Based on another prompt, I hope I can do this justice and not make it too much like my Loser Party story. I also hope ya'll like it. It's going to be multi chapter, from both points of view. It is SQ, but it's going to be slow burn.
Read~Enjoy~Review
Ch. 1
Out on the outskirts of Storybrooke, Emma sighed as she came inside the small loft that was even hotter inside than outside. All she wanted to do right now was take a cold shower and get the smell of dog off her. She loved working at the shelter and was glad they let her since she was under 16, but on hot days like today, the smell always seemed to linger. "Mama? I'm home. I'm going to go shower quick." She called and was about to go to the bathroom when her mom's voice stopped her.
"Emma? Come in here please." Mary called from her room and Emma came in.
"Mama, I smell like dog. Do you need help with something?" Emma asked as she came over and kissed her mother's cheek. "Do you want more water?"
Mary Margaret had been fighting a battle with cancer for the last three years and was just recently told she was in remission. She was building her strength back up and couldn't wait to be able to get a job and help out with the mountain of bills they now had. David, Emma's dad, had been working double or even triple shifts as a police officer, but even that wasn't enough to keep the family's finances out of the red. Selling their home and moving into the loft helped for a while, but that money was now long gone and Mary always felt guilty when Emma would give them all but $10.00 of every paycheck she earned. Her daughter was in the summer between middle and high school and should be out having fun with her friends, not working to help pay the rent. Seeing her baby girl looking so stressed out at such a young age ate at her guilt.
"I don't need anything baby. Come sit down, I want to show you something." Mary waited until Emma sat down and took a large envelope out from under her covers. "Why is Boston Academy for Girls sending you a large envelope?"
Emma felt her face turn red as she looked down, avoiding Mary's eyes. "I um…I don't know." She mumbled.
"Then I guess you better open it." Mary said with a little smile. She knew her daughter had applied and though she'd miss her, she knew they'd do anything they could to make sure she could go if she was accepted.
"Mom…it doesn't matter. I only applied to see if I could, but…"
"But nothing. Open it, Emma." Mary said, putting her hand over her daughters. "Please."
Emma sighed and opened the envelope, taking out a letter and a folder. She read over the letter and bit her lip as tears filled her eyes. "I got in…" She said quietly as she kept reading. "Mom, I got in on a full scholarship. I did it."
Mary smiled warmly at her baby girl. "Oh, I'm so happy, Emma. How long do we have before you go?"
"I'm not going." Emma said, sighing as she put the letter down. "Mom, I didn't think I'd actually get accepted. I can't go, I can't leave you guys."
Mary shifted and pulled Emma into her lap, stroking her hair. "Honey, I know what it took for you to get a full scholarship, and one day, I hope you let me read the essay you wrote to get accepted. In the last three years, you've had to grow up faster than any child should have to because of me being sick. You're still a child, my child, and I watch you with the weight of a grown adult on your back because of me and my cancer. Your father and I will miss you, but I want you to go and enjoy the last four years of your childhood, Emma Ruth Ann Swan. So, let's look through the folder and see what we need to get you and how long we have to do it." She leaned down and kissed her daughter's forehead. "I'm so proud of you, baby girl."
Emma looked up at her mother with tears in her eyes. "Mama, are you sure you'll be okay? I know it's not much, but my paycheck helps you guys."
Mary sighed and rubbed her thumb along Emma's upper cheek, looking into those caring green eyes. "We'll be fine baby. The last thing a child your age should be worried about is giving her parents her paycheck. Gods, you shouldn't even have to have a paycheck. You know what? You're taking the rest of this summer off. I'm done watching you go wear yourself out all day. I've got an interview on the computer tomorrow for a work at home job, so I want you to enjoy your summer." She reached over to the folder. "Now, what does the scholarship include?"
