I'm back! For any new followers, I want you to know that my stories are not abandoned. Because I work full time, I can't update every day like some others can, and because I have multiple stories, I do update each story at least once a month. Also, as mentioned before, this is SQ, but it is Slow burn (they've got some growing up to do lol)

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Chapter 2

Regina smirked as she heard the pounding on the door for the second time. She was ready a half hour ago but was taking her time on her first day to classes, wondering how long Emma would wait before going to the community bathroom. She couldn't stop the blonde from showering the night before, so she knew all she needed was to get her hair done, but she was trying to make her leave the room upset. Regina looked at herself and sighed, wishing she could stop being this person but knowing she had a reputation. The fact was, she liked her blonde roommate. She really liked her and even dreamt about her the night before. She was effortlessly beautiful, even at 14, and just had an aura about her that Regina couldn't ignore. However, she knew she had to make those feelings go away as her family would cut her off if they knew she was attracted to girls. She'd just have to do what she did last year when she was crushing on Ruby and turn those feelings into disgust.

"Regina! Please, I only have a few minutes to get ready. You've been in there for two hours!"

Regina could hear the desperation in Emma's voice and sighed, opening the door. "You know there is a communal bathroom down the hall. You could have just used that." She pushed past Emma, nose in the air. "I need time to get ready in the mornings."

Emma huffed and went into the bathroom. "Must suck to need that much time to look good." She said before closing the door.

Regina's mouth opened in shock but grinned a bit as well. No one had ever had the nerve to talk back to her like that and Regina liked it. Emma was a challenge and, judging by that quip, an equal adversary. She looked to Emma's side of the room and noticed a white blanket on her bed with a purple ribbon along the edges. She couldn't stop herself as she reached for it, looking at the stitching of her name. Someone who loved her made this, someone took the time for Emma. No one took the time for her, no one ever did something this special for her. She snapped out of her thoughts and realized she had pulled at the ribbon, unthreading it from the yarn. She hadn't meant to do that, and she quickly put the blanket down and went to her side of the room, grabbing her bag.

Emma was fuming as she did her hair and got changed. Sure, there was a communal bathroom, but she had every right to use their bathroom and she wouldn't give Regina the satisfaction. "Ugh the girl was so infuriating!" She said under her breath as she fixed the tie on her uniform. "Tomorrow is my turn to play your little game." She said, smirking at herself. Taking some deep breaths, Emma calmed herself down before leaving the room and seeing that Regina was gone. She had time to get to class, but she had been looking forward to having breakfast and would have to skip that now.

Regina noticed Mal was acting differently than last year and honestly, she wished she could do the same. However, she had a reputation and she didn't know who she was without it. She and Kathryn tried involving Mal in judging the other girls in their class, but Mal was having none of it. She was actually paying attention in class and when they had to split up in groups, Mal went to work with Ruby instead of staying with them. Regina did notice how she no longer had the same feelings for Ruby as she did the year before. It seemed, her 'crush' was well and truly moved to Emma and Regina didn't know what to do about it.

Emma's morning flew by and by lunch time, she was starving. She along with Lacey, Belle, Ashley, and Ariel got their lunches and went out into the outdoor eating area as it was a beautiful day. Ruby joined them and Emma found she really enjoyed herself.

"Hey. How's the first day going?"

Emma smiled when she saw Mal and moved over so she could sit by her. "Well, it was a rough start, but it's okay now."

Mal raised a brow. "Rough start?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Her Majesty was in the bathroom for two hours. I'm sure her goal was to make me use the communal bathroom, but I wasn't going to."

Ashley laughed. "Yeah, but Emma got her good with her come back."

Emma blushed a little. "I couldn't stop myself. I said it must suck to need that much time to look good."

Mal bust out a laugh. "Good one!" She gave Emma a look. "You know, I don't think I have to worry about you with her. You can handle yourself it seems."

"I'm trying." Emma said and glanced over to where Regina and Kathryn were sitting and then looked back at Mal. "Honestly though, I wish things were different. Part of me wants to get up earlier tomorrow and stay in the bathroom for hours and play her game, but part of me just wants to get along with her. Honestly, I want to enjoy my time here and not have stress in my room, you know?"

