Chapter 15

Sydney can't find himself to feel bad for the celebrities he captures. They signed away any rights they had to privacy when they joined this industry. They knew what they were getting into. What he can stand is when bad boy celebrities think they can get away with anything and the same rules don't apply to them. It's his job to bring the big dogs down a few pegs. They aren't gods. He took it upon himself to remember that.

Besides, everyone likes a story. It doesn't matter whether it makes their idols look good or bad. The readers want to feel as is they are apart of their lives. Sydney gives them that. He does his job and he does it well.

Sydney doesn't believe he will have to stretch the truth much at all. It was clear what he saw. A forbidden love crashing and burning. The true question is: 'Who's the girl'? He's seen Robin's socials recently. Could this be the ever elusive Verónica Sanchez? Were she and Robin an item? Wasn't Robin dating Marion?

Hmm..

Sydney would take pleasure in exposing Robin Hood for the slimy scum he really is. This would be on the front page tomorrow.

He screwed up.

Robin really cocked it up this time.

Damn it! Regina hates him, which he deserves. He said some things that made her mad. And it's killing him is that he isn't sure what exactly he said that set her off. Had he really come so far from reality? He wanted to break things off before the media could get their grimy hands to the perfection that is Regina Mills. Spending the day with Regina made him realize that he wants to give her the moon and stars. And returning to the beach gave him the stark realization he could never be the one to provide it for her. She's the sun herself. His lifestyle would taint her beautiful soul. He didn't want her to change, was that so bad?

The last few hour have replaying in Robin's mind on loop. He could have handled things with Regina better. She deserves at least that. Maybe it was best for him to leave it alone. She was out if his life. She was safe from the cruelty of the public eye. That's what he wanted isn't it? For Regina to be able to live her life as a normal teenager? That's all she wanted. To be like the other kids at her school. Regina couldn't do that and be friends with him. He's anything but normal. She said so herself. His life isn't normal. It isn't real. Being in each other's lives would only bring stress on them in the long run. And the last thing Regina need is stress. It was for her own good. Even if it makes him look like the villain.

Robin made the dumb decision to walk home. Not that he had much of a choice in the matter. He gave is car away and sunk the one he traded it for. He thought walking would help him clear his head. It hasn't. Not really. At this point all Robin wanted was to take a nice long, hot shower to wash the stress of it all away. He's properly exhausted.

There is nothing more awkward than opening a door at the same time as someone on the other side. Everything about it feels wrong. It happens more often than he'd like to admit. At least no one was hit this time. Robin can't say he's surprised to see Will was the person on the other end. He seemed bothered. Looks like its been a rough day for them both.

"Where the hell have you been l day?" Will gently pushes him backwards as he steps out onto the porch. "Next time you decide to hangout with our friends tell that to your crazy arse girlfriend or bring me along."

"What are you goin' on about mate?" Robin chuckles at Will's dramatics.

"I'm going out for a bite to eat because Marion and that Zelena girl have been hogging the living room all day! And since when do you lend your car to people?" His friend snaps. "Seriously! She's ruined my whole bloody day."

"What?" Robin's smile drops. You've got to be kidding me. "Is she still here?"

"Last I checked. I've been trying to avoid her since she showed up."

Robin didn't have time for this today. Marion doesn't make it a habit to show up to his house spontaneously and if she does, it's because she wants something. He pushes past Will and marches into the living room.

"Ah Robin. You're back." Marion smirks from her spot on his couch. She finishes typing something on her phone before tossing it beside her. "I waited all day for you to return. I thought I could spend the day with my boyfriend. Well, we're heading into the evening now. But I'll take what I can get."

Robin sighs. Marion is his girlfriend. He hasn't spent much time with her this past week. Not to say that they'll spent much time together before. "Well maybe you should have called or texted. I was busy." Robin had to admit he did feel a little guilty for ignoring her, but he had a lot going on right now.

"Too busy for me. How's Roni?"

"She's great." Robin dismisses. He didn't have the energy to fight with her. How would she know if he hadn't already made plans or not. It isn't as if they talk about these things. The only time they ever hang out anymore if it's somehow going to end up in the news the next day or all over social media. Maybe she was hoping to change that when she came over today. Only today wasn't the best day for it. "It's been a really long day and I'd like to take a shower. So if you don't mind please leaving. We can hang out tomorrow if you'd like. I'll call you." He does his best to placate her. She was still in fact his girlfriend.

"Really Robin?" Marion stands. She moves so that they are face to face. "You spend all day with another girl then rush home to shower? Do you see how that looks?"

Robin sighs. He walks further into the room and sits haphazardly on the arm of a chair. "Not that I have to explain myself to you, but I fell in some mud earlier and I'd like to get the feeling off."

