Once Upon A Time - STARTED!

Jasmine "Leigh" Spring| Mulan

"What, right now?" Jasmine asked, somewhat confused. She wriggled out from under the bed and looked over to the window, then back at Fin. The girl had shown she had some guts, yes, but Jas wasn't sure she'd get her out of the window. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to go back that way, even in her gloves and baggy jumper. Those thorns were sharp and scratchy.

"No, she'd be too suspicious tonight," Fin said, her eyes flickering back toward the door. Leigh didn't have to ask who she was.

"Alright then. I'll do it, in exchange for the arrow," Leigh promised. She stood in front of the mirror and pulled her hat off to fix the hair that was tumbling out of the bun. Then she put it back and adjusted her clothes.

"Have lunch with me tomorrow," Fin insisted and Leigh nodded. Nobody would think that unusual.

"How do I look?"

Fin quirked an eyebrow and Leigh had to let out a quiet giggle. "You'll not ever be able to look at me the same way, right? Trust me, it's very freeing."

"I'll have to take your word on it." Then the two girls said their goodbyes, more warmly than Jasmine might have expected and she climbed carefully back out of the window.

A few streets over, Leigh caught up with Jay who seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as she came striding over and then scowled.

"What were you doing almost getting caught? And how'd you get Fin to play along anyway?"

"With my manly charms, of course," Leigh insisted, leaping onto a short wall and striking a pose. Jay snorted at that.

"You'd better watch out for her mum then, I swear she's left bruises on my arms." Leigh chuckled and punched him softly on the shoulder, then he pushed back harder and she fell over in an astonished tangle of arms and legs.

"Sorry. I forgot how little you are," Jay said, reaching down to offer her his hand.

"If you call me kid again-"

Jay winced and shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm still recovering from last time." He helped her up and the sky darkened as they hung out on the streets, but at last Jasmine turned to head for home.

"You still not going to tell me where you live?" Jay asked.

"It's a secret," Leigh assured him. "Well see you then and Jay, I'll get that arrow." With that she turned and sped off toward home.

Spoiler

so so sorry!! I was gone! I will leave again tomorrow.... for a week. Tell me if I missed anything because I didn't read ALL the posts.
PS EbonyRose never responded to Jake's email.

Cindy Rell-"Cinderella"- Home
I jerked upward when I heard a sound. It sounded like someone trying to move quietly. I gasped. I sneaked a look out the window, and saw a bush move at the far end of the yard. I quickly shut the door and locked it, and did the same with the windows. I hid my money box too. I saw another movement from the other side, and another. I picked up my phone, and dialed 911.
"Your line is down. Please try again."
I dialed again.
"Your line is down. Please try again."
I groaned, and grabbed my cell. I dialed 911 again, and it said "not valid". The noises were getting closer. I called Gretta's house number, and got the same message. I tried every contact until I got to David's. I really didn't want to call him--that would be weird. But if it worked....
"Hello??" said David.
"Uhm, hi. This is uh, Cindy... I--" I ducked down and shut off my lights.
"What?"
"Shhh." I whispered. "There are people closing in on my house.... I can't contact anyone! I have no idea what's wrong! There are at least three guys-- dressed in.... mmmm.... black. They're close! Help me! Help!" my phone dropped the call. I ducked down, and started sobbing quietly. This house was an easy target for robbery! PLEASE COME!

David Graham- Prince Charming 1- Graham residence

I was just about to pop some popcorn and get working on that poetry assignment for Mr. Hopper when the phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Umm, hi... this is... uh, Cindy... I--" she paused for a moment. Cindy... Cindy Rell? The girl who does the laundry? She's sounded really scared.

"What?" I asked, but she shushed me really quick.

"There are people closing in on my house... I can't contact anyone! I have no idea what's wrong! There are at least three guys... dressed in... ummmm... black. They're close! Help me! Help--"

The line went dead. Not missing a beat I flipped over the couch and ran to Graham in the garage.

"Hey, David. I brought pizza."

"No time! A girl from school just called. There's some guys trying to break in her house!"

Graham immediately looked serious and tossed the pizza inside the house before jumping in his car and starting the ignition.

"Whose this girl?" he asked.

"Cindy Rell--"

"I know where she lives. Bad side of town. I'll be back in a bit," he said before pulling out of the driveway and turning the lights and sirens on. I watched helplessly frsutrated. Why wasn't there anything I could do?"


