Chapter 2

"Coffee. 2 creams, 1 sugar," Regina said absentmindedly, as though by rote. Granny Lucas nodded, not needing to jot down Regina's order. After fourteen years of Regina ordering the same thing virtually every weekday, Granny had the order memorized pretty well.

"Coming right up," she replied.

"Thanks, Granny."

Granny's Diner was essentially the primary meet up spot for any teenager with a social life in Storybrook. The diner, which appeared to be straight out of a fifties movie, had stood, unchanged, since Granny had opened it in, naturally, 1953. Despite being in her late seventies, Granny Lucas was sharp as a tack, knowing practically every single one of her regular customer's names as well as their orders. The food was honestly the best, as Granny had hand crafted each recipe herself and never allowed her staff to even slightly deviate from them.

Regina and her friends had been coming here every morning before school ever since she could remember. Regina certainly would never complain about this, seeing as the food truly was a god send. In addition to that, one of her better acquaintances, Ruby Lucas, Granny's granddaughter, worked part time at the diner and never hesitated to give a discount when she was able to escape Granny's watchful eye.

Regina looked around the diner, taking in the usual morning crowd, while waiting for the rest of her friends to arrive. Regina had always made it a habit to arrive a few minutes before anyone else, lest she have to wait in line for her sacred morning coffee.

"Good morning, love," Killian Jones greeted as he bustled through the door in his typical lackluster fashion. Regina rolled her eyes at Killian's usual disheveled appearance. Why he insisted upon wearing his leather jacket in the middle of August, Regina did not even attempt to comprehend.

"Good morning, Killian," Regina responded sarcastically. Killian chuckled as he joined her at the counter.

"I'll take four donuts and a cappuccino please," Killian called out to Granny, who responded with a curt head nod as she moved to fill his order.

"New health kick? I see you're down from your normal six donuts," Regina commented snidely. Killian laughed.

"Sadly, yes. Emma mentioned that she though I might be losing my prime physique over the summer. She was imagining things, I'm sure, but I thought it best not to risk it," Killian replied goofily, winking. Regina laughed, in spite of herself.

"Well, that brings up a good conversation point. What exactly is going on between you and Emma right now? I have a summer of ups and downs to catch up on, it seems," Regina asked Killian, smirking. He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"As usual, I'm the last to know about anything concerning the status of Emma and I's relationship. You'd be better off asking Emma, or Mary Margaret. Anyone but me," Killian answered irritably. Clearly Regina had hit a nerve, leading her to believe he and Emma were in a down stage.

Killian and Emma's on again-off again relationship was nothing short of famous in Regina's grade. They'd become known for their constant bickering and sarcastic banter, pretty much as soon as Emma had moved to Storybrook from Boston in the seventh grade. It was as though each had an unspoken monopoly on the other. They technically were not together, but one would be a complete fool to try anything with either Killian or Emma; they were both essentially off limits to anyone but each other. It was obvious that they clearly wanted to be together, but Regina suspected they both enjoyed the excitement that came with the petty drama too much to just admit it.

Emma, Mary Margaret, David, and Gold all came sauntering in the door moments later.

"For the first time possibly ever, I have interesting gossip to report!" Emma announced as the friends made their way over to Killian and Regina.

"Do tell," Regina indulged her, despite having absolutely no interest in what she was about to say.

"I was at school late yesterday for soccer practice, and I heard your mom on the phone talking to someone, Regina," Emma began, wiggling her eyebrows as to try and increase everyone's interest in her story. Regina rolled her eyes.

"Enough with the theatrics, drama queen, what was she saying?" Regina said snidely.

"I don't know who she was talking to, but apparently we're getting a new student from England!" Emma exclaimed excitedly. This actually was more interesting than Regina had been expecting. New students in Storybrook were a rarity, to say the least. Especially ones from so far away.

"Oh yeah, that's true, I've already met him. His name is Robin. Coach made me run a pre-try out for him last night to see if he was good enough to try out for the football team," David added, shrugging as though the gossip was old news.

"I wasn't even done! Apparently, he got kicked out of his old school in England for stealing," Emma said loudly, attempting to regain her friends' attention. This certainly raised Regina's eyebrows. She couldn't imagine Cora was particularly pleased to be housing a criminal in her high school…

"Sounds like the most exciting new person to come to this town in awhile," Gold remarked slyly, speaking for the first time this morning. Everyone laughed at that, Gold would be interested in becoming friends with a thief.

"Wait, are you sure about that, Emma? He seemed like a really nice guy when I met him yesterday," David protested, shaking his head doubtfully. How typical of David to assume that someone who stole something once surely had horrible moral character and couldn't possibly be cool.

