I don't own Once Upon a Time, I'm just obsessed with its characters.

AN: This is story is a AU. When Regina cast the dark curse, she wanted to give herself a new chance at life, so when everybody was sent to the World Without Magic, Regina was reverted to a newborn so she could have a chance to grow up without having to suffer with Cora as a mother. She and Emma are found together in the woods and grow up as best friends in the system. 28 years later, they arrive in Storybrooke together...

CHAPTER 1

It had been news all around the country when two newborns had been found together in the middle of the woods somewhere in Maine. The picture of the two little girls, one with dark hair and dark eyes and the other with blonde curls and green orbs (polar opposites, but equally gorgeous, one could say) had been in the cover of every major newspaper. But, as it happens with most of stories, people were moved for about a week, until something else happened and the little girls were soon forgotten and put into the system.

As the girls grew up, so did their friendship. They were literally inseparable. At night, when everybody at the group home was already asleep, they got into the habit of curling up together in bed and telling each other stories until they fell asleep. Emma's stories would be full of dragons and brave knights, who would save the princesses from wicked witches. Whenever Regina had a nightmare she would wake up the crying girl and hold her tight, and the brunette would instantly feel safe.

Every once in a while, a couple would come to the group home and meet them. They always got their hopes up, no matter how many times they had been rejected before. They always picked someone else. It was in after one of those visits that Emma made a decision that would change their lives. They were only five at the time, but that didn't mean the blonde was not extremely serious about it. They were in their room, the one they shared with 10 more girls of all ages. Regina's eyes were red from crying, so where Emma's.

"Hey Gina, don't cry" she said

"Do you think we are ever going to get adopted?" she asked, between sobs.

"I have no idea, but those people are idiots. They don't deserve you, you are amazing"

"Thank you, Em"

Regina was quiet for a while before she spoke again.

"I just… I think I won't ever have a family like the other kids"

"Hey, I am your family. I know you're sad, but I don't need anyone else but you. I love you, Gina"

"I love you too, Em"

"When we are 18, and we can get out of here, I'm gonna marry you so we can be a real family. I'm gonna be the bestest wife ever and you're never gonna be alone"

"You promise?"

"I promise" Emma said, holding out her pinky finger so the brunette would know she was very serious about it "You are my best friend, I want you to have everything in the world". They feel asleep in each other's arms, dreaming of a future they would have together.

When they started going to school, they made sure they were always in the same class. Regina was a very curious and dedicated student; she took her schoolwork very seriously. Emma, on the other hand, had a very brief attention span. She'd poke the brunette's arm until she finally gave in to whatever mischief the blonde was up to, and they would very frequently get into trouble. Regina would be mad for a couple of minutes, until Emma flashed her one of her toothy smiles and she would forget all about it.

One day, when they were seven, a boy named Taylor was transferred to their class. He was very tall for his age, which made him think he could get away with anything. From the minute he arrived in class, he was instantly smitten with Regina. It was during lunch time that he decided to approach her.

"Hey, gorgeous" He said.

"Uhm, hi" She replied shyly.

"You have beautiful eyes, you know that?"

"Thanks, I guess"

"My name is Taylor, but you probably already know that"

"I'm Regina" She was clearly uncomfortable with the interaction.

"Here's the thing, Regina. I think you are beautiful, and I think two people as good looking as ourselves should be together"

She was speechless and didn't know how to react.

"Come sit at my table, Reggie" God how she hated that moniker.

"I'd rather not" She tried to decline politely "My friend is waiting for me" She gestured to Emma.

"Come on, Reggie. Ditch that tomboy, I know you want to be my girlfriend" He grabbed her arm.

The minute he did that Emma decided to intervene.

"I believe she said she is not interested, douchebag"

He let go of Regina's arm and stepped up to Emma, trying to intimidate her with his size.

"What did you just say?!"

"I said I think you misunderstood a no for a yes, 'cause your bird brain is so small"

"Oh, you're gonna regret that" He said, raising his fist.

But you see, the thing about big guys is they tend to be a bit slow. That gave Emma the exactly enough time to duck avoiding the blow and throw her own punch, which knocked Taylor on the floor.

Emma ended up suspended for a week after that, but it was so worth it when Regina said "Thank you, my brave night" and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

Just over a year after the event something major happened. A couple from Connecticut came to the group home. They couldn't have children and were looking for a little girl to adopt, and even though they were looking for someone younger, they couldn't help but be charmed by Emma. The poor girl was completely torn when they gave her the news.

"Please" she begged "Take Gina too"

But although the couple was moved by the girl's pleas, they weren't ready for two children.

"You gotta go, Em. This is your best chance"

"But I don't wanna leave you. I promised I'd never leave you"

"I can't let you turn down a family because of me. I want you to be happy. We'll keep in touch, don't worry"

They cried and hugged, and eventually it was time for Emma to go with the Swan family. They thought about each other every day, but eventually they lost touch. It was very difficult not to since they lived in different states. Emma got to live the life they always dreamed about, with a loving family and as many toys as she could possibly think of, while Regina stayed in the system and bounced between many different homes until she eventually aged out.

The next chapter is gonna have a time jump to when our girls meet again years later. Will they they be able to be friends again after living completely different lives? This story is not gonna be long, probably about 4 chapters.

Please review!

XOXO