Regina Mills
I followed Zelena's lead into an old, run down diner that my sister dragged me to. The restaurant was abnormally small and appeared that the owner hasn't taken the time to remodel the place since the late eighties. Even though the decor wasn't at all what I anticipated, the fresh aroma of coffee and sweet pancakes, left my stomach begging for attention.
Zelena lives in this small town, which is just outside of the university I just started working at. My sister insisted that Granny's, is a diamond in the rough and we just had to eat here.
"No shit!" I snapped my head up to find the flirtatious brunette from last night approaching us rather quickly.
"Ruby!" Zelena exclaimed as she was pulled into a bear hug by the other woman.
Ruby turned her attention toward me with her arms spread wide, but I quickly interjected the hug by sticking out my hand instead. The lanky woman's face scrunched up as she gaped at my hand. She hesitantly reached forward and finally accepted the gesture while flashing my sister a quizzical look.
"Mills!" Miss Swan's cheerful voice boomed from behind her friend.
"Come sit with us, we just walked in," Ruby offered.
I quickly glanced over at my sister in sheer panic. She knows how uncomfortable I was last night, and I know damn well that she knows I rather jump out of an airplane than have to engage in small talk with these women again.
My eyes doubled in size as I tried to plead with her to decline. Zelena smirked her infamous wicked grin and happily accepted the offer, despite my protest. I bit down hard on the inside of my lip to control my mouth from spewing hateful words toward my sister, who I think deserves to be called Judas from now on.
Ruby slid into the booth across from her friend as my sister followed her lead and sat down beside her. Thus, leaving me with only one option. I cautiously sat down next to Miss Swan with a decent amount of space between us. I kept my eyes locked onto my sister the whole time, silently pleading with my mind to develop some sort of super power to light her ass on fire.
"You look nervous Regina, what's wrong?" Miss Swan asked as she turned her body, granting me her undivided attention.
I continued to stare at my sister as I answered, "I just think it's inappropriate that we are spending time together when I am your teacher's assistant."
I always strive for professionalism in any type of social engagement. I have my mother to blame for that. She knew Zelena was wild, crazy and uncontrollable. When I came along she did her very best to control my every move. She was relentless with me. She would never settle for anything less than perfection. I had to receive the highest grades, participate in every sport and after school activities. I needed structure and to remain focused, never allowing anyone to see me as weak.
That's why this situation was unbearably uncomfortable for me. In the eyes of the school, this situation would be frowned upon. That alone was enough to make me want to bolt through that door. Not to mention my lack of friends growing up. I only ever had my sister because my mother occupied every free moment I had with another activity. Now there are these two women seeking my attention and I'm not quite sure how to react.
"Stop over reacting, we are eating breakfast. It's not like I'm going to have my way with you over the desk in front of the whole class," the blonde mocked with an overly confident smirk.
Ruby and Zelena both barked out unattractive laughs at my expense causing my blood to boil. I shot Miss Swan the best stern look I could manage before I picked up a menu in an attempt to ignore the group.
"Yes, Granny of Granny's, is my grandmother," Ruby stated proudly. I stole a small glance at the woman next to me who was also beaming with pride. "Emma worked here as well," Ruby breathed out a small laugh, "well she actually worked, I messed around a lot."
"Yeah, Granny was kind enough to give me whatever shifts I needed, in order to save some money for college. I still come back some weekends and holidays to help out if I need money," Miss Swan explained with a sense of pride. I smiled, admiring the woman's determination and drive. I don't know much about this blonde, but I have a feeling she's a strong independent woman.
Soon our food arrived, and we began to eat while continuing our small talk.
"Are you two from Storybrooke?" Ruby asked.
Zelena and I both shook our heads before Zelena spoke first. "Another small town about a half hour up north. Our father is the mayor actually and our mother enjoys playing the social politics game of Falmouth, Maine."
"So, she must be loads of fun," Miss Swan sarcastically quipped before shoving a forkful into her mouth.