Henry Thorne-- Prince Charming 2-- Thorne residence

I sat in my room, lights off. Mom called for dinner, but I quickly told her I wasn't hungry and needed to study. Thankfully she bought it and left me alone.

I didn't mean to get her in trouble... I was just so sick of my mom getting to me through her...

I groaned and flopped down on my bed, hands over my face. This was so stupid! All of it! I knew I should have confronted her at school tomorrow. I should've waited, but I let my anger get in the way--

That was it! I quietly rolled off my bed and opened the door to the hallway. I could see down the hall, Mom's light was on so she must have been doing some work late. Using my socks to muffle my steps and creaks, I climbed down the stairs and into the kitchen. In the fridge were leftovers from dinner, still pretty warm. A roast and potatoes. There was a slight twang of guilt as I pulled 'my plate' out. Mom must have worked really hard on this... ugh, don't think that way.

Not wanting to risk the microwave getting Mom's attention, I snuck back up and went to the attic. Putting a small piece of paper with the scribble, 'I'm sorry, too' I knocked on the floor door and ran around the corner where she could see me.

The door flung open and it looked like she was about to yell again, but whatever words were going to come, the goty caught and she looked down at the plate on the floor while I snuck away and her none the wiser... I think...

Jay Archer | Robin Hood | Near Fin's House

Fin's mom grabbed me again, and I learned with alarm that she could actually grip tighter than she had previously. Jeez, woman, are you trying to take my arm off?! I went with her, half-struggling; if Leigh hadn't gotten himself out of there by now, that was too bad, because I was pretty sure the crazy woman's next move would be to pull a kitchen knife and gut me.

Fin's mom practically kicked the door down, and I was faced with Fin herself, standing there in a purple nightdress, staring at me.

"Rachel, who is this boy?!" demanded my captor.

I thought I saw 'Rachel' flinch a little, and she stood there looking somewhat dignified. "Jay Archer," she said. I was surprised she knew my name. I waited for her to say she had no idea what I was doing here, and then the fun would really begin as I got to try and weasel out of this. I'm going to kill you, Leigh.

"I thought I told you," said Fin with an air of annoyance, "I'm not interested in going to homecoming with you."

I was so shocked I nearly blinked, which would have ruined both of our acts. Instead I kept my face a mask of fear - only part of which was acting.

Especially as I felt the painful grip on my arm somehow, by some sorcery, become even tighter. I nearly flinched, it was so tight. What is with this lady?

"You're harassing my daughter?" she snarled. Now I'm going to kill young 'Rachel' as well. She was probably just trying to set me up! But she gave me the slightest nod, and I realized - crazy as it was - that she was on my side. So I redoubled my desperately-afraid-teenage-boy act, and found that it really wasn't at all hard to put on.

"I'm sorry," I muttered. "I just... I thought it would be romantic."

"It's alright, Mother," Fin said. "Don't worry."

"He was breaking into your room!" cried the woman. She really was nuts.

"It..." I tried to make myself sound unsure instead of completely terrified. "It happens in movies all the time, right?" I looked at my only hope of survival. "Sorry, Fin. I guess I overstepped."

"It's alright. I just have my own plans for homecoming. Mom, perhaps you'll show him out?" Fin looked at her mother half-expectantly.

"He was breaking and entering," growled the lady. Good lord, woman, if I was breaking and entering you'd have killed me by now!

"He's fine!" she insisted. There was a brief moment of hesitation, and then, to my utter relief and surprise, I felt myself being pulled back downstairs. I thought I saw a sympathetic smile from Fin as we went down, but I ignored her. Easy for her to smile - she wasn't the one with no blood circulation in her right arm!

The term 'glaring daggers' is often used with angry people. Well, I tell you Fin's mother was glaring broadswords at me as she turned me around.

"You listen, young man. My daughter is precious, and scum like you are not going to take her. Understood?" Scum? Scum is very harsh... As I paused, the broadswords turned into friggin' machine guns, and I found myself nodding before it occurred to me to respond.

"Now, you're going to get out of this house, and you're going to not come back ever again, because I swear to God if I see you within ten feet of my daughter I will call the police, and if they won't put you away then I'll sure as heck make sure you don't even think about looking at her again. Got that?"

"Yes, ma'am," I said (I don't think I whimpered - that would be unmanly), nodding and pulling away. It was strange how I couldn't seem to break the horrible eye contact I had with her.