Emma couldn't believe that she and her mother were having this conversation. She was going. She was actually freaking going! She found out that 'full scholarship' literally included everything. "It includes ten uniforms so I can go two weeks before I have to do laundry, which, by the way, laundry service is included. It also includes all my books, a chrome book, my room. All students get three meals a day included, but I also get $100.00 a week to spend at the canteen or school store and what I don't use will roll over! Oh mom, look at the dorms! They're huge!" Emma said excitedly as she showed her mom the picture. "It's a double room until you're in your Junior and Senior year, and then you have the option of your own room, but with an extra charge. I don't mind sharing at all. I mean, those are full sized beds even!" The rooms were quite large with two full sized beds, two large wardrobes, two desks and a refrigerator (bigger than a mini fridge, but smaller than a full sized one). The rooms also included a large screen TV, a sofa and two chairs that separated the two beds and they had their own bathroom. "Mom, they also have room dividers so if my roommate wanted to go to bed, but I was working on a paper or something, we can put the divider up. It doesn't completely close off the room, but it would help with light and privacy." Emma then gazed at her mother as she bit her lip. "I can go? For real, I can go?"
Mary hugged Emma tightly. "Yes, baby girl. You can go. I'm going to miss you so much, but I'm so glad you have this opportunity."
Emma then turned and took Mary's hands. "Mama, I want you to promise me something. Well, two things. One, if your cancer comes back, you have to tell me so I can come home. I refuse to be there if you get sick again. And two, if you and dad find you need me home to get a job and help out, you tell me."
Mary rubbed her thumbs on Emma's hands. "I promise that if I get cancer again, I will tell you, but if that happens, we can discuss then if you come home or not. I also promise that dad and I won't need you to come home and get a job. You're our child, school is number one for you. Emma, I want you to promise me something. Promise me you'll take this time and enjoy it. Promise me you'll go and make the most of this opportunity. Even if at first you find it hard, please give it at least four months before you decide to come home, but please know that if you do come home, it's okay."
"I've never been that far away from home or for that long. First break isn't until November, and that's only a week. At least winter break is four weeks. I'm excited, mama, but I'm scared too." She bit her lip. "You sure dad will let me go?"
"Let you go where, Princess?" David asked as he came in. He kissed his wife's temple and then Emma's before looking at the papers on the bed. "Boston Academy for Girls, hmm? Emma, I'm not sure we can afford this."
"She got a fully paid scholarship, David." Mary said, telling him what it included. "She worked hard and she's going."
"Of course she's going. Emma, I'm so proud of you. This is a very good school and will open so many doors for you for college. I'm going to miss you like crazy, but we can call every night."
"I don't know if the dorms have a phone, dad." Emma said, chewing on her lip again.
"Well lucky for you, that won't be a problem." He said and smiled at his wife who gave a nod and opened the drawer by her bed.
"We got you something for doing so well in school. I'm sorry it's not top of the line, but your dad was told it's a good model. It's pre-paid and we're going to do everything we can to make sure you have service every month." She said as she handed Emma a cell phone box.
Sure, it wasn't the latest and greatest, but Emma had grateful tears in her eyes as she looked at it. "Really? For me? But how did you afford it?"
"Don't you worry about that, Princess." David said as he smiled and hugged his daughter. "Now, I think this all calls for a celebration. How about dinner from Granny's?"
"We don't have to do that, daddy. My paycheck wasn't that big because of my finals."
Hearing Emma talk about her paycheck sent so much guilt through David. She was so young and literally just out of middle school and here she was talking about a paycheck. "I got my bonus today, Em. Order anything you want."
Emma shook her head. "I'll be happy sharing a meal with Mama like I usually do."
"I don't want to share today, Emma, I want a full meal and I want you to have a full meal." She smiled at her husband. "I want a cheeseburger with the works, onion rings, and a chocolate milkshake."
David smiled and nodded. "That sounds great. I'll have the same thing." He said and looked at Emma. "Whatever you want."
"I'll have the same. Thanks, daddy." She then gathered all the papers and put them in the folder. "I do want to go shower though. I smell like dog."
"Emma? Can I read your essay that got you the scholarship?" Mary asked as she sat back.
"Sure." As Emma went to get that, David called in the order. "Here, but…look, please don't feel guilty when you read the parts about you, okay?"
