"I dunno if this is gonna work without Neal…" the Club Promoter told Emma and Alice.
"Trust me, we're the same band...quality won't change. Give us one shot. If the reception is poor, then we'll come back with Neal," Emma said.
"They're her songs anyway, and the new bassist is way better, you'll see…" Alice threw in.
The Promoter looked at her and narrowed his eyes. He then smiled, "Is the bassist as cute and sassy as you?"
Emma watched Alice's face grow angry, and her hands ball into fists, but she immediately pulled Alice away with her as she yelled to the Promoter, "You won't regret this!"
When they got on stage with Robin, Alice hissed, "Do we really have to play for that fucker?!"
Robin asked, "What happened?"
"He was being a slimeball," Alice growled out.
Robin looked over at him. "I've seen him around the clubs. He IS a slimeball. Just stay away. I'll watch out for you."
"Thanks, but I'd rather take care of him with a punch to his face."
Robin nodded, "I get it. I deal with those assholes all the time. Really wish we didn't have to. Women in music...still a sexist realm. And being queer definitely makes you an extra target."
"August and Graham aren't like that," Alice said.
"Nope. Why I stick with them. And as hot as Ruby is, they are respectful with her too. We are always watching out for her, not that she needs it. She handles her own rather well," Robin laughed.
Alice paused and put her hands on her hip and faced Robin. "That is the first time I've ever heard you call Ruby 'hot'."
"Objectively speaking…" Robin said cautiously.
Alice glared at her for a while until Robin started to look nervous. Eventually, Alice started to laugh. "I'm not mad. Just joking. She is hot. Waste of straight."
"Yack, yack, yack...no couple fighting!" Emma said teasingly as she stood up from her kit, and they all started laughing. Emma pulled out her phone to look at the time. "We go on in twenty."
They went to the bar for sodas. Some club regulars had seen them before and they said hello, and expressed how they were glad to see them again. Nobody asked about Neal. The Promoter was nearby and Emma hoped he overheard the feedback. Emma texted Regina the good news.
Suddenly, someone came up from behind Emma and covered her eyes. A familiar female voice whispered, "Guess who?"
"Hey, Lacy," Emma was irritated, but she didn't let her voice sound that way. It was good of Lacy to come, even though her brother was not here, and still missing.
At Emma's guess, Lacy let go, giggling. When Emma turned around Lacy was smiling at her, and Grace was standing behind her not looking as halfway enthused as her girlfriend. "Hi, Grace," Emma said anyway.
Grace said nothing and nodded her head up, once in a "what's up" manner.
"When are you going on?" Lacy asked.
"Now. You just made it. I'll see you for a little bit, after." Emma rushed to the stage.
"A little bit? But why?"
Emma didn't hear Lacy's question.
As Lacy watched Emma and the rest of the band take the stage, Grace came up behind Lacy and wrapped her arms around her, and kissed her neck.
--
Regina that night was in her bedroom, waiting for Emma and putting the finishing touches on her final essay due Monday. The whole of the last eight weeks in class was to create a short story. She was certain that she would receive a good grade, but she wasn't interested in that so much as Emma thought of it.
While writing, she was listening and watching the few short videos of Emma and her bandmates play. Of the four, only one was a full song. The others were partials, but Regina knew the complete songs by heart because Emma performed them for her.
Cora knocked on the door but walked in before Regina gave her permission. Regina said "come in" anyway.
"Are you almost done? I am about to watch a movie and wanted to know if you had time to watch it with me?" Cora asked.
Regina was finished, but she wasn't in the mood to sit with her mother. "I'm still proofing my paper, all twenty thousand words."
Cora saw that Regina was watching Emma's videos. She had been thinking lately about letting Regina go see Emma at the Cantina. They had multiple discussions in the past week, some that turned into arguments. The fact of the matter was Regina made an excellent case for being allowed to do certain things because she was an adult. Aside from Regina's friendship with Emma, Cora knew she had the model daughter; she should be rewarded and trusted. Nevertheless, as a mother, Cora wanted full control of her child.
