Hey guys! I wanted to apologize for the last update. My laptop decided to run a virus so I had to clear it before I could post. Sorry!
Okay, so, money. That could not be too hard, could it?
Technically, what Amy needed was a credit card, which was unfortunate because if all Henry needed was cash Amy could have just given him some of hers. Her father did actually pay her a little for working with him in the shop. But, no. Henry needed a credit card.
This left Amy at an impasse. Of course, she was willing to do anything to help Henry be happy, including stealing a credit card, the only question was who to steal it from. If she stole her fathers he would most likely notice and, while he was not likely to really do anything about it he would know for sure it was her, and then Henry's mother might find out too. So that was a no. Stealing it from Regina was out of the question. Amy was not sure she bought into Henry's idea that his mother was the Evil Queen, but she did not doubt Regina would burn her alive if Amy was caught.
There was a *Thunk* and Amy realized she had dropped her pencil. Right, yes, Math homework. Amy was supposed to be working on her math in study hall, but math was a horribly boring subject, and literally, anything else would be more interesting.
"Miss Gold, " The gentle voice of Mary Margaret Blanchard interrupted her thoughts, "Please, pick up your pencil and focus. Study hall was not meant for daydreaming."
And just for that, Amy decided to take Mary Margaret's credit card. "Yes, sorry, Miss Blanchard." She said.
Amy picked her target out of spite, but there was logic in her decision as well. Mary Margaret never went anywhere she would need her credit card on Thursdays. Which meant she was not likely to notice its absence.
When study hall was over Amy took her time gathering her stuff so that almost everyone else was gone before she approached Mary Margaret at her desk. The same desk that had the teacher's purse laying on it. She leaned forward onto the desk right next to the woman's purse, crossing her arms and settling her weight on her elbows.
"Miss Blanchard?" She asked.
"Yes?" The teacher responded, lifting her eyes from her papers to smile at Amy. "Can I help you with something?"
As soon as Mary Margaret's eyes were on her Amy moved her left hand. With it folded under her the way it was she could easily slip her hand into the purse on her right side without the older woman seeing.
"I just wanted to apologize for making a disturbance," Amy said, with a sufficiently remorseful look on her face.
Of course, Mary Margaret. being the incredibly naive woman she was, readily accepted the fake apology.
"Oh Honey, It's alright. I just want you to be using your time more effectively. You have more potential than you realize. But, I understand life can be distracting so, if you ever need to talk to me or need help with your homework, I'm here, even after school hours."
Amy made sure to put extra light in her smile as she stood up straight, the credit card safely up her sleeve. "Thank you, Ma'am, I'll keep that in mind."
Mary Margaret nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow!" She called cheerfully as Amy left the classroom with a wave.
Credit card acquired. Now to get it to Henry so he could use that weird website to find his real mother.
It was about midday, Helena had no idea of the exact time, just that she had been working for a while and was ready for her shift to end. She just finished dutifully cleaning the kitchen from the mess she created when making her famous muffins while listening to the music blaring through her headphones. Flour had been everywhere! But now she had orders to fill. She was beginning to cook the burgers while also tossing the fries into the fryer and taking a spin with her imaginary partner, when Ruby came in furious, probably with Granny. She was always furious with Granny, which meant, of course, that Ruby was also furious with her. Not my fault, I can actually work without complaining. Helena prepared herself to keep her mouth shut knowing she would most likely fail to do just that.
"Oh, look, the perfect angel managed to bake all the muffins by three and got started on the cookies that aren't due till tomorrow. Seriously? I do stuff too! I take orders! I clean tables! I run the register! You hide in this room and do nothing! Have you ever actually talked to another human being?" Ruby lashed out at her, placing her hand dramatically on her hip and throwing her towel against her side.
