Week Five:
Emma-
Everyone was tried by the time they returned from judging. It was always so draining, and as the weeks went on it was harder to watch people go. Even though they were competition, Emma knew this girls wanted this more than anything. They all were just as deserving as she was. Even Mal had been working for years to make it this far. While Emma would do anything to win, it was heartbreaking to see someone's dream end each week.
Regina and Emma went to their room once they got back. The others were making food downstairs. They had all decided on working on their walks together, but Emma and Regina passed. It had been a long week, and they just wanted a nice quiet night.
"I can't believe we're in the top ten." Emma said. She and Regina were laying side by side on her bed with their feet on the wall. "I feel like my audition for this was just yesterday."
"I know." Regina agreed. "I thought when I first got here that thirteen weeks would go so slowly, but they are going so fast."
"What are you going to do if you don't win?" Emma asked, turning to look at Regina.
"Well, I live in New York already, so I'll probably keep looking for modeling jobs. What I really would love to do if this doesn't happen for me is go to law school." Regina smiled at the thought. "But, my mother has a dream for me to follow in her footsteps. What about you?"
"I don't have much of a Plan B." Emma admitted. "I was living in my car for a while after my ex and I broke up. He was a jerk, and made me realize I don't want to ever date men again. But, my goal would be to move here and try to find my footing I guess."
"We could get an apartment together." Regina said. "We could live in the city and work. I could cook us dinner at night."
"I'll take out the trash every night." Emma chuckled. "I can't cook."
"That's okay." Regina grinned.
Emma looked into Regina's beautiful brown eyes. In them, she saw a future. One where, yes, they lived together in a little apartment. And Regina made dinner, and after, when the day was done, they'd crawl into bed and fall asleep in one another's arms. Emma leaned in, her lips about to touch Regina's.
"TYRA MAIL!" Ruby's voice called causing them to spring apart.
"We should go." Emma said sitting up. She was so angry at herself. She had probably ruined everything by almost kissing Regina.
Emma and Regina had awkwardly gone down to the rest of the girls. The Tyra mail said to be ready at 7:00 AM for their next challenge. Since it was late, Emma and Regina went to bed. Regina didn't say anything about the almost kiss, but she wasn't ignoring Emma either. Emma decided that was better than nothing.
The next morning, everything between Emma and Regina was pretty normal. They got around before the others, like usual, and had breakfast together. Regina didn't mention anything about the night before.
The challenge was an acting challenge, which Emma dreaded. She hated the thought of having to perform a scene in front of all the other girls. It made her want to toss her cookies all over the stage.
"We have a special guest to help out today!" Jay told them. "This will be a partner scene, so obviously we need a little eye candy today. Please welcome a very good friend of mine, straight of the set of A Pirate's Life For Me, is emmy winning actor, Killian Jones!"
The girls around Emma gushed with excitement. Emma had to admit, Killian was cute. He wasn't her type, but Emma knew that a lot of girls would love to be in her place right now. Jay handed them the short script. At the end was a quick kiss. Emma nearly groaned. She did not want to kiss this man.
"Do we have to do this?" She whispered to Regina.
"It'll be fine." Regina assured her. "Just pretend its someone else."
Emma gulped, wondering if Regina meant herself. Emma wanted to ask about it, but Regina was trying to memorize the script and Emma didn't want to distract her. She studied her own lines, but knew she wasn't winning this challenge.
The girls only had fifteen minutes before Jay called them back over. He explained that they would be judged on how believable they were. The winner would get a guest spot on Killian's show for an episode. Emma knew that was a huge prize, but she wasn't feeling confident.
Mary Margaret went first, but she was blushing too hard. Emma didn't buy it one bit. Mal did pretty well, and so did Ruby. Everyone else was decent. It made Emma nervous.
"Regina you're up."
Regina stood and came up to the stage. She got the lines down, but it was clear she didn't feel comfortable kissing Killian either. She pulled away quickly and looked a little disgusted after.
"He smells like rum." Regina stated in a whisper when she sat back down next to Emma. "And he's wearing eyeliner."
Emma giggled quietly as they watched Tink walk up for her turn. Tink nailed the lines and the kiss. Hers was, so far, the most convincing. Jay seemed really impressed. Emma fought the urge to groan when Jay called her name up next.
Killian winked at her when she approached him. Emma wanted to roll her eyes, but she figured that would be a bad idea. She just wanted to get this over with, so she started her lines. She knew she probably talked way too fast. Killian looked way too excited to pull her close and kiss her. Regina had been right, he smelt like rum.
Jay didn't seem to buy her performance, but Emma was just glad that it was over. She hurried off the stage and to her seat. The rest of the girls finished their turns before Jay gave them feedback and announced the winner.
"Some of you did pretty great, others need some work." He summarized. "But, one of you stood out to me as someone who really deserves this prize. And that someone is Tink."
