A/N: This was originally going to include the Disneyland trip and the whole Blaire talking to her dad scene but I think in order to make it flow better I'm going to start off next chapter with Disneyland for some fun and then bring the angst train xD Sorry this Chapter has taken so long. 


𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓴 𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷'𝓽 𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓸
𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓘 𝓼𝓮𝓮 𝓫𝓵𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓫𝓵𝓾𝓮 𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓪𝓼𝓽, 𝓘 𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓻𝓾𝓲𝓼𝓮
𝓦𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸'𝓼 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓰𝓸𝓷𝓮
𝓜𝔂 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓲𝓼 𝓬𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓶𝔂 𝓿𝓸𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓷𝓰, 𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓘'𝓶 𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓻𝓸𝓷𝓰 

Blaire

I got in my truck, and took a deep breath.
What the fucking fuck did I just do??
Will was absolutely going to kill me. I ran my hands through my hair and took another deep breath.
"Okay...calm down Blaire. Just don't go back to the Rabbit Hole. It's that easy." I told myself and decided at that moment, that was the solution to the colossal fuck up I just made. Don't go back to the Rabbit Hole, and you won't have to see Will's dad again, and if he tells his boss, Mr. Gold, surely he wouldn't think to look for a high school student.
I started my truck and picked up her phone and checked the time. It was almost 5. I decided to text David and have him call in the hibachi order for tonight, I'd just tell him I got off work early.

Me:
Hey, off work early if you want to call in the food I'll go pick it up and come home.

David:
Sure thing. I'll do it now. Your aunt is baking cookies for the school's bake sale this week, can you stop by the store and get more eggs?

Me: Yup.

I put my seatbelt on and started my truck and pulled out of the Rabbit Hole parking lot to hopefully never return.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I decided to go to the grocery store first while I waited for the food order to be done. I picked up the Eggs that David requested, and then I went to the candy and chips aisle to get me some snacks.
"Blaire!" a little excited voice called. I turned to see Bastian running up the aisle towards me.
"Hey Bud-Whoa!" I chuckled as he almost tackled me to give me a hug. I ruffled his red hair.
"Where's your mom and Dad?" I asked. And as if On cue, Mr. J turned the corner frantically and then sighed in relief as he approached us.
He crouched down to Bastian.
"Sebastian, what have we told you about running off in public places?" He asked.
"That its not safe. But I saw Blaire. She's safe isn't she Daddy?" Bastian asked.
Mr. J looked up at me and sighed.
"Blaire is safe, yes, but what if you only thought it was Blaire and it turned out to be a stranger?"
"But it IS Blaire." Bastian argued.
"Your Dad has a point bud. If it wasn't me, if It was a stranger..there's no telling what could have happened. You got lucky this time and it was someone you knew that you approached, but if it hadn't been me, you could have gotten hurt."
"But the police man that came to my school said Storybrooke was one of the safest towns ever." Bastian frowned. "Did he lie?"
"Not exactly, but even the police don't know about all of the dangers until someone gets really hurt. So that's why we have to be careful who we approach in the stores. And always check with your parents beforehand." I said. "Okay?" I asked.
Bastian nodded.
"Okay. I wont run off again I promise." Bastian said.

"Oh Sebastian there you are!" Ariel exclaimed and ran down the aisle. She sighed in relief and scooped him up holding him close.
"Sorry momma." Sebastian said.
"Its okay. Just don't run off again please." Ariel said.
"If you want to take him and continue shopping I want to talk to Blaire for a minute." Mr. J said.
"Sure." Ariel said and smiled at me before she walked away.

"Look, I didn't even know you guys were here. I didn't know Bastian was here until he ran up on me." I said.
"Oh, I didn't think you did. That's not why I wanted to talk to you." Mr. J said.
"Whats up then?" I asked.
"Do you have anything going this weekend?" Mr. J asked.
"I plan to be at the Gym Saturday morning to help Meg with the kids' boxing class." I shrugged. "Why?"
"Well, usually I would ask Killian, but Killian has a lot on his plate right now and he is going to be in court Saturday to finalize his divorce."
About time.

"Anyways, Ariel and I need to go to Portland and help her father, who is recovering from a heart attack and...you are really, really good with Bastian, and he adores you. I was wondering if you could house sit and watch him for us this weekend? Of course you will be paid."
"Oh..uh..are you sure you want me to do this?" I asked.
"You are probably the only person besides Killian that I trust with my son." Liam said. "We will come pick him up from his boxing class, and show you to the house, and show you around before we leave and we will be back late Sunday night."
"Okay. I guess I can watch him for the weekend." I said. "I don't have anything else going right now, I kind of got fired from my job. Long story.. Don't ask." I said.
"I won't." Liam said. "Thank you for doing this."
"No problem." I said. "I'll see you tomorrow at school."
"See you then." He said.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I got home with the groceries and the food for dinner, Emma was pacing on the porch on her phone. I got out of the car.
"No! Do not come here!" She hissed into the phone. "I will find out how to tell them. Neal..Neal?" Emma groaned and hung up the phone and looked at me walking up onto the porch.
"What the hell did you say to Neal? He's freaking out about us flying to Disney next week because I'm pregnant." Emma said.
"All I said was we were going to Disney for Spring Break." I shrugged.
"Well now he is on his way over here to talk to my parents about us dating and tell them I'm pregnant!" Emma seethed.
I looked down at the bag of hibachi and sushi in my hand.
"I didn't get enough food." I said.
"Who cares about the food Blaire?? My Dad is going to kill Neal!"
"Well then we will have enough food." I shrugged.
"Stop hyper focusing on the food Blaire!" Emma practically shrieked at me before she turned around and stormed inside.

I followed Emma inside. Emma stormed past David and went up the stairs.
"What's up with her?" David asked.
I shrugged. "No clue." I said and walked into the dining room and placed the bag of food on the table, opening it and putting the carry out boxes in the middle of the already set table.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------

Emma and I spent more time texting each other under the table than actually eating.

Emma:
What the hell should I do? Neals on his way now.

