(Sorry guys the bonus chapter might not get uploaded tonight, for some reason my draft of it got deleted so have to rewrite it again but I'll still as this hoping you'll enjoy)
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Nathan woke to the sound of Henry's soft gurgles echoing faintly through the walls. He stretched under the covers, blinked at the sun spilling across the curtains, and let out a small sigh. His first week in Storybrooke had moved faster than he expected, and now came a milestone he couldn't avoid school.
He swung his legs out of bed, dressed quickly in a fresh shirt and jeans, and slipped on his shoes. His bag was already packed with notebooks, pencils, and the kind of supplies every kid apparently needed for there day at school.
As he padded into the kitchen, Regina was already there, heels clicking lightly against the tile as she prepared Henry's bottle. She turned at the sound of him, an approving but composed smile touching her lips.
"Good timing. Breakfast is ready."
Nathan nodded and sat down, eating without fuss. It was simple toast, fruit and orange juice but he didn't linger. His stomach was already tight with nerves.
When the clock struck the hour, Regina set Henry in his stroller, gestured for Nathan to come close and started fixing his collar that didn't need fixing to sooth her anxiousness a little. "Lets get going, Nathan. Let's not be late on your first day."
Storybrooke Elementary was alive with noise. The red-brick building loomed modestly, its front lawn dotted with clusters of children chattering, some waving at parents, others dragging their feet toward the door.
Nathan gripped his bag strap a little tighter, eyes darting over the unfamiliar faces.
Inside the double doors, the hallways buzzed with energy lockers clanging, footsteps echoing, voices overlapping. Regina's presence beside him grounded him even just her calm, measured stride reminded him he wasn't entirely on his own.
Waiting near the office was Miss Blanchard. She looked much like she had when Nathan first spotted her around town gentle, with her dark hair falling neatly to her shoulders, a cardigan draped over her frame. Her smile reached her eyes when she spotted him.
"Good morning, Nathan. Welcome. We're so glad you're joining us."
Regina's hand came to rest lightly on Nathan's shoulder. "He'll do fine." she said with quiet certainty. Then, to Nathan, she added, "I'll be here after class."
Something about the way Miss Blanchard bent slightly to speak directly to him, not down to him, but with him eased some of the tightness in Nathan's chest for his day of school.
Inside the office, introductions were made one by one.
Mr. Clark, tall and thin, adjusted his glasses as he spoke. "Math, Nathan. Numbers don't lie. They're good friends to have." His tone was clipped, but his eyes weren't unkind.
Mrs. Dalton, in a crisp blouse, leaned over her desk stacked with science models. "I expect curiosity in my classroom," she said warmly. "Questions are good they mean you're thinking."
Coach Holt, broad as a doorframe, laughed when he shook Nathan's hand. "We'll get you moving, don't you worry. Physical education's about more than games it's about teamwork."
Finally, standing slightly apart, was a woman Nathan hadn't seen before in once upon a time the same goes for the first two teachers. The coach he remembers roughly connected with David and hid wife later on. She was younger than the first two, late twenties perhaps, with long, dark hair tied loosely back. A faint scar traced down from her right brow to her cheek, sharp against her otherwise smooth features. Her stance was relaxed but poised like someone ready to move at a moment's notice. Seems to be more then her appearance suggests.
"This is Ray" Miss Blanchard explained. "She's part-time, but she teaches cultural studies and leads our spiritual development class. On some days, she helps in physical training with coach Holt as well."
Ray inclined her head, her eyes fixed on Nathan with a quiet intensity that made him straighten instinctively.
"Welcome" she said, her voice calm but carrying a firmness beneath it.
For a brief moment, Nathan felt as though she saw through him not in the invasive way Mr. Gold had but in a measured, knowing way. He swallowed and gave a small nod in return
Nathan's homeroom with Miss Blanchard started smoothly. She introduced him to the class, guided him to a desk by the window, and gently encouraged the other students to make him feel included. A few kids whispered or glanced curiously, but there was no mockery just curiosity about the newcomer.
