Emma Swan, Killian Jones, and Once Upon a Time are not mine. :(
I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Hansen's - Seventh Grade (Fall 1995)

By the time Emma was nearing her twelfth birthday, she had lived in more homes than she could count. As a baby, Emma was adopted by a nice couple. When she was three, the couple gave her up. She thought they were her family. Since then, she has felt unwanted, as she was shuffled through the system, constantly being moved from home to home.

Today was Emma's first day of seventh grade, of middle school. She had just moved into a new foster home the previous week, the Hansen's; she thought that maybe this time things would turn out right.

When Emma arrived to school, she was full of fear, excitement, and hope. As she wandered around the school's campus looking for her class, she managed to get lost in crowd. The bell rang, meaning it was time for her to go to homeroom; the problem was that she could not find the room or even the building in which it was located. Everyone had somebody, their group of friends, and she was alone, not knowing in which direction she should go.

Emma was left standing there, in the school's courtyard, hoping that maybe just maybe she could make one friend here, that is, if they could manage to get through her walls. Or, could she at least find her homeroom? As she stood there, standing in the sunlight, she felt someone's eyes on her. Bringing herself back to reality, she observed the boy looking at her from afar. He seemed familiar. Playing with her braid, she watched as the older boy approached her. The boy with jet black hair and eyes like the sea. The sea always made her feel at home, and his eyes comforted her.

"Hi, I'm James. Did you need some help finding your class? You look lost." James helpfully asked with a smile. Usually, James kept to himself, a lone wolf, but there was something different about Emma.
"Umm.. actually... can you, please?" Emma gave him a nervous smile, showing him her class schedule.
"Sure thing." As James looked at the list of classes and room numbers, he continued, "What's your name?"
"Oh, my name's Emma." Emma said, looking at her feet, trying to prevent their eyes from meeting. Deep down, she feared that if they keep eye contact too long, he would see back her guarded fortress, into her soul.
"Nice to meet you." James said with smirk, shaking her hand.
"So... could you point me in the direction of my class?" Emma tried and failed to hide her smile.
"Right this way!" James replied as he gestured for her to follow him. He did not understand what had come over him. He had the reputation as the bad boy; he was trouble. He only looked out for himself, but there was something about this girl... this Emma. She was special. For the first time in his life, he felt drawn to someone, and he took a leap of faith. He couldn't be a loner forever, right?

After showing Emma to her first class of the day, he bid her a farewell. She was relieved that she made it to class on time, but she was alone once again. Attempting to shake this feeling, she reminded herself that this was simply a kind gesture and nothing more. A long time ago, Emma learned that she could only depend on herself and no one else, so why would James be any different?

Her classes passed without anything memorable occurring. Now, it was lunch time. Walking through the campus, Emma found a tree to eat her lunch under, hoping no one would see her, praying to be invisible. Luckily, her prayers were not answered. In the distance, she saw the same boy from earlier approaching her. Emma was already sitting casually under the tree, when she saw James standing above her.

"Emma" She loved the way he said her name. "Is anyone sitting here?" James inquired as he pointed to a spot on the ground next to her.
"Nope." Emma simply stated. Thinking to herself, Is he going to have lunch with me?.
Sitting down next to her, James proceeded to take out his lunch and asked, "So, Emma, just who are you?"
Without thinking, Emma blurted out, "Wouldn't you like to know?" with a chuckle unintentionally escaping her.
"Perhaps, I would." James seriously added. The way those words fell from his lips, Emma was unsure what to think of this James. They barely met; why does he care?
"Well, I don't see why." Emma was unamused was his interest in her.
"Try something new, it's called trust." James flirted, but his flirtations were a failed attempt at getting their her protected barriers.
"Why should I trust you?" Emma said, leering at him.
"Is really that much better being on your own?" James was curious about this Emma girl. Why was the idea of trusting him such a difficult one for her to grasp.
"It's just what I'm used to..." Looking away, unbeknownst to her, James understood completely.
"Hey, same here. I just thought maybe, maybe I'd try. It's fine." James solemnly stated as he grabbed his backpack, stood up, and began to walk away. Then he counted to himself, one...two...three...
"WAIT! Don't go-" Emma apologetically suggested.
Turning on his heal and smiling, James smirked saying, "Well, if you insist."
Sitting next to her, the two of them spent the remainder of lunch time without any more bantering.

For the rest of the day, Emma was reevaluating what happened at lunch. Why was she fighting him wanting to get to know her? Why was he so insistent on becoming friends? In the past, no one had ever taken an interest in her, and she's never had a friend before, not really. What does it mean to be a friend with someone, nevertheless, friends with a boy? On the bus ride back to the Hansen's, Emma reminded herself that this friendship won't lasts; nothing lasts. One of them will get sick of the other, or she will get placed into another foster home. Nothing works out the way she hopes.

After lunch, James reconsidered his decision to get to know Emma, to become her friend, and to have someone in his life. For years, he kept to himself, never letting another person into his heart. He completely understood why Emma initially refused to let him in, and he is positive that her walls are still keeping her safe. He isn't perfect. James never wanted to feel a connection, to make a friend, because he thought that opening yourself up to someone gave them the opportunity to betray you. Friendship, Compassion, Love... those were just weaknesses, and he refused to become weak. But, he continued to fight back and remind himself... Emma was special.