"What do you have playing in the background while you are busy?" Cora asked.
"Emma's band."
"I see. You know, after all the talks we had this past week, I think that this coming Saturday I should let you go at least once to see her play. That is if she still is." Cora hoped it wasn't so.
Regina tried not to smile or get extra excited. "As it so happened, Emma does have a regular spot at the Cantina. She just texted me about it. You can ask her all about it when she comes in a bit."
Cora pursed her lips. A deal was a deal. "Oh, well good for her. So yes, you can give her the good news."
Regina looked at her mother victoriously. "I will."
Cora nodded. "Ok, well, join me if you can for the movie." She started to walk out the door as she said, "You'd be watching the movie with me if you didn't take summer school…"
Regina scowled at the door. Cora found a way once a week to say something about summer school. Luckily this was the final week.
--
After the set, Emma packed up her drums faster than usual so that the next band could set up. She felt that if they were extra, the Promoter would consider that. Alice and Robin helped her as usual.
As they made their way to Emma's van to put away their gear, the Promoter found them. He told them how he observed the crowds' positive reception of them, so they could come back next week. He also found that he liked "three chicks" on stage, and Robin was indeed a "looker," and suggested she'd give more "sass" while on stage. Alice fisted up her hands, but Robin unclinched one and held her hand, sarcastically smiling at the guy. He looked at their hands and rolled his eyes. He took Emma's number in case there were any changes. Any money they were to get, he would give them at the end of the month.
The three of them looked at one another and jumped and cheered—they were so excited they pulled it off!
When they returned inside, Lacy found them and praised their set. She wanted to make sure to let Robin know that she was far better than her brother, "that asshole," as she put it.
"Are you doing ok? You haven't heard from him?" Alice asked.
"Why? You want him back? I don't. Inconsiderate jerk," Lacy quickly replied.
Alice nodded. "Well, wherever he is, I hope he is ok."
"Me too," Robin said.
"Emma, you were wonderful. You seemed to play better without him," Lacy commented as she gave her a side hug, grabbing her arm, and squeezing. Lacy casually ran her fingers up and down her bicep—she shuddered at the way they were sculpted.
"Thanks, Lacy," Emma said as she tried to pull away. Grace was staring at her. "I am grateful the two of you came out to support. Sorry about Neal. I hope he is ok."
Lacy scoffed then let her go. "Whatever about him." She went to Grace and clung to her arm, which was nothing like Emma's arms. Still, she was pleasant to look at.
Emma stayed for one more drink with Robin and Alice. They were going to stick around and watch the other bands. Lacy tried to get Emma to stay longer. Just as Emma was leaving, she got serious with Emma.
"I need to talk to you," she said as she stepped aside and lured Emma with her. She was far enough from Grace, but Emma made sure that she faced Grace so she could see there was nothing suspicious going on.
"What is it, Lacy?"
"Look, I am very angry at Neal for leaving. But I have been alone pretty much at the house for days…Mom comes late to sleep, but she leaves early. Barely see her."
"You mean you haven't told your mom yet?"
"No. Her long-ass shifts aren't over yet. She will be back by Tuesday. I didn't want to worry her."
"You have to tell her."
"Tuesday. If he hasn't checked in by then, of course, I'll say something. Can you drop by tomorrow to check in on me?"
Emma tried not to roll her eyes. "Wouldn't that be Grace's job?"
Lacy looked down, fiddling with her fingers, "Well, yeah, but she has to work tomorrow, and she has been with me the last few days, even taking days off. I told her I would be fine, but I'm not sure. And I don't want her missing any more work for me...so could you?"
"I think one day alone isn't going to hurt you. I'll text you, or call you at some point. But I have things to do, a test to study for…"
Lacy tried to give her the most innocent of puppy eyes. "Please?"
