Emma kept glancing at the clock, knowing that only five minutes of the current class remained. She didn't know why, but she was nervous as to whether Regina would come back for her or not. Sure, she had said she would, but Emma had learned the hard way not to trust the things people said. And really, why would the perfectly well put together girl come back for her? Her own parents didn't even want her, they dropped her, literally in the gutter, and never looked back. Why should anyone else?

A smile bloomed on her face, however, when she caught sight of the perfectly coifed hair pass the window of the classroom door. Regina's face appeared in the small window for a few moments, as though checking she was still there. On seeing her, the brunette gave her a small smile and a quick wave.

"Miss Swan?"

Emma swiftly brought her eyes back to the front of the class as her name was called, her cheeks flushing a bright red.

"You have a lot to catch up with, I suggest you keep your eyes front and concentrate."

Regina chuckled as Emma blushed on being caught looking at her. Ruby was right, she was a pretty girl. Leaning against the wall, she continued to watch the blonde. The clothes were still tragic, the red leather jacket hanging on the back of her chair especially, showing evidence of being worn once too often, but they fit her well, clinging like a second skin. Jumping slightly when the bell finally rang, Regina pushed off the wall and stood with her folder clasped to her chest, waiting for Emma to emerge from the classroom.

She was the final student to leave the class, laden with a heavy binder forced on her by Mrs Wilkins. "Hi," she smiled nervously. "Thanks for coming back for me."

"Nonsense," snorted Regina. "I told you I'd be back, didn't I?" She watched as Emma nodded. "And so here I am. I'm a girl who keeps her word, Emma." As she spoke she took in the myriad of expressions that crossed the girl's pale face. She found it annoyed her that she could read none of them, and realised then that she wanted to be able to. It was an absurd thought, considering she had known the girl barely a few hours. "Now, we're both in English next. Mrs Sykes. She's…well…a little eccentric," smirked Regina as they walked. "But a good teacher."

"I'm not very good at English," mumbled Emma. "Not really good at a lot of things."

The brunette kept her eyes on the blonde as they walked. "I'm sure things will pick up once you've settled in here."

Emma let out a snort of laughter. "I wouldn't count on it. I've never been the best student."

"In this town, there's not a lot else to do," sighed Regina. "You'll be amazed at how appealing an essay looks when you have precisely nothing to do."

Looking at Regina's resigned expression. "Somehow I doubt you've ever been forced to do your homework."

Regina raised an eyebrow. "You'd be surprised." She shrugged. "My mother is quite strict. I don't really have the option of not doing an assignment."

"You don't seem like the kind of girl to take orders from anyone," smiled Emma.

Regina laughed, smiling back at the blonde, thinking how much prettier she looked when she wasn't acting like a puppy about to be struck. "Oh I don't, not from just anyone, but my mother is a whole other story."

The look in the brunette's eyes that lingered for just a moment told Emma it wasn't always a happy relationship between the pair. It was a look that was quickly covered with practiced ease, Emma noticed.

"Have you decided what you're doing for lunch yet?" asked Regina, changing the subject.

Emma shook her head. "No, I guess I just thought I'd see what the school had."

"You don't want to do that, believe me," said Regina. "My friends and I usually order from Ruby's grandmother's diner. One us goes to pick it up, or drives the others there." She watched as Emma frowned. "Just come and sit by the tree with me."