Me:
I would tell your parents at least about Neal before he gets here and drops the nuke about you being pregnant.

Emma:
Are you crazy? How am I supposed to tell them that I've been lying for 3 and a half years about who my boyfriend is??

Me:
I mean we both know that I'm crazy but that has nothing to do with it.

"Girls, put the phones away and eat." David said.

Emma: Shit.. what do I do?

Me: Dude. Just tell them about Neal.

"Okay, what is going on?" David asked. Emma and I looked up at each other.
"You two have been texting back and forth for the last 20 minutes something is going on. Spill it."
Emma sighed.
"I haven't exactly been honest with you guys about my boyfriend." Emma said.
"You mean Graham? He's a sweetheart. What haven't you been honest about?" Mary-Maraget asked.
"Graham isn't my boyfriend. He's been helping me lie to you guys about who my boyfriend actually is." Emma said.

One could cut the tension between David and Emma at the moment with a knife.
"You mean to tell me, you have been lying to us for the last 3 years?" David asked.
"Yeah. I'm so sorry Dad." Emma said.
"Who is he?" David asked.
"Before I tell you, you have to understand I love him." Emma said.
"The only thing I understand right now, is you have lied to me Emma! Who is he?" David asked again.
"His name is Neal. He works at the Rabbit Hole as a bartender. He's 22."

The doorbell rang.
"That him?" David asked.
"Yes." Emma sighed.
David stood up.
"Dad..wait." Emma said and stood up.
"You stay here!" David said and walked through the living room to the front door.

I had never seen David this mad. Not even when Emma threw that huge Halloween Party.
Shit. He might actually kill Neal.

Mary Margaret got up and started walking after him. Emma and I tried to follow but she turned around.
"Girls. Stay put." She said.

Emma and I peeked into the living room as David opened the door. David and Mary-Margaret stepped out of the house and closed the door.

"Shit..shit...shit! He's going to kill him." Emma panicked and paced.
"I'm sure he won't actually kill him, Em." I tried to assure her. However, Mary-Maragret started yelling for David to calm down outside and Emma bolted to the door. I followed her outside and saw David had Neal pinned to the side of the house with one arm. Neal already had a bloody nose and David was rearing back for another hit.

"Dad! Stop!" Emma begged.
"She's Seventeen!" David growled and stepped away from Neal
"I know. Know!" Neal said and put his hands up. Emma rushed to his side and stepped in front of him.
"Don't hurt him Dad. Please." Emma cried.
"This ends now. I don't want you anywhere near my daughter." David said.
"I'm sorry.. I can't do that." Neal said. "I won't. I'm not going to abandon her, or my child." Neal said.
David cocked his head to the side.
"I'm sorry...your what?" David asked.
"I'm pregnant, Dad." Emma said.
"What??" David asked.

David looked like he was going to stroke out.
"I got fired the other day." I said trying to take the heat off of Emma for just a second. David turned to me.
"What??" He asked. He turned back to Neal and Emma and went to speak. He put his hand on his chest and leaned against the porch rail.
"Daddy?" Emma asked and approached him.
"Uncle Dave?" I asked.
David's face was pale, and his eyes were glassy.
Emma nudged him. He wasn't very responsive.
"Dad? Dad!" She repeated. I looked at Mary-Maragaret.
"Blaire, honey go call 911." She said as she crouched down to her husband.
"Is he okay? What happened??" I asked.
"I don't know. Just stay calm and go call for an ambulance."

I hurried into the house and grabbed my cell phone and dialed 911 and ran back outside to check on David.
Don't you fucking die on me...

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neal was sitting by Emma trying to keep her calm. Mary-Maraget was sitting on the other side of Emma. I was standing up, pacing the floor in the waiting room.
"I killed him." Emma sobbed.
"Don't go pulling the sheet over him yet Em." I mumbled.
"Blaire is right. We don't know anything yet." Mary-Margaret said.
"I'm sorry Em. I just wanted the truth to be out in the open." Neal sighed. "I should probably go.." He said.
"No, don't go." Mary-Margaret said. "We will have to work this out one way or another..for the baby." She said. "David was just upset that Emma had lied to us for so long. He will come around." She said.
"Are you saying you are okay with Neal?" Emma asked.
"Honestly...I'm very upset with you Emma for lying to us. As far as being okay with Neal, your father and I really don't have much of a choice. You're pregnant. Whether we like the idea of you being with Neal or not means nothing now. We are all just going to have to adapt to this." Mary-Maragaret said.

A Doctor came into the waiting room.
Mary-Margaret stood up.
"How is he?" She asked.
"He's just fine. Just a big spike in his blood pressure that made him pass out. No signs of stroke, or heart attack." The Doctor smiled.
"Oh Thank God." Mary-Margaret sighed in relief. "Can we go see him?" She asked.
"Yes. We are working on getting the discharge papers done." The doctor said and smiled again before walking away.

Neal stayed out in the waiting room while the three of us went back to see David. When we got to his room, he was sitting up on the bed. Mary-Margaret wasted no time throwing her arms around him.
"I'm so glad it wasn't more serious." she said.
"Me too." David smiled and looked at me. "Well come on." He said and gestured me over for a hug. I sighed in relief and walked over to him hugging him.
"I'm glad you are okay Uncle Dave." I said and pulled back from the hug.
"Wheres Emma?" David asked.
"She was right behind us." I said and turned around to see Emma peeking into the room. Hesitant to come any further.
"Come on sweetheart." David said.
Emma let out a choked sob and ran to him, throwing herself into his arms for a hug.
"I almost killed you." She sobbed. "I'm so sorry I lied about Neal. I'm sorry I got pregnant."
"I'm okay Emma. Where is Neal?" He asked.
"He didn't want to come back here. He's in the waiting room." Emma said. "I'm sorry Dad." She said again.