Emma hated that shit. Little did Lacy know that never worked on her. "Most likely not. But I'll call you. OK?" Emma walked out before Lacy could react.
"EMMA!" Lacy yelled, stomping her foot. She then realized she was making a scene. She turned around quickly and ran up to Grace and hugged her. She looked at Grace.
"What was that about?" Grace asked sternly. "Did she upset you?"
"No, nothing. I was offering to help her with her math test coming up. She's a terrible student," she giggled as she kissed Grace passionately. "I'm a good girl. You like good girls, right?"
"How long do we have to stay here?" Grace said as she slid her hand up from Lacy's waist to just under her breast.
"Not long. Let's be a friendly couple with Alice and Robin, then you can show your good girl a good time?"
--
Cora was still awake when Emma arrived. She politely greeted her, asked her how her band did, and let her know that Regina was in her room. Emma found Regina laying on her bed with headphones, listening to music. When Regina saw her, she beamed and got up to hug her.
"So, things turn out?"
"I know!!! We can come back! The event guy was a little hesitant to let us play, but he gave us a chance, and people liked us, so he decided we could stay!"
"That is perfect! See, I told you you'd get it, without Neal."
"Yup, and I don't care if he comes back! Don't need him, don't want him, that is it. I have what it takes to do this on my own terms. You have no idea how good this feels!"
Regina hugs Emma again tightly. "I have good news too…"
Emma wrapped her arms around Regina's waist. She let her hands fall to the top of her butt, feeling her body close to hers. "Ummm, oh yeah, what?"
Regina pulled Emma behind the open door, pushing it a little closed. Her mother was about to go to bed and pass by, and she didn't want to have her affectionate moment interrupted. "Mother said that I can go to your gig next Saturday!"
Emma's face is a mix of emotions. She is overjoyed that Regina can finally see her play in person, at a real gig, and experience the whole thing with her. But then she remembered the way Lacy was with her tonight, and she would most likely be there next week too. She tried not to let that side show in her expression. "No fucking shit! How did you do that?!"
Regina eyed her for a moment. She saw Emma's excitement check out for a second, but she couldn't possibly imagine that there was a problem, so she let it go. "I know! I don't know, I thought that I would point out how good I am, and that what was she taking away from me and my life experiences, and I guess I got her on a good day!"
Cora passed by the room and stopped. She immediately noticed the girls were out of sight and behind the door. They grew quiet. She didn't want to go in and see anything she shouldn't. In this, she felt compelled to respect Regina's privacy. But she at least felt it was rude to not say goodnight. "Regina, I'm going to bed now. I will see you in the morning. Emma as well?"
"Yes, mother," Regina said, stifling a laugh. Emma held onto her. They felt like little girls at the moment.
"There are snacks in the kitchen. Make something for Emma to eat if she is hungry. Love you." Cora waited to see if they would emerge, but they didn't. She left well enough alone and went to her room.
When the door closed, the girls emerged from the room and went to the kitchen. Emma was famished, and Regina made her a grilled cheese and tater tots. Emma spoke a little more about how the gig went, and many times she said, "Well, you'll see, because next week, you'll be there!!!"
After they ate, Regina was confident that her mother was solidly asleep by then. Regina suggested that they take a bath together. Emma simply smiled and let Regina take her by the hand.
As Regina drew the bath, Emma undressed first and started to get in the tub.
"What are you doing?" Regina asked.
"Getting in…?" Emma replied.
"I want to get in first."
Emma huffed, "No, I wanna. Besides, I am naked first."
Regina had already stripped to her underwear, which she dropped quickly, and started to struggle with unhooking her bra. "So what, I just want to go in first."
Emma giggled at her. "No…" she sat down, but Regina softly whined. Emma looked up at her, "You are too cute. Ok, ok," she said and she scooched forward as Regina got in behind her.
