A/N: I've read a few AU's with the teacher/student Regina/Emma thing going on and I LOVE them, so I decided to take my own view on it (also slightly based on a platonic but close relationship I had with a teacher back in high school). So let me know what you think, and enjoy!
TW for mental health issues/self harm.
Emma groaned as she rolled out of bed for the first day of her final year of high school. One more year, she thought, trying to motivate herself. She failed and snoozed for another hour, it was like new years eve right; spend the night how you're going to spend the rest of the year? Her teachers would soon get used to her being late.
Besides, it was obvious all of her teachers had got the email, the one her coordinators sent out at the beginning of every semester; basically, an email to let all of her teachers know that Emma was an "at-risk" student on the edge of failing out, she had an attitude problem but try not to be too hard on her because she has a troubled background and even though she struggled with motivation, she was actually a bright student.
"Em, slow down," her friend Belle ran to catch up with her, "Hey," she replied a little breathlessly, giving her friend a quick hug, "How was the summer? Didn't see you much, is everything okay?"
Emma shrugged, "Sure, just tired, same old, same old," she replied dismissively, "What about you?"
"It was good," Belle nodded, "I volunteered at the library, so that was fun."
Emma chuckled; her friend had an interesting idea of fun, "Whatever floats your boat," she teased gently, bumping her shoulder into her friend.
Belle smiled shyly, "I haven't seen Ruby yet," she frowned, "Have you?"
Emma shrugged again, "Nah, I haven't. What have you got now, anyway?"
"Literature," Belle looked at her timetable, "In 302, where are you?"
Emma looked at her timetable, "Spanish," she groaned, "101, but it's okay, I'll walk you."
Belle rolled her eyes, "It's the other end of the school, Em. You're going to be late."
Emma pouted, "I haven't seen you all Summer and now you're trying to get rid of me?"
Another eye roll, "Course not, but don't pretend you're walking me to class because you want to spend time with me, you're just avoiding class."
Emma didn't deny it as she walked along with her friend, "I do miss talking to you, you know," she said so quietly Belle hardly heard her as they turned into the corridor which held her classroom.
Belle stopped outside the door, "You can talk to me anytime, Em. You know that," she replied softly, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder, "I better go," she looked into the classroom as it filled up, "You should come to lunch with us, I'll text Ruby, meet us in café?"
Emma nodded non-committedly, "Okay, have fun."
"You too," Belle smiled.
Emma turned around and rolled her eyes; fun, right. Belle was super nice and easy to talk to, but Emma would never understand her intense love of books. Every time she saw Belle, she had her head buried in a new book, but hey, each to their own.
She strolled slowly to her classroom, yawning as she did and stopping in at the bathroom and to get a drink from a vending machine before she finally turned into the right corridor. She sighed, looking at her watch, she'd only killed seven minutes and slammed her back against a row of lockers, closing her eyes for a moment and doing one of her breathing exercises before she knew she'd stalled for long enough and approached the classroom opening the door.
"And I expect you to," the brunette teacher turned as the door opened, as did most of the class, "Yes, can I help you? Are you in this class?"
Emma nodded, "Yeah, sorry," she shrugged.
The teacher looked at her watch, "You're ten minutes late, do you have a reason?"
Emma shrugged, "I didn't hear the bell?"
"Is that an excuse or a question?" the teacher rose an eyebrow before sighing, "Take a seat, what's your name?" she asked as she picked up the roll.
"Emma Swan," the blonde replied as she found a seat at the back.
"Right," her teacher ticked something off on the piece of paper, "In the future, your punctuality would be appreciated."
Emma nodded, though all she was thinking was whatever, as if, haven't you heard my reputation? She sat down with her books in front of her and half-listened to the teacher. She found the teacher quite easy to look at, she must have been around thirty, her body was clearly in it's prime and when she turned to write something on the board, Emma had to admit that this teacher was not like most of the teachers in this school, that ass was damn fine but eventually Emma stopped staring and looked around the class instead.
Same old people as every year. They already had an opinion of her and that was hardly going to change. She hated the way people would say at the start of the new year that you could have a new start. In high school, a new start didn't exist unless you actually changed school's. Kids were kids and Emma would always be the kid who had tried to take her own life in junior school. Kids never forgot that kind of thing and Emma was pretty used to the stigma.
The bell rung shrilly and Emma snapped to attention picking up her books and heading out.
"Miss Swan, a minute please?" the teacher, Miss Regina Mills, she had read on the whiteboard, called to her as she tried to make her escape.
Emma walked back to her teachers desk, dragging her feet and stood in front of her.
