In a small seaside town just outside of Maine on a cloudy day, an old station wagon pulled up to the curb of Storybrooke high. Moments later a young girl stepped out in torn jeans a flannel shirt and blonde wavey hair, sheepishly waving goodbye to her driver. Who smiled putting the car back into drive, but hesitated before hitting the gas, pursing her lips, she poked her head out the car window.
"Good luck Emma… meet be back here right after school"
Jodie's eyes looked Emma up and down as she pondered for a moment, judging the teenage girl by her vacant expression and folded arms.
"Just try and stay out of trouble".
"Sure"
Emma slipped her hand through her wavey blonde hair pushing it behind her ear as the woman drove away swiftly, leaving the fifteen-year-old Emma alone on the steps of her new high school. Other students brushed by with their friends, some on skateboard's others with their own cars, as she made her way up the steps, into the halls.
"Here we go again"
After a minute Emma noticed, the other students began to gawk and stare as they shuffled from their lockers into their classrooms. She folded her arms around herself averting their eyes as she made her way to the main office. The school was a little odd, with stuck in the ninety's décor including the old computers, like some kind of bizarre time capsule.
As the halls emptied, Emma came across a large brown door, written on the glass where the words office, all she could here was arguing through the door, hesitating before turning the knob and entering. It was small and busy, many students and staff rushing around as the day started. A girl just in front of Emma in jeans and a thin cotton blue shirt raised her voice, arguing with the man behind the front desk.
"I understand, but it's a special storybook, a one of a kind and I can't find it anywhere" The girl said, her voice in a rasp and fists clenched.
"You must have left it somewhere else; those lockers can't be broken into" the man mumbled barely paying attention as he stared at the computer screen in front of him.
In a bit of a huff and with much hesitation the girl moved to the side, letting Emma walk up to the desk, she smiled at the man who pursed his lips frowning at her.
"Who are you"?
"Emma Swan, I'm a new student".
He frowned slightly bewildered, without saying a word holding out his hand for Emma's paperwork.
"Oh, I don't have anything, my social worker said they should have emailed it over".
"Nobody told me about this".
"Off course" Emma sighed.
"Do you not have identification or your previous records...?
Emma shook her head in response, shrugging slightly having nothing but the clothes on her back and a small over the shoulder bag, which held all of her belongings.
"I only arrived in Storybrooke, early this morning from Tallahassee".
The man huffed rolling his eyes before picking up the phone and speaking quietly into the receiver explaining the situation. This was followed by a long awkward silence as his expression, when from annoyed to a little scared.
"Come in" A woman's voice beckoned from the principal's office.
Emma stood there confused looking back at the other girl who still hadn't left, scrolling through her phone looking stressed, but she gave Emma an empathetic look.
"She's talking to you".
"Oh, sorry I'll…"
Emma mumbled before walking towards her door, which had large black letters the words principle Mills on the front of the glass. Sitting behind her desk legs crossed in a grey suit she looked towards Emma with utter distain and just a flicker of fear.
"I'm a new student, Emma Swan I was told" Emma started but was interrupted.
"Would you like a drink, apple juice"?
"Uhm sure"
With a sly smile she got up from her desk walking over to a small fridge in the corner, Regina got out a juice box handing it to Emma.
"Bit late aren't you, class is about to start" Regina said walking over to a cabinet, grabbing a few files.
"There was a delay, getting here, my social worker couldn't find this town on her GPS, but I found it on a map it just took a while".
The principle looked up at Emma without saying a word, but her eyes narrowed suspicious of Emma's explanation as if she needed one, letting out a sigh she dumped papers in front of Emma.
"Here is your schedule, a list of textbooks you will need to have and the schools code of conduct, which you are expected to follow."
The way Regina enounced that last part, really emphasising it, caused Emma's heart to race her face going pale.
"Thanks, I'll be sure to read all this"
"I just skimmed through your records quickly, come straight from juvenile hall, kicked out of three schools already".
Emma was silent staring right at Regina not moving an inch as she frowned at her new Principle, she could have sworn this woman was threatened by her presence.
"Should I be worried".
"Worried"?