Mal sighed and nodded. "I get it. If it just doesn't get better, we can go talk to Miss Blue and I'll switch with Regina. I would understand and even support you playing her games, but I do think it's better if you ignore it. Ignore her even and once she's bored, maybe it'll stop."

"If it doesn't, then that's when you fight back." Ruby stated before biting her lip and leaning over, lowering her voice. "Do you think she maybe like…likes Emma? I mean, when I was telling my Grandma about everything, she thought maybe it was like a school yard crush. Maybe she liked me and this year she likes Emma?"

Emma hated it but she blushed at that. No one had ever had a crush on her, and she didn't know what to think about that. "Regina would never have a crush on me. I'm…I'm so not in her class division or anything. Besides, I'm plain and boring and she's…like movie star gorgeous." Emma looked as everyone stared at her, Ruby smirking a bit.

"Movie star gorgeous? Maybe you're the one with the crush." She said, nudging Emma. "Not that I'd care. I don't judge if you like girls, but I may judge if you liked that girl."

Emma rolled her eyes. "I don't. I mean…I…sure, I've had crushes on girls before but…" Emma let out a huff. "How did we get on this subject?"

Ashley grinned. "I don't know, but I like it. Have you ever dated anyone, kissed anyone? I have. I've kissed a girl and a boy.

Mal chuckled. "Emma look, no one is going to judge you here. This is an all-girls school for crying out loud, of course there are some that are into other girls. However, it's dangerous if you do have a crush on Regina because if Ruby is right and she has a crush on you, she's scared. She'd be scared of her family judging her harshly, so she'd go to great lengths to say that's not what this is."

"Should I ask her? I mean…I don't have to tell anyone and if that is what it is, then we need to find a different way to deal with it."

Belle and Lacey looked at each other before Lacey looked at Emma. "That ma not be a bad idea, but it could be dangerous. Maybe just wait and see what happens?"

Emma gave a nod and finished her water. "Just so everyone knows, I don't have a crush on her. I can think she's pretty without crushing on her."

Ruby and Mal looked at each other and smirked but didn't say anything. After classes, Emma walked back to the dorm with Ashley. "Gods, they gave so much homework on day one. Thank goodness I have first hour study hall tomorrow."

"Well, I guess they want to show us from day one that they're serious."

"I guess." Emma unlocked her door and let out a breath seeing Regina wasn't back yet. "Want to come and work on some of our assignments?"

"Sure. Let me just go to my room and grab a coke."

"Nah, you can have one of mine. I mean if you want, I'm not trying to tell you what to do."

Ashley chuckled. "It's fine. Thank you." The two set up on Emma's bed and started working on their assignments.

Regina opened the door and glared as she saw Emma with another blonde girl. "What do you think you're doing?"

Emma didn't even look up. "Homework. Don't worry, we're not on your side of the room."

"She doesn't belong in this room at all."

"Ashley is my friend and I can have her here if I want her here. Now, please be respectful or I will put up the divider."

"This is my room, Swan and I don't…"

Emma stood and glared at Regina as she unfolded the divider as much as she could. She smirked at Ashley as she went back to her bed and sat down. "Will music bother you?"

"Nope. Turn it on." Ashley said, wishing she could see through the divider.

Before Emma could turn on her music, Regina turned on hers and turned the volume on full blast. Emma rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Are you kidding me?" She mouthed to Ashley who shrugged and shook her head.

"Let's ignore it. It's classical crap and I can work through it until Miss Blue comes in and stops it." She said in Emma's ear and Emma nodded.

It only took about ten minutes before their door opened and Miss Blue came in, taking in the sight. She crossed her arms and looked at Regina who reached over and flipped her music off. "Miss Mills, do I need to give you a formal warning? You know the rules about music and it's obvious you're trying to annoy your roommate and her friend." She sighed and started opening the divider. "Miss Boyed, do you mind if I talk to Miss Swan and Miss Mills alone for just a few moments?"

