Storybrooke High
Chapter Two
Who You Really Are.
Elsa was still in the girl's bathroom, still visibly shaken by her encounter with Milah and her gang. She was hiding in a stall, too afraid to go to class. After what happened, Elsa was flashing back to the time her life changed dramatically, to her kidnapping. She heard someone come in the bathroom, and was terrified. She just wanted to be left alone.
The person knocked on the door. "Go away. Please leave me alone." Elsa cried.
A familiar voice responded back, "Elsa, it's me, Anna. Are you alright? I just heard about what happened from Tamara. She was wondering if you were okay. I have been looking for you all over the place."
Elsa unlocked the stall door, and ran out and tearfully hugged Anna.
Elsa was horrified that people would now know her secret, " They're all going to know Anna. I can't handle it. I just want to go home!" She sobbed in her sister's arms.
Anna hugged her sister tighter, "Don't worry Elsa, your secret is still safe. Milah has been suspended and no one will believe her anyway. From what I've heard almost everyone hates her. Just remember, we're in this together all the way, me and you against the world sis. We'll stick together and nothing bad will happen."
Elsa released her frantic hold on her sister, and swiped at her eyes. Anna grabbed a tissue from the vanity and handed it to her. Elsa dabbed at her tear stained face and spoke softly.
"I thought it was over Anna. I thought I was finally letting go of what happened to me. I thought I could move on. But Milah brought it all back to me. I was so scared. I thought she was going to kill me. After I locked myself in the stall it was like I was reliving it all over again. This is never going to stop. Plus I miss mom and dad. I wish they were still here." Elsa started with a fresh wave of tears. Anna reached over and used her thumbs to remove the tears cascading down her sister's face.
"It's going to get better Elsa. I'm here. I'm here for you. I miss them too. Every day. But at least we have each other. So let me help you. We can't give up. You need to take each day at a time. Don't let them win Elsa, don't let them have power over you. We need to talk to Miss Bell, the guidance counselor here. I'll come with you and we can get help. For both of us."
Elsa's tears abetted and she hugged Anna again. " I don't know what I'd do without you in my life. You are the best sister ever." Anna helped Elsa get herself together and the two left the bathroom together arm in arm to head back to their classes.
The school quad was an area between the school's old building and the newer building. It was about the length of a football field and was landscaped with shrubs and a few tall oaks. The students used it during lunch and for their free periods. Glenda was sitting on a bench trying to study but her thoughts kept going back to Alice and Dorothy. She had felt a sudden urge of freedom. Almost like she was bird in a cage that suddenly had the cage door open. She started thinking about her and her parent's religious beliefs and if they were really just chains. Did she really believe them or was she just too afraid to step out of the box and be her own person?
Tina Bell, called Tinkerbell by the students, was the school's guidance counselor. She was patrolling the quad area as she did every day during sixth period. She approached Glenda and sat down by her.
"You don't seem to be able to study. Feel like talking instead?"
Glenda shrugged her shoulders, "Ms. Bell, It's really nothing. I'm just dealing with some doubts. Questioning some long held beliefs."
Mr. Hopper was passing by, having come out for a bit of fresh air before his next class and heard what Glenda said.
"Well you are at the age when questioning is natural." He said stopping at the bench.
Glenda looked over at him and smiled. "Hi Mr. H. It is really strange how quickly things can spiral. This morning I was sure of everything I believed in, but now that has changed since I met Alice and Dorothy. There is something about them. They seem so open and free. They are making me realize that I have been missing something."
Tina Bell smiled, "Like Mr. H says you are that age where it is okay to question everything. You are just now starting to figure out who you really are and what that means. You realize deep down that you don't really fit the mode that your parents have put you in. A part of you wants to let go and fly but another part is afraid to do just that. A part of you, like every other human is afraid of change. Being afraid is fine, but sometimes one needs to realize that staying in the same place can become even more terrifying than facing change."
Glenda nodded, "So it is okay to question? I've always been told to live a certain way or I am damned to hell. But I want to believe that the God I know is about love not damnation. That he loves everyone and it's okay to feel things and to live life not to be afraid of living."
Archie sat down, "Never let anyone tell you how to live. How you live your life is up to you. Your parents can set certain guidelines but in the end it up to you to decide your own boundaries, not let others make them for you. What it is you believe not what your parents or others want you to believe. You write poetry for the Storybrooke High Mirror. Don't give me that look, I know you're Athena Hathaway. You have been questioning yourself and everything around you since the 8th grade. Try reading Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. It might help you. Oh and please don't be afraid to question anything, and find someone to talk to."
Glenda's eyes widen, "My parents would kill me if they saw me with that book!"
Tina Bell laughed, "So keep it here in your locker and read it out here on your free period. I have a feeling that your mother may not be as disapproving as you think."
"Thank you, the both of you for your suggestions. They make a lot of sense." Glenda replied.
Leland Ragsdale was the boys vice principal of Storybrooke High. He was known by the students as Daddy Rags. He walked over to the intercom and shook his head because he was torn. On one hand, he thought it was unfair to punish someone for something they didn't do. But on the other hand, if one wants to be a leader they need to take some responsibility. He pushed down on the button, "Will Peter Banning please come to the boys vice principal's office."
When Peter entered the office Ragsdale motioned for him to sit down.
"Mr. Banning, I want to talk to you about what has been going on here at the school. Milah Jenkins was suspended for fighting. She picked a fight in the girls restroom and admitted to starting it. As a result of Milah's actions, you are also to be disciplined. This afternoon please report to Sgt. Redman to discuss your discipline."
Peter nodded, "I still don't think it's fair but I'm not going argue that point."
Ragsdale looked at Peter as he admonished him. "You are the leader of the Lost Boys and Girls. That means you have certain responsibilities to keep your club in line. So I am sending you to Sgt. Redman in hope that you learn from this. Please stop by her office before you return to class." Peter left and walked to Sgt. Redmans' office.
Peter knocked and entered the JRROTC instructor's office hearing her say "Come in". Willow looked at the boy.
"Please sit down Mr. Banning. Because of the fight today I am giving you detention of 10 days. Or you opt in to be a part of a program I run for two weekends. The program is an alternative to detention. If you take the program and pass, the infractions and detentions will be wiped off your school file. If you so choose we will also offer you the opportunity to be involved further and if you do well, it will actually be accredited to your school records to wipe previous infractions away. It is your choice. Should you choice the alternative program, you will report here Friday after school bringing an over night bag. Personal items and casual clothes only. No electronics whatsoever. This is a program for special cases and you will fit in nicely. So far I already have seven other students from this school and ten from neighboring Ridge High that will be joining you should you choose to go."
"Can you tell me where this place is? Anyway, won't I need a permission slip from my parents?" Peter asked seriously.
"Of course. You'll be taking a permission slip along when you leave here. As for where you're going, it is School Board approved, and I am sure your parents will give the okay. We think it will help in you in future endeavors and will prepare you to be a real leader." Willow replied.
Peter sat thinking. He really did not need all these negatives in his school file. He wanted to study law enforcement in college and his dream was to join the FBI. He knew this could be something good for him. Yet, he still had his rep to keep. Sgt. Willow was looking at him. He knew he needed to make up his mind.
"Yeah, so okay. I'll do the program."
Sgt. Willow nodded. "I'll put you on the list. You better be here. 4:00pm sharp. Here's the permission slip. Bring that too."
Peter got up and left. Wandering the hall to the lunch room his mind was pondering what in the hell had he just signed up for.
The school's used book store was meant to be a place for students to relax and discover new authors. Willow Redman, everyone called her Grannie, was the school's JRROTC instructor and girls assistant basketball coach. She was no nonsense and yet very fair to all the students. She worked her free period in the store. She was shelving some recently donated books when Glenda walked in. She smiled. "What can I do for you?"
Glenda smiled back, "Sgt. Redman, I am looking for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman."
Grannie laughed "Well the classic poets are down that row on the left. They are in the back corner. Everyone calls it The Dead Poets Corner."
Glenda found the correct shelves and start looking at the titles, "Well if I am going to start questioning everything I might is well go in feet first. After all they can't ground me forever."
She heard a noise behind her and turned to find Alice and Dorothy standing there. Alice smiled, "Well I guess that would depend, luv, on your definition of forever."
Glenda was startled, "Sorry but I'm not use to someone talking to me without a lot of wisecracks."
"Well they can't feel all that hurt you have inside you. Not to mention all the anger you feel when somebody insults Ruby Redman." Alice replied.
"How can you know...what... I ..how did...because you are like me." Glenda said shocked that she could finally admit that to herself.
"You've flown from your cage and are frighten at what awaits you in the future. Glenda it's not an easy thing to cast aside everything you've been taught. One thing I have learned is that love is stronger than anything the world can throw at you." Dorothy explained.
"I have cried every night since Ruby and I kissed. I cry for myself and I cry for her. My dad preaches at me every day about sin and I want to say to him that what if feel isn't a sin. Why do I lash out at her instead or hold her when she is hurting?"
Alice bushed away Glenda's bangs from her eyes, "Because up until now you couldn't admit it to yourself. When you question long held beliefs it opens old wounds. That is a good thing because then they can really heal."
Glenda felt all her hurts and regrets start pouring out. Tears streamed down her face. Alice and Dorothy hugged her and with their words soothed her pain. They comforted her for awhile longer.
Later, after Glenda had regained some of her composure, Dorothy took Glenda's hand and put it on a book of poems by Shelly, "If you are going to question everything, you might as well start with him."
Glenda laughed, "Well my grandma use to say in for a penny in for a pound. There is Leaves of Grass."
She got both books and turned to go to the counter. Alice picked up her hand and squeezed. She then kissed Glenda on the cheek.
"Sisters now and forever." Hand in hand they walked to the counter to pay for the books.
Gaston watched the younger kids playing as he sipped on his Pepsi.
