A/N: So, let me start off by saying how excited I am for this story. I am planning on making it 25 chapters long MAYBE longer. PLEASE bare with me through the first 15 chapters! They won't be very long, but lord don't give up on me lovlies! SQ WILL BE ENDGAME! I can assure you. This is my first ever HS story I've ever written so I apologize in advance if it doesn't meet up to expectations. I am pulling A LOT from Riverdale's couple Betty & Veronica. (Clearly I don't own anything) They inspired me to write this story. Please give it a chance! 3 R&R
Spring 2005
This was it. Today was the day Emma Swan was going to tell her lifelong best friend and love interest, Graham Hubert, how she felt about him. Emma put on her best cream sweater and skinny jeans, put on some light make-up, making her sapphire eyes pop, putting her hair into a high, tight ponytail as she exited her house to meet Graham at their favorite diner. As she awaited Graham to return with their burgers and fries from Granny's at their booth, she began to get lost in her own thoughts. This had been there favorite place to eat in this boring town since they were kids. After long summer days and playing baseball in the local ball park, they would run to this very diner and order milkshakes and split an order of fries. Even though they were seventeen now, it still held a lot of nostalgia for them. Emma found herself falling more and more in love with him as they grew older; she was almost positive that he felt the same.
Emma was a very timid person. She was always in the background. The only person that ever gave her the time of day was Graham or her flamboyant friend Jefferson. He was the junior varsity football player for their high school, Portland High; home of the bulldogs. He was pretty much a football God. The teachers and coaches adored him. It was hard not to. He always made sure Emma was taken care of. However, she was more like his younger sister than a girlfriend. He did love her, he did have feelings for her, just not that way. Graham was a very attractive young man with a lean build, his dazzling smile and signature curly hair. He was rather dreamy, nevertheless, he couldn't keep a girlfriend to save his life. Emma knew all this, but she knew she was different with him. He had to feel the same way. They grew up on the same street, had plans almost every weekend, their parents were close friends, which, even they said they were destined to be together. All signs were pointing at them to be together.
When Graham returned with their order, he sat across from her, both smiling widely at each other. "Sorry it took so long, Ruby was giving me a hard time about how we always get the same thing." he chuckled. Graham pushed Emma's order to her, as she popped a fry into her mouth with a smile. There weren't many people in the diner today. It was a cold and rainy Sunday in Portland.
"I swear, you can never go wrong with Granny's fries." she beamed. "There was something I actually wanted to talk to you about." The teenage boy leaned in, giving her his full attention. "I was thinking…maybe since we've been so close for a long time now…I was wondering if…" everything became a blur as a dark figure with a black cloak walked into the diner. When the girl removed her hood, underneath stood the most beautiful woman Graham had ever seen. Her hair was shoulder length, her amber eyes pierced through the dim restaurant. They made eye contact, a small smile playing across the young girls face. He offered a smile in return, however, his insides were doing backflips. The mysterious girl walked over to their table with purpose. His heart was racing in his chest.
"Hi." the young girl smiled.
"Hi." Graham retorted, grinning from ear to ear awestruck. She was even more beautiful up close. Her teeth were a dazzling white, she wore bright pearls across her neck, her eyes soft yet seductive. He had almost forgotten all about Emma, until she glared up at the brunette, rolling her eyes in the process.
"I was wondering where I go to pick up an order? I'm new in town." the brunette's voice was husky and deep. Damn, how old is this girl? Twenty-one? The blonde thought to herself.
"Over by that gate." he pointed. "Where are you from?"
"My mother and I just moved here from New York. She wanted a change." she jumped right into their conversation. All Emma could do was glare in complete frustration. Couldn't this girl tell that they were in the middle of something important? Graham shook his head as if he understood. "Do you guys go to Portland High?"
"Yeah." Emma huffed. Which then, the brunette turned her attention to. She offered a smile as she tried to look her up and down. Oh my God, what the hell is she doing? The blonde thought. Move along!
"Great!" as she eyed her again, her dazzling smile vibrated through the blonde. "Regina Mills." the brunette extended her hand, Emma took her hand limply, giving her a surprised smirk.
Graham quickly extended his hand. "Graham Hubert. This is Emma Swan." he stated proudly.
"Wait, aren't you supposed to-"
"Give you a tour of the school tomorrow? Yeah. That's me." Emma said a bit too coldly for Graham's liking, but Regina seemed not to pick up on the bitter tone.