"Now get out!"

I all but ran out of the house. In fact, I think I did. Sprinted, actually. It occurred to me that I hadn't actually been acting for the last two minutes. Holy heck, that woman is frightening! How does Fin live with her? I don't have to worry about killing Leigh if he gets caught, that witch will take care of it for sure...

I shook my arm, trying to regain feeling in it. What was with her hands? I didn't believe in sorcery, or I'd have said she was a witch. With enchanted metal fingers.

I ran a little bit farther off. Not that I was still scared, of course. I just felt like running a bit... nothing wrong with that. As I did, I wondered about Leigh. I hoped what I'd done had been enough... because if he hadn't escaped, he probably faced a fate worse than death. I'd just been outside the house - he was inside Fin's friggin' room!

As if the thought conjured him up, Leigh came around the corner. I admit I felt a little relief at seeing him in one piece, but then I realized it had taken him all that time to get loose. Idiot kid!

"What were you doing, almost getting caught?" I growled. "And how'd you get Fin to play along anyway?" I'd figured it must have been that; she'd probably figured I was with Leigh.

Leigh leaped onto a short wall and struck a pose. "With my manly charms, of course."

I snorted. "You'd better watch out for her mom, then. I swear she's left bruises on my arms." Leigh chuckled, punching me lightly on the shoulder. I shoved back, and he fell off the wall, tumbling in a mass of limbs.

"Sorry," I said, offering a hand. "I forgot how little you are."

"If you call me kid again..."

I remembered that fight. "Don't worry, I'm still recovering from last time," I joked, pulling him to his feet.

We talked a little more after that, but finally Leigh went to go home, still assuring me that his home was top secret. Like he had some sort of big mystery about him. Sometimes, that kid made me wonder.

Alone, I turned and wandered about a bit, wondering if I should actually do homework. I decided not to, and instead wandered about until I heard a voice.

"Jay!" I held back a groan. Not you. I'm really, really not in the mood to deal with you... The voice took on an irritatingly stupid mock-friendly tone. "Thank goodness you're here - I thought you must be severely hurt or something, since you weren't around tonight!" He was probably proud of using a big word like 'severe'.

"I didn't feel like showing, alright, Lee?" I turned to face him - a massive guy, almost as wide as he was tall. He was pretty much a typical specimen of the gang - in fact, he was one of the more popular members. "Just forget it."

"Well, guess what, Jay? That's just too bad. Because I don't feel like forgetting about it."

"I'm sorry, then." I shrugged, showing I didn't really think it was a big deal. Which was the truth.

"Oh, you will be," answered Lee in what he probably thought was an ominous tone. He likely thought he was clever with that comeback - it was so irritating I actually found myself shifting from foot to foot, out of pure pent-up anger. "Be there tomorrow, or we start coming for you, got it?"

"And if I show tomorrow? What's the difference?"

"We might be a little nicer tomorrow," Lee said. "Be there. Or else." With what he clearly thought were ominous words, he left, taking off down an alley.

I managed to contain myself until I knew I was alone, and then I whirled around and slammed my fist into the wall. I didn't even care that half the skin on my knuckles was scraped off; in fact, I punched the bricks again, allowing a snarl to escape this time. Why had I let myself get caught up in this?! If I showed tomorrow, they were going to beat the snot out of me - if I didn't, they were going to find me and beat me worse. Meanwhile, Fin thought I was a moron, and Leigh probably thought I'd set him up, and no one else probably even cared about what happened to the punk kid that delivers the papers and hangs around the streets all day. If I died tomorrow, there were probably a total of four people who would notice. Not that that was any different than usual, but now the said four people probably wouldn't actually mind since I was a moron and a jerk.

My fists burned from the wall, my head throbbed from my tumble, and my arm was still half-numb from that horrible woman's grip. So I just sat down, not sure what I was supposed to do now, waiting for something to happen that would bring me out of this mess.

Spoiler

Massive post is massive! I didn't realize how long that was until I finished it - I'm so sorry! Yeah, basically big pity-party for Jay, whoo-hoo! *confetti* Just setting up the whole gang situation, and getting really carried away - this is way too much fun!

Alright, I'm glad I got the mother okay... she's very fun to write with. This whole storybook is fun - I love it!

