A/N: Thank you all for your patience. I am happy to be able to write another update on this story for all of you who are enjoying it. Yes, I will include some scenes of my own and change things up so that we will be able to see Emma and Regina spending more time together. Something I am deeply looking forward to changing. :) I hope you all like this next chapter as much as I did. I will try my best to squeeze in another update today, but no promises. Happy reading!
THIS STORY CONTAINS A MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH.
"Hey, how was school?" Mom asked, turning her head as Emma entered the kitchen.
"Long, dull and incredibly slow." Emma sighed with relief to finally be home, tossing her script from Ms. Fisher's drama class, right on their breakfast table as she headed to the refrigerator, pulling it open and pulling out the milk carton.
Mom takes a quick glance out into the hallway, walking away from her stirring on the stove. "Where's Graham-? Emma, seriously? Would it kill you to use a glass?" She sighs, snatching the milk carton from Emma's hand, and opening a cupboard to hand her a clean glass.
"Sorry." Emma takes the carton back and pours some milk into the glass.
"Where's Graham?" Mom asks again, going back to her stirring.
"Pfft, at the diner. I told him to meet me at four outside of school and he bailed on me to be with Lily, Killian and Mia."
"How, do you know that?"
"Because I saw them on my way home." Said Emma, taking another sip of milk.
On her way home? Mom looked over her shoulder at Emma. "How did you get home?"
Emma gulped down the rest of her milk, leaving the glass inside of the sink. She gulped down the milk inside of her mouth before she said, "I asked for a ride."
"You asked for a ride?" Mom sees a nod from Emma, avoiding her gaze. "Might I ask who from?" She chuckles. For as long as they've lived here, the only group of friends she's ever known her daughter to be with was the same 'ol bunch. Graham was practically strapped to her hip. Except for today, it seemed.
Emma shrugged, "Regina Mills."
As mom paused, eyes wide in surprise, to Emma, it felt as if the entire world had also frozen over. "Regina Mills? As in, Reverend Mills' daughter?"
"There is no other Regina Mills living in Greenfield, mom." Emma rolls her eyes.
"Hm." Mom gave her back to Emma, not saying another word about it. Keeping whatever thoughts, Emma could clearly see floating inside of that brain of hers, to herself. "And how was drama class?"
"Oh, you'd like it. It's right up your alley. It would swoon you off your feet." Emma says sarcastically.
"Smartass." Mom flicks a pea toward her daughter, she had withdrawn from the spoon before placing it near her lips, close enough to take a sip of their dinner. "Go wash up. Dinner is almost ready."
Emma reached for her script before heading up the stairs. She decided that she would tell her mother about her being involved in the school play later. The last thing she wanted was for her mother to make a big deal about it, or worse- call her father to give him the news that she was actually going to be involved in something that was school related.
As she entered her bedroom, Emma tossed her script along her bed, on top of a pile of clothes. She reached for the script once again, after she had washed up and read over the title. One Unexpected Love. Jesus, even the title was dumb. She shook her head. Her eyes then landed along her name and Regina's, on top of the other. Emma flipped through the pages and read one of the lines belonging to her character. How the hell was she supposed to memorize all this in the span of a few weeks?
There was no way.
"Emma! Dinner is ready!" Mom shouted from downstairs.
"Okay! I'm coming." Emma replied back, giving the script one last look before tossing it along her bed again. Exiting her bedroom.
"So, um… I got the lead in the school play." Emma played with the remainder of peas and carrots that sat idle along a puddle of soup, with her spoon. Deciding to break the news to her mother as if ripping off a band-aid. Why wait? She had thought. Her mother was going to find out sooner rather than later.
And just what Emma was afraid of, mom's face lit up with hope and excitement. "Really?"
"Yep." Emma nods, her eyes looking into her mother's, taking in how they shined.
"Well, that's wonderful, sweetheart!" Mom stood, taking her plate and Emma's over to the sink. "I am so happy for you. Lead in the school play." She wrapped Emma in a warm embrace from behind and placed a kiss along her cheek that was growing pink. Emma was always easily embarrassed. "That is so great! I'm so happy for you."
Emma still didn't see the hype, but she smiled a little for her mother's peace of mind.
"You're father is going to be so happy when I call-"
"No." Emma glared, her smile gone.
"Emma-"
"I don't want him knowing my life, mom. He lost that right when he hurt you." Said Emma. Her eyes staring right into her mother's.
That's when Mary Margaret could tell Emma was serious about something. Pained by her father's mistakes. When her daughter's eyes were bare, looking right into her soul like they were right now.
"He hurt you, too, sweetheart." Mary Margaret gave her daughter's arm a gentle, loving squeeze.
He hurt both of them. And that was something Emma would never be able to forgive him for.
"So, tell me!" Mom smiled, changing their topic to a more upbeat one. "What is this play about? How long do you have to memorize your lines? Who else is in it? I want to know everything!"
Mom was beaming again, and it was enough to make Emma smile. "It's not that big of a deal, mom." Said Emma.
Mom sat back, her brow raised. "My daughter is going to participate in this spring's school play and you're telling me that it isn't a big deal? Emma, it's a huge deal! I'm your mother, don't take this proud moment away from me."
