I decided to go with a 'Friends' route with regards to the rules of college and that a relationship is only frowned upon and not illegal. However there will be struggles with both women's personal lives that will both pull them apart and bring them closer together. It is SwanQueen endgame! :) let me know what you think!
Chapter 1
Clutching one of her much needed books on Science, Emma Swan makes her way through the college campus corridor alongside her closest friend of who she had known for many years. Reaching the room in which she was headed, the blonde pauses by the door before running her free hand through her loose blonde curls. "Last class of the day...3 more months and hopefully I can go to med school..if I get in.."
Scoffing the tall brunette raises an eyebrow to her friend. "If you get in? Come on no one has worked as hard as you, not just with school and college but you have literally saved since you were 12 and on a paper round to get into med school. When do you need to apply?"
"Once my exam results are in and are high enough, just need to get these last few classes out of the way before taking them" Emma inhales nervously at the thought. "But seriously Ruby what if I don't get in? What am I supposed to do?"
Rubbing the blonde's arm, Ruby looks sympathetic. "You will but..if you want some reassurance why not ask the professor for some advice? Maybe she could give you an inkling on how your work is going and whether extra revision will be needed?"
Weighing up her options, the blonde nods with a small smile. "Okay. Let's just get the class done first. I still don't get why you're doing these classes when your Granny expects you to take over the family business"
Rolling her eyes, the brunette pouts as she follows Emma into the room. "Please don't remind me, she's driving me insane and doesn't get that I have my own ambitions"
Letting out a chuckle, the blonde pauses, briefly watching as to where her friend goes to sit before approaching the professors desk. Glancing across from her seat, the brunette professor raises an eyebrow. "Yes Miss Swan?"
Clearing her throat slightly from the uneasy stare she is receiving, Emma bites her lip. "Would it be possible to have a talk with you after the lecture about my progress? I need some advice on my application for medical school"
Trying to hide a smile at the reaction that the blonde has given her, the professor nods. "Of course. Although I can inform you now that you have nothing to worry about dear"
"Oh.." Slowly smiling, relieved, the blonde nods in acknowledgment to thank the woman then turns to find her seat beside Ruby.
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Standing to pack her books and notepad away, Emma lifts her bag onto her desk and pulls the zip, reaching for her glasses case. Having watched the young woman, the professor closes the classroom door once the last student has dispersed then walks up to the blonde's desk before perching herself against the desk in front and crossing her arms in a relaxing stance. "So Miss Swan, what exactly did you need my help with? Have you got the application with you?"
Abandoning her glasses case to the desk, Emma then pulls out an envelope containing the application forms that needed to be filled. "I made a start but then I lost my nerve as I realised I should technically wait until my exams are over..it could all go wrong"
"There is nothing wrong with giving yourself a head start and you clearly know in your mind exactly what you want to do with your life so why not fill it in?" Taking the papers out the envelope, the brunette scans the page then gestures towards the seat behind the blonde. "Sit down.." Reaching behind herself, the professor pulls the desk chair out in which she was stood against and sits down, facing the worried student.
Having sat down by the older woman's orders, the blonde bites on her gum with worry and fiddles with her pen. "What if I end up having a major freak out over my exams and mess them all up?" Sighing, Emma slumps back. "I need this..I need a fresh start.."
Frowning slightly, the brunette places the papers down on the blonde's desk before clasping her hands together on the surface. "Are you having any problems that could effect your focus?"
"No..not really. I mean everyone has problems at home but it's nothing serious.." Emma explains with a conflicted look.
Pursing her lips, not really believing a word that the blonde had just said, the professor once again lifts the papers. "How about we fill them in together? That way you won't get anything wrong. We will leave the space for your results for now and I can also write you a reference" staring directly at Emma, the brunette smiles in reassurance. "With your knowledge, you will get in Emma"
Starting to calm, the blonde then leans forward against the desk to meet the woman and holds the pen out for the professor to take.
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After completing what could be done on the application forms and packing away, both women make their way out of the building with the brunette tightening her belt strap on her Mac while Emma hugs her arms over her jean jacket. Noticing that it is now dark, the professor glances over towards the blonde. "Looks like we took longer than we thought. May I offer you a lift home? Actually forget I asked..you probably live on campus"
Shaking her head abruptly, the blonde feels awkward at what she is about to confess. "No..I..well i couldn't afford a room here and save for med school and there is no need, thank you, but my father is a little..funny about people at the house"
"Oh..we'll have a safe journey home Miss Swan" giving a brief smile, the brunette goes to head towards her car.
"Professor Mills?"