When Regina sat, she pulled Emma into herself. Emma was already leaning back and making herself cozy against Regina.
Regina wrapped her arms around Emma and hummed. "This is all I want, ever."
Emma turned her head to elicit a kiss from Regina, which she was more than happy to give. Emma put all her feelings into the kiss; she refused to let Regina's lips go, and she flipped around to face Regina, continuing to kiss and suck her lips. Regina moaned into her mouth, dragging her fingers down her warm, wet back. Her skin was extra soft, and when she reached her bottom, she squeezed and caressed her cheeks playfully. Her tongue took swipes at Emma's lips; Emma took that as a sign to go deeper into her mouth, their tongues meeting in a slow, passionate dance.
Regina was amazed that even though she was submerged in water, she could still feel the warmth of the slickness that came from her vagina. She wanted Emma to know what she did to her, so she found Emma's hand, took it, and guided it to her center. Emma eagerly swiped her lips, and what she found there caused her to stop kissing Regina and groan. She looked at Regina who had a wicked grin on her face. Panting, she asked, "Do you want me to...you know?"
Regina bit her bottom lip and nodded.
Emma went back to Regina's mouth, kissing her as before as she took two fingers and entered her love. She anticipated Regina moaning into her ear, but the actual sound that came was even better than what she imagined. She almost said, "I love you." But instead, she went to Regina's ear and said, "Get inside me, make me cum." And Regina did as she was told. Emma bit Regina's neck when she entered her and Regina moaned, "You're so wet."
With no more words or instructions, they pleased one another until they both sensed they were about to climax. They brought each other into perfect sync and climaxed together. They stifled their howls of pleasure, still mindful of where they were.
Emma collapsed onto Regina, and she wrapped her arms and legs around her. The movement made her shutter, seemingly sending her orgasm up further into her. She gently gyrated her pelvis into Emma, kissing her lips, and everywhere on her face. Emma kissed her chest, and suckled her breast, not caring that water was splashing into her face here and there.
They lay with each other, saying not another word for a while, gratified.
Regina was gratified to the point of exhaustion. When they got out of the bath and snuck their way back into her room with nothing but towels wrapped around themselves, she collapsed on her bed. Emma threw herself beside her, dropping the towel to the floor. Regina's towel was already falling off, and Emma helped her out of it and started to caress her chest.
"Are you tired, love?" Emma asked.
Regina nodded as she looked at Emma. She reached up and pushed her blonde locks behind her ear.
Emma propped up pillows and laid down next to Regina. She snuggled in next to her. The summer continued to be warm, and they were content as they were. Emma held her close, but as Regina drifted off, she was not sleepy. It was rare when she was, and because of that, she stayed up late most nights, mostly thinking. And when she thought, those thoughts drifted into dark and negative corners—what a fuck up she was, she had shitty parents, maybe Regina just pitied her, and she was ultimately alone, nobody cared about her. Music drove these thoughts away, often finding their way as lyrics that spoke of some hope and painted the story that Emma wanted for herself.
The thoughts started to get out of control the longer she laid there. So, Emma started focusing on the rhythm of Regina's breath and counted how many times she twitched. Regina in her arms was proof that her thoughts were somewhat wrong, right? Soon, Emma started to develop a song in her head, several. At times she held on tightly to Regina, squeezing gratitude out of the reality at that moment.
Regina eventually rolled away from Emma, mumbling something about being hot. Emma laid on her side and looked at Regina's back. She ran her fingers lightly enough to not wake her and then got up. There was a notebook she had at Regina's and took it out to start jotting down the songs running in her head. She wrote what she could with her limited knowledge of music writing, but it was enough to remember the rest.
Tucked inside the notebook were flashcards for her test, and a little message in Regina's handwriting "For Emma ️" Emma smiled. Regina cared for her so much, and part of her felt so undeserving. She shook that thought train off, but in the last song she jotted down, those feelings made their way into the lyrics. Emma couldn't fight it. It's then she realized she was tired, and slipped into bed with Regina for a few hours before dawn.
