So this story has completely gone in a direction even I didn't know it was going to go in. My fingers have minds of their own, but I kinda like where this is going, although it may get a little dark. If it does, I'll put trigger warnings up.

Read~Enjoy~Review

Chapter 3

For the next week, things were tense again in room 108. So many times, Regina wanted to reach out and apologize to Emma, but whenever she did get a look at her, the blonde just seemed so down that her guilt stopped her. She had more sessions with Dr. Mader and knew she had to fix things, but just had such a hard time actually doing it. Meanwhile, Emma was much more quiet than normal, and everyone noticed.

"Emma, come on and talk to me." Mal stated while they were in the common room on Friday night. "Kathryn is in another room working on a group project, come to ours and talk to me."

"Fine." Emma said and got up, following Mal to her room. She sat on the sofa and curled her legs up under her.

"What's going on?" Mal asked, handing her a can of coke. "You seem so sad lately."

Emma took it and took a sip. "I think I'm leaving here." She sighed. "I know you offered to switch with Regina, but to be honest Mal, this has all just caused me to hate it here. I hate feeling like any little thing I do is going to set her off, and that feeling just follows me everywhere and I can't stand it."

Mal sighed and sat next to Emma. "Please don't do that. I thought things were better."

"They were for a while, but then I asked her and Zelena if they wanted to join me and my family on parent's day for lunch, and she got so mean again. I don't know what I did wrong and honestly, I'm tired of it, Mal. I'm so tired of feeling like I did anything wrong when in reality, I know I didn't. I'm tired of feeling like I'm not good enough just for being me." Emma wiped at her eyes. "I just want to go home and cuddle with my mom and I don't care if that makes me sound like a baby."

Mal shifted and wrapped her arms around Emma, setting the can of coke on the table so she could hold her. "That doesn't make you sound like a baby, Ems, that makes you sound human." She held her for a while as Emma silently cried. "Let me talk to her. Emma, please don't let her beat you down like this."

Kathryn came in, but when she saw the two, she sighed and came over. "Regina problems?" She saw Emma look wary and held her hands up. "I swear I am not on her side and I won't tell her about this. I thought things were better though."

"Well obviously they're not." Mal said, anger in her voice. "Regna's going too far and I, for one, am over it." She looked at Emma. "I'm going to talk to her, okay?"

"Fine, but I don't want to be there when you do. I honestly don't even want to go to my room this weekend. How fucking fair is that?"

"It's not fair." Kathryn said, pulling Emma into her arms. She wasn't as close to her as Mal was, but it seemed Emma just needed someone to hold her and she could do that. "Let Mal talk to her and if you really don't want to go to your room, you can stay here with us."

Emma sniffed and looked at Kathryn as Mal got up. "Why are you being so nice to me? I thought you were her best friend."

"I am, but that doesn't mean I'm okay with all this. I've tried to get her to tell me over and over why she's treating you like this, especially since you had given her that chance and had been getting along, but she just won't tell me. This week, she hasn't been herself and I figured she did something bad again. Does this go back to the parent's day thing?"

Mal slipped out and Emma wiped at her eyes. "Yes. I know it's dumb to be so upset at how she talked to me, but it really hurt. Then, it just went back to her acting like I don't exist, and honestly, I'm just done with it. I just want to go home."

"I get that." Kathryn said, wiping at Emma's tears. "I'm not trying to downplay this situation at all, but for Freshmen, this is the time most of them become homesick. That's why they give us a week for Thanksgiving, so we can have time to be with our family and kind of refresh. I'm not saying that this stress with Regina isn't real, Emma, but please don't go yet. At least stick it out until Thanksgiving."

"I'll try. I just feel so down. I mean I've never been much or had much in my life and I know that, but until now, it's never been so thrown in my face. I've never felt not good enough before and it's really starting to just wear me down."

"Oh Emma." Kathryn sighed and once again hugged her. "Honestly, I admit that this summer, I said some terrible things about you with Regina and I'm sorry for that. I see now how unfair it was to judge you without knowing you and I wish…gods I wish I could take it all back. You are too good for her, and too good for most of us here."

