"Just ignore them, Ruby." Emma encouraged her friend, leading the highlighted girl through the hallways as most eyes fell on the dark haired girl. Ruby flinched at the whispers and snickers around her, some eyes glued to their phones as they did so. "I told you, Robin is a huge asshole." The blonde added, but when Ruby flashed her a hurt look, she sighed. "I'm sorry; I know you really liked him."
The pair reached Emma's locker, and Ruby slumped against the metal in dismay. "No, not really. I think I just liked the idea of him. The popular, handsome, football player. I just didn't think he'd do something like that." That being persuaded Ruby to send him a revealing photo of herself, just so he could set it to the whole Junior class.
"Hey, Ruby! You love being in the spot light as much as we love seeing you in it?" A voice baited, and a moment later Killian Jones came up behind the pair. Emma slammed her locker shut and turned to face him.
"Shut up, Killian." The blonde snarled, brushing past the boy with a shove, Ruby following close behind. Killian Jones was your average, seventeen year old classic bully. He stole lunch money from freshmen and constantly shoved Archie Hopper into his own locker; and managed to end up in detention every other week.
"Oh, come on. You're a lot shyer off camera, you know that Lucas?" He called as Emma and Ruby began to walk away from him. When he noticed that his taunts were not working as he intended them to, however, he grew angry. "Hey, whatever. You're just a dumb slut, anyway!"
That did it for Emma. The blonde turned on her heel furiously, and used all of her strength to run into Killian, tackling him to the ground. In almost a second, Emma had the boy punned to the ground, one of her fists connecting with his nose. Instantly, she felt warm blood coat her knuckles, and a pain shoot up her arm. Killian howled in pain beneath her, trying to desperately to shake the blonde from him. Cheering had erupted in the halls around them, encouraging Emma as she pulled her back to get another punch in. But before she could, a firm arm grabbed onto her own, and pulled her from Killian's body.
"I don't have to tell you how serious this Is, Ms. Swan." Principal Gold warned, hands folded a top his desk as he sat opposite of the young girl. The blonde had an ice pack wrapped around the fingers of her right hand, and she looked less than pleased to be in the principals office.
"I know, but-" Gold held up a hand to silence her, shaking his head. Emma bit her tongue, irritated.
"But nothing. We have a strict anti-violence policy here, you know that. We've already contacted your mother." He explained, sitting up straight. "And in most cases, suspension and possible expulsion are the consequences. "But…"
"But?" Emma asked, her eyes narrowing at the aging man in confusion.
"But I have something else in mind for you." He concluded, and Emma waited for him to go on, holding her breath. She'd had a clean record up until this point; she didn't want something so trivial to mess it up. "You will attend detention once a week for the rest of the semester." Dejected, Emma slumped into her seat. "In addition to join Storybrooke High's football team. Ronald Gervais recent tore his ACL, and you will be taking his position as the offensive tackleman." This time, Emma sat up straight, a look of pure horror on her face. "I know it may sound a bit intimidating. But never have I seen someone your size take down somebody Killian's size. Especially considering Mr. Jones is older than any football player you're going to be playing against." Still, Emma sat there, her mouth hanging open. "This is Coach Nolan, our Athletics Director." For the first time, Emma noticed the blonde man sitting to her left, a gentle smile on his lips.
"Hi, Emma. I'm Coach Nolan." The man reached out and shook the girls hand, and Emma cried out in pain as he gripped her knuckles. He immediately pulled back, an apologetic look on his face. "Right, sorry. That's quite the arm you got there." He chuckled, nodding. "Very impressive. I'm excited to work with you." He smiled, and Emma could tell it was sincere; she visibly relaxed.
"You will be serving your detentions every Friday, and practice will be every day, excluding Sunday. You're free to go now, Ms. Swan." Before Emma could refuse, Principal Gold was shooing her out of his office.
"Football?" Ruby asked, scrunching her nose up. "Like with sweaty boys?"
"Easy there Ruby. Don't get to excited."
"Oh shut up." The two girls carried themselves through the lunch line, taking trays and cups as they passed along. "Still, I hardly see football as a punishment." The darker haired girl added. Just then a pack of boys entered the cafeteria, their letterman jackets easily segregating them as the football team. At the front of the group was Robin Hoodan and Neal Cassidy. Robin and Ruby made eye contact, and Ruby gritted her teeth as her cheeks unwillingly reddened. "On second thought, dealing with them is punishment enough." Ruby spat, turning back to Emma, and failing to notice Robin's look of shame.
Once the pair was settled, sitting themselves down at a table with Belle French. Emma heard somebody clear their throat, and turned her head to see the football captain, Robin, waiting for her attention. Emma waited expectantly, eyebrow raised. Every time she looked at him she just wanted to punch him after what he did to Ruby. "You're Emma Swan, right?" He asked, almost tentatively. The blonde nodded silently, waiting for him to go on. "I just a meeting with Coach Nolan, he told me you're our new offensive tackleman. Congrats." Still silent, Emma nodded her thanks. "Well hey, I'm Robin, the team's captain. If you need anything, let me know. I'd be happy to assist." Just as Emma was about to answer, a much more feminine, silk voice beat her to it.
"Hey, babe. You ready?"
Regina Mills. Head cheerleader, upcoming valedictorian, homecoming queen. She also held the title of best smile, for obvious reasons. Regina was 5 feet 5 inches of pure perfection. Emma was sure she was at least 65% legs, because it seemed like they never ended. She felt her own eyes traveling for miles before the tan skin came to a halt dangerously high on Regina's thigh. "Oh. Emma Swan, right?" The cheerleader asked, causing Emma's mouth to go dry. She merely nodded, and at this point, she was positive Robin thought there was something wrong with her because she hadn't said a single word since he'd approached her. "Welcome to the team." Regina smiled, and again Emma was reminded of her title.
"Uh…thanks." The blonde managed, her voice high and squeaky. Regina, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the encounter. More confident than ever, the raven haired girl wrapped her slim arms around Robin's bicep, and the couple was off.
"Uh-uh-uh thanks!" Ruby teased, mimicking Emma's helpless expression from moments earlier. Huffing, Emma shoved the girl lightly, annoyed. "What was that? Three hours ago you beat the shit out of Killian Jones, and now you can't even say hello to a girl?" Ruby asked incredulously, shaking her head. Emma opened her mouth to defend herself against her best friend, only to be cutoff by her. "I know, I know, it's not just a girl. It's Regina Mills, Storybrooke's sweetheart." She continued, amused. "You're on the team now, buddy. Looks like you'll have plenty of quality time with the cheer squad. You better grow a pair, dude."
Emma groaned to herself.
R&R please! Will update depending on audience opinion. :)