Craving

Chapter 6

Emma entered Granny's diner and was instantly greeted by a furious Ruby. The waitress threw her towel down and approached her, arms folded across her chest.

"Where the hell have you been? I texted you like 3 times last night!"

Emma rubbed her eyes from sleep, sighing. "I was with Regina."

Ruby's eyes widened. "You were with the Mayor last night?! Like, with?! Whoa!"

"Not like that," Emma quickly interjected.

Ruby smirked at her. "Well it's obviously serious if you're on a first name basis."

Emma followed Ruby over to the counter as Granny flagged the girl back. "We didn't hook up, if that's what you're thinking. She thinks I can help her with the issues the council has been having."

Ruby let out a loud laugh. "Right. That's the reason the Mayor offered to share her bed with you last night."

"I stayed in a guest room," Emma muttered, though it was apparent Ruby wasn't listening.

"Ruby! Refill on coffee!" Granny barked.

With Ruby distracted, Emma took the opportunity to head upstairs to her room and pack. Regina had told her to pack everything, so it was lucky she didn't have hardly anything to bring. Her things were shoved into a box in a matter of minutes, and she left a little thank you note for Granny on the pillow.

Emma took one last look around the room, a feeling of uncertainness washing over her. This was all happening so fast—was she ready to give up nights of drinking to ease her emotions, to increase her happiness, to make her forget? It was now or never, she realized. It was never going to be easy.

"It's like ripping a Band-Aid off," she told herself.

Emma returned her room key to Granny and was just about to head back out when Ruby noticed her from the back kitchen. Granny muttered under her breath, offering Emma a sympathetic look.

"You're turning your key in? Are you leaving town?" Ruby demanded.

Emma sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "No, I'm not leaving town."

Ruby crossed her arms across her chest. "So, you're just leaving me."

Anger rose up inside her at the third degree she was receiving. She knew Ruby meant well and she was grateful for her—she was her first friend here after all—but she didn't need to share every detail of every day to the whole town. She came to Storybrooke to get out of someone else's control, not to fall back into her old ways.

"Ruby I'm not leaving you, okay? I'm just staying somewhere else for a little while, temporarily. It's for my own good."

Ruby's mouth opened in shock and a sneer came on her face. "Oh, I see how it is. You take advantage of my hospitality but as soon as you find a new bed buddy you spit it back in my face."

"There is nothing going on between Regina and I!" Emma defended herself, her voice rising steadily. "Did you expect me to live here forever? Granny has already helped me more than she should have. I'm still your friend, Ruby—"

Ruby held up a hand to cut her off. "Just go if you're gonna leave, then."

Emma sighed as she watched the waitress spin on her heel and stalk off. Granny shook her head and readjusted her glasses, typing in information on the old computer in front of her.

"Don't mind her, Emma. Ruby has the emotional stability of a young teen. She'll be over it in a day or two." Granny peered at her over her glasses and reached out to pat her hand. "Whatever you need to do, I wish you the best. You're welcome back anytime."