"Here at Storybroke high we maintain a high level of excellence from our students, I expect the same from you"
"Right"
Emma was quickly led back out of the office the principles hand on her back, practically pushing her out the door.
"Elsa, show the new girl to her locker, number eight fifteen" Regina demanded looking towards Elsa, who was in the middle of round two with the office manager.
"Sure" Elsa replied sheepishly, but you could hear the frustration in her voice.
Emma awkwardly followed her out into the hall it was deserted, not a single student was out of there seat or making noise quietly sitting at their desks. She quietly followed Elsa, but Emma felt bad having to be led around like a nuisance a burden, like she was to everyone she met. As sense of dread washed over her as she realised the rest of her day would be much of the same, asking to borrow a pen or read a textbook over someone's shoulder. As her mind began to spiral Elsa stopped suddenly, smiling she turned to Emma.
"Hey ugh, Emma is it I'm sorry I'm being rude, I'm Elsa welcome to Storybrooke high, your lockers right by mine, do you know what you have first period"?
"English room 4B, I have no idea where that is" Emma said looking down at her schedule quickly.
"It's alright I can show you; you'll be fine that teachers real nice Mr Glass the office manager isn't really helpful and the Principle well she's a bit Ughh" Elsa trailed off.
"A bitch" Emma finished.
They both laughed and Elsa did a little impression of the office manager staring down at you, over his glass's routine, before she stopped by one of the endless rows of grey metal lockers.
"Ok this is yours and room 4B is just down the hall on the right, I've got to go, I'm already late, but maybe I can see you after class, my friends would be interested to meet you".
"Really, why? Emma said as Elsa already started to walk away.
"We've never had a new student".
Elsa had already disappeared further down the hall not seeing Emma's confused expression before she shook her head looking at her locker. Emma opened it the dented locker door it was empty and dusty, she had nothing to fill it with anyway, quickly she slammed it shut walking over to her first class alone.
Emma hesitated peering through the window of classroom 4B, to see a pristine space, stocked bookshelves neatly stacked, with all students keenly attentive. Looking towards the woman in a cream cardigan and pixie haircut smiling as she made her way around the room already in a class discussion. Emma carefully opened the door stepping in quietly, making her way to the one empty chair at the back.
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies" Miss Blanchard stated, suddenly Emma stopped for just a moment and listened to the bright-eyed women at the front of the room.
Before stumbling getting caught up in the moment, she tripped over her own feet dropping her paperwork onto the floor with a loud thud. Everyone in the room turned starring at her, feeling a hot blush spread across her face. Emma immediately dropped to the ground to pick everything up and avoid the stares of her new classmates.
"Here, let me help you with that." Said a soft, kind voice.
Suddenly Miss Blanchard was kneeling by Emma's side picking up some of her papers for her, she smiled as she hands them to Emma. As their eyes met a sensation came over them both, almost like déjà vu. Miss Blanchard was staring at Emma for a moment her eyes wide, Emma turned away, grabbing a hold of her papers and standing up abruptly.
"Sorry I'm late, I 'm, it's my first day" Emma said, which resulted in giggling from the corner of the room.
"It's ok, just take a seat, I'm Miss Blanchard" she smiled giving Emma a reassuring nod.
"Emma"
Sitting down then she realised she was staring at Miss Blanchard; in fact, she hadn't even blinked the rest of the world seemed so far away for a moment. Feeling self-conscious while Miss Blanchard had a confused smile on her face, Emma looked away abruptly taking her seat. Miss Blanchard could sense Emma's sudden discomfort while everyone's eyes were on them.
"Ok I'm going to need everyone to write down a few quotes from the book, explaining why there are significant to the story and the characters".
Miss Blanchard came around the room she put one of the spare copies of the novel on Emma's desk, the rest of the class went by quickly. She even managed to borrow a pen from the boy sitting behind her, getting some work done. When the bell rung, Emma got up to leave slowly, unsure of where she was even going to go next, the classroom seemingly a safe space compared to the schoolyard. Her anxieties eased when she noticed, Elsa was standing in the doorway, looking towards Miss Blanchard with hopeful eyes.
