A/N: I know this story sucks, or so I've been told in more eloquent words on ao3, but here we are anyway. I have the next chapter written but I'm deciding whether or not or not I will continue with the story. Thanks for reading.

"What's up with Emma? Why is she sitting with them?" Ruby asks, acknowledging them—the popular kids—with a sneer.

Killian shrugs as he continues munching on the rock-hard crust of what the lunch ladies call pizza. Pizza, my arse. Maybe if you consider stale crust, bland sauce and questionable white cheese, pizza. But he skipped breakfast and is hungry enough to eat a boot, so he's not about to be picky at the moment. He's told Ruby before that Granny should be their lunch lady and serve her delicious diner food. But then she'd have to close the diner. And that would be a travesty. The reason the diner is so popular with high school students is because they can't wait to have real food when they leave school for the day.

"Earth to Killian." Ruby waves her hand in his face, towing him away from his thoughts. "What's up with you? And why is Emma sitting over there?"

"Why don't you ask her yourself," he grumbles bitterly. He's trying not to think about her. Because if he thinks about her than he'll have to think about how sad and miserable he is because she hasn't spoken to him all day and is avoiding him like the plague. So, why she's sitting over with the popular kids instead of the people who quickly became her friends is beyond him.

"Did you two have a fight or something?" Ruby questions with a raised brow. "You've been obsessed with each other since you met and now she's eating on the other side of the cafeteria with those snobs. So don't tell me you don't know. why."

"What do you want me to say, Ruby? Things were great last night. I went to her house and had a nice dinner with her and family, and then when I arrived at school this morning and tried to talk to her, she walked away. She hasn't spoken to me since last night. So no, I don't have a bloody clue as to why she's sitting over there."

"Well, you better figure it out soon and get her back here."

"Why should I? She made her choice."

Ruby shrugs and takes a bite of the cheeseburger she'd brought from her shift last night. It looks and smells much better than his unsavory pizza. "Because it looks like Graham wants to keep her for himself," she mumbles through a mouth full of food. "Either that or she'll just become another notch on his belt before he dumps her."

"What?" Killian pales as he finally looks over at the popular kids' table. When he sees Emma sitting next to Humbert—sitting awfully close—and laughing with him, Killian's seeing red. He hasn't known Emma for very long and they haven't even had a chance to become serious, or anything really, he also knows he has no right to be jealous, but the emotions building inside of him aren't because of the green-eyed monster. They're because of a blue-eyed bloke who better keep his paws off Emma if he knows what's good for him.

If there's anyone Killian hates at Storybrooke High, it's that Irish arsehole. His reputation for manipulating girls and getting into their pants before dumping them afterward is not based on fabrication or filmy gossip. Killian knows this because he used to be friends with Graham. But that was two years ago before he got sick of Graham's bullshit. He got sick of hearing stories from Graham about the flavor of the month. The flavor of the month —Graham's words, not Killian's.

Each month during the school year Humbert chooses a new victim and it looks like Emma is next on his list. Killian can sense this from across the cafeteria, in the way Humbert looks at Emma and talks to her, with a cheesy grin and eyes buzzing with intrigue. He doesn't dare touch her yet, but he's biding his time. He must have seen Emma with Killian and has been plotting or waiting for the chance to get her alone, or at least away from him. Graham's learned over the years how to work quickly, and he knows Emma's the perfect target. It's no secret she's a pastor's kid; gossip spreads like wildfire around here. Graham most likely knows about her vow of abstinence until marriage and sees her as a challenge.

"Killian, hello! Did you fall into a jealous coma or something?" Ruby's in his face again, trying to get his attention.

He looks at her, concern etched in his features. "I'm not jealous, I'm worried," he claims, swallowing the large lump in his throat. "I can't let her fall into his trap."

"Then go over there and talk to her."

"If I go over there, I'll end up socking Humbert in the face, and then Emma will hate me even more."

"Then I'll go," Will offers out of nowhere. He'd been silently eating his pizza and listening in amusement the entire time.

Before Killian can protest, his best friend stands up and strides across the cafeteria. "Will, stop! What the bloody hell are you doing?"

Will spins around and grins, walking backward. "Don't worry, mate, I got this."

Killian is on the edge of his seat as he watches Will approach Emma. She looks up at Will and smiles politely as he says something Killian can't hear over all the cafeteria chatter. Her smile melts into a frown as she looks over at Killian. She responds to Will, her lips moving as she talks to him, and he says something back before returning.

Killian's in suspense, his chair scraping against the floor as he stands up, unable to sit still in his seat. "What did you say?"

"I asked her why she ain't talkin' to ya," Will replies casually, reclaiming his seat next to Ruby across the table.

"And?" Killian prompts impatiently.