"Nothing? I do nothing?" Helena was furious and fed up with her attitude again. "Are you blind? Seriously? Also, just because Granny credits me, doesn't mean you do any less!" Although you do. Helena groaned in frustration. It was hard for her to remember a time when they didn't fight, but she knew at one point they were friends. They must have been right? If not she wished that they could be but, not at this precise moment though. This was her fight to win.
"Yes, it does! Granny just went on and on about how I should be like you, her perfect little niece. At least, I'm not a suck-up." Ruby said as she hunted around in a cabinet for the scotch she kept in the diner.
Helena glared at Ruby flipping a burger before putting it on its bun, "I'm not a suck-up and you know Granny doesn't like you drinking during your shift." She said through her gritted teeth.
"Huh, that's what a suck-up would say. Have fun with your grilling, I think you burned one by the way." Ruby exited the kitchen with her glass of scotch, leaving Helena alone with her thoughts and tears.
"I'm not. Why can't I stand up for myself? I'm pathetic." Helena watched as her tears fell onto the griddle and sizzled into nothing, which was a huge health violation, so she proceeded to throw all the burgers into the trash and start again.
"You've been coming in late for the past two weeks. Would you care to explain why?" Papa asked, suddenly changing the topic slightly without looking up from his plate of cheeseburger and fries.
Amy suppressed a groan. Why did he have to go and actually pay attention to her the one time she did not want it? Seriously Papa! I've done so many things to get your attention and now that I don't want it you pay attention?! Really?! Of course, none of that escaped her mouth. Instead, Amy made a show of taking a drink to clear her mouth.
"It's nothing, Papa. I simply lost track of time." Amy winced at her own excuse. She definitely could have done better than that. No way he would believe her.
"You have a phone that you hardly look away from that has the time on it. If you are going to lie to me, at least make it believable." Papa gave a similar show of sipping his own drink before asking his question again, "Now, tell me the truth Amy, why were you late?"
Amy rolled her eyes, unperturbed by her father's unfounded assumptions. "Just because I possess a device that allows me to keep time does not mean it is impossible to still lose track of it and, contrary to popular belief, my being a teenager does not mean I'm always on my phone."
"Fine. But, I want you there on time or there will be consequences. Do you understand?" Papa gave up fighting, giving Amy the victory, he finished his cheeseburger in silence.
Amy simply nodded, besides, at this point, Henry probably would not be delaying her anymore. Considering where he went, Amy doubted he would come back. What kid would pass up the opportunity to leave this town behind? She knew Henry made it out of town safe, he would have called her on his walkie if he had not. So, Amy doubted she would be seeing him anytime soon. All she had to do was hide her involvement in his running away and she would be in the clear.
Amy glanced up as the door to Granny's Diner opened and to her horror Mayor Mills marched in.
Oh crap
It was a well-known fact that everyone in Storybrooke feared Mayor Mills and if not feared then they avoided her. The Mayor of Storybrooke was an extremely volatile person. Prone to random outbursts and barely concealed threats. It was also a well-known fact that the Gold family did not care. Mr. Gold owned almost everything in the town and no matter how much the Mayor tried she could not do anything to Mr. Gold and his wayward daughter. Which left the town in constant fear of someone starting a fight between them.
Amy had a feeling she might have just done that.
Regina Mills stormed over to the table Amy was sitting at with her father and without sparing a glance to Mr. Gold addressed his daughter.
"You insubordinate little…" The Mayor cut herself off, seeming to think better of her wording. "I don't know what you did or how you did it, but my son is gone and you had something to do with it. Tell me where he is!" She hissed.
"Madam Mayor, I'd watch how you talk to my daughter if I were you." Amy's father turned the mayor's attention to him, broadening his shoulders and lowering his voice to a subtle growl to show his dominance, "I'm sure your son is fine. If he isn't, you should have kept a closer eye on him. Now, leave my daughter and I in peace, or I can make your life a lot more difficult, Dearie."