"I understand you get some slack cut for personal reasons," Miss Mills arched an eyebrow again as though looking for confirmation.
"I don't ask for that," Emma said; it was true, she never wanted to stand out, to be this kid that all the teachers felt sorry for.
Miss Mills pursed her lips, "Well, I would like you to make an effort to be on time for this class, I take lateness as a form of disrespect. I am here on time for you and I would appreciate the same in return."
Emma nodded, "Okay," she simply said, "May I go?"
Miss Mills sighed, "If you do need any extra help with this class, please let me know. I don't like to fail any student, Miss Swan and I believe that with a little effort, all my students are capable of passing," she smiled.
Emma frowned; teachers were never this nice, most of them liked to pretend she didn't exist, it was easier she supposed, "Okay, well thanks."
The teacher nodded and dismissed her student. She sighed; she'd seen too many students with emotional issues be failed by the system. People, teachers and students alike, liked to skip around anyone who was a little different, probably because they thought they didn't know how to talk to them, but they didn't realise that only made the person feel more isolated and unmotivated.
Regina didn't count herself as any kind of expert or anything, but she did know enough to know nobody liked to be completely ignored. It made them feel forgotten.
Emma spotted her friends at a table in the café and headed over to them, settling into her seat.
"Hey Em, how was the break?" Ruby asked perkily.
"Alright," Emma nodded as she slowly unwrapped her sandwich.
"Mine was fine too, thanks for asking," Ruby said pointedly, trying to look her friend in the eye.
Emma looked up at her, "Sorry," she muttered.
"Everything alright, Swan?" Belle asked, using her pet name for her best friend.
"Uh-huh," Emma nodded, staring at her uneaten sandwich in front of her.
"You not hungry?" Belle asked gently.
"Not really," Emma muttered, "It's this stupid medication," she shrugged.
Belle frowned, "Did they put you on a new one?"
Emma nodded, "Yep. Just another stupid test," she shrugged, taking a sip of water, "Anyway, how are your classes going?"
Belle and Ruby exchanged a quick glance, but knew better than to push their friend; besides, she was more likely to talk to Belle alone anyway.
"Boring as hell," Ruby shrugged, "But hey, one more year, right?"
"Well, mine have been really great. In literature we're studying The Catcher In The Rye, which is – "
"Your favourite book of all time, right?" Emma smiled, "You read it all the time. That's cool."
"Yeah, it is. I can't wait. Then after that, we do some poetry and then mythology and fairy tales and of course, Shakespeare. I think it will be my favourite class," Belle said enthusiastically.
"Hang on, literature?" Ruby feigned shock, "You like books, Belle? I never would have guessed!" she laughed.
Belle blushed as she chuckled, "Shut up, Rubes. What about you, Em? How'd Spanish go?"
"You're doing Spanish?" Ruby asked, rolling her eyes, "What a surprise."
Emma frowned, "What do you mean?"
"You're always dragging us to those latino festivals and movies," Ruby teased, "We know you're just looking for some cute girl who can whisper Spanish in your ear."
"Piss off," Emma threw back with a smile on her face, "Anyway, none of the girls in my class are even cute, so it's a total waste."
"Really? None of them?" Belle asked.
"Well, the teacher's pretty hot," Emma said, a sly smile taking over her lips, "But somehow, I don't think that's gonna happen."
Ruby barked out a laugh whilst Belle chuckled beside her.
"Damn, who have you got? That Miss Mill's' chick?" Ruby asked.
"Yep," Emma replied, finally taking a bite of her sandwich, "She's pretty fine, right?" she smirked.
Ruby's face broke out in a grin, "Totally fine. Hook in, woman."
Emma shook her head laughing, "Shut up."
Ruby stood up, "I better head off, I've got math over the other side, I'll catch you ladies later," she winked and bounced off.
"Hey, Em, can I tell you something?" Belle started to shift in her seat nervously.
Emma tilted her head, frowning, "Of course you can."
Belle bit her lip and felt the heat reach her cheek, "I think I like someone," she said, looking down at her hands.
Emma smiled, "Really?" she asked; Belle had never had a serious relationship, and she hardly ever got crushes, not on real people anyway, "Who? Someone you know?"
Belle nodded, "Yeah, someone we both know," she tried to hint.
Emma thought for a moment, "Is it Ruby?" she guessed.
Belle blushed further, "I think so," she said quietly, before she looked up at her friend, "Is this weird for me to talk about with you…you know, after…"
"No," Emma shook her head, "It's cool, Belle. That was last year," she shrugged, "And I wasn't ready. I'm not ready," she shook her head again, "Are you gonna tell her?"
