A/N: Aah, thank you guys for the favs/follows/feedback, as it is much appreciated! I think I mentioned in, but I have a few of these chapters written already, so I'm gonna just go ahead and post them. As always, I do not own Once Upon a Time or the characters (a girl can dream, no?) and bonus points for whoever catches the title reference! Also, to the person asking for longer chapters: I find that if I don't post shorter chapters, I ramble and it sucks. I'm working on that as I try to improve my writing, thanks for the support! 3

XX

Emma came back to her senses as she followed behind her parents, both donning proud looks. They sat down at a booth as Ruby, her older friend and recent Storybrooke High graduate rushed over to serve them.

"Hey guys, what'll it be," the brunette started, but was quickly cut off by an impatient noise from Mary Margaret. Emma shot her a glance and, realizing that her parents were both trembling with anticipation, smiled softly, nodding her head.

"EMMA GOT ACCEPTED INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE!" Mary Margaret shouted, almost giving her daughter, and the waitress, a heart attack. Ruby's eyes gleamed as she pulled Emma into a hug, whispering in her ear, "I'm so proud of you, babe." Emma allowed the girl to hug her before pulling away, clearing her throat slightly. She didn't want to be embarrassed, and all this attention was sure to do so; she shot a quick glance around, realizing that most of the diner's residents had their eyes trained upon her. In a small town, everybody knew everybody else, and moments like these were meant to be shared with one another. A furious blush swept across her face as several people nodded approvingly at her. She shrugged, looking at each one before the hair on the back of her neck stood straight up; turning around, she was met with perfectly dark chocolate eyes, a small smile grazing the lips of her English teacher. Emma was surprised to see a curious look in her eyes, and had just considered the very real possibility before a playful push from Ruby made her jump.

"Wh-ugh? What the hell, Rubes?"

"Sorry, daydreamer," Ruby laughed, "I asked what you wanted to drink. The usual?"

"Yes, please."

"Alright, one cinnamon hot cocoa coming right up!"

Emma smiled at her friend, a word that was still difficult to use for her due to having nobody for such a long period of time. She shrugged it off uncomfortably, before looking at her parents. The expressions they wore screamed adoration, and Emma couldn't help but smile, really smile, for this was a life she never thought she'd have.

"Mom, dad? I have to do something, I'll be right back." Emma rarely used the terms of endearment, and the effect that they had on her parents definitely did not go unnoticed; she watched as Mary Margaret's eyes welled up and David puffed out his chest proudly before she slid out of the booth, walking over to where her English teacher sat, quietly sipping a cup of coffee.

"Miss Mills?"

"Yes, Miss Swan, what is it?"

"Well... well I wanted to apologize again, for earlier...and I wanted to thank you, ya know, for giving me a chance to make it up to you."

Regina Mills was rarely surprised, but Emma couldn't help but notice the way her eyes shot up to meet the young student's, searching for truth in them.

"Well, dear, that is quite alright. And before I forget, you got accepted into University of Maine?"

Emma felt her cheeks become a heavier shade of pink, and nodded slowly.

"In that case, Miss Swan, allow me to say this: I am proud of you, dear."

Emma could not help but gape open mouthed at the admission; this time she searched Regina's eyes for truth, and finding nothing but honesty in them, she smiled slowly.

"Thank you, Miss Mills, I appreciate it. I should go, I will see you tomorrow in class. Have a nice night!"

Emma turned to walk away, almost missing the soft voice as she said, "You too, dear."

The rest of the evening was a whirlwind of laughter and smiles and hugs, third and fourth glasses of hot cocoa, Granny coming out and giving Emma a piece of apple pie to congratulate her on her success, and tears from her parents at their baby growing up. Through it all, however, Emma could not help but ponder the way her heart fluttered when she heard those words coming from Miss Mills.