Skipping school
A guest asked for a oneshot of a teen Emma (13-14) dogging it (how Scots say skipping school) and Charming catches her leading to a lot of trouble.
"There is no way I'm spending another period with that stupid Mrs Powell." Emma told her friends Lillian and Franziscka. "She's even worse at teaching maths than Mr MacLaren from last year! No, I'm done for the day."
"Emma are you sure that's a good idea?" Franziscka asked her. "What if you get caught?" Emma scoffed as she shoved her timetable back in her rucksack and slung it over her shoulder.
"I won't, don't be such a baby. It's not like they'll ask you, you're both in different classes next. Anyway, I'm out of here." Emma didn't give either a chance to try and talk her out of it again. Knowing she had to be careful where she went, Emma decided to go to the old toll bridge and hang out there. She had her comic books with her, so it would be a nice easy couple of hours before she'd head home…
Charming was busy filling out paperwork at the station when the phone rang.
"Storybrooke police station, Sheriff speaking, how can I help you?"
"Hello, is this Emma's father?"
"Yes it is, who am I speaking to please?"
"This is Mr King, the Headmaster at Emma's school. She appears to have gone walkabout. We don't tolerate truancy." Charming was quite taken aback. It wasn't like Emma to skip school.
"No, of course not Mr King. I assure you Emma will be found and she will be punished for this. She did not have her mother or I's permission to miss any lessons today. Thank you for calling me." Charming then hung up the phone and set out, knowing there were very few places where Emma could be hiding.
Emma was laughing at one of the funny comic strips, lost in her own little world. Unfortunately for Emma it was her loud laugh that led her dad right to her.
"What precisely," He said loudly enough to make Emma jump right out of her skin "do you think you are doing here during school hours, young lady?" He asked her sternly. Emma stayed silent, a little bit frightened. "Well?"
"I'm sorry!" She squeaked. "It won't happen again!"
"Darn right it won't Emma Ruth. Do you even realise how dangerous this is let alone how damaging to your education? Anyone could have snatched you from out here and not a soul would have known or been able to find you! Not to mention how embarrassing it was being called by your head teacher to be told my daughter was playing truant. I am very disappointed in you, young lady." Emma started to cry, feeling quite disappointed with herself, she didn't like making her dad angry. Charming could feel himself softening, he hated Emma crying. But he had to stay strong on this one, it was too important a lesson to be learnt. "Don't start with the tears. You know what you did was wrong. We are going home right now- march." Charming pointed towards the car, and Emma started trudging towards it sniffling. This had totally not been worth it.