Belle shrugged as the bell rang, "I don't know. I'm not really her type, she wouldn't want to be with someone…like me."
Emma pushed her hair out of her face as she stood up, looking Belle in the eye and laying a hand on her friends, "Belle, anyone would be lucky to have you. You're amazing, you're beautiful and intelligent, you're funny and witty, you're super cute, you – "
"Em," Belle interrupted, sighing as the two walked to the only class they had together.
Emma blushed, "I'm sorry," she grimaced, "I just mean she'd be lucky to have a girl like you. You should ask her out."
Belle bit her lip again, "Wouldn't it make things weird?"
Emma shrugged as they walked into the classroom, "No, it doesn't have to. I want you to be happy, Belle," she took a deep breath, "I really think you should ask her out."
Belle smiled, "Okay, maybe I will."
"Miss Swan, just in time," Miss Mills allowed the blonde teenager to enter just before she closed the door, "Today, I will hand back your tests. Most of you did well, some of you have room for improvement."
As the attractive Spanish teacher handed out the tests, Emma knew which category she would fall into, and no surprises, when she received her test it had a big red F on it, causing Emma to curse under her breath, which unfortunately earned her a quirked eyebrow from Miss Mills.
It had only been a few weeks and she was already behind in every class. Maybe she should just drop out, she thought, she was never going to pass. She sucked at languages, why did she even pick Spanish? Internally, she rolled her eyes, her friends were right, she had thought if she had to suffer another year at school, she at least wanted to hear some sexy chick speaking Spanish for an hour a day. Maybe she could still transfer to an easier class.
The bell finally rung, and Emma hadn't heard a single thing the teacher had said until she stood up.
"A word, please Miss Swan," Miss Mills must be getting used to uttering that sentence, Emma thought.
"I know I failed the test," Emma shrugged, "I'm sorry."
"Did you study?" Miss Mills asked, turning to the blonde as she finished cleaning the whiteboard.
"I…I tried," Emma stuttered, looking at the ground and shifting on her feet.
Miss Mills frowned, "Tried? Do you have somewhere quiet to study at home?"
Emma nodded, "Yeah, home's quiet," she replied.
"And free of distraction?" the teacher asked.
Emma looked at her and frowned, shrugging, "Nowhere's free of distraction."
Miss Mills sighed, "Why can't you study?" she tried the direct approach.
Emma frowned, "I don't know. It's just hard to concentrate. Didn't you get the email?"
"Email?" Miss Mills asked quizzically.
"Yeah, the one that says I'm crazy and pretend I don't exist, it's easier on everyone. Troubled kids are just a weigh down on the system and – " Emma didn't even know when she got so frustrated but all of a sudden she was talking and couldn't stop until Miss Mills put her hands firmly on her shoulders.
"Emma, hey, stop," she said gently, "Firstly, that's not what the email says and yes I got it, but it's very generic. I think you're a bright young woman and I don't want to see the school system fail you because we don't have the resources to support you."
Emma was looking at her teacher wide-eyed; nobody, especially no teacher, had ever shown any interest in genuinely helping her. It was then she knew she wasn't transferring to an easier class.
Miss Mills seemed to see this in the young girl's face, "If you let me, I'd like to help you. We have another test in two weeks, if you'd like I could help you study."
Emma blinked, thinking for a few moments, "I wouldn't want to waste your time."
"Emma, I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to help. So, how about after school at say, 4?"
Emma hesitated again, "Okay. Um, thanks, Miss Mills."
Regina smiled and nodded, "I'll see you then."
"Yo, Em, where were you?" Ruby said when Emma finally rocked up to lunch.
"Held back after Spanish," Emma said as she slid into her seat.
Ruby's eyebrows shot up as she leaned in, "By the hottie? You in trouble again, Em?"
Belle looked more concerned.
"No, I'm not. I mean, I failed this stupid test, but Miss Mills says she's gonna help me study after school for the next one," Emma took a sip of her drink, as she took in Ruby's arm slung casually around her best friend.
It shouldn't have bothered her and it wasn't that she still had those kind of feelings for Belle, she was more like a little sister Emma wanted to protect. Plus she wasn't convinced that Belle didn't still hold those feelings for her, even after Emma rejected her the previous year.
"Yum," Ruby licked her lips and laughed.
Belle rolled her eyes, "If you want, you know I can help you with English…or math, or – "
"Pretty much anything, but Spanish, right?" Ruby laughed, pecking her girlfriend on the cheek.
Belle shrugged, "Yeah."
