For her siblings
Dearie asked for a oneshot of a rude boy from Emma's school bets her that she can't do a handstand on the jungle gym. Emma tries repeatedly but keeps falling off. Eventually Rosie and Neal can't watch any longer and get Snowing. They come just as Emma falls for around the tenth time, both hitting her knee and getting the wind knocked out of her causing the boy to laugh. Snow fusses over Emma and Charming takes the boy by the arm in search of his parents.
"You think you're so clever because you can do a three-sixty spin off that stupid tower." Eion Wraith sneered at Emma. "Look at you, showing off to your little brother and sister. You just think you're so smart, don't you?"
"I'm not doing anything Eion, I'm just playing with my brother and sister. Go and do something with your friends and leave us alone." Emma responded. She had enough of his snide remarks at school, she didn't need it in the park at the weekend when she was meant to be free of him.
"If you're so clever, do a handstand jump off the jungle gym. If you can do that then I'll leave you and your stupid brother and sister alone." Eion challenged her. Emma sighed. She looked back at Neal and Rosie, who she could tell were scared of Eion and his gang of cronies.
"Fine." She sighed. "I do one handstand off the jungle gym and you leave all three of us alone for good?"
"You got it princess." Eion laughed. He knew fine well it was an impossible task to ask of anyone who wasn't professionally trained in gymnastics to partake. But if it helped out her siblings Emma knew she had to try. Emma climbed to the top of the tower, took a deep breath, and attempted the ambitious move. She fell painfully onto the rubber material below, much to the amusement of Eion and his gang.
"Better luck next time princess!" Wayne Director, one of Eion's main henchman called over to her.
"You never said I had to do it first time." Emma pointed out, getting up and dusting herself off. "Just that I had to do it."
"We've got all day!" Jakob Bender, another of Eion's friends called. Emma climbed back up the ladder, attempted it once more, and fell even more painfully, much to the gang's amusement. She refused to allow them to see her cry. She got up, ready to try again.
By the seventh time, Emma's knees were grazed and bleeding. She had bruises covering most of her body and she ached all over, but she refused to give in to him.
"I've had enough." Neal said quietly, taking Rosie's hand. "Let's go get mom and dad." They quickly snuck off, glad they weren't noticed by any of the gang.
By the time Neal and Rosie returned with their parents, Emma was on her tenth attempt. Her knees smashed against the ground painfully and the wind was knocked right out of her. She doubled over in agony, and the gang just fell about laughing.
"Keep going, princess, there isn't enough for YouTube yet!" Eion yelled out.
"HEY!" Charming bellowed. The gang jumped and span around. They started to scarper off, but Charming caught Eion roughly by the arm.
"You're Christie and Gil's boy aren't you?" He demanded. Eion gulped and nodded. "Well we'll say what your parents have to say about you picking on my kids. March!" Charming pulled Eion off to where he knew his parents lived whilst Snow tended to Emma.
"You shouldn't have listened to him." She said as she carefully cleaned Emma's knees with the antiseptic wipes she always carried in her handbag. "I know he said he's only leave you three alone if you did it, but you should have got us. Look at your poor knees. And I can already tell your arms are going to bruise. Let me have a look at your tummy…"
"I'm fine mom, really." Emma insisted. "I just want to go home." Snow nodded, helping her daughter up.
"You've been very brave and noble today Emma." Snow said proudly. "I think that calls for ice cream sundaes at Granny's for dessert when your dad gets back." Emma grinned.
"I think that sounds good."