Regina has been staring at the document in front of her for hours and no matter how many times she read it, nothing seems to get inside her brain. The event of last night still lingers in her mind and despite the façade she put on that it does not bother her, it does.

It's no fun to be the pariah in town especially when she knows she's done nothing wrong. She's not also one to apologize for being herself. Yes, she did throw a party that went a bit wild but it's not like she's harboring fugitives in her house. She's having fun with her friends and nosey Ashley made a complaint and Emma came in barging like she owns the town and forced everyone to leave.

The next day was tough because rumors spread quickly and before she could have explained herself, they're calling her names, looking at her like she's some slut they are so eager to be rid of from their town.

Of course, she's no prude. She's fine with that. She sleeps with whoever she wants to because she can, but that does not mean she's a bad person. She just lives her life differently from the rest. Is that a crime?

"Are you going to just stare at it or you're going to sign them?" Mal asked while standing at the door of her office.

Regina sighed.

"Sorry…just distracted",

Her friend smirked at her as she took the seat across from her. "Does it have something to do with that new neighbor of yours? What was his name again?"

"Robin", she muttered before rolling her eyes. "Yes, and no, it's not him. Just the usual",

Mal's face hardened. Yes, she's also one of those people Emma threw out of her house that night.

"What is it this time?"

"Oh, nothing much. It's just that Robin invited me to the housewarming party and Mary Margaret, the schoolteacher, confronted me in his kitchen about the same old stuff. That's all",

"That's all? Are they seriously going to hang that over your head forever? Jesus…are you living in a convent? It's just a party and everyone had a few many", Regina only made a face. "What did Robin say about it?"

Regina gave up on the document in front of her and took a deep breath. "He said he does not care about what the others have to say. He wants to be my friend and that, he does not share their judgment",

"Wow, that's refreshing",

Too good to be true. It's not the first time someone tried that trick on her. Pretending to be friends with her only for her to realize that the only goal is to get to her pants. Some even went all out into placing bets on who would be successful in screwing her. That's how badly they see her in Storybrooke.

"I am not going to fall for it. I am smarter than that",

"He could actually mean it", Mal pointed out.

"He is friends with David Nolan and Killian Jones",

"Well…that's a downer. Maybe he's not like them. David pretty much believes whatever comes out of his wife's mouth and Killian's an ass just because he didn't get into bed with you. Babe, not all men are horrible like—"

"Don't even think of saying that name", she cut her off.

Mal halted before looking away. Regina went back to the document and angrily scribbled something on it.

"So…Cru's birthday is coming up. She got any plans yet?"

She needs to change the subject before she dwells on the memory she doesn't want to think about.

"That's the thing. Cru wanted to spend her birthday with you…specifically, in your pool",

Regina arched a brow at her friend. "She wanted a repeat?"

"Don't blame me. It was her idea. No one throws a party like you do, Regina. It's her only request",

Another party at her house, that will go down well in Storybrooke. Also, that would be a nice fuck you to everyone. They're already talking about her anyway. What is there left to lose?

"Consider it done",


She is on full party planning mode when she arrived at her house. Cruella is particular in her drinks and she also loves to dance so she contacted the best catering and rented a sound system just for her friend. Her friends don't ask much of her and they've always been there for her so whenever there is something she can do to make them happy, she does it.

When someone knocked on her door, she expected it to be Mal but it was Robin who greeted her.

"Hey, saw you pulled up and I thought you could use some company. Muffins?" he is holding a tray of freshly baked muffins and she wondered if he baked them himself.

"Why not…"

He followed her to the kitchen where she took out a plate for the two of them.

"So, how's work?" Robin asked.

She would have made a comment about him acting like a boyfriend but the smile on his face stopped her from doing so. He seemed genuine about it so she indulged.

"…nothing much. Paperwork and meetings. I was informed that my friend wanted to celebrate her birthday here so I am planning it for her",

The way Robin's face shifted, she knows his mind went back to that infamous night.

"Do you need help in planning? I know I am not good at it but I can be of help somehow", he offered.

"It's nothing I cannot handle",

His face fell. "Regina, are you alright?"

There is a part of her telling her it's all a ruse to get her to open up and then, he will destroy her trust just like everyone else but there is also something about him that makes her want to believe everything he says. It's confusing.