"Have you seen it Miss"? Elsa asked, abruptly stepping into the room as the other students brushed past her on their way out.
"Sorry, no one's handed anything in" Miss Blanchard answered sadly.
Emma made her way to Elsa, noticing the exchange she shook her head bewildered, before Emma and Elsa left however Miss Blanchard interjected.
"Do you mind if I talk to you for a moment Emma, it won't be long?"
"I'll just be by the lockers" Elsa said walking off.
Emma's face fell and she tensed up readying herself for the usual speal hoping they could skip it this time, but there was something in Miss Blanchard expression that eased her, and she smiled.
"I have some notes you can read over to catch up, and you can keep that copy of the book if you like, also there will be and exam in a month, here are some practice essays for you to study"
Mrs Blanchard said handing Emma a stack of papers, but she could see from the Emma's vacant expression, she wasn't going to do any of those things.
"Emma, I know this is a lot, the principle here expects a high-grade average, so if you are staying..."
"Thanks" Emma said sheepishly cutting her off.
"Do you have a laptop"?
"No, I don't have a laptop, where would I have gotten a laptop"
"Sorry I figured, go to the library, Miss French should have one for you to borrow..."
Emma was silent now looking at the ground fidgeting with her hands as she nodded her head, having heard this all before.
"Sorry, I'm just not used to this; we've never had a new student before".
"Right, it's ok, I understand".
Emma looked up; her mind wondered she couldn't really focus on anything Miss Blanchard was saying the words forgotten as quickly as they were spoken. The strange sense of familiarity hadn't faded, and Emma couldn't move to leave, she wanted to stay.
"Elsa, I bet she'll be up to helping you study".
With mention of Elsa something sparked in Emma, and she looked up, a question on her mind.
"She really wants to find that storybook, why is it so important"?
"I think Elsa is just like the rest of us, those stories help us deal with our life, haven't you ever gotten lost in a story, that gives you hope "Mrs Blanchard explained as they made their way to the door.
Emma didn't respond to the question exactly she was so encompassed by her words for a moment, thinking on them.
"Elsa hasn't had the easiest life; she's like any orphan having lost much, always wondering what life could be if she hadn't lost her parents, can you imagine that sort of pain"?
"I've never meet my parents, never had any family to lose".
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to"
"I'm fine"
"Oh, here take this as well" Miss Blanchard handed her a few more supplies, including a few pens.
"What do you think you're doing"?
The principle stormed into the classroom, immediately Miss Blanchard deminer changed as shrunk down backing away from her.
"Principle Mills, what brings you here"?
"You can't give out school property, you have no right, this girl will need to get her own supplies".
"Right, I just brought some of this myself, so I figured".
"You need to learn your place, I know you've been giving out other books to the students, this needs to stop".
Regina left after giving one last grimace towards Emma storming back out of the room and slamming the door, her clothes dishevelled, and makeup smudged a dramatic change from the mornings poised Principle. Emma smiled as she began to leave, she couldn't help but take one last look at Miss Blanchard as her eyes followed Emma out of the classroom.
Elsa was waiting for Emma's as promised, quickly she pushed through the crowded hall, dumping her books into her assigned locker. Elsa spoke but Emma couldn't hear her as her mind still lingered on the conversation she had with Miss Blanchard.
"Sorry, what did you say"?
"Come on, I'll introduce you to all the cool people at this school".
Emma nodded following Elsa further down the hallway to another set of lockers, noticing a couple holding hands they looked so happy starring into each other's eyes. A girl with a red hoodie over her long black hair with her arm around a tall boy with dark eyes, they didn't seem to notice they were there, until Elsa spoke.
"Hey Ruby, Peter this is the girl, Emma"
Both turned and looked at them smiling in awe a flicker of excitement lit up their faces.
"So, rumours are true".
"Hi, I'm Emma, what are the rumours"?
Emma asked with a tinge of intensity that confused them, the comment was merely exaggeration as nothing much happens in the small town.
"Just that there is a new girl" Peter shrugged.
"I got at least four messages about it, before class started, I know everything that goes on around here" Red explained.
