Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a time or any of the characters.

Woah, it's been almost a month! I won't bother with excuses because to be honest I simply forgot. Enjoy this chapter!

Thanks to my beta, Clare (its a story of love), for helping me out!

I just wanted to add a small something: there's been some issue whether I should tag Robin in the character section. Some people ask me to remove him, but when I do, I get other comments saying I should add them. I've decided on what I think is best: keep him included. Robin is a major character in the story. He's Emma's best friend and Regina's boyfriend for a while. Therefore, he should be added. You might have noticed I 'paired' Emma and Regina, so when searching for SwanQueen stories, this one will show up. I did not pair Robin with anyone, so when searching for OutlawQueen stories, this one will not show up. This is why I decided not to exclude Robin (or Ruby for that matter) from the character section. It shouldn't cause for too much confusion and I'm not lying and/or violating the guidelines. Sorry for this rant, but I felt like I had to post this.

Freshman Year, October 2012

Emma cannot stop staring at her roommate. Regina is absolutely stunning and she doesn't want to look away. It is their third week at college and classes have yet to start, since she and Robin had decided to go to college early. Emma knew, that within the first week, she had managed to break her first rule: she shouldn't crush on her roommate.

But with Regina, it had just happened. She was simply gorgeous and it appeared she was really nice as well. Emma, at least, was proud she was successfully fulfilling the second rule. Since their first meeting, she and Regina talked a lot. They had most lunches together and Emma really enjoys Regina's company. She doesn't even want to fight her crush on Regina. It hasn't given her any problems so far. If anything, it makes them interact more and Emma has not felt this connection with anyone but Robin before. Yet, there are small differences with Regina. She suspects the crush thing has something to do with that.

She smiles lazily at Regina as she fixes her hair in front of the only mirror in their room. Tonight is apparently a big night, because the first official college party will be thrown. The brunette has been getting ready for about an hour now. Robin had insisted Emma should join him and come to the party, saying this would be the perfect opportunity to meet the other Freshman. Emma had told him no at least a dozen times.

And as if Robin wasn't bad enough, Regina kept insisting as well. She hasn't stopped pursuing Emma into going all night. While Emma would love to join Regina and go out with her, she isn't big on parties. She doesn't like large crowds. They make her feel uncomfortable. Senior prom was bad enough, when she'd almost had a panic attack had Robin not been there.

And so, Emma has been watching Regina for the past hour. Regina is always beautiful, but right now she looks stunning. It takes all of Emma's self-control not to walk over and do something stupid. Like kissing those delicious, plump, red lips.

'What do you think?' Regina turns around and Emma's mouth goes dry. The dress Regina's wearing leaves little to imagination. It's short, really short, has a low back and shows quite some cleavage. It's very different than the brunette's usual style: designer skirt or designer pants with an expensive silk blouse.

'You look… amazing.'

'Yeah?'

Emma catches the doubt in Regina's voice. 'Really. You look beautiful, Regina.'

'You know, I would really feel better if you would come. Everyone probably knows someone and I'll be very awkward and alone.'

Emma sighs. 'You have nothing to worry about. Everyone will love you. But if you need me, just give me a call and I'll come, okay?' she says, surprising herself. Regina nods, smiles a little and then she's at the door. Emma gives her a thumbs up and waves. A second later she's alone.

It's about 1,5 hours later that she hears her phone ringing. She quickly swallows the popcorn she'd been eating and pauses Netflix. Regina Mills, she sees when she looks at her phone. She quickly swipes right. The first thing she hears is music, really loud music. The second thing she hears is giggling. She guesses that it's Regina's laugh and Emma finds herself falling in love with the sound.

'Regina?', Emma asks. She doesn't get an answer. Instead she just hears music. Two minutes after ending the call, she decides she wants to make sure that Regina is fine. She throws on a hoodie and some ripped jeans and she's out the door.

The party isn't far. When she arrives, all she can see is bodies moving. It's a mass of people and Emma can feel her breath quicken. She's reminded why she never goes to parties in the first place. Okay, she tells herself, just make sure Regina is fine and then go home. She doesn't decide to dwell on the thought that she's just called the dorm room she shares with Regina home.

Instead she makes her way through the people and looks around for Regina. Emma doesn't have to search long. She spots Regina's dress immediately. She's about to move closer, but stops herself when she sees who the brunette is dancing with.

Her best friend. Robin. They are dancing really close together and Robin is smiling down at Regina. She sees Regina biting her lip and giggling. Emma's heart sinks. She wants to be mad at Robin, but that would not be fair. He doesn't know she has a crush on the girl he's flirting with right now.

She takes a deep breath and looks up again. The moment she does, she wishes she hadn't. All she can do is watch as the two of them lean in and share what looks like a passionate kiss. She takes a step back. Pure jealousy takes over her body and she can feel the tears that are starting to pool in her eyes.

She blinks, comes back to herself and runs till she is back in her bed. She collapses and cries for what seems like hours. She knows she is being ridiculous. She has only known the girl for a few weeks. It is crazy to become that attached to someone so quickly. It is only a crush. She is sure it will disappear soon enough. It is not like she was going to allow herself the chance to be more with Regina anyways. But in her heart, Emma knows that she hasn't felt this way before. And it scares the hell out of her. And that only makes her cry harder.

The next morning, Emma is scared to open her eyes. Will Regina be in her bed or did she go to Robin's room? What if she isn't? But what if she is? She is not sure what scares her more. If the brunette isn't in her bed, but with Robin, it could just be a one-night stand. But if she is, that means the night had gone well and they might have made plans to see each other again.

Or not, she realizes, it could have just a one-time thing. She groans. She is making herself go crazy. Deciding it is better to just open her eyes now instead of wondering, she does just that. She sits up and the first thing she sees is the empty bed across from her. Her heart stops for a second before she sees Regina working at her desk. God, she went to a party last night! How is she already up and working?

'Hey Em.' Em, that is a new one, but she finds that she doesn't really mind if it's Regina calling her that.

'Yeah, good morning to you too… Why are you up so early?'

'Job applications. I heard last night that you have to be quick or all jobs in the area will be taken.'

Right. Emma stands up and makes herself some coffee. Leaning against the counter she asks: 'so, how was last night? You called me?'

'Oh, I did? I'm sorry, that must have been an accident. It was so much fun. I met this really sweet boy last night. We kissed and we're going on a date this weekend. His name is,

'Robin.'

Regina stares at her. 'How did you know?'

'I came down last night to make sure you were okay. I saw you two together. Robin is my best friend.'

'I hope that doesn't bother you?'

'It doesn't. Robin is a good guy. I will help you get ready for your date?' Emma is surprised when Regina jumps up and hugs her. She barely has time to register the feeling of Regina's arms around her and their body's touching each other. She catches a smell of apple before the brunette lets go.

She starts talking about last night and Robin, but after a few minutes, Emma zones out. It does bother her, but not for the reason Regina asked. She is very jealous and sad. Robin is about to see and get a whole other side of Regina that she'll never see or have. And it leaves her heartbroken. Shut up, Emma, she tells herself. It is only a crush.