Gretel

A Mother's Hate

~~Storybrooke~~

I made my way out of the police station shortly after Graham let Emma go, determined to make my way back to the inn unoticed. 

I never get what I want though.

"Ava! Hey, do you need a ride?" I turned to see Ms Blanchard and the mayors kid watching me, standing a few feet from her car. I cringed internally at the thought of being around the mayors kid, despite the fact that he was Emma's son. 

"No I'm good, it's not a far walk." I lied through my teeth, turning quickly and waving over my shoulder as I carried on. Thinking that they would leave it at that, I felt my shoulders slowly slack the I got further from the police station. 

But remember, dear reader, that I never get what I want.

Mary Margarets car slowed next to me, keeping up with my pace as I walked. "Are you sure? It's not big deal, where are you heading?"

"Yeah, we can give you a ride!" Henry called from the passenger seat, making me grit my teeth. My words poured out before I had the chance to stop them. "I don't really feel like owing Madame Mayor a debt, even in a round about way. She doesn't like me enough as is." I sped up my walk as she halted the car, huffing as she caught up and managed to grab my shoulder. 

"Ava-"

"Please, Mary Margaret, I don't want to be around him." I pleaded quietly, avoiding her worried gaze.

"What is it honey, did something happen?"

My eyes stung at the endearment, "It's nothing, I just..." I snuck a glance at Henry, frowning at the worried look on his young face. He probably didn't even know...

I sighed, "The Mayor has made it very clear that there will be repercussions if I hang around her kids. She doesn't want me to have anything to do with them. She made it sound like she'd ruin my life if I interfered."

She gaped at me, appearing stunned. "I just don't want to cause any problems for myself," I scrambled to explain. "I don't know why she doesn't like me, she just doesn't. She's the Mayor, she can make my life hell at the flick of a wrist and I can't afford that."

Her expression turned to one of pity, and I fought to keep my face straight as frustration boiled within. Please not pity, I don't need your pity. 

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that..." She trailed off, a contemplative look on her face for a moment before she smiled at me. "Let me give you something that can help then." I brows rose, and I hesitantly followed her to the trunk of her car. I heard Henry shift in the car, seeing him turn and watch us from my peripheral. 

"I was gonna drop this off at the thrift store or the pawn shop, but I think I just found the perfect new home for it." It was my turn for my jaw to drop as Mary Margaret pulled out a practically brand new skateboard. It was black on the top with a simple pink wash on the bottom, but I didn't mind its simplicity one bit. A teasing grin fell onto my face as I looked at the school teacher.

"Why, Mary Margaret! I didn't know you were a skater!"

She giggled, shaking her head. "It was going to be a hobby— something to keep me active. Turns out that I'm terrible at it." She said, looking up at me excitedly. "Do you like it?"

"Like it? I love it! Thank you Mary Margaret!" I said, pulling her into a quick hug. She squeezed me once before letting go.  

"Now you'll look super cool on your way to school!" Henry cheered, and I peeked up at him with a small grin, making the boy beam. "Maybe you can walk me to school tomorrow? I bet you'll know a bunch of cool tricks by then." He asked, rambling about how 'cool' and 'awesome' having a skateboard was. My grin faded quickly, and Mary Margaret and I shared a look.