"Wanna sit with us?" Graham asked desperately. Emma glared at him with pure agitation. "We could fill you in about school and give you all the gritty details about the teachers and-"
Regina gave a throaty chuckle. "Thank you, but I have my mom waiting in the car. But, I will see you guys tomorrow." she smirked. The young man's expression faltered for a moment before perking up again.
"Alright, well, we will see you tomorrow."
"It was lovely meeting you both." her eyes lingered on Emma's for a moment. Why does she keep looking at me like that?! "I look forward to our tour tomorrow."
"Likewise." Emma tried to grin in return, however, her stomach sank as Regina walked to grab her take-out before exiting as she waved to the teenagers. His eyes lingered a while longer on the new girl he had just encountered. Shaking his head briefly then shooting his eyes at Emma, pulling himself out of his clouded mind.
"What were you saying Em?"
"Nothing. It was nothing." Emma shook her head rapidly, trying not to cry in front of him. This was obviously the wrong time. He shrugged before picking up his burger, grinning as he chewed. His expression looked as if it was the happiest day of his life.
Later that night, Emma ran to her room, crying her eyes out. Her mother tried to reach out to her, but she wanted nothing to do with anyone. She couldn't believe this had happened. Was she ever going to tell the love of her life how she felt? She had been holding it in for so long, and then that annoying Regina Mills came in and ruined everything! When she reached her room, she slammed the door as she clicked picked up the remote to her stereo, pressing play, turning up the volume to Green Day's 'American Idiot' album. It was just entering the 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' half, she began singing into her pillow.
"I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a...
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone"
This was not how tonight was supposed to go. Emma was supposed to explain her feelings, him jump for joy, say he was in love with her, then end the night with a kiss. Not this…anything but this. I don't know how much longer I can do this. Emma thought to herself. Her best friend Jefferson had talked her into this mess. She picked up her Razr and called him as she turned down the song slightly.
"Well it's about time!" he squealed. "Tell me everything, love!" Jefferson Hader was the biggest homosexual in town. No one cared, and even if they did, he always stood up for himself. He was strong and bold; something Emma always admired, even envied to a degree. She felt she could never be that way. If anyone gave Emma a hard time, next to Graham, he was right there beside her, ready to deck the person to hurt her. Not that Emma got picked on often, but when she did, it was from the head cheer captain, Zelena.
"I-I didn't g-get a ch-chance to tell him!" she sobbed. "S-some girl c-came in a-and got all of h-his attention." she tried to calm her stuttering, but couldn't. she was too upset.
"Oh, honey I'm sorry. You can try again tomorrow? Or sometime this week." he offered, trying to lift her spirits. However, with the way she was feeling, it was too embarrassing and wanted to run in the other direction.
"I-I guess." trying to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Oh Jefferson, I'm so embarrassed."
"I know hun, but you will get through it. And besides, he has to feel the same way you do! I see how he looks at you! It's time, and it's time for you two to get together." Emma let out a chuckle. "Thank god! Is that a laugh I hear?! There's my girl!"
"Shut up." the blonde laughed. "I have to give that dreadful girl, Regina Mills, a tour tomorrow."
"Wait…Regina Mills?!" he shrieked. "That girl is hella rich! What is she doing in this shit hole?"
"Ugh, don't tell me that." she groaned. "She said her mom wanted a change."
"Ew, to here?! Her mom is like, the biggest heart surgeon in the country!"
"I thought her mom was a fashion designer."
He let out a hearty laugh. "Oh no darling, that's her younger sister Krewella. Now that woman is a bitch!"
"And Regina's mom?"
"From what I hear she is a real cake walk compared to her sister, but I'm not sure."
Emma scoffed as she glanced at the clock on her wall. "Shit, let me go Jeff. It's almost ten and I'm exhausted. See you tomorrow?"
"Always! Sweet dreams! Nighty night! Mwah!"
"Goodnight Jefferson. See you tomorrow! Mwah!"
Emma clasped her phone shut, placing it on the charger next to her bed. If she was in a sour mood, that boy could lift her spirits in an instant. She stripped herself of her clothes, getting ready for bed. She tossed them in the dirty clothes hamper, putting on her comfortable pajamas, taking a deep breath, picking up the photo of her and Graham from the beginning of the year. "Tomorrow Graham Hubert. Tomorrow." she kissed the picture then placed it back on the nightstand with a smile on her face.