Thank you all for taking the time to read this fic. It means a lot to me (: I encourage you to Rate and Review as it keeps my motivation flowing. I also love constructive criticism so bring it on (: Also if there is any character you feel must be in this fic please don't hesitate to ask me. I'll most likely include them in here. *OUAT characters only please* I guess that's it, so please enjoy the story. I should be updating every week.
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Once Upon a Time' nor am i affiliated with ABC or any other corporation surrounding this show. This is purely fan based and oh dear God don't sue me.
Chapter 1: New Year, New Teacher*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*
Emma shot up in bed, slamming her fist down on the alarm clock while spewing out a stream of curses. Through squinted eyes she looked at the time and jumped all the way out of bed. 7:30?! Oh god, I'm so fucking late! She thought to herself as she scrambled around her room throwing clothes on. She opted for her favorite red leather jacket, a plain white t-shirt and a pair of skin tight blue jeans. Today was 17 year old Emma Swans' first day of senior year and she was late. Again. She was rarely on time throughout her whole high school career. This year though her Principal, Mr. Gold, warned her that if she was late more than 5 days this year she would have to take summer school. Emma Swan did not do summer school. No way in hell. So with this in mind Emma got ready in record time, running out the door to her yellow bug in under 10 minutes.
Pulling up to Storybrooke High, Emma jumped out of the car, slammed the door behind her and ran all the way to her first period class. Having minimum problems finding the math hall and her room, the blonde ran into the classroom, panting, just before the teacher, Ms. Blue, closed the classroom door. "Cutting it close again I see Miss. Swan." Ms. Blue scolded as Emma sat down. Ms. Blue has been Emma's math teacher since freshman year. It was a small school so the math department only had two teachers. Actually pretty much every department only had two teachers. Which sucked for Emma because her teachers already assumed they knew what kind of a student she was and stopped giving her chances. Most of her teachers just dismissed her as 'one of those kids' after freshman year and never believed anything she said and always looked down on her. She hated that. She wasn't the same kid she was in freshman year.
"Miss Swan!" Emma was jolted out of her thoughts by her teacher. "It would be so great if you would join us. I asked you a question." Ms. Blue said in a condescending tone. Emma ducked her head as an apology. "I'm sorry, what was the question?" Sighing Ms. Blue turned back to the board. "Never mind Miss Swan, just go back to dreamland. If you don't want to learn I won't teach you." Emma's mouth fell open in surprise. Teachers can't do that can they? The blonde was about to open her mouth again to yell at her teacher when the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Roughly shoving her supplies into her bag Emma stomped out of the classroom holding back tears.
It's not like she didn't try to pay attention. Honestly she wanted to learn. It was just so hard to concentrate when her mind kept wandering. She learned at a young age to zone out when something was uncomfortable or if she was scared. She wasn't scared of math but it definitely made her uncomfortable. She didn't understand math at all and she hated it. So she just… zoned out. Completely caught in her thoughts Emma turned a corner not noticing the brunette right in front of her. The blonde slammed directly into the brunette spewing curses as they were both knocked to the floor. "What the fuck? Watch were you're…. Emma?!" the brunette said in surprise as her scolding was cut off once recognition set in.
"God I'm so sorry Ruby. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." Emma said, helping Ruby to her feet. The blonde bent down to collect Ruby's things and handed them to her.
"Hey don't worry about it." Ruby laughed accepting her things from Emma's outstretched hand. "I was looking for you anyways. How was first period?" Ruby asked as the two friends started walking down the hallway.
"Pretty shitty actually." Emma replied with a sigh. "I was almost late which pissed Ms. Blue off. And then I zoned out a little in class and she yelled at me. She said she won't teach me if I don't want to learn. Can you fucking believe that? Can teachers even do that?" Emma finished her rant, getting worked up all over again.
"God that's awful Em. I'm sorry. And no I don't think teachers can do that. Why don't you tell Mr. Gold?" Ruby replied sympathetically. Emma just looked at Ruby like she was insane and the two girls busted out in a fit of laughter. "Yeah I guess you're right. He wouldn't help at all." Ruby replied between giggles.
That's how it was with Ruby and Emma. They could talk without actually saying anything. Emma had never found a better friend than the brunette. They had met in freshman year and instantly clicked. They've been inseparable ever since and Emma couldn't be happier about it.
The five minute warning bell rang in the speakers above the two girls so they both said their goodbyes, promising to meet up during lunch, and went their separate ways. Emma to History and Ruby to Science.