"Why are you being nice to me?" she blurted out.

"…because you're nice to me. I feel like I could talk to you about anything and it would be okay. I don't know. Is it bad?"

"No, it's not. Let me make something clear here. I can be your friend. I can help you with things you need help with but that's just about it. If you're partaking in another pool about how fast you can screw me, I'm sorry to say you're not getting it—"

"Hold on…what pool?"

She arched a brow at him in challenge. Surely, he knows. He is friends with David and Killian.

"Your friends started a pool before on who will be able to get me to bed. Killian thought he would win but I am not that easy. You should know the same. It's not going to happen, dear",

If she's going to take anyone to her bed, it will be because she wants to and it will be someone she knows who is not going to talk to his friends the next day and spill all the juicy details. She completely missed the way his face morphed into shock by what she said.

In her eyes, all of them are the same. Once they get what they want from her, they would be back into treating her like crap. It's better that Robin knows that as early as now so he wouldn't try anything with her.

"They did that to you?" he growled.

Regina stiffened. The shocked look on his face is not because of getting found out, but pure horror. He is turning red in anger.

"You sound surprised. I thought they were your friends",

"Yes, but right now, I don't think I recognize them. It also does not mean I am like them, Regina", he said.

Mal's words echoed in her brain. Perhaps, her friend is right this time but she's not going to fall for it just like that.

"It's yet to be seen. Just laying it on the table in case you got a change of heart. Anyway, there's going to be party. Since you invited me to your housewarming party, I am inviting you to Cru's birthday party. Come or don't come, it's fine…just don't bring your friends. I cannot promise Mal and Cru will not react poorly if they see them",

It may not be wise to invite Robin but so far, he's been kind to her and it will be a good chance to observe him properly. If he turns out like the rest of them, it will be disappointing but she will be able to move on.

"I'll be here", he simply said.


At the grocery store, Regina made a quick run to restock her liquor supply. She has no idea how many are coming so it's better to have surplus than to run out in the middle of the party.

She checked her list as she browsed the shelves when she felt someone is watching her. It was Emma and she's the last person she wants to see.

"You're following me or you're shopping for yourself?"

"That's a lot of booze. Planning another party?"

Regina scoffed.

"Yes, I am. Is there a problem?"

Emma walked closer to her, giving her that sheriff look she gives to the people she apprehends.

"There is if you're throwing another one of those parties. You know, it is not for Storybrooke. We have children in our community. If you want to host something like that, take it elsewhere",

"What I want to do in my own house, Ms. Swan, is my business. It is my right. If you also try to do what you did that night again, I will sue your ass for everything you've got and believe me, Ms. Swan, I never lost a case. You don't want to mess with me because you have no idea what I am capable of", she snapped.


A lot of her friends advised her to move after that incident but she refused to back down from a few people who don't know how to mind their own business. It's not like she's asking to be friends with everyone. All she wants is for them to leave her be, but it seems people of Storybrooke tend to stick their noses where they don't belong.

Still, she won't be forced to move. She loves her house. It's her sanctuary. She's not going to be bullied into leaving.

Before heading home, she stopped by at Granny's to grab a cup of coffee. She does have her own but nothing beats the old woman's coffee. It happens every single time she walks in at the diner. People stare. People stop talking. It's nothing new but none of them would dare say anything, not inside the diner, because Granny forbid them to.

She's one of the few people in town who does not treat her the way the rest of them do. She's brutally honest in her opinion but she's kind. She never judged her, not once.

"I was wondering when you're stopping by", Granny greeted.

"Sorry, got to work early and I've been busy for Cru's birthday party",

The old woman raised a brow at her. "At your place? Well, I've always loved your spirit. Is getting close to the new guy part of you spiting the entire town too?"

"What? No. Robin is not part of any plan. He seems nice but I am still not sure whether he's going to shed his skin after a while. I need time to get to know him…like really know him so, I invited him to the party tonight", she answered.

Granny gave her a serious look before holding her hand.

"I saw how he was with you during his party. He defended you, stood up to his friends for you. I may not know the man pretty well but I think it's a good sign. Always keep that in mind. Protecting oneself from getting hurt is one thing. Depriving oneself of human connection is another. I would hate to see you ends up alone, Regina. You deserve more", she said.