"Any advice"?
"Never eat the hot dogs from the cafeteria you don't wanna know why, smoking area is around the corner there behind the dumpster" She pointed outside into the back of the courtyard "and whatever you do stay out of the Principles crosshairs"
"Yeah, I noticed she was a bit much, what's her deal"?
"Nobody knows, I think it's because she's jealous of our youth and beauty " Peter explained somewhat mockingly.
"I'm really not sure why she choose, to work in education" Elsa said genuinely concerned.
"I'll try to keep my distance" Emma answered eyebrows raised.
"So, you must be living with Tillman's"? Peter questioned. "After everything that happened, they must be lonely"
Elsa and Ruby both gave Peter a warning look as he had already pried too much into Emma's life, but her expression was intrigued wanting to know more.
"Sorry I thought she would already know".
"Know what"?
"They had two kids, but they went missing, I don't know exactly know when, a while ago I guess, they went on a picnic one day in the forest, never came back" Ruby explained, there was a moment of silence after that.
Emma was thinking about her new foster family and how sad they seemed, before Ruby stood up quickly grabbing peters hand.
"No one has ever found them"? Emma asked, her heart longing.
"They stopped looking" Elsa explained.
Ruby and Peter had stopped paying attention whispering closely their arms around each, other before turning back towards Emma and Elsa.
"Hey, were going to go get some food, you guys want anything"? Ruby asked.
"I'm alright" Elsa answered.
The couple quickly walk off with a small wave entangled in each other as if there were one, there smiles wide lusting.
"There probably just going to make out or something, they always end up, leaving me alone"
Elsa said smiling but really Emma could see it bothered her, giving her a sympathetic look.
"It's ok, I don't blame them; I pretty much keep everyone behind closed doors".
"Miss Blanchard told me about your parents, did you get taken into foster care too"?
"No, I live with my aunt, she keeps to herself; my sister is away at boarding school, but I like to be alone".
"None of the guy's here interest you"?
"No, none of the boys" Elsa replied laughing "what about that guy, do you know him Emma he seems to have his eye on you"? Elsa asked pointing at the brick wall at the edge of the yard where the kept the dumpsters.
Elsa had just noticed a tall boy with black hair and a leather jacket his eyes fixed onto Emma, completely lost in thought before he looked away, frowning slightly.
"Who"? Emma looked up, but the dark figure had disappeared around the corner "looks like he wasn't that interested".
"Figures" Elsa laughed.
"I'm just going to use the bathroom, be right back".
"You don't have to come back; we don't have to hang out if..." Elsa said.
"I'll be right back".
Emma said shaking her head while giving Elsa and encouraging smile before walking over to the toilet block.
Emma shivered in the cold air squinting as she entered the toilets the fluorescent lights flickered; she noticed two girls in front of the mirror.
"Oh hi, new girl, love your hair".
"Thanks, I'm Emma"
"I'm Ana this is my sister Dru, welcome to Storybrooke high".
"I love your bracelet". Emma reached her hand out, but Ana pulled away a sly smile on her face.
"Thanks, my mother got it for me, what's with your shirt, looks a little hand me down".
The two girls looked Emma up and down with a smirk eyeing her large flannel shirt that was at least one size to big, well-worn jeans and black boots.
"It is".
"Nice, retro"
The two girls giggled to themselves as they walked out of the bathroom and back into the courtyard while Emma sighed. In the silence she heard a quiet sobbing coming from one of the stalls towards the back of the bathroom.
"Hello, are you ok?"
"I'm fine, sorry" Ashley stuttered out as Emma approached.
"ok sorry"
Emma frowned concerned as the a red-faced blonde girl emerged from the stall, she was a few years older than her and pregnant. Before Emma could utter a word, she bolted out of the bathroom back out to the courtyard. Emma's a little distracted her mind wondered recalling a dream she had, the same one she been having every night, for months. It left her feeling a sinking anxiety that rose up in her now as she stood alone looking at herself in the mirror before heading out.
"You know this is just sad, he didn't even want you". Ana teased.
"You don't know that I…" Ashley croaked out.