"Okay, baby girl. Go shower while your dad gets the food."
Emma went to do just that, and Mary cried as she read her daughter's essay. It was raw, emotional, true and very well written, but it made her feel so bad for everything she put her daughter through. She had composed herself enough to get up and set the table and when Emma came out of the shower, she went and hugged her daughter tight. "I love you so much, Emma, and I'm so proud of you."
Emma hugged her back and closed her eyes. "Thanks, Mama. I love you, too."
The family happily had dinner and enjoyed their night together, finishing with a movie. After saying goodnight to her parents, she went up to her room and got her phone going. She texted her best friend Lilly and the two talked for a while until the blonde fell asleep.
Regina Mills grinned as she brought the envelope in from the mailbox. This would be her second year at BAFG – Boston Academy for Girls – and couldn't wait to see if she got her request for her own individual dorm. Sure, students didn't usually get them until their Junior and Senior years, and she was only a sophomore, but she was Regina Mills, daughter to Henry Mills, the man who gave BAFG so much money, they couldn't deny her anything. Regina scowled as she read. Apparently, they could deny her an individual dorm. She grumbled and stomped up the steps to her room.
"What's wrong, sis?" Zelena asked from her doorway.
"They didn't give me my own room." Regina whined.
"Of course they didn't. You're a sophomore. I didn't even get one until this year and I'm a senior. Just because daddy gives them money, doesn't mean you get everything you want."
Regina rolled her eyes. "It's not fair. I didn't even do a roommate request because I thought for sure I'd have my own room."
"Oh boy. Now you'll be stuck with someone you don't know. Good job, sis." She said, going into her room and closing the door.
Regina sighed and sat on her bed, getting her phone out. "Kathryn, did you put in a roommate request?" Regina asked, hoping she requested her.
"Yeah, for Mal. You said you'd get your own room, so Mal and I requested each other."
"Fuck." Regina said, stomping her foot. "I didn't get my own room."
"Oh, I'm sorry Gina. Hopefully you won't get anyone bad."
"Yeah, like some scholarship kid. Ugh, I'll have to lock up all my stuff."
"Well, you can spend your time with Mal and I in our room."
Regina laughed. "Are you kidding me? If I do get stuck with a scholarship kid, she's going to have to find somewhere else to hang out between classes because I pay to be there. Well, my dad does, but still."
"Nah, I get it. Daddy said it's a shame the school allows those less than us into the school. We shouldn't have to mingle with them. Oh gods, what if you get Ruby?"
"Eww, no. I'll die, Kat." Regina said, groaning. Ruby was a scholarship kid who had a bad attitude and was in their class the year before. They hadn't gotten along, and Regina didn't want to see her again.
"I heard that Swan girl applied for a scholarship. You know, the cop's daughter who always smells like a dog and lives in those rundown lofts on the edge of town?"
Regina groaned. "I don't want to room with a girl who smells like a dog. Maybe she won't get accepted."
"When do you find out who you're with?"
"Not until the first day back." Regina said and sighed. "I gotta go, my parents are home."
"Okay, we still on for the beach tomorrow?"
"Yes, see you at noon."
Regina whined and complained all night about not having her own room, but all her parents said was 'those are the rules' and it drove Regina crazy. They were supposed to get her what she wanted and the fact they weren't even trying just upset her. She tried picturing this Swan girl Kathryn had mentioned, but for some reason, she just couldn't remember her. The next day, she and Kathryn were laid out on a sheet at the beach when Regina felt Kathryn nudge her.
"What?" She asked, not even opening her eyes under her sunglasses.
"It's doggy girl." Kathryn said. "With some other girl."
"Doggy girl?" Regina asked, looking over.
"Yeah, Emma Swan or whatever her name is."
Regina looked over and saw a blonde girl with a brunette walking down the beach. "Which one?"
"The blonde."
"Hmm." Regina said, putting her sunglasses back on. She then stood up and went over to the girls. "You Emma Swan?"
Emma swallowed. Regina fucking Mills was talking to her. "Y…yes. Can I help you?"