"And she said, 'Why don't ya ask him why he doesn't want anythin' to do with me anymore,' " he answers, mocking a female voice, or at least attempting to.

Killian's utterly puzzled as he slumps down in his chair, scratching his head. "What did I do to make her think I didn't want anything to do with her?"

"You said you left her house and everything was fine?" Regina asks him.

"Well, not exactly. Between me and her, yes, everything was fine, but…"

"But what?"

"But her father followed me outside to have a little chat with me. He told me Emma wasn't allowed to date and he didn't want me around her anymore."

"You should've just told him you were only friends," Regina says. "You think I told my mother about Robin when we started dating?" She shakes her head. "Not a chance. She would've said I was too good for him."

"Oi," Robin whines, his lips forming a pout. "You know I'm sitting right here, right?" he asks defensively.

Regina rolls her eyes and leans in to kiss him on the lips. "I know that, silly. I said my mother would've thought that, not me. You know I liked you, even when I pretended I hated you," she laughs.

Robin seems to accept her answer and curls his arm around her shoulders, kissing her temple. "I know. It still took some time for your mother to like me though."

"That's for sure," she nods in agreement and reverts her gaze to Killian. "To this day, she thinks we were friends until I told her he was my boyfriend. But by then she'd already warmed up to him."

"Well, I tried to tell her father Emma and I were only friends, but he didn't believe me. For some reason, he already knew Emma and I had romantic feelings for each other. So he threatened to convince my father to send me off to boot camp if I continued to pursue her."

"What did you say to that?" Ruby asks.

Killian shrugs. "I promised him I wouldn't go near her, but I had no intention of staying away from Emma unless she wanted me to." His face clouds with anguish as he looks over, catching another glance of Emma and Graham. They're still chatting and laughing with each other like no one else is in the cafeteria but them. "And I guess she does."

"So maybe her Dad told her what you said?" Ruby guesses.

Killian reverts his eyes to her and shrugs slightly. "Maybe. You think that's why she won't talk to me?"

Ruby gives him a sideways glance. "That girl dressed like a slut for you; she'd obviously be mad if she found out you promised to stay away from her."

"Don't talk about Emma like that," Killian retorts. "She's not a slut."

Ruby sighs and rolls her eyes. "Now, is that what I said? No, I said she was dressed like one. She was wearing my clothes, so I'm allowed to criticize how she was dressed. I'm not ashamed to say I dress like a slut. I'll say it loud and proud."

Regina laughs and shakes her head.

"So, why don't you just march over to Emma and claim your undying love for her?" Ruby suggests, theatrically batting her eyes and cupping her hands against her heart. "Tell her you're not staying away from her whether her father likes it or not. Chicks dig that shit."

"Awe, you two are so Romeo and Juliet," Regina gushes, donning a fake sweet smile. "I think I might vomit."

"Alright, quit teasin' him," Robin says to the girls.

"Thanks, Robbie," Killian says appreciatively.

Robin winks at him. "You're welcome, Killy."

For the first time that day, Killian's able to laugh as he rolls his eyes. "Alright, I'll try to talk to Emma again, but not while she's with that douchebag."

"Just don't wait too long," Ruby warns, glancing at Graham and Emma again. "He's definitely into her."

Killian clenches his fists on the table and glares at the bastard. If Graham puts one hand on Emma, he swears he'll rip his throat out.

Killian drops his face in his hands as the speech he's prepared for Emma runs through his mind on an endless loop. His heart is aching at the thought of rejection, but he knows he'll regret it if he lets her slip through his fingers.

They have Gym together, so he plans on talking to her before the class does their routine stretches. Problem is, Graham is also in their gym class, so he'll have to figure out how to get her away from him so he can talk to her. Which is why he'd made a dash for the gym after lunch and changed quickly, hoping to get to class early. Killian takes a deep breath and stands from the bench, shutting his locker door.

"So what's with you and the Virgin Mary?"

"Nothing… yet…"

The sound of Graham's voice on the other side of the lockers catches Killian's attention, and he quietly slinks over to the end of the row, hoping to hear what Graham has to say.

"But isn't she a goody-goody whose dad's a preacher or something? No way you're getting into her pants."

"Pshhh, that's what you think. If that jerk-off, Killian, can get close to her in a few days, so can I. He did something to piss her off so I offered a shoulder for her to cry on. I'll have her eating out of the palm of my hand in no time."

"Yeah, you can date her, but you think you can jump her bones?"

"Do I smell a bet coming on?"

Killian can't see the bastard, but he can hear the smirk in Humbert's tone. His fists clench at his sides as he fights the urge to throw a fist in Graham's face. He wishes he had his phone right now so he could record what Graham and his friend, Dillon, are saying.