In another couple years those kids will be at each other's throats he thought sadly.
Peter walked up and opened the cooler and took out soda, "What a shame, those kids don't know what's in store for them. It's all so stupid."
"What's the matter Pan getting soft?" Hans Masterson asked.
Peter just let Hans run his mouth. He wouldn't get in another discussion with him. Over the years things had escalated between the rich kids and the poor kids. Sooner or later someone was going get seriously hurt. It was bad enough when Hans wanted to take it racial by picking on Jafar Haab. Peter really had to put his foot down with picking on Aramis. His thoughts raced threw his mind as he watched Walsh Lionheart join them. Peter spotted a copy of The Screwtape Letters in Walsh's book bag. MM must have really helped him over the summer Peter thought.
My little brother Dallas is out there playing with all the other kids. I just don't want him to follow a path I'm on. It is really time to give all that bull up Walsh thought. Soon we will all be in college and away from this stupid class war town.
Peter looked at Walsh. "Walsh, I can see that you have grown a whole lot the last two years. I think you are ready for a promotion. So I am making you our new advisor. You have proved yourself capable of it."
Walsh nodded to Peter. "Thanks." But he was thinking that this was not the plan he had in mind.
Hans glared at Peter. He wanted that position so that he could get closer to Peter. Now his takeover of the Lost Boys had hit a snag.
Hans and Jackie were at the Enchanted Forest, a local park. They were in a secluded part of it making out. Jackie broke the kiss.
"Milah is not going to be in school for until her panel and she's been grounded by her parents for at least four weeks. You will have a chance to take over the Lost Boys soon."
Hans laughed, "Hey, I need to take the time to drive a few wedges in first but I have to be careful. Pan will have my ass on a silver platter if I don't. But with Milah getting four weeks is good enough for a start."
Jackie nodded, "Well after that fight between Tamara and Milah, she looks weak. But not that weak. She tends to think with her fists and not her head."
Hans looked at her, "What's with everyone all the sudden wimping out? With Pan getting punished for anything we do, he looks like a loser. I can't believe he just let Greg go without a beat down. Walsh is the new advisor. Now you don't want to take on Milah?"
Maybe I'm not an Idiot like you, Jackie thought.
"Look Milah is still pretty strong. I will take her down when the time is right." She told him.
"Let's go to your parents' garden cottage and make some plans." Hans said. Actually he was thinking making out would relieve some of this stress he was under.
"Can't. Mom is remodeling it." Jackie lied.
Tamara was doing her homework dreading her mother coming home from the country club. She wished that she could escape the beating that her mom had promised on the way home from school. She heard a knock on her door. She opened it and saw her father, Mr. Swan and another woman. Her father looked at her.
"Tamara, this is Miss Edna Garret. She is going to be your foster parent. Social Services feels that neither of us are fit to raise you and wanted to put you into foster care. However, Rumple suggested Miss Garret as a suitable foster mother."
Swan nodded, "Miss Garret helped me a lot with my kids after my wife left me. She is a very kind and gentle woman but she is firm."
Edna walked toward Tamara and sat down on the bed close by. Tamara sat back at desk. Edna smiled, "Does every body call Tamara or do you have a nickname?"
Tamara winced, "Well when I was little they called me Mara."
Edna reached over and gently touched Tamara's hand. Tamara jerked it away then relaxed, "Sorry but I am a little sore from the fight."
"It's okay. You just need to understand I will not hurt you. Take everything as slow as you need to. Things may be a bad place right now but you can fight through them. I am her to help however, I can."
Tamara started to shake and cry, "Why am I so evil?"
Edna hugged her, "Now Mara, whoever said that is the one that is evil. You may have made some bad choices but those can be fixed. I will help you. So will others if you let us. Let it all out hun."
Tamara laid her head on Edna's shoulder, grabbed her tightly and cried.
Alice and Dorothy found Ruby sitting outside Grimm's Soda Shop. She was doing her homework during her break time. She was fighting a craving for a cigarette as she was trying to quit. She was also worrying about Glenda, Alice sat next to her and Dorothy across from her. Ruby looked up, "You're two of the new gals. Alice and Dorothy right?"
"I'm Alice and that is Dottie. Look Luv, we overheard you and Glenda yesterday morning. Look, Glenda cares very deeply about you and she cries herself to sleep thinking about your and her hurts. She wants to reach out to you when others put you down. She feels your pain." Alice explained.
"You girls don't pull punches, do you? You head right to the gut. Yes, Glenda and I have our daily banter and it does get loud. You just don't know how much it hurts to be called a whore by somebody you love the way I love Glenda. It hurts even worse when I feel the sting of pain when they call her Sister Christian, the virgin Glenda, Miss Church lady or those other awful names. I want to tell them to shut up and leave her alone, but I know if I do they will add dyke or queer to them. I don't want her to be hurt any more than she already has been," Ruby said in sadness.
"You accused her of hiding who she is but what about you? You claim to be bisexual, Ruby, you know that deep inside that that you are gay. Why are you in denial?" Dorothy asked.
"I have never hidden the fact I like girls too..." Ruby began.
"Stop right there Luv, You are gay and you need to stop the bisexual bullocks. Hiding who you are won't help you or Glenda. Why haven't you told her how you have felt? How does putting her down help her to accept who she really is? How does it help you when she does the same? You too need to become friends then later maybe something more." Alice said in a stern voice.
"Look I appreciate what you are trying to do but it hurts so bad at times that anger is our only recourse. When I am alone I cry about my pain. I cry for her pain more than I cry about own. It's like rain falling on my pillow at times. I don't know where Glenda and I are headed, but I don't know how to reach out to her." Ruby sobbed.
"You start by being who you were meant to be not this wild child act. Inside you there is a beautiful sensitive young woman that you hide. Take it one small step down the right path and at some point you and Glenda's paths will converge." Dorothy explained. "We will be here to catch you both if you fall."
"My mom is hardly around and when she is we are both usually drunk and argue like hell. She hasn't been there for me in six years. I don't know who my dad is so I can't talk to him. I just want the pain to stop! Last spring I almost jumped off the troll bridge, but Mr. Swan stopped me. There is no one that understands." Ruby wept.
"You're so wrong Luv, you have Glenda and us. You both just need to swallow your bloody pride." Alice said hugging her.
That afternoon after taking care of dealing with Tamara and getting her hooked up with Edna, Ronnie went home and started cleaning his old smoker. It was well past it's last legs. He was spraying the grills and placing them in an old washtub when Emma walked up. She looked at the smoker and at her dad.
"Isn't it time we bought a new one?" She asked.
"Emmy, it is seasoned. There's no need to get a new one. Ronnie chuckled. What are you up to?"
"Just got home from basketball practice, need to do a little homework and going to go start supper. Dad, can I ask you something?" Emma asked in a quiet voice.
"Baby, you know what you can ask me anything. What is it?"
"Well it's about the day Mama left it seems that I…" Emma began.
Ronnie turned around and faced her. The rage in his face frightened Emma. She paled and stepped back away from him. He realized the effect his rage against his former wife was having on Emma and slowly counted to 10. Slowly the rage disappeared. He took a deep breath and then said, "Emma there are some things that I don't want to talk about. Not with you and not with anyone else. Now if you'll excuse me I need to get a wire brush to clean these grills and you need to start supper."
Emma watched as he walked away, "That's just the problem in this family isn't it. No one wants to talk about it. I am not sure even what to talk about. " Emma said to the air.
Emma went back into the kitchen to check on the pot roast. Regina had put it in the crock pot on low before they left for school. She was basting it when Regina walked in. "Tomboy, that smells good." Regina said.
"Yes, I added in some more spices and started the potatoes."
Regina looked in the pot on the stove. "Mmmmm...boiled red potatoes are my favorite. I think a salad would finish off the meal." She opened the fridge and grabbed the ingredients for a salad.
"So how was your first day at school?" Emma asked her as she checked the potatoes.
"Okay, Same old same old." Regina laughed. "So what were you and daddy talking about?"
"About the day Mama left." Emma replied.
Regina fought back the urge to shout at Emma. She tried to remain calm so she would not set off Emma by her rage. She took a few short breaths and internalized her anger. She may not agree that she needed to talk about it , but apparently Emma did. She recalled her conversation with Ruby she'd had in gym class. She looked at her sister, "Emmy, we all are handling it in own way. I do not want to talk about what she did to us, What she did to daddy. What she did to Henry. It is her problem and I have moved on. In fact, you should to. Cora is the one who left us, and we need to just let it and her go. What brought this up again?"
Emma looked at her with a sad face. "It's just that I don't think we have the whole story. It's like we have this book but there are sentences and paragraphs blacked out." Emma replied.
Regina nodded, "I know where you are going Tomboy, but nothing is missing. She just left. It's on her and she is the one who lost. The more we dwell on it , the more she wins. Just let it go like I have and stop thinking about her. She is not worth the effort."
Regina reached forward and hugged Emma. As she pulled back she said, "Seriously Em. We need to just put her behind us. Move forward."
Emma nodded slowly and gave Ginny a soft smile. "Yeah, your probably right. No need to rehash the past."
Emma turned back to the stove and continued cooking supper. She pushed the feeling of dread and fear down further and pretended to be interested in Ginny talking about her new campaign for class president
Later that night Emma took out a scrapbook from it's hiding place tucked under her bed. She looked at the pictures of her and her family. There was one of her mother, Cora, and Emma at Easter. Emma had on a pretty pink dress and Cora was hugging her and Emma was hugging her back. She turned the pages and stopped at the one of her parents and Ginny and her lying in the snow by the sleds. It was not focused well and not centered which meant Eric or MM must have taken it. She was five and Cora had hold of her and was tickling her. A lone tear made its' way down her cheek. On the next page was recent picture of Cora outside of a ranch house that Emma had taken off of Cora's facebook page. She gazed at it and didn't see the monster that she vaguely remembered in her dreams, she saw a caring woman full of love. The tears were streaming down her face, blurring her vision, as she tried desperately to make the puzzle fit together.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(FLASHBACK) The day that Cora left it was pouring down rain. Regina and Emma were playing in living room. They were having a tea party for their dolls and stuffed animals. Cora walked in with a suitcase. She smiled at Regina and Emma. She kissed them.
