Authors Note: i have to thank my beta Mint18 for writing this chapter and helping me with my story.

Third class. Third test. Snow White and Regina's tale and Cinderella's tale had been a breeze. So far so good and 100%. My results had spread through the school like wildfire and no one who talked to me could understand why I bothered, I'd never cared about fairy tale characters in the past and hell my current attire proved I still didn't. But somehow proving how smart I am had become a matter of pride, no one in this school had cared about me or noticed me at all before today, now I had their full attention. And no matter what the topic I was going to prove I was the best student in this school. Neal was right, I had this one in the bag and whether I cared about fairy tale characters or not I was going to win.

This time the story is Peter Pan. Turns out our childhood hero wasn't all that heroic after all. This twisted version of our childhood fairy tale was introduced to us by none other than Captain Hook himself and apparently he's the good guy. I have to admit his story is the most interesting I've heard today and not only because it varies so much from the original but because of the lonely boy who is telling it. A lost boy who unfortunate circumstances turned into a villain and created a hell of a climb back up. No I'm not talking about Pan, if this story is to be believed, there's no redeeming him. This is the first story that has me wanting to win for myself and not just to prove how good I am. Suddenly winning sound that much more appealing, I want to understand Killian Jones better.

He catches me staring at him as I hand in my exam paper but instead of looking away he holds my gaze, there's a challenge written in those blue eyes as if I've inadvertently started a staring competition. Then without any warning something changes and a flash of pain registers across his face as he looks away, but I catch something else as he determinately stare at the floor and it looks like, recognition? It can't be of course, he might be a fairy tale character but that doesn't mean that they're above the law, just look at what happened to Rumpelstiltskin or the Beast or the Dark One, whichever name you prefer. There are still repercussions if they break the law and I can imagine Captain Hook doesn't want to have to explain to law enforcement officers why he was staring at a 13 year old girl.

'How are you doing this?!' It's Megan of course. 'That's your third 100%! It's not fair you don't even like fairy tale characters! How is it that you know so much stuff about them?'

'Because I listened and put those skills I've learnt to the test. Maybe you'd be doing better Megan if you spent more time listening and less time fangirling.' She's shocked of course by my harsh words but I haven't got time for my suck-up of a foster sister. I want to win this stupid competition and get the hell out of this place.

'You're being so selfish Emma! I love these characters, they're my entire life! They mean a lot to so many people in this school and you're taking away our only chance of winning a once in a life time opportunity!' Me, selfish? This from the girl who thinks of no one but herself when it comes to our foster parents and our home? I think I might be seeing red.

'How could you even think about saying something like that to me Megan? You have everything! You're popular and pretty and you'll most definitely be adopted by our foster parents and then you'll have a home! Isn't all that better than fairy tale land? It's real and it's beautiful and it means you're loved! Let go of fairy tale land you'll be much happier!' I storm away, I can't face her anymore, tears are already threatening to start streaming down my face and I won't give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

She couldn't be right though could she? That it's selfish of me to take this opportunity away from someone who it would mean a lot more too? Someone who could never afford the exorbitant fees that come with fairy tale camp? I don't know. But I have five minutes to decide whether to bomb out or not. This is my opportunity to prove myself to everyone in this school but does it really matter when I'll just be forced to move to a different one in a couple of weeks/months?

Where's Neal when I need him? Probably acing another test somewhere, but what I wouldn't give for a little guidance from someone right now…

'Everything alright lass?' Well, well if it isn't Captain Hook himself and that's still seriously weird to say… Wait did he follow me? I'm guessing he did and by now he can see the tears on my very blotchy face and clearly knows that the answer is no so I just glare at him. Fairy tale character or not it's still a stupid question and I answer it with a glare through my tears.

Surprisingly he laughs, 'well aren't you a fierce one? Can I be of some service to you before we are swept away by a large group of jealous girls who deem themselves more worthy of my attention?'

Well Captain Hook wasn't exactly who I meant when I said I needed guidance but he's right its take it or leave and honestly I'm surprised he hasn't been swept away by fangirls already.

'I'm trying to decide whether to drop out of your competition or not. I'm not the biggest of fairy tale fans and my foster sister thinks I'm being selfish if I continue to stay in the competition.' The look on his face suggests this is not the problem he expected. I wonder suddenly how many people he's offered to help in his long life and whether all their issues have been as trivial as mine.

'Lass it sounds to me like you could use a break from all of this and I'm sure Snow would be delighted to have someone as talented as you on the island. I watched you take that last exam Swan and you didn't even break a sweat, I've not seen many people like that before. Would you at least think about continuing despite your sister's objections?'

I'm speechless. Captain Hook of all people seems to care. How strange. I'm about to ask him why he cares so much but his fangirls have arrived.

'One last thing lass,' he throws over his shoulder as he's swept away, 'you may not be our biggest supporter, but I was too had an orphaned childhood and I think you'll find we have more in common than you realize.'

Well that was cryptic.

I'm thrown nasty glares from over various girls shoulders as I head to my next class, apparently word has got out that not only am I acing all my test but now I'm the apparently very good looking Captain's favorite. Oh how much fun the rest of the day is going to be, I think.

Despite my reservations and the determination of my foster sister, I decide to stay in the competition and by the end of 7th I've also met Pinocchio, Mulan and Sleeping Beauty and Hansel and Gretel. The rest of the day is reserved for the ceremony of awarding the winner with the prize, a couple of other fairy tale guest speakers and a thank you ceremony led by our school principal.

I zone out throughout the Mad Hatter and Wil Scarlett's talks. As interesting as fairy tale characters are all anyone wants to know is who the winner is. As far as I can narrow it down, the prize will come down to me, Neal (despite his lack of confidence in himself in the library this morning) and another Brainiac in one of the lower levels.

A hush falls over everyone as Snow White and Regina mount the stage. This is it, the moment of truth, sure if I get it I'll be hated instead of going back to being invisible but I can live with that, I won't be around much longer anyway.

'Our winner today has shown an incredible amount of determination, initiative and intelligence and we are thrilled to offer them a week-long stay on our island. But first let me thank all of you for participating and those of you wonderful students also came close to claiming our prize…' Snow drones on listing a number of people with marks in the high 90's. Both of the people I had assumed were my main competition are listed among and surprisingly so is Megan. So that must mean…

Regina steps forward, 'But today with 100% on all her tests our winner is…. Emma Swan!'

There is complete silence. Not a single person claps or cheers. Not even the teachers. I rise from my seat and run down the stairs, straight past the podium and out the still open door. Well I got my island holiday. Yay! Unfortunately it may be the end of my already meagre social standing, not mention there's no way my foster sister will speak to me ever again.

I know someone's following I can hear the echoing footsteps as I run blindly through the school corridors hoping to come across and exit. Instead I trip and end up on my face on the threshold of one of the science labs. The footsteps are nearer ow and I know they're not going to leave me alone so I stay where I am and wait for them to find me. Snow White, Regina and my Principal are all staring down at my crumpled form. My principle just looks annoyed, Snow and Regina however look at me with concern.

Gently I'm lifted to my feet and escorted to the principal's office around the corner, I don't notice if people are staring at and pay no attention at all to my surroundings. I feel numb and my breathing sounds labored even to me in my newly constructed bubble.

I think there's an argument going on around me, there sure seems to be a lot of raised voices anyway. Eventually the principal leaves the room and I am left alone with Snow and Regina. I wonder how many girls would kill to be in the same position as me right now.