"Yeah, why not?" Dillon laughs. "I bet you can't bang the Virgin Mary."

"Oh, I can. Not only will I bang her, but I'll prove it. I'll video record it and plaster it on the internet. Everyone will see she's no Virgin Mary. Just imagine the entire school watching the innocent pastor's daughter scream my name as I take her virginity."

Dillon laughs heartily, and Killian peeks around the corner to see them shaking on it. "It's a deal, man."

Killian's had enough. He emerges from behind the lockers and steps up behind Graham as the douchebag throws on a t-shirt.

"Hey, Humbert…"

Graham pulls down his shirt and turns around. Before he can reply, Killian swings his fist, clocking Graham directly in the nose and knocking him on the floor. "What the hell?!" Graham cries out, holding his nose as the other guys in the locker room watch.

"Keep your dirty paws off of Emma," Killian snarls, his fist stinging as he tries to rub away the pain shooting through his hand.

And that's how Killian ends up in the principal's office holding an icepack to his knuckles as his father chews him out. Killian had explained what happened, explained how Graham made a bet to sleep with Emma and put it on the internet, but his dad didn't wish to hear it.

"If you think I'm letting you off the hook because your father's the principal, you've got another thing coming."

"But, Papa, you should have heard the way they were talking about Emma—"

"You should have come to me first before resorting to violence. I would have handled Humbert. Now his parents are going to be down my throat. They donate a lot of money to this school and you've probably fucked that up."

"I'm sorry." Killian hangs his head, although he's not actually sorry for what he did. Graham deserved much worse.

"You have a week of detention, and I don't want an argument."

"I won't argue. It's a small price to pay for clocking that pompous arse in the face." He looks up, expecting his father to scold him, but he doesn't.

"That's my boy."

Killian furrows his brows in confusion, and his father chuckles.

"You think I don't want to do the same? I wish I could kick his arse out of this school, but I can't. His parents have me between a rock and a hard place. But I will have a little chat with him, I can promise you that."

"Thanks, Papa, for believing me," Killian says with a small smile.

"Of course I do, you're my son. When you say someone deserved getting punched in the nose, I know you had good reason." Brennan's lips curl into a smirk. "The reason being a certain blonde classmate."

Killian's eyes widen, his face flushed with red as his mouth hangs open. "How did you—"

Brennan laughs and rises from his chair, walking around his desk and sitting on the edge of it as he crosses his arms. "Because you haven't been in trouble at school once until now, even when you were in the eighth grade and came to me about a bully. You've never had the urge to resort to violence, so when I found out you punched Humbert, I assumed it was for some lass you're pining for. You just confirmed it when you told me what he said about her."

"I didn't punch him because I was jealous, I punched him because no female should be spoken about like the way Graham was speaking about Emma."

"I know that, Killian. I raised you to be respectful of women, and I'm glad to see you defending Emma's honor, but next time, come to me before you do anything rash, okay?"

"I will. Can you not mention this to her parents?"

His father nods. "I won't. But remember—"

"I know, no funny business. Don't worry, we're not even friends," Killian grumbles.

When his father dismisses him, Killian stands from his chair, heading for the door.

"Oh, I almost forgot…"

Killian turns around as his father returns to the other side of his desk and pulls something out of a drawer.

His phone.

Killian wrinkles his brows in confusion. "Where did you find that?"

"Mr. Nolan brought it in earlier. He told me you left it at his house yesterday when you went over there to help Emma with her math homework."

Killian takes his phone from his father, narrowing his eyes. "That's odd. Did he mention where he found it? We looked for it before I left."

"He said it was on the closet floor and that it must have fallen out of your coat pocket when he hung up your jacket."

"Oh." Killian leaves his father's office and looks through his phone to see if there are any missed calls or texts from Emma.

His heart sinks to find nothing. The last text she'd sent him was the kiss emojis from yesterday during school. Killian thinks about texting her, but decides against it, and instead waits for Emma at her car after school. When he sees her coming, he grows enraged as he spots Graham at her side, his nose all bandaged up as he walks with her.

Emma stops and turns to Graham, saying something to him that Killian can't hear. Graham nods and they exchange goodbyes before he walks away, glaring at Killian as he passes.

"Keep your mouth shut, Jones," he whispers, shouldering him before continuing toward his black Camaro.

Killian's eyes are locked with Emma's as she walks up to him skittishly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Why did you give Graham a bloody nose?" she demands curtly.

"Because I like spending a week in detention," he replies sarcastically, his lips pulling into a small smirk.

Emma's not amused.

He clears his throat, his eyes darkening as he grows more serious. "Emma… I didn't do it out of jealousy, if that's what you're asking. The guy's a scumbag. I overheard him making a bet about you with one of his friends. I couldn't stand the things he was saying about you."

