Emma

...What am I going to do? What the hell is Henry doing there? Am I already caught? How does Killian know Henry?!

Ruby grabbed my hand and shook it wildly. "...Em – ma, do som-something…."

I quickly nodded as she turned me around. She grabbed my shoulders and leaned closer to my ear. "I'll try to stall, hide somewhere for awhile."

I nodded and she pushed me away.

Ding! Ding! The bell jingled as the door opened. Footsteps came closer. I walked slowly from behind, carefully listening.

"Ruby. Hey!" Henry's footsteps sped up and came to a stop.

I speed walked and stood in the west wing by the restroom. I leaned against the wall and peeked without showing my face.

Ruby brushed Henry's head. "Hey, Henry. Wh-what are you doing here?" She looked at Killian with uneasy eyes.

"This is my new friend. He helped me in a fight. By the way, don't tell mom about that, she's sick enough. Anyway, where's mom. I gotta talk to her."

Killian smiled. "Hello."

Ruby nodded with a pale look and opened her trembling mouth. "Ri-right. Um, she's really busy right now. How about you two stay put? I have to go back to work." She quickly turned around and walked away.

Henry removed his back pack and sat on the booth. He gestured one of his hands for Killian to take a seat.

~ The two of them remained there for awhile. I snuck to table to table facing my back from them, or rushing back to my hiding place by the restroom. It astonishes me how well they are getting along. I can't hear clearly what they're saying, but I could see Killian talking to Henry and making him laugh as if...as if he's actually his father.

Peter finally finished his food and took out his wallet from his pocket. I quietly cleared the table and lowered my eyes.

"Why do you lower your eyes at me like that?" He tilted his head, hoping that I'll look at him. But I still lowered my eyes. The last thing I ever want is for this kid to ever think he could get a chance with me. It just makes me sick. He's a college boy, he has a future ahead of him. He should be focusing more on school than hitting on women who are way beyond his age. If he wants a girl, she could be anyone but a single mother working in a diner.

I picked up the last plate and returned to the kitchen as quickly as possible. Belle leaned against on the wall reading a book. Ruby came up to me as I placed the tray down. She grabbed my hand and dragged me out the back door between the stove and the freezer. She doesn't look so nervous like before, but I could still see the worry in her eyes.

"Henry is still here with Killian."

"I know, Rubes. I know."

Ruby curved her lips to a smile. "Although, this matter is serious, I can't help but see those two get along so well. Killian seems to be really good to Henry. Really."

"I know. I saw too," a grin curved to my lips, "I can't admit that I hadn't seen Henry get along with someone like that since..."

Ruby placed a hand on my shoulder. "I know, sweetie. Since Bae, you really have to try to let him go now. I know it's hard, Em. But you are never going to move on if you don't. Look. Two bachelors are already falling down on their knees for you. Why are you ignoring those great opportunities? You are still quite young and beautiful, you still have the luxury to capture a man's attention. You may have a son, but there are many men out there who will be willing to accept you and Henry.

"Speaking of your two options, the two of them have good and also bad sides. Jefferson is someone you really connect with. He is handsome, a gentleman and is already a father. But then, he has a kid of his own, so it will take a bit of time for Henry to accept two new members in the family. Now Killian is surprisingly an acceptable choice. He seems decent, and deep inside him there's some sincerity hidden there. Plus, he seems to get along great with Henry. Why can't you just choose?"

I fell silent and mediated on the facts for a moment. Ruby is right, both Jefferson and Killian are a catch. But I don't know why I can't choose when I know in my heart that it's time to stop this game...I just feel empty inside for some reason, its like I want something even more from Killian and Jefferson. Something more that convinces me to end my fear of making a decision to choose the right man.

Ruby shook me back to reality. "Emma stop dozing off."

Suddenly, Belle walked in on us. "Hey, boss wants you two back inside."

"Alright, thanks Belle," I turned my head to Ruby, "Let's discuss this later." I walked back inside the diner with Belle.

~ Peter was finally gone, thank gosh. But...They are gone too. The booth where they sat is empty, lonely in one piece. I quickly looked straight at the glass doorway. No matter how desperate I looked, there is no sign of Killian or Henry anywhere.

For some reason, I could feel my mouth go dry, my face pale and droplets of cold sweat dripping down my forehead. I guess its just nerves or something. Ruby stood by the cashier. She saw the disappointment drawn on my face, she gave me those worried eyes again. I perched my lips and returned to my work.

I went back to the kitchen. Joe flipped a few pancakes on a frying pan. "Hey, Emma! Can you throw that trash out in the back?! Thanks!" He shouted between loud clatter of pans and sizzling of food.

Not that I'm thrilled to do so, I think my stomach needs a breath of fresh air. Because its beginning to hurt really bad. "Sure Joe!" I shouted back. I walked behind the soda stand and stood in front of the trash can. I grabbed the end of the trash bag and tied it tightly before pulling it out of the trash can. I dragged the trash bag to balance its heavy weight out the back door.

I closed the door shut with my foot, and dragged the trash bag once more. Unfortunately, Peter did not leave after all. He leaned against the wall by the dumpster and puffed on a lighted cigarette.

He looked up at me, and removed the cigarette from his mouth. "Well, we meet again. I already missed you, cutie."

I grabbed the top of the trash bag in a tight grip. "Kid what are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be at the college yet?"

He shook his head and placed the cigarette back in his mouth. "Naw. Class doesn't start till nine for me. I take classes late on Fridays."

I lifted the bag as best as I could. But its so heavy, I could only lift it up to my waist. Peter chuckled, he walked over to me. "Here, let me help you."

Peter took the trash bag. I just stood there, my stomach hurts too much to argue. Suddenly, his smile disappeared when he looked at me. "Are you okay? You don't look so good."

"I-I'm fine, kid."

Peter still gave me a worried look before he lifted the trash bag and tossed in the dumpster. I could feel the streams of blood in my veins clotting, and my skin growing cold. I tried not to collapse on the floor, but my trembling knees gave up on me. Peter caught me in time before my back touched the hard cement floor.

Peter grabbed my hand, and placed his fingertips against the side of my wrist. "Your heart rate is beating slow, you need to stay with me."

I just looked at him. My throat is too raw for me to speak, and my head feels even more lighter as if its been drained.

Peter looked at me hard. "Hey, don't close your eyes. Breathe. Try to breathe. Come on! Breathe!"

I forced to inhale through my dry nostrils, but my nose and mouth is so dry I could hear the wheezing as I take a breath. Peter nodded, encouraging me to follow the same to breathe. I don't think he has any idea that this is not an asthma attack. I need to go to the hospital now, idiot!

I can't breathe anymore, my mouth is to dry and I can't even swallow my own saliva. I stopped, even though both Peter and my inflaming body begged for more oxygen. Peter shook my shoulders wildly, my teeth rattled, hitting against each other hard. I'm tired of his yapping. I might as well just pass out to shut him up. My eyes closed to help me to rock to a painful sleep.

"No! Come on wake up! Wake up dam–" But sleep just shielded my ears and sight. I could feel more of the inflaming pain increasing in my stomach and my mouth and nose unable to give my body any oxygen. Regardless of the pain stabbing each area of my body, I feel better being like this, it's the first time I ever gave up and just rested so peacefully.

Suddenly, a pressure pressed hard against my chest. Doong! Doong! Doong! The pressure stopped ever five times after a mouthful of oxygen was offered in my mouth. Doong! Doong! Doong! The performance continued, but this deadly sleep just forbids me to wake up.

I apologize for not writing FOR SO LONG...My family and I moved and things had been really crazy. Plus the Internet was disconnected longer than expected. So I really apologize guys.