Mal tried the door of 108 and when she found it wasn't locked, she came inside. Regina was on her bed, curled up and staring at the wall. "What the hell is wrong with you, Gina? I thought things were better and now you've got Emma – who gave you a damned second chance – wanting to go home. She's depressed, Regina, because of you. Why the hell are you doing this to her?" She sat on Regina's bed and shook her. "I know you've always been judgmental, but this is too far. She feels like nothing, Regina, and that's not okay. Is that what you want? Will that make you feel good?"

Regina sat up and glared at Mal. "No! That's not what I want!" She hated it, but her unshed tears started falling. "Mal, I…I like her. I like her and I can't like her, and I don't know what to do! I don't want to be mean; I don't want to make her feel like that and it kills me that I'm doing that, but I don't know how to stop!" Regina put her head in her hands. "Mal, I've been talking to Dr. Mader about all of this and I think there's something seriously wrong with me and I hate that Emma is suffering because of it." She looked at her friend, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know what to do. Mal, if my parents found out that I like girls…"

Mal sighed and pulled Regina to her, wrapping her into a hug. She had no idea this was such a serious situation and all her anger for Regina disappeared. "It's not right the way you're treating Emma, but I'm glad you're getting help." She rubbed Regina's back as her friend's body shook from crying. "Oh, Gina. I hate seeing you like this. Have you talked to Zelena? What's the worst think your parents can do? Tell you they don't like it?"

"I can't tell Zelena. My parents would…I mean they could take me from school and send me to one of those conversion camps. I've heard my dad talking about those places and how they do shock treatment to 'cure' people of their sexual orientation. Mal, I can't do that! I don't want to do that! I don't know what to do." Regina started hyperventilating and Mal was genuinely scared for her friend.

"Breathe honey, just breathe." She got her phone out. "Regina, I'm texting your sister. I know you think she's against you, but she's not, and I honestly don't know what to do and you're scaring me." Regina was too worked up to argue and in a matter of minutes, there was a soft knock at the door and Zelena came in.

"Gina, honey, what's wrong?" She asked, coming over and sitting on the other side of her sister, pulling her into her arms. "I've never seen you so upset before."

"I don't want to go to shock treatment." Regina said through sobs.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Zelena asked, running her fingers through her sister's hair and trying to get her to make eye contact. "Regina, look at me and breathe and try to tell me what's going on."

Regina took some deep breaths and then looked at her sister. "Please don't tell mom and dad, please Zelena."

Zelena wiped at Regina's tears. "I won't. Just talk to me, Gina." She said softly, almost rocking her as she held her.

Regina looked down. "I…I like girls, Zelena. I know I shouldn't, and I know mom and dad would be furious and either disown me or send me to a conversion camp. I like Emma, Zee, and I can't like her and that's why I've been so mean to her and I hate myself. I hate myself so much for it. I've been talking to Dr. Mader, and it's helping me a little while I'm there, but then I come back here, and I can't…I see her and all I want to do is…but I can't and so I get mean. I see what I'm doing to her and it's not fair! I know it's not, but I don't know what to do." Regina started sobbing and Zelena held her tighter.

"Oh, Gina." Zelena sighed as she rubbed her sister's back. "Let it out, sis." She looked at Mal as Regina clung to her. "Thanks for calling me. Do you mind if we have some time alone?"

"Of course not." Mal said and came over to softly stroke Regina's hair. "Honey, I'll be in my room if you need me."

"Tell Emma not to leave yet. Okay?"

"I will." Mal said and quietly left.

Zelena waited until Regina seemed to be taking regular breaths again. She then backed up a little and looked at her sister. "Honey, let's talk this out, okay? First, just because you like girls, doesn't mean you even have to tell mom and dad yet. I know they are against that, but I honestly don't think they'd send you to a conversion camp or disown you. However, I get your fear and if you want to keep it a secret, I fully support you. You'll be eighteen in three years anyway and then, you can do whatever you want, provided you don't count on their financial support. But don't worry, I'll be nineteen and I'll help you out. Right now, let's put those fears to the side, okay?" Regina nodded and sat up more, reaching for a tissue to blow her nose. "I think what's most important here is what's going on with you and Emma and how you're making her feel. I can tell that it's really bothering you and to be honest, I'm a little relieved that it is because it means you do have a heart. I know that it puts you in a vulnerable position, but at the very least, you owe her an apology. You don't have to tell her that you like her, Gina, all you have to do is tell her that you're truly sorry and that you're going through some very emotional things right now and that you know how unfair you've been. If you cry, you cry, there's no shame in that and it shows her you're being real. I'm no therapist, but I think you'll really feel better once you at least work things out with her."

