Chapter 2
The cool air-conditioning of the room forced a shiver to make it's way down Emma's spine, and her limbs felt the brunt of the path. With only seven awkward and uncomfortable minutes left until the lecture could start, Emma slipped her thin lab coat through the sleeves and absent-mindedly adjusted her fringe with her fingertips.
Now I know why I wore pants.
This lecture hall is always so fucking freezing.
Emma didn't mind being cold; she chose to study in the northern country of Canada after all. She just really preferred the warm weather of some beach or the hot desert that she traversed while spending some time in Australia.
All of that time that she should have been spent maybe studying or working on her thesis.
I better book my ticket for next summer before I get spent spending its entirety in a lab stuck with a supervising position again.
The room began to feel a little fuller, as the door began to slam open and shut at a higher frequency as the time ticked by. Students began to filter in one by one, all finding seats within far enough distances from each other that they didn't need to interact or become forced make new friends through the uncomfortable tension. Most of them took out their laptops or notebooks, all desperately trying to pretend that they were actually doing some form of work.
Please kids, Emma thought to herself with a visible smirk. I know half of you are either creeping Facebook, Tweeting up a storm or blogging about how much you hate that the summer finally coming to an end.
It was only the first day of classes, and this is the first scheduled slot for lectures, so Emma knew these for a fact. Not wanting to intrude, and silently sitting on her perched desk at the front of the hall, Emma sipped her hot coffee and patiently watched the seats begin to fill at a faster rate.
This was the exact moment in time in which she had expected her nerves beginning to kick in.
Shit, not this again.
Not this year too.
When young Emma Swan did her first public speech in middle school, she made an absolute ass of herself and used her track and field skills to run out of the classroom as quickly as her lanky legs let her. Emma never liked being the speaker, or even the center of attention for that matter, only because she never truly got the chance to be paid attention to in each of her busy "homes" over the years of her youth. With every foster home in the past, she was never the token trouble child or the one that really required any attention. Emma was always the one that stood out of all the angry kids ways and never spoke to her foster parents unless it was urgent or she felt her heart beginning to stop.
The heart-stopping-thing of course, never happening.
Much to her luck.
Each home brought a different set of rules and a very, well, versatile set of parenting figures, some which were much better at the job than others. Though Emma constantly entered each household knowing better.
Nothing – not even the good families or happy dinners – lasted forever.
Emma never spoke throughout the remainder of middle school, and even into high school. She took every failing grade she could on each speech or public presentation, just to avoid them.
I won't ever use this crap anyways – was exactly whatshe used to think.
It wasn't until her second year Organismal Biology class that she finally got up the nerve to correct the professor.
Under her breath primarily, but the bastard heard her, and made her repeat what she had said.
Slowly, and stuttering heavily through each syllable, Emma retold her corrected version of his statement.
Fearing the worst, the man put his pointer down and gave her wide beam, one she knew most girls in the class would spend their undergraduate years swooning over.
"About time you started talking in this class Miss Swan." He had said, a bit of kindness echoing in his tone, but still a bit gruffly. "Keep using that voice of yours as much as you use that brain, and all of us will be learning a lot this semester."
Emma smiled at the memory, knowing she owed so much to her mentor Dr. Booth. She had worked with him throughout her last undergraduate years, and then her Masters. He even gave his name and word as a reference for her Doctorate application. August used to jokingly confide in her that she was the only female he could truly find himself able to spend a long period of time with, without perchance strangling her.
"That's because you definitely aren't my type Dr. Booth." She had said, in her third year of university and this being the first time she finally admitted her sexuality to someone.
Ever.
August knew all along though, as Emma spent most of her time tutoring the cuter, not-so-brilliant girls in his class. She apparently was not very good at hiding her preference, but she did not find herself needing to after the admission, or feeling threatened by her sexuality. He was actually the one who suggested she spend a year away for her Masters, and Emma remained thankful for the suggestion to this day. After many years of schooling and teaching during her PhD, Emma's innate fear of public speaking seemed to completely dissipate, leaving only the uncertain, primary nerves in their wake.
Tick. Tick.
The clock finally began to close in at eight-thirty, with the lecture room began to thicken with bodies, and Emma heard some definite chatter amongst her class. This was expected, as Emma hoped some of these brilliant pupils actually knew each other from previous years.
This was a third year Molecular Biology Class after all, and with only fifty-seven registered students, they better start getting to know each other and forming study groups.
By some form of miracle, or incomprehensible obedience that was unexpected by Emma, the entire classroom quieted and sat silently when the clock read exactly eight-thirty.
Emma cleared her throat, got off her seat on the table and stood up. "Guess we should get started then." Running her fingers through her bangs for a final time, and securing her lab coat around her waist, Emma walked to the middle of the podium.
"Hello everyone on this bright and beautiful morning I am sure so many of you wanted to spend this sunny day inside learning." Emma started, her voice coming out higher than normal, and her gag prompting a few giggles from the entire room.
"My name is Dr. Emma Swan, and I happen to be the new professor for this course, Molecular Biology for the third year of study."
A group that sat close to the front smiled widely, whilst Emma saw some boys in the back give each other fist-pumps.