"Mommy has to leave for a while. I will come back when I can. I promise when I do things will be better. Obey your daddy and remember no matter what I love all of you."
Regina looked at her bewildered, "Why Mama?"
Cora looked at her, "Because I need to go baby. I just cannot hurt any of you, cause I love you all too much. I just can't live here with your daddy anymore."
Regina looked at her confused. She adored her father and the rest of her family, she looked at her mom "Was it because Daddy got mad at you and you were yelling at each other? Did I do something bad mama?"
Cora picked up her suitcase, "No baby. You didn't do anything. This is me. My doing. Now don't blame your father either, it is just something that needs doing. Your father is a good man. Do what he says. Remember to say your prayers and be good."
Regina looked at her sister and saw that she was also crying. Emma ran over to her mother and tried to throw her arms around her legs. Cora reached down and brushed Emma's unruly hair out of her eyes. "I do love you Emma. I love both of you and Henry so much. That's why I need to leave." Cora walked to the front door with Emma and Regina sobbing behind her. They followed her out to the curb.
Emma was crying, "Mama please don't go….please don't go!" Cora got into the waiting taxi. She did not look back. She could not look back as the taxi pulled away from the curb.
Emma looked at Regina, "This is my fault Ginny…Mama is gone and it's all my fault." Emma said as she started bawling.
Regina put her arms around her sister and hugged her. She was crying softly as she hugged Emma, "Don't worry Emmy. I will take care of you. Mama will be back. She said she loves us. Mommy's always come back when they love you."
Inside the taxi Cora put her head down and sobbed into her hands. She almost told the driver to turn around but that small voice in her head told her to protect them and just go. So she did.
Across the Street Eva Blanchard heard a commotion outside and looked out her kitchen window. She grabbed her shoes and quickly threw them on and then rushed outside followed by MM. She wrapped her arms around the two girls. MM looked at her friends then at her mother, "Mommy, why are Ginny and Emmy crying?" she asked as tears formed in her own eyes.
Eva looked at her daughter, "Something very bad as just happened. Now go back to our house and get Eric and bring him to Ginny and Emmy's house. We are going to have a pizza rolls and orange kool-aide Party."
She watched to make sure that MM had complied, then picked up the two girls and carried them inside. She took them into the kitchen. She looked around, "You know where everything is why don't you get the pizza rolls and the drink mix while I check on Henry."
The girls were still crying as they sat together on one of the kitchen chairs when Eva returned with Henry in tow. MM and Eric were standing in the kitchen watching their friends quietly. MM had a few tears sliding down her cheeks while Eric just looked confused. Eva gently smiled at all of them, as she took a large bowl and set it on the table, "You know, you can't have a party without cupcakes." She started ordering all the kids to help make the food, and soon everyone was busy and the tears eventually stopped. Eric even helped Henry stir the cake batter.
Later that evening Ronnie was sitting on the couch staring into space. Emma and Regina came downstairs. Regina climbed up into his lap. Emma went to the shelf and reached for a book.
"Daddy read us a story, please." Regina said. Ronnie broke out of his reverie and looked down at his daughter. She looked at him with hope in her eyes. Emma handed him Snow White. Ronnie's numbness faded away as he took in his beautiful children's faces. Emma climbed up next to him and leaned into his side drooping her head onto his shoulder. Regina tucked herself into his chest tighter.
He smiled at both and opened the book. "Once Upon a time, in a land..." Ronnie finished the book with 'and they all lived happily ever after." Both girls had fallen asleep. He carefully laid Emma against the sofa propping her with a cushion. He then stood up picking up Regina in his arms and carried her up to her bed. He went back downstairs and brought up Emma and tucked her under her covers, kissing her on the cheek and pushing her unruly hair out of her eyes. Then he went over to the twin bed in their shared room and tucked in Regina, giving her a kiss to her forehead. Before he closed the door, he turned around and watched both girls sleep. What was he going to do? Why did Cora do this to him? He walked down the hall to Henry's room to check in on him. Henry had all covers off. Ronnie went to his son, and pulled them all back over Henry. He touched his face lightly, tracing it, seeing Cora in his son's face. He sat there a few minutes as though in a trance. He slowly got up, and walked to his bedroom. He sat on the bed leaning against the backboard. he didn't bother getting undressed.
A few hours later, he heard Emma screaming. Ronnie ran into the girls' room. As he entered the room he could make out she was yelling 'mama' over and over. She was sitting up in bed crying with tears running down her face.
Ronnie rushed over to her and took her arms. "Emmy what's wrong?" By this time Regina had woken and she was also sitting up awake with her eyes opened wide.
"I want mama." Emma gasped through her tears. "Bbbbbbbad... drrrr...ream and mama...will make it better." Emma's little body was shuddering as she wrapped her little arms around herself. "Where's mama?" The tears continued to fall as she looked around the room.
Ronnie stayed calm and collected and said "Emmy, mama's not here right now." Regina got up and came over to Emma's bed, got in and hugged her sister.
"It's okay Emmy. I'll keep you safe. I'm here. Me and daddy are here."
"I want mama" Emma sobbed as she grabbed Regina and clung to her. Ronnie reached to both girls and wrapped his arms around them and rocked both as he talked softly to them. Soon both Emma and Regina were sleeping in his arms, so he gently laid both down on the bed and tucked both under the blankets of Emma's bed together. He left the room to go back to his, but instead found himself downstairs in his study where he poured a shot of bourbon and sat at his desk. . He sat there until the first light of the new day dawned.
End of Flashback
It was a cool day with a slight breeze. Emma got up and got dressed. She opened her laptop and went to her mom's facebook page. She saw that Cora was on. She opened up their private chat. "Good morning Mom. Why up so early?"
"We have to give the calves their shots. It is always a long day. So how was the first day of school?" Cora typed back.
"A long one plus basketball practice after. Then it was my day to cook supper. At least Ginny had started the pot roast in the slow cooker, plus I made red skin potatoes, Ginny and I threw together a salad. I'm taking advanced courses. They all look hard, but I will conquer them." Emma replied.
"How is the rest of the family?" Cora asked.
"Dad is okay. I asked about you yesterday, but he cut me off. Ginny is doing great. She is running for sophomore class president. Henry is as rambunctious as ever. He's on the Jr. High basketball team. How are you doing?" Emma typed.
"I'll live. Well, I need to get a move on Hank wants to get an early start." Cora replied. "Take care baby, you and the rest of the family are in my prayers."
At the breakfast table Ronnie looked at Emma with a twinkle in his eye. He took a sip of his black earl grey tea, "So Emmy how was your first day of basketball practice? I heard from Willow, that you are good enough to be the captain of the team?"
Emma laughed, "Well I am good but I'm just a sophomore. Seniors get to be captains."
Regina playfully gave Emma slap on the back of the head, "Hey don't cut yourself short. You were making three pointers and two pointers like it was shooting ducks in a barrel."
"Yeah well that was without anyone guarding me." Emma laughed.
Henry chuckled, "You are that good Tomboy. Heck if wasn't for you I would just be a plan old nerd instead of a point guard on the junior high team."
Ronnie smiled at the family banter, "Well be that as it may don't be surprised if Willow makes you team captain. She said you have a natural ability to bring people together. So anyway I was just wondering...ummm...how would all of you feel if I start seeing Miss French?"
Regina looked at her dad in shock, "Well what brought this on, and shouldn't you start calling her Belle instead of Miss French?"
Emma laughed, "I agree with Ginny, calling her Miss French when you are going out on a date with her is weird."
Ronnie laughed, "Well I suppose you are both right. I do get too formal at times."
Henry giggled, "Too formal, that sounds about right Daddy."
Ronnie nodded, "Well I will try to be less formal from now on."
"That I'd like to see." Emma said what all three were thinking.
Regina was getting into her truck and noticed Tamara's Z28 in Miss Garrets drive way. She looked at her dad, "Dad, why is Tamara at Miss Garrets' house?"
Swan walked over to her and motioned for Henry and Emma to join them, "Ms. La Faye noticed some old bruises on Tamara after the fight yesterday. She called child services because it is a law. When they investigated they found out that her mother has been beating her with a broomstick. So they were going to put her into system but I suggested that Edna would be a great foster mom. They agreed so she will be our neighbor at least for right now."
Regina nodded, "Daddy, I'm glad you stepped in for her but I'm not too sure that having a Lost Girl as a neighbor is going to be a good idea."
Emma spoke up, "Well I am not sure that the lines between us are all that wide anymore. The Lost Girls and us seem to be able to play basketball together just fine. Maybe that can lead into other areas as well.
Swan smiled, "Right. And I don't think she is a Lost Girl anymore. I think she has been found and rescued."
Glenda looked at herself in the mirror. The knee high skirt and the shear panty hoses and casual pumps were a stark contrast to her long granny dresses and sneakers. Her mom looked at her, "Your dad is going to go bonkers over this change, but you look beautiful. Now just a little make up and it will be complete."
Glenda's eyes twinkled, "Mom, makeup? Are you serious? That will make him want to kill me!"
Her mom chuckled, "Glenda it's your life. Not ours. You have to be who you are."
Glenda looked to her mom.
