A Good Kind of Change
Hello! I just want to let you know that this is my first story ever on here so, I'm sorry if it isn't the best. I already have 3 chapters written which will be posted soon! I refuse to abandon any story I write on here since too much are already. Thank you and I hope you enjoy. Also, I do not own these characters, just the story.
Chapter 1
We arrive at the club and I already knew it was going to be a fun night. The lights were flashing and the bass was booming. All I wanted was to get a drink and start dancing. I pull Ruby to the bar.
"I will take a Sex on the Beach." I give the bartender my best flirty look.
"And for your friend?" he smirked back.
"A Screwdriver."
"Sure ladies, and these drinks are on the house." he winked at us and we thanked him back. I give Ruby a mini high five under the counter.
I look around and see how popping this place is. "Wow, guess the rumors are true, this place has changed."
"Right? The Rabbit Hole has really stepped up its game!" Ruby smiled, wide-eyed. The Rabbit Hole used to be this chill bar, no one danced. They just played pool, sat and talked, or watched whatever game was on at the moment.
"Hey Emma, let's dance!"
I take one last sip of my drink and follow Ruby to the dance floor. We dance for a while until two handsome guys approach us. I move towards the one who came to me and start dancing on him.
"You are amazing." he whispers in my ear. He was too, honestly. He was incredibly sexy and he knew how to dance.
"I'm Graham by the way. And you are…?"
"Emma." Just then I look over as a feel a pair of eyes on me. There is this super pretty woman with red lips looking at me. I can't quite place her look but for some reason, that makes me want to put on a show. I face Graham and kiss from his neck up to his ear. This gives him the indication that it's okay and with that, he kisses every piece of open skin that is near him. I throw my head back as he kisses my chest and neck and peak a glance at the woman. She seems a bit flustered and when we lock eyes, she quickly turns away and flees toward the back of the club. Hmm.
I tell Graham I am going to the bathroom but go to find Ruby instead to leave. I am a little weirded out by the situation. Usually petty girls stare because they are judging you, so I put on a show to make them realize that I don't care. But with this woman, I did it because I thought she would like it. I shrug it off as Ruby and I head out the door.
XX
Beep. Beep. Beep. I open my eyes to the sound of my alarm. I look over and read 6:45 am. Ugh. Why did I sign up for an 8:00 am class? My feet hit the floor and I pour a small bowl of cereal for breakfast.
"Morning sweetie." Mary Margaret says with a smile.
"Hi mom." I hug her and she kisses my head. Mary Margaret has been my mom since I was 17. Her and David adopted me and it was the start of me finally being happy. I was so used to being returned as if I was an article of clothing with a missing piece or a stain. But I was finally kept. It took a little over a month to be fully convinced that they were going to keep me. And they were the most patient people during this process which I am so grateful for.
"Are you nervous for today?" She asks while pouring some coffee.
"Not at all actually, guess I am getting pretty used to this stuff. Are you nervous?"
"Hmmm, not at all actually, guess I'm used to this stuff." she winks at me as I roll my eyes.
Today is my first day of my senior year of college. My mother is a professor here which allows me to attend college for free. She teaches Journalism to the freshman class. I major in Art History, I have always loved studying art and traveling. With this degree, I get to do both. Over the summer of my freshman year of college, I went to Rome and studied the ancient architecture, I fell in love. That trip included fifteen people and I met my Ruby during that time. Her confidence helped me loosen up and she made that trip the most that it could be.
My schedule this year is not too bad, with the exception of my 8:00 am class of course. The 8:00 am class is Writing 4 and it is only every other day. I can handle writing, especially if I can choose the topic. My next class is Art Through Dance at 10:00 am. Don't worry, I don't actually have to dance in this class. Not that I am bad at dancing, but I wouldn't want to dance in front of a classroom full of students. This class just studies different cultures and how they express their feelings through dance. It should be pretty interesting. My last class is Ancient to Modern Art at noon. It is the only class I have everyday and it is also two hours long. This is the class I am most excited for since it has everything to do with my major. Three classes my senior year may seem strange, but I made sure to cram as many classes possible for the last three years so that my senior year would be a breeze. It was hard as hell but now I'm thankful I did it.
I go with a classic look and slip on my blue skinny jeans, white tank top, red leather jacket, and brown combat boots. For some reason, I feel safe when I wear this.
"Bye mom!" I yell and head out the door.