"Sure. I should call my parents anyway. See you at dinner, Emma?"

Emma nodded. "Yeah, see you. Sorry for…all this." She mumbled and watched Ashely go. She looked at Miss Blue. "I didn't do anything wrong, Miss Blue. I had a peer over, and we were doing our homework. Regina is the one who decided to blast her music."

Regina rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, you're little Miss Perfect. You wouldn't have that girl leave when I came in and told you I had a huge assignment to work on."

"You never said that!" Emma stated. "You got mad and said, 'she doesn't belong in here'."

"You didn't give me a chance to explain! You cut me off and closed the divider and then you two were going to start your own music. Yes, I got mad because I needed to do my assignment and you didn't care."

"All you had to do was say so!"

"Okay, okay. So, it looks like we've had a bit of miscommunication, however Regina, you know the rules about music and Emma, it's important to be respectful of our roommates. Now, let's put this behind us and start again. Have a good day, ladies."

Emma was fuming as she left and glared over at Regina who was grinning like the cat who caught the rat. She put the divider back up and went to her bed, texting furiously to Lilly. The next morning, she quickly turned off her early alarm, grabbed her clothes and went into the bathroom. She turned on the music on her phone and took a long, hot shower. Before she was done, the banging on the door started and Emma smirked as she finished rinsing out her conditioner. She wrapped herself in her towel and grinned as she turned her hair dryer on. Normally she never cared about her hair and just threw it up in a messy bun, but today she was taking her time. When she finished with her hair and got dressed, the banging was then knocking, and her heart dropped as she heard a woman's voice.

"Miss Swan, please open the door."

Emma sighed and turned her music off, opening the door. "Good morning." She said, ignoring Regina's glare. She couldn't believe the girl went and told on her.

"Can I ask why you're not allowing your roommate to use the bathroom?"

"I was in the shower, then did my hair. I'm not taking any longer than she did yesterday. In fact, she was in even longer than me."

"So, this is some kind of payback for something you have no proof of?"

Emma sighed. "I'm done. She can have the bathroom." She said, trying to hold her tears in as she went to her side of the room and packed her school bag for the day.

"Good. Now, I don't want to hear of this from either of you again or I will have to start calling parents."

"Thank you, Miss Blue." Regina said sweetly as she grabbed her things and went into the bathroom.

Miss Blue watched and then looked at Emma once the door was closed. "Emma, I can't help you if I don't know what's going on. I believe you, but I need records. I need you to come to me when there are issues."

Emma just shrugged. "I'm not a tattle tale. I try to solve my own issues first."

"That's great when you're dealing with normal issues, Emma, but with Regina, you have to be more willing to seek help."

"Right. Thanks. Have a great day." Emma stormed off, angry with the situation. However, by the end of breakfast, she was over it. She decided the best way to deal with Regina was to completely ignore her. She kept the divider up, went to Ashley, Belle, or Ruby's rooms when they did homework, stayed on her bed when she was in her room, used the communal bathroom, and even stayed away from Mal and Kathryn just to be safe. When she called her parents, she usually did so from the common room or outside and while most of what she told them was true – she loved her classes, made friends, was having fun – some of what she said were lies – she and her roommate got along well, there were no issues, she loved her room.

Things went on like this through the rest of August and into the end of September and Regina was miserable. She hated that Emma was ignoring her because at least if they were fighting, they were talking. She hated only seeing Emma's glares, even if she deserved it. She hated knowing she was making Emma's life harder but had no idea how to change it. Finally, she came into her room and had enough. She slid the divider and crossed her arms. "What the hell is your problem? I'm sick of you acting like you're better than me."

Emma looked at Regina and then laughed at her. "What are you talking about? I'm acting like I'm better than you? No, Princess, you've always treated me like dirt on your shoe. I decided I was sick of it and that not talking to you, not fighting with you, and just ignoring you is the way to go."

"First, I'm no princess, if anything, I'm a Queen and second, all I ever did was take too long one day in the bathroom and when you tried to pay me back, I went to Miss Blue as we're supposed to do. I'm done with you treating me like this, like I'm nothing!"

