Chapter 4
Turning your back
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…
Emma stirred naturally that morning, unlike the previous days in which her mother had woken her by shouting up the stairs. She blinked tiredly, and rolled over to look at the ceiling, only now noticing the cracks in the white paint had a certain light pink tint to them – almost as if the colour which immersed the rest of the house had ebbed into her room too. With an exasperated sigh, she glanced over to her alarm clock and noted that it was 7:30AM.
She'd had a restless sleep, tossing and turning all night, replaying the event that had occurred yesterday in her English class with a bubbling of shame. She'd had a few texts off Ruby who was clearly worried... 'Hey Emma, was thinking of you...I hope you're ok? I'm here if you want to talk.' Emma appreciated the sentiment, really she did but she was so embarrassed and angry by what had happened that she couldn't quite summon the strength to text back. She felt guilty for ignoring Ruby but she just didn't feel like talking to anyone.
She got dressed in a daze, thinking about yesterday as she buttoned up her blouse. The mere thought of Regina made her feel sick and she was so upset that even the task of changing was tricky, her trembling hands digging into her skin as she clenched her fists together.
Dinner with her mother was quiet the previous evening. Mary-Margaret spoke excitably about her day at school but Emma replied with one word answers of 'yeah,' and 'ok' and could honestly say that she was not really paying attention as she pushed the food around on her plate, playing with the fries and rolling around the green unappetising peas with her fork. Her mother kept asking if she was okay but she simply nodded her head, sullen as anything.
She was relieved when Mary-Margaret finally gave up, realising her daughter was not in a sharing kind of mood.
Brushing her teeth, Emma continued to play it over and over in her head, how Miss Mills had humiliated her in front of the class. Thankfully she didn't have English today and no way in hell would she be going to detention! It was downright unfair and besides, she had her pride and wouldn't give Miss Mills the satisfaction of seeing her turn up. Not to mention her mother would be extremely pissed off that she'd gotten detention within her first week of school, especially since she'd promised she wouldn't get into trouble.
She thought about yesterday...
Emma stumbled down the hallway in a shock. After she stormed out of the class she wasn't sure where she would go. At this point she didn't care, she just kept walking. It was a blur as she ran down the corridors trying to fight back the tears. Her fists tightening, her breath getting heavier as the anger grew in the pit of her stomach like poison fizzing in a cauldron.
She began running, pushing open the school doors to the outside. The sun blinded her for a moment as she ran through the car park back towards town. Buses flew past her, people went by their daily routine, the clouds rolled in the ink blue sky but Emma felt almost drunk...almost insignificant.
Walking took nearly thirty minutes, but now in her full stride of running she took deeper breaths, trying to placate herself.
Colours of cars zoomed past momentarily as she ran down streets back to her house. Emma's feet thudded against the stone pavement, her frustration increasing and refusing to drift out of her system until she made it back to the great ugly house she called home. She fumbled with the keys, heart pounding against her ribcage. She opened the door and slammed it shut behind her. She kicked off her shoes and dumped her bag on the floor, instantly throwing herself down onto the old pink sofa, wincing as the springs squeaked under her weight.
She let out a deep sigh and slumped down getting a bit more comfy, letting her body sink and trying to relax. She bit her lip, thinking over how cold Miss Mills was. She felt so humiliated, embarrassed and honestly, just shitty.
Like hell will I be going to that detention, she thought. For Christ sake, she had only just gotten here. How the hell did that woman expect her to read a full book in only two days?
Emma grabbed the remote from the tv and clicked it on. Flicking through the channels she didn't particularity set on watching anything as she scrolled the channels, turning over each page from the news, music channels to cartoons.
Still wound up and now bored, she turned it off chucking the remote to the side of the sofa.
Glancing at the clock it was only half two. Sighing, she got up and slowly began climbing the stairs to her room. The house was quiet and empty as she just face planted the messy unmade bed. So far this week had been shit.
She rolled over, staring up at the ceiling, thinking of that smug Miss Mills who'd clearly enjoyed tormenting her...
