Have you ever felt like your being watched.

I can't explain it but the last few days, heck few weeks the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

Whenever I turn around is on one there.

Maybe I'm just imagining it.

Maybe the last few weeks of stress has finally caught up to me.

To try and take my mind of it all, I was spending the afternoon with ruby.

School had let out and ruby wasn't working this afternoon so that meant she had been roped into shopping with me.

With the extra money I was earning from private lesson's with Paige and add on the 70 a week I get from teaching dance, I was able to splurge on a few bits for my apartment.

So we were currently scoping around the kitchen appliance section in the store, I was In need of some new plates, well I wanted to get some nice ones, I only have plastic plates but I've had my eyes set on a stunning 25 piece set with a teal reactive glaze, very fancy.

It was kind of embarrassing when I would hold dinner party's and have the food in plastic bowls or plates.

Thankfully I did have wine glasses so at least that was something, but I wanted nice plates and Bowles to go with it.

Just recently I had purchased a very pricy white and blue China afternoon tea set, and it proudly has its own cupboard in my apartment.

One day I would love to organise one of those afternoon tea's, where you invite all your friends over to sip tea and eat scones and little sandwiches.

"Hallie what about these, there on sale?"

Ruby holds up three cream cemeric containers with wooden lids, one reads tea, the other coffee and the last one the biggest of the three read butter.

Right now I keep my tea and coffee in plastic containers of just in the packet it would be nice to have an Actual place to put my coffee granules and my tea bags.

"How much?"

"8 for the set."

"Add them to the pile."

She put them in the ever growing trolley.

One of the best things about storybrooke, things were cheap, well not that cheap but not as expensive as it would be in bigger towns or even cities, considering we didn't really have that big of a population couple thousands at the most.

Heck monthly's bills were very cheap, in fact I could pay my gas, water, electricity, rent and tax bills on just 3 weeks school wages.

So far I had in my cart, the three containers ruby put in, new bed sheets, a new bed duvet set that was a teal silk, a pretty Beige lamp that was 75% off, some brown and white polkadot bath towels, some more candles, a round mirrored tray, bath salts and oils and a brand new plug in air freshener.

Safe to say I had come in for more than I intended.

"Thanks for help me out today ruby."

Ruby smiles.

"It's no problem, I'll admit when you asked me to hang out, I thought there would be a little more drinking involved but this is also nice, in-fact your doing me a favour."

That catches my attention.

"Really?"

What could of been so bad that she would much rather spend her free afternoon wondering aimlessly around a furniture store.

"Gran wanted me to spend the afternoon going through the books, like theirs anything to read, I can't remember the last time we even had a guest at the bed and breakfast, and she's always going on about being more responsible, I just feel like she's trying to turn me into her, an old woman who's whole life is built around owning a diner and a running a failing B ." Ruby continues on her rant while flicking through a home catalogue.

It's no secret that ruby and her gran bash heads from time to time.

"I mean I'm 23 why can't I have my fun, why can't I travel and see the world, why do I have to be stuck in this insignificant little town in the middle of nowhere."

"Because your grandmother had a heart attack and you don't know how long she will have left." I remind her.

Ruby scoffs

"Please, That old bat will outlive all of us."

I can't help by nod, granny is a though cookie Theirs no denying that.

I look down at my cart.

Yep that's enough shopping, if I keep going like this I won't have any money left this week.

We get to the checkout and the woman behind the counter begins scanning my items.

"So if you were to leave storybrooke where would you go?" Ruby asks while helping helping me load up my cart.

Where would I go?

Honestly I've never thought about it.

"I'm not sure, but I would have to say somewhere walm and close to the sea that's a must."

Ruby laughs fondly.

"What is it with you and your obsession with the sea."

"I don't know, I've just always felt safer in water than on land, in fact I've always said that I was born into the wrong body, I should of been born a fish."

Both me and ruby laugh.

Ruby shakes her head fondly.

"What ever your say little mermaid."

I freeze.

A jolt of electricity runs up my spine.

Little mermaid?

There's a warmth that spreads through me, I can't explain it, it's not unpleasant in-fact it feels quite warm and comfortable like an old friend.

Why does that seem so familiar?

"Hallie?" Ruby's worried voice pulls me out of whatever that was.

Ruby is shaking my arm, concern displayed on her face.

"I'm sorry what?"

"The lady just told you the Prince but it was like you were in some sort of trance, are your okay."

Now I have the attention of several people.

Blushing at the audience, I quickly nod my head.

"Yes I'm fine don't worry, how much did you say it was."

The cashier looks worried but reads me the cost.

"125.47 please."

I pull out my card and place it in the machine.

Once the transaction in confirmed I all but hightail it out of the shop, ruby close behind.

We load the items into my car with no problem.

As we close the boot of my car I turn to ruby.

"By the way, what did you call me little mermaid?"

"Well I just thought you know about your love for water and how you prefer water to land, and the movie The Little Mermaid sprung to mind."

Oh well I guess that makes sense.

Ruby's face becomes sour, and I know where her thought process has gone.

I decide to offer her a lifeline.

"How about we go back to my place and pop open a bottle of wine, open my Stash of eclairs and put on a movie."

Ruby's face is once again awash with happiness and she eagerly nods.

I've just given her an excuse to avoid her grandmother for a few more hours.

She skips round the the passenger seat and buckles up.

That's how I find myself on the couch with ruby with the two of us snuggled under a blanket, an empty bottle of rosé on the table next to an empty box of chocolates.

Ruby and I each have tubs of ice cream and are watching reruns of friends.

We were watch the episode where Ross finds out about chandler and Monica.

A girls night in.

A yawn soon escaped the red streaked girl .

I turned to face ruby only to see the girl half asleep, it's only when I looked at my phone did I realise how late it was.

12:24

Wow no wonder Ruby was half asleep.

"Ruby, I don't feel comfortable with you walking back to the B alone, do you want to spend the night here, I could get you a pillow and blanket."

Ruby blearily eyed, still half asleep nods her head.

I leave the sleeping woman on the couch and puts the wine glasses in the sink and the empty box and wine bottle in the garbage.

I then walk to the cupboard and pulled out a fluffy blanket and a spare pillow.

I return to ruby fast asleep on my couch.

That sight brings a soft smile to my face.

Ever so gently I lift the girls head and place a pillow underneath her head ruby barely ever Stirs.

I drape the warm blanket over the one she's currently under.

I turn of the lights in the living room and quietly walk back to my bedroom but not before making a quick call to granny, who I know won't sleep until she knows where ruby is.

Ruby can complain about her grandmother until she Is blue in the face, however there is nothing granny wouldn't do for ruby.

I was proven right when the phone is picked up after one ring.

"Hello."

"Granny, it's Hallie."

"Hallie? Why are you calling so late."

"I just wanted you to know ruby Is at mine, she's asleep on my couch, I was thinking she could stay the night, I don't really feel comfortable with her walking home on her own so late at night."

I hear a sigh of relief on the end of the line.

"Okay that's fine, just let Ruby know she has the morning shift."

"I'll be sure to tell her."

"Alright dear, goodnight."

"Night."

The line cuts off, indicating granny hung up.

I quickly and quietly change into some pyjamas before climbing into bed.