Chapter 2

Emma's POV

"Goddamn this women. Is she out of her mind? I should personally fucking strangle her."

My roommate has requested that I throw out a disclaimer every time I work on a English homework because I turn into a raging bitch and she needs time to evacuate the room or get a pair of headphones. It's hard to believe we're finishing our second week of school. I think of the irony of all the ironies is that I am wildly attracted to the one professor that actually makes me homicidal.

"Jeez Em. Take it easy. You're good at English," my roommate, Belle, tries to comfort me. I haven't told her that Im fawning all over my professor yet, but im sure she can tell that im working way harder than I should be. "Why don't you take a break for a little bit? I was going to go to the clubhouse and get a milkshake, why don't you come with me?"

"Fine, but when I come back I have to finish this work. I would really like to go to bed on time tonight."

We make our way down to the clubhouse and order our shakes. While we're waiting, a table opens up so we quickly snag it before anyone else can.

"Can you believe we're entering our third week of college? Time flies."

"It sure does. Especially when you're drowning in work."

All this work had made me snarky. Not to mention the sexual frustration.

"So… how hot is she? I've never seen you get this worked up about English homework." The smile on her face tells me that she knows everything. I have a tendency to blush and look down. "Emma Swan blushing? Wow. Wow she must really be something." I laugh at the way Belle's Australian accent draws out the vowels in really. I hesitate for just a moment, and then everything I've been holding in just comes tumbling out of my mouth.

"She's… god Belle shes gorgeous. But what a pain in the ass! She says "sure" instead of yes or no and doesn't say bless you when someone sneezes and the work load is ridiculous and seriously? 10% off for each absence? Is she crazy? Who does that? And would it kill her to wear a different shirt for crying out loud!" Belle is covering her mouth with her hands, tying to conceal her giggles.

"Oh Swan. You've got it bad."

My head drops into my hands, "I know Belle… I know. I can't help it. I've felt this way since the first day of class. Shes just amazing. I can't put my finger on what it is."

Belle shakes her head, "Do you think you have a shot?"

"Are you crazy? Im her student. Of course not."

I can't help the feeling of despair at the thought.

Regina's POV

"How many times do I have to tell you, Katherine? I am not going on a blind date!" I am going to be late for work if I do not hurry. I've just dropped off henry off at school after a rough start for a Monday morning. Of course, Katherine always chooses the best times to want a grab.

"Come on, Regina. You haven't been out in-"
"Ten years. I know Kat. Im busy and uninterested right now."

"And there's nobody at work? Come one, there has to be at least a few cuties."

I pause for a moment, a small smile gracing my lips, but immediately corrected myself.

"No Kat. Just give it a rest," I hear her gasp through the phone.

"You paused! There is someone! Who is it?" im immediately grateful she cannot see my blush creeping up my neck.

"I paused because I am driving, Kat. There is nobody."
"Liar liar, pants on fire."

"Jokes on you, because im not even wearing pants," she gasps again and I recognize my mistake.

"You're wearing a dress?! There is someone!"

Mercilessly, the next exit for the college is next. "Katherine, im pulling off the highway. I'll talk to you later. And no blind date!"

"Oh Gina, I would never do that. Not now that I know your secret! Love you!"

She hangs up and I am infuriated.

Emma's POV

Shes wearing a dress. Oh holy hell. I though her ass looked nice in pants but this is a whole new level of attractiveness.

Metaphors; todays lesson is metaphors. Shes writing all over the board, and her ass has never looked better. I wonder what prompted her to wear a dress today? I watch as she writes along the edge of the board and rests her left hand against the wall next to her, and suddenly I'm imagining pushing myself against her ass, grinding into her, hearing her moan, her head tilted back in pleasure…

I immediately stand from my seat and walk out of the room, not daring to make eye contact with anyone, not even my new friend Lacey.

"Shit." I say as the door is closed behind me. I walk down the hall way to the bathroom and splash some water in my face. "Shit!" I say a little louder, this time with more force and more frustration. How is she doing this to me? Oh god she has to know by now. Damn it Swan! Why?!

