Mia wandered through the halls of Storybrooke High, lost in thought. Over the past few days, the reality of her "destiny" had started to settle in, though she wasn't sure how she felt about it. Rumpelstiltskin had made it clear: in the so-called "final battle," the choice that would determine everything lay with her. Not Emma, not Snow or David—her. Yet, for all his cryptic hints, he'd offered no details about what that choice would be or what it would mean.
She tried to push the thought out of her mind as she reached her locker, feeling the usual tension in her shoulders. But before she could settle into her usual sarcasm and routine, a familiar face appeared down the hall—Scarlett.
Mia had noticed Scarlett around school for the past couple of days, catching glances they'd both quickly looked away from, as if their eyes meeting held a power neither of them could quite place. Today was no different. Scarlett looked her way, then glanced down, brushing her long, braided blonde hair over her shoulder as she tried to act casual.
Feeling a mix of nerves and curiosity, Mia straightened and made her way over to Scarlett, fighting the instinct to turn around and retreat. She had no idea why she was so compelled to talk to her, only that something about Scarlett… intrigued her.
"Uh, hey," Mia said, stopping beside her. Her voice sounded rougher than she'd intended, and she inwardly cringed.
Scarlett looked up, a bit surprised. "Oh, hey… Mia, right?"
"Yeah," Mia replied, her fingers fiddling with the strap of her bag. "Scarlett, right?"
Scarlett nodded, offering a small smile. "Yep. I think we have history together… and English, maybe?"
"Right, yeah." Mia laughed awkwardly, feeling the tension between them. "I've, uh, seen you around."
Scarlett chuckled, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Yeah, me too."
An awkward silence settled between them, and Mia felt her heart pounding in a way she couldn't quite understand. She'd never felt this way before, this strange mixture of nerves and excitement. She didn't know what it was about Scarlett, only that being around her made her feel… different.
Scarlett cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "So… are you, like, from here? Or…?"
Mia hesitated, unsure how much to say. "Not exactly. I mean, kind of. My family… it's complicated."
Scarlett nodded, her eyes warm with understanding. "I get that. Most of us in Storybrooke have some… complicated backstories."
Mia gave a small smile, feeling a bit more at ease. "Yeah. I'm still getting used to it."
They stood there for a moment, neither one quite knowing how to end the conversation. Finally, Scarlett gave a soft laugh. "Well, I should probably get to class. But… maybe I'll see you around?"
Mia nodded, her cheeks warming slightly. "Yeah, sure. See you."
As Scarlett walked away, Mia let out a shaky breath, feeling both relief and a strange sense of loss as she watched her go. She didn't know what it was about Scarlett, only that she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something… captivating about her. And judging by the way Scarlett had glanced back at her before disappearing down the hall, Mia had a feeling she wasn't alone in that.
When school ended, Mia returned to the loft, her mind still lingering on her brief encounter with Scarlett. Snow and David were in the kitchen, preparing dinner together. Mia watched them for a moment, her curiosity about her destiny gnawing at her, pushing her to speak up.
"So," she said, her tone casual, "you two know that I'm supposed to make this… big choice in the 'final battle.'"
Snow and David exchanged a look, a mix of concern and understanding passing between them. David nodded, his expression serious. "Yes. Rumpelstiltskin told us as much. But that's all he said—no details, no specifics. Just that… the choice would be yours."
Mia crossed her arms, feeling the weight of their gazes on her. "And that's supposed to help how? I'm supposed to make some huge, world-altering decision, and no one knows what it's even about?"
Snow sighed, stepping closer. "I know it feels overwhelming. We don't know what this choice is, or even when it will come. But we have faith in you, Mia. Whatever this choice is, I know you'll do what's right."
Mia looked away, feeling a pang of frustration. "Easy for you to say. I barely know who I am, and now I'm supposed to be some… deciding factor?"
David's expression softened, his voice gentle. "We don't expect you to have all the answers, Mia. None of us do. But if the time comes… you won't have to face it alone. We'll be right here with you."
Mia nodded, though the words felt hollow. She knew they meant well, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this was something she would have to face alone, whether she wanted to or not.
After dinner, she retreated to her room, her mind whirling with questions. She pulled out her notebook and flipped to a blank page, scribbling a few lines:
Final Battle? Last choice? No one knows what it means.
She paused, tapping her pen against the page, and added:
I wonder what Scarlett would think about all this…
She blinked, frowning at the words. Why had she written that? With a sigh, she scratched it out, feeling both annoyed and a bit bewildered. She barely knew Scarlett, and yet her mind kept drifting back to her, like a faint pull she couldn't ignore.
As she closed her notebook, Mia lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She was a princess, a player in a prophecy, a teenager caught in a world she didn't understand—and now, apparently, someone with a choice that could change everything.
And somewhere out there was the final battle, waiting.