"Really Robin? That's what you're going with?"

"It's the truth."

"Are you cheating on me?"

Emotionally? Definitely. Robin couldn't say that he was emotionally attached to Marion as he once though he was. Romantically? Yeah, maybe a little. It wasn't as if he meant to. It only recently happened and he ended their relationship completely. "No Marion. Verónica and I were just friends. You don't have to worry about her." Verónica might have been a friend, but Regina was something else entirely. She was a companion. A kindred soul. A soulmate.

"You keep pushing me away! How am I supposed to feel? Especially when you start hanging with some new girl? If she's your friend, how come I've never met her? It's like you're trying to hide her from me. Do you have something to hide, Robin?"

"No. It's not like that." Robin waves his hand in the air as if the wipe the thought away. He stands.

"What is it like then? Is she prettier than me? More famous?" Marion folds her arms.

"We aren't even friends anymore! The we life we live isn't the life for her."

"You sound upset by it."

"Of course I'm upset. She was an amazing person and a great friend." Robin slumps into the sofa.

"But you're definitely not anymore, correct?"

"Yeah."

"That's all I wanted to hear." Marion smirks and slinks an arm around him in mock comfort. He knows she couldn't be more pleased with the turn of events.

Regina lets the front door slam as she enters Granny's house. She and Zelena magically managed to arrived at the same time. By the look on her sister's face, she knew Zelena was upset with her. Neither of them said a word to each other. Now wasn't the time. Their parents beat them to the house from their business trip. They couldn't let things appear amiss.

"Watch how you close my door. You 'ought to close it soft next time." Her granny calls from another room.

"Sorry Granny." Regina says as she and her sister enter the kitchen where the rest of the family seems to have gathered. She honestly felt lighter seeing her parents. Robin's words lingers in her mind, but having them back made it feel a little less horrible.

"Mija. It's so good to see you both." Daddy kisses Zelena's head when she gives him a hug. He does the same for her, only Regina doesn't let when tries to end the hug. She's aware it doesn't make it look like everything is fine, but she really needs this. He lets her hold him for a moment longer. "Everything ok, mija?"

She nods. "I just missed you, is all." It wasn't a complete lie. She had missed her parents.

"This reunion is great, but I must speak with my dear sister elsewhere." Zelena interrupts.

"Don't dilly dally. Someone else has to set the table. I cooked." Granny comments.

"We won't be long. Why don't you get Ruby to help in the meantime?" Zelena flashes her perfect smile, grabs Regina's wrist, and drags her out of the kitchen. She doesn't release it until she shoves her into the side garage.

"Damn Zee. I'm sorry for dipping today." Regina regains her balance. She rubs at wrist. It would likely bruise. "You didn't have to do that. I was planning on explaining it all to you anyway."

"Were you now? What happened to the car Regina?" Zelena isn't playing games. She's clearly pissed off and rightfully so.

"It sunk." Regina sighs. She could at least tell her that much. God! She really effed up this time. Honestly, what did Regina have to show for it? Was any of it even worth it?

"What do you mean 'it sunk'?"

"The car was driven in some quicksand on a firebreak off the side of the highway."

"Unbelievable." Zee mumbles to herself. "And I guess I am to assume you were the one driving the car?

"I ahh. Yes?"

"Stop lying! I saw your little account Regina." Regina stumbles away from her sister at that revelation. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"

"Zelena…" Regina can't think of a response. How does she explain it all to her? "It was never supposed to get this big. Yeah I did it under a different name, but I didn't want mom and dad to find out."

"And me."

"And you." Regina reluctantly confirms.

"Why? Tell me why?" Zelena had that look on her face where she was considering fighting someone.

She'd have to pick her words carefully. Regina sighs and sits on the hood of the car in the middle of the garage. She assumes it's Robin's. No one in their family could even afford to look at something this fancy. "You know how mother and daddy get. I couldn't do half the things most teens can, let alone post it."

"Yes, but why keep it from me?" She could see she hurt her sister by keeping this from her. And she knew her answer would only make matters worse.

If Regina was honest there was a million reasons why she never told her sister about the account and about Robin. "I.. I didn't… I didn't trust you around Robin." And it was true. Zelena worshiped the ground he walks on. As much as she claims she could behave herself and be normal around him, Regina didn't trust she could. In the beginning she couldn't give a care about Robin or his music. She wanted to forget he even existed. Then she got to know him, really got to know him. He's truly stunning when he lets go of his image and allows himself to simply exist. Zelena praises and encourages everything Robin is trying so hard to get away from. Maybe it wasn't her decision to decide, but had Zelena early on, Robin would still be Robin Hood. He said so himself he will do things for his fans before anything for himself. That includes being his authentic self.