They drove in silence and it was awkward to say the least. Emma stared out of the window at the rain, watching its heavy fall. She could see people running with vibrant umbrellas past her through the streets in the town as they made their way to the school. Mary-Margaret looked over at her daughter in concern, Emma was acting very strange since she returned home yesterday and she wasn't quite sure how to fix the problem.
'Did anything happen as school honey?' She kept her tone soft.
'Hmm? What?'
'I said, did something happen yesterday?' she asked, 'you're not acting yourself?'
'Look I'm okay, 'Emma snapped, 'stop asking me already!'
Mary-Margaret glanced at her daughter, bewildered, as they stopped at a red light. Emma seemed to be refusing to look at her, and sat beside her with arms crossed and brow furrowed. It seemed to take longer than unusual for the lights to change and the silence drowned the atmosphere. She tried to switch on the radio but within a few seconds, Emma had reached forward with a huff and switched it off with a loud clack so that the quiet was even more harrowing. No music. No conversation. Just great.
Mary-Margaret hated seeing Emma so closed off. They used to be really close when Emma was younger but that had all changed when her husband left. She was cold...distant, and Mary-Margaret had never quite been able to find her daughter beneath the brooding teenager she had become.
Drifting out of her reverie, the lights turned green and they were moving again. She didn't try to build another conversation because she knew she would get shot down and the longer Emma sat with her in the car, the longer Mary-Margaret could feel their relationship festering. Perhaps tonight, she could make them something special for dinner and they could have a real talk then...or perhaps they could order takeaway.
She was about to suggest just that as they pulled up outside the school but Emma had already unbuckled her seatbelt and thrown herself out the door without even a look back.
'Have a good day...' said Mary-Margaret to no-one at all.
…
Regina felt awful for yesterday. After a long day at work she tiredly returned home, deciding to take a long, hot bubble bath to soak those hard working muscles. It killed her feet to be in high heels for most of the day and with no lover to massage the pain away she usually suffered the consequences in silence, trying to pretend like it wasn't happening.
She poured herself a glass of dark red wine, and sipped it softly, enjoying its alluring scent. A quiet meow broke her attention and she turned to see a birman cat darting towards her, purring softly as she reached her legs to rub against her. She put the bottle down then, reaching down to pick the feline up, allowing it to nuzzle into her face.
'Did you miss me Nala?' she whispered, 'huh? I bet you're hungry?'
Nala meowed sharply in response, as if answering and Regina laughed and set her down to retrieve the cat food from the kitchen cupboard beneath the sink. Nala was delighted with the attention and lapped around her feet, all the while wailing like a child until the bowl was put down in front of her.
Watching Nala happily eat the chunky bits of cat food, Regina winced as she kept replaying the look of shame on the student whom she'd chosen to reprimand in front of the entire English class that day.
It was lonely in the four bedroom house. Her father left it to her in his will after he had died and her mother Cora had hated it and moved away soon afterwards, leaving her daughter all alone in its great still structure. Cora was always so bitter anyway and wanted to sell it, but Regina insisted on living there. Besides, it had a small porch balcony outside the master bedroom which had a beautiful sea view. What more could she ask for? What more did she want?
…
It was like fate had stepped in the next morning when Regina caught sight of Emma rushing into the school to avoid the fast-hitting rain. She flipped a switch and tried to pull down the car window to call out to her but by the time it had fully slid open the young blonde was gone and Regina's words had died on her lips. She suddenly felt rather foolish. What would she have said anyway? She had no idea really. She felt like she should have apologised but then Regina also knew she was in the right, that she was trying to help Emma in the long term. I think I am, anyway, Regina thought.
She made her way to the school, trying not to run, holding her red umbrella above her head to brave the storm. She bumped into Mary-Margaret on the steps outside and offered to share the umbrella.
'Lovely day, 'she said sarcastically, 'isn't it?'
'Yes you could say something like that,' Mary-Margaret chipped in.
They got inside and Regina shook her umbrella to get rid of the droplets of water that hugged into it. They made their way to the staff room together, not really saying much but sharing brief small-talk here and there about nothing in particular.