"It's okay Emma. I might have overreacted. But you're my baby girl and..I just
Wasn't prepared for you to grow up as fast as you have. It's going to take a lot of adjusting, but we will start with inviting Neal over for dinner and getting to know the father of my grandchild." David smiled.
Emma returned his smile and hugged him again.
"I love you Dad." She said.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I took a break from the hospital room and walked back out to the waiting room. I hated hospitals. I used to visit my mom on her lunch breaks in the summertime. I hated the feeling of the sickness that was all through the halls.

"Blaire." Neal said. I looked up at him.
"What?" I asked.
"Do you think we can talk...outside?" Neal asked.
I shrugged. "Sure I guess." I said and followed him outside.

He looked all around him like a paranoid crackhead.
"You good Chief?" I asked.
"Just making sure we aren't being watched. You've gotten yourself into some shit Blaire." He said and crossed his arms glaring at me.
"How so?" I asked.
"Mr. Scarlet must have told my father about the new attractive little thing he met in the bar. He knows your name."
"Wait, he thinks I'm attractive?" I smirked. Neal didn't find the humor in my dry sense of humor. "Tough crowd. Anyways on a scale of none to fucked how fucked am I?" She asked.
"I'd say you're pretty fucked. You took the X that Scarlet gave you and put it in your pocket. That means you are accepting his job offer. If you would have just left when I told you to, none of this would be happening!" Neal hissed.
"Well I mean he doesn't know my last name." I said.
"It's not going to be long before he figures it out and you need to be prepared when he does." Neal said.

"Fuck.." I sighed. "Will is going to kill me."
"I'd be less worried about Will, more worried about his father." Neal said.
"How long do I have until he finds out who I am." I asked.
"Depends on how bad he wants to find you. I'd say you've got a couple weeks. Enjoy Disneyland because when you get back..." Neal sighed.
"Is there anything you can do to help get me out of this?" I asked.
"I honestly don't know if I can Blaire. If I try to tell him what you were really doing in the bar, it could make things worse than they are right now. Right now he thinks you are on his side, if I tell you you were snooping around about the O'Malley arson and basically accusing him of it becomes a much more life threatening situation." Neal explained.

"Does Emma know anything about your father?" I asked.
"She knows bits and pieces based on what she's seen in her fathers files when he's not looking." Neal sighed. "Please. Don't tell her anything about this. I don't want to give my father a reason to involve her."
"That's understandable." I said.

"How is your uncle?" Neal asked changing the subject.
"He's okay. He and Emma spoke and it looks like although he isn't very happy about it he is going to put effort in to get to know you for Emma, and the baby's sake. And as far as us flying to California next week, Emma is going to go to a baby doctor and find out if it's okay that she flies and check out the baby. She'll probably tell you more about that so you can be with her for those.
"Good." Neal nodded. "I'm going to head out, tell Emma to text me later."
"Sure." I nodded.
As I watched Neal walk away I ran my hands over my face.
"Fuck." I said realizing that I hadn't just messed up a little. I really fucked up. There was no telling what was going to happen now that the town's drug lord knew my name and was looking for me.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I adjusted my gym bag on my shoulders and the thermos of creamer with a hint of coffee in my hand as I opened the gym door Saturday morning. I looked around for Meg but she wasn't in the front of the gym.
"Meg?" I called.
"Yeah?" She said and poked her head out of the door to the equipment room. "What are you doing here so early?" She asked and ducked back into the room.
"You still need help with the kids' class?" I asked as I walked across the floor to the equipment room and walked inside.
"If you are up for it." Meg said and put something into the large trash can in the room. I cocked my head to the side looking at the framed picture of my father in there.
"Yeah...I'm up for it." I said, " Doing some spring cleaning?" I asked.
"Something like that." Meg shrugged.
"Cool." I said.

Meg sighed.
"Look...like most of the town I watched that news story on your old man. I saw the deal he made with the police about where your mothers body was and it made me sick. I don't want his picture in here. I don't want people to think that I condone what he did."
"I get it. Honestly you don't have to explain it to me." I said.
Meg nodded.
"Right. So I can put you on the payroll for Saturday's for the kids class. I'll give you a key to the building if you want to come in and use the equipment when we aren't open." Meg said.
"Sounds good. How do we want to approach the kids class?" I asked.
"Well, Tink and I usually split the kids into two groups. It makes it easier." Meg said.
"Sounds good. I haven't done this since I lived in Oregon and I was helping my Dad with his little kid class."
"I think you will do fine. I saw how you were with Sebastian last week." Meg smiled.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once all of the kids showed up, I stood at the front of the room with Meg.
"Alright guys, you all know how Miss Tink has been away out of state dealing with some family things and I know a lot of you have been bummed out about that, but we have someone who is going to help out until Tink gets back. Can everyone say Hi to Blaire?" Meg asked.

"Hi Blaire!" Most of the kids said in unison."
"Hi." I said and wiggled my fingers at the kids.
"Good, so everyone who usually works with Tink, will go to that side of the gym with Blaire, and those of you who work with me are stuck with me on this side." Meg smirked. "Let's go." She said.

The kids started splitting up on different sides of the gym. I followed my half and stood in front of them.
"Lets start with some stretches and some exercising to get our bodies warmed up and ready." I said and watched as the kids started stretching.
"Good everyone, keep going." I said.
Sebastian giggled.
"Blaire, you're supposed to stretch and exercise too." He said.
"She's the teacher dummy she can do whatever she wants." another kid sighed.
"You, whats your name?" I asked the kid.
"Andrew." He replied.
"Okay Andrew, let's not call each other names, first and final warning." I said. Andrew gave me a mean mug and continued giving me the mean mug as he did his stretches.
Oh he will be fun.
Sebastian stuck his tongue out at Andrew.
"Don't do that Sebastian, that's just as bad as name calling." I sighed wondering what the hell I got myself into.

"Let's move on to some exercises. We'll start with 10 push ups," I said. "Good job everyone." I said as they started their pushups.
"Now sit-ups." I coached after they finished the pushups.