"What kind of bet?"

"Emma..." he pleads, not wanting to repeat what Humbert had said.

"Tell me," she demands, her expression remaining steely.

Killian sighs deeply and peers down, staring at the pavement. "He bet his friend he could sleep with you. And he was going to prove it by videotaping it." He looks up to catch her reaction, but he can't tell if she's pissed or not.

"You got a week of detention for me?"

He nods. "Aye. You can be mad at me all you want, but I couldn't stand how he spoke of you. And that's not jealousy speaking, that's just me being a decent human being. So, if you want to slap me or tell me to go to hell, then go ahead. He'll deny it and I can't prove it because I didn't have my phone to record it, but Emma, I swear to you, that's what happened. I'd give him another bloody nose in a heartbeat for a week of detention. I do it a million times over again to defend your honor."

Emma doesn't appear to be mad, at least not at Killian, but she does appear to be baffled. "But I don't get you; first you tell me you don't want anything to do with me and then want to defend my honor? That doesn't make sense to me."

He steps up to Emma, lifting his hand to caress her cheek, his face only centimeters from hers. "Emma, I may have told your father I'd stay away from you, but I never planned on keeping that promise. As long as you want me around, I'm not going anywhere."

She scoffs and steps away from him. "My father didn't tell me anything. You did."

"What?" Now he's the one confused. Does he not remember a conversation they had? No, he would've remembered a conversation like that.

"You texted me last night." Emma pulls out her phone and fiddles with it before handing him the device.

He reads the texts, then stares blankly at the screen. He pulls his eyes away to look up at her, shaking his head. "But Emma, I didn't send these. I lost my phone at your house, remember? I never found it in my truck. Your father brought it to the office and my father returned it to me."

Her eyes widen in bewilderment as Killian hands over her phone. "Wait, you didn't send this?"

Killian shakes his head and retrieves his phone from his pocket, pulling up the conversation between them before showing her. "See? The texts were deleted."

Emma glances at his phone screen and then at him. "But how do I know you weren't the one who deleted them?"

"Emma, if I sent those texts last night, then why would I be standing here, begging you to go out with me?"

"You're asking me to go out with you?"

"Aye."

"But how do I know you didn't send those texts and then change your mind when you saw me and Graham together?"

"Emma, you can ask my father; he just handed me my phone a few hours ago. I couldn't have sent those texts. I've been trying to talk to you since this morning. I didn't have a change of heart," he assures her, his voice cracking. "I knew exactly what I wanted the second I saw you on Monday."

"And what's that?" she challenges, arching a brow.

"Isn't it obvious? I want you. So you can either trust me or you can tell me to leave you alone and I'll abide by your wish. It's your choice, love."

Emma studies him for a moment, trying to gauge whether he's lying or not. It's not long before a smile breaks out over her lips, and he's so relieved she believes him, but just as quickly as she lets down her walls, she raises them again, her smile faltering, all the blood draining from her face. "But if you didn't send those texts, that means my dad did. That means…" Her voice trails off as she averts her gaze, staring vacantly into space.

"Emma?" he asks in concern. "You alright?"

Her eyes return to his, fear clouding her face. "Killian, he saw our texts. He figured out I was in your contacts as your future wife, he saw the way we spoke to each other and he saw the kissing emojis."

Killian pales as the realization of her words sets in. "Bloody hell," he whispers, dragging his hands over his face. "That's how he knew we were more than friends." Anger and guilt ripples through him. He hates what their innocent texts have caused. He hates that her father sent her those texts from Killian's phone. He hates that she was upset last night and that her father was the culprit. He hates to see her sad, and he will do anything to make her happy again.

"Killian, if he can easily pull a stunt like that, there's no telling the lengths he'll go to to make sure we stay away from each other. He'll have you sent off to boot camp, and I can't let you get into trouble because of me." Emma's eyes glisten as she continues. "I'll be ten times more heartbroken than I was last night. I can't fall for you just to lose you, it will hurt too much," she whispers, her words cracked and broken.

"But, Emma—"

"I'm sorry, Killian, but you have to let me go. It won't end well for either of us." Without giving him a chance to respond, she walks away from him and gets into her yellow bug, leaving his heart shattered into a million pieces.

His eyes sting with tears and he's incapable of moving as she stares at him through the window, tears streaming down her cheeks. When the engine roars to life, she pulls out of her parking spot and drives off.

His heart hurts and he can't breathe as he tries to piece together everything that had lead to this moment, his eyes never leaving the back of her vehicle, no matter how much it hurts.

Watching her drive away is one of the hardest things he's had to do in his seventeen years of life. It's even harder than fighting off the sting of rejection.