After I allow myself another groan of frustration and a moment of indulgence into my accidental fantasy, I force myself to push the thoughts from my mind and focus on going back to class. "Metaphors. It is important that I learn about metaphors."

When I slink back into class, she is looking at me almost expectantly, like she had noticed I was gone. Probably because I'm the only one who answers her questions.

My self-satisfied smirk receives a raised eyebrow from her and I quickly wipe it off my face. We don't communicate besides questions in class, though I think that's normal for her, but we definitely use facial expressions. Most of them occur when she catches me staring, but I stare anyways.

"Okay, I have a Ted Talk that I want you guys to watch. When you're done you're going to answer a few questions, and then you're free to leave. Okay?"

Everyone enthusiastically nods their heads, hopeful to be getting out of class early.

"Can someone please turn the lights off for me? August? Sure, thanks."

The lights go off and I feel the electricity flowing through me. Glancing up at her, I can feel the heat raise from my belly and spread through my body. I feel like im on fire looking at her. And then shes looking at me and im not sure if I can breathe. My eyes dart away, towards the projector, desperately trying to grasp whatever this man is saying. When I chance a look her way, the most surprising thing of all happens; I catch her staring at me and shes biting her lip.

Oh please. Shes probably staring at the clock. Probably has a boyfriend to go home to or whatever.

The thought actually pains me and I shake my head a little, not wanting to dwell on it. The voice persistent though.

She isn't yours, Emma. She'll never be yours. You're pathetic pining away after this women. She'll never love you. Your own parents didn't even love you enough to keep you.

When the video is over, the lights turn back on and im eternally grateful. I quickly scribble the responses to the questions shes put up, collect my things, and without even a glance in her direction, walk out the door. Downstairs, I wait for Lacey. A few minutes pass before she comes down, asking if I wanted to go to lunch.

"No," I quietly respond, "I think I'm just gonna go to Starbucks. You okay eating alone? We can have dinner together later tonight if you want."

"That's fine, Em, You okay? You look a little out of it," I smile, attempting to hide the turmoil I'm suddenly feeling.

"I'm fine, Lace. See you later?"

We part ways and I make my way over to Starbucks. It's just across the way from my class, so within 10 minutes im seated outside, sipping a hot cocoa with whipped cream and cinnamon.

That's when I see her. Shes sashays out of the building, and that's really the only way to describe her walk. As she gets closer to me, her pace slows, and then she goes into Starbucks, and I can't see her anymore. I don't realize im holding my breath until it whooshes out of my lungs and I slouch back into my seat. Pulling my legs up to my chin, I try to focus on deep, calming breaths.

"Ms. Swan?"

The breath I had taking in suddenly gets stuck in my throat, and my eyes shoot open. She's standing right in front of me. Professor Mills. Oh god. Oh god oh god oh god.

"Professor Mills?"

For some idiotic reason, I stand from my seat. She looks surprised and stands back a little bit.

"I saw you sitting out here alone and thought I would come say hello."

"Hello," I say kinda of awkwardly. She giggles an actual, honest to god giggle, and now im beaming from ear to ear.

"Hi," she looks down at the ground for a moment and I will her to look back up.

"Would you like to sit down?"

Her eyes completely light up and she nods before setting her drink on the table and putting her laptop strap across the back of her chair. Im watching her in awe, not sure what to say or do.

"Thank you." She smiles politely.

"Of course. What are you drinking?"

"Oh, just coffee. Black with two sugars. And you?"

"Hot cocoa. Whipped cream and cinnamon," I blush, realizing how childish that sounds, and glance down at my hands. She laughs again and im growing to love that sound.

"My son, henry, drinks hot cocoa the same way. It's his favorite."

My heart drops into my stomach. A son would mean there's a father. Shit.

"I didn't know you had a son. How old?"

"He's ten," oh god. Ten?! Im feeling sicker as this conversation continues.