"Mom, why do you stay? Anyone can see you don't agree with him. Anyone can see you are holding who you are inside too. I'm sorry I haven't seen how miserable you are until now. How much all this restrictiveness has been hurting you. How it has been holding you back. "
"I don't know Glenda. I thought staying would be the best thing for you. I thought pressing those things in, and being that perfect Christian mother would be best for me. I suppose I have just been afraid. But I'm the one who is sorry. That's not what Christianity is suppose to be. It's not suppose to be about oppression and hate and denial and fear. It's supposed to be about freedom, and love, and hope. I only hope you can find that real love and that real hope and that we have not scarred you forever. Baby, you were in denial about being gay because we taught you to be. We taught you to pretend to be someone you are not. That was wrong. I only hope you can forgive me for letting it go on so long."
"Mom, it's okay. Maybe we can help each other?"
"I'd like that. You have friends to help you too. Just like I used to have. The only ones that really ever understood me and tried to help me were Anita, Blair, Jo and Eva. Maybe I'll ring up Eva and have a long overdue lunch with my friend."
Glenda smiled, "I am sure that would be awesome."
"So your friends were meeting you this morning? To help with makeup? You better get a move on." Laura reached to hug her daughter vowing to help her no matter what the cost.
Alice and Dorothy were waiting on Glenda to arrive. When they saw her get off the bus they nodded approvingly. Alice smiled at the change, "Now that is bloody well more like it."
Dorothy pointed to the girl's locker room, "We've got 25 minutes to teach you to apply and wear makeup!"
The three rushed inside and found Ruby putting her cheerleading equipment away. She glanced at Glenda then started to put some more equipment way. Suddenly she looked up again, "Oh my gawd! What happen to Sister Christian?"
Glenda felt her heart jump. For some reason, Ruby's words didn't sting. Instead, she felt a warmness, "She flew her cage and is now learning to fly. I've made a few changes. Ruby, I have hurt you so many times in so many ways. When others called you those horrible names I should have protected you. There isn't any way for me to make amends. I can't wipe away the past, but I can try to act better in the future. I am going to need lots of help. Maybe we can't be friends or more right now but maybe we can help each other?"
Ruby stared at her, "Glenda, after all the times we have belittled each other how can you be so forgiving? I mean I called you so many names and all the times I let others call you those awful nicknames. I told myself that I was shielding you from them by saying nothing. I don't how we can learn to trust each other?"
"Because I love you Ruby. I can learn build trust." Glenda replied.
Dorothy nodded, "Building trust is like building a wall it doesn't happen in a day. It is a day by day thing."
Ruby nodded, "I guess that is why we were like oil and water. We just didn't admit it to ourselves. I knew when I was 12. Sorry about all our fights."
Glenda looked at Ruby, "I'm sorry too, I guess I knew deep down that your rep wasn't deserved."
The two girls hugged. Dorothy opened a makeup case. Ruby and Glenda's eyes popped out at what they saw inside.
Dorothy laughed, "This is the benefits of having an aunt that works for Mary Kay."
Alice, Ruby and Dorothy started teaching Glenda how to do her makeup so that she looked natural. Glenda was a fast learner and was soon doing it herself.
They looked at their handy work and Glenda smiled, "God I feel so free!"
Ruby looked at her watch, "We have 3 minutes to spare. Good thing that Daddy Hopper's room is near the gym."
They picked up their books and Dorothy placed her makeup case in her gym locker.
The high school Student Parking lot was slowly filling up. Jackie was getting out of her car and saw Tamara pull in between Regina's truck and Emma's bug. Seeing Tamara was still in school and that she was chatty with the Swan girls she put 2 and 2 together and came up with 5.
She walked up to them, "Hey Tamara. Slumming or did acting like they are your friends get you off the hook."
Regina laughed, "Hey if it isn't Miss Cousin It herself."
Emma laughed, "What's a matter Jackie? Hans didn't give you a morning kiss?"
Tamara shook her head, "Hey Jackie at least I know how to treat a guy and not use him to advance myself."
Jackie looked at Tamara and laughed, "I told Hans that my mom was redoing the gardener's cottage. Sounds better than I have a headache."
Tamara shook her head, "I suppose it does."
Suddenly MM ran up and interrupted "Hi girls. Guess what? I was voted Co-Head Cheerleader!"
Jackie laughed, "Congrats MM. A sophomore as co-head cheerleader!"
Hans called out to Jackie, "Hey baby stop messing with the hired help and come over here."
Jackie really wasn't anything like Milah. Years of mixed martial arts had taught her to be very disciplined. And to realize the feud was a a thing from a bygone era. Time to move on."
Jackie glared at him, "Well, time to put on my Lost Girl hat. Catch you guys later."
She slowly walked over to Hans and gave him a quick peck then they headed to class. MM glared after them, "God I hate Hans. But what do you guys think Jackie's game is?"
They other girls shrugged. "Who knows?" Regina said. "She is not exactly forthcoming about her intentions."
Emma looked back to Jackie and shook her head. "Not sure. But I did here that she would not let any of the Lost Girls step in to help Milah yesterday. That right Tamara?"
Tamara nodded. "Yes. She made sure no one else jumped me. She is pretty smart. I'm sure she is playing an angle though. Just not sure what it is. You see that look she gave that caveman Hans though?"
"Yeah looks like trouble in paradise." Regina laughed.
So Tamara how come you didn't get suspended?" MM asked her.
Tamara shrugged, "I didn't throw the first punch. Too smart for that and Milah wasn't. Still, I have to face the inquisition panel. I couldn't stand by and let them hurt that new girl Elsa. Anyway Jackie and Ginger kept the other lost girls out of it and Marian went for help. She didn't deserve that from a bunch of chicks that think their folk's medicine cabinet is a candy store. Elsa has a problem and needs help and not be given a beat down. She is taking some kind of head med."
MM looked at Tamara, "I heard that Elsa was just a pill popper."
Tamara shook her head, "Nope I was able to see the label just before Milah threw her punch."
Regina looked at them seriously, "We can't tell anyone about this. That is up to her but we can be her friend. Lots of kids here have problems and we always have tried to help each other through them."
Zelena walked through the hall on the way to get to the girls restroom. MM stepped in front of her, "Hey slow down before Ms. La Faye stops you."
Zelena stopped and looked at MM, "What do you want Miss Prissy Pants."
MM took a moment to calm herself, "You left something in the restroom yesterday morning."
Zelena eyes widened in fear, "I don't know what you are talking about."
MM took a deep breath, "Look, if you want I'll give it back to you. If not, I will throw into the dumpster on the way to my next class."
Zelena just looked at her, "Whatever it is I don't want it."
MM shook her head, "Ok then, but if you need someone to talk to, remember that I'm the one that kept your secret."
MM walked away while Zelena stared after her.
Glenda walked down the hall feeling confident and free. Many of the guys looked at her and a few even whistled at her. She didn't say anything she just soaked it all in. She passed Marian and Jackie they mumble Sister Christian. Glenda laughed and started singing, "Sister Christian now your time has come…"
Jackie turned away at her reaction but Marian grinned and gave her a thumbs up. Graham who everyone called "The huntsman" because he loved to hunt and fish, walked up to Glenda and finished the lyric, "motoring; what's your price for flight…"
She laughed, "Hi Huntsman. What have you been up too?"
Graham laughed back, "Spent most of the summer out in the woods communing with Mother Nature. Nature is a better companion than most of the people here."
Glenda shook her head, "I use to think that most of the people here were demons but I was so wrong. Maybe one day you will feel the same way."
Graham shrugged, "I can't see that happening. Animals and Nature are much better behaved."
Alice and Dorothy walked up, "Come on we will be late for homeroom."
Glenda nodded, "I can't be late, Graham, maybe you should try reading On Walden Pond by Thoreau. It might help you understand. There is a time and place for being with nature and a time and place to be with friends." Graham nodded at her.
The three girls headed into Mr. Hopper's class.
The students slowly trickled into to Hopper's homeroom. He was at the door and greeting each one as they entered. Dave, Kris and August whistled at Glenda has she walked in. Dave looked at August and Kris, "Man I never realized how hot she was. Maybe I'll teach her the facts of life. I think I'll ask her to the dance and see where it leads."
August looked at him and rolled his eyes. And just who is going to teach you? he thought.
He looked at Dave, "Wait? What?"
David nodded, "It's all part of my plan, MM will see that another girl is interested in me and then she will tell her cheerleader friends and one of them will be begging me to take her to the dance instead of Glenda."
August laughed, "Wait Dave, now let me get this straight. You're going to use Glenda to make other girls jealous?"
Kris looked at David, "This is same MM that tries to avoid you at all cost? She is supposed to tell her friends about you?"
David beamed from ear to ear, "Abso-flippin-lutely."
August looked at him, "Dude seriously? This isn't a TV show. That's stupid, have you even thought about what if MM doesn't take the bait? And even if she does, what about Glenda? What you going to tell her?"
David smiled, "Don't worry, I'll be nice about it. She'll be cool with it. After all, it's not like we are a couple."
August rolled his eyes, "Are you kidding me? Did you even think about this? Did it ever occur to you that just maybe Glenda may just fall in love with you?"
David laughs, "Come on, don't be such a sap."
David wrote a note for August to pass to Glenda.
David grinned "Here pass this to her?"
August read it and was disgusted. August looked at David. "You're evil sometimes. I wonder why I'm even friends with you."
August took the note to pass it along to Ruby. He quickly scribbled a note to her as well. He passed the notes Ruby, "Hey Ruby would passed these to Glenda."
Ruby smiled at him, "Sure thing Stud Muffin."
Ruby passed them onto Glenda. Glenda read the note from Dave first it said, "Hey hot stuff you look amazing. Wanna go to the dance with me? Dave xoxo?"
Glenda looked up and rolled her eyes at David in shock and he winked at her. Glenda then read August's note. It said, "Don't do it. He's using you to make another girl jealous. Gus."
Glenda looked up at Gus and he nodded to her. Glenda wrote replies to both the notes, "Ruby please pass them back."