Oh joy, oh bliss.
"As you all may have noticed, I am not over eighty-years old and have actually resorted to using the PowerPoint presentations for my lecture today." Emma turned around to look at the projection, only to see a black screen.
Fuck.
"Oh sorry everyone, minor technical difficulty! "She told them, deftly releasing the black lid on her projector, allowing the light to filter through and show the first slide to her presentation.
BIO310: Introduction to Molecular Biology
Taught by: Dr. Emma Swan
"There we go." She told the class, turning back to face the room.
"I'm sure you have all been absolutely dreading this class since it appeared onto your syllabus last week, but I don't want any of you to be worried. With enough effort and time, we are going to have a fun and informative semester." Emma told them with clear sarcasm. "Bet you all hear that all of the time, am I right?"
The nods and murmurs across the room proved her theory correct.
She sighed, shoulders slouching in their relaxed mode. "Look guys, this path and field you all have chosen is definitely not the easiest." She started, seeing some more nods. "But, with great power comes great responsibility." She finished, emphasis on these words with air quotations.
More laughter filled the room.
"No seriously everyone." Emma said, sobering up the crowd. "You are all the future or education, medicine and even the planet in some crazy way. You cannot slack off in this program, and I expect none of you to think this will be an easy course. It was not when I took it all those years ago."
Emma rolled her eyes at the approving nods. "Hey, come on! I'm not that old."
This provoked the loudest response, some chuckles and giggles heard from her spot at the podium, echoing and bouncing off each of the four walls.
"This early morning class every Monday and Wednesday morning can either suck or be fun. How about we make it a good time? Agreed?" Emma raised her hands in mock surrender.
"Agreed." The class chanted back to her.
"Alright then." Emma remarked with a tone of finality. She walked over the white board on her left, picking up the blue felt marker on the board's ledge. "Now, everyone tell me what they know about molecular biology."
That shut the entire class up pretty quickly.
"Come on guys, you are all some form of Biology major!" Emma pleaded, wanting some quality participation. "I'm sure you all know something –"
She was interrupted when she noticed a student having slipped into the lecture late, and trying desperately to find an unnoticeable seat amongst the sea of students.
Regina raced out of her apartment, mentally praising herself for slipping on her Toms that morning instead of her sandals that her mother had picked out for her to wear on the first day.
"Mother, please be reasonable! I can hardly wear heels on my first day of classes." Regina alleged, trying not to antagonize Cora, but desperately trying to wean herself away from the older woman's demanding metaphorical and physical hold on her life.
"And why not my dear?" Cora asked with her sickeningly sweet tone, packing the stilettos and strappy shoes without a second thought towards Regina's reasoning.
"We are not permitted to wear opened toed shoes in labs Mother." Regina told her, trying to remain calm and recalling her earlier years of trained obedience.
"You can wear them to class then."
"That's hardly appropriate Mother, the type of fool I would look like amongst my friends and colleagues." Regina said, a rosy blush forming in the apples of her cheeks at the thought of heels clanging to class. "The leather boots you bought me are what I honestly wear all the time, and don't you think they are all I am going to need for this year?"
"Leather boots aside, what kind of man is going to want his woman to wear such ugly trainers and unseemly slip-ons?" Cora bellowed, silencing Regina's questions and suggestions.
"I –"
"Oh right, none." Cora finished with a hiss. "I thought I taught you better Regina, but you are slowly becoming a bigger embarrassment to your father and I with each passing year."
Regina's rage and emotions, all which were bottled down for the summer break, finally made themselves known again in her mind, and in the heat seeping out of her skin.
"What can you possibly mean by that mother?"
"Well, is it not obvious?"
"I am on the Dean's List for my program, and worked tirelessly all last year to ensure my academic standing." Regina seethed. "I don't exactly see where I am going wrong?"
"There." Cora pointed to an invisible spot on Regina. "Right there."
"Right where?" Regina spun around on the spot, looking around herself sarcastically for this marker that Cora seemed convinced was the reason of Regina's demise.
"Your attitude Regina." Cora told her with a snarky growl. "It has gone completely rotten ever since your little escapade at university."
Regina had wanted to object, oh how desperately she wished to lash out at her mother and scream in rebellion.
Then possibly throw her end table by her bedside at Cora's head.
Unfortunately, she couldn't disagree with Cora's resolving theory as to her daughter's change. Regina knew she had changed.
Friends.
A possible self-sufficient future.
No rich husband required.
She was just thankful her father made the wonderful motion of trusting his daughter, and allowing Regina to get a degree in the first place, even if was not what Cora had wanted her to study.
Her mother pushed for business. Regina pushed for science.
Henry Mills did not push at all, just paid for Regina to do what she pleased.
"If only you had have listened to me earlier Regina." Cora said bitterly, but trailed off with the shake of her head, pinned curls staying held in their place.
Regina on her part said nothing, ignored her own threatening tears and gave her mother an endearing smile, so obviously surrendering to her mother's intolerable whims.
"What shall I wear with these shoes though, mother?"