"That didn't go so well last year, Belle," Emma reminisced; and it hadn't, Emma knew it was her fault. She was the worst student, she'd literally fallen asleep when Belle was talking or she snapped at her, in fact, she may have thrown her chair across the room once or twice, it had definitely been a strain on their friendship.
Belle smiled, "I know, but that doesn't mean we can't try again."
"You shouldn't have to put up with me when I get…like that," Emma shrugged.
Belle just kept on smiling, "The offers there if you want it," she finished smartly, "I'm going to get seconds, lasagne yum!" she stood up and made her way through the café.
Ruby yawned, "So you still got feelings for Belle or what?" she asked casually.
Emma was surprised, "You serious, right now? No, I don't. She's my best friend, she's basically my family, Ruby, you know that."
Ruby shrugged, "Just checking," she smirked, "You're a hard chick to read, you know."
"I told her to ask you out, you idiot," Emma snapped, before running a hand through her hair.
Ruby put up her hands in defence, "Whoa, alright, just a question, Em, calm."
"Break her heart and I'll kill you," Emma retorted, setting her friend with a heavy glare.
"Em," Ruby repeated, "Just calm down, it was just a question."
Belle came back and noticed the tension, "What's going on?" she asked slowly, looking from one girl to the other.
"Nothing," Emma muttered, "I'm gonna go, I'll see you later," she picked up her tray and chucked in the bin, but Belle chased after her, grabbing her arm.
"Hey, you alright?" Belle asked, worry written all over her face.
"I'm fine," Emma said stubbornly as she turned away.
Belle grabbed her a little harder this time, "Emma," she said firmly, "You've been off for weeks. You're up, you're down, you're pissed off… Are you off your meds?"
"I'm not off my stupid meds, Belle," Emma growled, "I'm just on new one's. Just a fucking pin cushion, as usual."
"Em," Belle said softly, "They'll get it right one day."
Emma scoffed, "I'll see you later, Belle."
Emma dragged her feet as she walked along to her Spanish teacher's classroom. She was exhausted, but the truth was Miss Mills was kind of cool and so, Emma had decided not to ditch their tutoring session.
"Hola," Miss Mills greeted her with a smile, removing her reading glasses, which looked damned cute, Emma thought.
Emma smiled back, "Hola," she repeated; truth be told, she hardly knew what Miss Mills was saying in class anymore because it was a mix of English and Spanish, but the language was damn sexy so she wished she did understand it.
"How was your day?" Miss Mills asked.
Emma yawned, "It was okay," as she took a seat on the other side of Miss Mills desk.
"Okay, so it seems like you really just failed the last test because you didn't study, right?"
Emma sighed, "Well, yeah, sort of."
"Sort of?" the teacher raised her eyebrows.
"I don't know, in class…I find it hard to concentrate, I guess, and then everything moved too fast and now you're always talking Spanish and I don't understand," Emma admitted.
Miss Mills nodded, "It probably doesn't help that you stare out the window for most of my class," she said but with a smile.
"Oh, do I? I mean, I'm sorry," Emma stared at the desk, "I'll try harder, Miss Mills."
"It's okay, dear. Let's just get you through this next test, okay?"
Emma nodded, "Okay," she shrugged, "I'm not very good at languages, though."
Miss Mills frowned, "Why did you pick this subject then?"
Emma blushed, "Well, I like listening to Spanish," she said stupidly, "And I like the latino culture and the girls are… I mean, yeah," she stopped herself, feeling like a total idiot.
The brunette looked amused though, "I see," she simply smiled, "Well, I have been speaking this language since I was born, so if I can't teach you, nobody can."
"Where are you from?" Emma could have kicked herself; she shouldn't ask a teacher personal questions, what was she thinking?
Miss Mills didn't seem to mind though, "Well, I was born here, but my parents are from Puerto Rico."
"Cool," Emma nodded, suddenly fascinated with the woman before her. This is stupid, she thought, I hardly know this woman, other than the fact that she's drop dead gorgeous and a better teacher than any other in this school. Don't fall for a teacher, Emma Swan told herself.
"Shall we get started?" Miss Mills balanced a pen on her bottom lip, and Emma pulled her gaze away reluctantly as she nodded in agreement.
"Okay, let's try again? Introduction?" Miss Mills prompted.
Emma stifled a yawn, "Hola. Me llamo Emma Swan," she hesitated, "Mi nombre es Emma Swan. Tengo dieciocho años de edad. Me gusta la música y la television," she bit her lip nervously, but at least confident she was doing okay because Miss Mills was nodding encouragingly "Yo vivo en Estados Unidos. Mi comida favorita es la quesadilla. Gusto en conocerlo."
Miss Mills beamed, "Perfect, Emma. Well done."