Ruby giggled and pass them to August who took out his note before passing the other it to a grinning David. Glenda winked back at him.
August read his reply, it said. "Thanks for the heads up Gus."
David read his own reply and was less than happy. David read, it said "DROP DEAD DAVE! I go for girls not boys."
David looked up in shock, "What?"
Glenda just smirked back while August grinned to himself.
They took their seats. Hopper looked at the class, "Hope everyone had a good night. Remember there is a dance this weekend."
Glenda whispered to Ruby, "I can't wait to go."
Ruby laughed, "So who do you want to take, Alice or Dorothy?"
Glenda, smiled at her, "I was thinking about you."
Ruby looked at her and smiled, "I like that idea. It's a date!"
David, Gus and Kris were walking to their next class. David smiled, "So Kris how was your summer."
Kris laughed, "Dave, we live in a very small town. It was the same as yours. Too hot. Hey did you check out that new girl, Anna. What a babe."
David shrugged, "Not bad looking, but her sister's a little weird though. I heard that she is a pill popper."
August looked appalled: "Wow, judgmental much Dave? You know that came from the Lost Girls!"
David looked at August, "I'm just saying, the girl looks like she has issues."
August waved his hands, "Dave, don't judge a book by its cover. Seriously what is it with you? Nearly everyone in this school has issues!"
David glared at August, "Dude just what is it with you? You seem to have a thing for social outcasts. First Eric, now Elsa?"
August shook his head, "Hello, we were social outcasts in junior high remember? Besides you shouldn't judge people until you walk a mile in their shoes. Besides what's wrong with Eric? He's okay and he is a great running back."
David took a deep breath, "Yeah, and junior high is over. We are in the big leagues now. He is dating that chick on the swim team. I mean really, she's a tomboy. Hey speaking of that, let's make a pact."
August and Kris look puzzled. Kris looked at him suspiciously "What do you mean?"
David smiled, "An end of school year pact."
Kris eyes brightened. "Like in American Pie?"
Gus rolled his eyes, "Davie this real life, not American Pie."
David Laughed, "Guys, we ain't in junior high anymore, we're not losers, this is our chance to be a success and make our mark. To put ourselves out there. Guys by the end of the school year, we will not only be successful, we'll be dating girls. And more. We will have reps. People will notice us for the first time."
Kristoff chuckled, "Davie, MM already notices you and tries to avoid you like the plague. But whatever, it sounds cool, so I'm in."
Both David and Kris looked at August. Dave said, "I am all over MM. She made her choice and it wasn't me. So Gus are you in or not?"
August was looking more reluctant, "I don't know you guys. Sounds easier said than done."
David laughed, "Dude C'mon grow a pair of balls and just take a chance for once."
August threw his head up, "Seriously, would you stop saying that?"
David looked at him with a smile, "What you got to lose?"
Kris nodded, "Yeah, come on Gus."
August took several minutes to consider, "Ok you've convinced me I'm in."
David grinned, "Alright! I promise you guys, everything will happen for us this year and we'll never look back. By the end of the school year, junior high will be a distant memory."
Kris and Gus watched as David strutted down the hall. Kris started laughing, "When do we tell him that he's the only virgin dater?"
At their free period the girls met at in the quad. Mary, Ruby, Regina, Emma, Ash and Esmeralda were sitting around talking when Anna and Elsa sat down on a bench across from them. Esmeralda waved at them, "Hey come over here this blanket can hold two more."
Elsa took a deep breath and whispered, "Come on Elsa you can do this."
Elsa stood up and went and sat by Esmeralda. Anna soon joined them. Mary smiled, "So you two are from Canada?"
Elsa laughed, "Yeah, we were born in Newfoundland near the coast. A smaller town than this one."
Anna laughed, "That town didn't even have a red light that is how small it is."
Anna kept a close eye on her sister looking for signs of panic. Elsa was starting to feel more relaxed as they talked about boys and school. Jackie and the other Lost Girls came walking across the quad. Elsa stiffened for moment then taking a deep breath looked at Emma, "I hear that they call you Tomboy eh."
Emma laughed, "You can thank my sister and my little brother for that."
Regina burst out laughing, "Well if the sneaker fits."
It was lunch time at Storybrooke High. Everyone was talking and eating. All the tables held their usual occupants. Gus was sitting across the table from Killian. Killian stood up take his tray back and saw some trash in the middle of the table. He reached across the table to grab it and toss it on his empty tray when his sleeve caught Gus's gatorade bottle sending a cascading flow of icy liquid into Gus' lap. Gus jumped up yelled. As he jumped up he bumped into Graham who was walking behind him at just that moment.
Unfortunately, for Aramis, Graham's tray slide out of his hands heading toward Aramis' head. Aramis reacted by reversing his wheelchair trying to avoid a head full of scraps. Aramis slammed his wheelchair into Robin behind him who had a forkful of mashed potatoes that landed in Peter's face.
Peter looks around surprised and started laughing. He grabbed a handful of uneaten peas, now cold, and tossed them at Hans' head. Han's saw them coming and ducked. The peas landed squarely on Dorothy's head, some staying put in her hair while the rest fell down her shoulders. She squealed and thinking it was Hans, picked up a handful of lukewarm mac and cheese and whipped it at Hans' head. Wiping mac and cheese off the side of his face, Hans' smiled treacherously and casually reached to Michael's tray to take his mashed potatoes and throw directly at Dorothy's head. She ducked.
The mashed potatoes hit MM in her chest. Emma stared for a few seconds, and then started laughing and pointing. MM did not appreciate being laughed at so she grabbed her applesauce and flung it at Emma, hitting Emma dead on in the middle of her face.
Emma jumped up, grabbing her strawberry milk and threw her arm upward so the pink liquid flowed out across the table toward MM's head. She ducked out of the way, screaming, as the pink liquid poured over Regina and her favorite teddy bear sweater.
Regina stared at her sister, then grinned and stood up yelling, 'Food Fight." Regina grabbed a handful of mash potatoes and threw them at Emma who ducked and it hit Marian. Marian grabbed her jello and threw it at Emma. She ducked and it hit Tamara on the side of the face. All were giggling and all of a sudden food was flying from all directions.. Elsa tossed a paper plate of spaghetti Frisbee style across the room. It tilted and hit Jackie sailing into the back of her hair. Jackie wheeled around and threw a hamburger back at her. Elsa duck and it hit Marian instead.
Zelena entered and ducked as a plate of ketchup loaded fries flew over her head. She grabbed some peanut butter cookies and threw them across the room. Ruby caught one saying, "Thanks they're my favorites." And headed to a table in the back away from the melee.
Some students crawled under the cafeteria tables in an effort to avoid the flying food. Marian and Emma were facing off against each other grabbing whatever food they could throwing it at each other. Tamara noticed LaFaye run into the room and tried to get Emma's attention. It cost her a side of mashed sliding down her face complete with butter. Emma shot an apologetic glance before standing on her chair and doing the Tarzan cheer. 'Ahhhhhwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww..." She laughed and reached down to grab a handful of food only to have her arm stopped by a firm hand.
"Ms. Swan, step down please and follow me." Ms. LaFaye turned and headed out the room. She passed Marian, who was stopped in midair holding a fistful of peas. "You too" She pointed to Marian. "Both of you, my office."
The other teachers and aides had managed to restore order, except at one table. Peter had a piece of cherry pie on a plate and let it soar though the air like a frisbee. It's aim was dead on at Killian's head. He ducked. The cherry pie hit Ronnie Swan in the face and neck. Ronnie had come down to the cafeteria for a packet of dressing for his salad. Killian looked up and the roar of laughter that came from his mouth disturbed the otherwise dead silence.
Ronnie's icy state caused Peter to take a step back. He thought about making a run for the door. Ronnie grabbed a napkin from the table next to him, and tried to wipe the sticky sweet red pie from his face and shirt.
Peter's eyes widened and he clenched his hands feeling sweat dripping from them. Killian looked around the room and realized just how quiet it was. La Faye marched over to stand next to Ronnie Swan and snapped loudly. "You two", she pointed to Peter and Killian. "Go with those two young ladies to my office. Now!" Hook and Peter jumped and ran after Emma and Marian.
Belle walked over to Ronnie with a stack of paper towels. She handed them to Ronnie. She leaned in to whisper ," I usually like my cherry pie ala mode. Not on a cute face." Ronnie turned red and turned around and rushed back to his office. But not before he gave the four charges of LaFaye a very pointed dirty look as he passed them.
The cafeteria workers appeared with brooms, mops, rags and buckets. Belle pointed all around the messy cafeteria that resembled a trash dump and, "This place better look spic and span before anyone, and I mean anyone, leaves." The kids all scrambled to clean up and soon the quiet was filled with soft conversations and the sound of brooms and sloshing water
The teachers stood along the exits watching the kids clean up, and making sure no one escaped. Archie Hopper made his way over to Belle. He had to work hard to stop from grinning. " Second day Belle. It wasn't until the second week till we caused this amount of havoc when we were students here."
Belle grinned back and raised her eyebrows. "Wasn't it blueberry pie back then?" Archie laughed. "Yep and to this day Ronnie says he will always hate blueberry pie. You know his hair was even longer then." Belle smiled.
Ms. Lafaye followed Killian, Marian, Peter and Emma to her office. They all walked in. She pointed to the couch and 2 chairs and said, "Sit."
Emma still had chocolate icing her hair and food stains on the front of her shirt. All four were trying hard not to laugh. Ms. LaFaye looked at them.
"Now I don't know who started this but from what I saw you four were in the thick of it. What do you have to say for yourselves?"
They looked at each other. Marian spoke up and said
"I just got caught up in the moment. Are you going to call my parents?"
Ms. Lafaye nodded and said "All parents will be notified."
Marian frowned. I am sure to be grounded she thought. Great.
Emma spoke up and said "We were just having a little fun. We honestly didn't mean for it to get out of hand."