"What seventeen-year-old boy wants to be a father". Dru said laughing.
Emma gasped as the two girls she talked to in the bathroom surrounded the crying girl, they both had full face of makeup and designer clothes.
"Stop, can't you see she's upset".
"Who asked you"?
"Come on Ash, it will be better off without you".
Emma clenched her fist unable to stoke her anger as she looked in the eyes of the terrified seventeen-year-old expectant mother.
"You don't know that it's her choice".
Emma moved now standing in between Ashley and the two girls who had continued there pestering and a crowd began to gather.
"Ashley should follow in Emma parent's footsteps, foster girl".
"You don't know anything about me or what..."
"I know your nothing, no one".
"I know who I am".
"Oh, really who's that"?
Dru stepped forward shoving Emma into the wall as the back of her head hit the brick, Emma saw flashes of a fire, the flames consuming everything around her. Before she could reorient herself, her fist flew forwards into the girl's face. Hitting her square in the jaw Emma opened her eyes to see Ana lying on the ground, nose bloody.
"Fight" A few voices yelled out.
A crowd of people suddenly surged towards them as the bell rang signalling the end of lunch, Ana slowly got up from the ground, tears in her eyes.
"You'll pay for that".
"All of you get to class now". Principle Mills yelled.
The others scattered as principle Mills approached the crowd despite the obvious other guilty party running off blood gushing. Regina made a b-line for Emma like she was a target ready to be extinguished, there was even a grin on her face.
"You'll be late for class" Principle Mills asked.
"Yeah, I'm on my way" Emma replied sheepishly.
"That's twice in one day Miss Swan and you've been fighting".
"What, but..."
"Detention after school today"
Principle Mills smiled pleased with herself as she handed Emma a detention slip, walking off back into the hallway.
"You made it, how was econ class". Elsa
"Ok I guess"
Elsa gave a small smile as Emma approached the lockers, after the incident at lunch she was getting even more gawks and points as she walked through the halls of Storybrooke high.
"Were going to Granny's diner, Red can score us some free fries, if you want to come"?
"Sorry can't, I have detention".
"That isn't fair, nobody else got detention".
"Life's not fair"
"I'll guess, I'll see you around".
Emma didn't answer the giving a small smile her head still ached after the blow she took earlier, watching all the other kids head out to the carpark where the parents waited to take them home. The halls quickly became empty, eerily quiet as she walked towards the library for detention. The only sound footsteps behind her slowly trailing her every step, but when she turned around no one was in sight.
"Who's there"?
Emma sighed turning back around she continued walking, but again she heard the footsteps behind her, so she turned the corner to a dead end, still they followed. Her heart began to pound as an imminent threat seemed to be closing in. Stepping to the side quickly she disappeared hiding between the wall and a bookcase.
The footsteps became louder as a tall boy approached looking around confused, Emma took the opportunity to step out of her hiding spot to confront him, but her timing was off, and they slammed into each other. The foreheads banging together, in the chaos Emma's old, tattered bag strap tore her belongings scattered across the floor.
"Why are you following me"?
Bending down he picked up the books and pens, stuffing everything back inside her bag, before looking up to Emma with a smirk. Emma's moment of annoyance fading as she looked into the boy's bright blue eyes, his hair just long enough to be a bit scruffy.
"Sorry love, don't worry I can fix that"
"You didn't answer my question"
"Because I know why your here"
"You do?"
"You going to bring the happy endings"
Emma noticed the boy had only one hand and a hook on the other, he tied a little knot connecting the now two straps hanging of her bag together again. Pulling knot tight with his teeth, Emma raised her eyebrows as he handed her back the bag grinning.
"Thanks"
He stepped away walking down the hall leaving Emma stunned, she gawked watching him until he was out of sight.
"Your late"
Emma sighed hearing Principle Mills voice calling her over, walking into the library Emma placed her bag on one of the desks, but it fell crashing to the ground. Much heavier then Emma had expected she reached down, opening it up to reveal a large book was inside.
"What the hell"
Emma stood up heading straight back out to the hall to chase after the boy she bumped into, but Principle Mills blocked her path.
