Emma glanced down at the slip of paper in her hand and looked up at the locker.
" 815.", she whispered, " Guess I'm at the right place"
Emma opened her new locker and found it filled with books for her classes, along with graffiti from previous owners. As Emma rummaged through her backpack for her schedule something red appeared in the corner of eye.
"Hi, are you Emma?", the figure asked
Emma turned to see it was the same girl who had almost knocked her over.
"Yeah, and you're the girl who ran into me."
" Oh! That was you? Sorry about that."
Emma soon packed her books for her morning classes and turned to face the girl.
"I'm Ruby and I've been assigned to show you around.", Ruby said
" OK Ruby, so where to first?", Emma asks
"First period is with Mr. Smith , the math teacher.", Ruby answers as they walk through the halls overcrowded with kids. Emma's hand automatically touches her right side. Let's just say dyslexia isn't the only reason she hates math.
Regina watches as Emma waves goodbye and disappears into the crowd of children. She waits until the strong flow of kids become a trickle, but still found it difficult to leave. Regina wanted nothing more than to go with Emma and make sure nothing went wrong on her first day, but as Emma kept reminding her she was capable of doing things on her own. Regina reluctantly stepped inside her car and drove to work.
" Good Morning Madam Mayor", greets Regina's secretary, Tina Bell, as she enters her office
" What is my schedule for today ?", Regina asks disregarding her greeting
" Well, not much. Your three o'clock meeting has been canceled so your mostly stuck with paperwork.", Tina explains as she stacks a pile of papers on top of Regina's desk
Regina sighs deeply," Very Well. Please leave me"
Tina nods as she exits the room. Regina looks at the pile of papers and picks up a pen to get started. Never ceasing to worry about her daughter.
As Emma left the classroom with Ruby she sighs, relieved to had survive the lesson.
"Hey, are you okay? You seemed nervous in there. Is it... because of your dyslexia?", Ruby asks worriedly
"Huh? Uh...n-no. I'm f-fine", Emma answers shakily
"Are you sure? Emma, your shaking."
" Yeah, j-just give me a second", Emma says as she disappears into the bathroom and locks the door
As Emma stares into the mirror of the bathroom, she wordlessly pulls her shirt up to reveal a scar across her side. Memories of 'after-school tutoring' are brought to the surface. Emma remembers how he told her to take off her clothes, she remembers how he took pictures, she remembers how he stabbed her as she tried to run away,and she remembers lying in a pool of her own blood.
A single tear escapes and rolls down Emma's cheek, which she quickly wipes away.
"Emma? You okay?-", Ruby's voice breaks her from her thoughts,"-We gotta go or we'll be late for our next class.",Ruby explains
Emma straightens herself out and opens the door," I'm fine Ruby. You worry too much", Emma says casually as if nothing had happened. Ruby eyes her suspiciously, but continues to the next class.
" So, uh what's next?", Emma asks
" Earth and Life Science with Mr. Locksely. Your...uh not gonna freak out again like last period are you?", Ruby questions
"I fine Ruby. Just chill", Emma replies as they walk into the classroom. Ruby is greeted by couple of kids who she introduces to Emma. Ruby gestures to a tall, muscular girl with a neon yellow 'YOLO' shirt and jeans," This is Alana. Best basketball player we have, just don't get her mad".
" Hey, how ya doing?", Alana says coolly as she chews some gum. Emma begins to figidt with her jeans. She was never much of a people person.
Ruby then says hi to a kid in a leather jacket with bright blue eyes and raven black hair. "Emma, this Killian. Doesn't talk much, but he'll grow on you."
A tall, well-built man then walks into the classroom. He has dirty blonde hair, a green polo shirt and jeans. "OK, everyone take a seat.", he says in a commanding voice thick with an accent. The students do as they are told and soon everyone is seated.
"OK class, welcome back. Hope you all had a good summer and for those of you who are new I am . Now open up your books to chapter one: Rocks and Minerals."
As they began reading the lesson Mr. Locksely started to ask questions to see who was paying attention and to those who would get it right would receive piece of candy.
" Does anyone know the three main types of rocks?"
Emma sheepishly raises her hand," Sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous"
"Excellent", Mr. Locksely praises as he tosses her a kitkat. "Next question, What are minerals?"
Emma once again raises her hand to answer," Minerals are essential needed in small amounts to keep you healthy."
"Right again", grins as he hands Emma a fun-sized Apollo Bar
Throughout the class Mr. Locksely continued to hand out candy, but when the bell rang it was Emma who had the most. Leaving second period with a small bag of candy put Emma in a good mood for the rest of the school day. It also seem to make time fly as before Emma knew it she was packing her books for home.
Home.
Emma never thought she would use that word, but that is what it felt like when she was with Regina. She was so much different from the other 'parents' Emma had. Emma didn't want to do anything that would make Regina send her back, but she wasn't used to someone putting her first. Guess I'll have to get used to it Emma thought.
While waiting for Regina to pick her up,Emma sats on a bench outside of the school. Ruby then notices Emma and decides to go keep her company.
"Hey"
"Hey"
"Who are you waiting for?", Ruby asks
" Regina", Emma answers casually
"The Mayor? Wait, you're the Mayor's kid?", Ruby questions Emma
" She's my adoptive mother, but yeah"
"Whoa, that is so cool! How is she...you know as a mom?"
Emma grins," She is pretty awesome."
Just then a black Mercedes pull into the parking lot of the school.
"Well, my ride is here. See you tomorrow!", Emma says as she waves goodbye
"Bye Emma!"
"How was your day?", Regina asks as Emma happily climbs into the car
Emma gives a small smile, "It was pretty good."