Emma blushed, "My accent is horrible, yours is perfect."
"Well, my mother doesn't speak English, so I grew up in a Spanish speaking home, remember? A slight advantage, but muchas gracias," she smiled as she looked at her watch.
"I should go," Emma preferred to check out before she was kicked out.
"I didn't realise it had gotten so late," Miss Mills frowned, "It's getting dark. Do you drive, dear?"
Emma shook her head, "No, I walk. It's not far away though."
Miss Mills frown deepened, "I can give you a lift, I don't like young people walking the streets in the dark."
"Oh," Emma shook her head, "Really, I walk around much later than this."
"Well, I wish you hadn't said that, Emma, you really shouldn't," Miss Mills had her teacher voice back on as she lectured the young woman.
Emma shrugged, "I've never ran into any trouble, I can take care of myself," the blonde did like to think she was tough, but all of a sudden that sounded stupid. She knew her 2am walks were a bad idea.
Miss Mills sighed, "You are not invincible, dear. Anyway, do your parents allow you to wander around late at night or are they unaware of this?"
Emma felt her body tense and she begun packing up her books, "I don't know my parents, Miss Mills. I thought everybody knew that."
Miss Mills expression softened, "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Who do you live with then?"
"Just myself," Emma replied.
"Oh," Miss Mills merely said as she stood up, packing up the last of her things, "I insist on driving you home, are you ready?"
Emma supressed her natural instinct to argue, finding she didn't really want to anyhow, "Yeah, sure. I'm ready."
They wandered out, talking sparingly as they reached the car park with only a few cars left. Regina clicked her car doors open.
"Whoa, that's your car?" Emma was impressed by the dark purple convertible, roof down that she found herself hopping into.
"Yes, dear. I take it, you approve?" Miss Mills smiled at Emma's reaction.
"It's cool," Emma nodded, "I can't wait to get my own car."
Miss Mills nodded, "It is freedom, I highly recommend it. Do you have your learners?" she asked as they left the car park.
"Yeah, I do, but I can't drive for a while," Emma responded, "This stupid medication I'm on can make me really drowsy so they say I shouldn't operate machinery," she sighed, frustration apparent.
"That is unfortunate," Miss Mills felt sympathetic towards her student, "Hopefully your body can get used to this medication and you will be able to drive soon."
Emma sighed, "I hope so, um it's left here."
Regina turned the car to the left, "Which street are you on, dear?"
"Nolan Street, just past Granny's diner," Emma replied.
"You are not very far from me at all, I have just moved in behind Granny's. If you ever need a lift, please let me know. I would prefer to give you a lift than have you walking around late at night," Regina offered.
Emma looked across at her teacher, smiling, "Well, thanks Miss Mills. I appreciate it. Just there," she pointed, "Yep, perfect. Thanks so much for the lift," she didn't often offer teachers smiles, especially not genuine smiles but she did to Miss Mills, "And thanks for helping me study, I do find it easier when I do it with someone…but I usually end up biting my best friends head off," she muttered the last bit, embarrassed.
"Any time, Emma. We will study again before next Friday's test. Now stop yawning and go and get some sleep, dear, goodnight," Regina gave a wave as Emma hopped out of her car.
There was something about this young woman, though Regina couldn't identify what it was exactly, that intrigued her. She wanted desperately to help Emma to pass not only her class, but the entire year. She didn't understand why the other teachers wouldn't offer her the same kind of help, all she needed was someone to believe in her.
Not to mention, the fact that she was alone, without parents, made Regina want to somehow protect Emma, she seemed to have nobody else to do that. Nobody should grow up without parents. It just seemed to her the young woman needed an adult figure in her life, a mentor of sorts, to remind her that she wasn't alone in a battle she thought she'd already lost.
Emma unlocked the front door and collapsed straight onto the couch, grabbing the television remote before she did. It was too early to sleep but her eyelids were heavy; I'll just zone out for a while, she thought, ignoring doctor's instructions. She knew it wasn't healthy, this zoning out where her mind transported her to a dream-like world while awake, but it was better than sleeping and it felt safe there.
But tonight she saw a new face in that otherwise fictional world and that was the face of Miss Regina Mills. She was so sweet, her voice was beautiful, especially when she spoke in Spanish and she just seemed to care genuinely. Somehow the older woman had made her feel safe with a simple night of tutoring, something no adult had ever made Emma feel through every foster home she'd gone through.
Eventually she did fall to sleep with thoughts of Miss Mills but still, like most night's she wished she never had to wake up, but of course, she did.