Regina Thorne - 'Evil Queen' - Thorne Residence

The next morning Regina sat down at the breakfast table and let out a deep sigh. Last night she had hardly had any sleep because she was so busy sifting through her mayoral candidacy supporters from the last election. It had been a particularly long list thanks to Sydney Glass‘s efforts. He had helped Regina find delicate information on each family in Storybrooke for her to use as blackmail for their support in her candidacy as mayor. As far as Regina was concerned, this upcoming election would work in exactly the same manner. New blackmails for new votes.

Just as she picked up her cup of tea, the doorbell chimed through the house. A few moments later, the familiar figure of Mr. Gold appeared before her. Regina immediately rolled her eyes at the usual smug look upon the pawnshop owner’s face. She had known Mr. Gold long enough to know that his personal visits to her home meant only one thing.

“Whatever you want from me, Mr.Gold, it can wait. As you can see I am in the middle of having breakfast.”

“Sure you are,” Mr. Gold smirked. Cane in hand, he walked towards her and took the seat opposite her on the breakfast table.

Regina pierced him with a glare. “That seat was meant for my son.”

Mr. Gold waved her off. “Oh, this won’t take long, Madam Mayor, I can assure you.”

Regina let out a frustrated sigh. “Fine” She took a sip of her tea before settling the cup and saucer on her lap. “What can I do for you, Mr. Gold?”

“Oh, no, Madam Mayor. The question is what can I do for you.”

That quirked Regina’s interest a little. “Carry on,” she said.

“Well, I know the mayoral election is coming up, and I also know that you would love to be re-elected …”

“And I will be,” Regina said firmly.

Mr. Gold nodded understandingly. “Yes, of course. Through the use of blackmail, I presume?”

Regina threw him a glare. “That is none of your concern.”

“Oh, but it is, Madam Mayor,” smiled Mr.Gold. “You see, unlike everyone else in this town I happen to have a vested interest in your success.” He stared at her hard and Regina knew exactly what he was talking about; the deal they had made before the curse …

“And as someone who has a vested interest in your success ...” Mr.Gold continued, “I feel … obliged … to offer up some advice.”

Regina chuckled at that. “Advice? What kind of advice?”

“The kind that would encourage you to gain votes the old fashion way,” answered Mr.Gold. “You see, I feel - and this could just be my imagination, of course - that a storm is brewing in Storybrooke. It may take days, it may take months, it may even take years but I can assure you it’s coming, and I think it would be in your best interests to change people’s opinions of you before it does. You can build parks and give speeches in schools all you want, but let’s be honest here, no one in this town is stupid enough to think that you actually care about them …”

Regina gripped the handle of her teacup as she listened.

“Now, this new mayoral election gives you the perfect opportunity to change that,” continued Mr. Gold.

“How?” Regina asked, her grip still firm around her cup.

Mr. Gold put a thoughtful finger to his chin, “Oh, I don’t know … maybe host a nice, dainty dinner party at this beautiful home of yours, perhaps?” he offered thoughtfully. “Invite the towns richest and poorest, mention briefly in your welcome speech about how you know people don’t trust you, but how you do in fact truly truly care about them all, and how you plan on earning their trust if you’re re-elected. Promise them things they want to hear, things that show you’re going the extra mile. Do that and do you know what will happen?”

“What?” asked Regina.

“They will finally believe you care,” answered Mr. Gold.

Regina looked puzzled. “But I don’t.”

“Of course you don’t, but they won’t know that … will they? As far as they can tell, you're a leopard that's finally changed your spots.”

For a while Regina stared at Mr.Gold, and the pawnshop owner stared back. It was as though they were sizing each other up, both waiting to see who would break first.

“Very well,” Regina finally said, lifting her teacup to her lips once again. “A dinner party it is.”

“Wonderful,” chimed Mr. Gold. He stood to his feet and mockingly lowered his head in goodbye. As he headed for the door, he stopped half-way and turned on his heel to face Regina again. “Oh, and one more thing,” he added. “Make sure the girl is there.”

Regina knew exactly what ‘girl‘ Mr. Gold was referring to and she gave him an immediate frown. “Absolutely not! Ebony-Rose will be in her room, out of sight. Exactly where she belongs.”

“Is that really what you want?” Mr.Gold questioned. “Think about it. If you play your cards right as a loving step-mother in the dinner party, just think how many more extra votes you will get in the process.”

