Fate and Lana Parrilla

Chapter One

Adelaide's POV

I'm sitting here, at this school desk, looking down at that stupid essay I wrote. My eyes glaze over and zone out, but I don't focus them right away. My hands are shaking under the table and I let myself have a moment of internal sadness and rage before I zone back in again.

I wouldn't mind so much if I didn't try. But I do try, I try so hard all the time and what do I receive for my efforts? A big D grade, staring up at me.

"Are you alright?"

It's my teacher, obviously noting my disturbed expression.

"Yeah. Thanks." I reply. I quickly pack my bag and leave the room. I take the stairs two steps at a time, hurrying to get out and go home. Not that home is much more fun. Although it does allow me a brief escape from reality - a blissful 40 minutes of a Once Upon A Time episode. No matter what struggles I face, I know my OUAT family are always waiting for me on my TV screen, facing much bigger problems than I. I guess you could say it's my coping mechanism.

My idol is Lana Parrilla. The character of Regina Mills went through so much pain, but still managed to turn herself around and find the light. I dream of meeting Lana and telling her how much she's saved me. Every time I face my own battles I think of Regina and everything she's had to face, and how she's pulled through despite everything and become her best self. Lana brought Regina to life and I'm forever grateful. I've watched every interview I can find of the OUAT cast, they are amazing and Lana is so kind and so beautiful.

It's my birthday tomorrow. I'm going to be 16. I wonder if my dad will even remember. You must be thinking - who forgets their own child's birthday?! Well let me tell you a bit about my dad. We used to be inseparable, him and I. Ever since my mum passed away when I was 7, it's been just me and dad, the perfect team. Or so he'd said. He was fine, he was a great dad. But a couple of years ago he turned to drink for his pain, and despite my best efforts he's still a raging alcoholic. He is a shadow of the man he once was. There's only one thing I know for sure; the dad I loved is gone.

It does break my heart. I made him go to counselling, I tried to help him, but he's just beyond it. So as horrible as it sounds I've given up. I miss him. I really miss him but he's not there anymore. I do my best to care for him, I make him dinner along with mine, I wash his clothes. I get lonely in my house like it's just me there.

I don't really have many friends. There's people at school that I talk to, sure, but we aren't that close. I keep to myself, I'm scared of letting people get too close to me. I don't want anyone to see how much of a mess I am inside.

Lana's POV

"Lana!! Hurry up! We've literally got five minutes!" yelled Bex, a good few metres in front of me. "I'm trying!" I shout back grumpily. It's hard to speed-walk in these heels, and I am certainly not running.

Bex insisted that we go to the nearest shop to get snacks before we have to leave. I said we wouldn't make it before it closes but she's forever the optimist. I speed up a little bit and we both burst into the shop, out of breath. Bex runs for the chocolate and I head straight for the crisp aisle, only to be greeted with a "Mom, look!! Is that Lana Parrilla!! No way!"

I laugh and approach the girl. She's quite young, she looks only about 12 or 13. "Yeah, hi." I smile. "Omg, can I get a picture with you real quick? I'm a big fan." she blurts out. "Sure."

I pose for the photo and then start to turn around. "I'm going to see you and everyone else at the con in LA!" she smiles excitedly. "Well I'll see you there." I wink. "You know, I'm lucky, but there's so many fans who want to see you but can't afford the tickets. Maybe you should do a giveaway or something." She says. "Bella!" her mom scolds. "Sorry about my daughter, have a lovely day." she continues, and steers her daughter away to a different part of the shop.

I never really thought of that before. I love meeting all my fans, they're all so sweet and have beautiful stories of how OUAT has helped them, but I've always been too busy meeting the ones who come to the cons to think of the ones who can't get there. Maybe little Bella has a point. My fans have done so much for me, the endless support and gifts and friendships. Maybe I need to give something back to the people who need it most.

So it's decided: I will host a competition. Someone will win two VIP tickets to my LA convention with everything paid for.

** A/N: hi! sorry this is moving a little slow. im veryyy rusty at writing these sorts of things but hopefully I'll improve as i go along. thanks for reading 💓 **