--
Cora let the girls sleep undisturbed this time. She pretended they weren't there for her sanity.
Emma got more sleep than she hoped to since Regina usually woke early, but sleeping with Emma caused her to be content and sleep in with her for however long that was. This morning was long, but not too long: Emma's phone kept going off.
Emma was dead to the world, but Regina heard it. She got up and searched for Emma's phone, tucked in the pocket of her jeans. There were 12 messages from Lacy. Emma had a lock on her phone, which Regina didn't know. She looked at Emma, still sound asleep. She put the phone on her side table, grabbed a robe, and went to the restroom. It could be word about Neal. She would wake Emma up.
When she returned to the room, Emma was up, looking at her phone.
"Morning, is everything ok? Lacy has been texting you…"
"Oh, yeah," Emma didn't know what to say. Lacy was bothering her about going over.
"Did she say anything about Neal?"
Emma stretched. "Ummm, no. She still hasn't told her mom, so she was wondering if she should today or wait."
"Seriously? How could their mom not notice?"
"It's like that with them. Their
mom is a nurse and works crazy long shifts."
"She should say something now."
Emma put her phone down. "I think so too. But I dunno what Lacy will do."
As Regina came back to bed Emma grabbed her and pulled her on top of her and hugged her tightly. Regina started to giggle, then kiss Emma's neck. Soon they were making out, only to be interrupted by the grumbling of Emma's stomach.
"Time to eat. And I see you found the cards I made for you last night. We should review. Big test tomorrow, and Wednesday!"
"Thank you. You didn't have to." She held onto Regina a little longer, looking into her amber eyes. "I don't deserve you."
Regina pecked her on the lips. "Maybe." She rolled off her and started to dress.
Emma laughed. She knew Regina was kidding, but that "maybe" fed her insecurities. She got up and started to dress too.
--
"I'm trying not to lose it with all these formulas and numbers!!!" Emma exclaimed as she pulled at her hair, then put her head down on the table. "I'm never gonna remember all this."
"Yes, you will. Let's take a break."
Emma lifted her head. "Your cards are perfect. It's me who's the fuck up."
"You're not a fuck up."
Emma grumbled. She felt her phone go off in her pocket. She was certain it was Lacy. She texted her a few hours ago that she would call. It probably had been a few hours—of math hell. She supposed it wouldn't be all bad if she took the call. Regina would presume it was about Neal. But Emma didn't want to be that deceptive. She did have the Eagle's business to take care of though.
"Regina, what should I do about the Eagle's? Should I go down there in person?"
"I think so. Do you know what you will say?"
"Yes. I doubt we could play without Neal. Just going to apologize, and let him know Neal is missing."
Regina nodded in approval.
Emma looked at her phone for the time. "You know, maybe I should get going. I wanted to check in with my mom, then get to the Eagle's before nightfall, and well, then my test tomorrow."
"You can come back later to study."
"No, you've helped me plenty. I think I need to put in my own time." She took Regina's hand and kissed it, smiling at her. "You're amazing."
Regina blushed, and eventually pulled her hand away. "Ok, well, keep me posted on what happens."
Emma stopped at her house first and found her mom, awake, watching TV on the couch. She looked a little out of it, but she looked at Emma and smiled and told her hello. She tried to get up, but she fell back on the couch. Emma ran to catch her and sat with her. There were water bottles, per usual, and some dishes, as well as a pizza box. Her mother had been on and off pill-popping since the previous week. Instead of many pill bottles on the table, there was only one, and it still had pills in it.
"Mom, take it easy. Do you need anything?"
"Emma, so glad to see you. I wanted to text you, but I can't find my phone."
Emma took out her phone and called her mom. The phone vibrated on the couch. "Oh! Silly me, I've been sitting on it!" Mary Margaret reached into the couch.
