredibly. They want her to stay so bad that the thought of moving to Forrest has crossed their mind.
Maybe that was the solution? Should they transfer together?
Mary-Margaret voiced her thoughts, and it earned different responses from her friends.
Emma was shocked that she would want to go that far just to stay with her. It surprised her and at the same time, flattered her. Was she really worth all that hassle? She thought the conversation would go like: "Guys I'm moving." "Oh why?" "Because of Hook." "Oh too bad. We'll miss you."
But it seems that her friends love her more than she imagined. More than she loved them. She suddenly realized that she was kind of taking Mary-Margaret, Ruby, and Ashley for granted. Yet they want to be with her.
She let her emotions take over this once. She took her friends' hands and held them, her tears dropping like rain. Ruby hugged the crying Emma, patting her back. The other two joined, creating a big, warm group hug. They felt at home.
"Thank you, guys, really. I am so glad I met you. But you don't need to move to Forrest with me. We'll be okay."
"We do, too. And if that's what you wish, then so be it. Good luck, Emma. We won't forget you." After a few more sobs, the girls pulled back and returned to normal.
Jefferson craned his head in the direction of Emma and her friends, signaling Killian to look at them. He raised an eyebrow, mouthing 'what' to his friend.
"They are all weeping." He's been listening to their conversation, since they were pretty close to their table. He didn't want to eavesdrop, but he was curious. Jefferson will tell it to Hook, so he can do something about it.
"Emma's leaving."He was so shocked that he dropped his spoon and cursed while he picked it up. Killian couldn't believe it. That is the worst news he has ever heard since his family died. He needs to stop that from happening. He needs to fix things, fast.
His friend watched as he grabbed a paper and a pen. Killian started writing.
"What are you doing?"
"Making a letter." His handwriting was unflattering, that's for sure, but the only thing that mattered was the meaning. He poured his heart over the paper in front of him.
Emma didn't bother dressing up fancy for the party. She wore a long-sleeved gray shirt, pants, boots, and a red scarf. She picked up the paper-bag which contained her gifts for Jefferson and her friends and got into August's motorcycle.
She arrived earlier than usual because she had to set up the classroom. She savored the quietness, since sooner or later; the room would be filled of loud music. After an hour, Emma's classmates appeared with a joyful mood.
"Merry Christmas, guys." The four were almost in tears, knowing that this is their first and last Christmas party with Emma. They danced as if no one else was there and ate the food as if they haven't eaten since last year.
Emma gave her friends key chains: a cute mouse for Ashley, a wolf for Ruby, and a bird for Mary-Margaret. While she received a hairpin, a frame with their picture in it (It was taken during the girls' night and she didn't even know that Ruby was taking pictures.), and a novel.
She thanked her friends for the gifts happily. It means so much to her. Emma even wore the hairpin already.
The time for the exchange gift part has come, and everybody was ecstatic. She went first, because everybody said so. Jefferson took the gift from Emma, blushing. When he opened it, he found a dark violet scarf in it.
"I didn't know what to get for you. So I just bought that, since you seem to like scarves."
"It's great. Thanks, Emma." He returned to his seat and teased Killian considering he wanted to get a gift from her.
It was Killian's turn next, and his hands were shaking as he handed his Swan the package. She accepted it and faked a smile. Just my luck.
The gift giving session ended, the music was loud again, so Emma went outside for fresh air and some silence. She fished Hook's gift out of her pocket and debated whether to open it or just leave it be.
She chose to open it. Inside is a beautiful pendant with a key charm. In the middle of the key, there's a small blue-green gem. A paper fell out when she took the pendant. She picked it up and read the letter.
Dear Emma,
I know there's no chance that you'll talk to me, so I made a letter instead. I hope you read this.
I want to start with an explanation. What you heard at Thanksgiving was true. I did say that. But you didn't hear it all. I was playing with you. Was. But now, I'm not. I realized how bloody amazing you are, and you don't deserve to be played. You deserved to be loved instead. I'm sorry if you thought that you were just being my chew toy.
Secondly, I want to tell you why I gave you a key necklace. It's because you need to open up. You've locked yourself away because of someone that hurt you before. I know. I see it in your eyes. But you need to trust someone these days.
I just want to let you know that I'm madly in love with you, Emma Swan. I didn't expect to do so, but you yourself are a surprise. The best surprise that life has given me.
Speaking of surprises, I was shocked when someone told me you were leaving this school. Please, don't. I don't beg often, but you are worth it. So please. Stay.
Love, Killian
Tears dropped onto the paper. She wiped her eyes, not wanting to cry. But it made her. She felt relief, joy, hope, and love all at once.
"You read it." Emma heard Killian's voice behind her, so she turned around. She smiled lovingly and walked towards him. He wrapped her arms around her, sighing in ease. She whispered sorry, since she was terribly wrong. He responded by clutching her to him tighter. They broke apart after a long while, missing each other's warmth already.
Emma removed the keychain-turned-necklace Neal gave to her and threw it onto the ground, letting go of her past. She put on the pendant, instead.
"Are you still going to leave?"
"No, I don't think so." Killian smiled so wide he thinks his mouth was going to break.
"I convinced you, eh, love?"
"Don't flatter yourself. I just don't want to be away from my friends."
Ruby, Ashley, and Mary-Margaret watched as the two cuddled on a corner of the classroom. They were glad that Emma and Killian has fixed things. They couldn't get used to them ignoring each other.
They smiled as Killian wrapped his arms around Emma and planted a kiss on her hair. They also heard that she wasn't leaving for Forrest anymore. And for them, it was the best Christmas gift ever.
The three friends left the lovebirds to themselves and went back to the party.
Things were back to normal. Except they know and have accepted that they were in love. Emma removed her want of a fresh start. She didn't need one. She was content that they had happy and sad moments. After all, that was the way life goes.
A/N: Longest chapter ever. Anyway! Please give me suggestions on which course they should take in college! And also reviews! Oh, and it doesn't end here, okay. This fic goes until their graduation.