"Is it true that you got into Boston Academy for Girls?"
"I did." Emma said, standing proud.
Regina looked her up and down. "On scholarship?"
Emma deflated just a little. "Um, yes."
Regina smirked a bit, seeing the girl go from proud to ashamed. "You don't belong there, Swan. We don't want trashy scholarship girls there to ruin our good names. Don't come. Stay here in our nice little town in your nice little loft with your smelly little dogs and stop trying to be someone you're not."
Emma felt tears prick her eyes as she watched Regina go back to her friend, both of them laughing. She looked at Lilly. "Did…did that really just happen?"
Lilly was seething as she watched the two bitches laugh. "I'm gonna go kick her ass." She said, causing Emma to reach out and grab her arm.
"Lilly no. You've already gotten into trouble enough. Don't make my dad arrest you…again." She pulled her and started walking the other way. "Do you think I shouldn't go? What if she's right and everyone hates me because I'm on scholarship?"
Lilly put her arm around Emma, holding her close. "You're going. Emma, you worked hard with your essay to get in, that bitch just had her daddy pay. You deserve to go, and you will go, and you will be successful. Do not let those snotty bitches let you feel like you're not as good as them. Fuck them, Emma Swan."
Emma sniffed and chuckled, wiping at her eyes. "Yeah, fuck them. Gods I hope I'm not in a room with one of them." She stopped and looked at Lilly. "Don't tell my mom about this, okay?"
"I won't."
"Lilly? I'm gonna miss you so much. Please promise me that if my mom gets sick and tries to hide it, or if you can tell my dad is working more that you'll tell me so I can come home, okay?"
"I promise I'll tell you if your mom gets sick again, but Emma, I will only tell you if your dad works more if it really seems they're suffering. I am so jealous that you get to go and I want you to take advantage of this. I'm gonna miss you so fucking much. You keep me from going too far to the dark side, Emma, but I'm so damn excited for you."
Emma smiled and hugged her best friend. "Call me whenever you feel like you're going to do something bad, okay?"
"Yeah, I'll think about it."
"Emma, I'm so sorry we can't go with you." David said with a sigh as he hugged his daughter again. "I tried so hard to get off work and your mom just isn't ready to drive alone."
"It's okay, dad." Emma said, though inside, she was a bit scared. "I just take the cab to the train station and go from there. I'll be fine."
"You call me when you're on the train, when you're in Boston and when you're finally in your dorm." Mary said, worrying over her daughter. "I've packed food for your travel and made sure you have everything you need. All you need to do is stop at…"
"At the desk for new students when I get there. I know, mom." Emma swallowed and smiled as the taxi came. "I love you both so much." She hugged her mother and her father came over and joined them.
"You call us if you need anything, Emma Ruth Ann Swan. No matter the time, no matter what you need, you call us, and we'll do everything to help you." David stated. "I love you so much."
After another round of hugs, Emma got in the taxi and buckled up. She waived until she couldn't see her parents anymore and then sat back, taking a big breath. Truth be told, she was so scared to be going from little Storybrooke to Boston by herself. She wanted her parents here, she wanted to cry and whine when her dad said he couldn't come, but she knew she couldn't do that. She knew her parents needed her dad to work. Her mom had gotten a temporary job, but her dad still had to take all the hours he could. Once the blonde was on the train, she smiled when she saw the note from her mom when she went in her bag to grab a sandwich that was made for her.
Dearest Emma,
I'm so sorry no one is with you. I know you're mad, and you have every right to be, but please know we love you so much. Call me as often as you can and never forget how much I love you.
Love, Mama
Emma did call her mom and talked with her as the train sped to the city. She let out a sigh of relief when the taxi pulled up to the school and she was there. It was beautiful and reminded her of an old English town. Brick buildings formed a huge square with beautiful grass, cobblestone sidewalks, and fountains in the middle. There was a church, a green house, a few buildings that Emma could tell had dorm rooms inside. There was too much to even see right away as she walked into the courtyard.