After the exercising I asked the kids to partner up and it was truly heartbreaking to see Sebastian trying to get a partner but he kept getting pushed away for another kid, until it came to just one other kid besides Sebastian without a partner and the other kid looked less than thrilled to be Sebastian's partner.
"Okay so now that everyone has been partnered up, One of you will need to work on defense, while the other works on punches we'll switch after 10 minutes. This is only practice, I don't want to see any black eyes or bloody noses. Understood?"
"Yes Blaire." the kids said in unison.
I looked at my watch and looked back up at the kids.
"Okay go." I said walked around the gym monitoring the kids and correcting footing, and blocking maneuvers when needed.

A sudden cry, a cry that I knew well stole my attention and I turned my attention to Sebastian and his partner. Sebastian was holding his mouth and sitting on the floor. I hurried over.
"What happened??" I asked.
"He didn't block right." The other kid said.
"But you weren't supposed to actually hit him." I sighed and crouched down to Bastian.
"Let me see." I said as I pulled his hand away from his bloodied mouth.
"It was an accident." The other kid said. "I didn't mean to."
"There is no way this was an accident!" I said, trying not to channel my father.

Meg hurried over.
"What happened?" She asked and looked at Sebastian on the floor and sighed and looked at the other kid.
"Again with this Adam?" She asked. "You know I'm going to have to call your parents now."
"Well no one wants to be partners with him! He's weird!" Adam yelled.
"And no one wants to be partners with you because you are a tiny little bully!" I defended Bastian.

"Whoa Blaire.. He's 7." Meg said.
"He's a bully." I said "Call his parents. I'll tell them too."
"Okay, take Bastian to the bathroom and clean him up and take a breather.
I helped Bastian off the floor and he took my hand and I walked to the bathroom with him.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blaire age 12

"I really don't see the problem here." My dad said as we sat across the desk from my principal.
"The problem, Mr. Nolan, is that she broke another student's nose."
"Well, from what I understand, the girl had it coming, she's been picking on Blaire for the entire year." My Dad said.
"You condone your child using violence to handle bullies?" The principal asked.
"No Mr. Douglas, we do not condone Blaire using violence." My mother said.
"You don't." Dad said. "I condone her doing whatever she has to do to protect herself, and her reputation. I don't think any of these kids are going to mess with her now so she won't be the dorky kid who gets pushed around anymore."

The principal sighed.
"Well at this moment, Blaire is now suspended for a week." He said.
"This is a joke." My dad scoffed and got up. "Come on kid, we are getting ice cream."
I grinned and followed my dad out of the office.
"I want cookie dough." I said.
"Whatever you want." Dad said.

"No James. She is in trouble. She is not getting ice cream. She's grounded." My mom said.
"For fucking defending herself Jack?" My dad scoffed.
"For breaking some other kids nose James! It was wrong. I will not have you turn our daughter into a miniature version of you. She is not going to be a bully. I am her mother and you are not going to undermine me!" My mom said.

"What the hell happened to you Jack? You used to beat the shit out of girls who looked at you funny." Dad said.
"That was in high school. We have a daughter, James. I've grown up and I'm getting tired of waiting for you to do the same."
"Well then leave, like you always tell me you are going to do." Dad rolled his eyes as he opened the truck door on the passenger's side for me. I climbed into the truck and sat down and buckled myself up.Dad slammed the door shut and I watched out the window at them yelling at each other in the parking lot.
I hated it when they fought and even though I couldn't hear them, out of habit I put my hands over my ears.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I finished cleaning Bastians mouth and examined it.
"No stitches. Just ice." I said. Bastian just quietly nodded at me. "You okay bud?" I asked.
"Do you think I'm weird, Blaire?" He asked quietly.
If I could punch that little shit that called him weird... I thought to myself.
"Thats a really tricky question." I said. "It depends on what you think is weird, if you go off of what that little punk said...no. He's just a bully." I said and sighed.
"Some people just don't understand what it is to be different. They are afraid of it."
"Adam is afraid of me?" Bastian asked.
"Not of you exactly, just what makes you..ya know...you." I said.

"Oh..well..how do I stop people from being afraid of it? I don't have any friends." Bastian pouted.
"The truth is, they will never stop being afraid of what makes you unique, but you will find people who see you for what you truly are, and those are the people who will be your true friends. Kids like Adam? You don't want to be his friend."
"Why?" Bastian asked.
"Because he's normal." I whispered and scrunched my face.
"And I'm not?" Bastian asked.
"No. You are better than normal. You see the world differently than everyone else and honestly that makes you my favorite 7 year old." I said.
Bastian smiled at me.
"There's that smile." I said and ruffled his hair. "You and your uncle have the same charming smile."
"Uncle Killy says it's the charm that all the Jones men are born with." Basitan said.

I smiled.
"Alright. I think we are done here. So what are we going to do about this bully situation?" I asked
"Well...Mommy and Daddy say it's best to use your words...but Uncle Killy says a punch in the nose works better."
Uncle Killy may have spent too much time with me.
"Well lets just use our words this time yeah?" I asked.
Bastian nodded and opened the door to the bathroom and ran ahead of me.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I pulled up to the curb outside of Liam and Ariel's house. They had a very nice house, not as nice as Killian's house used to be but for a teacher's salary it was beautiful.
I got out of my truck and walked up the driveway as they were getting out of their car.
"You have a beautiful home." I complimented.
"Oh thank you!" Ariel smiled.
"You're welcome." I said. Ariel opened the back door of the car and Bastian hopped out.
"Come see my room!" Bastian grabbed my hand jumping up and down.

"Easy lad, she'll have plenty of time to see your room after we leave." Liam chuckled. "Lets show her around the rest of the house first."
"Okay! Come on Blaire!" Bastian said and pulled me with him to the front door which Ariel had just barely unlocked before he went barreling through it.

He led me to the kitchen
"This is the kitchen. It's where the snacks are."
I do love some snacks.
I barely got a look at the kitchen before he showed me to the living room.
"This is where we watch movies in my pillow fort." He said and showed me to his pillow fort.
"I made it myself!"
"Wow, thats awesome." I smiled.
"Oh!" Bastian exclaimed and pulled me out of the living room and down the hallway.
"This is my bathroom." He said "Mommy and Daddy's is in their room at the end of the hall, and my room is right here!" He said and stepped a couple of feet to the left. I looked at the big letter S on the door and smiled.
"Are you ready to see my room?" he asked.
"Yeah sure." I said and smirked. Bastian opened the door and stepped in.
"Tada." He said and gestured around.

