The following week, life in Storybrooke settled into a strange rhythm for Mia. School, training with Emma, and her usual sarcastic banter with her friends filled her days, while her nights were often spent puzzling over the cryptic prophecy. The close call at Ava's birthday party lingered in her mind, but she wasn't quite ready to figure out what it meant. She'd caught Scarlett looking her way a few times in school, but neither of them had brought it up, as if silently agreeing to leave it unspoken.
One afternoon, as the final bell rang, Mia was stuffing her books into her bag when Grace bounded up to her.
"Mia! We're all heading to the diner—Ava's idea. You coming?" Grace's face was bright with excitement.
Mia shrugged, masking her eagerness with her usual casual indifference. "Sure, why not?"
They walked over to Granny's Diner as a group—Grace, Ava, Nick, Graham, and Scarlett. The diner was buzzing with the after-school crowd, but they managed to snag a booth near the window. As they squeezed in, Mia found herself next to Scarlett, a quiet thrill running through her at the close proximity.
"So," Ava began, drumming her fingers on the table. "How's everyone recovering from the party? I think I'm still feeling the after-effects."
"Speak for yourself," Graham replied, smirking. "I was fine by morning. Some of us know how to handle our drinks."
"Oh, please!" Ava shot back, laughing. "I distinctly remember you losing a dance-off to Nick."
Nick grinned, shrugging. "What can I say? The crowd loves a good underdog story."
The group burst into laughter, and Mia found herself smiling, feeling more at ease than she had in ages. These people were different from anyone she'd known before—accepting, warm, and oddly protective in a way she wasn't used to. Even though she still felt like an outsider in Storybrooke, they made her feel, if not fully at home, then at least… welcome.
As they ordered milkshakes and shared a plate of fries, Scarlett nudged Mia with her elbow, leaning in to whisper, "Feeling better after last weekend?"
Mia glanced at her, surprised by the question. "Yeah, definitely. That was a good night… wild, but good."
Scarlett grinned, her voice playful. "Glad to hear it. You looked like you were having a good time."
Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the memory of that almost-kiss flickered between them, unspoken but palpable. Scarlett's gaze softened, but before either of them could say anything, Grace chimed in, snapping them out of the moment.
"Okay, confession time! What's everyone's secret guilty pleasure?"
Ava grinned, raising her hand immediately. "I'll go first: romantic comedies. I know, I know, they're cheesy, but I can't resist a good meet-cute."
Nick laughed. "All right, I'll bite. Mine's horror movies—the worse, the better. I'm talking terrible special effects, overly dramatic screams… the works."
Grace leaned in, eager to hear everyone's answers. "Come on, Mia. What's yours?"
Mia raised an eyebrow, pretending to think. "Well, if I'm being honest… I kind of love old musicals. You know, the classic ones. It's ridiculous, but they're just… fun."
The group burst into laughter, but Scarlett looked at her with genuine interest. "Really? I wouldn't have pegged you as a musical fan."
Mia shrugged, grinning. "Hey, I'm full of surprises."
They continued sharing their guilty pleasures, laughter echoing through the diner as they teased each other about their answers. For a while, Mia felt like just another teenager, her worries about prophecies and responsibilities fading into the background. It was nice to feel normal, even if she knew it wouldn't last.
As they were finishing up, Scarlett turned to her, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Hey, Mia… do you want to walk back with me? I need to pick up a book from the library, and I could use the company."
Mia nodded, trying to keep her voice steady. "Yeah, sure. Let's go."
They said their goodbyes to the group and headed out, walking down the quiet streets together. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the town, and for a moment, they walked in comfortable silence.
"So," Scarlett began, glancing at Mia. "You never really said what brought you to Storybrooke. I mean, everyone here's got a story."
Mia hesitated, the question catching her off guard. "It's… complicated. Let's just say my life wasn't exactly normal before I got here."
Scarlett nodded, her expression understanding. "I get that. I think a lot of us feel that way."
Mia felt a flicker of curiosity. "So what's your story?"
Scarlett looked down, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "Mine's… complicated, too. But maybe one day I'll tell you."
They shared a quiet laugh, and Mia couldn't help but feel drawn to Scarlett in a way she didn't fully understand. She'd spent so long keeping people at a distance, but Scarlett made her feel… different. Like maybe, just maybe, it was okay to let someone in.
As they reached the library, Scarlett stopped, turning to face her. "Thanks for walking with me. I know we don't talk much outside of the group, but… I like hanging out with you, Mia."
Mia swallowed, feeling her heart race. "Yeah… me too."
They stood there for a moment, their faces close, the memory of Ava's party hanging between them. But before Mia could figure out what to say, Scarlett smiled, giving her a small wave.
"See you tomorrow?"
Mia nodded, feeling a strange mix of excitement and longing. "Yeah… tomorrow."
As she watched Scarlett walk inside, Mia felt a warmth she couldn't quite explain. Scarlett was becoming a constant in her life, a grounding presence she didn't know she needed. And as much as she tried to ignore it, she couldn't shake the feeling that Scarlett was slowly becoming part of her story—a part she wasn't ready to let go of.
She turned and headed back toward the loft, her mind racing with the night's events. The walk had been simple, almost ordinary, but something about it felt significant. As if, for the first time, she wasn't just surviving in Storybrooke—she was starting to live.