Emma and Regina were best friends in college. Their friendship ends suddenly after a phone callleaving Regina devastated. Regina realizes she had feelings for Emma. After three years, Regina comes to Storybrooke for grad school. She has moved on and has new friends. But what would be her surprise when she bumps into Emma after all this time? AU/OC (My first fanfic) Please tell me what you think!

Chapter 1

"People change, and not everybody is meant to stay in your life" she said.

"I'm not begging for your friendship Ems, I just want to understand why... Things had been going well, I just don't understand." Regina said.

"I just do not want you in my life anymore." Emma replied coldly.

"Well, I wish you the best for the rest of your life. Goodbye Ems, love you"

Regina then heard the line cut on the other side. And then she crumpled to the floor, a sob escaping her lips.

Three years later...

"Well, Ms. Mills, if you need anything else just call downstairs and I will be happy to assist you. Welcome to Storybrooke. I hope you find this town to your liking."

"Thank you" Regina replied as she heard the building manager go down the elevator. Regina sat down in the couch of her new apartment and looked out the window. Yes, this was a fresh start for her. She had finally gotten her acceptance letter for grad school. Storybrooke University was a small, but prestigious institution and Regina had worked really hard during college and on her tests to be able to get in.

"Well Regina, I am very happy to have you in this Neuroscience program. You come highly recommended and I hope we will make a good team this year" Dr. Hopper said.

Regina walked through campus with a radiant smile on her face. This was the freedom she needed. She had gone through a lot these past years losing her father, not so good relationships and her... Three years had gone by but it had taken Regina a long time to move on from that big heartache. Only recently had she realized and accepted that what she felt for Emma was more than friendship. But she had to move on.

It had been a rocky but intense friendship. They met during college. Regina was a year younger than Emma but they had clicked automatically. They both had their issues back then. Emma had been struggling with depression and Regina had been there for her, even when Emma wouldn't let anyone else get close. And Regina's problem, well she had cared too much. They talked, they fought, they laughed, they cried, they reconciled. They had both been immature and after reconciling after a fight on Emma's graduation, things had mysteriously gone downhill. It was as if Emma had cut Regina completely from her life and after that phone call, they had never spoken again. Emma had never tried to contact her again.

During the past three years, Regina hadn't been in a serious relationship. Sure, a lot of guys and girls had ended up in her apartment since then. Regina was after all, an attractive woman. She never missed a day at the gym, her toned olive skin contrasted perfectly with her black long hair. And Regina was smart. Her wits and her looks had attracted many, but she always stood at an arm's length from them, emotionally speaking.

Regina entered the Rabbit's Hole after a long day at the lab with Dr. Hopper. She loved her research but it left her pretty exhausted and she needed to relax.

" An apple martini, please" she told the bartender.

"Here you go" the girl said. "I'm Lacey, by the way. I haven't seen you around. Are you new here in Storybrooke?" the girl with the Australian accent asked.

"Yeah..I'm Regina Mills. I came for grad school" Regina replied.

"Oh, so you're Regina, Doctor Hopper hasn't stopped talking about how smart you are. I'm studying Psychology, senior year, and I take some of his classes" Regina was starting to like this girl. Lacey was wearing a blue shiny top and black slacks, and had her brunette hair up in a messy ponytail.

"Well, that's me, nice to meet you Lacey" she said with a shy smile. "Hey, my friends and I are going to the city for a party on Friday, would you like to come with us? I could show you around and all that" Lacey said. Regina was surprised by this girl. Regina was used to people being afraid of her. She always came off as serious and arrogant and very few people had been friendly with her first impression.

"Oh, um," Regina shifted awkwardly, "yeah, I'd like that, thanks..."