Emma packed up her things slowly after Spanish class, waiting for the rest of the students to file out of the classroom. She bit her lip nervously as she watched her teacher clean off the whiteboard. Miss Mills seemed to detect someone watching her and turned around to see the blonde teenager quickly avert her gaze.
She smiled, "Emma? Can I do something for you?"
Emma shrugged, "No, I just…" she trailed off, staring at the ground.
The older woman frowned, "Is something wrong, dear?"
"It's this stupid test," Emma muttered, "I tried to study for it, but I couldn't and I know if I fail, it's basically impossible for me to pass."
Miss Mills offered a small smile, "Why don't you stop by after school, I can help you study."
Emma chewed on her lip, "I don't want to waste your time."
"I feel as though we've had this conversation, dear," Miss Mills chuckled quietly, "I'll see you at four, okay?"
'I have stupid detention," Emma mumbled.
Miss Mills quirked an eyebrow but replied, "Okay, four thirty then?"
Emma nodded as she swung her backpack over her shoulder, "Thanks, Miss Mills."
Regina watched the blonde leave the classroom with a little more pep in her step than usual and couldn't help chortling to herself. She'd helped Emma study a few times now, but the teenager always seemed so reluctant to ask for help, even though Miss Mills was willing to offer it. In fact, she wished more students would ask for her help, but it didn't seem to be the cool thing to do.
Emma was different from the other students Regina taught. She was reserved and a little lost. She always seemed skittish around the other students and had that look in her posture as though she was trying to be invisible, begging not to be noticed.
Regina couldn't help being reminded of another young woman who had been in her life, and she supposed that was what initially drew her to the blonde teenager, even though she knew she should be drawing boundaries, especially the way she caught Emma staring (trying and failing to be discreet) at her when her back was turned or her head was down.
Belle and Emma set their tray's down as they took their seats in the café. Almost instantly, Ruby appeared at Belle's side, giving her a hug from behind and kissing her neck.
"Hey," she stole a fry from her girlfriend's plate as she sat down.
Emma groaned internally, Ruby was always around these days. She loved her and everything but she missed talking to Belle. There was that little bit more a guard that went up when Ruby joined, and that was always, recently.
Emma yawned, watching her friend's cuddle and share food. She sighed and ate her food as quickly as she could so she could leave them to it.
"I'm off," she interrupted the love fest.
Belle frowned, "Okay, you coming by the diner for dinner?"
"Um, yeah sure. I've got detention…and then I'm studying with Miss Mills, so I might not be there until like six?"
"You're studying with the hottie again?"" Ruby bounced her eyebrows in jest, "She sure seems to have taken an interest in you, Em."
Emma rolled her eyes, "She just wants to make sure I pass her class, that's all."
Belle smiled, "Well, I think she seems nice," she said kindly, "and I'm glad she helps you study. See you at Granny's later."
Emma nodded, "Yeah, see you then."
Emma watched the clock for the first ten minutes of detention. It was so slow she could swear the hand was about to go backwards. She used her arms as a pillow and set her head against them, closing her eyes. One advantage of being the way she was, was that at least she could zone out more effectively than most. It made time go surprisingly quickly and next thing she knew, she was on the way to the Spanish room.
She walked through the already open door to see Miss Mills marking tests at her desk. With those reading glasses on. Oh my god, Emma thought, this woman gets prettier every time I see her, and those glasses…sexy as all hell. She was jarred out of her thoughts as the teacher looked up.
"Hola," her teacher smiled.
"Hola," Emma repeated, trying to quieten the thoughts that were seriously crushing on her teacher right now.
"Como esta?" Miss Mills gestured to the seat in front of her.
Emma sat down, shrugging, "Estoy bien."
"Como fue la detencion?" the brunette raised a single eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips.
Emma bit her lip as she squinted her eyes in concentration, "Um…something about detention?" she guessed.
Miss Mills smiled, "I asked you how detention was," she answered.
Emma shrugged, "It was…detention. It's boring as hell."
"I think that is the point, dear," Miss Mills said, "May I ask how you landed yourself in detention?"
Emma stifled a yawn, "Well, I'm there for the next few weeks. Just from being late, not handing in assignments. Oh and I think I was rude to Miss Blanchard last week," she shrugged, letting her yawn escape.
Miss Mills grimaced, "Miss Blanchard? I thought everybody loved her?"
Emma raised her eyebrows at the hint of jealousy in her teacher's tone, "Well, a lot of people do, I guess. She's like super nice and she grades pretty easily. She always grants extensions if you ask…" she trailed off.
"So what happened?" Miss Mills leaned forward; it wasn't her business but she was curious that a student had a dislike for the star teacher of the school.
