Week Seven:
Emma-
The house had a new vibe with Mal gone. It was much calmer and more comfortable. Yes, it was still a competition, but it felt more fair now. If Mal had one Emma would have lost all faith in the Top Model competition. Hearing Tyra support her and Regina, though, and to kick Mal out because of her hate made Emma feel like she had a chance. All the girls left had a good chance of winning, and Emma would be okay with any of them winning. She wanted to be the winner, of course, but she knew in her heart that other girls deserved it just as much as she did.
"I can't believe the dragon is finally gone." Regina sighed as they sat in the common room with the other girls.
"She told me I'm too feminine to win." Mary Margaret revealed with a sad look.
"Mal made me feel like I couldn't be a mom and a model at the same time." Ella added.
"I think she targeted all of us at one point or another." Emma said with a shake of her head. "That girl had serious issues."
"At least she's gone now." Belle smiled.
"And now the real competition can start." Ruby stated.
"Yeah, with people who deserve to win." Tink agreed.
"I sincerely wish all of you luck." Mulan told them. "May the best model win."
The girls woke up the next morning to a Tyra mail. Emma knew the competition was going to get harder now. It was down to the eight best girls now. There was no more playing around.
Top models of the past like to come out and play. Fierce and Love, Tyra
That made Emma nervous. She wondered if previous show contestants were going to be a part of the challenge. Emma was intimidated by the thought of meeting other models. She still felt like she was learning the ropes, and didn't want to look like an idiot.
"You'll be fine." Regina assured her as the two laid nose to nose on Regina's bed. "You're a great model, Em. If you weren't, you wouldn't be here."
"I just feel like every week gets harder, and I'm worried I'm not improving." Emma admitted. Regina rubbed her nose against Emma's. "I don't want to be a failure."
"You could never be a failure, Emma Swan. You are strong, and persistent, and you have come light years from where you started." Regina told her firmly.
"You'll still like me if I make a fool out of myself in front of world famous models?" Emma asked. Regina chuckled.
"Only if you still like me."
"Please, you could curse an entire realm and I'd still like you." Emma teased.
"Careful, I am the evil queen." Regina winked.
Emma laughed. Moments like this made the competition feel much lighter. She knew that no matter what happened in the competition, the best thing to come out of it would be finding Regina Mills.
Regina leaned in and kissed Emma. Emma smiled into the kissed and pulled Regina closer by her waist. Emma couldn't wait until they were out of the competition and had time to really be alone.
"You know," Emma smiled as the kiss ended. "We're doing this all backwards. We live together before we've even been on a real date."
"The hot tub wasn't a real date?" Regina teased.
"You know what I mean, dork." Emma replied.
"Well, I'd say given the circumstances, we're doing pretty well." Regina replied. She nuzzled into the blonde again. "I like doing things backwards."
Emma wondered how on earth she had gotten so damn lucky.
The girls had been told to dress like they were going to a party. Emma had packed a dark pink dress and her favorite black high heels. She hadn't worn this dress since her birthday, but it still fit her curvy hips perfectly. Regina, on the other hand, had decided on a red jumpsuit with a plunging neckline. It made Emma feel weak at the knees.
"Wow, you look, really, really, good in that." Emma practically drooled when Regina exited the bathroom.
"You clean up pretty nice yourself, Miss. Swan." Regina smiled.
The two joined the other girls in the limo. They all discussed how excited they were for the challenge. The girls were shuttled to a large mansion just outside of Storybrooke. It looked like something a Hollywood star would live. Inside, it was clear that a large and fabulous party was taking place.
Jay was waiting outside for them. He was dressed in a sleak, gray suit. Beside him was Nigel. The girls knew this was going to be a challenge like no other. It was terrifying and exciting all at once.
"You all look lovely!" Jay complimented. "As you can see, behind me in an exclusive fashion party. One that you will all be attending."
"Inside are some of the worlds most influential models, agents, and clients." Nigel added. "You won't know who is judging you."
"We have secret judges scoring each of you. So work hard to impress, because the girl with the best score will be the winner of today's challenge and will receive an amazing prize." Jay finished. "Now get in there and make us proud."
Emma stuck close to Regina as the entered the party. Emma was not used to this type of crowd. She was still nervous about doing something stupid and embarassing herself. Regina had grabbed them each a glass of champagne and led Emma around the party. They talked people, and Emma remembered to be herself.
"You're a new model?" One of the designers asked Emma.
"I am." She confirmed with a smile. "I'm still learning the ropes a bit, but I find myself feeling more and more confident each shoot."
