Trying out an AU!
Disclaimer: I do not own Once upon A Time =)
Summer holidays are finally over. Students jostle one another in the hallways, some happy while others wished that it would last for another lifetime. Emma stood by the tree watching the crowd of noisy teenagers chatting their way through the morning before school starts. She felt a tug on her shoulder.
"Well, well, well, look what we've got here, our knight and shining armor," Ruby grinned at Emma putting in her usual devilish smile. Emma rising and eyebrow eyeing to her so called 'friend' then walked towards the school building only having to bump to someone on the way. The books scattered all over the stone pavement as Emma instinctively starts picking them up, as she was part fault in what happened. The owner also started picking up the documents and books.
"Sorry, didn't see you there," Emma stood as she handed the books over. The girl wore glasses, her hair was short (just above the shoulders) and her attire screamed 'nerd' especially to Ruby; it is something that Emma thought was clearly stated.
"No," She paused a while as she then shuffled to find a better grip to her unorganized documents and books (though Emma knew it was probably not like that before the event happen). She also noticed that she never saw her before which would probably mean she's a new student.
"Thank you for helping me, I apologize for being careless, I promise to pay attention to where I'm going next time," She seemed somewhat guilty and unarmed as she spoke, the glitter of fright shook her voice. Emma was appalled by first by the use of language; how she apologize as if it was entirely her fault; her body language and how there isn't a slight bit of anger in her voice. Ruby mouth gapped open as well as Emma though mentally. She walked into the school building as Ruby slowly approaches Emma.
"Well that's one extremely rare sight," Ruby approached Emma from behind.
"You think she'll survive?" Ruby gestured somewhat worried yet curious gesture.
"I doubt it," Though somehow Emma felt that today wouldn't be as bad as she thought it would be, or at least she thought so…
The first period was English. It wasn't a subject that Emma hated but something she found incoherent, same with algebra though she found science interesting and P.E as her favorite subject. She listened to Mr. Hopper talk about how the sea symbolizes a lot of things that she did not catch up to as she wished she sat near the window so she could look aimlessly to the world; like the ones in the novel in which she thought to herself. Sadly enough they had their seats arranged. No longer then a second latter the door was heard opening, it was her.
"Ahh welcome, you must be the new girl they have mentioned!" He greeted her with such optimism some of the students could be heard gritting their teeth to the amount of heavenly glory emitted from it ("yes it does make us seem like demonic being's from hell; truth be told that some of us are"). She then walked towards the teacher as she gave a paper slip. The teacher addressed her to introduce herself to the class. All of our eyes were on her, including Emma's.
"Hello," She paused. Emma then start wondering whether she always paused after the first word she spoke.
"My name is Regina, Regina Mills, I'll try not to be a hindrance," Emma could feel the students sneering and whispering as if they have finally found a new prey to toy with. All she did was stare mentally wishing her the best luck as Emma then continue looking out the faraway window as she then was seated a seat away from me to the front. The lesson continued a bit aberrated from normal until:
"So what has the sea shown to be, to the character within the boat?" he asked the class which only left a quiet and could be said a brainless class.
"Regina would you like to state an opinion," He questioned her as she then nods her head politely.
"I would assume that the sea symbolizes the vast unknown of the character. The way the character has been shown to be in the middle of the ocean could tell us that he is surrounded by the unknown; he does not understand himself, he isn't clear to who he is, leaving him mysterious to himself, just like what holds within the ocean; unimaginable things, his fear, his guilt, regrets, his nightmares. He could be depicted as being somewhat frightened to himself as he only has a boat he could hold onto, as if that's his last hope." Everyone was left dumfounded as Emma found that it was am amusing statement. The teacher was in awe at her explanation that he clasped his hands in joy. Like a seal.
"My Regina that was… that… that was marvelous!" Mr. Hopper then jotted the idea down on the blackboard as deep within me I could hear myself saying how screwed she is; yes definitely screwed, so screwed she'll be screwed down until the center of the earth. I scanned the classroom seeing people leering in disgust, jealousy. Mr. Hoppertold us to get in groups of three to discuss more about the character in the story. Emma paired up with Mulan as they were relatively close as they are in the same football team. Expectedly, she was left alone.