A girl came over to her with a big smile and the bluest eyes Emma had ever seen. "Hello, are you new? Can I help you get checked in?"
Emma noticed she had a nametag on and smiled back. "Yes, thank you. I am new and completely lost. I'm Emma."
The girl smiled and looked around. "Are you here alone, Emma? No parents?"
"Yes, they couldn't make it."
"That's okay. Let's get you registered. I'm Mal. Come on." She gestured and started walking. "Are you a Freshman?"
"Yes." Emma said and bit her lip. "I um…I'm a scholarship recipient. Do I need to tell anyone that?"
Mal looked around. "Emma, I have nothing at all against scholarship students, but some of the other students do. Be proud of what you accomplished, but don't advertise it if you can help it."
Emma gave a nod and looked down, suddenly feeling ashamed. "Some from my hometown already know."
"I take it by the way you say that, that they've already said something to you?" When Emma nodded, Mal sighed. "Well it's a big school so hopefully you won't see them." She stopped at a table and smiled at the teacher. "Hey Mr. Nolan, I have a new one here. Emma…sorry I didn't get her last name."
"Emma Swan." She said with a smile. "Freshman."
"Emma Swan." He said, going through papers. "Ah yes, right here. Okay, Emma, you are in the Freshman/Sophomore dorm Green. Each dorm has a different color assigned to it. You're in room…108 which means you're on the first floor. Here is your key card and a lanyard to keep it on. Should anything happen to it, just see your house mother Miss Blue and she'll help you get it replaced. That key card also works for your account, meaning if you have money for the canteen or school store, it's stored on there. The welcome folder here includes everything you need to know, and your chrome book is already in your room, your name on the box." He looked at her with a smile. "Is there anything else you can think of right away?"
Emma blushed. "Um…I was told I'd have uniforms?"
He gave a kind nod. "Yes, we don't want our new students to have to carry too much, so those are already in your room as well. You'll find them in one of the wardrobes. If they need altering of any kind, or whatever, see Miss Blue." He handed her the welcome bag. "Your schedule is in there in the welcome folder and your books and some supplies are in there as well. Again, if you need anything, you see Miss Blue."
"Thank you." Emma said and tried taking the bag but with her suitcase and her bag that had her bedding, it was hard to do, so Mal took it from her.
"I think that's it. Thank you, Mr. Nolan, I've got it from here."
"Thanks." Emma said with a waive. The two started walking again and Emma was lost in thought, chewing on her lip.
"I know it's scary, overwhelming, and a bit intimidating, but it's going to be okay, Emma. I'm in Green also, so I'll be able to help you out."
Emma gave a smile. "Thanks so much, Mal. Honestly after my run in with Regina the other day, I was so scared to come here, but you're so nice that I'm glad I did."
Mal looked over. "Regina?"
"Yes."
"Regina Mills?"
"Yes, you know her?"
Mal sighed. "Shit. She knew you were accepted on scholarship?"
"Yes…why?"
"She's a…friend. I mean, honestly, I decided it was better to be her 'friend' than not. Shit, Emma, she's…well it doesn't matter because I like you and I'm not going to let her be a bitch to you. Don't worry, I'll talk to her."
Emma smiled, though she once again felt nervous. "Thanks."
Once Mal had showed Emma her room, she said she had to get back and help any other new students. Emma looked around and smiled, loving that she was here. She tried on one of the uniforms and a pair of shoes and it fit perfectly, so she hung it back up and then made her bed. She put some food she had left from her mom in the fridge, put some pictures up on the table by the bed she claimed and started setting up her Chromebook.
"Regina! We're going to be late!" Zelena called and huffed. "Get your ass down here now!" She crossed her arms and watched her sister come down with the last of her suite cases. "Gina, you don't need five suite cases. We have uniforms for crying out loud."
"So? Those are just for when we have classes. Just shut up and let's go." She looked around. "Mom and dad aren't even going to say goodbye?"
"Nope. They left us notes." Zelena said, rolling her eyes. "Jessie is here to drive us there."