The designer smiled. Regina gave Emma a nod, and Emma knew she had answered right. This was going much easier than she had thought it would. She found that she fit in with this crowd more than she had expected herself to. As long as she let herself just be Emma, she was fine.
"Okay, let's make our way to the back." Regina suggested. "All the other girls are up here, I bet if we go back there will be the first to make impressions on that side of the party."
"Good plan." Emma agreed.
The girls were stopped by a few people on there way back. They smiled and chatted before continuing on. The party was actually really fun. Emma was glad she had Regina with her to make it easier. She would have had a hard time opening up if Regina hadn't been by her side.
"Regina!" A voice called. "Darling over her."
Emma felt Regina freeze and go stiff beside her. The voice was coming closer as whoever it was pushed through the crowd. Before Emma could ask Regina what was wrong, Regina spoke.
"Mother." She gasped.
Cora Mills pulled her daughter in for a few pecks on the cheek. Emma was unsure how to act, so she stood there, silently. Of course Cora Mills would be at the most prestigious party of the year. Emma wasn't sure why she was so surprised by it.
"Look at you, you look like a real model now." Cora gushed over her daugher. "I knew you'd take this competition by the horns."
"It's nice to see you, Mother." Regina said in a voice Emma had never heard before. It was much cooler than Emma cared for.
"Who is this?" Cora asked looking at Emma. Her eyes made a shiver run down Emma's spine.
"This is Emma, she's a fellow model." Regina stated, not giving too much away.
"It's nice to meet you." Emma smiled. "You really are an inspiration."
"Regina, tell me you're not letting yourself get distracted." Cora sighed with a hint of disappointment. "I thought that whole part of your life was a phase."
"Mother, Emma and I may be in a competition, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends." Regina tried to reason with her mother, she didn't want a scene at this party.
"Just friends? Like you were just friends with Victoria Belfrey?" Cora demanded, raising her voice. "I found the two of you going at it like teenagers!"
"I was a teenager!" Regina exclaimed.
"And you've learned nothing since then!" Cora hollered back. People were beginning to watch as Cora took a step closer to her daughter. "I will not let you through it all away for a white trash little-"
"Okay, that's enough." Jay approached and interrupted the fight between the mother and daughter duo. Emma had never been more relieved to see him. "All my girls, let's go. Party is over for ANTM."
"This isn't over, Regina." Cora warned. Regina ignored her and stayed close behind Jay.
The girls all gathered together and followed Jay out the door. No one said a word as the loaded the limo. Emma gripped Regina's hand, hoping to provide some comfort to her girlfriend.
Jay and Nigel were waiting for the models back at their house. Emma had almost forgotten about the challenge. Everything about the party was kind of like a blur now. She just kept seeing the fear in Regina's eyes when she Cora yelled at her. Emma knew what an abusive relationship looked like, and Cora was clearly not a warm mother.
"Okay, so, obviously things got a little weird at the party. Regina, you okay?" Nigel asked.
"I'm fine." Regina said. "I just wasn't expecting my mother to be there."
"Neither were we." Nigel stated. "We apologize for that."
"You couldn't have known." Regina shrugged.
"We do have a challenge to discuss." Jay said. "Now that we have all had a chance to relax from what happened, I'm going to give you some feedback. Emma and Regina, sticking together worked well. You were a good balance for one another. Ella, you were bubbly and bright, and seemed to be good at making connections with the people. Mary Margaret you had great energy, but seemed a bit insecure. Mulan, you had a hard exterior people couldn't get through. Belle, you were very beautiful, but a bit shy. Ruby, very friendly, and you made people laugh. And Tink, they loved your unique look, but seemed a bit nervous."
"We can only have one winner." Nigel reminded them. "And she will win a private photo shoot with me that will be on a billboard for the town of Storybrooke. So, Jay, who is the winner?"
"The winner is, Ella." Jay announced.
The girls all clapped. It was nice to Ella emerge as a winner. She was coming a long way, and Emma knew Ella was becoming major competition. The judges loved to see improvement, and Ella was definitely improving week by week.
*EMMA CONFESSIONAL*
"The party was crazy. I didn't expect Cora to be so cold. I mean, Regina's never said anything, but I knew her mother was controlling. She wouldn't let Regina go to law school and now she wants to control who Regina dates? I don't want to make things any worse for Regina. Would it be better if I called things off?"
Regina-
After Jay and Nigel left, Regina went to take a long hot shower. The other girls were cautious around her. They must have sensed how upset she was. The only person Regina wanted was Emma, but it seemed like the blonde was pulling away a bit. Regina couldn't allow that to happen.