"Isn't that the Regina?" Mulan approached dragging a chair over to Emma's table.
"Should we invite her in?" Emma's voice sounded hesitant.
"Well that's your choice though I personally wouldn't and you know the reason why, and clarifying that it's not because of her nerdy appearance, " Mulan looked at Regina studying her.
"She stands out, to much, not in a bad way though but could be," added Mulan
"But-"
"Up to you captain, you know what's for the best," Emma knew that the downfall to inviting her in was how to deal with all the after effects that it might cause to football team. After all the school's football team can only rely on popularity sadly or a mob might break out to disband the team. Though she already balanced the fact that even if she didn't invite her in the possibilities of her joining is probably definite (though this will give different opinions to the others as she was not the one who invited her). And what she hates the most is that Mulan also knew about this though the burden is left on her; Mulan is only thinking the best for the team.
"Ummm we can be pairs if you want, it would be unlikely for us to be paired as a four," A girl with pastel blue colored long skirt and a light brown shirt with a white knitted jacket.
"Who's she?" Emma asked Mulan who has her hands folded on the table blowing on her hair that dangled of her head.
"Aurora, the girl who has no presence at all," Mulan then looked at Aurora and Regina holding a small conversation. "Seems like she already found a friend,"
"May I ask how you know about a girl with no presence at all?" Emma smirked. Even her seriousness cannot get over fully over the tiny devilish personality. Playing with her peers. After all Mulan was always a girl full of surprises, well that's what Emma thought; Mulan was only known to only focus on the game to a point in which remembering names was something she did not consider important.
"Do you want to hug her? And-"
"Those matters aren't a major importance to me. She helped me once when I fell down the stairs from a certain someone spiking my drink, she took me all the way to the hospital," Mulan saw the gleam in Emma's eyes she just glared at Emma back trying to understand how she respected such a captain.
"That's all, she's in good hands, well at least for a while," Mulan continued glancing over the two pairs chatting.
"Looks like someone in lov-"
"Zip it," Emma laughed leaving Mulan somewhat embarrassed though understanding how a friendship with Ruby might have resulted this part of her.
Emma took a quick glance at the two. 'At least she won't be alone' Emma thought.
The bell rang as the students hectically packed their books while Mr. Hoppertried reminding us over the loud sound of shuffling books that we had the summer holiday assignment due in tomorrow. Though Emma was already prepared to hand her's in and she did. he smiled as she was the last one that walked out of the class.
Ruby was already by the front door, seemingly excited.
"I heard that sh-"
"She won't last another hour," said Emma stingingly, cutting Ruby of. The imagery of another student being bullied is something she can't stand; she would always avoid such situation at all cost if possible.
"Woah there, you are already prophesying the hours she's got left to live?!" Ruby laughed as Emma approached her locker as she unlocked it.
"She did something smart I'm guessing?"
"How can you possibly know?" Emma said sarcastically. She took out her books for her next class as she recoiled back the thoughts. Deep somewhere within her she wanted to help though she also knew it never ended up clean.
"So…." Ruby leaned by the locker besides Emma's. Knowing what was to come next, Emma decided to stay silent leaving Ruby to finish of her sentence.
"Are you going to help her?" As saying so, Ruby already knew in an instant that she is probably thinking it over (because usually Emma would have cut her off). After knowing her for so long she then glanced at Emma as Emma closed her locker. Emma met eye-to-eye as she found those eyes that first struck her within her younger days, their past, eyes that showed Ruby's other side, the modest and her sympathy side.
"I'm not going to repeat the mistakes I've done in the past," Emma locked her locker as she headed towards her next class leaving Ruby sighing as she walked towards the opposite direction. A second later she noticed Mulan.
"Mulan!" She turned and looked at Ruby.
Ruby just looked at her, same goes to Mulan as they seem to exchange glares. Knowing Mulan's devotion to the team and her peers was what earned her title and it was something Ruby always respected. Though one thing Ruby knew was that she could be trusted, if it meets her conditions of course.