"Me?!" Emma stood, her anger taking over. "You've been doing that from the moment we met!"

"Girls!" Miss Blue said from the door, a small audience behind her. Apparently, Regina hadn't shut the door tight. "I've had enough of this!" She came in and closed the door, gesturing for them to sit. "Okay girls, let's figure this out so you both can still have a good year." Miss Blue said, sitting on one of the chairs. "Regina, why don't you like Emma?"

Regina was surprised at the direct question and even more surprised that she didn't have an answer right away. Usually she could lie no problem, but she hadn't thought this question would come up. "I…I just don't feel like I should be roomed with her. I asked for my own room and was upset that I didn't get that."

"Regina, you know that you have to at least be a junior to get a single room and even then, it's not guaranteed. We've had to have most of our juniors still share rooms because we have so many students. Be that as it may, it's not Emma's fault you didn't get what you wanted, so why take it out on her?"

"Why is this just about me? Why isn't she being talked to? She's just completely ignoring me like I'm nothing."

"Well, what has she done that she should be talked to about? Maybe she is ignoring you so you can't talk down to her or treat her badly." Miss Blue asked, crossing her legs.

"Well I mean… she…she's…" Regina huffed. "She's not like me." Regina felt her face heat up and knew she would get in trouble for what she was saying. God, why couldn't she just stop all this?

"You mean because I'm a scholarship student? Or because I'm poor? Or because I'm blonde or a freshman or because I don't have my daddy paying my way through life?" Emma said, not able to keep the hurtful sting out of her voice.

"My daddy doesn't pay my way through life, just through school." Regina said with a glare. "And yes, yes to all of that."

Miss Blue cleared her throat. "Regina, nothing you just said is cause for Emma to be treated as you're treating her and it's very disappointing. You are a great student and get great grades, but to see you treating a peer like this is cause for me to think about talking to your parents and discuss the possibility of revoking your admission. I'm sorry, but we cannot and will not tolerate this level of disrespect."

For some reason, this didn't make Emma feel good and she didn't want that to happen. She knew she should have, but she didn't. "Wait." She said, surprising both Regina and Miss Blue. "Don't do that yet. Honestly, she hasn't been that bad. I mean, sure, it wasn't fun waiting for two hours to use the bathroom, or to get talked down to because I had a friend in my room, or have to ignore the fact I have a roommate, or to constantly have the fact that I'm here on a scholarship getting shoved down my throat, but…but I think we can start over and I'm willing to give you another chance."

Miss Blue looked at Regina, hoping she'd realize this was a huge thing Emma was offering her. Regina was shocked. Why the hell would Emma care enough to give her a chance? However, she needed it, so she'd take it. "Thanks. I'll try to be more respectful. I…I'm sorry." She mumbled.

"You will be more respectful, Miss Mills, or you will be in much more trouble. As of now, I'm going to make this a verbal warning and it's your one and only verbal warning." She then looked at Emma. "Thank you for being so willing to make this work." She then stood. "Is there anything else we need to discuss?"

Emma shook her head and Regina bit her lip. "Can I maybe come talk to you one on one? When you have time, of course."

"Sure. I have time now if you like, or we can meet after dinner."

"I'll come now." Regina then looked at Emma. "I know I have no right to ask this, but can we maybe keep this between us?"

Emma gave a nod, even though there was an audience already outside. "Sure." She said and stood up. "I'm going to head to dinner. Thanks, Miss Blue."

"You're welcome. Thank you for being so understanding."

Regina watched Emma go and then sighed as Miss Blue closed the door. "So, what can I help you with?"

So much was built up inside the girl and she didn't know where to start. "I…I don't know how to stop being so mean." She said, her eyes filling with tears. "It's just that I have so much anger inside me and I let it out on people who don't deserve it. I don't mean to be such a bad person, I really don't, I just don't know how to stop. Last year, Mal and Kathryn were with me and they made it easy for me to be like that, but this year…this year they're being better, and I don't know how to be."