"Just because he stole something one time doesn't mean he's a terrible person, David, I'm sure he is a really nice guy," Emma remarked, laughing and rolling her eyes.

"Either way, it'll be so exciting to meet someone new!" Mary Margaret piped up, before any sort of argument between Emma and David could spark. Ah, Snow. Always the conflict killer.

Regina didn't have much to comment on the alleged British newcomer, and was relieved when Granny delivered everyone's food orders, spurring a subject change.

Regina had been dreading this day of chemistry class all week. The beginning of the second week of school, according to their teacher, marked the time when the students would begin participating in lab work. Ordinarily, Regina would have been thrilled to not be forced to endure a boring lecture and actually get to do something during class, but lab work also required a lab partner. And, as this was chemistry II, most of the students had already paired up with their partner from the previous year. Regina's lab partner had been Daniel. .

"Alright, everyone, find your partners and take a seat at one of the lab tables in the back of the room!" Mr. Archibald announced loudly to his very talkative first period class. Regina felt a heat of embarrassment rise to her cheeks, as she knew she did not have a partner. She began the slow and awkward trudge to Mr. Archibald's desk to inform him of this.

"Mr. Archibald-" Regina started off hesitantly as she approached his desk. He looked up at her immediately, and it didn't take him long to figure out why she was addressing him. It wasn't like there was a single person at Storybrook High who didn't know that Daniel was no longer at school.

"Right, Ms. Mills, I forgot. I apologize," he said quickly and very awkwardly. Regina willed the flush in her cheeks to disappear. Maybe if she acted like it wasn't awkward, it wouldn't be?

"It's honestly fine, I don't mind working alone," she told him passively, seeing as even if she did mind working alone, there wasn't much she could do about it. She hated how conspicuous and weird she would look working by herself, but she also truly wouldn't mind not having to make small talk with someone new. To her confusion, Mr. Archibald shook his head.

"Actually, that won't be necessary, because-Ah, yes, Mr. Locksley, welcome!"

Regina's head immediately whipped over to the open classroom door to see who Mr. Archibald was greeting, although part of her already knew who it would be based on the unfamiliar last name.

A tall, sandy blonde-haired boy with piercing blue eyes, who Regina could only assume was Robin Locksley, stood in the entrance to the classroom. He was dressed in dark wash jeans, dark grey Vans and a forest green button down. All of his clothing showed off his almost unfairly attractive body. Despite the fact that he wasn't offering anything even remotely resembling a smile, Regina couldn't help but notice the warmth and kindness his deep blue eyes seemed to exude. Contrary to majority of teenage boys, he actually was sort of rocking some dirty blonde scruffy facial hair (Regina wondered how long Cora would allow that to continue…) He stood aloof and disinterested, his hands casually stuffed in his pockets.

When Emma had mentioned him earlier this morning, the last thing Regina had expected was that she would be attracted to him. Regina honestly hadn't been able to picture herself being attracted to anyone ever again, after Daniel. But alas, here she was, very attracted to Robin Locksley. And she absolutely hated it. It made her feel exposed, and vulnerable, as though Robin could hear her thoughts from across the room. It made her hate him already. How dare he just waltz into her class, her school, her country, and make her feel this way?

"Mr. Locksley, you're just in time!" Mr. Archibald exclaimed enthusiastically, probably ecstatic to have so easily diffused the awkward conversation he was having with Regina.

Every muscle in Regina's body tensed as Robin made his way over to Mr. Archibald's desk. His proximity to her made her anxious and uncomfortable, and he hadn't even spoken yet… Regina rapidly tried to figure out what the hell was wrong with her.

"Regina, I trust you've met Robin Locksley already?" Mr. Archibald offered, glancing back and forth between the two students. Robin turned his attention to Regina for the first time, and she could have sworn her heart rate doubled as she felt him taking her in. She wondered what he was thinking. Get yourself together, Regina!

"Robin Locksley," Robin said, holding out his hand. Regina was even more caught off guard by his light, and rather pleasant, english accent. She was hesitant to shake his hand, she couldn't imagine physical contact would help her sudden entrancement very much.

She ignored her own thoughts, and shook it anyways.

"Regina Mills," Regina responded tightly, quickly retracting her hand from Robin's. She looked away from him and back at Mr. Archibald. Looking at him was just making it worse.

"It seems that you two are going to be lab partners for the year. So go ahead and grab a table in the back," Mr. Archibald instructed quickly, seemingly eager to get the two students away from his desk.