With that, he finally left, leaving Regina alone to contemplate on his words.

Cindy Rell-"Cinderella"-Home
I did all I could to not scream. Just then, I heard sirens. The bushes stopped moving, but then rustled more than before. Just then, I heard the door. A big crack sounded, and I watched my door be broken down. I slid into my 'hiding place'. It was a gap between the bookshelves and the wall. It was like a mini room. I had placed food and water enough for a week in here.
"Huh, lookee here, Gabe," said a gruff voice.
"Yah, looks like a pretty nice lil' house. Looks like dah owner went out partying!" They both laughed, and started looking through the drawers hurriedly. I heard a smash. Oh my gosh! That was one of my good plates! Just then, I saw the shadow of Graham in the door.
"Code two o one!" screamed a girl's voice, and the robbers, taking whatever they had found jumped out the window. Graham looked around, and turned on the lights. I looked through a crack at my house, a disaster-- a mess. Plates were broken on the floor, cups were smashed, books were laying around. I gulped.
"Miss Cindy? Are you here?" called Graham.
I just ducked down farther. When he walked out of the room, I slid out, and slid under the table. If anything, I wouldn't want him to know my hiding spot. He came back in, and I crawled out from under the table. My hair was a disaster, my cheeks were flushed, my knees were raw because of the glass. And somehow, I had managed to cut my cheek.
"Cindy! Are you okay!?" He came over, and put an arm around me, helping me stand up. I yelped in pain.
"I need to sit." I stated. He let me down, and I lifted my foot. It was bleeding, and cut up. It had a piece of glass sticking out of it.
"Oh my G-"
"I'm okay..." I replied.
"You know what? This is the nurses' day off. I'm going to call David and maybe some other strong guy to help me here. Stay here. I'm going to look around your property, see if they left."
I nodded, and smiled. I groaned in pain, and leaned back.
"David, can you come over? I need help with her--" I didn't hear the rest of his conversation. I looked around at my house. Then I looked at my bloody hands and legs and feet. I felt light headed.

David arrived, and I looked down, ashamed of my state. He looked at me, and looked away.
"Thanks." I managed to whisper. He nodded.
"Let me take a look-" I lifted my foot, and he gasped.
"I'm sorry!" I cried out. Then, I started sobbing.
"David can you carry her to my car? We'll drive her to the hospital." said Graham. David grabbed me carefully, and Graham spotted. David set me down in the back seat, and slipped into the front seat. My world turned black, and I felt like I was falling through darkness. Then, everything went still.

David Graham-- Prince Charming 1-- Somewhere in Storybrooke--

Morning finally came with the flying whoosh of my ringing alarm clock. My hand flew from its resting place and sent the stupid thing soaring across the room.

"Ugh," I muttered. I did not want to get up. After Graham had called last night, I rode my bike as fast as I could to Cindy's.

"Let me take a look," I had said, but gasped at its sight. Filthy and cut up. She heard my reaction and immediately sobbed, "I'm sorry!"

Before I could say anything more, Graham had asked me to take her to the car, which I had no problem doing. I felt really bad for her and stayed up most of the night at the hospital while the doctors checked her over. Finally Graham told me to go home and that I could see her tomorrow.

I was too tired to argue.

"David? You coming down for breakfast?" Graham called. I snapped back to reality and threw some clothes on.

From my room down the hall I could already smell eggs and bacon. 'The breakfast of men!' I thought stupidly and jogged to the kitchen. Graham was already fully dressed in another uniform and looked perfectly awake.

"I have no idea how you can always be so bushy-tailed this early," I complained while grabbing a plate.

"It comes with the job. Now hurry up. I can't have you late for school and me late for work. I'll be up to my ears in paperwork because of last night's incident."

"How is she?"

Graham gave a comforting nod. "She's fine, Davey. The doctors have her all fixed up and they want to keep her in for further examination. You can see her after school if you want."

"You think coach will mind me missing practice?"

"I'll talk to him about it," he assured me. "Now finish up."

I obeyed and dug in like a wild animal. I had no idea how hungry I was. But part of me couldn't wait to get to school. I had a lot to tell Henry.

Spoiler

I'm thinking Henry could go to the hospital with David after school and the Cindy/Henry-ness could blossom.

Spoiler

LOLOLOL Hahahahah! I'm so stupid! When I was half asleep and writing last night, I was thinking David was her prince... I meant to make her call Henry! LOL sorry!