Emma looked down at her hands as they fiddled with her pen, "Well, she's so positive all the time and it's pretty unrealistic and she was glorifying Romeo and Juliet, so um, I called her on it and I said it wasn't a beautiful love story at all, it was a tragic story about two stupid teenagers who hardly knew each other, acted on hormonal impulses, took things way too far and ended up dead, so if that's a beautiful love story then no wonder the divorce rate is so high," she finished sheepishly, but unable to hold back the smirk that took over her lips; she still thought she had a point.
Miss Mills tried to hold back her own smile as she shook her head, "She can't give you detention for having an opinion though," she frowned.
"Well…" Emma sighed, "I might have said it a little too aggressively and um, when she didn't agree with me I told her she was a rose-tinted glasses wearing idiot that wouldn't know real life if it came up and bit her on the…"
"I see," Miss Mills nodded, holding back a laugh; what she would have paid to have seen that scene, "Well, I'm sure you don't need a lecture on how you should respect teachers," she elevated her eyebrows in an amused expression and even Emma could see she was entertained, which made her strangely proud, "Now, why don't we get some study?"
Emma spotted Ruby and walked over to her, taking a seat in the booth.
"Hey, what's up?" Ruby asked, sucking on the straw of her drink.
Emma yawned, "Nothing much, you?" she rubbed her eyes, sleepily.
"Nah, same old, same old," Ruby shrugged, "How was the sesh with the lovely Miss Mills?" she laughed briefly.
Emma smiled, "She's pretty cool for a teacher, actually. I might actually pass the test on Friday."
Ruby grinned, "I don't think I've ever heard you say a single nice thing about school, let alone a teacher, Em. Good for you."
Emma rolled her eyes but chuckled, "She's pretty damn fine too," she admitted in a mutter, "It kinda makes it fun to study when she's speaking Spanish at me with that voice, I mean damn."
Ruby laughed, "I knew it. You totally have a crush."
Emma grinned sheepishly, "Maybe. Hey, where's Belle at anyway?"
Ruby looked at her watch, "She said she was running late. I think she was stopping by at the library on the way for something rather."
"Oh, right, she ordered that new book, didn't she tell you? She's been talking about it for weeks," Emma shrugged.
Ruby frowned, "Nah, she hasn't mentioned it."
Emma nodded, "It must have been when I was helping her out at the library a couple weeks ago."
"You still do that?" Ruby asked, her frown deepening.
"Yeah, of course, if I'm bored," Emma replied.
"Oh," was all Ruby replied with.
Emma chewed the inside of her cheek as she looked around for her best friend, she checked her watch again, "Maybe I should text her."
Ruby rolled her eyes, "Or maybe I should," she commented, pulling out her phone as she huffed.
Emma wore an expression of confusion, "O…K," she simply said as her friend typed away on her phone but then her own phone lit up and she looked at it, "Oh, she says she's still ten minutes away," she informed Ruby.
Ruby glowered at her, "She texted you? Why wouldn't she text me?"
Emma shrugged, "She knows we're both here, why does it matter who she texts? I'm her best friend, you know."
"And I'm her girlfriend," Ruby shot back.
"And right now, you're acting like you're ten," Emma shook her head, she was too tired for this shit.
"Am not," Ruby replied, "You're just jealous."
Emma's eyes widened, "What? Jealous? You're the one who's jealous, Ruby."
"What do I have to be jealous of?" Ruby sneered.
"Mine and Belle's friendship," Emma said, "It's obvious you don't like it."
"And it's obvious you don't like me being with Belle," Ruby growled.
Emma sighed, "Look, it's not that Ruby," she decided it was time to diffuse the situation, "It's just she's my best friend and always has been. It's hard to get used to her being with someone and I don't see as much of her as I used to."
"You had your chance, Emma, it's not my fault you were just too messed up to take it," Ruby snapped viciously, before realising what she'd just said to her friend, "Em, I'm sorry, I didn't – "
It was too late, Emma's fist connected with the brunette's face.
"Fuck you," she muttered as she pushed past a shocked Ruby roughly and slammed the door behind her.
She liked to think that her friends saw her without all the stigma that the rest of the world had. She knew Belle did, at least, she worried about her, sure, but she knew there was more to Emma than just her issues. She'd thought the same of Ruby, but then she'd opened her big, stupid mouth. Emma power-walked home, trying to walk off her anger.
She shouldn't have hit Ruby and she knew that it was a big step backwards in her temper control, but the truth was, maybe she was jealous. Not that she wanted to be romantically involved with Belle, but she did like having her alone time with her best friend, which she hadn't in recent times because it was always the three of them.