Emma giggled with her mom. "Do you need me to make you dinner, or a snack? I'll return later, but I have something to do. I just wanted to check in on you."
"Perhaps a little something. You'll be staying the night here later?"
Emma got up and went to the kitchen. "Yes, indeed! I have a test tomorrow."
"My smart Emma. I know you will do well."
Emma snorted. "Smart. Hardly. If it weren't for Regina…"
"No, no, you are so gifted, and smart, and talented. I never get a chance to tell you this…"
"You're my mom, you have to think that."
Mary Margaret laughed, "Then let me live my truth. But I am sure I am not the only one who thinks that."
"Yeah, yeah…"
"Hope frozen burrito will do. It's what we have. Maybe we can go to the market this week."
Emma brought the plate to her mom and she took it. "We can. We should."
"Ok, so I am going to meet someone quickly. I'll be back soon."
She kissed her mother and left.
Emma called Neal's uncle on the way, and he agreed to meet her in an hour, in the parking lot in the back. On her way there she got a phone call from Lacy, which she had been putting off. She promises to call her after the Eagle's.
The uncle was outside already, having a cigarette. He offered one to Emma when she approached, but she declined, never having one before.
"I want to apologize for Neal's behavior last week."
"Oh, don't worry. That boy is always getting himself into something. A lot like his father, god rest his soul."
"Did you know he is missing?"
"What you mean, missing?"
"He hasn't been home since last Sunday."
He takes a drag of his cigarette. "That boy. I'll get some of the guys here to put a lookout for him. And I'll check in on Lacy. She hasn't told her mom, has she? Because I would have already heard it. Damn it. I tried talking sense into him. I'm gonna tell you the truth, you stay away from him. He was telling a whole lot of officers in there that he was with you, and they know you are a minor. They turned a blind eye as a favor, but they are on to him."
Emma put her hands up, "Woh, I don't want to cause him trouble! We only started hooking up recently, and occasionally. We were never together, and I'll be 18 in a few months."
He eyeballed her. "If you say so. Just, if he comes back, don't bother with him. You don't need that. I love him, but I know how he is. You take your talent elsewhere."
Emma nodded. She never wanted to put up with Neal again. "I will take your advice."
"You gonna continue the band?"
"Yep. We are still playing at the Cantina on Saturday nights."
"Good for you! Ever thought about being a cover band, wedding, shit like that?"
"Honestly no, I write all the material…"
"No kidding? All your songs?"
"Neal helped with arrangements, but yeah."
"Don't need Neal at all. You friends with Lacy?"
"Yeah."
"If someone wants a band, you want me to call you?"
Emma smiled. "Sure, I'll see what I can do. That would be great."
"Ok. I'll keep you in mind." He finished his cig and put it in a coffee can by the door. "Ok, kid. Gotta get things ready for the brood. Be safe. Remember what I told you."
"Sure thing." Emma waved goodbye.
Emma stopped to get herself dinner at her favorite burger stand. When she got to the car, Lacy called. She had stalled long enough.
"Hi, Lacy."
"Why the fuck you tell my uncle Neal is missing?"
"I, I, oops. I didn't think that he might call you so soon. I just went to apologize to him for last week, since we usually play Sundays."
"I still haven't told my mom. I told him not to tell her because she will be pissed at me for not letting her know."
"Dude, just tell your mom. Why are you stalling?"
"I just don't wanna worry her. Are you coming over?"
Emma sighed. "I got a test to study for. It's the last week. Don't you have any final papers or whatnot? What are you taking anyway?"
"Chemistry. But I have all my work done, and our final was a take home."
"Seriously!"
"Seriously as in you don't believe I am taking chemistry or that I am done? Why don't you come over and find out?"
"Lacy, seriously…"
"Seriously what? I am alone and would like a person, and I can help you study."
Emma laughed, "Oh no, that is a trap."
