Mismatch Lovers

Chapter 11

*Emma's POV *

Because of my age they had nowhere to send me in Boston, leaving me the only one in the bunk room at the social services building. All my stuff besides my clothes was under lock and key, but I managed to smuggle my stuff from Killian and my cell phone in my purse. I'd forgotten to charge my phone the night before, though, so as soon as they all left for the night I dug it out along with my charger and plugged it in. The moment it powered on it started to fill with calls and texts, mostly from Killian, all wondering where I was. I checked again for any lingering employees then quickly called him back.

"Swan!" He answered on the second ring, sounding both relieved and panicked. "Are you alright? W-where did you g-go? Y-y-you just d-disappered and when I w-went to y-your house all your stuff was g-gone."

"Hey, babe, just slow down," I stopped his frantic questioning. "I'm fine, I promise. Apparently someone reported Ingrid for leaving us alone or something so they removed me from the house."

"W-well when d-do you get to come b-back?" He asked clearly still not calm judging by his stutter. "When she comes b-back next w-week?"

"No," I sighed, not wanting to tell him this at all. "There's paperwork that has to be done, but by the time they finish I'll be eighteen so it won't matter. I... I can't come back unless I live in my car or something. I don't have anywhere to go."

"Stay with me," he said so quickly I barely heard him, his stutter not even having time to keep up as he continued. "If Regina says no then we'll find our own place like we talked about before. I don't care, I just... I n-n-need you..."

"Killian, I don't even have a job," I reminded him. "I have no way to pay for a place. I'll come back, but it's not your job to take care of me."

"Yes it is," he insisted, his voice more serious than I'd ever heard it. "You're my girl, my Swan, I'll do whatever I have to to make sure you're alright."

"Killian," I sighed, feeling my walls coming up but trying desperately to keep myself from pushing him away. "We'll figure it out later, okay? For now, let's just leave it at I'll come back."

"Will you be home for your birthday?" He asked, thankfully taking the hint and moving on. "Because I-I was hoping to take you out, make the day special for you."

"I'd really like that," I smiled to myself, my tone softening now. "Oh, and I should tell you, I won't be able to talk all the time. I'm not supposed to have my phone, so I can make you the call they give me in the afternoon, but then we can't talk until late like tonight."

"I'll take what I can get," he joked lightly, the fact that he was so relaxed now putting me at ease. "As long as I don't lose you in the process."

"Nah, you're good there," I assured him, my cheeks aching from trying to hold back my smile. "I don't want to keep you up, I just... really wanted to talk to you and let you know I was alive."

"No, don't go yet," he stopped me, knowing I was wrapping things up. "You're in Boston, right? Can I come see you?"

"Uhm, I honestly don't know actually," I said with surprise. "They'd probably keep us under strict supervision, but I'll ask my case worker in the morning if you want."

"Only if you want me there," he relented slightly. "I don't want to force myself on you."

"No, not at all," I said quickly, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "I'd love to see you, I've been missing you all day already. I'll definitely ask her when she comes in tomorrow."

"Alright," he said with a smile in his voice and we were both quiet for a bit. "Did you need to go?"

"Only if you do," I said almost shyly, curling up on my side under the awful blankets with my phone to my ear. "I know you have school in the morning, so I just don't want to keep you up."

"This would be so much easier if I could just come there and hold you," he sighed. "I never knew it was possible to miss someone so much until I met you. Now I just can't seem to get enough of you, it's insane."

"I know," I agreed quietly, finally realizing how much I missed him. "But it's just a few weeks, and then I'll be back in town at least."

"I know, I just," he sighed and I could practically hear him shake his head. "I'm just being a weird clingy boyfriend, ignore me. I'll let you sleep."

"Wait," I stopped him this time. "Can... can you stay on the phone with me for a while? We don't have to talk, I just... like knowing you're there."

"Of course, love," he said softly. "As long as you like."

We didn't say another word, just content to listen to the other's quiet breathing. I slowly started to cry, tears slipping onto my pillow and my knees hugged to my chest. I never realized how much I'd come to rely on him in the last few weeks when I was upset or stressed, the absence of his arms around me chilling me to the bone. In my life I'd never let myself rely on anyone for fear of getting hurt again, but somehow he'd gotten past nearly every wall I had and now I needed him there with me more than I could even comprehend.

"Emma, sweetheart, wake up," his gentle voice woke me and I groaned at the light of dawn coming in the window. "Sorry to wake you, love, but I have to get to school and I know you said you weren't supposed to have your phone so I don't want you to get in trouble."

"Shit," I mumbled groggily, my eyes not even open. "You're right, sorry. I'll call you around five tonight, okay?"

"Alright, Swan, I look forward to it," he agreed with a smile in his voice. "Now go back to sleep, you sound exhausted."

I just grumbled and he chuckled before hanging up. I shoved my phone and everything in my purse and went back to sleep, waking again a few hours later when my case worker shook my shoulder gently. She was in a pretty good mood so I decided to take a chance as I sat down in her office, still in my pajamas.

"So, I was wondering," I started nervously, fidgeting with the hem of my tank top when she looked up. "I know I have to stay here and everything, but... is anyone aloud to visit me?"

"Well you said you're going back in a few weeks," she reminded me. "Who would have to visit you?"

"My boyfriend," I said quietly, glancing up through my eyelashes to see her eyebrows raised. "He's not exactly patient and I know he'd like the option."

"You've... never had a boyfriend," she said like I didn't know that, surprise tinging her voice. "Why didn't you say anything when we left?"

"You never let me say goodbye," I pointed out. "I didn't really think this would be any different, but... I'd really like to see him if I can."

"Well," she sighed, thinking it over before getting a small smile. "Its against protocol, but you'll be with me from now on so... I don't see an issue with him coming for the weekend if he'd like."

"Oh my God, thank you," I said as I scrambled to my feet, taking her off guard when I hugged her as she sat at her desk. "Thank you so much. We'll be on our best behavior, I promise."

"I know you will," she said, her smile wider when I pulled away with tears on my cheeks. "You're a good kid, you're just in a crappy situation... why don't you grab your phone and let him know?"

"Thank you," I said again with a sniffle as I went back to my seat. I curled up with my blankets at the end of the tiny sofa, digging my phone back out and turning it on. I wasn't surprised to find a couple texts, but the last one got my attention.

Killian: I figured out who reported you

Sorry I'm not editing, it's almost 5AM for me. Anyway, let me know what you think! Later, loves!