"After you, Milady," Robin said casually, stepping back as to allow Regina passage between the desk to the back of the classroom. She detested the way the sound of his voice made her so impossibly nervous and on edge.

"So the thief has manners, I see," Regina heard herself remark snidely. She was momentarily surprised with herself for her own rudeness, as Robin had done nothing to deserve it yet. But at the same time, she had come to expect this behavior from herself. Regina had never done well in awkward situations, when she felt uncomfortable with someone, her first instinct was always to put distance between them with sarcasm and biting remarks. Still, she felt slightly guilty, until Robin's response.

He simply arched an eyebrow, as though questioning Regina's judgement with that comment.

"That bit certainly traveled fast, didn't it?" Robin responded sarcastically, chuckling without even the slightest bit of humor.

Regina didn't offer a response.

"But, while we're tossing labels around… Aren't you technically referred to as the 'Evil Queen'?" Robin asked pointedly, as they arrived at their designated lab table in the back corner of the room. How the hell had he already managed to hear about that nickname…? David, Regina thought bitterly to herself. Touchè.

"I prefer Regina," she snapped. Robin smirked, irritatingly aware that he had successfully parried her initial jab.

"Alright then, Regina, shall we start?" Robin asked, his voice laced lightly with sarcasm, gesturing to the instructions for the lab on the table between them. He spoke much more comfortably than Regina would have preferred. While she was completely uncomfortable and nervous, it seemed that Robin could not be more at ease. How frustrating.

"I really wouldn't have minded working by myself," Regina felt the need to remind him. Robin arched an eyebrow.

"I'm not so sure about that, it could be quite dangerous, I reckon," he said sarcastically, gesturing to the beakers and test tubes of chemicals around. Regina rolled her eyes.

"Just… don't get in my way," she said, sighing. Robin smirked.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Robin ended up proving to be quite a competent lab partner, and, not that Regina would ever admit it, she probably wouldn't have been able to complete the assignment by herself. She also had to admit that she was impressed by his banter. Not many people were able to keep up with her sarcasm and snide comments.

"So, what's in Storybrook?" Regina asked him, as they simultaneously cleaned out their test tubes and beakers from the experiment.

"A job for my father. He's just begun working at the police station," Robin answered her casually, handing Regina one of the beakers to dry off. Regina raised her eyebrows, and half smiled, experiencing the usual rush of contentedness she felt when she had something witty to respond with.

"So he's a cop. That's… ironic."

Robin rolled his eyes and chuckled at Regina's second allusion to his stealing.

"You know, if you want to hear the story, all you have to do is ask," Robin remarked, pausing from what he was doing to look over at her.

"This should be interesting," Regina replied, meeting his eye contact confidently and taking another beaker from the sink to dry.

"Actually, it's rather a disappointing story, I've been told. It's been a… trying year, to say the least, and I went through a bit of a… drinking stage. I got too drunk, wandered into a convenient store, and ended up stealing a… stuffed monkey toy for my little brother," Robin explained, unable to fight the grin that rose on his irritatingly handsome face. Regina gaped at him.

"That's it? That could quite possibly be the lamest story of the century," she said, scowling. Robin laughed loudly at that.

"Were you hoping I would have robbed someone at gunpoint, then?"

"I wasn't hoping for anything, thief."

"I assumed that story would've discredited that nickname. I actually consider myself quite a stand up man, I'll have you know," Robin protested, smirking yet again. How tired of that arrogant smirk Regina was becoming…

Regina was just about to respond with some sort of clever and biting insult, when Mallory Dragons walked past their sink.

"Hi, Robin. Didn't realize you were in this class," Mallory said, much more seductively than a classroom setting should have warranted. In fact, it really ought to be illegal the way she was so obviously undressing Robin with her eyes, Regina thought bitterly to herself. Regina was disgusted.

Much to Regina's amusement, Robin's grin disappeared and he suddenly looked extremely uncomfortable.

"Um, good to see you too, uh…" Robin trailed off awkwardly, and Regina quickly realized he had no idea who the hell he was talking to.

"Mallory," Regina breathed quietly, slightly angling her face away so Mallory wouldn't notice. She was trying desperately not to laugh.

"Mallory!" Robin quickly tried to recover. Mallory was clearly mortified, as she offered a quick smile and practically sprinted away.

Robin's lightly tanned face was now completely flushed.

"Stand up guy, indeed," Regina couldn't resist quipping, as she began to put the cleaned beakers into their respective cupboards. Robin groaned.

"You seem determined to make a mockery of me, Your Majesty," he retorted, scowling. Regina laughed.