"No, it's not. I promise I will be good. I can use a friend, please?"
Emma was about to ask where Grace was, but maybe Lacy and she could just be friends. If she could work on this, then maybe she wouldn't be so concerned with her around Regina Saturday. "Ok, I'll drop by for a little bit. I'll be there in five."
When Emma arrived, Lacy greeted Emma with a huge, long hug.
"This is a friendly hug, right?" Emma asked.
"Yes, and no, but I promise I'll be good. Where's your backpack?"
Emma eyes her suspiciously. "I don't think so…"
"What's in the bag?" Lacy took the bag, "Is your backpack in the car? Go get it. I can help."
When Emma returns, Lacy has cut the burger in half and plated their parts on the table. "I'm waiting for you."
"Thanks. Have you eaten ok in the last week? When was your mom home last? You have money and such? Sorry, you don't have to answer, if that is all personal…"
"Don't be silly, you can know. Yes, I've been fine. Mom always leaves me money, and Grace has been really attentive."
Emma nodded. "Good. I'm glad you got Grace."
Lacy doesn't reply as she digs into the burger and fries. Emma figures this part isn't so bad. She can empathize with Lacy feeling lonely, and she knows what it feels like to be alone.
"How do you feel about your final?" Lacy asked.
"Ok. But I could fuck it up...it's me we are talking about after all."
"Math can suck for some."
"Seems like I am surrounded by those who can math...not a good feeling. Makes me feel like an idiot."
"Take out your stuff and let me see."
Emma pulled out her book and pointed out to Lacy the chapters and problems she still needed to do than study for the test.
Lacy looked at the flashcards. "Regina made these for you? Huh…"
"What do you mean, 'huh'?"
"Nothing. They're nice. She has nice writing." Lacy gave the compliment with a little vitriol in her voice.
Emma pretends to not notice.
"How about I write out the problems you need to do, while you review the flashcards? Save you a little time? Is there anything you have trouble with?" Lacy asked.
Emma handed her some paper.
They sat in silence for about thirty minutes. Emma kept looking at Lacy wondering what kind of scheme she was pulling, but Lacy was writing out the problems from the book with a lot of concentration. She didn't once detect Emma looking at her.
"Ok, done! Let me have the flashcards," Lacy said.
Emma gave her the flashcards and she started to shuffle them. She pulled out one and showed it to Emma.
"What is the x in this equation stand for?"
"A positive integer only."
"Right." Lucy flips another card. "How do you solve 'x' negative 'n'?"
Emma stared for a moment, thinking. "Turn it into a fraction, 1 over 'x' to the power of 'n'."
"Good. In this graph…"
Lucy went through the whole deck with Emma. "You got them all. So why are you studying so hard?"
"I just feel like I will fail when I am actually sitting in front of the test, you know."
"Here, do your problems. I'll flash you after," Lucy said, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Funny…" Emma positioned herself to start working on her homework.
"I'll be right back."
Emma got to working on at least five problems before Lacy returned wearing what she guessed were pajamas since they matched, but the shorts were very short, and the top was a low-cut tank top. Emma tried to not react. Lacy approached her from behind, draped her arms around her, and leaned into her. She said softly, "How are you doing? Ready for me to flash you?"
"Let me finish two more problems and we can go over the cards," Emma said, trying to sound as "whatever" as she could.
Lacy kept her embrace on Emma. Emma tried to shrug her off. Lacy just giggled. Finally, Emma said something, "Kinda hard to work with you around my neck…" and she shrugged harder this time.
Lacy finally backed off and sat in front of her. "Rude. Thought I'd try to put some pressure on you as you worked through a problem. Kinda simulate your stress when taking a test." She leaned forward, pressing her arms together to accentuate her cleavage. "Is it working?"
Emma could see what was going on through her peripheral vision, so she didn't lookup. "No need, Lacy. Thank you for writing these out though."