Regina sighed, sniffed, and nodded. "How did you get to be so smart?" She looked down and picked at the tissue in her hands. "Do you think I'm an abomination?"

Zelena couldn't stop herself as she laughed. "An abomination? Gods no, Regina. I don't think there's anything wrong with being gay, if that's what you are. There's nothing wrong with being gay, bi, straight, confused, unsure, or any of that. I know mom and dad are stuck in the stone ages, but I'm not and I love you no matter what. Now, I do think you can be a bitch sometimes, but now that I know some of what is going on in your head, I get it. You're scared and confused and so you're lashing out. I wish you'd have talked to me sooner, sis, but I'm so glad you talked to me now. I'm always here for you, Gina, always and forever, no matter what."

Regina hugged her sister, a part of her feeling so much lighter. "Thanks, Zee. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Gina." They hugged for a few moments before Zelena pulled back. "Do you want me to stay while you talk to Emma?"

"Would you? If she's okay with that…if she even wants to talk to me?"

"I will. Do you know where she is?"

"I think she's in Mal and Kathryn's dorm."

"I'll go see if she wants to talk."

~Meanwhile~

Mal came back into the room and looked stunned and sad. Emma noticed and furrowed her brows. "What's wrong? Did the talk not go well?"

Mal slumped into the sofa next to Emma. "She had a full-on panic attack. I had to text Zelena and she came over to calm her down."

"So, she dislikes me so much she had a panic attack?" Emma asked, not sure how that was supposed to make her feel.

"No, no that's not it at all." Mal said, resisting the urge to say it was exactly the opposite. "Emma, I'm not trying to downplay your feelings or what you're going through, but she's going through things too and unfortunately, she's taking it out on you. It's not right, and it's not okay, but I'm just asking that you not leave right away."

Emma sighed, rubbing her temples. "I wasn't planning on it until Thanksgiving anyway, but Mal, I can't keep living like this."

"I know." Mal said and turned to face her. "I know, Emma, and know you've already given her a second chance. I'm not going to tell you what to do or blame you for whatever you do decide to do, I'm only asking that you try to stick it out a few more weeks. I get that it's not fair that she's doing this to you, so again, if you want me to switch with her, I will. If I know Zelena like I think I do, I'm sure she will have Regina talk to you. Emma, just know, I'm on your side, even though I know what she's going through."

Emma sighed again. "I don't want there to be sides. I hate this." She closed her eyes. "But, if she is going through something, I do get that too. I don't like it, I don't think it's far, but I get it. I remember my dad lashing out at me when my mom was sick and vice versa. It happens. I just wish she would talk to me so I could help her instead of being so mean to me." She looked at Mal. "I get that there's no law saying everyone has to like you, but I really do wish we could all just be friends. When she wasn't acting like this, even for this little bit, I really did like her."

"I know, Emma, and I wish the same thing."

There was a soft knock on the door and Kathryn opened it, revealing Zelena, who looked worn out. "Hey guys." She said as she came in. "Emma? Look, you don't owe Regina a thing, but I was wondering if you'd come to your room so she can talk to you? I'll be there, and I think…well I hope it'll make you feel better and make her feel better."

Emma sighed and nodded, standing. "Sure."

Kathryn gave a soft smile. "See, I told you. You're too good for all of us."

"Thanks." Emma said and looked at both Kathryn and Mal. "Thanks for being good friends."

Emma was quiet as she walked with Zelena into her room, taking a seat on a chair facing Regina's bed. Regina looked miserable and part of Emma wanted to hug her, however, she stayed in her seat and curled her legs up, hugging them to her chest. "You wanted to talk?"