The following day, Emma went straight to homeroom, hoping to avoid James. She was afraid of this blossoming friendship, but at the same time, she wanted to have a friend. Without seeing each other that morning, James and Emma went through the motions of their morning classes. Approaching the tree where she had lunch the previous day, Emma saw James already waiting there. The moment their eyes met; his worried expression changed into a smile. Emma smiled back, nervous of what was yet to come.

Sitting across from each other, the pair ate their lunches in silence. Both of them unsure as to how to begin a conversation. James decided to take the leap. "So, Emma, how has your day been?"
"It has been boring. What about you?" Emma unenthusiastically responded.
"It has been good... It was nice to see you again today." James awkwardly said.
"Nice to see you too."
Seeing that this was going anywhere, James went for it, "So... how long have you lived in Searsport?"
"For maybe a week or so." unsure how to answer without giving away her secret. In the past, Emma was bullied for being a foster kid, having far too many memories of being told, "If your parents didn't want you, then who would". The words still clear as day, still so unbearably painful.

"Oh, did your family just move here? Have you seen the harbor yet?" James exclaimed, hoping to show her around the town.
Completely avoiding his first question, "No, I haven't. How is it?"
"It's wonderful! I have to take you!" James now had an excuse to see her outside of class. He was ecstatic.
"Okay! I just have to ask," Emma was fascinated with ships and intrigued by the sea; she couldn't wait to have him show her around.
"Sounds good to me!" James could barely say the words before the bell rang, ending lunch. Quickly adding, "Do you take the bus home?"
"Yeah, I do." She knew where this was going.
"Let's walk to the bus stop after class!" It was more of a statement then a question, but she was beginning to feel more comfortable around him, little by little of course.
"Meet you here at 3?" he added fast.
"Okay, I'll see you after school." Emma yelled back as she walked to class.

By the end of their first week, James and Emma had made a routine of spending their mornings laughing before class, eating lunch together, and talking about their day as they walked to their bus stop.

After school, on the Friday of that first week, James gave Emma a tour of the harbor. As he showed her around the harbor, James told her some of the rich history of this seaport.
"In the mid-nineteenth century, Searsport was known for its deep sea vessels who came into port here... including pirates! It is said that this is where some of the cruelest pirates spent their vacation time when they ruled the seven seas."
"Pirates? I thought I was getting a history lesson." Emma tried to act annoyed, when in reality she was fascinated by his stories of pirates.
Continuing, "To the left you can see Pirate's island which at one time inhabited some of these gruesome pirates. Some say that pirates continue to haunt these waters." with that, Emma let our a loud chuckle.
"I am guessing you like pirates." Emma snorted as she held in as much laughter as she could.
"Aye, well, I am a pirate after all, lass." attempting to sound like a pirate.
Emma responded with an unamused look and crossing his arms.
"Why must you refuse to play along? I was having some fun! I love ships and the sea, and I swear I am meant to be a pirate." He was very disappointed in Emma's lack of enthusiasm. Why doesn't love pirates?
"Well, sadly for you, pirates don't exist."
Giving Emma a playful frown, James decided he wouldn't allow the tour to end just yet, "You don't believe, tisk tisk. You must believe", unbeknownst to him, James was beginning to show his past, "You see, since I was a lad, I felt drawn to the sea. When I moved here and saw the harbor, I knew that there HAD to have been pirates here at some point or another... And I am destined for piracy, after all. The sea is in my veins, and I must never forget the ways of the ship or the importance of raising the crimson flag!"
Standing there, Emma thought she would humor her new friend, "I, as well, was drawn to the see. I am sorry to say though that I gave up piracy for this life we lead." Giggling, Emma couldn't control herself, "Sorry, I, I couldn't help myself. You're hilarious."
"Don't mock me, and my life as a pirate!" By this time, they were to the end of their tour. Grabbing her hand, James showed Emma to his favorite spot in the harbor.
"Sit" as he pat the bench beside him. "This is my favorite spot in the harbor, I come here to think and forget everything."
In that moment, they sat there with closed eyes as they felt the sea breeze against their faces. This was home.

Their mutual fascination with ships and the sea made them connect on a special level. Over time, Emma even warmed up to his pirate jokes and began to play along. Their middle school was close enough to the seaport that they made visiting it on Friday afternoons a regular occurrence. The harbor felt like James' home, and it comforted Emma. James had shared his special place with Emma, and she will always be grateful. As they sat there, in their silence, they breathing in the salty ocean air in unison.

After James shared his safe haven with Emma, they walked to their respective bus stations together. Even though opening up to Emma made James feel vulnerable, he was happy to see her relax and enjoy herself outside of school. As James sat there, he thought of their future. He did not think of love; love never crossed his mind. He wondered about the future; their friendship growing. James was hopeful for the future. He believed deep down that they were destined to find each other, destined to be friends. But, he knew better than to say such a thing. For, if he did, he may just scare away his only friend.

Soon enough, the weather would be growing colder. Sitting there, Emma envisioned the two of them visiting this same spot, wrapped in their warm winter coats; well, only if she lasted at the Hansen's long enough to see it. Emma wanted to think optimistically about the future. From experience, Emma learned the hard way that hope set sou up for disappointment and pain. But, as time passed, Emma began to find herself getting lost in the moments and hopeful for the future in James' company. Perhaps, James was quite easily succeeding at getting past her walls.

All Emma and James wanted, needed, was companionship. They were so accustomed to taking care of themselves and depending on no one else. As time went on, their friendship blossomed, and both of them began to stop thinking about the inevitable goodbyes they were yet to say. Neither one of them knew it yet, but they shared the same secret hidden deep in their hearts, the same feeling of loneliness that accompanies being abandoned.