Peter nodded. "It started as an accident. And sort of dominoed from there"
Killian spoke up. " Right mate. And honest mistake that sailed away from us."
Emma giggled. Ms. LaFaye looked at her. "Miss Swan, do you want to share."
"I'm sorry Miss LaFaye. It's just that when Killian said that I thought of the pie sailing into my dad." She giggled again.
Killian smirked. Peter coughed putting his hand over his mouth to hide his laughter. Marian just shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Look it was a food fight not a riot. I am sure your parents will take that into consideration. I will need to balance the punishment to fit the crime yes." La Faye said. She herself was trying very hard not to smile.
Hook and Peter were still choking back their laughter..
"Now for your punishment you have three days of working with cafeteria staff. Plus your parents will be informed. Check back here with me tomorrow before classes start for your work schedules. I hope you have all learned your lesson. It's time for your next class. Move it."
All four walked out of her office. Emma smiled at Marian, while Peter and Killian actually high fived each other. They went their separate ways after turning in the hallway with Peter and Marian heading upstairs and Killian to the south hall.
Emma headed to the rest room, as she stopped in front she turned to watch Killian. He turned around and gave her a thumbs up with a huge grin. She grinned back. She went into the rest room and tried to get the icing out of her hair. Regina found her there.
"Well Tomboy what did Ms. LaFaye do to you?"
I've got three days work with the cafeteria staff. "I'm sure daddy will have something to say to me too." She continued trying to wipe food stains off her shirt.
Peter and Marian were on their way to class and Marian looked at him.
"Well one good thing about being grounded is that I won't have to go to any country clubs functions for a while."
Are you sure that you will get grounded?" Peter laughed.
"As sure I can be. My parents are great but they don't put up with stupid stuff." Marian replied.
Peter looked at her, "Well it was pretty harmless stupid stuff. Maybe that'll work in your favor. So you don't like the country club functions? Why not?"
"I hate the country club functions because they are so for old people. Out of time. No fun really. You know, just dumb stuff. My parents might have more money than some but this rich vs. poor thing is getting real old. I can't even talk to some people around here just cause they don't make as much money as my parents do. And some of the ones off limits are cool Pete. I'm just tired of it all, you know?"
Peter looked at her nodding. "Yeah I do know. It is pretty dumb."
Emma and Regina were walking to their next class after Emma cleaned up the best she could in the rest room. Ronnie walked out of his office and called Emma over. "
Emma what punishment did Ms LaFaye give you?"
"I've got three days of work with the cafeteria staff."
"Hmmmm... That seems pretty light. I guess it's fair if she thinks so. Everyone else get the same I hope. She didn't give you special treatment?"
"No. Everyone got the same. Plus informing their parents. But you already know."
"Yes, that I do. It is pretty embarrassing to have my own daughter being escorted to out of a room like a common criminal. I am disappointed in you. I expect better of you. Well at least you will learn from this so that you won't disappoint me again. Now go to your next class."
Emma said, "Yes sir." She turned and walked away from her sister and father, walking down the hall. Neither saw the tears softly rolling down her cheeks.
Regina stood there for a few moments. She couldn't believe what her father had said. Yeah Emma was caught up in the moment, but it was just a food fight for heaven's sake she thought. She thought her dad was a little harsh with his words. Ronnie touched her arm.
"Don't you need to get to class too, Ginny?"
"Yes. Yes daddy. I'm going." Ronnie smiled at her and turned to walk back to his office.
Regina started feeling guilty about not speaking up for her sister. After all she was as guilty as Emma was. She was throwing food too. In fact practically the entire lunch room was. It really wasn't fair how Emma and the others were singled out. Well maybe she'd present that issue after she became Class President. Her mind wondered from her sister and she started planning how to win that election.
Emma walked into her advance English Lit class. A tall blond haired woman was writing on the blackboard. Emma took her seat.
Angelique Collins turned and smiled, "Hello I am Miss Collins, and you are?" Collins said in a slight Cajun accent.
"Emma Swan, I am one of the principal's daughters." Emma replied
sarcastically.
"Well I don't treat my students any differently. I guarantee that you are just normal student to me. You were in that melee in the lunchroom?" Collins asked.
"One of many but I was scapegoated with three other students because I was in the thick of things." Emma replied starting to feel better.
Mrs. Collins answered her. "Sometimes being in the thick of things is not the best position." She quirked her eyebrows at Emma and smiled.
There was something in Collin's cheerful attitude that was infectious. Emma's thoughts of disappointing her dad were slowly fading. She opened her notebook preparing to learn all about Beowolf.
Zelena rushed to get to the restroom after class ended. Jackie and the Lost Girls surrounded her Jackie looked at her, "What's the hurry Wicked Witch. Is Dorothy chasing you."
Zelena glared at her, "Maybe I was on my way to cast a spell on you!"
Jackie laughed and pointed at her, "Oh look Miss Wicked grew a pair."
Zelena began to shake, "Get the hell out of my way now!"
Mulan Tzu approached them, "Jackie, let her by. Remember the last time you and I had a fight. You looked like a puzzle with a couple of pieces missing."
Jackie decided to back off Zelena. They watched them leave. Zelena looked at her, "Would you really have badly hurt her?"
Mulan nodded, "The last time she was in the hospital for two days. She started a fight and I finished it."
Zelena looked at her, "How come you're not in youth detention?"
Mulan smiled at her, "Mr. Swan. The Dark One seems to have plenty of good friends in high places. He stepped in and so the charges were dropped."
Zelena nodded, "I heard that he helped Tamara too."
Mulan smiled, "He is a good man but you have to want to help yourself first. Look we all have problems and a friend is a good thing to have at times. Look around you there are a lot of us around here that are making changes."
Zelena nodded, "You have given me a lot to think about. I have my free period now. I was on my way to do something but I think I will go to the Quad instead."
Zelena found a spot under a cherry tree and pulled out an MP3 player and turned it on she selected a song her grandmother loved. 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' started to play. She took out her laptop and searched for MM's email on the school's server. She found it and started to type.
'Look about yesterday, you are right I am a cutter and I need a friend that won't let me do that anymore. I have so much pain in my life. My folks think that I am pretty much useless. They don't understand why I am in this lifestyle. I am not a Goth, I am an off-shoot, or at least I have tried to be, it is called Victorian. The reason I wear black is because I make my own clothes and the material is cheaper. What being a Vic is about comes down to one word - respect. Respect for others and respect for yourself. My Aunt Cassandra introduced me to it last summer. She taught me so much but I have a ways to go. I am so tired of fighting my own demons alone. Some days I just want to end it all. I know that is a mortal sin. That is the only reason I haven't done it. The cutting is a crutch that holds me in my chains. I just need a no nonsense friend that will be there when the darkness hits. Somebody that doesn't mind being seen with me. Zelena.'
She sensed some one behind her and turned it was Mulan. She had been reading as Zelena had been typing. She gave Zelena a sisterly hug, "You can have more than one friend you know."
The gym's weight room was filled with the football players. Years of use left it with the permanent smell of sweat mixed in with various after shaves.
David, Kris, Hook, Neal, Eric, Greg and the rest of the team were waiting on the coach to arrive. David was trying to make conversation with the upperclassmen. After some minor talk he went back to his friends. He turned to them, "Well that went okay."
Killian laughed, "They're juniors and seniors, we're just lowly sophomores. What did you expect?"
Kris nodded, "We're supposed to be a team remember. Anyway we are going to have to prove ourselves. So Killian, I hear that Emma isn't exactly fond of your advances?"
Killian frowned, "She was right to do what she did. I should have been more of a gentlemen and treated her with more respect. I was wrong, end of story. But I don't plan on giving up. Just on giving her space and hopefully she will give me a chance."
David laughed, "You mean be more of a loser. Look we are on the football team we should be having the babes swarming all over us."
Neal rolled his eyes, "Now I know why you don't have any dates."
David looked at him in bewilderment, "What?"
Coach Roger Leroy walked in with his assistants, "Alright choir boys, I am going to give you partner assignments for weight training. Nolan and Blanchard you are partners, you both looked pretty good out there yesterday. Jones and Cassidy you're partners."
Coach Leroy continued to call the out the pairings. He noticed that his star quarterback was trying to work out a kink in his arm muscles, "Gibson! What's the matter with your arm?"
Gibson looked at the Coach sheepishly, "I played a little pick-up game yesterday and I think I pulled something."
Coach Leroy put his hands on his hips, "You think? Go see Doc Whale and have it checked. I don't want you to make things worse. Fulton you work with Blanchard and Nolan."
The training was going well until it was time for David to spot Eric. He looked at Fulton, "Want to spot for him?"
Fulton shook his head, "I just finished doing mine. You haven't so it's your job Mr. Charming."
David stood behind the weight bench and Eric started his reps. David counted each rep until Eric finished. David took his place as Fulton spotted for him. After twenty minutes Doc Whale walked in and whispered to the Coach. The Coach looked at David and shook his head, "Nolan! Gibson has screwed up his arm for the season and since you're his backup then you take his place."
The seniors and juniors looked at him. Fulton stared at David, "Well big talker, now go out there and prove to us you have the stones."
The football team had just finished their showers everyone was laughing and joking around. Eric was trying to be friendly to David and the rest of the team. Only David was having none of it due to his close friendship with August. Eric finally tried to be different tack, "Hey that was impressive man." He said to David.
David shrugged, "Thanks but I don't need to be told how impressive I am, especially by you."
Eric looked him and pulled on his shirt, "Hey give a guy a break I'm new on the team. I'm just trying to fit in and be friendly."
David glared at him, "I'm not really interested in being friends with someone like you."
Eric glared back, "What is that supposed to mean?"
David snarled, "Oh I think you know what it means."
Eric trying to say calm. "What's is your problem with me?"