Emma was happy for Tink. She did deserve the prize. This was one challenge Emma was fine with losing. The girls started to head out when Killian called out to Emma. She was surprised that he remembered her name.
"Hey." He grinned at her. "Want to get a drink with me sometime?"
Emma saw Regina patiently waiting for her and looking annoyed. Emma wondered if Regina was a bit jealous, but quickly pushed the thought from her mind. She couldn't let her hopes get too high,
"I am a little busy with this competition." Emma said politely.
"After? Killian asked hopefully. "I think we have great chemistry."
"She's not interested." Regina interrupted.
"Oh?" Killian glared at the brunette. "And how would you know."
"Because she's taken." Regina stated before pulling Emma to her and kissing her right on the lips. She pulled away and gave Killian a look that reminded Emma of the Evil Queen. "By me, so move along, Guyliner."
Emma was too shocked to say anything. Regina grabbed Emma by the hand and led her to the bus where the other girls were. No one else had witnessed the scene, and Emma was a little grateful. She was still trying to process what had just happened.
*EMMA CONFESSIONAL*
"Regina Mills just kissed me."
Regina-
Regina had kissed Emma. She had actually done it. And in front of Killian Jones. She had been jealous of that filthy pirate hitting on Emma, and something in her just snapped. She wanted Killian to know Emma was unavailable even though nothing was official. She hope Emma wasn't angry with her.
They return to the house and Emma wordlessly wanders up stairs. Regina followed the blonde, hoping she wasn't about to lose Emma again. She thought they were finally on the same page, but maybe she had misread something.
They walked into the room before Emma pulled Regina close and kissed her. Properly this time. Regina's head was spinning by the time Emma pulled back.
"I've been wanting to do that since the moment I met you." Emma admits with a shy smile.
"Me too." Regina grinned before leaning in to kiss the blonde again.
"Finally!" Ruby exclaimed walking into the room. "I thought you two would never man up. Er, women up I guess."
Emma and Regina laugh. Emma asked Regina if she was hungry and the two wandered down the stairs to make dinner. They shared some smiles and gentle hand touches.
"Tyra Mail!" Mary Margaret called in excitement.
Regina was shocked that it was already time for another Tyra Mail. She suspected a photo shoot, but it hadn't even been a whole day since their challenge. The competition was definitely getting more intense.
"It's all in the cards! -Fierce and Love, Tyra."
Regina decided not to try and figure out what that meant. Tonight, she and Emma were going to hangout in the house hot tub with some wine. For tonight, she was going to pretend that they weren't in a competition.
Emma and Regina were sitting side by side in the hot tub with their glasses of wine. It was a beautiful night. The starry sky above them, and the warm air made it a perfect night to be outside.
"So, why law school?" Emma asked.
"I want to help people." Regina explained with a smile. "I used to dream of working for a non profit company and helping those in need."
"You'd be good at that." Emma told Regina. She took a piece of Regina's hair in between her fingers and twirled it around. "You'd be a badass lawyer."
"Maybe once I'm retired from modeling." Regina joked. She changed the subject. "What about you? If you weren't a model did you have a dream job as a child?"
"I wanted to be a bounty hunter when I was in high school." Emma chuckled. "I like the idea of a little danger, but I quickly decided that wasn't for me. Honestly, I always loved the idea of modeling. I just never thought I'd get here."
"You're a great model." Regina told her sincerely. "You have a natural ability, and you're so stunning."
"So are you." Emma grinned. She leaned over and gave Regina a quick peck on the lips. "This has been a great first date."
"This is a date?" Regina asked in amusement.
"It's as good as we're getting until this competition is over unfortunately." Emma replied. "But once this over, I'm going to show you the best date of your life."
"I look forward to it." Regina grinned.
Even if it wasn't the most conventional date, to Regina it was perfect. Regina was falling hard and fast. Faster than she had ever fallen for anyone, but it all felt so right. She just hoped the competition didn't tear them apart.
The next morning the girls were whisked away to their photo shoot. They were all tired from the previous day still. Regina tried to sleep on Emma's shoulder on the ride their, but she couldn't sleep.
"Welcome back ladies." Jay smiled at them. "I know it's been a busy few days, but we need energy today for this shoot!"
The girls all nodded. Regina was feeling a bit more awake after she'd gotten coffee on the set. She knew she just had to get through the shoot and then she could go home and sleep.
"Today, you're all going to be given a different major arcana from Tarot Cards to portray." Jay explained. "Emma you're card is The Sun. Mulan, Strength. Belle, Temperance. Regina, The Moon. Aurora, Death. Ruby, the Fool. Mary Margaret, the Lovers. Ella, the Hermit. Mal, Judgment. And Tink, the Hanged Man."