I stepped in and looked around in awe. This is the type of room my parents probably wished I had. It was spotless, everything had a place, and everything was extremely organized.
"Wow. It's so neat." I said.
"I don't like messes." Bastian said.
"I can tell!" I smiled down at him. "It looks very nice."
"Thank you." He said politely.

Liam walked into the room.
"Since he's shown you everything that needs to be shown already, Ariel and I will be leaving. There is money for Pizza on the table, the pin to Disneyplus is 0818, help yourself to anything in the kitchen." He said.
I nodded.
"Okay." I said.
"Bastian has a routine, I'm sure you know. He doesn't like to stray from it and I'm sure he will tell you exactly how it goes." Liam added.
"I'm sure we will figure it all out as we go." I smiled.
"Thank you for this Blaire. We will be back tomorrow morning."
"Alright, see you guys then." I said

"Bye Daddy." Sebastian said and gave him a hug. He pulled away and ran to Ariel and gave her a hug too. "Bye Mommy. Give grandpa a hug for me." He said.
This kid is just too sweet.
"I will." Ariel smiled. "We love you. You be good for Blaire, okay?" She asked.
"Yes mommy." Bastian said.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bastian and I were building Legos in the living room while waiting for the pizza from O'Malleys to get here when I got a text message notification.

I looked at my phone and my stomach dropped seeing it was a text from the unknown number.

Unknown:
Babysitting? That's something I didn't think I'd ever see you doing. Cute kid though.

Attached was a picture of Bastian and I playing with legos that looked like it was taken through the window.


"Bastian. Give me a second. I need to go outside. I'll just be on the porch." I said.
"Okay Blaire." Bastian said and continued building the house he was working on.

I walked outside and stood on the porch looking around before I hit the dial button.
"Hello Blaire." The distorted voice on the other end said. "Doing a favor for the other Mr. Jones I see. You just can't get enough of the forbidden student teacher romance can you? Now that you and the other Jones brothers are well... History." He chuckled, amused at his own pun.
"Whatever this is. It's between you and me. Leave Liam and his family alone." I said.
"Oh, on a fist name basis with the Algebra teacher. I guess the X really is no longer in the equation."

"Is this how it ends? You, threatening me to death with terrible algebra and history puns?" I asked.
"Nothing is ending Blaire, the game is far from over. I do want to ask, is this your first time babysitting?" He asked.
"Yes, why do you care?" I asked.
"Because someone who has been babysitting for a while, wouldn't have left the back door unlocked."

My heart dropped into my stomach and I bolted into the house. Bastian wasn't in the living room where I left him.
"Oh My God...Bastian!' I hollered as I ran down the hall searching rooms for him.
"Where the fuck is he?!" I demanded and ran through the kitchen to the backdoor. "Bastian!" I hollered again
"Good luck explaining to the algebra teacher how you lost his only child." The voice said and then the line went dead.

I ran out into the backyard, It was dark and I couldn't really see and my phone flashlight wasn't helping that much.
"Sebastian!" I called again. Still no answer. I looked back into the house and all the lights were shut off.
"Fuck!" I hissed and walked back towards the house and used my phone to light the way.
"Sebastian?" I called out.

A door creaked behind me, startling me. I spun around and looked at the door to the basement that had swung open.
"Bastian? Are you down here?" I called from the doorway. Still no answer.
This is how people die in a horror movie Blaire..don't go down the dark spooky stairs.
I didn't want to, but I knew I had to because if this creep had Bastian I would never forgive myself if he got hurt.

I took a deep breath and slowly began walking down the stairs. I hesitated as I reached the bottom three steps. I shined my flashlight around the room.
"Bastian?" I called out.

I felt a hand clasp around my ankle and I shrieked and turned to the side of the stairs with my flashlight
"BOO!" Sebastian screamed as the light illuminated his face.
I gasped and fell back on the stairs on my ass. Sebastian was laughing as he walked around the stairs to me. I snatched him and pulled him in for a tight hug.
"That wasn't funny!" I said and then held him at shoulders length. "You really scared me!"
Bastian frowned.
"But your friend that wears the mask told me you would laugh." He said. "He told me to follow him outside, and then while you were looking in the backyard we came back in and he shut off all the lights and told me to hide in the basement. He said you loved playing hide and seek!" He exclaimed and pouted.

"Bastian, this is very important. Where did my friend with the mask go after he told you to hide in the basement?" I asked.
"I don't know." He said.
"Alright, come with me and hold my hand." I said.
"Okay" Bastian said and grabbed my hand and we started up the stairs. My hand holding my phone was shaking and I couldn't hold it steady so the little light I had to see was all over the place.

"Blaire, are you okay?" Bastian whispered.
"Oh Yeah.. I'm just afraid of the dark." I lied. I wasn't afraid of the dark, I was afraid of what was lurking around in the dark.
"Where is the light switch to the kitchen?" I asked.
"On the other side of the kitchen. Close to the living room." Bastian said.
Of course it is.

I walked slowly towards the living room. I saw a silhouette of a person cross in front of the front door that I left open. I quickly pulled Bastian out of sight with me. We hid against the wall.
"Blaire What are-"
I put my finger to my lips telling him to be quiet. I heard footsteps in the living room, slowly walking towards the kitchen. I let go of Bastians hand and reached into my pocket for my pocket knife. I flipped the blade open and had my other hand on the lightswitch.