When they reached the staff room they had nothing more to say to one another and the conversation was running dry. Both looked relieved to get inside, greeting several other teachers who were busy hanging up their own coats or making the morning tea and coffee for the long day ahead.
The headteacher Mr Gold came in just behind, looking windswept and soaked through.
'Morning ladies,' he said, 'a great start to the day I see?' He grabbed a cup of coffee only to exit the staffroom just as swiftly as he had arrived.
Regina wasn't really fond of Mr Gold but because he was the Principle of the school she was civil and respectful in his presence. There was something about him she just didn't like. Something she couldn't quite put her foot on it. Maybe his smug voice or his long face? His ability to appear and disappear again as if he had never been there? She didn't know. She just felt uneasy around him.
A few more teachers drifted in, Miss Zelena, Robin Hood (yes, it was ridiculous but that was his actual name and one he preferred the students not to know if he could help it), Mr Hades and Dr Victor Frankenstein.
'Ah Mary-Margaret, how are you finding the school?' asked Hades as he set up the coffee machine to make a fresh pot for the morning 'I'm Hades by the way. I teach history. Don't believe we've met yet.'
Mary Margaret smiled at the warm greeting, 'a little hectic I wont lie,' she said with a chuckle, 'those little terrors are a handful.'
'Ah yes you teach elementary? I cant stand little kids, hence why I chose secondary.'
He began pouring his routine coffee, the strong smell circulating the staff room.
'Don't be coy Hades. We all know you don't teach little boys and girls because you scare them so much,' Zelena piped in, laughing.
She stuck her hand out to shake Mary-Margaret's, 'Zelena by the way, I teach Biology.'
Mary-Margaret shook it softly, 'pleased to meet you. Everyone is quite friendly in this town, I think me and my daughter will be happy here.'
'Ah yes, Emma isn't it?' asked Robin.
'Yeah I hope she's settling in,' answered Mary-Margaret, 'she's been very quiet lately.'
Regina's heart sank, knowing she was the cause of her daughters sudden mood change. Trying not to draw attention to herself, she put down her bag and hung up her coat.
Hood took a sip from his coffee, 'Well I know she has some amazing skills on the track,' he said, 'I would like to see her on it more often.'
'Yeah she always loved running back in New York. She often competed.'
'Really? I will have to push her more. She broke a school record only the other day. Had the highest speed record on my field and even beat my star pupil, Belle.'
There was a slight pause as Mary-Margaret took in the news. She smiled, a little forced. 'That's wonderful.' She glanced at the clock on the wall, 'well, look at the time, I had better shoot off. Have a good day everyone.' And with that she was already pouring half her coffee down the sink and rushing out the door.
The teachers watched her exit.
'Was it something I said?' Robin asked the others.
Sidney Glass, who was reading a newspaper in the corner of the room only glanced up for a moment, as he preferred to keep to himself whilst Dr Frankenstein excused himself and left for his morning lessons.
'Well I think she's a bit of a trouble maker if you ask me,' Regina said, feeling brave suddenly as teacher after teacher filtered out, 'and I know full-well she was kicked out of her last school.'
Really?' gushed Zelena in excitement, 'I'm shocked Gold allowed her in if that's the case.'
'Yeah for what I'm not sure. She's already got detention with me for a week.'
'Aw come on now Regina, don't you think that's a bit harsh? She's just moved here, and trying to settle into a new school can be daunting enough,' said Robin.
'Definitely not,' answered Regina, tone sharp, 'if she wants to pass my class then she had better pull her finger out. I won't tolerate laziness.'
The door was suddenly thrown open, making everyone jump out of their skins. Mary-Margaret hurried back over to her chair, smiling manically as she grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. 'Just forgot my bag,' she chuckled, 'I'll be needing that.'
She seemed to know something was up. She paused and looked around, asking with her eyes if everything was okay. The silence hung in the air at the awkward exchange and everyone tried to look like they hadn't just been discussing Emma. Regina bit her tongue hoping she didn't overhear her bitching about her lazy daughter.
Robin smiled, almost graceless and muttered something about women and their bags as if to ease the tension. After she left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and the conversation had come to a full and thorough end.