After two more periods went by Emma headed to the cafeteria looking for Ruby. Finding her, the two went to get their food and sat down at 'their' table. They've been sitting at this table their whole time in high school. It's actually where they met. The table was in the far right corner of the cafeteria with a spectacular view of the back courtyard. It also allowed the girls to view the entire cafeteria. Which both girls loved so they could keep tabs on their classmates and gossip.
"So how did the rest of your classes go so far? Any more issues?" Ruby asked the blonde while munching on her French fries. Stealing a fry off Ruby's plate Emma replied between bites,
"They were good. I wasn't late again so that's a plus. I also didn't zone out, even though it was super hard not too with these boring first day introductions."
"God, right?" Ruby laughed. "There's only like, what, a hundred kids here? It's not like we don't know each other already."
"Exactly!" Emma exclaimed. "I swear it's like they forget that every year." The two girls shared a laugh and continued eating in comfortable silence.
The school day was almost at an end and Emma was headed to her last class, Creative Writing. She was extremely excited about this class for two reasons. The first was that she absolutely loved writing. She was actually working on a novel. She loved making up people and their lives, it gave her an escape from her life. The second reason was there was going to be a new teacher this year, which meant a clean slate for Emma. She wouldn't have to be 'one of those kids' in this class. She could just be Emma. That's all she wanted to be.
With high spirits Emma walked into the class room and saw that she was the only one there. Man I'm actually early? Emma thought giddily. This is so cool I can finally pick any seat! And she did. She grabbed the seat closest to the front and to the teacher's desk. She was going to be good in this class. She wanted at least one teacher to like her.
Soon the class was filled, and with only a minute left until the bell rang, but there was still no teacher. God I hope nothing happened. Emma thought. I need this to be a new teacher. I really hope he or she didn't change their mind about teaching here. Feeling a panic attack about to start the blonde laid her head on her desk in an effort to calm down.
*click* *click* *click* At the sound of heels the blonde lifted her head up off her desk just in time to see, who Emma assumed, was the teacher. The raven haired woman walked up to the white-board and wrote Ms. Mills in pristine hand-writing. She then set the marker down and turned to address the class. "Hello. My name is Ms. Mills," she punctuated this by pointing to her name on the board, "and I will be your creative writing teacher this year. I understand that you have known your other teachers since freshman year so I can imagine how weird it must be to see a new face. So let me tell you a bit about how I teach so you aren't lost. First off I am strict but fair. If you do not do the work, you will not pass. There will be no exceptions to this rule." There was a collective groan from the class, minus a certain blonde, and Ms. Mills smirked. "Secondly, I will not tolerate lateness. If you show up late to my class you will be immediately directed to Mr. Golds' office." More groans. "And lastly, this is not a 'free' class. You will be expected to pay attention and do your work efficiently, and quietly. However if I assign group work you may talk to each other, and let me make this clear, any talk must be about your work. There will be no idle teenage gossip in my classroom. Does everyone understand?" Ms. Mills finished her speech while surveying the class. A chorus of depressed yeses broke out. "Very good. Now…"
Emma took this moment while her teacher was doing introductions to examine the raven haired woman. She was short, maybe 5'4" or 5'5", although she wore 3 inch black heels to boost her height up around 5'7". She was wearing a grey power suit with a white t-shirt underneath. Her hair was shoulder length, maybe longer. She was highly attractive, of that Emma had no doubts. The blonde just hoped that Ms. Mills wouldn't judge her like the others. Oh no! What if her other teachers have already told her about me? Oh god, please no. Please please please.
"Emma…Swan?" Ms. Mills' voice jolted Emma out of the beginnings of another panic attack.
"Here." Emma said raising her hand while blushing. After a slight panic she realized Ms. Mills was doing roll call. She was thankful she hadn't missed another question. Stop zoning out Swan. Pay attention. She scolded herself before bringing her full attention back to her teacher.
"Could you please tell us all three things about yourself Miss Swan?" Ms. Mills asked looking at the blonde student.
"Um, yeah. My favorite color is red, I love to write and…." Emma stalls not knowing what else to say. What the hell Swan? Its only three things! You don't even know three things about yourself?! Emma thinks mentally berating herself. Ms. Mills looks at her expectantly. "Oh! And I like to read." Emma finishes. Grateful that she didn't totally freeze up. Nodding her head and smiling Ms. Mills continues on to the next student.
After more introductions and basic information the end of the day bell rings and Emma bolts out of her seat and exits the classroom, thankful for the days freedom.