Math with Mr. Clark tested his focus but Nathan managed to keep pace. Science with Mrs. Dalton proved more engaging she passed around magnifying glasses and let the children inspect leaves she'd gathered that morning. Nathan found himself leaning forward, actually intrigued by the fine lines and patterns.
The day's final period was different. The desks were arranged in a circle, sunlight streaming in through tall windows. At the center sat Ray, cross-legged on a simple mat. The children entered hesitantly lowering themselves into the circle.
"This isn't about tests or grades" Ray began, her voice steady. "It's about learning balance in your mind, your body, and your choices. Today we'll start simple."
She asked the students to close their eyes and listen, really listen to the sounds around them, the creak of wood, the rustle of paper, the steady rhythm of their own breathing. It didn't help that the children were restless and couldn't stay still for to long and would start talking to each other in quite tones until Ray looked their way to then quite down and close there eyes. To then start back up about abut later, Ray sighed each time wondering why she'd expect any patience from these kids.
Nathan resisted at first, plus didn't help he could here the others but slowly, the clutter of thought noises eased. He caught the faint chirp of a bird outside, the distant thrum of footsteps in the hall, the subtle shift of the wind against the windows. Even the kids noise he can hear in class was more clear but didn't break his concentration.
When he opened his eyes again, Ray's gaze swept the circle sighing until it rested on Nathan, surprised he looked relaxed and calm. Looking that he actually listened and managed to meditate. She nodded once, having a small smirk on edge of lip, seems its not that not bad tracking this class. "Awareness is the first step to strength. Remember that."
Nathan didn't know why, but the words lodged deep. For the first time since leaving his old life, he felt something familiar stir a quiet call to discipline, to focus.
Just then the bell rang, surprised the class ended considering he thought it was only about 10 minutes went past, a faint ding flickered across his vision.
[System Notice: new Perk Acquired: Meditation:
Perk: Meditation (Passive / Trainable)
Description: The mind is a weapon, but also a sanctuary. Through discipline and focus, Nathan learns to center himself, sharpen awareness, and control his emotions.
Effects:
1. Calm Mind – In stressful or emotional situations, Nathan can remain composed, reducing fear, panic, or rash decisions.
2. Enhanced Focus – Slight boost to learning, memory retention, and perception when concentrating.
3. Energy Recovery – Mental fatigue recovers faster when Nathan meditates (helps him stay sharp longer during long days).
4. Resilience (Minor) – Subtle resistance to mental manipulation, suggestion, or emotional sway (this will scale later, ties well with his Bounded to the Key perk).
5. Awareness – During meditation, Nathan can heighten his senses slightly, noticing details or presences others might miss.
Growth Potential:
The more he practices meditation, the deeper the effects becomes. (Eventually unlocking hidden insights or resistance against magical influence when magic awakens in Storybrooke).
Wow this seems useful and it also explains how class ended before I realised. Happy I got a new Perk already followed the other kids out of class not seeing Ray's eyes locked on me.
The students spilled into the hall with chatter and laughter. Nathan walked more calmly than he had that morning, his bag a little lighter on his shoulder.
Outside, Regina waited by the gate, Henry tucked against her hip. She raised a brow as Nathan approached.
"Well?" she asked.
Nathan allowed himself a small smile. "It was… better than I thought."
Regina's lips curved, pride shining subtly through her composed exterior. "Good. That's all I hoped for." Lifting her run and running it through his hair. " Maybe we go to the hairdressers tomorrow after school to get your hair cut. Nathan nods not minding.
As they walked home together, Nathan glanced once over his shoulder at the school doors. In his mind's eye, he saw Ray again, her calm, scarred face, her words about awareness. Something told him their paths would cross again and when they did, his life in Storybrooke would change even more.
(Also a new Storybrooke character will be shown in the next chapter, just like here but will more.....enthusiastic about Nathan cause of her bubbly personality.) ☺️