Miss Blue smiled softly and came over to sit next to Regina. "You know what you just did? You just told me so much in those few sentences, but what we have to focus on is what is making you so angry. I can't force you, my dear, but I can suggest that you set up some time to talk with Dr. Mader as she is equipped to help in these situations. You admitted it, you've realized you have to change, and now you work on the reasons. I'm proud of you, Regina, but please let me put a referral in for you and you can try a couple sessions with her."

Regina nodded, wiping at her tears. She'd never let anyone see her cry before and she had to admit she felt better now that it was out there…well most of it was out there. "Yes, please. I'll talk to her."

"Great. I'll go now and put in the referral and she'll contact you via your school email. Give her and yourself a chance…and give Emma a chance. Honestly, anyone in her position didn't have to give you the chance she gave you."

Regina nodded. "I will. Thank you and I'm sorry. Please don't think badly of me."

Miss Blue sighed and put an arm around Regina. "I don't, Regina, I'm glad we had this chat."

Emma was able to enjoy her dinner, not telling the others what the conversation entailed with Regina and Miss Blue, and afterwards, she went back to finish her homework and shower. When she laid in bed and called her mother, she remembered her blanket had been damaged. She shook her head but put on a smile as she listened to her mother talk about how much better she was doing and told her mother and then her father about her day.

"Baby, your dad got Saturday off and we were wondering if you'd mind if we came for parents day on Saturday?"

"I'd love that. You're allowed to visit on the weekends, but most parents wait until parent's day. Ma, do you think you could maybe fix my blanket? I don't know how, but in the move the ribbon seems to have come out in part of it."

Regina walked in as she heard Emma talk about her blanket and instantly felt guilty. She sat at her desk and started her homework, trying to not listen to Emma's conversation. When Emma was done, she took a deep breath and turned in her chair. "Emma? I…I didn't mean to ruin your blanket. I was looking at it and I don't even know what happened, but I saw the ribbon was ruined."

Emma didn't know exactly what to think but she believed Regina…to a point. "Why were you looking at it?"

Regina sighed. "I…it's really cool that someone cared so much to make that for you. No one has ever made me anything handmade." She admitted. "I guess as I was holding it and thought about it, it made me…angry. I'm really sorry and I hope your mom can fix it."

"She can. Look, thanks for being honest with me, but there's no reason to get mad. I'm sure your mom and dad have made things for you. I mean your parents seem like such nice people."

Regina scoffed. "They may seem like that to others, but the truth is so different. Dad's the mayor and cares more about the town than of my sister and I and mom is a lawyer and prefers to spend her time with clients. Over the summer, I maybe saw them a total of 3 days. They would never have time to make me or Zee anything."

Emma looked down. "I'm sorry. I had no idea." She really didn't know what else to say. "At least you have a sister. I know when my mom was in the hospital and dad was at work, I felt so lonely and wished I had a sibling."

"Hospital? Your mom a doctor?" Regina couldn't remember ever seeing Emma's mother in town.

Emma shook her head. "She was a schoolteacher until she got cancer. Then she was in the hospital all the time. She fought it for three years and is finally in remission. Her and my dad are coming to see me on Saturday for parent's weekend. You should have lunch with us, if you and your family want to join us."

Regina smiled a bit. "Really? I'd have thought you'd complain to them about me and they'd hate me."

Emma shook her head. "I wouldn't do that. My parents are so happy for me and I wouldn't want to tell them anything that would make them think I'm not happy. I said before we can start over and I meant it, Regina."

Regina sniffed and then coughed to hide the fact that she was emotional. She didn't deserve a second chance, but she was glad to be offered one. "Thanks. I'll let you know about Saturday closer to the date. I can tell you that my parents won't make it. Do you know when they'll be here so I can give you guys privacy?"

"You don't have to do that, but they'll be here around noon. I told them I wanted to sleep in on the weekend and I didn't want you to wake up to strangers in here."

"Thanks, but yes, I'll be up by then."

The rest of the week went by smoothly and while Emma wouldn't call them best friends, she no longer felt hatred coming from Regina. The visit with her parents made Emma so happy but was a bit sad for Regina when she and her parents left her alone and went to tour the campus. When they all sat down for lunch, Emma smiled seeing her mother's tray full of food. "Are you doing better still, mom?"