Jessie put the last of the suite cases in the car and then got in the drivers side of the limo and headed out.
The drive to BAFG was long and quiet as each girl was busy on their phones. They made a few pit stops but finally, they arrived.
"Alright sis, I know you don't like me hanging out with you, so have a good term. Just remember, if you need anything, I'm here." Zelena said and went off to find her senior year packet and her friends.
Regina went off as well and found Kathryn. "Hey, did you get your room information yet?"
"Nope, just got here, I've been looking for Mal."
"I'm right here." Mal said from behind them.
"Great. I need to know where my room is so I can tell Jessie where to take my things."
Mal couldn't stop her eye roll. "You know they have carts for you to put your bags in and take them to the room yourself."
Regina scoffed. "Jessie gets paid to do this. He may as well earn his paycheck doing something and not just sitting in a car."
They found their folders and Kathryn opened hers. "Mal, we're in 110." She said and Regina smiled.
"Well that's okay. I'm in 108. I wish it said who I was with because I swear, if it's some loser, I'm going to flip."
"108?" Mal asked, her heart sinking.
"Yeah, right next to you guys. I'm going to go tell Jessie. Come on Kathryn, he can help with your stuff too."
As soon as they left, Mal ran to the dorms and knocked on the door of 108. Emma smiled thinking maybe it was her roommate, so she got up and answered, confused to see an out of breath Mal. "Hey, what's up?"
"Emma your…your roommate is…Regina." Mal said, panting.
Emma froze, her heart in her gut. "Regina Mills? Are you sure? Fuck, I can't stay here, I have to go home."
"No. Emma, you can stay here, you will stay here. Be strong, it'll be okay."
"Oh no. You have got to be fucking kidding me." Regina said in the doorway. "Where is Miss Blue? This is NOT going to happen."
As if she heard, Miss Blue came over with a smile on her face. "Hello girls, welcome back." She then looked at Emma. "Hello, I'm Miss Blue, your dorm mother. You must be Emma? I have been working on getting to know our new student's names. Emma? Are you okay? You look awfully pale."
"I…I'm fine. It's um, it's nice to meet you."
"Miss Blue, I refuse to room with this girl! She's a freshman and a scholarship student and I know my parents pay good money for me to be here and I shouldn't be subjected to…"
Miss Blue's face changed instantly. "Miss Mills, I'd think very hard on if you want to finish that sentence. Boston Academy for Girls prides it's self on inclusion and making all feel welcomed here and this attitude I'm seeing is not tolerated, no matter how much your parents may pay. For your information, it is very hard for a student to get a scholarship to come here, so the fact that Miss Swan here has accomplished that is something to be inspired by, not something to be diminished for. Now, unless you want a mark on your record and a call home, I suggest you go out and come back in with a better attitude." Regina took a deep breath and left the room, making everyone feel awkward. Miss Blue looked at Emma with sympathetic eyes. "If you wish, I can see if anyone would be willing to change rooms with Miss Mills. I do not want any of my girls to feel uncomfortable and I definitely will not tolerate bullying of any kind." She said, giving Kathryn a look.
Emma honestly wanted to cry, but she also didn't want to be a trouble maker. "I think if that's what she wants, then that's okay, but I am not going to push for it. I'm just honored to have a room and be here and I don't want to make any kind of trouble."
"I can switch, if Regina really has an issue with it." Mal stated, making Kathryn nudge her.
"Do not make me be with her again. She's my friend, but I can't room with her again."
That sent warning alarms all through Emma. If her supposed best friend didn't want to room with Regina, then Emma sure as hell didn't. However, she stuck to her word and just stayed quiet. Miss Blue smiled at Mal. "Thank you, Miss Bauer, but I think for now we will leave it the way it is for now. Miss Mills needs to learn that she can't always get her way. Of course, I don't want that to be a punishment for Miss Swan here, so if you don't mind, I'll keep your offer an open one."
"That's fine." Mal said and looked at Emma. "Just please be honest and let Miss Blue know if there's any issues. I'll try talking to her as well."