"Yes." Regina said and sniffed. "Thanks for agreeing, I know you don't owe it to me or anything." Emma just gave a nod and Zelena closed the door and sat by her sister. "Emma, I…gods, I don't even know where to start." She said and fidgeted with the tissue in her hand. "I'm so sorry for everything I've done to you and said to you and about you. You don't deserve any of it and I don't…I don't know why I can't stop myself. I don't mean any of it and I instantly feel guilty when I say those things. I've even been seeing Dr. Mader three times a week to try and figure out why I'm being like this. You don't deserve it and you shouldn't have to put up with it and I'm so sorry. I'll switch rooms with Mal or…if you want me to leave the school, I will."

"Why?" Emma asked quietly.

"Because you don't deserve it and you shouldn't be the one leaving so I…"

"No, I mean why me? You don't lash out at anyone else, so there must be a reason it's me."

Regina looked at Zelena and then at Emma and then down. "I…I don't know how to answer that, Emma. You deserve an answer, but…" She stopped when the lump in her throat grew and she had a hard time breathing.

Emma looked from Regina to Zelena who rubbed Regina's back. "Breathe, Regina. Deep breaths." She then looked at Emma. "She's scared, Emma. She's not trying to be disrespectful or to hide anything, it's just hard."

Emma was now concerned and any anger she had been holding onto was gone. "Regina…have I done something?"

"No." She said quickly. "No, Emma, you've done nothing. It's all me and I'm so sorry."

Emma sighed and moved over next to Regina. "I hate how you've treated me, but I hate seeing you like this too. I don't want you to leave the school, okay? Hell, I don't even want you to change rooms. I just want things to change and I'm gathering that you do too."

Regina looked at Emma, unable to believe the girl was saying this. "Really? You…you're forgiving me?"

Emma put her hand over Regina's. "Look, I can tell that you're going through things and I get that, even if I don't get the reason. I hope one day, when you're ready, you can tell me why, but I can see that you are genuine in what you're saying. Yes, I forgive you." She said, but then locked eyes with her. "But Regina, it has to stop. I'm doing my best to be understanding, but I need you to understand that I cannot keep living like this. I'm sorry if that's selfish…"

"No." Regina interrupted. "It's not selfish at all. Emma, I can't believe you'd give me another chance, but thank you so much. I promise you; I'm working on this and I'll be better."

Emma nodded. "I believe you. Honestly, that's the only reason I am giving you another chance. I can see that you do mean what you're saying. I may not know why you can't answer my question, but please know that I am here. You can talk to me and I'll be here for you."

Regina's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you."

Emma sighed and hugged Regina, not able to stop herself. "Thank you for opening up and being honest."

Regina hugged her back. "Thank you for understanding."

Zelena smiled at the two and then took her sister's hand. "Feel better?"

"Between talking to you and now Emma, I feel so much better. Things aren't perfect, but I feel lighter."

"Good." Zelena said and kissed her sister's cheek. "Come talk to me tomorrow afternoon, okay? We'll talk more about the other part."

"Okay. Thank you, Zelena."

Zelena left and Emma realized she was still on Regina's bed. She gave a small smile and then got up. "Do you want to watch a movie or something?"

"Sure. Mind if I text Mal and Kathryn?"

"Not at all. I'm going to just quickly shower."

In the bathroom, Emma did take a quick shower and as she brushed her hair, she was lost in thought. She did believe Regina was sorry but wondered exactly why she was her 'victim'. Maybe it didn't matter really, maybe one day it would come out. She took a deep breath and decided to once again, move on from this moment forward.

The four of them watched a movie and though it felt a little awkward at first, it soon became more natural and relaxed. The next few weeks went by and the week before Thanksgiving, Emma was happily planning on her packing to go home. She didn't mean to listen in on Regina's call, but her roommate wasn't exactly being quiet.

"Mom, really? It's Thanksgiving for crying out loud. Zelena and I will be the only ones still here." Regina was trying hard not to sound like she was whining, but she was.

Zelena was there and was also rolling her eyes as she took the phone. "Why can't we just stay at home by ourselves. Mom, we don't want to be here alone for a week." She sighed and shook her head to Regina.