"Where you headed Miss Swan, detention doesn't finish until four, you trying to slip out early"
"Umm no, I just thought, never mind".
"Your already caused enough trouble for one day, now sit".
"Sorry, I do need to ask a favour though".
Regina grinned amused, before looking up at Emma who stood by her desk with an anxious expression tensing hold the strap on her bag.
"Please, I just need to tell Jodie, my foster mom, I'll be late, because of detention".
"Detention starts now, no exceptions, you can just text her".
"I don't have a phone".
"Quiet, take your seat, you can use this time to study".
Emma slowly walked back over to one of the empty tables looking around at the few other students that shared detention with. After a few minutes staring blankly at the fading posters on the wall curiosity gnawing at her. Emma pulled the book from her bag sliding it towards her, it was heavy smelling of something familiar and comforting, bringing a smile to her face.
Carefully she turned the first page and frowned, the images seemed strange nothing like the stories Emma knew. Opening to see an image of Snow White on the run, a bandit stealing to get by. Another story featured a Sheppard that became a prince noble and brave, these two heroes fell in love and saved the kingdom, but the story ended in tragedy.
"Weird book"
On the last pages and gasped her heart thumping as her stomach became a knot, she couldn't take her eyes off the page blankly starring. The image of a baby swaddled in a white knitted blanket all alone laying in a carved-out tree. Her hand reached out to the page longingly while her heart raced increased, but she began to feel a light-headedness and shut the book abruptly and shoving back into her bag.
Right on the dot at four, Emma's fellow detainees abruptly rose up from their desks, without a word from the Principle. The rushed out the door just as Emma got up from her chair, but she was in no hurry, not sure where to go.
"Here"
Regina handed Emma a bus timetable as she walked by her desk, no smile she barley even made eye contact.
"You should be able to find your way, with that"
"Ummm, thanks"
Reginas glare following Emma out of the library, adjusting the strap she made her way back out the main doors to the front of the school trying to shove down her anxieties. Standing just outside the gates she looked around but there was no sign of Jodie, to her right up the street a little was the bus stop. Emma opened up the timetable and realised something immediately, none of these routes would lead her to her foster parent's house, there was only one bus line, that headed straight out of town. Emma shrugged slowly walking over to the singular pole by the sidewalk, there was nobody else waiting.
"Crap"
Emma sighed as the thunder cracked and rain began to pour down from above and she placed her bag over her head in an attempt to stay dry.
"New girl, where do you think you're going'?
Ana and Dru waltzed up to her now with smiles on their faces, Dru in particularly caught Emma's attention, baseball bat in hand and a swollen face.
"Look, I'm sorry about today".
"Sorry... don't you see what you've done, I have thousands of followers, that expect to see my beautiful face every day, I was about to get a sponsorship"?
"You can't be serious".
Emma couldn't help but laugh never in her experience had people been so itching for a confrontation, being a new school, they didn't know her reputation. They now just stood a metre away grinning, Dru with two hands gripped on the bat.
"I really don't want to fight you".
The continued forwards swinging the bat at Emma, but she dodged it quickly, before kicking Dru in the gut sending her to the ground.
"Unless I have to".
Ana was faster than her sister swinging her fist forward into Emma's face, but Emma barely flinched dodging before another swing at Ana. Before the bat struck her in the chest making Emma heave unbale to catch her breath she fell to the ground.
Suddenly the rain stopped pouring down on Emma just as she was about to stand, her two attackers turned, running away. Over her head now a large blue umbrella held by Miss Blanchard, her expression shocked as she looked down at Emma.
"Are you ok sweetie"?
"Miss Blanchard, I'm fine, just heading home"
"Your freezing, come on, let's get out of this rain".
Miss Blanchard reached for her Emma's hand, she flinched away but followed her teacher staying under the umbrella, they walked towards the main street.
"I should get back to my foster parents".
"It's ok, I will give them a call from my loft, it's just a block from here".
Emma nodded as her body shook from the cold unable to shake the feeling anymore, she smiled looking up to Miss Blanchard who led her inside.
"No, my pleasure, I knew you'd be worried".