"Thanks." Emma said quietly. "I don't want special treatment or anything though. I just wanna be a regular student."
Regina came back in and had the decency to look ashamed, even if she wasn't feeling it. Inside she was seething and just wanted to throw a hissy fit.
"Okay girls, I have to go meet a couple other students. Get all set up and be ready for a grand meal tonight. Tomorrow will be a day to take in your surroundings and meet your teachers, go to church if you want, and we start classes on Monday. Oh Emma, there is a freshman meet and greet tomorrow afternoon if you're interested, where you can meet others in your grade. Again, welcome to BAFG."
"Thank you." Emma said as she tucked some hair behind her ear. When Miss Blue left, Emma looked at Regina. "I um…I maybe should have waited to see what bed and closet you wanted, so if you want to trade, I'm okay with that."
Regina gave a smile that everyone knew was fake and looked at her friends. "Don't you two have to go get your room set up?"
"Right. Well, we'll be right next door if you want to hang out." Kathryn said and left quickly.
Mal didn't exactly feel right about leaving Emma there, but she gave her a smile. "If you need anything, Emma, you know where to find me. See you later, Gina."
Regina walked her to the door and closed it before turning on Emma, her smile gone. "Let's get a few things straight here. That is your side of the room and this is mine. You don't come on my side of the room for anything. Don't even think of stealing my things or you'll be kicked out of here so fast, you won't even realize it until you're back at your pathetic little loft. Keep your grubby little hands to your side of the room."
Emma went from being hurt to being pissed. "You don't have anything I'd want anyway. However, I will have to cross over to use the bathroom and you'll have to cross over to use the fridge. I left you two shelves in there, so don't take my stuff. You don't scare me, Regina Mills, and you're not going to get rid of me easily. I don't like sharing a room with someone like you just as much as you don't like sharing with me, but we will just have to make it work." Emma's phone started ringing and she looked at it. "Do what you have to do, but I'm taking this call." She went to her side of the room and slid the divider so she could have a little privacy.
Regina watched the blonde and her blood boiled. How dare she speak to her like that? However, she took a breath and set about getting her bed and things set up as she put on music to drown out Emma talking to her parents.
"Mal, I know it's not okay for Regina to treat anyone like that, but we are her friends and we have to stand by her." Kathryn said as Mal was angrily setting her things up.
"No, Kathryn. I will not blindly stand by anymore. I did that last year and all it did was make me feel like a total asshole all year. Emma is nice and she doesn't deserve that any more than Ruby did last year. I've made up with Ruby and I will not treat Emma the way we treated Ruby. I won't let you or Regina do it either."
"Mal, you have to be a loyal friend."
"I will be, but not to the person I think is wrong. If me being a good person means I lose her friendship, then it wasn't a friendship worth having."
"Isn't it? I mean, isn't it better to be on her good side than her bad?"
"I don't care anymore, Kathryn, and you need to think long and hard about the kind of person you're going to be. That's all I'm saying on this, so let's drop it."
That night, Emma had gone to the dinner alone, but ended up making a couple new friends. Another couple freshmen named Lacey and Bell, who went by the nickname Tink who were both from Australia and Ashley, who was from Georgia. The four of them were talking about roommates when another girl groaned and gave Emma a sympathetic look. "I'm Ruby. I'm a sophomore and I was roommates with Kathryn last year. Regina is a bitch and I'm so sorry you got stuck with her, but I have a feeling your year may not be as bad as mine was. Mal, her friend, reached out to me over the summer and apologized for how they treated me and said she was done being Regina's side kick and feeling like an asshole. I mean, she was an asshole, but it takes bravery to admit you were wrong and apologize for it, so I forgave her."
"I met Mal. She seems so nice that I was surprised to find she was friends with Regina and Kathryn."
"Honestly? I think it was easier for them to be friends with her so that she wouldn't go after them too. Was Mal good to you?"
"Yes, she even offered to change rooms with Regina. I'm kind of wishing I'd said yes instead of being all polite."
