Chapter 2:
StoryBrooke
"Okay, so that was one burger, two orders of pancakes, one water, a cherry turnover, two sodas, an order of apple pie, and one cake slice with no icing."
Granny's Diner was as busy as ever, booths filled with two or three more people than there should be and chairs pulled up to different tables to accommodate bigger groups. The clock had barely ticked on the seven when people began to flood in. Everyone and their closest friend wanted to be there on Friday. Typically, there was two severs at the popular spot. Adeline found herself having to serve the shift alone, the other waitress Ruby having left for a date. She huffed once, pulling her chin short curls back with a bandana, red to match the tight jeans covering her legs.
"Is that all?" Granny asked sarcastically, raising a brow at the sight of only Adeline. "Adie, where's Ruby?"
Adeline tensed up briefly, her eyes skipping to a table in the corner, "Huh? Oops got to go, I'll be back for that order in a minute."
Adeline made a beeline for the table, tightening the knot of her head band. Her face broke out into a wide smile as she saw the empty seat.
Only one person occupied the table, a rare sight that evening. A woman, with short dark hair and kind green eyes. She dressed in a thick winter coat and had a knit hat resting on her head.
"Hello Mary Margret, what can I get you?" Adeline asked, leaning against the empty chair. She smiled coyly, red lipstick emphasizing the feature.
Her friend, Mary Margret, smiled with a knowing look. "Weren't you supposed to have the day off?"
Adeline shrugged, trying her best not to sit in the chair. "Sorta, Ruby was supposed to cover the rest of the shift by herself."
"And Ruby is where?"
"Exactly, no Ruby means more shift and same amount of money for Adie." Adeline replied in third person, sighing as she flipped her notebook to a clean page. "Now, what can I get you?"
It was dark in the quaint little town by the time Adeline had finished her shift and hung up her bandana. Dark enough, that by the time she was done cleaning up the diner, store and street lights were barely alit. Only a few cars were parked against street curbs, none driving down the street. Even when she strained her ears, she couldn't hear any distant noises. No footsteps, bugs, or birds littered the air. Each time she let out a heated breath and watched the cold air steam, it roared in her ears as it competed and outshined the silence. Her white shirt and jeans barely warmed her in the piercing chill the night held, her hair too short to provide any heat as well.
At the end of her shift, when even Granny had turned in for the night, Ruby had finally shown. The girl had apologized for the short notice, even offering Adeline her half of the pay. Adeline refused, she was the one working to pay off a debt her father owed, Ruby worked there because of her family ties.
Adeline heaved out a sigh, rubbing her numb hand against her face. Her feet stopped moving in the street, her body leaning against a stop sign. She wasn't even close to paying off the debt her father had owed Mr. Gold. It was either work for the Sisters and pledge as a nun or become an employee at the diner and inn. Adeline wasn't foolish, choosing the inn meant she wouldn't have to share room with several other women. She only wished her father hadn't gambled away so much, or had at least attempted to pay back his debt. Not left it to his only child. Maybe he turned in his grave, even his corpse feeling guilty. She deemed it too late, having to sacrifice most of her time to work. Granny tried to make it as easy on her, but as long as Adeline worked- she chipped away at the large sum of money owed. Admittedly, it didn't help that Ruby often left shifts on Adeline to pursue her next boytoy. Adeline didn't even get the money for those shifts because Ruby didn't file it in on time. It was okay, however, as long as Ruby was happy to help at the inn, despite her not needing to.
As she went to stand straight again, a low rumble startled her. "What? Who could be driving at this time?"
Her curiosity pulled at her, causing her to stand on the curb edge and face the inquisitive noise. The wind breezed by her face, being pushed forward with the force and speed of the car. Her hand placed itself onto the post, curling around the cold metal and sticking to her skin. Finally, she could see headlights in the distance. Her mouth dropped open into an 'o' shape, as she watched the vehicle pass her.
An old yellow Volkswagen. Nothing special about it, Adeline silently declared. But, then she realized that no one in StoryBrooke owned a car like that. Her thin eyebrows furrowed in confusion, her head turned in the direction the car had long drifted away from. In that direction, her brown eyes jumped towards the town clock, studying the number briefly before losing interest.
"Curious," Adeline concluded, finishing her journey home.
Enchanted Forest
"S-snow White!" Alisha cried, falling back into the chair once more. She gasped and forced herself out. "I-I'm so sorry! Your majesty!"
To Alisha's surprise, Snow White seemed to panic more than she was. The teenaged princess reached her hands out, holding onto Alisha's shoulder as she lost her balance in another sloppy curtsy. Snow pushed Alisha back into the chair, kneeling down in front of the new servant.
"Are you okay?" Snow White questioned gently.
Alisha shook her head, feeling lightheaded and dazed. There she was, as a servant to the royal palace and the princess was asking if she was okay. She should have lied, said yes after seeing Snows face. The princess' face morphed into deep guilt and concern. A gaze Alisha had long since forgotten could be directed towards her.