David walked away, "You know what Eric, forget it."
Eric looked at him, "No don't walk away, if you have a problem with me, spit it out. Say it..."
David continued to walk away but Eric won't let up. Eric looked at him, "SAY IT!"
David turned and pushed Eric against the wall, "Alright I don't like you okay. I don't trust you and I hate the fact that you're on this team. You're a thug and a psychopath who gets off on attacking people."
Eric broke away, "Wow you know what Dave I actually thought at least we could be civil for Gus's sake."
David moved closer. "Ok first off you have no right to call him that and second I don't like that you are even associated with him. Gus is my best friend and I don't trust you."
Eric walked away, "Really? From what I hear you haven't exactly acted like a best friend to him lately."
David walked up behind him and turns him around, "What does that mean? I've been there for him since day one you don't know what he's been through!"
Eric shook his head, "you're a possessive, pushy, and unsupportive jerk and you act like you own him."
David again shoved him against wall, "That's not true."
Eric again broke away, "Come on, constantly telling him to grow a pair and that pathetic pact."
David grabbed him again this time Neal and Greg broke them a part. David glared at Eric, "That is none of your business and you two talk about me?"
Eric nodded, "You try to make August something he isn't and he feels smothered."
David shook his head, "God I feel so sorry for your sister having a brother like you."
Eric glares at him "You leave her out of this. You act like August's whole world revolves around you when really you don't know him as well as you think you do."
David laughed mockingly, "Oh that's touching. You actually think you can teach me something about the guy I know better than anyone?"
Eric looked at him, "You think you do but you're just so clueless Dave. You know Gus said you had grown a stick up your ass but until now I had no idea how far it was in there."
David one last time shoved Eric against the wall "
Kris rushed over to them with Fulton close behind. Kris tried to pull David off, "DAVE, STOP THIS BULLSHIT NOW!"
Eric chucked has he tried to back away, "Ok now you've really crossed the line pal!"
David glared "Really, what are you gonna do about it? Mama ain't around to kiss it and make it better!"
Eric walked away but David followed him.
Eric looked back with disdain as he saw Dave continue to goad him. "You know Dave. Getting expelled to kick your sorry ass isn't worth it."
Eric gabbed his duffle bag and headed for the parking lot. The rest of the guys blocked Dave from following him.
Glenda was watching the Cheerleaders and Dance team practice. She noticed Esmeralda and Ash's routine. It a mix of Romany and Greek folk dancing. She slipped off the bleachers and tried to match their movements. Soon she is moving with them. Not perfectly but she is good. The sponsor Kathryn Midas approached her, "Why don't you join us. You are doing pretty well."
Glenda blushed, "I've never done much dancing. My dad is pretty strict when it comes to that."
Ms. Midas smiled, "Well they let you wear makeup."
Suddenly Glenda's dad approached them. He was a tall burly man with broad shoulders and thick arms. He was caring two suitcases and dropped them at her feet. "I don't allow whores to live in my house. You and your mother are gone. Don't come back. I already told your harlot mother the same thing."
He walked off and Glenda started crying, "All I wanted to do was be me. Is that so wrong?"
Willow who had been drilling the JRROTC Saber Team approached her. She looked at Glenda and then watched as her father pulled out of the parking lot, "Don't mind that throwback. When you're though with practice take your things to my car. You and your mom can stay with me until we sort this out."
Glenda nodded and dried her tears, "Well then, that settles it, let's see if Ms. Midas can teach me to dance."
After her last class of the day, which was Geometry, Emma headed to the gym for basketball practice. Tryouts had been the week before school started and she had made Varsity. Coach had told her just this morning she would be starting as the shooting guard. She was proud of that since she was only a sophomore. The other starters were all juniors or seniors. Well they were going to be until Abby Parsons got injured last Friday playing a pickup game while she was visiting family in Ridge Hollow. Now the small forward position was up for grabs. Randi Lowstein and Kara Becker were fighting it out to fill it, but honestly Emma thought the new girl had a shot too. She had surprised everyone on the first day of tryouts when she showed up to try out. She was only a sophomore, just like her, but she was taller. She was 5'9" and actually could play any of the forward positions. She could even play center if needed, but fortunately they had almost 6 foot tall Ming-cho Lei for that.
As Emma rounded the corner to turn into the locker room she stopped short as she nearly ran right into the object of her musings. The new girl looked at her as they were within inches of each other and frowned. She moved to go around Emma without a word. Emma watched as she disappeared into the doorway that led to the gymnasium. Emma shook her head wondering what her problem was as she found her locker and grabbed her practice uniform out of her backpack to change into. Marian was a few lockers down and she looked over at Emma and gave a small smile.
"That new girl is quieter than me. That's quite an accomplishment. " she said shyly.
Emma laughed loudly. "Yeah I noticed. But she's damn good on defense and we really could use that this year."
Marian nodded. She knew that even though Emma was someone she would not normally talk to, sports changed all those dynamics. Necessary evils, she thought.
"Some food fight huh?"
Marian laughed. "Yeah I guess I was getting into it. My clothes are never going to get clean."
Emma laughed as well. "Oh yeah. I feel you on that.."
Although she never looked down on the Swans; they were not rich, like the girls she ran with, but they always looked nice and she actually respected the hard work Emma always put in to basketball; she was never close to them either. That was a shame as Emma seemed like someone she would actually get on with. Not for the first time this week did she wonder how the stupid feud ever started between the Lost Girls and Vettes and why it had to continue. It seemed really stupid to her. Both girls finished changing and headed to the court together and both grabbed balls to warm up.
After 15 minutes of letting the girls shoot around, Coach blew her whistle and everyone gathered round her. The Varsity and JV practiced together so there were around 20 girls present.
"10 laps ladies - the entire gym and no cutting corners. Now."
They all took off, all except the new girl whose name Emma really needed to find out. She looked back and saw the coach holding up ten fingers and pointing to the girls. The new girl nodded and ran after them. That was strange. Emma sped up to get towards the front of the line. As she ran past a few girls she noticed someone directly behind her. The new girl. They both passed all the others and took a lead in front side by side.
Emma glanced at her but the new girl did not look over. After eight laps, they were both still in the lead, and some of the others had fallen way behind. They started lapping the slower runners. Emma thought she should probably slow down and not use so much energy, after all they had at least an hour and half left of practice but she stayed even with the new girl, who did not even seem the least bit out of breath. She looked over at her again and this time, the girl looked at her, grinned, shot up an eyebrow and sped up. Did she just challenge me, thought Emma. She increased her pace to stay up and damnit if the girl did not sped up even more. I am going to pay dearly for this, she thought as her body started protesting.
They finally finished and Emma wanted to slump to the ground but she knew that would be the worst thing to do. So she stayed upright and lifted her arms above her head and tried to catch her breath. Ginger walked by her and smirked after looking from the new girl back to Emma. Emma decided to screw protocol and she stepped into Ginger's space.
"Hey," she shook her head toward the new girl. "What's her name."
If Ginger was surprised at Emma talking to her she had the ability to hide it. She shrugged and said, "Melody. Something." Ginger decided to push forward since she knew she and Emma would have to communicate at some level on the team. "We have a good shot at making it to finals with your shooting, my set ups and leading and Ming controlling the inside and rebounds with her height. What we need is a damn good defender and that new girl could be the answer. She is the quickest I've seen anyone in practices."
Emma nodded. "Yep. I agree. Sure would be outstanding to get to Finals."
Ginger accessed Emma. She nodded. "Let's play as a team Swan. Nothing outside matters here." She held out her hand. Emma took the peace offering and smiled.
"What happens on the basketball court... stays on the basketball court."
Ginger let out an actual laugh. At that moment the coach called for them to split into four groups to run defensive drills. Ginger nodded to Emma and grabbed Marian's arm, and walked over to Melody. She nodded at Melody and they walked to the one end. Ming joined them. Soon they were drilling against one of the other groups. Emma watched Melody and decided Ginger was right. She was their best defense player. No one scored on her and she stole the ball four times. Emma was impressed.
After practice and a hot shower, Emma was walking to her car. Marian and Ginger were in Marian's car and they actually both gave her a little wave as they pulled away. Well, damn, she thought. Maybe this stupid class war was going to end and they could put away all the stupid about it. She was absorbed in thinking about practice when she decided to take the shortcut down the alley behind Shotz brewery to get home. She made the turn and was about halfway thru the alley passing by the driveway to 1313 Mockingbird Lane when she saw three figures up to her right, off into a enclosed corner by the brewery fence.
As she looked again she just barely made out the black jeans and black sweatshirt with a colorful dragon on the front she had watched Melody leave practice in. Melody was pushed up against the fence facing two men. They looked to be about twenty or so, but Emma did not recognize either of them. She stopped her car in the middle of the alley and pulled out her phone. Although she had never seen one she knew what a mugging looked like and this sure looked like one or worse.
As she dialed 911, she shouted hoping to scare them off, but was stunned at what happened next. The two men looked to her, distracted and apparently that was all Melody needed. She took out both men kicking and punching them in what Emma would later describe as a choreographed dance of badass fighting. As she watched Melody take them down she relayed the info to 911. After she hung up she ran toward them. Both men were down, one had his eyes closed and was not moving and the other was writhing on the ground screaming bloody murder. Melody looked calm, almost peaceful standing in front of both just looking at them.
As Emma came into her view she startled and went back into her combat stance. Seeing it was Emma she relaxed. Emma was saying something to her, excitedly. She saw Emma had her phone out and hoped she had dialed the police. Emma came closer to her, still shouting. Melody held up her hand then pointed to Emma's phone. Emma stopped moving and talking and just stared. Melody was flashing what Emma assumed were signs and pointing at her ears. Holy shit. Melody was deaf. Now it all made sense. What was off to Emma before, what she could not understand. Melody was deaf and Emma was an idiot. Melody, the new girl, the awesome basketball defender, was deaf. And also was apparently Bruce Lee's niece or something cause damn she just took down two grown men and made it look like child's play.
