It was that time of the academic year again when the Mayor would visit to make sure everything was running smoothly at Storybrooke's school. It usually was, but Regina always liked to check that everything was working in the orderly fashion she liked it to - especially with Henry attending that school.

Stood in the back of the classroom, Regina observed a few classes, starting with the younger years, and working up to the older years. When she got to your class, spanning ages 14-15, she noticed something that made her double-take for a moment. She'd seen you a couple of times over the days she'd been observing, and something about you always tugged at her senses. Whether it was the way you sat alone in between classes, or the way you always seemed to hug your hoodies around your small figure, or the tired look in your eyes. The mother in Regina always returned to worrying for you.

Despite herself, she went to Mary-Margaret to ask about you. And when she brought up the things she'd seen, Mary-Margaret reciprocated the worries, saying that you always seemed to be completely covered, even when the class doing PE - you'd wear long sleeves and trousers. She'd tried to talk to you, but you always insisted everything was fine. And now Regina decided it was her turn to try.

You were sat alone again, outside on one of the benches in the playground. A book clasped in your hands, you kept to yourself, your fingers toying absently with the hem of your hoodie's sleeve. Regina took the opportunity to approach.

"Hey,"

She began softly, grasping your attention. Her smile was gentle, her usual stoic demeanor shifting to a much more tender disposition.

"I've been in your classes just recently, and I've noticed that you seem a little.. withdrawn. Is everything okay?"

The Mayor asked gently, as if trying to avoid scaring you off. She wanted you to feel safe with her, maybe to trust her if you could.