A/N: Okay so this story will have plenty of chapters. It may be a little bit of a slow burn, but not too bad. I promise this will not be a cliché story of a student/teacher relationship. I owe my thanks to my gf for helping me with ideas for this story; she can be found on tumblr at long-gone-baby. Reviews are highly appreciated and encouraged, they make me write and update more often :) I hope you enjoy this!
Chapter One
Emma Swan walked with confidence to the building that housed all of the political science classes and offices. Wearing a pair of black combat boots, jean shirts, and a t-shirt sporting her favorite band, Death Cab for Cutie, she enjoyed the late summer air. She silently thanked herself that her first class on Tuesdays and Thursdays didn't start until 11 am. It's not like the first day of school was her all time favorite day, it's just that she was excited that school started on a Tuesday as opposed to a Monday. And she would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy school at least a little bit.
She made it to her first class fifteen minutes early, this way she was able to score a good seat. The classroom wasn't huge but it was a decent size. The room was split in half with five rows of long tables on each side. Out of the 45 seats she chose to sit in the aisle seat in the fourth row. Taking out her textbook, notebook, and a pen, Emma wanted to appear as prepared as possible. This particular class sounded interesting but it had a reputation. The professor was the head of the Political Science department here at NYU despite her young age. Emma had yet to have a class taught by her, let alone meet her. There was a number of things she heard about the professor: her classes were notoriously difficult and seemingly impossible to obtain a good grade in, she was nice and friendly despite being a stern and intimidating teacher, and she was hot as hell.
For the next ten minutes students began to trickle into the classroom until all of the seats were full. The last person to enter the room was none other than the infamous professor. Emma felt the air escape from her lungs as she took in the sight of the woman. A skintight red dress donned her petite yet curvy figure, falling right above her knees. Just enough cleavage was peeking out to let Emma's imagination run wild. You could easily see all of the muscles in her toned calves which were accentuated because of her black high heels. Her dark brown hair looked almost black and contained a little wave before falling right to her shoulders. Her eye makeup was smokey but not overdone with a touch of red lipstick on her plump lips. The way she walked reeked of confidence and her hips had a nice sway to them.
It wasn't until the professor reached the front of the room, put her bag down, and turned her attention on the students did Emma remember to breathe and close her gaping mouth.
"Well it looks like the class is full. Why don't we go ahead and get started. Welcome to Political Science 345: Women In Politics. My name is Dr. Mills," she smiled as she stated her name. Her bright and wide smile captured the attention of everyone in the room, especially Emma's.
"However, you may call me Regina if you'd prefer."
Emma was already lost in her thoughts after hearing that sultry, deep voice. Yeah, people told her she was hot but they failed to mention that she was fucking gorgeous. She could definitely get used to looking and listening to Dr. Mills all semester long.
When Emma finally pulled herself out of her head, she noticed Dr. Mills had a stack of index cards in her hands.
"I will be giving each of you an index card and there are a number of things I would like you to write on them. This way I can attempt to get to know each one of you."
She began to write a list on the board and she read it aloud as she wrote it down.
"First, your first and last name as well as the name you would like me to refer to you as. Second, your year and your major. Below that please write your email address so I know that I have an up-to-date list of those. Then, the reason that you enrolled in this class. Lastly, I would like you to tell me an interesting fact about yourself."
Dr. Mills walked down the aisle, passing a handful of the cards to each person at the aisle seats. When she reached Emma, she nervously took the cards while muttering a timid thank you but flashing her an eager smile. As she passed by, Emma caught a whiff of her amber scented perfume.
God, she even smells good. And warm.
Emma concentrated on her card, wanting to impress her new professor.
Damn. I'm not very interesting. What is there about me that's impressive? I'm not in my early 30's at the most with a Ph.D like her. Think, Swan.
About five minutes later she had her end product. Written in the most careful handwriting she's ever attempted.
Emma Swan
3rd year, Sociology Major with a concentration in Social Work
emswan
This course is cross-listed with Sociology and I need an elective. This class sounded interesting and I heard great things about your teaching.
An interesting fact about me is that I can beat anyone in a game of trivia.
She sighed as she read over her card and was embarrassed that she couldn't come up with anything else more spectacular.
"Alright, please pass your cards up to the front of the room."
For the rest of the class Dr. Mills went over the syllabus. Then she pulled out a stack of papers from her bag.
"Last week through email I asked you all to fill out this questionnaire so I could assess where you all stand on your political science knowledge. I have reviewed them and given you some feedback. Please just give me one moment to look over your index cards."
Quiet chatter filled the classroom as the professor reviewed the students' information and occasionally scribbled on some of the papers. When she finished, she called the students up by name to collect their papers.
"Once you have your paper, you may leave. I will email you all with the homework assignment that's due next class. Note that this class is one and a half hours long and today is the only day in which you will be permitted to leave early."
Emma's name was one of the last names to be called. When she reached the front of the classroom her hands had become sweaty.
How am I so nervous? This isn't like me.
"Good work, Miss Swan. It's nice to meet you," Dr. Mills flashed one of her smiles again and Emma took her paper.
"Thanks. Nice to meet you too, Dr. Mills."
Emma exited the room with the scent of her amber perfume still lingering in her nostrils. She had an hour to kill before her next class so she sat on a bench outside of the building. Putting in her headphones, she looked over her paper.
Man, there's a lot of red pen on this. I must have done horribly.
Upon careful inspection, Emma actually got every question right. There was, however, a note at the bottom in neat cursive.
Miss Swan,
I'm impressed so far. You are the only one to get every question correct. Although I doubt that everything you heard about my courses were good things. I may, however, challenge you to a game of trivia if the opportunity ever presents itself in the future.
-Regina
Emma's heart fluttered at what she thought was a senseless crush. There was one word on her mind that she whispered as she reveled in her music and the warm weather, "Regina".