Emma bit her lip and stepped in the hall, calling her mom. "Hey mom. Yes, things are going great. I um…I know this is a lot to ask, but is there any way Regina and Zelena could stay with us for Thanksgiving? It sounds like their parents won't be home and I hate to think of them being here alone all week."

Mary was quiet for a moment. "Emma, we really don't have the room. They'd have to be in your room and that would be a tight fit since Lilly will be here too."

"I know, but Lilly and I can stay in the living room on a sofa sleeper." Emma never asked for much, so when she did, Mary hated saying no. "If it's the cost of the food, then keep my phone off until after Christmas. I can use WiFi for the internet and call you from the common room phone. I have some savings too, about a hundred, you can have it."

"Oh, Emma. You don't have to do that. Yes, they can come, but honey, I only have enough money for your train ticket."

"It's fine, we'll figure that out. Thanks mom. I'll call you later." Emma hung up and went back in the room where two sisters were looking glum. "I'm sorry, but I heard you talking to your mom. I called my mom and our place isn't fancy or anything, and you'd have to share my room, but if you want to come over to my place, you're more than welcome. Both of you."

Zelena looked at Regina and then Emma. "Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, like I said, it's a small place, but we have fun and we have traditions like game day on Thanksgiving. Well, dad watches football while Mom, Lilly, and I play board games, but it's fun. We have a pretty good meal too. The only thing is, my parents can only afford my train ticket."

Zelena got up and hugged Emma. "Oh Emma, that's so nice of you. It sounds like the perfect family holiday like I've always dreamt of. We'll get our own tickets, but are you sure it's okay?"

Emma smiled and hugged her back. "Yes, I'm sure."

"Did you say Lilly?" Regina asked, not sure how she felt about all this.

"Yes. She's been my best friend since forever. She lives with her Aunt, but we always spend Thanksgiving together because her aunt…well she just doesn't. Anyway, Lilly and I will sleep on our sofa sleeper downstairs and you two can share my bed in my loft room." She looked at Regina. "You don't have to come, but I wanted to offer it."

Zelena looked at Regina, knowing if her sister didn't want to go, she wouldn't either, but she really wanted to. "I'll ask mom if we can." She said and smiled slightly. "Thanks, Emma." She made the phone call and hung up, going to her computer. "Mom said we can, and she said to pay for Emma's tickets as well since she's hosting us."

"Wow, thanks. I'll let my parents know."

"I…shit Emma, I feel stupid, but I don't know how to buy train tickets. We don't usually take it. Mom said she'd have a car service for us at the station once we let her know what time we'll be in town."

"That's okay, I'll show you." Emma said and went over, leaning over Regina to take over at the computer. Regina could smell the coconut shampoo the blonde used and she had to stop herself from touching her hair. She could feel Emma's light breath and had to swallow hard and shake herself out of it to focus. "Okay, so we're off school Monday and start again the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. I had planned to leave Friday night and come back Monday so I can have Tuesday to get back into the school mode. Will that work for you two?" She looked at Regina. "Are you okay? You look awfully red." She said, softly touching Regina's forehead. "You don't feel feverish though."

"I'm fine." She whispered, her voice cracking.

Zelena was trying hard not to laugh at her sister's predicament. "Friday to Monday is perfect. You're sure your parents are okay with all this. We can pay them for food and towards the water bill and stuff. That's two extra people for ten days, so I'm sure it'll cost them."

Emma waived her off. "It's fine. I've already talked to them about that. If they need extra, I'll give them money from my savings, or they'll just use the money that would go towards my phone and I just wont have service for a month." She looked back at the screen. "So, if we take these, we leave at 5 Friday night and get back at 3 on Monday. It's the cheapest route and we can always pack food, though my mom will have something ready no matter how late we get in."

"Perfect." Regina said and finished purchasing the three tickets using her card. "Emma, my sister is right though. Let us pay your parents for letting us come."

"I'll leave that to you and my parents, but I doubt they'll let you pay." She smiled at the two. "I'm going for a walk and to call my parents."

They watched Emma leave and Zelena sat down on Regina's bed. "How hard was that to be so close to her?"