"Hm?" Stopping by her car door, the professor looks over her shoulder at the young woman.
Smiling, Emma goes coy. "Thank you..for all your help"
"Not a problem dear and its Regina..we are out of hours and we are both adults I'm sure we can drop the formalities"
Nodding, the blonde repeats. "Thank you..Regina.."
Feeling bad for just leaving Emma behind, the brunette frowns in concern. "Are you sure you don't want a lift? I can always drop you off in your street and not outside your house?"
Sensing Regina's worry, the blonde looks down for a moment. "Okay..sure.."
Turning and getting into her car, the professor leans across and pushes the passenger door open then waits for Emma to get in. Circling the vehicle and sliding in, the blonde closes the door and passes directions as to where to go.
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"I'm sorry, what happened?!"
Rolling her eyes, Emma looks towards Ruby as they sat in their local diner with a coffee before their final lecture of the day. "Nothing? She gave me a lift home? Why are you making such a big deal of this?"
Smirking, the tall brunette quickly remarks. "Because of your growing crush ever since you saw her?"
Frowning, the blonde chuckles. "No I haven't. I mean yes who wouldn't find her attractive, but crush? No"
"If you say so. We will soon find out if you end up making puppy eyes at the woman during class" teasing, Ruby stands from their booth and waves towards her Granny before heading out.
Sighing, Emma follows. "Even if I did have a crush, so what? She would never look at me twice in that way"
Stopping within the pathway, the tall brunette sniggers. "Then how comes out of the whole entire class, you are the only one she has ever called by first name? She always uses people's last names but yet the occasional Emma gets out there"
"That is what you're seriously going by? That she calls me by my name? Honestly all that happened was that she helped me fill out my med papers!" The blonde shakes her head in disbelief then continues on to campus, heading towards the building in which they were to have their lecture which just so happens to be with the brunette professor herself.
Strolling in beside her friend, Ruby nudges the blonde with a wink as she leads off to sit down. Suddenly becoming conscious of the tall brunette's obvious behaviour, Emma looks a little wide eyed as she goes to follow but is prevented by a hand upon her arm. Glancing over to find the owner to be Regina, the blonde subtly gulps.
"Miss Swan is everything alright?"
Merely nodding, Emma attempts a small smile then makes her way over to sit beside Ruby who is currently trying to hold back her laughter at the previous scene.
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As the students once again file out of the room leaving Emma to trail behind her brunette friend, the blonde stop within the doorway hearing her name being called and looks over towards the professor's desk.
"Emma?.." Realising her error as Ruby is also still there, the brunette clears her throat awkwardly. "..er..Miss Swan?"
Sharing a look with her friend, the blonde turns back inside the class and closes the door. "Yeah?"
"Your focus wasn't completely there today was it? I marked what you had done in the first half of the lecture and you didn't..score..very well.."
Sighing in defeat, Emma nods while glancing down. "I know..I just I'm getting a little anxious and stressed over it all..it's really important to me and if I screw it up, then that is it. I'm going to be stuck living with my father for the rest of my life and I do not want that"
Rising from her chair, Regina makes her way up to the young woman. "I understand but we need to find a way to prevent you from getting stressed..I know you know all of this Emma, I've seen it in your previous work"
Shrugging lightly, Emma cringes. "Yeah..well..panicking.."
Taking hold of both the blonde's arms, the professor prompts her to look at her. "First thing is to take a breath.."
Physically deflating at what is being said, the blonde then stares at her like it is pointless while internally feeling awkward at the woman having hold of her arms. Giving Emma's arms a small rub, Regina then let's go and turns back to her desk, moving some papers around. "What are you doing Thursday night?"
Blinking in shock of the words, Emma frowns. "I..erm..nothing, why?"
"Is there somewhere other than your home that we could meet? I am going to get you to get a hold on all this. You're going to be an excellent surgeon and one day in the future when you step up to say, become chief? You're going to thank me in your speech in front of all your colleagues" smirking over at the blonde playfully, Regina then smiles seeing the young woman laugh.
Calming herself, the blonde ends up on a chuckle. "Well you are going to be waiting a very long time for that to happen.."
Scolding Emma with her hands on her hips, the professor sighs. "Stop putting yourself down! Now..Thursday?"
Nodding, the blonde bites her lip. "I think I know a place, I will just need to check first"
"Okay. Well here is my number, just let me know..or if you're stuck on any work. Give me a call" passing over a business card, Regina smiles briefly then packs up the rest of her belongings. "Need a lift again?"
Twirling the card between her fingers, Emma grins. "Sure why not.."
