Chapter 3: True Colors

It was two days since Emma ate lunch with Regina and her friends. The dark haired girl wanted to know more about the blonde but she could never get her alone. The girl was always with Ruby or Mary Margret and it was difficult to pry her away from them. Finally opportunity knocked Emma was in the library checking out some books. "Hello Emma", Regina greeted with a grin.

"Hi Regina", Emma said softly. She looked away from Regina as she continued to look at the books on the shelf.

"I would like to eat lunch with you again", Regina stated.

"Uh I don't know I usually eat with Mary Margret and Ruby", Emma said nervously.

"Oh I understand", Regina said in a hurt tone.

Emma hated the sad look on Regina's face so she bit her lip and said", But I would be happy to eat lunch with you again".

Regina's face lit up as she said", Okay see you at lunch". Then she waved goodbye as she exited the library with a happy grin.

"Hey Emma what is going on?" Ruby asked as she came into the room.

"Oh nothing Regina asked me to eat lunch with her again", Emma said nervously.

"What did you say?" Ruby asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I said I would", Emma replied.

"Emma are you crazy Regina is evil!" Ruby exclaimed. The librarian gave her a stern look and made a hush motion with her hand.

"Look I am just being nice I'm sure in a few days she will move on to someone else", Emma stated.

"Alright just be careful", Ruby said.

"I will be", Emma replied. They made their way into their history class as Mr. Marco began to speak they all wrote down notes. Regina kept staring at Emma and finally Emma gave her a smile which made Regina blush. Soon the bell rang for lunch and Emma began to put her things away. Unknown to her when she was zipping up her book bag her history book fell out.

Ruby found it on the floor and said", I'll give it to her at lunch". Emma sat down with Regina and her friends and the questioning continued.

"So Emma do you think that Graham is a total hottie", Ginger said as she pointed to Graham.

"Yeah he is cute", Emma admitted as she ate her lunch. "So did you guys get all your notes for the test next week?" Emma asked them.

"Oh yeah we got them", Mallie said with a smirk.

"Okay girls I need to go grab some napkins anybody need anything?" Regina asked as she got up from the table. Mallie and Ginger both shook their heads no in response. "What about you Emma?" Regina asked.

"No I'm good thanks though", Emma replied. Regina left to go grab some napkins and then Mallie asked another question.

"So, Emma where are you staying?" she asked.

"With Ruby", Emma replied.

"You are staying with floozy", Mallie said in disbelief.

Just then Ruby came to the table and said", Hey Emma you dropped this". She handed Emma her textbook and Emma thanked her for it.

"Hey floozy how many guys did you sleep with to get your lunch?", asked Ginger.

"How is your grandma Floozy I heard she is so out of it she uses a toilet bowl brush as a tooth brush", Mallie said with a laugh. Ruby balled up her fists and a tear was threatening to come down her face. Emma was getting really ticked because Ruby was a good friend and she really liked Ruby's grandmother.

"Hey Floozy since you work at a diner how much does it cost for a lap dance or do you need a coupon", cackled Ginger. Before Ruby could do anything Emma sprang to her feet knocking her chair over making the two girls stare at her.

"Listen real close her name is Ruby and don't you ever call her a floozy ever again. Her grandmother is not crazy she is a hard worker and nice enough to let me stay with her. If I ever catch you two insulting her again I will shove your phones so far down your throat every time you talk your throat will vibrate do you understand me", Emma hissed as she glared at the two girls. They were both in shock that they just nodded their heads. "Come on Ruby suddenly I'm not feeling so hungry", Emma said coldly as she led Ruby away.

"Thanks for sticking up for me", Ruby said with a smile.

"What are friends for?" Emma asked with a grin.

"Emma where are you going?" Regina asked in a confused tone.

"I'm sorry Regina but I just don't fit in at your table", Emma said firmly as she led Ruby away. For the next few days Regina did not see Emma at all. Emma would not talk or even acknowledge Regina's presence. Whatever happened on that fateful day made Emma not want to talk to Regina. Regina asked her friends what happened and they said she overreacted when they were talking to Ruby. Regina thought her chances of getting to know Emma were slim to none. Until one day opportunity came knocking again. They were all sitting in class as Mr. Marco was telling them about their history project.

"You will work in pairs and do a research project over a famous person, place, or event. Your paper will be double spaced and you will have to cite your sources. Now I will pick your partners", Mr, Marco explained. He began to call out names until finally he said ", Ms. Swan will work with Ms. Mills". Regina smiled happily for now Emma will have to talk to her and they can be alone together. Emma couldn't believe her luck if she wanted a passing grade she would have to work with Regina Mills. Just my luck, Emma thought glumly as she noticed Regina's grin. School let out and Emma left her car at home to save on gas so she walked home. Ruby got paired with Graham and was at the library with him. Mary Margret got paired with Ashley (Cinderella) and was at her house. Emma didn't want to face Regina at that moment and hoped she could do this project without much trouble.

"Emma get in", Regina called as pulled up right beside her.

"That is okay I will walk", Emma said. Just then it began to pour down rain. Oh perfect, Emma thought as she walked down the sidewalk.

"Emma please get in you will catch a cold", Regina said in a pleading voice. Emma got in and Regina drove them away from the school. "Since we are working together I thought we could work at my house and then we could go to your place", Regina suggested.

"Okay", Emma said as she looked at the window.

Regina pulled into Emma's place and said very sweetly", Come by at noon okay can't wait to see you". Emma nodded as she got out then went inside as Regina drove away.

"Great just great", Emma muttered as she went to her room thinking about the project but most of all how to work with Regina Mills.