"I get it. Just…Emma watch your stuff. Lock up anything and everything that means something to you in your closet when you're not in your room, including your Chromebook. I honestly wouldn't put anything past her. Maybe even sleep with one eye open."
"Oh, it can't be that bad, can it?" Lacey asked. "I mean, she's here and they don't tolerate bullying of any kind."
"If it doesn't get reported, they can't stop it." Ruby said.
"Why didn't you report it?" Tink asked.
"Because I believed their threats and thought they'd have a way to get my scholarship revoked. Emma, do not let them intimidate you like that, okay? I found out too late that Miss Blue will believe you if you tell her, and there's nothing wrong with telling her. I finally did on the last day, and she said she wished I'd have come to her sooner. If you feel nervous to, come to me and I'll go with you."
"Thanks." Emma said and glanced over at the trio at another table. Mal looked miserable while Regina and Kathryn giggled as they were obviously judging people. She honestly didn't know if Ruby's words made her feel better or worse.
"Let's talk about something else." Ashley said, sensing Emma's discomfort. "Hey, my roommate and I were talking about watching a horror movie tonight. Do you guys want to join? We're in room 113." She said and waved to a girl who waved back. "Her name is Ariel."
"Like the mermaid?" Ruby asked, trying not to laugh.
"Yes, but DO NOT mention that. She hates that and said she dyes her hair because she's naturally a red head and that makes it even worse. Apparently her mother loves Disney movies. Her sisters are named Aurora and Tiana and her brother 's name is actually Aladdin. She's super nice though and she's a sophomore."
Lacey and Tink, who ended up being roommates both gave nods. "Yes, I'd love to watch a movie tonight." Lacey said.
"I'll be there. I'll bring popcorn." Ruby said.
Emma chewed on her lip. "Is the canteen still open? I didn't go earlier and I don't have anything to bring."
"It's not open again until tomorrow, but don't worry, just bring yourself." Ashley said with a smile. "Come over around 8 and we'll be ready."
The group split up and Emma went back to her room, finding it empty. She quickly put the few things she didn't want Regina to touch in her closet and locked it before laying on her bed and calling Lilly.
"Hey Em! How's it going?"
"Ugh. Regina is my fucking roommate." Emma said and told her the story. "But I met some nice girls and we're going to watch a movie in their room later.
"Damn, Em, I'm so sorry about the roommate thing. You call me any time and I'll come up there and kick her ass if she gives you any trouble." She said with a laugh, though Emma knew she meant it. "I'm glad you're making friends, just don't forget about me."
Emma laughed. "I could never forget about you, Lilly. You've been my best friend since we were three years old. It'll be weird having classes without you."
"I know, I feel the same. However, I know you'll have fun and I'm going to try for a scholarship next year. I know it's not common for them to give to sophomores, but it can't hurt to try."
"That would be awesome, Lilly." Emma said, though she didn't say that Lilly's record may not help her get in.
"I know what you're thinking and you're right, but I'm going to take this year to shape up and change and that will be my focal point on my essay. I need to change, Ems, and all it took was you leaving me to figure that out." She said with a sad chuckle. "Emma, you're the most amazing friend I could ever ask for and I can't be away from you more than one school year. You got me through so much when my dad snapped and I lost my mom and went to live with my aunt and I need to change so I don't end up like him."
"Lilly, you won't be like him, you're not like him." Emma said softly. "You're so much better than that. You got me through a lot too, Lil. All the late nights of me crying on your shoulder when my mom was really sick or when I was hungry or sad because we just didn't have money. You and your aunt helped me in more ways than I can ever say." Emma then let out a small chuckle. "Let's stop talking like this. We're not dying or moving away for good."
"You're right. But still, thanks for being a good friend. I need to go though, we're having a late dinner. Love you, Em. Call me whenever you can."
"Love you too, and I will."
Emma had a good time with her new friends and was careful to be quiet when she came back to her room. She used the bathroom and changed before plugging her phone in and lying in bed. She took out her baby blanket and cuddled with it as she fell asleep to the sounds of her roommates noise machine and soft rain hitting the window.