Emma held in a chuckle, but the corner of her mouth failed her by tilting upward. "Sorry. Well, I'm in it, of course, and Regina, and Ivy. It's a dumb story, which I won't tell you about because if you're going to be there- you might as well be surprised."
"Alright, I'll say no more." Mom held up her hands in defeat, dropping the subject.
Days came and went, Emma would be there- rehearsing after school- at home. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't memorize all of her lines. She hated to admit it, but she actually wanted to give her hundred and ten percent at this.
If she was going to make a total fool out of herself. Emma was going to do it right.
Emma closed her eyes, muttering her lines to herself while sitting along her bed. "Shit," she shook her head, frustrated with this stupid script. With this clutter around her bedroom.
Mom's head turned to the sound of a knock. She stood up from her couch, bookmarking the page of her book before doing so, and answering the door. "Graham, what a pleasant surprise. You know we've missed you around here." She smiled sweetly.
"Hey, Mrs. B." Graham waves, smiling shyly. "Is Emma around? I haven't seen her much around school lately."
"Yeah, she's upstairs." Mom stepped away from the door. "Come on in, I'll get her."
"Thanks." Graham shut the door behind him.
"Emma!" Mom headed upstairs, calling to Emma. "Emma?" She stopped in front of her daughter's door, brought up her knuckles and knocked before helping herself inside. "Emma, Graham's here-" She froze, her eyes wide at the new sight that was before her.
Emma was just finishing up making her bed when she stood. Her room was impeccable. Spotless. You could see her desk and computer again without so many clothes piled around it. Her bed was perfectly made, and the floors were no longer drowning. Was she in the wrong house this entire time?
"Emma…" Mom breathed, her eyes threatening to tear up on her.
"What's wrong, mom?" Emma asks.
"You…" Mom gulped down a hard swallow. "You cleaned your room."
"Oh." Emma looks around, standing with her hands along her hips. Her script clutched to one hand. "Yeah, I guess I did." She smiles. "I couldn't concentrate so I thought I'd clean up a bit, you know like you wanted."
Mary Margaret made a noise along the back of her throat. Her reason for coming up here forgotten.
"Did you need something?" Emma asks.
"Oh! Yes." Mom wiped the corner of her eye and smiled. "Graham is here. He's downstairs."
Emma frowns. She was still angry at him.
"I'm going to the store for some last minute groceries. Do you need anything?" Mom asks.
"No." Emma shook her head.
"Well, come walk me to the door, and remember, we will pick up your car tomorrow." Mom began walking down the stairs, looking over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of Emma. "I talked them down on the price range, so you'll have some savings left over."
Leave it to her mom to still help her out after everything. "You didn't have to do that, mom." Said Emma.
"It was nothing. You'll have to work on a few quirks yourself here at home. But the car should be as good as new. You think you can do that?"
Emma could fix it with her eyes closed. "Yeah, no problem." She pulled the front door open, ignoring Graham completely.
"Alright, well, you two keep an eye on the house while I'm gone." Mom smiled at Graham and Emma. "I'll be back shortly." She placed a kiss along Emma's cheek before exiting out the door.
Her eyes glare at Graham. "You're late."
"I'm sorry. My old man had me working extra shifts. He wouldn't let me leave the diner." Graham's shoulders slumped as he tucked his hands inside his pockets.
"Yeah?" Emma scoffed, shaking her head. "Is that why you were hanging out with Killian and the rest, the day you were supposed to pick me up? Is that why just now you stopped avoiding me?"
"They showed up. What was I supposed to do, kick them out?" Graham shrugged his shoulders.
"Look, whatever. It doesn't matter." Emma clutched her rolled up script along her grip, holding it inches away from Graham's face. "I have to learn this shit or I'll go nuts, okay? So, could you leave?" She headed out the front door and sat along the porch, reading over her script.
Emma had gone as far as highlighting her own lines, to help her remember them. But even then, she found herself struggling at times.
Graham followed Emma outside, shutting the front door before joining her along the bench that was placed out in the front porch. His eyes looked down at the script before they turned back to Emma. "I'm sorry, Em. I really was stuck at work. And you're right, I could have done better. It was… It was fucked up of me to do."
Emma sighed, tossing her script aside. She turned to Graham.
"Hey, look. Let me make it up to you, alright?" Graham motioned toward the neglected script. "I'll run lines with you. Help you out. What do you say?"
Emma's brow quirked, "You'll run lines with me?"
"Yeah. I'm here," Graham stands, removing his jacket and tossing it along the bench. "Let's do this." He reached for Emma's script, flipping the pages back to its first.
Emma couldn't help but chuckle as she stood. The last thing she wanted was to lose Graham's friendship by holding on a grudge. Especially if he was willing to suffer with her.
"Okay, so…" Graham studies the script. "I'm guessing these highlighted parts are yours?"
"Yeah." Emma nods.
"Alright, well, I'll follow along, read the other lines and let's see how much you've memorized. Cool?"
"Cool." Emma nods, retracting quickly. "Actually, let's start at the end. That's where I'm struggling the most."