"That's," I pause, trying to think of an appropriate reaction to this information, "Great. That's great. Henry is a great name. How did you pick it?"

"He's named after my father," she takes a sip of her coffee, her eyes closing momentarily and she moans softly, effectively ruining my underwear. Oh what I would give to be that cup, "And you, Ms. Swan? Where does Emma come from?"

"I- I actually don't know. My parents gave me up when I was a baby. Ive been bounced around in foster care all my life."

"Oh, I'm-"

"Don't apologize. It's okay. Im proud of who I turned out to be."

The surprise etches its way onto her face and I smile a bit.

"Well then, that's really something. And what made you go into photography?" I'm shocked she remembered my major. I said it the first day of class, and that was three weeks ago.

"I just love capturing the essence of people. There's something really amazing about catching someone at just the right time. You have a window into their soul sealed into a picture, something that could last forever."

"Well, Ms. Swan, I am impressed."

"You would be an amazing model," I accidentally blurt out. She stares at me for several beats before laughing nervously. "Im sorry," I splutter, "I have a severe case of verbal diarrhea."

"Oh dear, it's alright," I can tell she is trying to stop laughing at my expense, so I take a sip of cocoa. Suddenly, shes leaning forward in her seat and begins wiping whipped cream off my lips. She pauses mid-wipe, realizes what shes doing, and starts to pull away, glancing at my lips and then back to my eyes. She sits back in her seat, not a word exchange between us.

"I-"And then her phone is ringing and she is standing from the table to answer it, a finger in the air motioning she'll only be a minute. I can't hear what shes saying, and I don't try. My fingers trace where hers once were and im dumbfounded. What was that?

When she comes back, she begins lifting her bad off her chair and says, "I'm sorry Ms. Swan, I really must leave. My son will be home from school soon and I don't want him to be home alone for too long. It's his first day walking home," she seems flustered and worried, emotions I've never seen on her before.

"Sure, absolutely. I'll see you tomorrow in class professor Mills. And please, call me Emma."

"See you tomorrow, Emma," and then she walks away.

Regina's POV

Shit, shit, shit, shit. What was I thinking? What was I fucking thinking?! Am I crazy? I just sat and had coffee with her! I told her about henry! Shes my student! Damn it Regina. Pull yourself together. This isn't a big deal.

When I pull into the driveway, I see the silhouette of my son standing in the dining room, placing his binder and book on his desk. It must be math homework.

Wait. He's doing his homework? I watch him sit down at the table and start writing. I can't believe what im seeing. Henry never does homework unless I tell him to. I am overcome with a feeling of pride. My son is growing up.

Suddenly, there's a knock on my window. I turn my head, a scream stuck in my throat, until I see Katherine outside. I turn off the car and step out.

"What are you doing here, stalker?" she throws her head back and laughs.

"I was gonna come by and check on Henry and make sure he got home okay."

"He's inside… doing homework."

We both turn and glance at the window. My son is stilling at the table, writing away.

"Wow, Regina. He's growing up."

"I know. I can hardly stand it."

"Well, he's growing up, and now you've got a new love interest to play with. I say you're both getting along rather well," she's smirking at me the way only she can, and I feel the blush rising up my cheeks.

"Kat, come on," I know I'm pouting, but I want her to drop it.

"Who is he, Gina? Im your best friend. You've know me since we were in dippers. You can talk to me. It's okay to move on, babe," I feel guilty, and I know it shows on my face. "He was an asshole, Regina. What he did to you…" she doesn't finish her sentence, "He isn't coming back, love," I feel the tears well up in my eyes.

"It's a she," Katherine stares at me for a long minute.

"Did you think I would stop being your friend if you told me you were gay?"

"I'm not gay. It's just her."

"Who is she?"

"My student." I don't realize I'm crying until she wipes the ears off my cheeks and pulls me into a hug.

"And you really like her?" I nod my head slowly.

"I had coffee with her today," I mumble.