Zelena's presence takes up so much room in a space, it doesn't leave much space for anyone else. No one picks Regina out of a crowd. No one even realizes she's there if Zelena's in the room. Why would they. Zelena doesn't even acknowledge her when she's in a room. "I wanted to live one moment where I wasn't only known as Zelena's sick sister. It sounds horrible when I say it out loud."

"So, you chose to become someone else."

"I just wanted a moment where I could be seen in a room. And I was for a while. Turns out Robin doesn't want to be seen with an ordinary girl. He isn't the guy you think he is. He's a real person with real flaws."

"No, it's because you're a selfish bitch." Zelena gets into her personal space. "Don't blame that on me. If people don't notice you're in a room, it's because there isn't anything to notice. You got everything you deserved Regina. Or should I say Verónica." Zelena gives her a shove before making her exit.

"Zee. Zelena wait!"

"Clean yourself up. You look like mess." Zelena tosses over her shoulder before entering the house.

Dinner is awkward to say the latest. All anyone wanted to know was how her and Zelen's weekend was. Uneventful! It was nothing she wanted to talk about. Regina spent half an hour in the bathroom splashing water on her face trying to make it look as if she hadn't spent the entire afternoon crying. Her tiff with her sister left her more out of breath than normal. She needed a moment to calm her raging heart. It took longer than she would have liked. Everyone was already sitting at the table when she arrived. Now all anyone wanted to talk about was the bane that was her weekend. It did nothing to aid the calming of her heart.

She got lost on the street for days, needed an ambulance, her relationship with Granny is strained, sunk her Abuelo's car, got dropped by her best friend, and Zelena hates her. Did she miss anything?

"Well Henry and I have some news." Mother grabs everyone's attention.

"Dear God. You're not pregnant are you?" Ruby gasps out before she can stop herself.

"Heavens no." Mother scoffs and waves her hand. "We're far too old to want to start over."

"Good. I can't handle another useless sibling." Zelena remarks loud enough for the entire table to hear. Regina chooses not to engage.

Daddy reaches across the table to pat Zee's hand. "Be nice." She rolls her eyes.

"Anyway." Mother takes control of the conversation once more. "Henry and I have made the necessary arrangements to transfer. Much of our work from now on will be done here. We'll be moving back to California!"

The table erupts in excitement. Granny's clapping. Ruby was doing some weird dance and excitedly chatting with Zelena who is already posting about it. Her parents wore smiles on their faces.

"Of, course you'll finish out your semester." Her mother continued. "It'll give you the chance to say goodbye to your friends."

Regina had no personal attachment to Storybrooke other than, maybe Tina and the comfort of it being far away from Robin. It would be nice to live closer to her old neighborhood and Granny. She wonders if that's the real reason for the move? Were they afraid of being across country should, God forbid, something happen to Granny? Or maybe it was her health that had them looking for outward support?

Regina stops picking at her food. In fact, she sets he fork down all together. She uses her long hair to cover the fact that she's close to tears. It wouldn't be ideal to fall apart in front of her family. It would only serve to solidify their belief of her being weak. She might be a nobody, but she isn't weak. Regina balls her hands into fist and squeezes until there are crescent-like imprints in her palms. Come on. Get yourself together. Damn it!

Things used to be fun here. Everyone she loves was here. It felt like home. It felt safe. Everything has changed so much. Her abuelo isn't here. She isn't friends with her sister. Her parents overwork themselves trying to make enough money to live comfortably and still pay for her medication. Because she's dying! She met amazing people who reminded her what it was like in a friendship, only to be told she wasn't of value. She's been hospitalized and hit in the head more times in a few days to be healthy. She had a horrible trip. Yet, it was filled with some of the best experiences she's had in years. It didn't mean she wanted to live here again. Honestly, she doesn't know how she feels. It was too much to handle.

"May I be excused?" The question comes out more horse than she expected. She's glad anything came out at all. Her throat saw fit to close in on itself. Eff emotions.

Regina doesn't wait for a response. She grabs her barely touch food and drops it in the kitchen before heading to her room.

"What the hell is going on between you two?" Ruby demands the moment she and Zelena enter their upstairs bed room. Regina doesn't move from her spot laying on the bed.

"Regina met Robin." Zelena continues at Ruby's expected gasp. "She is Verónica Sanchez."

Ruby is quiet. She looks to Regina for confirmation. She gives a little nod in response. "Were you ever even going to tell us?" Regina doesn't respond. They already knew the answer.

Zelena scoffs. "Didn't think so."