As soon as the person crossed into the kitchen I flipped on the lightswitch. The person, startled, let out a scream, which made Bastian and I start screaming. I threw my knife in the direction of the person. Bastian stopped screaming and his mouth and eyes were wide open. I followed his eyes and turned to see an O'Malley's pizza box with a knife stuck in it, and behind the box, Will, who was still screaming.
I cleared my throat and Will looked at me and stopped screaming.
"You good bud?" I asked.
"You bloody threw a knife at my face! Are you good??" Will exclaimed.
"But did you die?" I asked. I looked back at Bastian who looked absolutely paralyzed in awe.
"Bastian? You okay?" I asked.
"THAT WAS THE COOLEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN!" Bastian said in one breath.

"You are one twisted kid." Will said and set the pizza down on the table.
"What are you doing just walking into someone's house??" I asked.
"The lights were off and the door was open. I was making sure it wasn't a break in. The name listed on this residence is Jones. Why are you here?" Will asked.
"I'm babysitting Bastian for Liam." I said.
"Liam?" Will asked.
"Killian's brother. Mr. J." I sighed.
"Oh." Will said. "So what's with the lights, the doors, and the knife?" Will asked.
"Oh uh. Our friend..you know the one we play extreme hide and seek with? The one with the mask?" I said gesturing Will to follow along.
"Oh yeah, I totally know what youre talking about." Will nodded.
Jesus H. Christ Scarlet can you be any less convincing
"Well he thought it would be fun if Bastian played. That's all." I explained.
"Well that was nice of him." Will said.

I blinked at him.
"Riiight." I said and grabbed the pizza money off the kitchen table. "Here's the money for the pizza, sorry I almost killed you." I said.
"Sure." Will said and raised an eyebrow. "You uh..good if I leave? I know our friend with the mask gets a bit carried away sometimes." He said.
"Why does he wear a mask?" Bastian asked.
"Uhh because he's..." I trailed off and looked at Will for help.
"Ugly!" Will finished for me.
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Yep. Very ugly." I said. "Anyways, Bastian and I have pizza to eat and movies to watch and we were just about to invite Uncle Killy over for pizza."
"Really?!" Bastian gasped. "Yay!"

"Alright, just call me if you need anything." Will said.
"Will do." I said and sighed as he left and closed the door behind him. I walked around the house turning the lights on hoping no one was going to jump out at me. I was hoping that the creep wasn't hiding somewhere in here.
"Can I join the extreme hide and seek team Blaire?" Bastian asked.
"No, it's for big kids." I said as I was checking around corners.
"Wait a minute, you don't even have your special hide and seek shoes on!" Bastian said and giggled.
"What do you mean kid?" I asked.
"Your friend with the mask and your friend with the pizza were wearing the same shoes silly!" Bastian said.

It took me a moment to register what Bastian had said but there was no way that Will was behind the creepy texts. He didn't know my mother...but he has lived here his whole life so it's possible he could have known some things about her. But it couldn't be that easy, it couldn't be right under my nose like that, my best friend could not be responsible for this.
But what if he could?

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Killian

I stood in line at the liquor store waiting to buy my rum. When it was my turn, Roxanne the sales clerk leaned against the counter snapping her gum.
"Back again Jones?" She smirked.
"It appears that way." I chuckled.
"I guess things are extra complicated then." She winked.
"one could say that." I sighed.
"Well, I don't want to toot my own horn, but I am known to be a problem solver." Roxy flirted.
"Maybe I'll take you up on that offer." I shrugged.

Roxy rang up my rum and when my receipt printed she wrote her number on the back of it.
"I'm a night owl. Call any time, and I'm off Friday if you want to go out." She said.
"We'll see." I smirked and put the receipt in my pocket. My phone started ringing and I took it out of my back pocket and raised my eyebrow. It was Blaire.
"I'm sorry Roxanne, I have to take this." I said and answered the phone.
"Hello?...What?! Hang on. Calm down darling." I said. "Of course. I'll be right there." I said and hung up.

"And just like that, things are complicated again." Roxy shrugged.
"Sorry love, family emergency..." I said and grabbed my bag from the counter and hurried out of the store. I put the liquor in the truck of my car and shut it before getting in the driver's side. I buckled up and started the car, speeding out of the parking lot towards my brother's house.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I walked back into the living room where Sebastian and Blaire were waiting. I had checked all of the rooms in the house and checked every lock on every window. The only people here were myself, Blaire and Sebastian.

"All clear." I said.
"Thank you." I said.
"Of course, Bastian turn on a movie. I need to talk to Blaire in the kitchen." I said.
"Okay Uncle Killy."
"Let me get him some Pizza first." Blaire said.
"I just want the skin." Bastian said.
"I'm sorry you want the what?" Blaire asked, confused.
I chucked. "He just wants the toppings, he calls it the skin." I explained.
"I love this kid." Blaire said and walked into the kitchen.

I smirked and followed her. She took her knife out of the pizza box on the table.
"I kind of almost killed Will." She said and closed the knife and put it back in her pocket.
I opened a cabinet and got a few paper plates down and handed her one.
She took the toppings off of two slices of pizza and put them on a plate.
"I'll take this to him. You just sit down and eat." I said.
"Sure." She shrugged and sat down.

I brought Sebastian food and crouched down to him.
"You okay buddy?" I asked.
"Yeah! It was fun playing hide and seek with Blaire and her friends." he smiled.
"I want you to promise me, if the man in the mask ever comes back you do not follow him anywhere and you tell whichever Adult is with you if he approaches you. Okay?" I asked.
Sebastian frowned.
"Why?" He asked.
"Because even though he says he is Blaires friend he's not really a nice friend." I said. "He was trying to scare Blaire, by taking you."
"He lied to me." Sebastian pouted.
"I know. I need you to keep this just between you, me and Blaire for now, unless the man with a mask approaches you again. Your mum and Dad don't need to know until or if that happens. Can you keep it a secret for me?" I asked.
"Yes. I'm good at keeping secrets." Sebastian said and smiled.
"Good." I smiled and ruffled his hair. I hated having him lie to Liam and Ariel but there was so much at stake if they found out. I stood up.
"I'll just be in the kitchen with Blaire if you need anything." I said.
"Okay Uncle Killy." He said and went back to eating and watching his movie.