When Regina finishes her shower, she feels better. As long as she was in this competition, Cora couldn't get to her. All she had to do was finish this, and then Cora wouldn't be able to do a thing. If she won, she'd be a top model and there was nothing Cora could want more. Plus, Cora wouldn't dare touch Regina if she was in the spotlight. If she lost and disappointed Cora, at least she knew she'd done her best. And then, maybe Cora would finally give up.
"Hey." Regina said to Emma when she entered the room.
"Oh, hi." Emma gave a half hearted smile. "How was your shower?"
"Refreshing, I feel better." Regina told the blonde with a smile.
"Look, Regina, if you want to stop this, I get it." Emma began. "I don't want to make things any more complicated for you then they already are."
"No." Regina said firmly. "Emma, absolutely not. Cora has taken so much from me, and I won't let her take you too. I want to be with you."
"Are you sure?" Emma asked with uncertainty. Regina sat on the bed and cupped Emma's face in her hands.
"More sure than I have ever been." Regina assured her girlfriend. She leans in and gives Emma a quick peck on the lips. "Now scootch over. It's been a long day, and I need cuddles and some sleep."
Regina was putting what happened with her mother behind her. She was going to put all her focus in the rest of the competition and her relationship with Emma. Cora Mills had dictated Regina's whole life, and it was about time that the brunette started living her life the way she wanted.
All of the girls had checked in on Regina to make sure she was alright. She assured them that she was fine and expressed her gratitude. She had made some great friends here, and it was nice to see that they cared so much for her.
A Tyra mail came the next night to inform them of their photoshoot. Regina was relieved that they had another shoot. The more they had, the closer they got to the end. Even though each week got harder and harder to say goodbye to someone. For now though, they all sat around trying to figure out what the clue meant.
Don't be blinded by the city lights! Fierce and Love, Tyra.
Regina knew it could mean a number of things. She also knew that they were getting close to travelling. Every cycle of ANTM, the top six girls would travel abroad for the remainder of the competition. There were still eight girls left, but maybe things were getting shaken up this cycle. You could never be sure.
"Where do you think we'll travel to?" Tink asked.
"I don't know." Ruby shrugged. "I was hoping Avalon."
"What about Arendelle?" Emma suggested. "They have a lot of up and becoming trends going on."
"Ugh too cold." Belle pointed out.
"I want to go somewhere tropical." Mary Margaret smiled with a dreamy look in her eye.
"Me too." Regina agreed with a smile.
"Te fiti would be nice." Ella said.
"I agree!" Emma said.
"It's sad to think two of us most likely won't be going." Ruby realized sadly.
"I don't want to think about it." Mulan sighed.
Neither did Regina. She knew the next eliminations were going to be hard. Her friends would be leaving or she would. The more the weeks went by, the sadder it got to see someone's dreams end. She hated it.
"I think I'm gonna sleep." Belle yawned. "I don't want to be sleepy at the shoot tomorrow."
"Good idea." Emma agreed.
Everyone followed Belle's lead. Tomorrow would bring a new day and a new photoshoot. Regina just hoped she did well enough to keep herself in the competition with Emma.
The next day, bright and early, the girls arrived at their shoot. Despite turning in early, the girls were all tired. The competition was getting more and more exhausting each week. But, it would be over soon, and they were all trying to enjoy it, even on early days.
"Good morning." Jay greeted. "I know it's early, but we have a great shoot today."
Regina perked up. Jay sounded excited about the shoot, and that made her excited. It was nice that Jay always brought energy to each set. It put her in a good mood, and made her eager to get a good picture.
"Each of you will be given a famous city as the backdrop for your shoot." Jay told them. "We picked cities from all over the world to show different cultures and traditions. You will be dressed as tourists taking in these cities for the first time. So, without further ado, Emma your city is Bali. Ella, Rio De Janeiro. Mary Margaret, Sydney. Mulan, Barcelona. Tink, Nairobi. Regina, Paris. Ruby, Santorini. And Belle, Tokyo."
Regina was excited that she had been given Paris. It was the city of love, and love was something she could portray easily these days. She knew this was a shoot she would do well with. She just needed to remember to look soft and elegant.
Regina was called first for her picture, and she was excited to be first up. She was less nervous if she went before seeing the other girls do their pictures. It also gave her an opportunity to set a bar.
"Alright, Regina, knock it out of the park like usual." Jay directed with a smile.
Regina did as she was told. She put herself in the place of a love sick tourist. She kept thinking of Emma, and how much she would love to be in Paris with her. She didn't even have to think of keeping her face soft, it came natural when she thought of the blonde.