"It isn't as if met him on purpose." Regina snaps. She sits up, fully frustrated with how her sister was acting. "Boohoo. You didn't meet the jerk of a human being that is Robin Locksley. Get over yourself. You wanna know where I really got the bump on my head? From your got damn hero!"

Zelena scoffs. "You're lying."

"Zee why would she lie about something like this?" Ruby steps further in the room. Putting herself in between them, whether she knows it or not.

"She's lied about everything else. Why trust her now."

"Zelena.."

"YOU RUINED MY LIFE!!" The two sister shout over Ruby.

I ruined your life!?" Zelena gasps in offense. "I never paid you any mind. You had literally everyone else worrying and talking about you. You. You. How could I have possibly done to add to your bain."

"They may talk about me. But no one ever talk to me." Regina is standing up now. Her sister had some nerve being upset about Robin, when she was the reason Regina never had friends in school in the first place. "Where were you when I got back to school huh? You shunned me."

"What are you even complaining about?" The ginger steps around her cousin. "You're the once who made friends with Robin fuckin' Hood and his entire band and hid it from me. Don't blame me for your inability to make friends at school. I on the other hand,"

"What? You what?" Regina interrupts. "What could possibly be so horrible about your life?" She stresses. "You have a normal life. You have friends. You have people who like you. You're gorgeous and popular. And insanely cool. People find you interesting and are aware of your presence in a room." They were both crying now. "The most interesting fact about you isn't that you spent half of high school in the hospital. I forgot what is was like to have friends and have fun, that is until this trip. Until I met Robin."

"I listened to his music to escape from your drama!"

A silence passes over the room.

Zelena wipes at a tear. "Everyone around me was dying and no one stopped to ask me how I was doing. Because I wasn't the one dying. He was my Abuelo too!"

She hears Ruby gasp. Regina's heart convulses at her sister's confession. "Zee, I'm so sorry. I didn't know." Is all she can think to say.

"Why would you? You were busy dying."

Regina hugs herself and looks at anything but her sister. She never realized the effects her illness and death sentence had on her family. Especially Zelena. Regina hadn't thought she even liked her. Never could she imagine leaving her family in such heartbreak.

Regina dares to look at her sister when she begins speaking again. "All I ever truly wanted was to thank him for being a light in a very dark moment of my life. Did I get a little obsessed? Sure, but who wouldn't get attached to that feeling? You never even gave me a chance. You took that away from me."

"Why don't we take a walk?" Ruby takes Zelena's hand. "You'll be ok on your own?" She directs this question to Regina.

Regina does not notice when they leave the room. She's not sure how long she's been sitting in the dark room looking out the window from a far. What she is aware of is how much pain she's put her sister through.

She can fix this.

Meeting Robin won't make things magically better between the two of them, but if it brings her sister the peace she's been looking for, then so be it. But Regina couldn't possibly introduce Zelena to Robin. He doesn't like normal, small town girls. Her sister doesn't really fit that image does she. She's larger than life. She the perfect friend for Robin's image. Regina was the problem, not her sister.

Would he even want to talk to her after everything? Does she want to talk to him after what happened earlier? Definitely not. He completely broke her, but she had to do this for her sister. She couldn't be selfish anymore. Zelena is more important. She always has been. Regina thought she knew that…

She pulls out her phone to message Robin, but Instagram is telling her she's been logged out of her account. Odd. She puts in her password, but it doesn't work. Strange. She tries it a couple of times. None of them are successful. How the hell was she supposed to contact Robin now? Or any of her new friends for that matter?

Regina didn't know what else to do, so she made a post about from her original account and shared it to her story. It took her longer to tag all of her friends because she had to search for all of their users. Someone should be able to help her.

@ginamills

Can someone please help. I've been locked out of my other account @My.regal.majesty . I can't figure out how to get back in. Instagram is being weird.

Comments:

@Robinnlovee who even are you?

I @ginamills I'm verónica Sanchez

I @sunflowers1872 you wish

@lovinforroni is this some kind of joke?

I @ginamills No. I'm very serious

@building_locksley Clown

@sour_watermellon Imma need you to log off for me

@abe4756 She tried it. @My.regal.majesty you seeing this?

Regina can't understand how this had blown up in such a negative way. It wasn't that unbelievable. All she asked for was a bit of assistance. If they didn't know the answer, they needn't respond. It's that simple. Who were these people anyway? Regina's never gotten this much traffic on a post from her main account. She never realized how cruel people could be. She could deal with all that tomorrow. Hopefully Robin or Mulan, or Keith, or some can help her out. Right?

Whoo! Hope you all enjoyed! I've already written the next chapter and let me say, things get messy. Let me know you're thoughts! Have a wonderful day!

S'D