Cindy Rell-"Cinderella"-Hospital
I woke up to a white room. It was so much white! Where am I? I tried to reach over to pick up my glass of water, but my arm stung. When I looked, I had an IV on. I panicked, and looked at myself. I was in a hospital 'dress' thingy, and I had an IV, and my foot was wrapped up tightly so I couldn't move it, and it was elevated on a cushion. I looked and my knees were wrapped up also.
"Good mornin' missy Cindy! I'm here to give ya breakfast, and help your cheek there..." said a cheery looking woman.
"Thanks." I replied. She put a lotion on my cheek, that made it sting. Tears came to my eyes, and I yelped in pain.
"Now now, missy. You're gonna be just right fine if ya ask me!" I leaned back, and then shot back up.
"What did they do about my foot?"
"Well, as ya can see, they wrapped it." she nodded. "They cleaned it, and took the glass out, an' they also scanned it for any more glass." I nodded, and she left a plate of food in front of me. I smiled, and drank the orange juice. This was better food then I ever got.... ever!!

Jasmine "Leigh" Spring| Mulan

Her first class of the day was English with Mr. Hopper, which was one of the more tolerable classes. Leigh didn't actually enjoy it - she wasn't much good at writing - but at least she had sports after lunch.

They were working on poetry today and Mr. Hopper explained it to them with the practiced tongue of a professor who had taught this lesson a hundred times before. The class sat listlessly in their seats with the condemned expressions of students who'd spent a lifetime in stuffy classrooms.

"Can anyone tell me what form this poem is written in? Anyone?" Mr. Hopper looked around the sea of bored faces with an unfailing enthusiasm and Jasmine slowly raised her hand. It wasn't like the question was difficult. "Ah, yes. Jasmine."

"It's a sonnet, sir," she answered. There. That was her first good deed of the day. Now she could sit quietly and doodle in her work book, half formed sketches of swords and battlefields and a figure in full armour with a bow. It wasn't a very good drawing though and the person looked more like a stick figure than anything else, but Jasmine knew it was Leigh and that was all that mattered.

Isabella 'Bella' Stonell - 'Belle'- Storybrooke High

Today was the day I finally got the results to my chemistry test. I know I'll probrably get an A, but there's always doubt I won't.

Miss. Sparks passes out the test, my heart beating fast in my chest. She gets to me and Snow, plopping both of our's face down on our desks. I take a deep breath before flipping it over.

...W-What?

I raise my hand without hesitation, "Miss Sparks?" I call. She turns to me, flashing a smile.

"Yes, Isabella?"

I hesitate, "T-This isn't right. I've never gotten a grade lower than a A-."

She sighs, "Sweetheart...an B+ is good. You got the best grade in the class."

I glance around. Snow got an B. I sigh, "Alright."

She starts on with the tutoring after she's passed out all the tests, looking at me once she explains it, "I'll pass out the people you got, Bella."

I nod and she passes me a paper. No surprise who I got. I glance to my right, Rose Lucas.

I nod and fold it up, the time set for Four O'clock after school. I look at Snow. She seems to be focused on something in her head, "Nervous?" I finally ask, "About singing on Friday? You'll do great."

Rachel 'Fin' Finley | Rapunzel | Storybrooke High

First period English was a complete chore. Fin just didn't like English. Self-expression, okay, she got it, and in a way she envied the writers, but she just didn't understand the meanings behind words. She loved a good story, but as soon as Mr Hopper started talking about imagery or symbolism, it went over her head.

"Shakespeare, of course, wrote a hundred and fifty sonnets- many of which are in his characteristic iambic pentameter..."

Fin surveyed the room. Jasmine was there, looking like... well, looking like a girl. Fin had, as promised, worn the pink chiffon shirt from Mrs Spring's shop, a pair of high waisted black trousers and wedges. Her mother hadn't been happy about the events of last night, not happy at all, and had taken away Fin's shopping privileges for the week. As if any of it were her fault.

Of course, her sneaking out tonight would be her fault. She would just be sure not to be caught.

"Fin?"

Good old Mr Hopper at least called her by her preferred name.

"Yes?"

"What else can you tell me about the Shakespearean sonnet?"

She shrugged. "There's a rhyming couplet at the end."

"And anything else about rhyme?"

She shook her head, and he continued.

