Chapter 8
Having wallowed for the majority of the month at what had happened between herself and Regina, Emma exits the class once again in a sad mood as the brunette was still a no show when it came to her lectures. The professor had profoundly been absent since they departed ways and the blonde didn't even know whether she should take a chance at contacting through concern or to leave the woman be.
"Emma? What is going on with you lately?"
Turning towards her brunette friend as they head towards their lockers, Emma shrugs.
"You have been totally out of it and miserable for nearly a month! Snap out of whatever it is as we are nearly finished! Like for good! Well actually not for you as you have med school but for me it is" smiling, Ruby pauses by her locker.
"Yeah well it's kinda hard to concentrate with Mr boring taking over our lectures while Reg-Professor Mills is sick"
Frowning, the brunette shakes her head in confusion. "What do you mean? She's been on a paid holiday...and apparently it's done her the world of good.." Gesturing behind the blonde, Ruby stares.
Following her gaze, Emma glances over her shoulder to see Regina walking down the corridor with her textbooks clutched to her chest as she smiles in conversation with a guy just out of view. Tilting her head slightly, the blonde glares.
Robin.
"Well I guess I was wrong..she's back and now we can get the hell out of here" the blonde states while trying to keep her anger at bay so her friend won't question her tone. Turning to leave, Emma comes to halt with a muttered curse at hearing her name called. Looking back over, the blonde looks unimpressed as the pair approach her with Robin smiling at her and Regina clutching her books awkwardly.
"Emma, it's good to see you again..and keeping up with your studies"
Giving a fake smile, the blonde opens her locker again to swap her books she was abandoning to get away quick.
"So do you two have any plans for tonight..as its Friday?"
Unaware of the tension and the reason as to why her friend dislikes the guy, Ruby speaks up. "Actually no we haven't..Em's gotta be up early for an open day thing at the hospital..it's important so I said I'd go for support.."
"Oh really? Wow that's..well done you.." Robin smiles in a patronising manner before gently placing his hand to the small of Regina's back. "Well we better let you get to it then..we have a table booked at 8"
Gritting her teeth while closing her eyes behind her locker door, Emma waits until she hears their footsteps past before slamming the door shut and making her friend jump in the process.
"Woah..Em!"
"Sorry.." Trying her best not to get teary, the blonde looks down the corridor to watch the pair walk away and unfortunately ends up locking eyes with the sad professor as she too looks past her shoulder at Emma.
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Walking along the hospital corridor, Emma smiles a little at the possibility of working there. The rush of patients, giving a diagnosis and even the scrub hats. Turning the corner, the blonde stops abruptly causing a concern for her friend.
"Em?.." Looking ahead at what Emma is looking at, Ruby raises an eyebrow seeing Regina stood behind the main desk, handing out what appeared to be a prospectus of some sort. "What is she doing here?"
"I was just asking myself the same thing..wait here?" The blonde gives a brief smile then strolls up to the desk as another candidate moves away with a guide and pack. Staring at the brunette with a frown, Emma places her hands flat against the surface. "What are you doing here?"
Meeting the younger woman's eye, Regina takes a breath. "I was asked by the college to volunteer with regards to the amount of our students that would be attending the open day..do you want a prospectus?" Holding out the pack, the brunette looks around nervously.
Scoffing, Emma takes the pack, noticing that the woman is shaking a little through her nerves. "..thank you..I guess I'll see you in class..you'll be pleased to know my work is up to date as I want to get out of there as fast as I can"
Nodding, the professor looks towards the blonde again. "That's..good to hear.." Gesturing to their surroundings, the older woman comments. "Now you can live the dream.."
"Yeah..well..it's not my ultimate one but it's better than nothing.."
Sighing, Regina looks down. "Emma..."
"I have to go, Ruby's waiting and apparently there's a tour of an OR in 10 minutes.." Turning quickly, Emma heads back to her friend with a deep breath.