"Watch her would ya?" Ruby smiled warmly leaving only leaving Mulan a bit perplexed at what is presently going on. She shrugged and continues walking down the hall knowing that it was probably about Emma.
The last bell rang as some students sigh in relief managing their way through what they would say the' first day of torture' yet to some it was a joyous occasion as they mingle back with their friends and cronies. Having ending the day with P.E, Emma used her sport jacket and her short as well as her trainers. She was soon greeted by Ruby.
"It seems you were having fun in P.E," Ruby chuckled as she jogged beside Emma.
"Well you seemed to have fun outrunning people by a mile," though the mile might be an exaggeration Emma would admit that her agility has no comparison to Ruby's which she find unfortunate but not heartbreaking.
"What do you expect from someone who lives in the hills having no transport to bring you here," Ruby held her hands behind her head yawning.
"There was always a bus that you always you refuse to use,"
"I would rather die from running then having to stand that horrible stench in the bus," Ruby puts up a disgusted face as she cringes to the discomfort.
"Apparently a smell only you can tell," Emma gave her a stare.
"Well ain't my fault I live in a area were such thing as fresh air exist, gee, going to school everyday is breathing up pollution into your lungs," She took a pause as she got her bottle out. "You wouldn't imagine how many times I coughed and sneezed this morning,"
Emma laughed at her remark mentioning how she would love if she witnessed it herself as Ruby remarks on how Emma is such a loving friend. They both end up laughing to each other's sarcastic remarks. Soon they were already out of the city and around a partially countryside area. They both could hear the birds singing and start feeling the clean breeze that brushed along their faces. They enjoyed each other placatory presence until they notice something running in the open field.
"Is that a horse?" Ruby tried wincing her eyes, wondering what might be in front.
Emma looked at what's ahead as she noticed a rider on the horse as well. She could make out a helmet being worn having the facial appearance somewhat covered. The wooden fence prevented them from going any further to the open field.
"Dang I wish I could ride a horse once in my life like that," Ruby held onto the fence as the wind brushed her hair backwards.
Emma just watched her enjoying herself as she tried enjoying the calming atmosphere.
"So what are you goanna do about her?" Ruby asked not turning her head back as she continued staring out in the field.
Emma stayed silent. Focusing on the calm amiable atmosphere she closed her eyes.
"I'm not sure,"
"I would love to run out in the open field and scream to my lungs content," was the reply she gave. Emma just stood there wondering to the sudden unrelated reply that was given to her. It took a moment to realize that Ruby stated a metaphor even though it sounded vague if it were to be compared to the actual situation she meant.
"I'm only learning from history," Emma said somewhat melancholy.
"I don't want that event to happen again, I don't want to lose control," Emma looked at Ruby in Which Ruby looked back at her.
"But what you did wasn't a mistake, you stood up for the person," Ruby smiled modestly as the cool wind blew. Emma knew that the person she stood up was her. She remembered how in pre-school everyone teased Ruby for being weird, for thinking differently then other students. How she was called retarded, how she was called a dog until Emma came along.
"You knew how it ended, violence is not the key to peace," Emma's voice deepened.
"I should've never resorted to violence-"
"But that's you," Replied Ruby in a chuckle which angered Emma, she felt like she couldn't change, she couldn't be a better person. Emma's hands clenched into a fist, agonized by Ruby's comment she was about to retort back.
"It shows that you're willing to sacrifice your life for the people you care about," Ruby grinned leaving Emma aphonic.
"That's why I always hang around you," Ruby lets go of the fence and continued walking down the road.
"For protection?"-
Ruby laughed agreeing that was one of the possible reasons.
"The other is because I aim to be like you," Emma stood still as Ruby walked along.
"You're cool you know," Ruby was around ten meters away from Emma as she then turned.
"Com'on You haven't moved a millimeter you slug!" Emma stood overwhelmed by the sudden confession; she shook it of and jogged by Ruby's side.
'Today sure was different' Emma thought to herself.
It sure was a long day….