"I am really sorry about the door." Snow told her, reaching her hands out.
Alisha grabbed onto one of Snows gloved hands, feeling the princess pull her body up without any effort. Alisha placed a small smile on her face, her nose stinging at the action.
"No, no I'm fine."Alisha informed her, brushing out any wrinkles in her new uniform. "I'm not really making a good first impression, though."
She watched the princess' face with hesitance, not sure if she was to be punished when Snow spoke again.
"You're my new maid!" Snow exclaimed in excitement, her green eyes as light and happy as they had been earlier. "Lovely to meet you, um."
"Alisha!" She supplied quickly, moving towards a different part of the room.
Her hands twitched nervously, to hide them, she busied herself with the retrieval of a few garments Snow White had on the floor. She folded them in her hands, carrying the white gown and cloak over to the silver basket she would carry to the laundry room once finished with the rest of her chores in the room.
"It's nice to meet you, Alisha!" Snow called to her, as the servant girl moved further away.
"You as well, your majesty." She replied quickly, stopping her stride towards the unmade bed with another messy curtsy. Her foot fumbled behind her, having other ideas, sending her towards the floor with a horrible thump.
Snow White gasped behind her, running towards the servant and helping her up. Alisha quickly moved herself out of the royals grasp, lifting herself off the ground. Her eyes felt dry from widening them without blinking in the shock of the events, her knees hurt from scrapping against the misleading plush carpet, and her nose was beginning to throb along with her fast heartbeat.
"Okay, listen, this will be much easier on both of us if you don't do that." Snow gestured to her, referring to her previous actions.
"Haven't you done this before?" She asked, not unkindly.
Alisha shook her head, dipping her face down with embarrassment. Her face warmed with her blood rush, her fingers curled around her hair in shame.
"Honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing." She admitted, dropping her hands and shoulders.
She felt stupid, being in her uniform and trying to pass off as a decent maid. A maid for the princess no less. She assumed that in the least, as she tried to do a decent job, the princess would be miles away. The palace was big enough.
She refused to look up, feeling more embarrassed than she had ever felt.
"Hey, it's okay."
Snow Whites gentle tone caused Alisha to look up. Her curly curtain fell over her eyes, allowing little slivers to view Snows smile. Alisha gave a sniff in reply, shrugging her shoulders.
"Why are you here?" Snow inquired, moving forward and pushing away Alisha's hair.
Alisha hesitated, opening and shutting her mouth. "My father, he was paying off debt as a servant."
She stopped speaking, unwilling to share more. The crimson hue that played on her cheeks became more intense, the heat overwhelming her. She felt judged, although the princess' face showed nothing short of her rumored compassion.
"I understand," Snow said finally, seeing the servants' reluctance to share more.
Alisha began to work again, fixing up the princess' bed. She straightened the heavy and plush pillows, aligning them in a pattern. The thick blankets were folded underneath, Alisha struggling with them. . As she worked to tidy the room, her fountain of pale curls would fall into her face, making work difficult. Her bonnet would slip lower or further away from the middle of her head, the tie being knotted into it's breaking point. Every now and then, she would peak under her hair and find Snow White glance at her awkwardly every now and then from the chair
"If you put your hair back its easier."
"I'm sorry?" Alisha asked at the sudden outburst from the royal. She almost dropped the silver mirror that was on the side table, placing it back with a short sigh.
Snow White chuckled slightly, "Your hair, if you tie it back the bonnet will stay on."
Alisha bowed her head, feeling foolish even more so. "It's fine, it doesn't bother me."
Snow seemed to ponder it, as Alisha turned back around and began to straighten one of the extravagantly patterned rugs.
"As my servant, I order you to tie your hair back with this."
Alisha looked back, startled. The princess held her hand out, her fingers holding a leather tie. She smiled smugly at Alisha.
Alisha held back her own small smile, "As you wish, Snow."
Alisha moved forward, taking the dark leather strap in her hand. She used one hand to clasp around her long hair, the other trapping the hair in with the band. She felt a smile move her mouth, relief filling her, as she tipped her head forward and back slightly to test her bonnet again.
"There, now you-"
The door opened with a quick knock, a manservant peering into the room. He spared no glance for Alisha, only to the princess. For a brief moment, she believed herself to be getting in trouble, as if Snow had tested her and she failed.
"Yes?" Snow asked, unbothered.
Alisha slipped her hands away from her head and behind her back. She moved away silently, as the two discussed.
"Your presence is needed, your majesty." The manservant told her, in a deep serious voice. "In the ballroom."
"Of course, " Snow told him, the pair leaving the room.
Once the two left, Alisha couldn't help but ponder over the princess' kindness. "Very curious."
Alisha then busied herself with her chores; only knowing to be done once the older maid came for her once night fell.