Regina sighed, closing her laptop. "How am I going to get through this week at her house? Zelena, I…I want to tell her but I'm so scared. What if she doesn't like me like that? What if she's against gays? What if she's so disgusted, she tells mom and dad?"

"Okay, calm down, Regina. Your imagination is running wild again. First, okay, if she doesn't like you like that, at least she'd know why you were acting like you were. But, what if she does like you like that? As far as if she's against gays? Baby sis, you're not very observant." She pointed to Emma's wall. "That is a pride flag so either she is one, or she's an ally and either way, she wouldn't care. Also, she'd have no reason to tell mom and dad. Just calm down, Gina. Let's go have an actual family holiday with an actual family. Please, I'm really looking forward to this."

"Okay, okay. Yes, it does sound like fun. Oh, but I think we should get some cash and find a place at their apartment to hide it, so her parents find it. You know they won't just take it from us."

"Not a bad idea. I'll stop at the ATM at the train station. Oh, and I think we should treat Emma to a first-class ride. Can we upgrade the tickets?"

Regina smirked. "Already done. They're having a prime rib dinner on the train that night too."

"Great. I'm going to go finish up my homework. I'll meet you two here on Friday."

"Okay. Love you, Zee."

"Love you too."

Emma finished her call with her parents and then called Lilly. She had been telling Lilly everything, so her friend wasn't exactly surprised that Emma invited the two. "I just hope Regina doesn't go back to being a bitch. I won't hold back, Emma."

"I don't think she will be." Emma said, biting her lip. "Lilly, I think I know why she had been like that to me."

"About time. She likes you, Em, and she doesn't know how to deal with it."

"How did you know and why didn't you tell me?"

Lilly chuckled. "I guess I wasn't completely sure until I talked to my Aunt about Mayor Mills and his wife. Apparently, he is very anti LGBTQ and has made very public homophobic comments. I'm sure Regina is scared shitless of what her parents would do. I honestly think they'd do more than disown or disinherit her, Emma. I'm talking serious shit like lock her up or even send her to one of those conversion camps."

"Conversion camps? What is that?"

"Girl, you have to get out from under your rock. They're places that basically brain wash people into being straight and sometimes use electrotherapy. Her dad said on record that he believes in the good they do."

"Shut up. Is that even legal?"

"Unfortunately, it is in some states and if it's a child, it's even easier because the parents sign a consent form for them to use 'any means necessary' to 'cure' their child. Now, I can't say for sure that they would do it, but from what I've found out, I wouldn't be surprised."

"Lilly, you're not spreading rumors about her, are you?"

"No, no, no. Gods no. I'd never do that. I just used him as my research subject for a social studies project and got a lot of information."

"You're a genius." Emma said and sighed. "Lilly, if she does like me…I…I think I like her too."

"Duh." Lilly said and laughed. "Why else would you forgive her more than once and without really much of an explanation? Talk to her; tell her how you feel."

"I can't. What if I'm completely wrong and she actually feels like her dad?"

"Well, let's see how the holiday goes, then go from there. How's that sound?"

"Perfect. Lilly, please try to be nice. They're good people, even if their parents aren't."

"I will. Gods, I can't wait to see you. Wait until you see my report card, Emma, I'm doing amazing."

"Good! Okay, I have to go, but I'll see you Saturday."

The two hung up and Emma went back to her room, finding Regina in the bathroom and the room empty. She quickly changed and plugged her phone in before getting into bed. Regina came out and got in her own bed. "Emma? You awake?"

"Yep. Just got back." She said, turning her bed light on. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to thank you for inviting Zelena and me to yours for Thanksgiving. That's really kind and we really are looking forward to it. I know people think we have the perfect life, but we really don't. I don't know the last time we had a true family holiday."

Emma smiled softly. "You're very welcome. Who knows, maybe we can all plan something for Christmas too."

"I'd like that. They don't allow students to stay here over winter break, so we'll at least be going home then, but I'm sure we can all get together at some point."

The two of them talked for a bit more before turning out the lights and laying in bed, quietly thinking to themselves. It was Wednesday, so they had two more days of classes before they'd leave. Both of them fell asleep wondering what this break would hold.