"Hey Fin," whispered one of her girls. "Wanna go to Granny's for lunch today?"

She couldn't. She was meeting Jasmine. But she couldn't let that be known. "No." She screwed up her face. "You want to smother yourself in grease, fine by me. I have a cheer captain physique to look after."

The girl recoiled. Fin exhaled and sat back in her chair, twinging as she saw the girl blush. But she had to keep up appearances. She always had to do that. She watched Jasmine sketching, a picture of a knight and a bow. She was a weird girl, that was for sure, but Fin couldn't bring herself to hate her.

Instead she watched Mr Hopper, and plaited a strand of hair.

Ebony-Rose White - 'Snow' - Thorne Residence

I woke up the next morning with a start thanks to the chimes of the Storybrooke clock outside my bedroom window. I groaned in frustration as I realised my head was resting on my laptop. I’d obviously fallen asleep last night while trying to finish my English paper. Bleary eyed, I scanned through what I’d written and realised that the paper still wasn’t finished. I let out a tired sigh and rubbed my sleepy eyes. At least I hadn’t fallen asleep hungry, thanks to Henry’s sudden change of heart. I wasn’t sure if he had snuck me his plate last night because he felt guilty over what happened, but I appreciated it nonetheless.

Making a mental note to thank him when I‘d see him next, I quickly headed for a shower, brushed my teeth and changed my clothes, before heading right back to my laptop to quickly finish the English paper. As I started typing, I realised the email icon at the bottom of my screen was flashing with a number one, making me frown in confusion. No one ever sent me emails unless it was Bella. With that in mind, I clicked on my inbox and curiously scanned the name on the email. It wasn’t Bella at all.

It was Jake Sweets.

The name sounded familiar but I couldn’t quite put a face to the name. Maybe he was a new student at Storybrooke High, I thought to myself before opening up the email to see what it said.

Hi Ebony-Rose,

How are you? I heard that you were going to sing on Friday... I never knew you could sing... I, personally, love singing, and so does Gretta. Could you find a time when we could practice together maybe? I think it would be good for Gretta to show her talent to others besides me, and maybe you can tell her if you think she has a talent.... Same goes for me. If you could find a time, it would be great!
Thanks!

Jake

My confused frown turned into a small smile by the end of the email. I still didn’t know who this ‘Jake Sweets’ was but I was excited to know that I wasn’t the only one in Storybrooke with dreams of becoming a singer.

“Miss White?”

A knock on my bedroom door and the sound of one of Regina’s maids broke my train of thought.

“Miss White, you need to come down or you’ll be late for school.”

“I’m coming, Mrs Potts!” I called back.

I quickly turned back to my laptop and typed my response:


Hi Jake,

Thanks for your email. I’d love to practise with you and Gretta. We could meet in the auditorium today at lunch if you’re free.

Hope to see you both there.

Snow.

With that, I quickly finished my English paper, printed it out and shoved it into my bag. I glanced towards the clock tower outside my bedroom window and realised I had just enough time to drop my guitar off to Mr. Gold’s for him to fix, before I headed to school. Grabbing my guitar, I rushed out of my room and headed down. As I reached the ground floor landing, I was surprised to see Mr. Gold walking towards the front door, his infamous cane in hand with a smug look on his face like a plan had just fallen into place.

“Ah, Miss White!” he smiled brightly. “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” I replied quietly, avoiding his gaze.

“What a lovely guitar you have there …” he commented. I looked up to see him examining my guitar with a mixture of intrigue and curiosity. “That belonged to your father, did it not?”

I met his gaze, my eyes slightly wide. “H-how did you know that?” I asked him.

“Because I knew your father once, Miss White,” Mr Gold responded, resting his two hands on his cane. “I knew him very well indeed ...”

I didn’t know what I was feeling more: shocked or confused. Before I could even ask Mr Gold what he meant, he returned back to the subject of the guitar.

“The strings need to be changed,” he said, pointing a finger towards the guitar neck.

I stared at him, wondering why he was changing the subject. “I was going to head over to your shop to ask if you could fix it for me,” I answered anyway.

“Ah, well in that case why don’t I save you the trouble?” he smiled, putting out his hand to take the guitar from me. “You can pick it up after school,” he added.