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As the open day draws to a close, the blonde slumps against her friend on a bench outside the hospital. "That was long but totally worth it..thanks for coming with me Rubes I owe you big time"
The brunette contemplates what was said before nodding with a smile. "Yeah you do..but you know I'd help you with anything Em, you're like my sister"
"I know..now we just have to head back..if my legs are still working, typical that my car had to die on the day it was needed the most.." Emma sighs then manages to push herself up off the bench before grabbing her friends hand and helping her up.
Taking a deep breath, Ruby purses her lips then smirks. "I have an idea.."
Frowning as her friend walks past her, the blondes eyes widen as she watches the brunette make her way up to their professor who has just exited the building with her coat on.
"Professor Mills?"
Looking across, the older woman stops with a smile. "Miss Lucas?"
"Are you heading back to town by any chance?"
Raising an eyebrow, Regina briefly looks to Emma. "I..am.."
Smiling, Ruby gestures towards her car. "Would we be able to get a ride with you? Emma's car died and so we had to get the bus but it's been a long day and the next isn't for another hour. You can have a free dinner in the diner..saves you cooking tonight?"
Chuckling lightly at the younger brunette's attempt of bribery, the older brunette nods. "Sold. Get in.."
Grinning, the young woman gets in the car after calling the blonde over. Strolling over slowly, Emma bites her lip as she stands beside the professor. "You don't have to.."
"It's fine. I want to"
"Okay..thanks" climbing into the back of the car beside her friend, the blonde looks through the rear mirror at the older woman who locks eyes with her momentarily before starting the engine.
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Sat within a booth in the diner, Regina watches the two friends at the counter as the brunette collects her order and Emma sits on the stool clearly irritated.
"I'm just gonna give this to Mills then I'll get you something, if you go home now Em you'll have to cook for your father.."
"Yeah I know.."
Twirling on her stool, the blonde watches as her friend takes the tray of food over to the older woman who smiles in thanks and begins to pick at her fries. Slumping back against the counter on her elbows, Emma sighs as Regina then pauses on her dinner to answer her phone.
"Em, you look love struck.." Ruby announces as she appears back behind the counter.
Not even caring anymore, the blonde mumbles. "Maybe I am.."
Watching her friend intrigued, the brunette then smirks. Glancing over her shoulder knowing exactly what her friend is thinking, Emma shakes her head. "Don't even go there..it's..fine.."
"Yeah whatever you say..but she's clearly not.."
Frowning, the blonde looks back to the booth to find Regina rising quickly with her coat and bag then leaves a tip on the table beside the barely touched dinner before rushing for the main door. Jumping up in worry, Emma instinctively goes after her and manages to make her stop in front of the entrance along the pathway by grabbing the woman's arm. "Regina? What is it? Is it your father again?"
Giving a head shake, the professor looks towards the concerned blonde. "It was just my mother with some information I wasn't expecting.."
"What information?"
Feeling awkward, the brunette looks down while shuffling on her feet. "It's about Robin..don't worry about it.."
Stepping closer even more worried, Emma releases her grip on the older woman's arm but slides her hand down to Regina's touching her fingers lightly. "What has he done? did he do something?"
Glancing to their hands, Regina gulps before quietly responding. "It's not what he has done..it's what he's about to do.."
Confused, the blonde then squeezes her hand in support. "What is he about to do?"
Closing her eyes, the brunette takes a deep breath before answering. "He is going to ask me to marry him. He..he just went to my parents for permission.."
Eyes widening, Emma drops her hand then backs up. "You barely know each other.."
"I know..he..he thinks because he is a friend of the family it automatically gives him a pass.."
"You're not going to say yes are you?"
"No. I can't..there is nothing there..it..no" Regina replies. "I better get home..mother has gone into overdrive over his visit.."
"Yeah..sure..I'll see you on Monday.." The blonde offers a small smile despite the doubt running through her mind.
"Yes you will. I'm glad you had a good day today Emma. It was nice to see you smile again.." The professor confesses before walking down the path.
Watching with caution, Emma then sighs before looking to her empty hand that moments ago was holding onto the brunette she has fallen hard for.
A/N: oh there is drama up ahead...