Lacy sat up and sighed. "Isn't my writing nicer than Regina's?"
Emma looked at her. "It is nice. You both have nice writing." Emma went back to her homework.
Lucy huffed a bit. "If I knew you needed so much help, I would have helped you instead." She extended her leg out to Emma's under the table, brushing behind her knee.
Emma pulled away. "Stop it, Lacy. You said you would behave."
"I know...but it's been so long since I've had you alone. Can you blame a spider for wanting to eat when prey has walked so willingly into its web?"
Emma had to snicker. "You are a bit of a widow, I'll give you that. Does Grace know I am here?"
"What does that matter?"
"Because she is your girlfriend."
"Right."
"Right…" Emma thought. Regina didn't know she was there. She couldn't be a hypocrite. "You know what, I should go." Emma closed her book, grabbed her backpack, and started to get up.
"Don't leave. What do I have to do to have you?!"
Emma looked at Lacy. "I'm sorry Lacy. I'm sorry that you thought there was more to us messing around. Grace doesn't know I am here, neither does Regina. I have to go."
"Why does it matter if Regina knows you are here."
"Because she is my girlfriend now."
Lacy's face fell. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I haven't really broadcasted it."
"Since when?"
"A few weeks ago."
Lucy felt herself getting choked up, but she held back her tears. She shrugged and blurted out, "I don't care. Just stay the night and fuck me. There doesn't have to be more than just that."
"Yes there does, Lacy. I honestly just want Regina and nobody else. I knew this was a bad idea. I'm glad you are doing ok and safe, but I have to go."
Lacy watched Emma walk out the back door. She was filled with self-pity and rage. She sat for hours at the kitchen table staring off into space.
--
Monday morning, Emma feared that Lacy would become a nightmare. That was not the way she wanted things to go down between the two of them, and now she feared that she would cause trouble.
She saw Lacy going to class. She texted Lacy asking if the rest of the night went ok, and was she ok. She was open to talking because she didn't like the way they left things. She did appreciate her math help. Lacy didn't answer her until after school. Lacy merely said, "You're welcome."
Emma wasn't going to be rattled. She had her last quiz to take before the final on Thursday.
By the end of the day, she found out she passed her quiz. Her teacher told her that she was confident she would pass the final on Thursday. This gave Emma a load of relief. Regina praised her, told her that she knew she could do it.
Emma texted Lacy the good news, but Lacy never replied. She also didn't see Lacy the rest of the week at school. Not that she was looking for her. It brought Emma anxiety to think about what Lacy would act like on Saturday night towards Regina. She texted Lacy Wednesday asking if she told her mom and how did that go over, but she never answered. Finally, she figured no news was no news. She had a final to focus on.
--
Regina got a text from Emma late on Thursday night:
Do we have to go to school tomorrow? Can't we ditch? I have the car, can we go somewhere fun?
Regina read it and thought about it. She had already turned in her paper and got it back graded today, but Emma still had to find out about her test:
You need to get your final results...
Regina could miss. Whatever was planned in her class was probably not that important, since she turned in her paper already and received it back. It wasn't like her to skip a class for that reason, though. Emma soon replied:
I think I did ok. I'll see my final grade in a few weeks.
A few weeks?! Regina replied. But she thought about how hard Emma had worked. This was her decision, and it wouldn't harm her to treat herself as well:
Ok. What are you thinking?
Emma was excited. She was sure Regina would fight her, and she already had the debate set up in her head to try and persuade her.
Ummmm, it's a surprise :)
Regina laughed:
Lol. So you have no idea?
Emma loved how she knew her so well. Then Emma got an idea:
Yes. No. Yes. I dunno, but whatever it is, can we end it with a dinner date? I haven't properly taken you out.
Regina's heart grew warm, and she smiled:
I accept. We take off an hour later than usual then? Why don't we drive into the city and explore?
Emma loved the sound of it.