"Yes honey, much better, please don't worry about me. Don't worry about us at all, baby girl. I have an online job and dad isn't having to work as many hours."

David smiled as he chewed his food. "She's right. I'm back to my normal schedule, only picking up hours if no one else is able to. We're getting caught up on bills and Emma, you won't have to work a part time job this summer, or on any of your breaks."

Emma smiled softly. "You know I don't care about that, I'm just glad moms doing good."

"Honey, isn't that your roommate over there? Regina, the mayor's daughter?"

Emma looked over and saw Regina with an older redhead and she figured that was her older sister. They were alone and Emma frowned. "Yeah. I think that's her sister. Should I ask them to join us?" She asked and Mary nodded.

"Yes dear, I think you should."

Emma stood and went over to the table. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if you guys would like to join me and my parents for lunch? I'm Emma, I'm assuming you're Zelena?"

"Nice to meet you, Emma." The redhead said with a smile and shook her hand. "Thank you for the invite, but we couldn't impose."

"It's not imposition, I promise. I won't force you, but you're more than welcome to come over."

"No thanks." "Sure, thanks." They both answered and looked at each other.

"Zelena, it's their family time." Regina said giving her sister a look.

"Yeah, but she said it was fine. Gina, we're the only ones here with out parents, let's go be part of a normal family for once."

"Don't call me that in public!" Regina hissed. "I'm done eating, if you want to go eat with them, then go for it." She said, standing and taking her still full tray to dump it.

Emma sighed, looking down. "I thought we had been doing better. I'm so sorry if I ruined…"

"Stop. Emma, you have no reason to apologize. My sister is a bitch sometimes and it's best to let her go. Can I still join you?"

"Yes, of course." Emma said with a smile.

Zelena joined them and the four of them got along so well. Zelena was kind and funny and fit right in with them and Emma couldn't help but wish she had a big sister just like her. Zelena stayed with Emma as she said goodbye to her parents, and they gave both girls hugs before leaving.

"Your parents are awesome, Emma. I'm so jealous."

"Thanks." Emma said with a blush. "They are pretty great. I can't tell you how thankful I was when my mother went into remission." She said as they headed back towards the dorms. "I was so scared I was going to lose her, and it was such a hard time." She looked down. "I can't tell you how much I wished I had a sibling to confide in. I mean, I have my best friend, but it's not the same."

Zelena put an arm around Emma. "I understand and I know it's not the same, but I'd be honored to be your fill in big sis. I know my sister isn't an easy person to deal with, but she's got a heart and I know how to deal with her, so please, let me know if you need anything, Regina related or not. You forever have a big sister." She said with a smile and took Emma's phone, putting her number in it. "I'm in red dorm, room 101. Come see me any time."

"Thanks, I will." Emma said and waived her off as she went in her building. She opened her door and was surprised to see Mal and Kathryn there as they usually hung out in their room. "Sorry, I can come back later."

"It's fine." Regina said, giving a shrug. "I was just telling them about how you stole my sister from me." She said, looking at her phone.

Emma's mouth opened as she was taken aback. "I…Regina I invited both of you to come eat with us, but you didn't want to."

"What ever you say, Swan." Regina said, casually.

Emma shook her head. "I'm sorry. I was trying to be nice." She said before putting up the divider again. She felt like all their progress was gone and she didn't even know what it was she did wrong. She lay on her bed and cuddled with her now fixed blanket as she faced the wall and let her tears silently fall. How the hell was she supposed to go all year always feeling like she was walking on eggshells? Maybe she should just go home. Maybe she just really didn't belong here.

Regina watched the blonde and felt terrible. She felt even worse when, once Mal and Kathryn left, she could hear Emma sniffing, knowing she was crying. She didn't know what to do, didn't know why she was even doing this. What the hell was wrong with her? She decided to send a message to Dr. Mader and see if she could get in with her the next day, even though it was Sunday. She sighed as she turned her light off and got in bed. "I'm sorry, Emma." She said softly, knowing Emma wouldn't hear her.