A KIND OF MAGIC ↝ Killian Jones

⇒ CHAPTER ONE

  WILHELMINA WAS AN experienced eater, to say the least, with nothing but devotion and undying love for cake in all of its forms and flavors, but nothing she had ever tasted came even close to the chocolate cake she was beyond lucky to have at Granny's diner for breakfast after her first night in Storybrooke. The woman was downright moaning as she munched on the dessert she had no shame on eating at nine in the morning — which, in her opinion, was a completely absurd time to be awake at but the enthusiasm she had towards unraveling Storybrooke and getting to know its residents had kicked her up hours ago. And the first person she wanted to talk to was Ruby, who just so happened to be the one to give Wilma the cake she was devouring for the third time in the span of thirty minutes.

  "If you don't mind me asking", Ruby began as she leaned against the counter she was on the other side of, "what brings you to our little town?", causing Wilma to look up with a mouth full of chocolate cake, but instead of being alarmed by the sudden questions, she forced a smile and nodded her head to acknowledge the question, even if it took her a fair while to swallow all the food stopping her from speaking up and responding to Ruby, who was smiling at the somewhat amusing yet adorable sight in front of her.

  Wilma shrugged casually poking the last piece of cake on the plate with a fork. "Everybody needs a fresh start at some point, don't you think? There was nothing for me in New York anymore, so I left. This is where I ended up", she explained, and a look of adoration took place on Ruby's features instantly, which made Wilhelmina smile fondly. In her opinion, the woman seemed just awesome, someone she would more than willingly spend some more time with. And not just because she had offered Wilma a taste of the cake for free.

  "You're from New York? That must be awesome", Ruby whispered, and Wilma couldn't stop a chuckle from escaping her mouth as she bit on the last piece of cake.

  "Well, I was born in England but I found my way there, yes. It was lovely, no doubt of it, but I think I prefer a small town for a change. And Storybrooke, seems like the place", she continued, and Ruby nodded in agreement. Frankly, she made Wilhelmina feel welcome, like she was in the right place and for that, she was immensely grateful. Whereas all the others sent glares to her way and seemed to consider her a timebomb, doomed to explode at any second, Ruby took the risk of getting close and Wilma appreciated that beyond belief. She, as much as she hated to admit it, needed friends. Other than fictional characters.

  After a while of silence with Wilma finishing her not-so-healthy breakfast and Ruby wiping the counter, the bell above the entrance rang to inform everyone in the diner that someone new had arrived, and at first, Wilma couldn't be bothered to see who it was, just for the sake of her cake which required all the attention she could possibly give. But then, this new person happened to speak up.

  "Ruby, hi", they greeted the woman on the other side of the counter, before continuing, "there's this hot Corvette right outside", with a somewhat confused tone, which sparked Wilma's attention. Looking up from her now sadly empty plate, Wilhelmina found a rather handsome man walking up to the counter, and once his eyes locked with the new girl's, he fell into even more confusion. However, that didn't stop him from taking a seat right next to Wilma, who felt rather flattered by this unexpected attention.

  "That would be my precious Iron Maiden", she spoke bravely, before putting out her hand and hoping to dear God her gesture wouldn't be rejected, but the man seemed too kind to do that, so he took a tight grip and shook it with his eyes still stuck on the woman.

  "This is Wilma. She came to town last night, and she seems great", Ruby introduced the new arrival for her, and although Wilma failed to notice it, the waitress gave the man a meaningful look as she put emphasis on the word great. Wilhelmina didn't pay attention, however — if Ruby insisted on putting her in a good light, she wasn't going to fight back.