I gave him a weary look. Mr Gold showing any form of kindness to anyone in Storybrooke was always considered suspicious, and for good reason too. But, he did say he knew my father and even if he didn’t want to talk about it now, maybe he would talk about it when I came to his shop to pick up my guitar. Hoping that would be the case, I slowly handed my guitar over to him and watched as he took it with another bright smile.

“I shall see you at four, then, Miss White,” he said, before tilting his head towards me in goodbye and walking out.

“What are you still doing here?” snapped Regina.

I quickly turned to see her glaring at me from the other end of the hallway and I swallowed as I remembered last night. Not wanting another argument, I quickly grabbed my bag and walked briskly to school, Mr. Gold’s revelation of knowing my father still playing heavily on my mind.

Once I reached school, I headed for Chemistry class where I met Bella. We sat in our usual seats as Miss Sparks passed out our test results. Once I got mine I turned it over and let out a sigh of relief. My first B in Chemistry, thanks to Belle’s tutoring of course. Without her help, I’d probably still be on grade C level.

As the lesson started, I found that I wasn’t able to concentrate much. My thoughts were still on my conversation with Mr. Gold and whether I believed what he said about knowing my father. I didn’t think he would be so cruel as to make it up, but a part of me still didn’t trust him enough to blindly believe in his words.

Belle seemed to notice my lack in concentration. She looked over at me and whispered, “Nervous?” I didn’t know what she was talking about until she explained. “About singing on Friday? You’ll do great.”

“Thanks,” I smiled back at her, even though that wasn’t what was worrying me at the moment.

Archie Hopper- Jiminy Cricket-- Storybrooke High--

School had begun and as always the students filed into my class with looks ranging from glum, tired, or bored. I noticed a few students that I hadn't seen yesterday, but that wasn't a surprise. The first few days were always confusing and changing.

"Good morning class," I called, receiving little response. "We are going to continue our segment on poetry. We will be on page 15. Can anyone tell me what form this poem is written in? Anyone?"

Miss Spring raised her hand. "Ah, yes. Jasmine?"

"It's a sonnet, sir," she answered.

"Correct. Now a sonnet is a poem consisting of fourteen lines and has a strict rhyme scheme. One of the greatest writers in history was Shakespeare who, of course, wrote over one hundred and fifty sonnets- many of which are in his characteristic iambic pentameter..." I paused for a moment and looked over the class. Whoever wasn't already asleep on their desk had their attention elsewhere.

"Fin?" I asked. She looked up from whatever she had been doing and asked, "Yes?"

"What else can you tell me about the Shakespearean sonnet?"

She shrugged. "There's a rhyming couplet at the end?"

"And anything else about rhyme?"

She shook her head. "Thank you. Miss Finley is right class. There is a rhyming couplet at the end of a Shakespearean sonnet which brings us into rhyme and our next homework assignment. Tonight I would like you to write a simple sonnet. This will be the first of many poems and papers that will make up a portfolio- which I will be collecting towards the end of the year. And to make sure no one is waiting until the last night to do all of their work, I will be checking each assignment as a complete or incomplete.

The bell rang and the students got up as quick as possible. "Please leave last nights papers on my desk on the way out!" I called over the sounds of rustling papers and stomping feet. When most of the class had filed out, I couldn't help but lean back on my desk and chuckle.

David Graham- Prince Charming #1- Storybrooke High-

I followed the rush of students out to the hallway where Henry was waiting.

"She let you out early?" I asked.

"Yeah, but that's nothing. Where were you last night? I tried calling but no one answered."

"An emergency that Graham needed help with," I answered. "You remember Cindy Rell?"

Henry stopped walking and stared at me seriously. "Is she ok? What happened?"

"Some idiots broke into her house and roughed her up. We got her to the hospital--"

"She's in the hospital?"

"Yeah, I'm going to see her after school."

Henry was quiet until we reached our next class, chemistry. "I'm coming with you," he said.

"Uh, sure..."

Jake Sweets-"Hansel"-School
I quickly looked at my phone, and saw an email. Hiding it behind my big textbook, I read it. It was from Ebony-Rose. I smiled. When I turned around, I saw her looking at me. I winked, and she smiled. I can't wait for lunch!



Gretta Sweets-"Gretel"-school
As Jake passed me a note in class I smiled. I read it:
Meet me in the cafeteria at lunch! Great surprise!!! LOLOLOL
I wrote:
Sure! You betcha. Can I know what the surprise is? Nope. Then it wouldn't be a surprise!!!