Regina had to remain submissive, at least in her mother's eyes. If Cora genuinely saw a massive change in Regina, then she would remove her daughter from university and blame it on everything from the food additives from the local famers to Kathryn's pink hair.
Kathryn was probably most to blame actually, as was the bright streaks of decadent pink that lined her blonde hair. Actually, if Regina recalled correctly, it was Kathryn who bought her these Toms for her birthday in February.
The travel time to school did not take as long as usual, especially ever since Regina and Kathryn picked an apartment that year closer to that part of campus. Last year was their first year out of residence, and they ended up rooming with about four more other people, and it drove both Regina and Kathryn insane having to live with so many other people.
Kathryn more than Regina, particularly since she had shared a room in the place with her on-and-off boyfriend, Frederick.
Space away from each other proved to be all they needed to make their connection work, as the summer in different provinces actually made their relationship stronger.
Thank the freaking lord, Regina thought to herself, upon finally reaching the door to her lecture hall's building. Any more two in the morning fights from them may actually have been my devastating undoing.
Upon reaching the hall, she stood outside the room's door and took a quick glance at the time on her phone.
8:37
Regina knew she had to go in eventually, and just hoped the door would not creak as much to make so much noise. Slowly, but gently, she eased the heavy metal door open, and slipped into the room, settling her eyes to a very full classroom.
Oddly, even with her glasses, Regina did a second take at the front of the classroom.
Instead of an elderly man with a deep admiration for chalkboards and sandals paired with flip-flops, there was a young woman in a lab coat addressing the class. Her light brown hair was pulled into a bun at the base of her neck, fringe delicately hitting above her eyes, and lean slender form completely concealed by the white coat.
New professor this year, or substitute for Banks? Regina thought curiously as she tried to walk silently and remain as quiet as possible in finding an open desk. Semesters looking better already…
Regina looked at the projected screen, and she read that this professor's name was Dr. Emma Swan, and she was going to be their permanent instructor for that term.
Thank God.
From what I have listened to so far, I can actually understand when this woman speaks.
" – I'm sure you all know something –" Regina listened to the woman speak, but heard the pause and looked up to see her professor's eyes being trained on none other that her frozen body in the middle of the second last aisle.
"Ah, there's a common sight to see, but not so much on the first day back!" Dr. Swan said, pointing to Regina's unmoving figure. A blush crept its way from her neck onto her face so quickly; she dropped her gaze hesitantly, unable to look the woman in the eyes.
Dr. Swan must have noticed her discomfort, and obviously decided not to be too harsh. ""I can remember sleeping in during my undergrad years too, so don't worry everyone." She pointed around the room with her dark felt marker. "You guys get one slide to be late."
The class murmured in minor content, knowing how ridiculously lashing most of their other professors were to the students who came late to their lecture. Regina herself could recall one of her classmates being held outside the classroom for the entire lecture, not allowed to come inside after being two minutes late.
A bit of relief flooded through her, but the reddening face remained, and she still hadn't found the courage to move from her stuck position. By this time, Regina's face must have gone beet red, but she remained rooted in her spot, awaiting the instruction of her oddly welcoming professor.
Dr. Swan gave her a small wink, before addressing her personally. "Do try to be on time for the rest of the semester though, Miss-?"
"Mills. Regina." She had finally found her voice apparently.
"Well, whenever you are ready Regina, please find a seat." Dr. Swan told her, not unkindly but with a tint of humour that caused the entire class to smile around them both.
"Closer to the front may be the best, I tried to put some effort into my hair today." Dr. Swan said, giving her a charitable thumbs up. Regina slid into the seat in the front row, beside only two other people, and felt much happier that she had elected to take this class in the first place.
Even with all the warnings coming from all of her classmates who had taken it previously.
In with the old, out with the new I suppose. Regina though, settling into her chair.
"Now, why don't we get back to what we started with?" Dr. Swan asked, and Regina heard the groans from behind her head, causing her to giggle and Dr. Swan to laugh.
"Wow, still on summer mode guys?" She asked the class again, and many responded with either nods or over-enthusiastic agreements.
"Gee, doesn't that really suck?" She said, mocking them with her obvious uncaring attitude. "We are beginning chapter one this morning, so break out the laptops and pencils everyone."
All fifty-something students were obviously not pleased, but Regina just took out her laptop anyways. Having already known what textbook was required, and not permitted to have much fun over the summer other than join her parents for luncheons and dinners, Regina had already read the book and made notes for each chapter.
Willingly.
The groans and unimpressed sounds coming from all ends of the room obviously made Dr. Swan comment once more.
"Considering how none of you had anything to add when I asked what you all knew about Molecular Biology, I think your objections are rather unwarranted." She started, tapping her hands on the wooden desk beside her own PowerPoint presentation. "Don't you?"
Funny enough, no one had any sounds or comments to add, but finally realized summer was over for good.
Regina suspected she was the only person in that lecture hall that was genuinely glad to be back on the grind, and really excited to ultimately begin her third year.
Especially with this class every Monday and Wednesday morning.
Thank you everyone for the response for the first chapter! I will definitely continue this if you all still would like me to.
Fair warning though, this isn't an easy relationship to write, and will take some time to develop.
Let me know what you all think so far!