"Not that it matters, seeing as you'll probably forget who I am as soon as this class ends," Regina replied, closing the cupboard, and leaning back agains the sink counter. Robin raised one eyebrow and half smiled. As though he knew some secret that Regina didn't.

"I doubt I'd ever forget meeting you."

Much to Regina's chagrin, chemistry was not the only class she had with Robin Locksley. He also made an appearance in her AP US history class. At least she had her friends in this class, she tried to reason with herself. She probably wouldn't even have to speak to him. Regina had resolved with herself to absolutely avoid Robin at all costs. His arrogance and anxiety causing handsomeness were two things Regina absolutely did not need in her life.

So, of course, it was only fitting that David had to throw a kink in her plans to avoid Robin.

"Robin, hey! Come sit with us!" David called out to Robin, who was absentmindedly walking through the door of the history classroom. David pointed at the empty desk diagonally in front of his, which was also right next to Emma, who was seated in front of David. Regina was sitting behind David, and now much closer to Robin that she wanted. Damn David Nolan and his eternally friendly soul.

"Hey, Robin, I'm Emma," Emma said cheerfully, holding out her hand to Robin. Robin shook it immediately.

"And I'm Killian," Killian quickly interjected, seemingly annoyed at Emma's eager introduction of herself to Robin. Regina rolled her eyes. They were the worst.

"Good to meet both of you," Robin said kindly to both Emma and Killian.

"And this is Gold," David said loudly as to try and attract Gold's attention. Much to Regina's amusement, she noticed that Gold was currently ogling Belle French, the lone freshman who had made the cut to be in AP US history. In fact, Gold's eyes seemed to spend most of their time on Belle French, when she happened to be around. Regina made a mental note to torment him about this later.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Gold said abruptly, tearing his eyes off of Belle and finally dignifying the rest of his friends with some attention. Regina snickered quietly, earning her a glare from Gold.

"Robin," Robin offered tentatively, smiling warmly and offering his hand to Gold.

"Pleasure," Gold said politely. David then turned around to face Regina.

"And this is-"

"Regina," Robin finished, angling himself towards her. Regina raised her eyebrows and smiled her most intimidating smile.

"I'm impressed," she replied. Robin grinned, knowing exactly what she meant. David looked back and forth between the two of them, seemingly bewildered.

"I didn't realize you two had met…" he said. Robin half smiled.

"The evil queen and I have chemistry together, it seems. Lab partner dream team, actually," Robin joked. Regina rolled her eyes.

"Can't thank you enough, David, for sharing that little nickname with the thief, here," Regina snarked. David, Killian, and Emma cracked up.

Before the awkward introductions and greetings could continue, Mrs. Arendelle entered the room to begin class.

Class passed uneventfully, despite Robin Locksley's presence, much to Regina's relief. As the bell rang, Regina and her friends began to make their way to lunch. Robin was walking with them, and Regina was very annoyed at how well he seemed to be fitting in. To an outsider, he would have looked like he belonged in the group just as much as the rest of them. How typical. At least Regina would get to get away from him during lunch. She imagined (desperately hoped) that Robin had already made some of his own friends to sit with.

But, much to Regina's disappointment, as the friends made their way over to their usual secluded, round top table, Robin did not offer his goodbyes and depart. Regina saw Mary Margaret waiting at the table, and she sped ahead of the her friends to go and greet her.

"Is that Robin?!" Mary Margaret gasped as Regina walked up next to her. Regina groaned.

"Yes," Regina offered shortly. Mary Margaret continued to gape at him.

"He's so handsome-"

"Don't even begin-" Regina started to interrupt irritably, as the rest of the group walked up, forcing Regina cut herself off.

"Hey, babe, this is Robin Locksley," David introduced, pressing a light kiss to Mary Margaret's cheek.

"It's so nice to meet you!" Mary Margaret said cheerfully, eagerly extending her hand to shake Robin's.

"I invited him to sit with us," David said excitedly. Of course he did.

"If that's alright with you all," Robin said quickly, glancing around at everyone. Regina couldn't help but notice that his gaze lingered on her for the longest… Regina quickly averted her gaze, determined not to like anything about him. Not even the fact that he was trying to be considerate. Nope, nope, nope.

"Of course!" Emma exclaimed. Killian looked significantly less delighted about this, but nodded his head anyways. Regina doubted this had anything to do with Robin, rather about the fact that Emma seemed so excited.

And, naturally, their three year seating chart left only one open seat. The one next to Regina. Fate seemed to have made Regina the gag of all its jokes today.

"Do you mind?" Robin asked Regina again quietly, as everyone sat down. Yes, yes I do mind, very, very much…

"Not at all."