I walked back into the kitchen with Blaire. She was staring down her plate with an untouched slice of pizza.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
She looked up at me.
"Yeah...yeah I'm okay. Is Sebastian okay?" She asked.
"Hes fine. He thinks it was all just a game. But I told him not to follow the guy with the mask anywhere ever again and to tell an adult if he is approached." I said

Blaire nodded and then looked back down at her pizza.
"Not hungry?" I asked.
She sighed frustrated with my question
"I thought Bastian just got fucking kidnapped, I almost killed Will, and I mean maybe that would have-" She stopped and shook her head. "No, I'm not hungry." She said. "How did court go?" She asked.
"Court?" I questioned.
"Liam said you were getting your Divorce finalized today and would be busy or not in the mood to watch Sebastian tonight." She said.
I scoffed. "And you honestly believed that court would be in session on a saturday." I said.
"Well now that you say it, it does sound stupid." She shrugged.
"My Divorce was finalized Wednesday, which is why I was late to class that day. Liam probably thinks I'm in the middle of a downward spiral since the breakup and doesn't trust me with Bastian." I said and rolled my eyes.
"Well, honestly you probably would have been way more trustworthy than me tonight." Blaire said.
"What happened tonight was not your fault. How could you have known-"
"How could I have known that the psychopath that has been stalking me would pretend to kidnap an innocent child that I was babysitting because I was stupid enough to leave the house with him in it?" Blaire asked.

I sighed.
"All that matters is He is okay."
"But he could have gotten hurt." Blaire said. "I never should have agreed to do this. I put him and everyone else I care about in danger just by being around." She said and stood up and began pacing around the kitchen.

Something was different about her. Whenever she would make eye contact her eyes were widened and It was as if I could see the chaos in her brain behind her eyes.
"Blaire...have you been taking your medication?" I asked.
"Why does that matter right now Killian?" She asked and raked her hands through her hair.
"Because, the way you are acting is scaring me." I said.
"I'm acting perfectly logical for someone who just went through what I went through." She argued.
"Well yes, but there is something else going on and you can lie to me all you want about how you are fine, but you know I know better, because I've seen the best and the worst of you. I know you Blaire and something is not right." I said and took her shoulders in my hands making her face me.

She pushed me away and turned away from me.
"You know, we dodged a huge bullet by breaking up when we did." She said. "Emma told my uncle about her actual boyfriend and her being pregnant and it literally almost killed the man. If I would have told him I was in a relationship with my history teacher, he'd probably be 6 feet under by now."

I sighed.
"Look, why don't you go home? I can take care of Sebastian tonight." I suggested.
"No, I've got it." She said. "Thank you for coming over and making sure everything was clear." She added.

"Yeah...of course." I said.
"You can go now. I'm gonna watch a movie with Sebastian and then get him to bed." She said.
"Are you sure you want me to go?" I asked. She turned to me, and I could see it all over her face that she didn't want me to go but still she nodded her head.
"Yes." She said.
"Okay, I'll go. Enjoy your spring break." I said.
"You too." She said and turned back away from me.
I sighed heavily and walked through the living room to the front door.
"Bye Uncle Killy!" Bastian said.
"Bye buddy. See you tomorrow." I smiled and looked one last time at Blaire as she was leaning against the door frame to the living room.
She gave me a nod and I turned around and opened the door and walked out.
I kept a hand on the doorknob outside as I took a deep breath. Every part of me wanted to go back inside, scoop her up, kiss her, and tell her I loved her but I couldn't.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blaire

I woke to the sound of my parents yelling at each other. I looked at my alarm clock and sighed it was 3:30 in the morning and I had a math test today. I put my pillow over my head and tried to block out the fight. But a sudden cry from my mother had me throwing the blanket off of myself and getting out of bed.

I walked to my bedroom door and opened it just a bit. I could see my Dad had my mother pinned to the wall in the kitchen. I opened my door the rest of the way and hurried out.
"Dad!" I shouted. He looked at me, his eyes were glossy and the whole room smelled like bourbon so he was definitely drunk.
"Go back to bed baby." My mother begged me but I could tell she was scared.
"Dad, let her go." I said and walked closer to them.
"This doesn't concern you, go back to bed." He grumbled.
"I will go back to bed after you let her go." I said. He growled and let my mother go and then approached me.
"James, leave her alone!" My mother shouted.
"Who are you to question me?" Dad asked me. "I tell you to go back to bed, you fucking go!" He shouted at me.
"I just didn't want you to hurt mom-"
I was cut off by him backhanding me across the face so hard I fell back against the wall.
"James! What the fuck have you done?!" My mother demanded and hurried to me I held my mouth that was bleeding. I was in shock, My dad had never hit me no matter how drunk he was.
"Let me see it baby." she said moving my hand from my mouth.
"Jesus christ James you knocked out one of her teeth!" She hissed at him.

"That will teach her to listen to me." He slurred. My mom went to punch him and he grabbed her by the throat.
"Dad! Stop!" I begged and ran at him using whatever strength I could muster to push him away from her.
He released her and got in my face, towering over me.
"You wanna hit me Blaire?" He asked. "Go ahead. Hit me."
I didn't want to hit him. Even though he had hit me and even though he was hurting my mom. I didn't have the guts to strike him back.
"That's what I thought. You're pathetic." He said.

"Blaire, come on. We are gonna stay the night in a motel." My mom said.
"You aren't taking my kid anywhere." Dad slurred and wobbled a bit.
"I am taking MY daughter away from you for the night until you fucking sober up." My mother said. "Come on baby." She said and opened her arms for me.
I nodded and ran to her.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I looked in the mirror at my face that was already bruised. Finally letting a couple of tears fall.
"I know it's the middle of the night." My mother sighed as she was on the phone with my dentist.
"Blaire had an accident...she slipped in the kitchen and hit her face on the counter and knocked out a couple of her bottom teeth." She lied. "No, she swallowed them." She sighed. "What can we do?...Okay. I don't know what her insurance covers but you know I will pay whatever I need to. Today at 8? Okay good we will be there." She hung up her phone and came to sit over by the mirror in the motel room with me.