I park at school and see Ruby with her back turned towards me a few lanes ahead. I lock my car and sneak up behind her, giving her a hug.
"What the - oh my god! Hey girl!" Ruby grinned and returned my hug.
"Hey Rubes! I missed you, even though we just saw each other yesterday...I feel like this is a whole new thing."
"Well of course it is!" Ruby replied, "It's our senior year, our last year." She had a bit of sadness in her eyes as she said that.
"Hey, it is just the beginning, don't get sad on me yet. We still have a lot of time to make the most of college, okay?"
"Thanks Ems, you always know the right things to say. Well I better go, I kind of hate you for convincing me to take such an early class." Ruby said as she fake glared at me.
I sigh. "Trust me, I am kind of hating myself too at the moment. But yeah I have to go too, I will see you at noon!"
She gave me a wink and left. I head to writing with Professor Hopper and take my seat in the middle. Today all we really do is go through the syllabus. Same for Art Through Dance with Professor Glass. After that I go to the cafe and grab a bowl of chicken noodle soup. Hmm, not bad.
I am so excited for my next class that I arrive ten minutes early and text Ruby to hurry up. I take my seat at the front by the teacher's desk. Ruby arrives a few minutes later and sits behind me.
I give her a strange look. "Ruby, why are you sitting behind me? Just sit beside me."
"No way! You should know by now that most professors do it by column when doing group activities. Plus I can whisper to you better this way. DUH."
I put my hands up in surrender. "Okay okay, you got me there, damn girl."
We both laugh. By this point most of the room is full. Then we all get quiet as we see our professor enter the room. I almost choke on the gum I'm chewing. No, it can't be, is that the woman from last night?
"Good afternoon everyone, I am Professor Mills. Miss Mills is acceptable as well. Now I know-" She stops as her eyes meet mine full of recognition and shock but she pulls herself together in seconds. Yep. It's definitely her. Her cheeks are slightly tinted and she clears her throat to continue. "I know most of your classes have probably went through a syllabus with you and we will get to that. But first, I will be passing out an index card to all of you and you will introduce yourselves with it. On it, I want you to write your name, major, one hobby, and your plans after you graduate. You will share these and I will keep them when you are done."
We take fifteen minutes to fill out our cards and the first person begins to share. "Hi, my name is Ben Pitman. I am majoring in fine arts, I love riding my dirt bike, and when I graduate, I want to make and sell art."
A girl with long, light brown hair stood up next. "I am Hanna Freidly, I am majoring in photography. Ballet is my main hobby and after I graduate, I want to start my own photography business."
Student after student went until it was my turn. "Hello, I am Emma Swan. My major is Art History. I absolutely love reading, and after I graduate, I want to teach Art History."
I sit back down and look towards the professor; her eyes linger on mine. I look away as I feel the heat in my face.
After we are done with introductions, we go through the syllabus, and boy was hers lengthy. Professors Mills was strict, and she talked professional and somewhat cold. I think some of the students even fear her a little. I don't, but I wouldn't want to get on her bad side.
Class is dismissed and everyone is about out of the room when I drop my books like an idiot. I watch in defeat as my loose leaf paper flies out all over the floor. I am so clumsy at times. And by at times, I mean most of the time.
"Dammit." I mumble and bend down to pick of my stuff.
I hear the sound of heels walk towards me, I slowly look up from smooth, toned legs to Miss Mills' glaring at me.
"Miss Swan. Be more careful next time. You have now wasted some time of my free period that I will never get back."
What the hell? "Uh...sorry Miss Mills, I-"
"If you were sorry, you would actually clean your mess up in a reasonable amount of time." She says as she kicks my pencil case towards me and crosses her arms impatiently.
I was going to be nice considering she is my professor and all but I have low tolerance for rude people. I set my stuff back on my desk and stand tall. "Well that was extremely unprofessional. And so what? Things happen, what you haven't dropped anything ever in your life? Sorry for wasting like three whole minutes of your fucking preci-"
"Excuse me Miss Swan! Do you know who you're speaking to? I am your professor which means I'm in charge. I have the power. So I suggest you pick up your stuff and leave my room without another word."
We glare at each other for a few more moments before I grab my stuff and leave her room shaking my head on the way out. I whisper 'bitch' under my breath, I must get the last word of course. Even if she doesn't know it.
XX
I lay in bed that night wondering why she was automatically so angry with me. I never did anything to her! I let out a frustrated sigh and try to fall asleep. This is going to be a long year.