Regina walked over to the coffee machine reboiling it as she made her coffee, with her favourite mug saying 'I shall destroy your happiness if its the last thing I do,' adding a little extra sugar, as she liked it sweet.
She took a sip, felt some sort of satisfaction wash over her and offered a genuine goodbye to her colleagues before leaving to start her first lesson of the day.
...
The day was just one repetitive blur for Regina, the same thing over and over again, asking questions, putting her students on the spot, grading papers and generally just trying to get by. It was tiresome but at least she got to see who was struggling and what they knew. Lunch was pleasant enough and offered some form of socialising with her fellow teachers. Their break usually consisted of discussing what had happened during the day, telling hilarious stories of students 'lack of completed homework' and their need to hit the odd troublemaker over the head with a mace.
Finally, and after what felt like an eternity, the last class of the day was over and she watched the last student leave her room, all eager to head home. She sat and glanced at the clock. Three o'clock. She would allow Emma a few minutes to get from her class and would be lenient with that at least.
Regina didn't quite understand why her stomach was thudding anxiously. She felt nervous almost, and her body was on edge, tingling in little waves.
She positioned herself to cross her legs, sitting upright in her chair. She watched the clock, her eyes fixed on it as minute by minute ticked away, and all that filled the room was the monotonous tick, tick, ticking.
Regina was content to give Emma the benefit of the doubt when it turned to quarter past three. She might have been kept behind in a class to finish a little work as had happened in the past with students she had taught in her own classes. She was starting to grow restless however and the tingling in her body was growing by the minute. Why was she so keen to see this girl?
It was half past three when Regina looked out the window to see that Mary-Margaret's car was still there. As each second progressed the tingling in her body had subsided and been replaced with fury. Where was Emma? She knew she was expected to be here! Hissing like an angry goose, she grabbed her bag and car keys and started the trek to Mary-Margaret's classroom, her heels clicking against the stone corridors.
Her heart pounded hard in her chest and her body began to boil up. She had completely wasted her time waiting for that stupid girl who thought it was acceptable to just ditch her detention. Who did she think she was? Did she think she could just walk all over Regina and get away with it. 'Like hell,' she said out loud.
She finally reached Mary-Margaret's classroom and peered in through the window. The elementary school teacher was marking papers at her desk, and there was Emma, bold as brass, just standing in the classroom talking to her mother. Emma seemed to have felt Regina's gaze on her as she cautiously turned to look in her direction, catching her eye. She watched the teenager nervously and quickly turn her back, trying to block her mothers view of the door.
Enraged, Regina tapped on the door (wanting to pound on it) and stared hard at the young girl who'd not bothered to turn up to detention. How dare she try and block her out?
She didn't wait for Mary-Margaret to welcome her in and opened the door impatiently. It squeaked like it had been violated and Emma's voice faded away, stopping mid-conversation and turning to look at Regina with big eyes, like a rabbit caught in a headlight.
Mary-Margaret popped her head to the side of her desk, to see past Emma, smiling.
'Oh Regina, anything the matter?' She asked, quite surprised as to why Regina was still at the school, and why she wanted to speak to Mary-Margaret.
Regina looked from the panic stricken Emma to the confused Mary-Margaret.
'Well, I wondered where Emma had gotten to? Did you forget about our catch-up lesson?' She said a little sarcastically.
Emma looked even more shocked, eyes huge. She opened her mouth trying to think of something to say when Mary-Margaret said, 'Oh that's wonderful. Emma your having extra English lessons with Regina?'
'Uh...well um...yeah,' she mumbled, now looking at the floor, defeated.
Regina felt gleeful and slightly smug, knowing she finally cornered the cocky girl.
'Yes, we are having extra English lessons, Emma has a LOT of catching up to do. Should we go and get started?'
Regina turned to leave, indicating Emma should follow. Mary-Margaret, grinning with pride said, 'I'll see you later honey, call me when you're finished.'
The defeated teenager dragged her feet behind, reluctantly. The walk to the classroom was quiet and silent.