"Dr. Daniels is going to see you first thing. He's thinking of a couple of implants to replace the teeth you lost."
"Can we even afford that?" I asked.
"We will do what we can, you have a beautiful smile Blaire. It's one of my favorite things about you because it's so rare that I actually get a smile out of you. I want to make sure he hasn't taken that away from you too." She said and her eyes welled over with fresh tears. I wiped her tears away.
"Don't cry mom." I said. "We will be okay."
"How are you so strong?" She asked me.
"I don't know." I shrugged. "Why did you tell Dr. Daniels I slipped and hit my face on the counter?" I asked.

My mom sighed.
"I don't know. I don't know why I constantly protect that man." She said.
"Because you love him?" I asked.
"I do. But I love you more than anything else in this world. I don't want you thinking that you have to protect someone who is hurting you just because you love them."
"I won't." I said. "I promise."
"Good." She said and smiled. "If you want to get some sleep before we go to the dentist you can."
"I'm fine." I shrugged. "I may just skip school today... if thats okay."
"It's fine with me." Mom smiled.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Blaire?"

I blinked and looked at Dr. Hopper.
"Sorry I didn't mean to zone out like that." I said.
"It's okay. What were you thinking of?" He asked with a smile.
"Why do I only remember the bad things about my Dad now?" I asked.

"When I first moved here... I couldn't wait to get back to my Dad. I thought he was my best friend. It's just so weird that my perspective has completely changed now that I've been away from him and I keep remembering things that I can't believe I ever forgot."

"It's amazing what the human brain can do in response to Trauma." Dr. Hopper said. "In an effort to protect us, sometimes our brains will put..." He paused. "A lock so to speak on things, that were traumatic, or extremely stressful, some areas of the brain can be changed in response to trauma that leaves holes in the memory and they are often brought out by things relating to the cause of trauma." Dr. Hopper explained.

"So because I'm going to see my Dad for the first time since my mothers funeral I'm suddenly remembering all of the terrible things about him?" I asked.
"That is most likely the cause of the flashbacks. I believe you have PTSD." Dr. Hopper said.
"Don't you have to go through war to get that?" I asked.
Dr. Hopper smiled.
"War isn't just going overseas and fighting another country. A woman or a man in a violent relationship with their significant other fights a war every day in their own home. The same goes for the children that are in these relationships."

"Oh." I said. "Well I guess that makes sense." I added. "Do you think it is a good idea for me to talk to my Dad?" I asked.
"If you think it will be beneficial to talk to him and make him understand, and take accountability for what you've been through, I think you should do it. But I do want to warn you, that given what I've learned about him through you things you say might be twisted and thrown back at you, just keep your truth in mind, don't let him take it away from you." Dr. Hopper said.

"I won't. Thank you Dr. Hopper." I said and stood up. Dr. Hopper looked at his watch.
"We still have 30 minutes." He said.
"Well, I figured you'd have better things to do on a sunday, I do appreciate you making a special appointment for me." I said. "But I need to pick up Will and meet the rest of the family at the airport."
"Of course." Dr. Hopper smiled. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call, anytime. You have my personal cellphone right?" He asked.
"Yes. I do." I nodded.
"I know, a lot is weighing on your mind and your heart about this trip, but try to enjoy the trip to Disneyland." Dr. Hopper said.
"I will." I smiled.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I sighed heavily and looked at my Dad through the window of the Gym. My mom was still asleep in the hotel room because she worked later tonight. Even after my dental appointment I couldn't sleep.

I opened the door to the gym. My Dad looked up at me.
"Shouldn't you be in school?" he asked.
"Mom said I could skip today." I shrugged and approached him.
"What in the hell happened to your face?" He asked and touched the bruising around my mouth. I winced and pulled away from his touch.
"You don't remember?" I asked. "I woke up this morning and you and mom were fighting in the kitchen..." I said trying to help him remember. "You were drunk and I tried to stop you because you were hurting her."

My Dad ran his hands over his face.
"Fuck!" He grumbled frustrated. "How bad is it?" He asked.
"I had to get two dental implants this morning, you knocked out two of my bottom teeth." I said.
"Jesus Christ. Blaire I wasn't in the right state of mind." He said.
"I know. You were drunk." I said and was caught off guard as he pulled me into a tight hug.
"I would have never laid a hand on you if I hadn't been. I hope you know that." He said.
"I do." I said quietly.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You good?"
I blinked my eyes and looked at Will who was next to me on the plane.
"Yeah, why?" I asked.
"Because as soon as you sat down you kind of spaced out. You not sleeping again or something?" Will asked.
Or something.
"Sorry." I said and looked around. We hadn't even taken off yet I looked back at Will who was gripping the arm rests for dear life.
"We aren't even in the sky yet." I said.
"I know. I'm just preparing myself." Will said. "I've never been on one of these flying death traps before."
"Dr. Hopper prescribed me some stuff for the flight to make me sleepy because planes usually make me nervous too. Do you want some?" I asked.
"Nah, I'm fine Nancy Drew." Will smirked at me, but his face was pale and he looked scared to death.
"If you say so." I shrugged.

The flight attendant made an announcement that we were about to take off and I glanced at Will, seeing the panic all over his face.
I thought about what Sebastian said about him and the unknown caller having the same shoes, and how Will just happened to be there at the same time that everything else was going on. But looking at his face right now it was hard to believe that he could have anything to do with any of this mess but I still couldn't let my guard down. It was entirely possible that my mothers killer was not working alone.

"Blaire?" Will asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"I lied, give me the drugs." Will said.
I chuckled and opened my carry on bag, and retrieved the prescription bottle of valium.
"Take one and it should knock you out for the majority of the flight." I said.
"What about you, are you taking one?" Will asked.
"No, I'm fine." I shrugged. "Archie just gave it to me just in case." I said. There was no way I was falling asleep next to him. Not without knowing for sure that he didn't have anything to do with any of this crazy shit.