Regina was really excited for this photo shoot. She thought it was really creative, and loved that she and Emma had gotten the Sun and Moon cards. It was perfect. They went to hair and makeup and began getting ready for the photo shoot. Mary Margaret went first and she seemed to do really well. Aurora was next, and Regina could hear Jay constantly trying to help her. It seemed like she was struggling.
"Regina you're on deck!" Jay called over.
Regina headed over as they were pulling Tink onto set. Regina watched as the petite blonde flipped herself upside down and all over the place. She was taking a lot of risks. Regina could tell that Tink was improving in this competition.
"Honestly, you nailed it." Jay told her.
Regina knew it would be a tough act to follow, but she felt confident in her modeling and she had a lot of energy. She gave Jay a lot of poses to choose from and worked on her face angles. The set had a mirror on it, and Regina knew some of the interpretations for the moon card was self reflection. She used the mirror and tried to do some shots of staring at her reflection.
"Really great job." Jay smiled. "You gave a lot of variety, and I am really happy with today's shoot for you."
Regina felt good leaving the set. Emma was up next so Regina stayed to watch. The Sun card was more joyful and Emma looked like a Golden Queen on set. She gave them a lot of energy, and seemed to have fun with it. Jay told her she did a good job too. Regina hoped they were both safe, but she knew you could never know for sure.
Judging was a few days later. A few girls seemed nervous. Judging put everyone on edge, and Regina was feeling less confident. She knew she had done well, but growing up with Cora as her mother made Regina doubt herself.
"Hello ladies." Tyra greeted with a smile. "You have all had a busy week. A challenge and a photo shoot right in a row. But you all survive. Unfortunately one of you will be leaving tonight, and it's time to determine who. First up is Mal."
Mal's photo was pretty good. Regina thought she had done worse from the way she talked, but her picture looked amazing. Aurora was called up next, and she got a lot of negative feedback. Regina felt sorry for her, because she knew Aurora wanted this so badly. It kept going down the line. Tink had been told this was her best photoshoot yet. Regina was proud of the girl for stepping up her game.
"Emma you're next." Tyra said. Emma came up as they put her photo on the screen. "Emma this was a great shoot for you! You had so much energy and I could tell from your film that you had fun. Something this week must have inspired you, because I was blown away by the happiness in your film. A model's job is to sell, and I would buy whatever you were selling."
Regina's heart swelled. Emma was happy in her film, and Regina knew why. This week had inspired Emma, and it made Regina so happy to know it was because of their relationship.
"Last but not least is Regina." Tyra called. "Regina, here is your photo."
Regina was pleased to see that they had chosen the reflection photo. It had turned out better than Regina had thought, and she hoped the judges liked it as well.
"I was so happy to see the variety you gave." Tyra told her. "You tried so many poses and faces."
"A photographer wants a client who can give him choices." Nigel stated. "And to be doing that puts you ahead. Well done, this is genius. You really studied the meaning of your card. I'm impressed."
Regina was relieved. She and Emma had both gotten good feedback, and she felt certain they were both staying in the competition together. She would feel bad for whoever had to leave, but part of her would just be happy she and Emma were still here together.
They were called back in soon to find out who would be sent home. Tyra stood in front of them like always. She held the photos in her hands and began the elimination process.
"I only have nine photos in my hands, and these photos represent the nine of you that will still be in the running toward becoming America's Next Top Model. The girl that I do not call must immediately return to your house, pack your bags and go home." Tyra tells them. "First up, is someone who showed us real emotion in their photo. Emma."
Regina grinned. She was happy that Emma got first photo this week. She deserved it. Emma walked up and took her place on the side.
"Runner up is someone you all need to watch out for because she is in this to win this, Tink." Tyra called. "Regina. Ella. Mal. Ruby. Mary Margaret. Belle."
It was shocking to see Mulan standing in the bottom two. Her photo had been weak and her Tarot Card was supposed to be Strength. Up until now, Regina had thought Mulan was doing great.
"Will Mulan and Aurora please step forward." The two came up to Tyra, knowing one of them would be eliminated. "Mulan, you are falling back. We are worried that this competition is getting the best of you. Aurora, we know you want this, but we're not sure modeling is for you. So who stays in this competition? Aurora, unfortunately we don't think you are ready for this, and so Mulan, you will stay."
Regina felt awful when she saw Aurora start to cry. She knew this competition meant so much to her. As badly as Regina wanted to win, she hated that others had to be told they weren't good enough.
*REGINA CONFESSIONAL*
"I keep doing well in this competition and wondering if I deserve it. I'm here because I want to be, but what if someone wants it more? Someone like Emma who has worked her whole life to get to this place. I couldn't even bare the thought of taking this away from her."
A/N I know I didn't use all of the major arcana, but the idea of using Tarot Cards was something that came to me and I thought it would be cool. Photo shoot ideas are hard to come up with so if you have one, help a girl out lol hope you like our new couple ;)