Hi guys, thanks so much for reading! This chapter centers mostly on Regina, Ruby, and Belle. Next chapter will most likely be all Emma and Regina though. I feel like I'm dragging this out longer than I anticipated, so I will either skip directly to Emma and Regina's meeting day or continue chronologically but involve more Emma and Regina interaction. Let me know what you think and hope you enjoy! -hopelesslyhopeful7211

Regina's phone vibrates as she brushes her teeth before laying down to get some sleep. I wish I didn't have to get up early tomorrow for work. She picks up her phone and her face lights up as the name Emma appears on the screen.

"Hey, so what do you think about Monday around 4 in the library?"

Regina thinks of her Monday schedule. Class until two. I told my mom I'd go home for dinner at six. I'm not sure how long we will be working on this though. She brushes it off in her mind. She will understand if I have to cancel. School work comes first. Regina composes her second message to the blonde.

"That works for me". She hits send.


Regina wakes up the next morning to the loud buzz of her alarm clock. The bright red numbers read 7:00 AM. She pulls the covers over her head leaving just her eyes and nose peeking out. I thought Saturdays are meant for sleeping in. She sighs and decides to get up. She turns the annoying buzzing from the alarm clock off and yawns while stretching her arms. She goes through the motions of getting ready for work. Shower, getting dressed, hair, and makeup. She looks into the mirror before she grabs her keys to leave. She's wearing a loose, silky blue blouse tucked into a form fitting pencil skirt that perfectly hugs at her hips. Her heels show off her calf muscles. She slides a hand over herself to flatten out her outfit and then turns to leave for her job working the services desk at the local art museum.


Belle wakes up in the warm comfort of Ruby's arms. She gives her a squeeze and then takes Ruby's arm out from around her waist so that she can look at the time. 9:08 AM she reads. She takes the opportunity to admire her girlfriend asleep next to her. Her red brown hair flows onto the pillow. Her eyes skim her girlfriend's body. Ruby's loose t-shirt is bunched up above her belly button exposing the soft skin. She admires her cute puppy dog features and grins as Ruby lets out an adorable puppy yawn. She opens her eyes and sits up with Belle.

"Morning beautiful," she says leaning in kissing Belle's forehead.

"Good morning," Belle responds with a blushing grin.

"What do you want to do today?"

"Let's do something different," Belle replies in a playful tone, "We never get to explore the city"

"Sounds perfect," she says as she pulls Belle into a long, sweet kiss.


Emma wakes leisurely Saturday morning around 11:00 AM. She rolls out of bed wearing only a sports bra and boy shorts. She stretches her arms above her head showing off her toned abs and athletic build. Her stomach growls. So hungry. She walks the few feet from the bed into her small kitchen and opens the fridge. She pulls out a half gallon of milk from around beer bottles. She then pulls out a box of Fruit Loops from her cabinet and makes herself a bowl of cereal. In between drowning the crunchy cereal into the milk and taking bites she checks her phone. Her heart flutters as she sees the name Regina on the screen.

"That works for me" she reads.

She sits her phone back down as she sighs. I never thought I'd think this, but is it Monday yet?


Ruby and Belle stroll along the main street of downtown. Their shoulders brush as they walk beside each other sipping on strawberry smoothies. Belle looks around at all the tourist sites she's never experienced. One peaks her interest. A large white building with huge pillars out front. A long flight of stone stairs lead up to the entrance. Flags near the building indicate that this is an art museum.

"Let's go in there!" Belle exclaims pointing to the building.

"Okay, sounds fun," the other brunette agrees with a smile.

They begin to hike up the stone stairs to the entrance. As they enter the large building there are actually only a few people in line to purchase tickets.

"It must be our lucky day!" they both giggle. As they wait in line to purchase tickets Ruby looks around the building. She observes huge statues of what looks to be a family holding hands in the main lobby area. Down the hallway she notices a variety of paintings of all sizes. Wow, I can't wait to check everything out. Why haven't I been here before? They near the front of the line. Then her eyes catch sight of a vaguely familiar figure behind the services desk in the corner.

She nudges Belle "Hey, is that Regina?"

Following the other brunette's line of sight she focuses in on the woman too, "I believe so. We should say hello".

After purchasing their tickets they decide to head over to greet their new friend from class.

"Regina" the two say in unison.

Regina looks up startled to hear her name since she doesn't know anyone who would visit her at work.

"Oh, hi! Ruby and Belle, right?" she inquires hesitantly.

"Yes, that's us," Ruby responds and they all laugh lightly. "So how are you and Emma doing?"

Regina immediately blushes looking around a bit flustered. Wait, we're not together. We've only texted. Did Emma say something more than that? "Uh…"

"Like on the assignment?" Ruby clarifies.

"Oh, yes, the assignment," well that was embarrassing, "We haven't begun yet, but we'll be meeting Monday to get started" The redness leaves her cheeks as she settles into comfortable conversation.

"Yeah, we haven't started yet either, but we'll be working on it tonight"

"That sounds good. Since you two will be finished first you can send your part to us Monday and we'll put it all in one document if you want" Regina suggests.

"Sounds like a plan!" Ruby agrees. Looking to further the conversation with her best friend's new crush she asks, "So how long have you worked here? It looks so nice." she gestures around the large room where they're standing.

"I can't wait to check it out," Belle adds.

Her eyes shift upwards as she thinks, "Almost four years I suppose. My mother is a platinum level donor here," Regina admits. She cringes inwardly. This is where I usually alienate others.

"Wow, that's really interesting. I bet you know this place incredibly well," Ruby replies genuinely interested.

"Yes, I suppose so. I've spent most of my life around here," I hope they're not judging me. They don't sound like they're judging me.

"So cool!" Ruby gestures to Belle, "We've never been here before. You know it'd be really fun if we all hung out sometime. Emma too," Ruby extends the offer looking directly into Regina's eyes to gauge her level of interest at the mention of Emma's name. She then looks to her girlfriend. Belle meets her gaze and smiles in agreement.

"Yes, that would be fun," Regina answers with a shy grin. Blushing again at the mention of the blonde.

"Awesome! Well we're going to look around. Nice running into you!"

"Okay, I hope you two enjoy! Here, take these," she hands them two pamphlets of information on all the exhibits.

"Awesome, thanks so much," The two brunettes take the pamphlets and turn around to enjoy the art ahead of them.

Regina smiles to herself as she straightens up the service desk. Did I just make new friends?