Dear Future

Chapter One

**CONTEXT*

Alice is Hope's older sister in this

"Hope!" my mother yells from downstairs. "We're leaving for Granny's soon!"

"Ok!" I yell back. I was rereading my favourite book series called The Lunar Chronicles. It was about people from the future saving the world from an evil Lunar queen. I was reading the first book, Cinder, right now.

After 10 minutes, I decided to head down. I shove Cinder in my bag and run down the stairs and see Henry and Violet talking to my parents. Henry smiles when he sees me.

"Hey baby sis."

I glare at him. "I'm 15."

"I know, but you will always be my baby sister," he says.

Technically, Henry was my half-brother. But he always said that it doesn't matter- I am still his sister. Half or full.

I give him a light punch on his arm. He laughs and opens his mouth to say something, but Dad interrupts him.

"We should be heading to Granny's now. Before Snow and David rush in here and ask why we're late."

We all go in little groups to talk while we walk to Granny's. Mom, Dad, and Henry are in front, and me and Violet are behind them. Violet was one of my best friends and sister-in-law. We talked about how school was going and she told me little stories of when she was in high school. Since she was from Camelot, it took her a while to fit in with everyone else here. But I loved her just the way she is.

When we get there, we are greeted by Grandma, Gramps, Neal, Aunt Regina, Aunt Zelena, Robin (as in Zelena's daughter), and Alice. We sit at a booth and talk with one another. This was the perfect time to read Cinder.

I slowly pull the book from my bag and hide it under the table. I open my page and start reading, remembering to look up sometimes so people don't get suspicious. Aunt Zelena had noticed since she was next to me but hadn't told anyone. She's honestly the best aunt ever.

"So Hope, what have you been up to lately?"

I look up and see Grandma staring right at me. "Uhhhhhh, I've been reading a new book series."

She smiles. "What's it about?"

"A lunar revolution," I say.

She seems a bit surprised, probably because the book was very different from what I usually read, but nods her head. "Interesting."

"Since when are you reading books?" says Gramps.

"Since my teacher told us about this book series. I really like it, Gramps."

Ruby, the head waitress today, walks up to our table and smiles. "What can I get you guys?"

We all order our food. Mom and Henry order grilled cheese. Dad, Violet, and I order a burger. And everyone else orders either a sandwich and salad. We all sit in awkward silence while we wait for our food. I continued to read Cinder from under the table. Luckily, no one seems to notice me.

Our food arrives and we all dig in. I start a small conversation with Aunt Zelena, but soon get interrupted by Aunt Regina clearing her throat.

"So Hope, did you come to your powers yet?"

"Regina," my mom says sternly. Dad reaches for her hand and gives it a little squeeze. She relaxes a little. But I still wonder what Aunt Regina was talking about.

"What do you mean, my powers?" I ask.

"Nothing, sweetie," Mom says.

"Emma, I think it's time we tell her," says Dad. Mom's face turns slightly angry.

"No. She is too young. She won't be able to control it."

"We can't hide it from her forever."

"Maybe we can!" Mom yells. She pulls her hand away from my dad. My eyes widened. She has never done that before. Ever. Even Dad looks shocked. Luckily, we're the only people at Granny's, so no one stares awkwardly at us.

"And lie to her for the rest of her life?"

"We're not lying to her. We are protecting her. I almost killed so many people when I came to my powers. I couldn't control it. I don't want the same to happen to my daughter, Hook!"

Everyone gasps. My mom has never called him that. Not since their wedding. My dad looks heartbroken. A look I have never seen on him. But it's not the fact that she called him by his villain name that hurt him.

It was the way she called me her daughter.

Mom had always said "our daughter". Even corrected people a few times. But this time, it was like she refused to let him be my dad. And that hurt him more.

"And we won't let that happen to her," dad says. "We will stand by her side."

"That's what everyone said about me, and no one did! Everyone abandoned me, again!"

"I didn't abandon you."

Dad's voice was calm, but angry. I see my mother quiver at that line.

"I know," she whispers.

"Then why don't we tell her?"

Mom didn't respond. "I need air," she says, quietly. "Alone." And with that, she left the diner.

Dad closed his eyes. I could see tears forming in his eyelids. I look at everyone and they are all surprised about the turn of events. Gramps gets up and glares.

"You said this would never happen, Hook. You said you would never do anything to hurt her. To start a fight. But you did."

"Like you never fight with Snow about anything, mate," Dad snaps.

"Don't bring us into this. This is about you and Emma."

The room falls into a deafening silence. I shift uncomfortably in my seat. The room is full of glares directed at different people. I look at Violet and she gives me a comforting look. Finally, Dad speaks.

"I'll go talk to her," he says in a calm voice.

"NO!" Gramps yells. "She doesn't want to see you."

"David!" said Grandma. "Let him talk to her. He's her husband for god's sake!"

"I don't care!" He yells.

"That seems a little extreme, don't you think, Dave?" Dad says.

"Shut it, pirate!"

"Did I start this?" asks Aunt Regina.

"Yes!" Dad and Gramps both yell.

"Whoops. I thought you and Emma already talked about this with Hope."

"Well, we clearly didn't."

"How was I supposed to know that? I got better things to do then watch your love life!" said Aunt Regina, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"Would you like to order our dessert special?" asks Ruby.

"Not now, Wolfie," says Aunt Zelena. "I'm watching something."

"This is not a game show, Zelena!" yells Dad.

"Excuse me for being entertained by your pathetic squabbling. What are you, 2 year olds?" she shot back.

"Guys, calm down," says Violet.

"I agree with Violet," says Alice.

"Calm down!? Calm down!? My daughter could possibly be over the town line and in New York or Boston and you're telling me to calm down?!"

"She won't leave town, David. This is not that extreme," says Grandma

"She might. And if she did, I blame Hook," he replies, pointing at dad.

"It's Killian, mate."

"I'm not your mate!"

"Thank lord you're not," Dad snaps.

"Enough!" I yell. "I will go talk to Mom. Gramps, this is not Dad's fault. It isn't anyone's fault but mine. Stop yelling at him!"

Before anyone could say anything, I got up and stormed out the door.