Graham flips to the last few pages, scanning through the lines quickly. "Okay, so last scene… Allison finds Camillia and is about to confess her love." He chuckled, unable to help it. "You're going to get sappy?"
"Come on, Graham." Emma threw him a glare. "I'm sinking here. Get serious."
"Alright, alright. Serious." Graham's features change as he tries to get into character.
Emma looks off in the distance, her line coming to mind. "Camillia." She says, in character.
Graham studies the script, "Allison… What are you doing here?" Emma turns, her brows furrowed as Graham's voice comes out very high pitched and gentle. His eyes looked up at Emma. "What? I'm supposed to be Camillia, right? Just go with it."
Emma smirks, giving her back to Graham. She had to remember to tease him about that later. "I had to see you." She said once more in character.
"You had to see me?" Graham used his high-pitched voice, and Emma tried not to laugh.
"Yes." Said Emma, as serious as possible. She paces again, facing Graham this time as her next line comes to mind. "I couldn't leave without telling you…" Her voice trails off, her mind drawing a blank. Her eyes shut tight. "I couldn't leave without telling you the truth!" She snaps her fingers.
"The truth?" Graham reads along. "What truth?"
"My truth…" Emma stares off into the distance instead of looking at Graham. "And my truth is… That I love you."
"Oh, Allison!" Graham startles Emma by tossing himself straight at her, unable to help himself from laughing.
"Come on, Graham!" Emma pushes him away.
"I'm sorry, Em, but this…" He says through laughter, holding out her script. "This is so cheesy. No professional actor would want part in this crap. Prepare to become the laughing stock of the whole school, standing up there, making a fool of yourself."
"Yeah, don't I know it. But, I have three weeks to learn this stuff. If I don't learn it now, I'll never learn it." She snatches her script from Graham's hand, sighing in frustration.
"Hey, I'm just busting your balls, Em." Graham pats Emma's shoulder. "You know I'm going to be sitting in the front row, watching you shine your way to stardom, right?"
Emma smiles, clapping her hand along Graham's shoulder. "Thanks. You're a good friend."
"Hey, it's what I'm here for. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." Graham smiles.
Both turn to the sight of mom's station wagon, pulling up into the driveway. "Can you two come and help me with these groceries, please?"
"Sure thing, Mrs. B!" Graham leaps off the porch.
"Coming." Emma follows suit, reaching for one of the paper bags from her mother's car.
Emma had consulted with her pillow the previous night, about an idea that had been lingering in her head. She wasn't too crazy about it, but if she really wanted to learn the remainder of her lines and prove she could get through this play with flying colors, she would have to ask the one person she knew could help her.
Besides, Regina was swimming through her lines like a fish in water. What could a little help from her hurt?
The only thing was, working through the nerves that were pulsating along her body to dare ask.
"Regina," Emma called out, standing behind Regina, who was placing a few books inside of her locker.
Regina didn't bother turning as she said, "What do you want, Swan? I've known you for years, and you've never been the first one to come up and say hello."
Emma checked the hallways for any sign of Graham, or anyone else that might laugh if they saw her with Regina. It wasn't easy asking for help. "I need help with my lines." She muttered.
Regina slammed her locket shut, her brow raised as her eyes met Emma's. "Emma Swan is asking me for help?"
"Yeah." Emma shrugs, her hands inside of her pockets.
Regina wanted to chuckle but refrained, instead she clutched her books tighter along her chest. "Okay. I'll pray for you." She walked off, hearing Emma's footsteps follow close behind until they were shoulder to shoulder again.
Emma could feel a small brush of Regina's shoulder along hers as she hurried. "Regina, come on, listen- I really need your help."
Regina breathed out a chuckle this time, her teeth baring, "You've obviously never asked anyone for help before, right?"
Emma rolls her eyes. Was it that obvious?
"A request like yours requires flattery and groveling." Regina walked along, her eyes narrowing as she glanced Emma's way. "It can't be all about you. It has to be for the common good of everyone."
"It is for the common good," Emma reaches out to touch Regina's arm, a contact that made her retract her hand as if she had just been given a shock. But that was enough to stop Regina in her tracks, where Emma could look into her eyes. "Katie Summers deserves the best!" Her chest deflated as she released a sigh of defeat. Her eyes gave Regina a puppy-dog pleading look. "Please."
Once again, Regina didn't know if to consider that look endearing or pathetic. But she couldn't for the life of her, say no. "Okay. On one condition." She holds up a single digit.
"Name it. Anything you want." Emma surrendered.
Regina held her chin up high, her eyes trained themselves onto Emma's. "You have to promise that you won't fall in love with me."
What? Emma breathed out a small laugh, unable to help it. "Yeah, okay. That's not a problem."
"Good. Then, I'll see you at my house after school." Regina nods, walking past Emma, brushing her shoulder once more.
"Okay." Emma's body rotates to where her eyes can watch Regina go. "Thanks." She calls out, going ignored by Regina.
Emma chuckled to herself, shaking her head. Fall in love with Regina Mills? That'll be the day Regina actually becomes her type. Which she wasn't. Emma could promise her that love was far from her mind.