"Oh really? And how was that?" she still hugging me, even though I'm pushing her away. I can't have this conversation. I can't talk about this.

"It was coffee, Kat," I mumble again. I push myself defiantly out of her arms, finally getting her to relinquish her hold on me, and take a step back, leaning against my car.

"You look beautiful, Gina," she says it quietly, looking me up and down. "I haven't seen you this dressed up in such a long, long time," she softly runs her fingers through my hair. "Even your hair is down. My god Gina. You look like a queen." Her eyes have clouded a little, and I am desperate to try to veer away from this conversation.

"Well don't get used to it," I smile a little, trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh I won't," she winks at me, for once catching my drift and letting go.

"Wanna come in? You can help with dinner."

"I would love to."

We walk with her arm draped over my shoulders up the porch steps, and I am filled with relief. Katherine and I will figure this out. We always do.

Emma's POV

"What the bloody hell do you mean she wiped whipped cream off your lip?!"

"Sit down! I'll show you!"

Belle and I have been going back and forth over my exchange with professor Mills for over an hour. I reenact exactly what happened for her, and she is staring at me wide eyed.

"Emma, I can't believe it. I can't bloody believe that happened. Shes so into you, Emma!"

"She has a ten year old son!"

"Emma, im not saying she wants to marry you. But she definitely wants you, and you want her. You should go for it! Flirt with her!"

"Belle…"

"I know. I know Neal fucked you up and you don't trust people anymore. Emma you've got it bad for this women. For fucks sakes, you imagined fucking her against the wall in class today! What more proof do you need?"

"It's not about proof. It's about-"

"Okay stop. You're over analyzing this. Let's do best and worst case scenario. Okay?"

Belle knows I'm all about best and worst case. I've learned it's' better to weigh the risks sometimes, instead of just jumping in. I nod my head, allowing her to continue.

"What's your worst case?"

"I don't know, Belle! I don't know!"

"Okay, fine. So worst case she just wants to sleep with you. Is that the worst case? She tells you she just wants to fuck and then you go back to being student and teacher?"

"Don't you think the worst case scenario would be I approach her and she turns me down? Wouldn't that be the worst case?"

"Babe, she isn't going to turn you down. She wants you. That's established already."

"Okay if you insist. And best case scenario…?"

"She wants something real with you."

"I want something real with her too."

"Okay. So best case, you maybe pursue a relationship. Worst case you sleep with a women who ruins your panties every time you see her. How bad could pursuing this really be?" I bite my lip.

"It could be really good."

"She wants you, Emma. That much is certain. You just have to convince her to make a move."

Regina's POV

"Hold on, Kat. I just got an email. Let me check it really quick."

Henry had just gone to bed and Kat is refusing to leave until we thoroughly discuss my situation.

"You're not getting out of this, Regina. I'll stay here all night until you talk to me."

"My students have a project due next week. It might be someone asking a question. It'll only take a second." I head into the dining room to grab my phone. "Oh my god. Katherine come in here." Katherine comes running in.

"What?! Are you okay?!"

"It's from her. Kat it's from her."

"The girl? What does it say? Did you open it?"

"I can't. You do it. Please Kat," she rolls her eyes and clears her throat dramatically, taking the phone from me.

"Professor Mills. I was wondering if you could look at my paper for the project due next week and let me know how it sounds. I really value your opinion and expertise. I can bring it in anytime that works for you, please just let me know. I understand that you can't do this for everyone, but like I said, your opinion means a lot to me and I would just love to have you look it over. Thank you. Emma Swan." Im staring at Katherine slack-jawed "Oh" is all I can manage top say.

"Emma Swan… Nice name and boy has she got a crush on you."

We go and sit in the living room, brining my phone with us. I recounted our entire interaction and she is laughing by the end of it.

"Regina you are so awkward!"

"Shut up! I know! Shes just," I take a deep breath, "So amazing. Shes smart, funny, and witty and I don't know. Shes just amazing."

"Okay, let's get a response to this girl. Yes?" I nod my head.