A/N: This chapter is two days after the first counselling session. Regina and Emma seem to be getting closer. I hope you enjoy it.
Emma trundled down the corridor in a more relaxed mood than she was previously. The thought of going into art was still daunting and the possibility of Alicia and Stacy being in there made her feel anxious. Emma quickly made her way into the classroom as she wanted to give the teacher a better impression this time and didn't want to end up being late again and showing herself up in front of her peers.
Emma casually made her way into the class and was greeted by a very cheery Miss Lucas. "Hello Emma, how are you today? I must say you seem to look a bit perkier than you have been the last couple of days." She smiled widely and pointed to a seat at the front which would allow Emma to have a desk to herself.
"Thank you." Emma allowed a small smile to creep across her face and she quickly made herself comfortable at the desk. She rested her back against the plain wall and listened intently to what was being said. There was something about Regina's session the previous day that encouraged her to want to learn. Her smile seemed to stir a more positive attitude into Emma. As Miss Lucas was explaining the task in hand Emma's mind seemed to wander, as much as she wanted to focus on her artwork she kept thinking about what her next session with Regina would be like. Even know she hardly knew her there seemed to be a kind and nurturing nature about her.
She was quickly pulled from her thoughts when an assignment booklet was slid in front of her. She flicked through the booklet, arching one eyebrow in confusion by the task that she had been set.
She looked up at Miss Lucas in a puzzled state trying to indicate that she needed some kind of guidance.
"Emma if you weren't too busy daydreaming then you might know what you have to do. I have set a four week project for everyone to complete. It can be anything of your choice, there has to be a series of detailed drawings in order to put them into a portfolio." Miss Lucas folded her arms across her chest waiting for a response from the blonde.
"Sorry Miss I just got distracted." Emma looked in shame, hoping that she would gain forgiveness from the teacher.
"Just don't do it again okay, I need you to remain focused." Miss Lucas sighed quietly and made her way back to her desk.
Emma watched the rest of her classmates as they began pulling out large notepads from their bags and sketching out ideas for their project. The thought of being able to do her own artwork without criticism excited Emma. It was the first time in her life that someone had given her the chance to do something for herself rather than what they wanted.
The blonde rushed over to the paper pack at the front of the classroom and scribbled down ideas for her project. Numerous ideas floated around but it was hard to pin down just one idea as there were so many.
As she filled the paper with different plans a loud buzzing of the bell drifted through the classroom, causing everyone to jump out of their seats as quickly as they could, including Emma.
Emma loitered outside the counsellor's office. She glanced up at the clock that was hung on the wall opposite to her; she was still ten minutes early. She paced up and down the corridor trying to pass some of the time that was remaining. After a few minutes of restless wandering she tapped her fist against the door.
Much to her surprise the door opened straight away and she was almost pleased to see the familiar figure standing on the other side of the door.
"Hello Miss Swan you have impeccable timing, why don't you come in and make yourself comfortable." Regina smiled warmly and made herself a mug of coffee.
"It's nice to see you again." Emma's cheeks blushed a light shade of pink as she watched Miss Mills walking around the office in her gracious fashion.
Regina grinned "There's no need to be embarrassed Emma, I'm glad that being in my company isn't as terrible as you might have anticipated it to be."
Emma smirked at the other woman's comment and pushed herself towards the back of the sofa, trying to allow her body to relax rather than tensing constantly. She rested her hands into her lap and admired the way Regina was so comfortable around her.
"I was thinking that we could have a longer session today as school is nearly finished anyway and I don't exactly have anywhere to be, that's if it's alright with you I wouldn't want to pull you away from any arrangements that you might have made." Regina crossed one leg other the other and nursed her cup of coffee in-between her fingertips, keeping her eyes on Emma.
"Yeah that's fine with me I don't have anywhere to be." Emma looked up at Regina and managed to muster a more confident smile.
"What would you like to talk about today? We could do the same as our previous session if that makes you feel more comfortable around me." Regina placed her mug of coffee back on the table and opened up her notebook.
"What was it like for you growing up?" Emma asked anxiously
"It's not something I usually disclose to people but if it will help you to open up to me then I will. I had a pleasant upbringing when I was a child and my family supported my decisions and they helped me through school and did what most parents would do to help their child. But everything changed when I was a teenager, my feelings towards people began to change and they couldn't accept that I didn't have a boyfriend and being with men was never a burning desire for me. They treated me as if I was a stranger in their house, an unwelcome visitor which resulted in me moving out at the age of sixteen. It wasn't easy but I managed to get by and I haven't had contact with them since." Regina felt a lump form in her throat as she tried to conceal her emotions from Emma.
"I'm sorry Miss Mills; I shouldn't have asked I wasn't exactly expecting you to say something like that." Emma had the look of guilt on her face as she waited for her to respond.
"No you don't have to apologise Emma it isn't your fault, call me Regina there are no formalities in this office." Regina smiled and handed a small booklet to Emma.
The blonde looked down at the small booklet and flicked through the pages realising that it was completely blank. She was surprised by the strange gesture from the other woman.
"What's the empty book for?"
"Class it as a journey if you like. I thought we would try something different over the next couple of weeks; I want you to write your feelings into it and things that are happening to you. It will help you to express yourself and it will give me a better incite. I thought it would be easier for you than having to tell me everything."
Emma smiled and slipped the book into her bag in order not to lose it. Regina intently watched the blonde. She had deep brown eyes which seem to reflect a good nature and she seemed awfully thin which was a concern to Regina.
She quickly pulled her vision away when Emma looked up again.
"I think that will have to be the end of the session Emma, I'm sorry but I'm sure you need to get home before your parents worry and wonder where you are." Regina announced in a sympathetic tone.
"Yeah I guess, thank you for the session though it was good. Will I see you on Friday?" Emma begrudgingly removed herself from the comfort of the office surrounds.
"Yes you will Emma and I have something more interesting planned for our next session." Regina followed Emma out of the office and said her goodbyes.