Dave, Kris and Gus were walking to their cars in the parking lot. The three, along with Flynn Ryder, had all been best friends since forever and saw themselves as more like brothers than best friends. They were inseparable and did everything together but cracks had began to appear and that was all courtesy of Dave Nolan. Dave, who had once been a good kid, hadn't been the same since his older brother Jimmy, whom he idolized and looked up to, was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan. It had been a while but unfortunately Dave had never gotten over it.
Jimmy's death had changed the once sweet and responsible little boy for the worse and he had started lashing out at everyone. At his family and even his closest friends including his three BFF's. In his eyes everyone was the enemy but he seemed to hold a lot more resentment towards the Blanchard family, especially Eva who took a bullet for her partner but had survived and was hailed a local heroine. Dave considered this to be a hallow victory because his brother literally died for his country but it barely got acknowledged yet Eva takes a bullet to save a life and the whole town stood still.
Gus and Kris put up with Dave's behavior for as long as they could and even continued to make excuses for it but it had gotten to the point where even they'd had enough and couldn't do it anymore. Dave's showdown with Eric had become the final straw for them both.
Kris and Gus walked up to Dave clearly furious, Gus fumed, "Dave what the heck is wrong with you?"
Dave acted confused, "Excuse me?"
Gus was furious clearly wanting to throttle Dave.
"Trying to pick a fight with Eric when he was only trying to be friendly. What the heck did Eric ever do to you?"
Dave turned to Kris knowing that he was the one who talked, "Kris. Really?"
Kris nodded, "Seriously that was out of order. You realize you both could've been kicked off the team for that."
Dave turned to Gus, "Hey, did Kris tell you that not once did he have my back? Thanks for that by the way."
Gus jumped to Kris' defense, "Why should he? You were acting like a jerk."
Dave angrily explained, "Because up until a few seconds ago I thought we were all best friends."
Kris countered, "And what? Is that supposed to excuse your behavior?"
Gus added, "And you know for years I've been defending and making excuses for your behavior and enough is enough."
Dave was confused, "What does that mean?"
Just then Flynn, who'd heard about the Dave/Eric fight from Cross Country teammate Sean Herman who in turn had heard about it from his best friend Fulton, came by having overheard what was going on and attempted to diffuse the situation. Flynn had just gotten some great news that he'd just made the cross country team and had wanted to share the news to his best friends. unfortunately no-one was going be in the mood for celebrating. "What is going on here? I could hear you guys all the way from the locker room?"
Dave all of sudden started lashing out, "You know after everything I've done for you three not one of you has my back."
Flynn couldn't understand where all this pent by hatred was coming from. "That's not true we've always had your back no matter what."
Kris nodded, "Yeah so don't you dare even go there."
Gus added, "How dare you even say that to us? You know ever since Jimmy-"
Dave cut him off, "You leave him outta this. Gus you've basically traded me in for Eric."
Gus was getting annoyed "Oh stop it Dave. Lay off Eric. He's not done a darnn thing to you. You know first it was his sister Helena. You were peeved..."
Dave cut him off again, "Yeah and for good reason. She dumped my brother and broke his heart."
Gus added, "Then you had a problem with his mother."
Dave lashed out clearly still in denial about what was going on, "Why not? Everyone has been treating her like she's Wonder Woman, Princess Diana or some Savior when really what makes her so special or different from our moms. I get that she took a bullet for her partner but come on she isn't the first police woman to do that. It's not like she ended global warming or broke a Dark Curse."
Flynn tried to calm things down, "Ok guys I think we all just need to calm down."
Gus had had enough, "You know what Dave. This was the final straw for me. I've had enough of defending you, making excuses for you and fixing your messes. I'm done with you."
Dave turned to Kris and started ranting at him clearly furious with him for not having his back in the locker room, "I take it you agree with him although it wouldn't surprise me. You're practically like his little trained monkey. Wherever Gus goes you follow, whenever he says jump you go how high. It has always been like that ever since we were kids. You know I made you three. Without me you'd all be losers who no one would talk to."
Flynn glared at Dave not believing that he was going there, "DAVE!"
Gus countered coming to Kris' defense again, "You know what Dave. Stop it. Don't talk to us like that. It is just not acceptable to talk to or treat anyone like that. This was exactly what I was talking about. Your behavior is not okay and you've just proved my point."
Dave fumed, "You are supposed to be my best friends you're supposed to have my back regardless."
Kris bit back, "How can we? How are we supposed to have your back when you treat us like this and it's hard to defend you when you act this way. How can we defend you when your behavior of late has been indefensible. You know, if this is how you treat your best friends then you don't deserve to have any."
Flynn saw exactly where this was headed and called a time out before things escalated, immediately stepping in between them before things turned violent. Which clearly appeared to be the direction Dave wanted to go, "Ok guys this has gone absolutely far enough."
Gus nodded and walked away, "Oh I Agree Flynn. I'm done."
Kris agreed and walked away too, "So am I."
Dave was furious and felt betrayed that his two best friends had seemingly turned their backs on him. He continued to lash out as they walked away and tried to ignore him.
"Go on Gus walk away and go to your new best friend Eric. Just remember I'm the one who has always been there for you and had your back all these years. You see, there you go Kris. You've just proven my point. Gus said he was done with me and you followed him you are a trained monkey."
Gus was angered that Dave had started to take cheap shots at Kris and turned around and started heading for Dave, "Okay you know what. Are you serious? Who do you think you are? You..."
Kris held Gus back before things escalated again, "Forget about it ain't worth our time anymore."
Flynn called out to Kris, "Kris get Gus outta here. I'll handle this."
August got into his VW bus and drove away. Kris jumped in his Willis Jeep and headed off to Grimm's Soda Shop.
Meanwhile, Flynn was speechless and didn't know what to say. Flynn was also furious at Dave but was also attempting to reach out to him, only Dave wasn't in the mood to receive.
Dave was pacing back and forth venting about Gus and Kris, "I can't believe them. Such stupid ingrates after everything I've done for them. I can't believe that Gus traded me in for Eric and Kris didn't lift a finger to defend me and now they both think they can just ditch me like that."
Flynn attempted to calm Dave down, "Stop it now."
Dave ignored him and kept talking, "You know I'm the one who has been there for those two and they think that they can just toss me out like I was nothing. Like all these years of friendship meant nothing to them."
Flynn grabbed Dave and shook him, "That is not what they're doing. Now I said stop Dave, so STOP!"
Dave broke away from Flynn, "Hey let go of me!"
Flynn confronted Dave confused at what just happened, "Dave what the heck?"
Dave snarled, "I guess you're done with me too?"
Flynn tried to reassure Dave, "Of course not Dave. It's just that they're right. That was not the way to communicate."
Dave mocked Flynn, "Hey you know what Dr. Phil, spare me the intervention."
Flynn was confused, "Excuse me? I'm just trying to help you. There's no need to behave like this. Trying to pick locker room brawls and now dishing out cheap shots to your best friends. What the heck has gotten into you?"
Dave vented, "Excuse me? You weren't even there. Kris saw what went down and not once did he have my back. He deserves all he gets and its clear that Gus has taken Eric's side. Why are you even still standing here?"
Flynn again was confused, "What is that supposed to mean?"
Dave fumed, "Well you're obviously on Eric's side and moved over to his camp. Mind you it's not your fault. You can't help it cause you are dating his sister. It's expected that you'd take his side."
Flynn countered, "Wow. That is not fair and who said anything about taking sides or camps? I'm not on anyone's side. Hey why don't we just calm down and grab a bite at Grimms and talk about this?"
Dave snapped, "Talk about what? There's nothing to talk about."
Flynn grabbed Dave, "Dave you're out of control and you need help."
Dave countered, "And you think a burger and fries at Grimms is going fix everything?"
Flynn answered, "No of course not. I'm just saying we need to calm things down."
Dave spat, "You know what? Save your therapy session for someone who gives a damn."
Flynn pointed out, "What are you trying to accomplish here? You know all this anger and lashing out at everyone is not going to bring Jimmy back."
Dave was insulted, "How dare you? You know what? Forget you Flynn."
Dave walked away
Flynn called out, "You know what? That is not fair Dave. I'm just trying to help you and be supportive."
Dave called back, "I KNOW. YOU SAID THAT ALREADY!"
Dave got into his car, began whacking the dashboard a few times out of anger and gunned the motor and burned rubber out of the parking lot. Flynn was left speechless and all alone in the parking lot. Flynn knew that Dave was heading for a fall and from then on made it his mission to save him from himself.
Regina went to the dining room to set the table. Emma was coming from basketball practice and so she had started dinner. She found Henry doing his homework and shook her head. Henry looked up, "what?"
"Can't you do that upstairs in your bedroom. You do have a desk you know." Regina teased.
"I use my desk for important stuff." Henry laughed.
"Since when are comic books considered important? You know there's more to life than the Avengers. Tomorrow after school you're going to clean up that desk and do your homework there." Regina declared.
"You know Ginny that I think of you and Emma has my mini- moms but only dad can tell me what to do." Henry replied.
"Kid, I am your older and wiser sister. I can make your life miserable, so tomorrow clean that desk off and clean that room." Regina laughed.
"Ok I will try my best. But my comics are important." Henry said sticking out his tongue. "At least Emma agrees with me on that."
"Well the only thing they are good for to me is kindling, so clean them up." Regina laughed.
The phone buzzed in her pocket so Regina picked it up. She looked at the ID and saw it was Emma. "Hey Emma. Shouldn't you be home by now. Dinner is almost ready. Basketball practice was over at..." Regina stopped talking as she heard a breathless Emma interrupt her.
"What do you mean you are going to be late cause you have to talk to the cops?"