Chapter 25

"Kicked out of my own house," Regina muttered as she pulled back into her driveway with Emma in the passenger seat and Belle in the backseat and three of them made their way to the door.

"Sorry, Ruby kinda likes to go all out for these things… And she says your house is best, no parents to get in the way or whatever," Emma apologised, "It used to be my house, but I guess my house is kinda your house now…" she trailed off.

Regina smiled over at her, "I know, I get it, dear. As long as she hasn't destroyed my house. What am I thinking, allowing three teenagers take over my beautiful house."

Emma pouted, "Hey, that's mean."

Regina laughed, "I'm only kidding, dear," she put an arm around the teenagers shoulders and squeezed as they approached the door, "I suppose I am meant to knock?" she quirked an eyebrow.

Belle giggled and nodded, "Yeah, she's kinda a perfectionist when it comes to celebrations."

Regina rolled her eyes with a smile and knocked on her own front door, as the three of them waited patiently. It was a few minutes before the door swung open.

Emma cackled loudly at both Belle and Regina's reactions.

Belle's jaw practically hit the floor as she whispered, "Oh my god."

Regina closed her eyes for a moment, "Oh dear god," she put her face in the hands.

Ruby stood on the doorstep in a…version of a school uniform. A blue checked skirt pulled up high and a pale blue shirt tied under her ribs, showing off her bare stomach.

Belle bit her lip, "If you'd dressed like this in school, I think maybe I wouldn't have been so academically inclined," she said.

Emma and Ruby burst into laughter as Belle blushed. Ruby pulled Belle close and kissed her quickly.

"I think if students had dressed like this, perhaps Emma would not have been the only student I broke the rules for," Regina said, surprising all three teenagers, "Close your mouth, dear," she said to Emma, "I am only human after all. Don't worry, I'm only kidding, you're my only teachers pet."

Ruby rolled her eyes and beamed at the same time, "Thanks, Miss Mills," she said, throwing the door open and allowing the three to enter, "Welcome."

Ruby really had gone all out – the kitchen had been made to be look like the cafeteria, dinner presented buffet style and even a stack of cafeteria trays beside them. The decorations however were the colours of Columbia, with a few items of paraphernalia over the walls. To finish it all off, there was several photo's of all three of the girls, even some younger one's of Belle and Emma.

"Aww, how'd you even get this Ruby?" Belle asked, picking up a photo of her and Emma that looked like it was from about five years ago.

Ruby grinned, shrugging, "I have my ways," she chuckled.

Emma looked over Belle's shoulder, "Wow, we look so young."

Regina took the photo out of Belle's hands and smiled, "You do," she agreed, "You look so cute."

"Oh come on, that's a bit far, I'm like fourteen," Emma snatched the photo from her scowling girlfriend.

"I didn't mean it like that," she rolled her eyes, "Ew."

"Ew!?" Emma said incredulously, "Now I'm ew!?"

Regina's cheeks burnt as she hit the teenager gently, "Stop it, you. You know what I mean."

Ruby cackled, amused, "I think they look cute too, Regina," she helped the teacher out with a smile, "Ah, so young and innocent."

Belle pushed her girlfriend playfully but was pulled into a hug before she could escape, "Oh man, Ruby," she mumbled but kissed the brunette on the cheek, "The place looks great."

"It really does, Rubes," Emma agreed, walking over to the food, "Looks a tad better than cafeteria food though, thank god," she chuckled.

Ruby grinned proudly, "Granny will be glad to hear that."

Regina picked up the food tray, "Hm, this looks rather familiar, dear," she quirked an eyebrow at Ruby.

Ruby bit her lip, "Um, well… like, I mean, you can take them back, if you want."

Regina chuckled, "I'm sure they won't miss a few."

Belle turned to her girlfriend, "You stole them?" she asked, "Ruby! Jeez," she shook her head wordlessly.

"Oh, what are they gonna do? Suspend me?" Ruby shrugged as Emma laughed.

"It's still stealing," Belle insisted.

Ruby pouted, "I just wanted to make a good party," she whined, "I'll return them, okay?"

Belle glared for a moment before smiling, "Good," she nodded, "And it is, it looks great and the food smells delicious."

Ruby's face lit up, "Hey, there's more!" she exclaimed and ran out of the room for a moment before bounding back in, "I got you guys something," she handed them each a plain white bag.

At the same time, both of them pulled out matching Columbia jumpers, beanie's and scarves.

Belle squealed with excitement and wrapped her arms around Ruby's neck, "Thanks, babe, this is so sweet."

Emma frowned, "But I'm not even going to Columbia…"

Ruby shrugged, "You will though. One day," she smiled.

Emma nodded slowly, before smiling and hugging her friend, "Thanks, Rubes," she said.

Belle pulled her jumper on excitedly, "Does it suit me?"

Emma grinned, "Yup, you look like a real college girl."

Belle grinned and pulled her beanie over Emma's blonde hair as she giggled, "So do you, Em."

"Mm, yes you do," Regina wrapped her arms around Emma's waist from behind, whispering in her ear, "A very sexy college girl."

Emma blushed, but her friends were just as in their own world at the moment so she spun to face her girlfriend and put a hand on her face before kissing her.

"Woo, you go girl!" Ruby laughed as Belle hit her.

Emma pulled away, blushing deeper and glared at her friend, "Shut up, Ruby," she mumbled.

Ruby held up her hands in defence and laughed, "Hey, it's not illegal anymore, right?"

Regina sighed, "No, it's not. Anyway, tonight is meant to be fun, right? Well, kissing my girlfriend is fun," she shrugged and pecked Emma on the cheek again.

Ruby chuckled, "Oh, hey, I got us some movies too," she picked them up from the counter and snickered as she handed the pile over to Emma.

Emma rolled her eyes, "Ha ha, very funny," she handed the first one over to Regina.

"The graduate? Oh, that's the one where – "

"Ruby!" Belle said exasperated, but unable to help a laugh slip out, "Yeah, it's the one where like the kid falls in love with the older woman or something. Pity it's a guy or it would actually be really hot," she bit her lip, realising what she had said.

Emma laughed quietly, bumping into Belle gently, "Thanks, I think," she giggled.

Belle's cheeks burnt, "Oh shut up, it's the older woman thing that's hot anyway, sorry Em," she teased.

Regina laughed suddenly, catching them all off guard, "Well, thank you Belle."

Belle blushed and shrugged.

"I'm starved, can we eat?" Emma interrupted the silence, seeing Belle's awkwardness.

Ruby smiled widely and handed out the trays.