"Hey," a girl whispered, leaning in closer to Emma. "You okay?"
The blonde's eyes shot open, startled at the sudden sound.
"What?" she stammered. "Oh, um, yeah. I'm fine."
"You look really upset."
"Well, I'm not exactly thrilled to be here."
"Girls!" the teacher snapped, slamming a ruler down on the desk. "That's enough! I want silence!"
Swallowing hard, the two nodded their heads in understanding and stayed quiet. Emma's head rested on her arm once more as she stared at the wall. When the clock finally struck three-thirty, Emma lifted her head and let out a sigh of relief. As she stood up to leave, the other girl gently grabbed her arm.
"Hey, seriously," she said softly. "Are you okay?"
"Fine. Thanks."
"What happened to your face?"
Emma reached up and touched the bruise on her cheek, thinking back to the altercation that had caused it.
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"I hate to press, but it really seems like something's wrong."
Emma was thankful that the girl kept her voice quiet, avoiding the possibility of making a scene, but she certainly wasn't thankful for being put on the spot. What was she supposed to say? The truth?
"My foster brother hit me. It's nothing, though, really. I'm okay."
"You're pretty tough. I can tell."
"Nah," the blonde protested, shrugging her shoulders. "I just don't care enough to be fazed by it anymore."
"I'm Belle," the girl introduced herself. "What's your name?"
"Emma."
"You're a senior?"
"Yep."
"I'm a junior. I guess that's why I don't know you."
"Yeah."
"So why were you in detention?"
"You ask a lot of questions," Emma commented, looking the beautiful girl up and down. "I wasn't paying attention in class. My teacher called on me, and I didn't know the answer, because I didn't do the homework."
"Sorry," the girl mumbled, lowering her head. "I was just curious."
"Nah, it's okay. Really."
"So why didn't you do the homework?"
"Dickens."
Emma hated Charles Dickens and all of his writing.
"Ah, I see," Belle said with a smile. "Understandable. Do you like reading anything else?"
"I kind of like Jane Austen."
"Me too!" the brunette cried cheerfully, smiling at Emma. "She's wonderful."
"I guess I just like her spirit and sarcasm. Her characters are all really entertaining. Dickens, though... I just can't stay engaged enough to keep myself awake."
"I could help you, if you wanted."
"What?"
Emma tilted her head.
"If you want help, I can help you. I'm a pretty good student, and I've read most of his work already. What are you reading?"
"Great Expectations."
"Ugh," Belle groaned. "That's horrible."
"So why'd you read it?"
"I had to for an advanced English class. It was painful."
"Good for you for getting through it. I can't stand the damn thing."
"Well, I guess it's just discipline. I try to get into the story as much as I can. Anyway, do you want help studying?"
"Actually," Emma said, "that would be great. I have a test coming up on Tuesday that I really haven't studied or even read for."
"If you read the book, I'll help you get through it. How far are you?"
"Chapter two..."
"Oh, my. You've got quite a ways to go then. Don't worry, though. It does pick up a little as you go along."
"You sure?"
Belle nodded.
"Not that it's actually good or anything, but it's definitely better. I'm sure you'll be able to get through it, at least."
"Okay."
"So are we on?"
"Definitely."
"Meet me after school on Friday and we'll go over however far you've gotten?"
"Sure. That sounds great."
Actually smiling, Emma left the room feeling a little less alone.
The next day, Regina picked Emma up from school.
"Hey, beautiful," she greeted her with a smile. "How was school?"
"It was alright. I didn't get beaten up, so I guess that's a plus."
"Oh, honey... I wish there was something I could do. It's almost over, though. You just have to wait it out a little longer."
"I know."
They both sighed as Regina pulled out of the parking lot.
"So, where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere, as long as I'm with you."
"You're such a sap," Regina giggled. "Anyway, did anything exciting happen at school today, or did it just suck?"
"Actually, this girl I met in detention offered to help me study for my English test for next Tuesday."
"That's great, Emma! You're making friends."
"She's not my friend. She's just really nice."
"Is she a senior too?"
"No, she's a junior."
"She pretty?"
"Regina!" Emma cried, looking over at her. "What the Hell?"
"I was just asking."
"I talk to one girl and you're jealous?"
"I'm not jealous! I was just curious is all."
"It's not like she'd be interested in me anyway. No one would be."
"I am."
"Well, you're crazy," the blonde laughed, shaking her head as she leaned back against the headrest.
"Maybe so," Regina conceded, "but I'm crazy for you."
The girl couldn't help but smile at this, a slight blush rising to her cheeks.
"And you say I'm the sap?"
"Let's go back to the house. I'll make you dinner."
"Are you sure? I'm not that hungry."
"Have you eaten today?"
"What?"
"Have you eaten?"
"Well, no, but that's not the point."
"You're eating. That's all there is to it."
"Alright," Emma mumbled, crossing her arms and leaving them that way until they arrived at Regina's place.
Once sitting on the couch, Emma felt a wave of relief wash away the majority of her anxiety, allowing her to enjoy the woman's company.
"You okay?" Regina asked, sitting down beside her with a cup of hot chocolate.
"Actually, I'm good. I'm here."
With a smile, Regina leaned in and kissed the girl's lips.
"I wish you could stay," she sighed. "I don't want to take you home."
"I don't want to go home."
"We'll just have to enjoy the time we have, I guess."
Regina stood back up and made her way to the kitchen. Every few minutes, she peeked into the living room to check on Emma, momentarily watching the girl as she sat on the couch watching television. Regina savored her presence and continued to check that she was living in reality until the meal was almost finished.
"Sometimes I can't believe this is really happening," the woman said from the kitchen, continuing to prepare dinner as she waited for Emma's response.
"I know," Emma said, standing up and walking over to stand beside Regina. "Can I help at all? I don't like just sitting around."
"No, sweetie. I'm almost done."
"What are we having?"
"Roasted chicken."
"Wow. Seriously?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I'm just not used to be treated to dinner like this. You're too good to me."
"No, I'm not. You deserve it."
"I don't."
"Stop it. Just listen to me, okay? You deserve this. You're my princess."
Emma blushed and shook her head.
"You're ridiculous."
"I know," Regina said with a smile, "but you love it."
"Maybe."
Emma grinned back at her and sat down on a stool at the counter, resting her chin in her hands as she watched Regina navigate gracefully around the kitchen. Cooking seemed to be her forte, which didn't surprise Emma.
"Here, try this."
Regina popped a piece of chicken into her lover's mouth, watching her reaction. Emma was practically drooling.
"'Gina, this is amazing. You're such a good cook."
"Thank you, dear. I've been practicing a long time."
"You know what they say," Emma commented. "Practice makes perfect. Unless it's me. I can't cook for shit. I burn everything."
"I'll teach you, then. It just takes time."
"Hopefully you're right. I want to be able to make you dinner someday."
"You don't need to do that. I like cooking for you. I like knowing you're well-fed."
"You're taking such good care of me," Emma sighed.
"I want to take care of you. You deserve it."
"Thank you..." Emma trailed off.
As Emma wrapped her arms around her lover, Regina held her tightly, burying her head in the girl's neck.
"I love you, Emma," she mumbled against Emma's pale skin.
"I love you too."