"Oh my goodness, that was amazing." Jay commented. "Seriously, so many good shots. I can't even look at you because that was so disgustingly good."
Regina felt amazing knowing that her shoot had gone well. Mulan was up next so Regina stayed to watch. It started off extremely awkward. Mulan hardly did any posing. She stood there looking lost, and not like a lost tourist. Jay gave her some instructions, but it seemed like the shoot was too far gone. Mulan left the set looking defeated.
"Hey, maybe you got a shot the judges will love." Regina tried to comfort.
"I don't think so." Mulan said sadly. "Thanks, though. I appreciate you trying to make me feel better."
Emma was called up next. Her background was a beautiful beach in Bali. Emma fit right in with the backdrop. Regina watched as Jay gave Emma some direction and Emma took off with it. Jay told her she captured what they were looking for. Regina was proud that her girlfriend did well.
"Belle's next. She said she doesn't feel good." Emma informed Regina when she exited the set. "Hopefully she can pull it off."
Belle definitely struggled. It looked as if she had given up. Jay said they ended up getting one good shot on accident, but it didn't sound good. Emma and Regina looked at one another and knew, Belle could be in the bottom this week.
Panel had a different feel. Now that Mal was gone, there was no one Regina would be happy to see go. Everyone was more sad as they entered the judging room, knowing someone would leave at the end of the night.
"Alright ladies, first up is Tink." Tyra announced.
They complimented Tink's ability to get into character. Next was Ruby, and they said she definitely proved herself from last week. Her picture with Greece as a backdrop proved she could be a high fashion model. Mulan was called up and the judges told her they were disappointed with her lack of movement.
"Regina, you're up." Tyra called. "Now, before we see your picture, I just wanted to see how you were after seeing your mother at the party. I heard there was some tension."
"There was." Regina admitted. "It was hard at first, but I am going to put it behind me and focus on this competition."
"Well, if you need anything, let me know." Tyra smiled. "Now your picture, is stunning."
"Wow." Nigel said looking at the elegance in Regina's face. "You continue to amaze me each week. Is there anything you can't do?"
Regina felt good know her picture had turned out well. Next was Belle and they told her that they could see the sleep in her eyes. It made Regina sad because even in front of the judges, Belle just seemed to be tired. Next they called up Emma.
"This is a new side of you." Tyra said. "You are learning your angles, and working them."
"This is a great shot." Another judge agreed. "Wonderful job."
They finished calling up the girls before dismissing them all to reach a decision. While Regina felt confident that she and Emma were safe this week, she worried for Mulana and Belle. They had fallen way back this week, and Regina wondered which one would be sent home.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the girls were called in. Even if she knew she did well, elimination always made Regina nervous. She just never knew for sure what would happen when Tyra started calling their names.
"I only have seven photos in my hands, and these photos represent the seven 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. "Best photo goes to, Regina. Ella. Emma. Ruby. Mary Margaret. Tink. Will Belle and Mulan please step forward."
Regina held her breath as her friends stepped up to Tyra. Her stomach was in knots as she saw the tears in Belle's eyes. Mulan was trying not to show her emotions, but it was clear that she was worried.
"You both slipped up this week in both the challenge and the photoshoot." Tyra began. "Mulan, you are so amazing, but you keep yourself so closed off from the rest of the world. And Belle, you are stunning, but you are shy and afraid. Both of you girls have so much potential and seeing you in the bottom makes our choice as judges so hard. But, we feel that a tough choice had to be made tonight, and you both will be packing your bags and going home."
The girls all gasped. They hadn't seen a double elimination coming. It was awful to watch one girl leave, let alone two. Mulan and Belle were given a chance to come and say goodbye to the girls. Regina hugged them both tight and wished them well. The girls cried as Mulana and Belle left the room for the last time.
"I know that was hard." Tyra said sadly. "But, it brings us closer to determining a winner. And now, you six finalists must go home, because you will also be packing. But, you're not going home...you're going to Enchanted Forest!"
*REGINA CONFESSIONAL*
"I am going to miss Mulan and Belle so much, but I wish them all the best! I know we will keep in touch. In the meantime, I am going to Enchanted Forest! I have always wanted to go and I cannot wait to see it in real life! It's romantic and beautiful, and like something out of a fairytale! I know Emma and I will have the time of our lives!
A/N Phew. That's done. I am going on Vacation at the end of the week and may not be able to update until I return, so enjoy this chapter! Next time the girls will arrive in EF! We will have some more fluffy Emma and Regina moments :) What did you all think of my introduction to Cora? Don't worry, that's not the last we've seen of her ;) -Kaila