Emma Swan
I watched my not so subtle friend, Ruby, walk around to the other side of the table, wedging herself between Regina and I. A small chuckle escaped my lips which earned myself a sharp elbow to the ribs, which was a warning to keep my mouth shut. I can't tell if this Regina is straight, gay or bi but that doesn't seem to bother Ruby right now, she's on a mission.
Neal quickly returned with a tray full of shots, placing it very carefully onto the table.
"I was taught never to accept drinks from strange men," Regina coldly stated. My eyebrows drew together as I tried to figure out if she was joking, but the bitchy look upon her face is expressing that she's dead serious.
"Free drinks, I'm in," Zelena smiled snatching up a shot glass. When Regina refused to make a move toward the offered drinks, I decided to say something.
"Neal, isn't a stranger. He's been my boyfriend for five years now," I explained while rolling my eyes at the stuck up brunette.
"Besides," Neal wrapped his strong arms around my ribs and rested his chin upon my shoulder, "I only have eyes for this knock out!" His warm lips pressed firmly against my cheek causing me to breakout into a smile. This time it was Regina who was rolling her eyes as she leaned forward, finally accepting a shot.
"You'll learn to ignore their PDA!" Ruby gently bumped Regina's shoulder, throwing her slightly off balance, inspiring my lips to curl into a smirk.
"Or learn to love it. They're quite adorable," Belle gushed smiling up at me. My Belle, she's so sweet, such a genuinely nice person and that's why I keep her around.
"So how long have you all known each other?" Zelena asked before she tossed back her shot.
"Well I've known Ruby and Belle since I was sixteen. They've known each other since they were five. We met Neal when we were seventeen," I explained as I held up a shot glass with my two girls mirroring my image. We clinked our glasses together, smiling proudly over our friendship, before we slammed back another shot.
"I'll go grab you another rum and coke babe," Neal whispered into my ear while I nodded along. It was nearly impossible for me not to notice the way Regina was intently watching us.
"Let's go dance ladies!" Ruby squealed as she reached for Regina's hand. The TA pulled away before Ruby even touched her.
"I don't dance dear," Regina looked back at her sister but Zelena rolled her eyes in return.
Dear? That's weird for someone our age to say.
"My sister is a bore! I had to drag her ass out of the house tonight! Come on promiscuous one," Zelena laughed as she grabbed Ruby's hand to lead her to the dance floor.
Even though Belle is painfully shy, she never refuses dancing when she's had a few drinks. Belle grabbed onto Ruby's other hand as Zelena led them through the crowd. I watched my friends closely before a thick, raspy voice was demanding my attention.
"Does your boyfriend always enjoy cleaning up vomit?" I turned to face the brunette in confusion.
"What?"
"How many more drinks and shots is he going to bring you?" She snapped. At first, I didn't respond as I pondered for a moment what her angle was.
"Don't worry about me, I can handle myself. What's it to you anyways?" I asked feeling a bit defensive.
"None of my concern dear."
There's that dear again.
"Okay..." I didn't know what else to say to this woman. I brought her over for Ruby but clearly, she's not interested. I can't tell if she doesn't like us or just Neal or what her problem is. Either way her attitude is a buzzkill.
"My apologies if this is out of line but you seem like a beautiful, intelligent woman. What are you doing with a man like that, you just seem too good for him." I stared blankly at the woman before me. My mind couldn't grasp what she just said, she doesn't know me, and she certainly doesn't know Neal.
"You don't know him. Don't be so quick to judge. Neal took me in when I didn't have anyone. He kept me going and encouraged me to attend college with Ruby and Belle. He does what he needs to do, to take care of himself and help me out in anyway. If it weren't for him I would probably still be working at Ruby's grandmother's diner, waiting tables."
Regina stared at me intently while I was wishing I could hear what she was thinking. There was an awkward tension building between us, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Sometimes there's a tension when two people hate each other, and you just want to remove yourself from the situation, but this wasn't it. No, this felt different. It was awkward, but I felt something deep down in the pit of my stomach, I just couldn't tell what the sensation was. Regina's eyes scanned my face before she visibly softened.
"I'm sorry, you're right, I don't know either one of you. It's not my place." She faked another smile, but she seemed as though she genuinely cared. "Why did you approach me earlier?" She asked looking a bit more relaxed than a few moments ago.
"Oh," I softly laughed to myself feeling the tension slowly slip away, "I was telling my friends how Glass has a hot new TA. I told Ruby she would go crazy for you and then you came strolling in," I began to laugh a little harder this time as the alcohol started to flow freely through my blood. Regina had confusion written all over her face and if I'm being honest, she looked uncomfortable.
"Is Ruby into woman?" She cautiously asked, the hesitation evident in her voice.
"Yeah of course she is!" I said assuming everyone knew.