Regina looked behind her as they walked. Trying to think of something to say. Emma was busy looking at the floor which seemed more interesting. Only the sound of Regina's heels clicked against the floor, echoing in the empty halls.
When they reached the classroom, Regina opened the door and pointed to a desk in the front. She sat down, making herself comfortable, dropping her bag onto the floor. She intertwined her hands onto her lap, waiting for Emma to sit.
Emotionless, Emma sat down and Regina launched into an attack.
'You will be doing your detention Emma, you was supposed to be here at three, sharp. Besides, you can't get out of it now. Your mother thinks you're having extra lessons and I'm more than happy to go along with that, providing you turn up.'
There was no reply. Emma was sullen and fixed her gaze on the desk. With a sigh, Regina got up and walked around her desk, putting a copy of 'The Color Purple' down in front of her student. Emma looked up, mixed emotions swimming around in her jade eyes and Regina felt something twist in her stomach. She was so beautiful.
'Read.'
There was still no reply.
Satisfied Regina got her point across, she went back to her desk and pulled out some papers to mark, she was a little behind after all.
A few minutes went by and Regina looked up at Emma quizzically. The teenager was just sat there, arms folded, face firm and not reading her book but simply staring directly at Regina, all hate in her gaze.
'Why are you not reading your book Miss Swan?'
A few moments passed and then... 'It's unfair! I've been given detention and I don't deserve it.'
'Regina sighed, frustrated, 'not following instructions qualifies for detention. I asked you to read the book and you didn't. So you now have a week to read it after school. You can catch up, and I don't have a student fall behind in my class. This way, everyone's a winner.'
Silence filled the room, Regina could feel the young girl seething in-front of her and the thought gave her more pleasure than she had felt in such an agonizingly long time. She watched and waited, enjoying the spirit of this feral creature but still she didn't pick up her book and still the clock time ticked by.
'You have already wasted fifteen minutes,' said Regina, 'I suggest you start, you have forty five minutes left,' and she went back to her marking, every ten minutes or so lifting her gaze to check if the stubborn young girl had picked up the book.
No. Every time.
She was such a resistant little thing. Determined. Raging with willpower. Regina was once again gripped by the notion of how beautiful she was and once again she had to shake it away, swallowing it down into the pit of her stomach.
'Right, 'she finally said, throwing her pen down onto the desk, 'you're still not following my instructions so that's another weeks detention under your belt.'
Emma's cry came out like a bark. 'What? Why?'
'Because you have been told to read that book and you didn't,' said Regina.
'That's so unfair?' Emma protested.
'Its also unfair for me to waste my evenings monitoring your laziness.' She stood up and sat down on the edge of Emma's desk, picking up the book and flicking through it casually. She was sure that for just a second she had caught Emma's gaze lingering over the length of her legs and a pulse of something coursed between her thighs. But as soon the moment had come it gone again and she had to admit to herself that perhaps she had simply imagined the youngster eyes on her. 'With each session that you continue to disobey my instructions I will, from now on, give you another weeks detention until you follow them. Is that clear?'
Only silence.
'I am loathe to give them Emma but I will if it means you will stop being so silly and actually do what I ask of you. Is that clear?'
Emma said nothing
'I said, is that clear?' She demanded, slamming the book down on the table and making Emma flinch.
'Yes,' mumbled Emma.
'I'm sorry, what?'
'I said, yes Miss Mills!' Emma said, louder and then as if forgetting herself, tsked angrily. 'This is so unfair!'
Regina chuckled, a little half-heartedly. 'Well life isn't fair Miss Swan. Now, you've wasted my time today and your own so get out and think about what you've done tonight.'
Alarmed, Emma stood and grabbed her bag. This time Regina was positive she had seen Emma's gaze linger on her, taking in the swell of her breasts before drifting up to lock onto her face. There was so much hate there and it was somewhat striking. She huffed and threw her bag over her shoulder and stormed out.
Regina heard her pause just outside the door as she called out to her.
'See you tomorrow Miss Swan. I will give you a few minutes past three to get here from your last class. Be prompt if you can!'
…...
A emotional chapter, hope you liked it.