She sighed angrily as she pushed open her front door, chucked down her keys and collapsed on the couch, letting her eyes flutter close.
"She hit you?" Belle put a hand on her girlfriend's jaw, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ruby muttered, "It was my fault, I said something stupid, Belle," she admitted.
Belle frowned, "What did you say?"
"I accused her of being jealous of us… And I told her," the brunette sighed, hesitating for a moment, "that um, she had her chance with you…and she was too messed up to take it," she finished quietly, trying to gauge her girlfriend's reaction.
"Ruby," Belle exclaimed, "Why would you…argh, I should go and find her," she stood up.
Ruby grabbed her arm, "Belle, come on, I'm sorry okay? I tried to apologise but that's when…" she gestured to her face, shrugging.
Belle sat down, "You know she's still struggling. I haven't had much alone time with her recently," she rolled her eyes at Ruby's expression, "God, I don't mean like that, but she's my best friend, and she can't always…talk when you're around."
Ruby sighed but nodded, "Yeah, I know. I get it… You should call her, make sure she's okay."
Belle nodded, pulling out her phone.
Emma groaned, picking up her phone as it rung, again. Belle's name flashed up on the screen and Emma pressed the ignore button, again. She didn't know if Belle would be calling to yell at her or make sure she was alright, knowing her friend, probably both, but the blonde couldn't be bothered dealing with anyone right now.
She felt like shit and it wasn't even the Ruby thing; she was over it, she knew she'd been in the wrong and she knew that Ruby probably felt bad what she said. But these new pills she was taking were making her mood jump all over the places, and she hated to cry for no reason and right now her throat felt like it was on fire.
She stood up and paced her apartment, everything, her hands, her heart, her head felt like they were going to explode. She hated this feeling and tonight was worse than usual; she didn't even feel comfortable picking up the phone to call her best friend. She scolded herself upon letting out a sob, there's nothing to cry about you idiot. She slammed her fist onto the kitchen bench, needing to just do something, with such force that a cup teetering on the edge had fallen off. She tried, but wasn't quick enough to save it and it smashed on the kitchen tiles.
Emma sighed in frustration and slid down next to the fragments, picking up the biggest piece she could see. Her mind had gone blank and it was like auto—pilot as she rolled up her sleeve and pressed the glass into her skin, finally letting a few tears spill out as the blood began to travel the length of her arm. There, she thought, a reason to cry.
Nearly an hour later, her phone rung again and finally Emma picked it up.
"Hey, Belle," she tried to sound casual.
"Finally. I was about to sneak out, Em, my parents wouldn't let me come over so late, are you okay?"
"Sure, I'm fine," Emma said confidently.
Belle sighed, "And that's why you hit Ruby?" she asked, but not accusingly.
Emma plonked herself on the couch, "Belle, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt her or anything, I just…she just grated on my last nerve and I…ugh, I'm an idiot."
"An incoherent idiot," Belle agreed, "You know, maybe it's time you tell your doc these new meds aren't working for you. It's been over a month, and Em…I'm worried about you. You're worse than before, you're losing your temper, you're withdrawn and I know maybe it's my fault, I've been spending a lot of time – "
"No," Emma cut in, "It's not your fault at all," she absently-mindedl ran a finger over the cut she had made on her arm, "And you're right, I feel awful. I should give Dr Hopper a call," she sighed, "Is Ruby okay?"
"Good," her friend sounded relieved, "And yeah, Ruby's alright. She's sorry, she says she wound you up… Em, I'm sorry I haven't been there for you," she sounded sorry too, guilty.
Emma closed her eyes, "Don't worry about it, Belle. I just…it's weird seeing you with a girlfriend, that's all. We've been best friends since we were kids, I'm used to having you to myself," she sighed, rolling her eyes at herself, "But we're growing up and relationships happen. I have to deal with that."
"Hmm," Belle mused, not in complete certainty, "But you are my best friend, Em. You'll always be one of the most important people in my life, you know that, right?"
Emma smiled, "I know. And same back to you," she failed to stifle a yawn, "It's late, I'm going to try get some shut-eye."
"Good luck," Belle said earnestly, knowing her friend would be lucky to get four hours of sleep a night, "Love you, Em."
Emma hesitated; not because she didn't, but they both just knew, they didn't say it very often, "I love you too, Belle. I'll see you tomorrow, night."
"Night. Hey Em," Belle said quickly, hoping her friend hadn't hung up.
"Yeah?" Emma asked.
"If you ever need me, call me. I can sneak out and come over, if you need me."
Emma chortled, "Your parents would only hate me even more," she replied, "But thanks Belle. Night."