"Well I am not dear."
"That's okay, it won't stop her from trying," I teased inspiring Regina's big brown eyes to double in size. "What about your sister?"
Regina was shaking her head no before she started to verbally answer. "I mean, I don't know. She always had boyfriends, but you never know with her. She's the wild and crazy one of the family." We both chuckled at this as we glanced over to discover Zelena and Ruby grinding on one another with two men trying to dance awkwardly with them from behind.
"I think I'm going to keep you around just to torture Ruby." I winked, and I believe I witnessed the brunette blushing.
"Rum and coke, hun," Neal said placing a drink down in front of me. "And red wine for you, from the stranger!" Neal laughed as he placed the wine glass in front of Regina.
She smiled shyly, "Oh um, thank you." I smiled and with my eyes wide, I tried to express, see he's a gentleman. I think Regina understood because she smiled and nodded in return.
"Oh, these two are a blast!" Zelena exclaimed as she stumbled back to the table with Ruby and Belle following behind. All three-woman's cheeks were beet red while sweat was beading at their hairline.
"How many shots did you guys do?" Neal questioned in a stern voice.
Belle waved her hand in the air, "Mmmm however many times the shot girls came around." For some reason Ruby and Zelena thought this was hilarious and broke out into a fit of laughter which caused them to grip their sides.
"Looks like I will be driving you home tonight," Regina deadpanned. "Keys," she firmly demanded as Zelena handed over her car keys. "Do any of you need a ride?"
"I usually take them home and they all live together," Neal confirmed, prompting Regina to nod curtly in response.
"Well we should be going. Thank you for the drinks Neal and conversation Miss Swan," Regina politely stated as Zelena walked around hugging everyone goodbye.
"Maybe we'll see you next Thursday..." I suggested.
"Oh no Miss Swan this was a onetime night out for me..."
"Well I was referring to our class," I teased with a playful wink. A deep crimson shade burst across her chest and spread like wildfire up to her cheeks.
"Oh yes, see you then Miss Swan."
"Bye Mills!"
XXXXXXXX
"Mmmm," I moaned as I felt the warm sun beating down upon me. I stretched out my sleepy limbs and rolled over to cuddle into my boyfriend. Instead I was greeted by the crinkling sound of paper and cold sheets. My eyes slowly fluttered open so I could grow accustomed to the bright light. I lifted the piece of paper that was left behind on Neal's side of the bed.
Emma,
I had a job that I couldn't pass up this morning. I will be back tomorrow morning and we will spend the rest of the weekend in bed cuddling.
Love,
Neal
I smiled from ear to ear at the letter in front me before folding it up and placing it in my drawer with all his other letters. I flopped back onto my bed and closed my eyes again, trying to stop the little men hard at work, pounding their sledge hammers against my temples. The heavy sound of feet thumping against the hardwood floor resonated in the air, and I knew damn well who it was. Before I even had a chance to open my eyes, Ruby jumped into the vacant spot next to me, just like she always does.
"Morning sunshine!" I groaned and rolled over to face the perky brunette.
"How are you not hungover?"
"I don't know?" She shrugged while turning on her side to face me. "Last night was a lot of fun!" I chuckled softly and nodded along. "That Regina is super-hot. Did you get any info on her for me?"
"Yeah, she informed me that she's straight, but says her sister might be willing to test the waters," I explained.
"Eh, I'm not really into Zelena like that. I mean don't get me wrong she's very beautiful as well, but I don't know. I'm up for the challenge with Regina, I bet I can turn her. Her sister is a blast but Miss Mills...damn!"
"I know she is really sexy," I muttered as my mind replayed last night's events. Ruby and I fell silent for a moment as I thought about the gorgeous brunette. " I got a weird vibe from her though..." I thought back to our uncomfortable conversation while everyone else was off dancing.
"Like what?" Ruby questioned with one eyebrow corked up.
"I don't know how to explain it. She was like jealous of Neal or something. Saying I'm too good for him. I mean she doesn't even know us. She was acting very...protective over me..." I trailed off not knowing how else to describe the tension without sounding paranoid.
"Hmmm. That is weird. Maybe she isn't straight, and she was crushing on you," Ruby winked and started nudging into my side. I was already shaking my head in protest. "I highly doubt that."
"Maybe it's her teacher instincts kicking in..."
"Maybe," I shrugged once again before her constant nudging began to annoy me and I had to start pushing her right back.
"Either way you're getting them to go out with us again!" Ruby demanded forcing me to chuckle.
"Alright. Alright. One condition...go make me some greasy breakfast!"
"How about I buy you some greasy food instead?"
"Now when you say buy, are you referring to us showing up at your grandmother's restaurant and her covering our bill?" I mocked.
"Yeah," she deadpanned.
"Deal!"