Emma was leaning against the house when Regina walked outside the next morning. The girls greeted each other, eager to let their friendship return to normal. They walked to school, talking about irrelevant things, just happy to be in each other's company again. When they reached the school, Regina noticed Emma grow silent. She turned to look at the girl and followed her gaze. Daniel was leaning against a tree and waving at her, beckoning her to come over.
"Hey, Emma, give me a minute okay? I'm just going to see what he wants." Regina said eagerly.
Emma scowled and started walking towards the front doors. "Yeah, whatever."
Regina watched her for a minute before making her way over to the teenager.
"Hi Daniel, what's up?" Greeted the shy girl.
"Hey, Regina. Nothing really, just wanted to see how you're doing." Daniel rubbed the back of his neck, clearly nervous about something.
"Oh, I'm doing fine, thank you, and you?" Regina's brow furrowed in curiosity.
"I'm good…" Daniel hesitated for a second. "Say, I actually did kind of want to ask you something."
Regina shifted from one foot to the other, sensing what was coming next. "Okay, go ahead. You can ask me anything."
"Well, if you aren't doing anything, would you want to come with me to the stables sometime? I'll teach you how to ride." Daniel looked at the girl hopefully, willing her to say yes.
Even knowing what he was going to ask still surprised Regina. Her palms started to sweat so she wiped them on her jeans. Her heart was beating out of her chest and she wasn't convinced he couldn't hear it. "You mean… like a date?"
"Well, yeah. If you wanted," Daniel gave her a shy smile. "I mean, if you don't want to I obviously won't make you but I think-"
"Of course."
"Wait… what?" Daniel was shocked into silence after Regina's agreement.
"Of course I want to go with you, Daniel." Regina gave him a sad smile. "But I'm not sure if mother would allow it. I've never been on a date before."
"Oh… yeah, no, I completely understand. Maybe some other time then." Daniel looked like the world had completely crumbled from under him. He rubbed his foot in the ground, uprooting the grass, and steadfastly refused to look at Regina.
Thoughts raced through the brunette's head. She desperately wanted to spend the day with Daniel, especially getting to be around horses. She'd always loved them growing up but her mother never allowed her to try riding. And Daniel was a nice boy; she really did like him and wouldn't mind getting to know him better. If only she could get around her mother somehow.
With a deep breath, Regina gave in, unwilling to let her mother control every part of her. "No wait, Daniel. I'm sorry, I would love to go to the stables with you."
"Are you sure? I didn't want to try and force you or anything." Regina could tell the flicker of hope had returned to him.
"Yes, I'm sure. I don't say things I don't mean." She sent him a big smile, hoping to convince him that she really was genuine.
"Well great then! Can I pick you up around eleven? Is that too early?"
"No, eleven should be fine. I can't wait. But would it be okay if I meet you there?" Regina couldn't get rid of the huge grin plastered on her face and Daniel had one to match but she didn't want her mother to see Daniel so if she drove herself she could give another excuse as to where she was going to be.
"Yeah, that should be fine!"
The moment was broken when both teens heard Daniel's name being yelled from behind Regina. They both looked and a group of guys were running around with a football, trying to get Daniel to come and join them. Daniel looked down at Regina. "I'm gonna see what they want, I'll talk to you later okay? Have a good day!"
Regina watched Daniel run off and meet with his other friends. Realizing she didn't have much time before school started, she made her way to the entrance and walked inside. Unsuspecting, Regina let out a squeak when she found her way blocked. Emma had been waiting for her just inside the doors.
"What did he want?" Regina noticed a strange look in the blonde's eyes, almost as if she were hurt.
Regina grew shy and twirled a loose piece of hair around her finger. "I'll tell you later, okay? I need to get to my locker before class."
Regina swerved around the blonde and walked down the hallway, leaving a pained girl standing in her wake.
After Biology, Regina made her way to her locker to drop off her books. She put in the combination and pulled open the door. A tiny piece of paper fluttered to the ground and Regina inquisitively picked it up. She unfolded the piece of paper; a short note in messy handwriting asked her to meet them outside. Thinking Daniel had something else he wanted to ask, Regina quickly shoved her books in the locker and ran to the restroom to fix her make up.
Once she was satisfied with her appearance, she snuck down the hallway and exited the school. She looked around for the tall boy but instead, her eyes rested on blonde curls that looked oddly familiar.
"Emma?"
The blonde turned around and smiled. "Hey."
Not bothering with pleasantries, Regina asked, "What're you doing out here?"
Emma bit her lip anxiously. "It was actually me that left you that note."
"You? Why?"
"I wanted to talk to you and couldn't wait any longer. Follow me." Emma walked down the stone steps away from the school. Regina hesitated a minute before following after her. The school was near to the forest and Emma led the girl into the shade of the tall pines.
"Geeze, Em, did you take me out here to murder me or something?" Joked Regina, trying to relieve the tension.
"No, I was just bored and didn't feel like being in class anymore so I thought I'd get you to ditch with me." Emma sent her a smirk.
"Emma, who do you think I am? Would I ever ditch with you?" Regina sent her an exasperated look.
"Nah, I know, I just like teasing you. You always make it so easy."
"I do not!"
"Fine, I'll let you win. This one time. But I still want to know what Daniel wanted to talk to you about this morning."
Regina's eyes lit up. "He asked me out, Em! Finally!"
Emma swallowed and turned away. "Oh…"
"What? Aren't you happy for me?" asked Regina.
Emma looked up towards the sky, avoiding looking at Regina. "Sure I am. Congratulations, princess. I'm glad you're happy. You deserve to be."
"Emma? Why are you acting strange? What's wrong?" Concerned, Regina moved over to put a hand on her friend's shoulder.
Emma shrugged off the hand and stepped further away before turning around and facing the girl, an overly bright smile plastered on her face. "No, nothing's wrong. I'm really happy for you. When is it?"
"This Saturday… Oh my god, what am I going to wear? I don't have any good date clothes! I've never been on a date! Emma, what do I do?" With her excitement, the brunette didn't notice the blonde's smile turn into a frown.
"Regina, you walk around looking like a freaking model. You can wear anything. But do you want me to come over and help you?"
Regina's eyes lit up like she'd just won a million dollars. "Would you do that for me? Oh my god, I'd love you forever!"
"I would love to help you. I'll always be here for you. What time do you want me to come over?"
"Well I'm supposed to meet him at the stables at eleven, so maybe like around ten?"
"Yeah, that'll be fine. But hey, I wasn't lying about the ditching, I'm gonna skip the rest of the day. You sure you don't want to come?"
"Emma, I really wish you wouldn't."
"I know, but I can't handle any more today. I need a break."
Concerned, Regina started to ask if there was something she could do to help. "No, it's really fine, Regina. Don't worry about me. I'll see you later."
The blonde walked out of the forest and Regina tailed after her. They both went their separate ways, the brunette more worried than ever. She knew Emma didn't like talking about her personal life but she was starting to grow concerned. It seemed like the blonde was becoming more distant, especially with school, and it worried the girl.
The rest of the day passed in a haze, she was too preoccupied with her thoughts of Emma. Even the prospect of a future date with Daniel couldn't shake the idea that something big was going on with Emma. Even though she knew something was changing, she knew it wouldn't do to dwell on it and vowed to try and put it out of her mind until the blonde thought it was the right time.
