1 - Final Year

Regina's eyes flickered open as the bright light from the gap between the curtains fell onto her face. Squinting in the harsh autumn light, she glanced to her immaculate bedside table and saw the time, 7:12. Leaning back onto her pillow she groaned loudly. It was 6th September, the first day of her final year at Storybrooke Community College. Final year, final year, she told herself over and over again as she dragged herself out of bed.

"REGINA!" her mother's harsh voice echoed up the stairs of their obscenely large house, even at such a distance causing Regina's shoulders to stiffen.

"Yes mother! I'm awake!" she called out, as she pulled on her neatly folded uniform.

Looking at herself in the mirror, black pencil skirt, white blouse, black blazer and hideous yellow and blue tie. Despite the uniform code her black pumps had small heels on them and her lips were bright red, well she was 17 she could make her own decisions on what to wear! Quickly grabbing her satchel, she checked her appearance one more time and then made her way downstairs. Her mother was sat at the table eating her spinach and egg white omelette and flicking through the newspaper.

"Morning dear" her mother said, looking up and flashing a fake smile at her daughter as her eyes raked over her appearance.

By now, Regina had learnt not to fiddle and shift uncomfortably under her mother's scathing gaze but squared her shoulders and kept her head held high.

"I would have made you an omelette but you've started to gain weight again" her mother said, matter-of-factly.

Again, Regina just let the comment pass, pretending her words didn't hurt. Suddenly, her phone buzzed and she sighed with relief.

"I'm going mum, I'll see you afterschool!" she said, turning and heading to the door.

"I'll be at a meeting until 6"

"Okay" she practically ran out the front door, smiling when she saw her best friends yellow bug parked outside her house.

She slid into the passenger seat and groaned.

"Good to see you too!" Emma huffed, putting the car in gear and heading down the road.

"Not you! I'm just not sure I'll make it through another year!" Regina said, leaning her head back and closing her eyes.

"It's okay, at least you're only taking 3 subjects now!"

"I wish! Like my mother would let me take the easy way out!"

"You're kidding? You're still doing 4! God, your mother needs to chill!"

"Feel free to tell her that next time you see her"

"I would you know!"

"That's why you aren't allowed to come round anymore!"

After a few more minutes of chat, Emma pulled into the school carpark and parked.

"Who's parked like that?" she said, looking at the car parked diagonally across 2 spaces, "Oh god it's Killian! HEY KILLIAN!"

She got out of the car and slammed the door, "Wanna learn how to park?"

The boy dressed in black skinny jeans and a leather jacket just grinned, "Swan! Missed me?"

"In your dreams!"

"Every night"

Regina rolled her eyes as she got out the car.

"Ah, your majesty" Killian said, bowing, "Decided to grace us with your presence for another year"

"Killian, decided to stay another year? Take it the exams didn't go so well last year?"

Killian scowled, and Regina took Emma's arm and they made their way across the carpark to the 6th form block.

"The Queen is back" Emma grinned and Regina smirked.

"Welcome back to another year at Storybrooke Community College!" said the head of the 6th form, Mr Gold, in his usual disenchanted tone, "I hope you had a good summer"

Regina and Emma were sat in their usual corner with their friends Tink and Katherine, Regina had noticed Killian sitting in the centre had not taken his eyes of Emma so far. She smiled to herself.

"Now this year will be a real test of your determination and commitment, especially if you are planning to apply for university this year, which I know many of you are. Remember, there are only limited places at university so you must fully commit to you studies if you want to succeed!"

Regina raised an eyebrow and saw Mr Gold's eyes catch the movement but she held her ground. She had a rocky relationship with the head and was not about to show weakness. Mr Gold droned on for another 10 minutes before he dismissed them, saying the lessons would start in 10 minutes.

"Another year, another speech about how we should work solidly for the entire year!" said Emma, rolling her eyes.

"He's just a ray of sunshine isn't he?" Regina said, smiling through gritted teeth.

"Glad you think so Miss Mills"

Regina rolled her eyes and spun to face the head.

"I notice your expression during my talk, did I say something you disagree with?" he said, his tone calm but threatening.

"Of course not sir, I think putting as many people off university as possible is a fantastic idea" Regina smiled, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I'd be careful young lady, we've still got another year together" his cold eyes met hers with a piercing gaze but she didn't falter.

He turned on his heels and limped away, his cane clicking down the corridor.

"Damn Regina, you've got balls" Tink said, looking at her speechless.

Regina just flashed a smile at her and then pulled out her timetable.

"I've got Geography first, whose AT?" Emma said.

"Miss Tyson" said Regina, "You know, the same teacher you had last year!"

"Alright smartass!"

"Who's RL?" Regina asked, her brow furrowing.

"What subject?"
"History?"

"Oh didn't Mrs Lucas resign at the end of last year?" Katherine said.

"Ooh new teacher, maybe he's hot?" Emma grinned, elbowing Regina and winking.

"You don't even know if it's a him!" Regina pointed out.

"£5 says he's hot!"

"You're on" Regina shook her outstretched hand grinning.

"Okay guys, you better be heading for your lessons now" said Belle, the kindly well liked 6th form secretary.

"See you at break"

Regina made her way down the corridor, mind racing. She didn't have much faith in Emma's idea but she could hope couldn't she?