Thunder rumbles in the sky above Storybrooke, urging me to move faster toward Granny's. I pull my black jacket tighter around my body, shivering from the cold spell the town woke up to this morning. Water flows heavily down the road, a result from last night's storm. I quicken my pace, knowing the weather isn't done with us yet, and begin to wonder what my aunt was thinking when she decided to raise me in Maine.

The bell above the door to Granny's jingles as I push my way in. A couple of people twist in their seats, surprised to see me here again after so long, but place is almost empty and running slow today.

I shrug out of my jacket, thankful to be out of the cold, and scurry over to the counter where Ruby's grandma is taking orders from another early riser.

"So that will be two slices of French toast, and scrambled eggs?" Granny says, reading over her list to her customer.

"That's right." The person says, who I now realize is Leroy. He turns without thanking her, and shuffles right past me to one of the booths. I ignore his rude gesture and bounce up to Granny.

She places her list on the counter, beckoning for the cook to take a look at it, then twists on her heel to take the next order. At the sight of me, she smiles brightly and rushes from around the counter to give me a hug.

I giggle and wrap my arms around her, realizing how much I missed her comforting hugs.

"How have you been, Selena?" She asks, leading me away from a young couple drinking coffee together. "We haven't seen you here in ages!"

I shrug, fighting to keep the usual smile on my face. "Oh, you know. Things are still a little rough with Aunt Leah."

She places a reassuring hand on my shoulder, grinning sympathetically as she says, "It's not your aunt's fault she wasn't able to keep up with the rent. It's Moe French's fault for firing a hard worker like her." She adjusts her apron and pushes open the back door, giving me full view of the kitchen. "Ruby!"

My best friend struts out of the kitchen, in the middle of fiddling with her black and red hair. She freezes at the sight of me, eyes shining brightly.

"Selena!" She abandons her hair and throws her arms around me, not giving me a second to react act the sight of her either. "You're back!"

I laugh and push away from her, flipping the dark hair from my eyes. "I'm back? You're back! I thought you were working for the Sheriff!"

Granny stiffens at my words, shoving her hands into her apron pockets and walking back to the counter. I open my mouth to apologize, thinking I might have said something wrong, but Ruby steers me away from Granny's grimace and gestures for me too sit at the far left booth.

I slide into the leather chair, Ruby settling herself in opposite of me.

"So." She says, stacking her fingers on the wood table and eyeing me intently. "You have to tell me all about what happened with you and your Aunt."

I sigh, the cold I'd felt outside suddenly creeping back to me. "Moe French fired her." I begin, gazing at the patterns on the wall. "He wasn't doing a very good job after whatever happened with him and Mr. Gold, so he had to let a few people go." I shake my head, angry with him for firing my Aunt Leah, the hardest worker he's ever had. "Since she lost her job, Leah isn't able to keep up with the rent. So she talked to Mr. Gold, but he won't have anything do with anyone that is associated with Moe."

Ruby frowns, placing her manicured hand on mine. "I'm sorry." She gives me a friendly squeeze, then slips out of the booth. "Do you guys know what you're going to do now?"

"Your grandma said we can't at her Inn for a few night." I tell the good news, happy myself that I will get to spend more time with Ruby. " We don't want to leave Storybrooke, so Leah has to find a new job. I gotta get one, too."

Ruby squeals, bending down to give a quick hug, before straightening and twisting her hair into a spiky bun. "Maybe you can work here with me!" She comments, strutting back to the counter.

Granny looks up from the other side of the diner, sending me a sympathetic smile. "Sorry, girls, but I can't afford to hire anybody else right now."

Ruby pouts as she pours more coffee into Leroy's empty mug.

I sigh, rising from the booth and heading for the door. Slipping back into my heavy jacket, I say, "Maybe I can get a job down at the animal shelter."

"They only have volunteer jobs open now, dear." Granny informs me.

I halt, groaning inwardly as all energy drains out of me. Ruby throws her arm around my shoulders, pulling me in for a quick side hug. "I'm sure you'll find something. I would hate to see you guys leave Storybrooke."

I cross my arms over my chest, gazing out the clear window at the empty, wet streets. "I just wish Mr. Gold would have given us an extension on the rent. It's his fault we lost our home."

"He's a hard man to please." Leroy comments from his booth. He takes a little sip of his coffee, licks the flavor off his lips, and eyes me intently as he says, "I heard Regina is looking for somebody to tutor her kid at night while she's at those council meetings."

I take a step toward him with rising hope. "You think she might hire me?"

He shrugs. "You can try talking to her, sister."

I smile, zipping up my jacket heading for the glass door. As I push out of Granny's, I notice the freezing wind and rain doesn't bother me. All I can think about now is getting this job and staying in Storybrooke. "I'm gonna go talk to her right now!" I wave goodbye to Ruby, and thank Leroy, then head out into the cold streets to find the mayor.