The large group sat on a corner of the cafeteria with cups on their hands, the smell of coffee all around them. With wooden panel walls, the coffee shop that had once been a crappy diner was now the coolest place in town. Students from both high school and the local college went there to hang out, use the excellent wifi or just talk. A pool table was in the open second floor, that acted more like a bar area at nights. The owner and waitress of the place was Widow Lucas, one of the most influential persons in town. She had bought the old diner in hopes of returning it to its old glory, but after three years of failure she had turned the place into a majestic coffee shop. That was with the help of her granddaughter, a young sophomore girl called Ruby. The girl was now cleaning the table where the football players sat, her uniform tight around her body. "So you guys got a game this saturday?" she asked, looking at the three of them. Specially at Mulan, who she usually winked an eye to whenever she gave her a compliment. It always caused her to blush intensely. "I might go see you… I have the day off."
"Really?" Mulan stood up, her cheeks red already. She stared at Ruby with wide eyes, both shocked and embarrassed. Ruby Lucas was, in Emma's opinion, one of the hottest girls in town. It was not just she who thought so, though. She was a celebrity in their small town, like a top model among normal people despite she was just sixteen years old. And despite many refused to believe it, Ruby wanted Mulan. The most innocent girl in the whole highschool, who would soon go to college and hadn't even been kissed yet. It was like seeing a wolf about to devour a lamb, despite the wolf was a cub and the lamb was grown-up. "But— But it— It's the final."
"Quite a big day then, huh?"
"Y—Yeah."
"Well, then I wouldn't miss my favorite player's big day." Ruby laughed, flashing a cheeky grin at the girl and then winking at her. Emma and Anna giggled, then high-fived. The waitress walked away, leaving the asian girl completely stunned.
"Did she just... did she call me..."
"Her favorite player, yeah. She's so into you." Anna grinned.
"Girls, she's coming this saturday!"
"Hopefully she won't be the only one."
"What do you mean?"
"That hopefully she won't be the only one coming." the blonde replied, accentuating the last word.
"Is someone else going to see us too? Like a recruiter or something?"
"Oh god, I swear to god that I'd kill you sometimes."
"But…"
"She is trying to tell you to go celebrate our victory with Ruby after the match…" Anna tried to explain, pointing out the obvious. "In your bed."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"But what if we lose?"
"Fucking hell…" the other two muttered at the same time, covering their faces with their hands. Sometimes Mulan's naivety was unbearable. If she doesn't understand me, Ruby will. Emma sighed and stood up, then walked to the counter. She waved at two classmates who sat on a table near the aisle, then leaned on the counter. Behind it, Ruby talked to her grandmother. "Ruby, uh, can I talk to you for a sec?" she asked, receiving a nod from both of them. The older gave her a kind smile and walked away, back to the kitchen. All the pastry and food that was sold to accompany their coffees was homemade by the woman. "Okay, you have fallen for the dumbest, most innocent girl in the whole town. So please tell me you really like her and you won't use her like you usually do with guys."
"I don't use guys... I just have a lil' fun." the brunette giggled as she prepared a espresso. Turning around, she found Emma's severe stare. "I really like her, Em. She's just so… adorable."
"I know. But hell, she is too innocent… she hadn't even had her first kiss yet."
"I know. She is..."
"Taking it slow, yeah. So promise you will be patient with her."
"I will. Where's Regina?"
"Not here yet." Emma spoke. It was odd that Regina was late, she was quite obsessive with punctuality. But the blonde knew, she liked to make the most out of her study group meetings. Regina was the kind of person who was delighted when having a conversation where she could contrast other's opinions with her. "Told me she would come by after her study group meeting."
"Wow, studying even though it's summer… what a nerd." Ruby laughed.
"She's not a nerd, she's just going to Harvard."
"So are you, and you didn't go with her."
"I had practice!"
"And you are just too lazy to study in the summer." a voice spoke behind Emma, making the blonde turn with a smile. Regina was standing there, wearing a summer dress and a bow in her head. Both of a baby blue color, they made her look like a doll. For a second, Emma thought she had walked out of cheerleading practise and not a study group. What she couldn't deny though, it was that Regina looked amazing in those clothes. "But I'll get her to do it."
"You wish."
"The usual, Gina?" the waitress asked, receiving a nod from the younger brunette. Ruby turned around and started preparing her coffee, focusing on getting the machine to work. Regina preyed on that moment to press a kiss on her girlfriend's cheek, making the blonde smile.
"You look beautiful." Emma whispered to her ear.
"You do too. I love when you let your hair down after practise."
"Nah, you love that I'm all wet after I shower."
"Yes I do. And that tank top is really hot."
"Ahem." Ruby cleared her throat, putting a cup of coffee on the counter and smirking. Regina pulled back and bit on her lip as she searched for her wallet. Emma stared at the barista's knowing look. I guess I have some explaining to do… she thought."Thank you. Here's your change." she smiled at Regina and watched her walk away to the table, then turned to look at Emma. "So you finally dating her?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
"Is it… alright? With you?"
"What do you mean?"
"That I'm with… you know. After we…"
"Emma, we were not girlfriends. We messed around, had a really good time these past months. But we both knew you were in love with her way before that. And I am now trying to date Mulan, if she ever gets out of that closet of hers. It's not a problem to me, and I'll gladly be friends with you if it's not a problem to you either."
"Of course it is not. I was just checking. You're great, Ruby."
"I know."
"See you on Saturday."
"See ya."
Emma walked to the table with a wide grin on her face, sitting on one of the comfortable couches and resting her head on Regina's shoulder. "How was the studying, my little nerd?" she questioned as Regina looked around the place. It was the most popular cafeteria in town, so obviously it was packed. Thankfully, it was also large enough to never lack of tables. She waved at some random classmate, then turned her full attention to Emma. "How's Belle doing? Haven't seen her in weeks."
"She's away with her boyfriend, in a road trip... The perks of dating a guy who's the same age as your father."
"Don't shame her. If the relationship is healthy…"
"I am not shaming her! I just... I know she's mature enough to handle it, but I worry."
"You worry about everything, Regina." Emma laughed, then moved to kiss her girlfriend's cheek. Anna and Mulan stared at them for a few seconds, a raised brow before they went back to their conversation. "But I like that. You're pretty much all my impulse control. If it weren't for you I'd have like twenty tattoos I'd already hate."
"Regina mama bear Mills, they call me."