𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 ➶

𝙾𝚗𝚎

"Of course, yeah," as the mayor called Sheriff Graham, Naomi tried calling Henry, while practically running to the mayor's house.

+++

The teen paced impatiently across the main hall, waiting for Henry that night. Graham leaned casually against the door frame to the dining room, and Regina hung up a phone call from, yet another, Maine state official.

"Unbelievable," Naomi muttered, not loud enough for Henry's mother to hear.

Just then, Regina glanced out the frosted glass in the door and gasped, rushing forward to upon the door. Naomi stopped pacing and watched as the woman opened the door, revealing Henry Mills standing a few meters away from the door with a blonde woman Naomi did not know.

"Henry! Are you alright?" Regina rushed forward and hugged her son. Naomi stepped out, close behind the woman. Once she'd let go, the teen took her turn to hug the boy.

"Oh my god, Henry! Why the hell did you do that? Where did you go?" She pampered him with questions, a glad smile forming in her face. Henry just grinned back mischievously.

"Who are you?" Regina demanded, turning to the blonde. Naomi glanced from Regina to Blondie, Regina to Blondie.

"I'm Emma Swan. I'm Henry's... mother," the woman named Emma told Regina. The teen looked down to Henry, who was avoiding her eyes.

"Naomi, take Henry inside," Regina told the teen. She did so, Graham smiling faintly as the two headed up to Henry's bedroom.

+++

"Um, Graham, could I have a few minutes to talk with Henry alone?" Naomi asked the sheriff once they'd reached Henry's room.

Graham nodded. "Yes, of course. I'll be just outside then." The sheriff left, closing the door behind him.

"You idiot!" She exclaimed, probably louder than necessary. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been? And your mother-" but Henry cut her off.

"You might've been worried for me. But not her," the boy said, almost spitting out Regina's name. Naomi stood there, silent.

"What are you talking about, Hen. If you'd seen her-" but she was, once again, interrupted.

"She's worried for her image, not me," Henry said quietly, sitting on his bed. Naomi sat next to him, sighing.

"Come on, you know that's not true," she said gently. Henry shook his head, but didn't reply. After a few seconds, the kid spoke up quietly.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he apologized. Naomi grinned and gave him a side hug.

"Yeah, what is this? Are you hiding things from me? And who's that Emma Swan? Is she really your birth mother?" She asked, only half teasing. Henry looked up with a mischievous grin.

"I'll tell you everything tomorrow," he told the girl, laying back in bed. Naomi sighed and smirked, getting up. She made her way to the door.

"See ya tomorrow, kiddo," with that, she turned out the light and meet Graham outside, waiting in the hall.

Graham gave the teen a small smile. "Thank you, Naomi. I understand you're his babysitter?" He thanked her. Naomi smiled and nodded.

"More like part time nanny, what with the hours Regina's had me watching him these past few weeks," she replied, leaning casually against the banister.

A concerned look crossed the sheriff's face. "Yes, and your parents?" He asked, frowning.

Naomi sighed, looking down at the ground. "Mary Margaret Blanchard is my legal guardian. I'm living with her for the time being. At least until I go off to college," the teen explained.

Graham nodded, though still having questions. "Pardon my asking, it's really none of my business, but how old are you, Naomi?"

The girl smiled, understanding. "17," she answered.

"Ah," he nodded, making his way down the stairs. Naomi followed. "See, if you have the time, I'd like to meet up for lunch or something. Just to get to know a bit more," he explained as the two approached Regina and Emma Swan.

"Yeah, sure," the teen agreed, turning to Henry's mom.

"How is Henry?" Regina asked Graham, and he glanced towards the teenager.

"The kid's perfectly fine, just a bit tired is all," she reported, hiding her proud grin. The mayor nodded.

"Yes. Thank you, Naomi. I expect you should be getting back home. Your got a busy day tomorrow," Regina said to her. Naomi nodded and waved goodbye to the other two, heading out the door.

+++

"So Henry's safe?" Mary Margaret asked the moment Naomi stepped into the apartment.

"Yeah, and I'm fine too, thanks for asking," she replied sarcastically, tossing her keys on the couch. Her guardian sighed and poured her a glass of water.

"Sorry. I've just been really worried," Mary Margaret apologized, sitting across from the teenager at the counter. "Do you have any idea why he may have done it?"

Naomi scoffed. "The kid's got an imagination. He even got some woman Emma Swan, his "mother", to drive him back home. I think he was looking for her," she explained, ignoring her water. The woman sighed.

"I'll ask him about it tomorrow," she said, glancing around. Naomi nodded, agreeing to do the same.

"I'm walking him to school, I'll ask him then," the teen said, taking a small drink. Mary Margaret nodded.

"See you in the morning, I'm going to bed," Mary Margaret said, yawning and waving goodnight to the teenager. Naomi waved back and headed up to her own room, turning it the lights.

Is this a good first chapter? I don't know. I don't know anything.

Last edited May 5, 2019