Before Regina could respond the door swung open again and the Sheriff walked in, looking a little out of breath. "Madam Mayor, please, I know you're upset but-"
"Sheriff," Regina's voice was a command for silence all on its own. Whether for his own good or not Sheriff Graham listened. Satisfied she was not going to be interrupted again, the Mayor turned back to Mr. Gold.
"My son is missing and your daughter knows where he is. I will speak to her however I wish."
Amy was quite enjoying the looks of terror on everyone's faces. From the moment Regina stormed into the dinner all activity had stopped. Everyone was frozen in their chairs too terrified to move for fear of making the situation worse. Even Granny and her two nieces had stopped their work to watch. It was easy to imagine the whole town holding its breath waiting for one of the arguing adults to throw a fireball or something ridiculous like that.
However, even the fear of everyone else rippling around her could not fend off Amy's anger. Now Regina wants to be a caring parent? After everything, she's put Henry through? And Papa too! They have no right! Arguing as if their children really mattered to them. I should have gone with Henry. At least then I wouldn't be stuck here.
"Maybe," She started, interrupting whatever it was her Papa was saying, "if you really cared for him he wouldn't have left."
"How dare you-" Regina started, but Graham cut her off.
"Enough! All three of you. None of this is going to help Henry. Now, Madam Mayor, I understand why you are angry with this girl, but let's remember we haven't proved whether she had anything to do with Henry's disappearance. Let's think rationally." Graham took hold of the situation and turned to her father, "Mr. Gold, would you mind accompanying your daughter to the Mayor's house so that we can sit down and have a civilized conversation that can help the boy out of whatever trouble he might be in?"
"You may take my daughter, but I have work that I need to get done by tomorrow and rent I need to collect tonight. If Amy needs to stay the night in the jailhouse to appease the mayor, do so. Just keep it on the down low." Her useless father addressed Amy, "I'll see you when you get home." He got up from the table and left the diner.
Amy felt like saying some very colorful words and she might have in her mind where no one could hear them.
"Alright then, Mayor, Amy, and I will meet you at your house shortly." Graham ended that conversation with a determined stare in the Mayor's direction then, nodded at Amy to follow him to his vehicle, trying to avoid any more interaction between the two that could end in a blood bath.
As soon as the lovely trio left, Ruby came into the kitchen, "Did you hear that, Helena? Apparently, Mr. Gold's daughter got Henry into some trouble. No one knows where he is."
"I heard. But… maybe it's not Helena's fault. Henry is just as capable to do this. He's seemed upset lately. She was probably just trying to be a good friend." Helena tried to look on the bright side and see the story from both angles before reaching that conclusion.
"I don't know how you can defend that monster's child. She definitely did something, I just hope Henry isn't hurt. It isn't like him. She's got him under her finger like her father has the town." Ruby scoffed.
"Ruby!" Granny came into the kitchen, "Stop gossiping and whining and get to work!"
Ruby moved to the coffee pot, after Granny left, and took the next prepared order, "Ugh, can't that woman give me a moment of peace? Gosh, I left five seconds ago." She gave Helena an exasperated look, "See you in a bit."
"See you," Helena replied, I don't think Amy did this. Everyone blames her because of her father. Always has. He treats her worse than any of us. Helena felt pity for the girl. She had watched her come in day after day, and seen the look in her eyes. A look of abandonment. A girl who was lost. Henry had been the best thing that happened to that girl. Their friendship seemed to give both of them hope. Amy fascinated Helena but she never felt brave enough to help her. She couldn't. What would her family think of her? What would Mr. Gold do? They could lose the diner. I'm hopeless. I'm a complete coward. She threw the potatoes onto the plate for the next order. And that girl is paying for it.
These are the setup scenes for the first episode, just to get a feel for where Helena and Amy ended up inside the curse.
We couldn't decide on what personality to give them inside the curse so we simply swapped. Amy now has more of Helena's personality and Helena has more of Amy's. So far, we insane writers are going more insane trying to write to each other. This is going great...HElp PlEsE...