Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon A Time or any of the characters.

NOTE 1: I don't know much about colleges in America, since I don't live there, but let's just all pretend there exists a college in New York for both baseball and soccer scholarships.

NOTE 2: There will be some mention of OutlawQueen in this story, since they're in a relationship for a while. However, this story is completely SwanQueen :)

NOTE 3: I suggest looking at the time I wrote at the top of the chapter in italics, since some chapters will contain flashbacks

PROLOGUE

Freshman year, September 2012

Going off to college together with her best friend had seemed like a great idea at the time. Robin and Emma were both ready to cut ties with the small town they had met each other in two years ago. Robin had been living on his own since he was sixteen. Both his parents had died in a car crash that year, and the judges agreed to have him emancipated. Emma had been moved to a new foster home that same year and she had instantly connected with Robin. When the day came that Emma got kicked out of her foster home, Robin had taken her in. Both of them played sports and were lucky enough to receive a full scholarship to the same college. Robin for baseball and Emma for soccer.

So when the day to leave Storybrooke behind finally came, both were happy to hit the road. There went a lot of time into planning their road trip to their college in New York. Emma had never been on a holiday and she didn't expect it to be so much fun. But it was. A road trip with her best friend seemed to be just what she needed.

Emma had thought about obvious things, as finally focusing on soccer and not on ridiculous subjects she had been forced to take in High School. She knew she still had to take some classes and chose to major in social work. What she wasn't looking forward to, however, were the dorms. The college didn't allow boys and girls to share a room. Emma really didn't want to be separated from her best friend. They had been living together for almost two years, and Emma wasn't quite ready to give that up. She also wasn't very good with people, so she was one hundred percent sure rooming with another girl would be a disaster. Robin assured her she would be fine, but Emma remained apprehensive. She was never one for friends and was always kind of a loner. Robin had been the only exception in her eighteen years of living. There had been a girl once, Lily, but she had betrayed her like everyone else in her life. Not so long after Emma found herself leaving for Storybrooke to live with a new foster family once again.

Fidgeting with her hands, Emma made her way into the building. She was ready to get this over with and to get registered. Fate, however, had other plans for her. Emma sighed. There was a long row of students waiting and Emma and Robin silently took place in the queue.

'So,' Robin said. 'How is life at college going, Emma Swan?'

Emma laughed and shoved him gently. 'We haven't even started yet, idiot,' she pointed out the obvious, not feeling up for Robin's teasing.

Though she appreciated his gesture to put her at ease, she was too nervous. When it was finally their turn, Emma breathed a sigh of relief. Robin smiled at her.

'You're going to be fine, Emma,' he said. 'I'll see you at breakfast, all right? Don't freak out too much and try not to strangle your roommate.' He winked at her and left to find his way to his dorm.

Emma wished she was more like Robin. He was social, knew how to handle people and everywhere he went he made new friends. She had no doubt he would feel right at home here by tomorrow. Emma wasn't so sure about herself. Before she came here, she had made a list of everything she shouldn't do. Making that sort of lists was kind of her thing since she was four years old and got kicked out of her second foster home.

Number one on her list stated she shouldn't crush on her roommate. Emma knew from a young age she was different and that it had nothing to do with the fact that she was a foster kid. It had everything to do with that she was gay. Actually, that was the reason why Lily betrayed her. The girl was extremely religious and could not accept Emma for who she was. Robin, on the contrary, had accepted her without doubt. He was also the one who made her write down that rule, because, as he had said, if she would start crushing on her roommate, it would only cause her problems.
The second item on her list was: don't ignore her roommate. Another rule Robin thought of. Emma, of course, was completely against that particular rule, not seeing the problem in ignoring her future roommate.
The third, and last thing, on her list stated she couldn't lose her scholarship. Emma knew that wouldn't be a problem. She had always combined studying and soccer and it always worked out well.

She was dreading going to her dorm. First, she wandered around the hallways, watching people move in with friends and family by their sides. Although she usually liked watching people, she really wasn't in the mood to watch the students hug their family's goodbye. She sighed deeply and decided to visit the common bathroom. She lingered there a long time, playing a silly game on her phone.

Finally, she decided she couldn't stall any longer. She would have to go to her room and face her new roommate. She took her small bag in her hand and left the bathroom. It took a bit longer to find her dorm than expected, but Emma didn't mind. When she came in, there were three suitcases on the left bed. The girl who was unpacking had her back to her. Feeling awkward, Emma cleared her throat. A shorthaired brunette turned to face her. Emma's breath caught in her throat. The girl was stunning, absolutely beautiful. Chocolate brown eyes found her own emerald ones and Emma found herself unable to look away. When the brunette started to speak, Emma didn't register it at first, watching the red lips of her roommate move. Finally, she shook her head and composed herself. She barely caught the name. Regina. It suited her, Emma decided.

'Close your mouth, dear, or you'll catch flies,' the soft voice spoke.

Right. 'Hi,' she said awkwardly. 'I'm Emma. Emma Swan.'

The brunette nodded once and turned around to continue her unpacking.

'I hope you don't mind me taking the left bed. You weren't here when I arrived, so I thought it would be fine.'

'Yeah, sure,' Emma mumbled. She watched Regina for a moment longer, before dropping her bag on the right bed.