Miss Blanchard nodded her head as she listened on the phone before hanging up, turning back to Emma who now sat by a small heater, with a towel wrapped around her.
"I spoke with Jodie, your foster parents were about to contact the Sheriff, but I let them know there's no cause for alarm, I'll just be in the kitchen for a moment".
Emma was silent nodding as Mary Margret walked to the kitchen, while Emma placed her hands in front of the heater. Emma could hear the sound of rattling crockery and a boiling kettle as she starred at the heater, feeling a sense of shame.
"You know its ok, I can go" Emma said, sheepishly.
"It's pouring outside, you can stay until it stops, here change out of those wet clothes".
Miss Blanchard placed a shirt and jacket neatly folded up into Emma's hands with a smile, gesturing towards to bathroom.
"Why are you being so nice to me, I mean, you saw me fighting those girls?"
"Doesn't seem to me, you were looking for a fight."
"Always finds me anyway, I bring it out in people".
"I don't believe that's true".
"But you barely know me."
"It's just a feeling" Miss Blanchard replied a little confused herself with her own instincts, but there was no doubting they were there.
Emma gave a half smile, but her body was still shivering so she followed instructions heading into the bathroom and changing into the dry clothes. Returning to the kitchen to find Miss Blanchard sitting at the table a mug in front of her and another for Emma.
"This will warm you up, it can get cold in Maine"
"Thanks" Emma said smiling as she sat down, taking a sip it was so good warm her insides already warming "is there cinnamon in this"?
"Oh sorry, I should have asked".
"It's ok, I like it".
"Emma" Miss Blanchard paused choosing her words carefully "I just, why didn't you run or call for help"?
Emma simply shrugged looking away, placing her hand along her stomach where the bat had hit, wondering if it will bruise.
"It's ok, I'm used to having to fight".
"What, where you going to do if I hadn't showed up".
"Kept swinging"
"I wish, I was that brave, you stood up for Ashley today".
"It's not brave, when you have nothing to lose".
"I know plenty of people who have nothing to lose, we stopped fighting a long time ago".
Emma looked up surprised at Miss Blanchard's candour, their eyes met seeing each other so clearly now, both living a life in solitude. They continued drinking in peaceful silence for a while the steam from the mug warming Emma's hands and face, she looked over to Miss Blanchard and couldn't help but smile.
"How do you like, Storybrooke high"?
Emma just shrugged unwilling to talk about how she felt underneath in fact she was terrified, what scared her wasn't the school bullies or the no nonsense principle. It was this, connecting with someone with the high chance Emma would be gone soon then forgotten.
"It must be hard, moving from place to place, leaving homes behind".
"Can't miss something you've never had".
Reaching out Miss Blanchard placed her hand on Emma's, and they looked at each other for a moment.
"It's ok you know, to be angry or scared".
"Really, because I think Principle Mills is just waiting for a reason to kick me out of school".
"Then don't give her one, stay".
Emma was surprised that Miss Blanchard could see through her persona, knowing exactly what was on her mind even if she was unaware. Just as they finished there drinks the rain stopped and Emma abruptly stood up from the table.
"I better go, before I get into more trouble".
"Emma wait"
Emma turned back confused for a moment before recognising something in Miss Blanchard's eyes wanting her to stay, a kind of longing she'd never seen.
"Please take my umbrella, just in case".
Picking up her umbrella from her coat rack handing it to Emma's she opened the door the stairwell, Miss Blanchard couldn't help herself. Compelled to brush the long ringlets of hair covering Emma's face behind her ear before she made her way down the stairs and out to the street alone. Emma had no use for the umbrella, the rain held in time for her to make it back to the Tilman's home, she slowly walked up the path to their front door.
Looking in through the window her foster parents sat down at the kitchen table with a plate there for Emma, she smiled walking up to the door and stepping inside. Across town above an abandoned boarded-up building sat an old clock tower that laid dormant for many years. Suddenly and without warning the small hand moved just an inch, in the empty streets of Storybrooke only one noticed. Leaning on the chain link fence surrounding Storybroke high school Killian Jones had a smile on his face, as he looked upon the old clock.