"Well I grew up here with Granny, my mother and father passed away when I was a baby," Ruby explained as we all offered her our undivided attention. "Then this one over here, came crashing into my life at sixteen!" Emma smiled as wide as her cheeks would allow as Ruby gripped her face with one hand and squeezed.
"I was bounced around from different foster families. When I arrived in Storybrooke, the family and I didn't get along very well. They were going to send me back after one year, like most, so I ran off...into Neal," she giggled as she reminisced, "we lived in a car for a year until we were able to get on our feet and Granny offered me a job. The first two years of college I worked my ass off but now I'm finally comfortable."
I was stunned into silence, listening to this beautiful blonde describe her life. She has literally come from nothing, never once was she given a break and now she's about to graduate from college and make something of herself. I hardly know her but I'm even beaming with pride right now.
"Miss Swan, that is an amazing story to hear. I don't know you well, but I am very proud of you," I sincerely smiled at the green eyes sparkling at me with pride.
"What's with the Miss Swan? Can you please call me Emma?"
"I-" again I didn't feel the request was appropriate, "I can try..." I offered with a weak smile.
XXXXXXX
I waltzed into the classroom that will soon be mine, already wishing this class was over. Professor Glass wasn't in just yet, so I made my way to his desk placing my belongings on top. My heart raced causing my breathing to grow erratic, pushing me to the brink of a panic attack.
Zelena and I spent the entire weekend lounging around with Miss Swan, her roommates and her boyfriend. We mostly laid around their apartment, drank wine and watched movies. I've never done anything like that before and I will admit I felt very out of place, but there's something about Miss Swan that makes me feel a bit more relaxed. To my surprise I actually enjoyed her company. She's very easy to get along with and she's the first person besides my sister that I can feel as though I can finally breathe. There's no pressure to be the best, no judgment from her, I can just be me. The real me my mother buried away too many years ago to count.
I noticed a few students shuffling in, so I took a quick glance at the clock. Class starts in ten minutes, but Glass hasn't made his debut yet. He still has a few minutes to make it, but I decided to check my phone in case Glass or someone else called about canceling the class. No messages.
An eerie sensation crept up the back of my neck as a thick tension wrapped itself around me, slowly evaporating the air that surround me. I peeked up through my thick eyelashes to find a set of sparkling green eyes watching me intently.
Miss Swan's long legs were clad in dark denim skinny jeans that hugged every curve in just the right way. Her blonde locks that flowed freely all weekend were now piled high into a messy ponytail. The t-shirt she was wearing was a simple plain, red v-neck, but for some reason held my interest. My eyes began to drift a little lower to the swell of her STOP!
What the hell am I doing?
My eyes flicked back up to her pale face. A goofy grin was plastered across her face causing my body temperature to rise. My heart beat picked up speed as a burst of heat erupted through my blood. I started to panic thinking that maybe she caught me staring. I forced myself to look away from the blonde and check the clock again.
Glass still hadn't made his appearance after ten minutes. I decided I knew the material well enough and I paid attention last week, so I knew where he had left off. I stood abruptly from the desk gathering everyone's attention as my chair scrapped against the tile.
"Class, as you recall from last week, I am Miss Mills. Since Professor Glass isn't here yet, I will be starting class. I do expect everyone's undivided attention."
I found myself slipping into my element fairly quickly. I could tell the students were paying attention as they wrote furiously in their notebooks. Nothing compared to last week with Glass, I think half the students fell asleep right in front of the man.
I remained focused the entire lecture except for one slip up. I regretfully glanced in Miss Swan's direction. She must have slipped on her glasses sometime during my lecture. My mouth went dry and I lost my train of thought for a brief moment. She looked unbelievably sexy in those black frames, staring up at me. I'm unaware of what I have been experiencing lately so I made it a point not to look in her direction again.
There has never been a person who has grasped my attention before with such force. I find my eyes lingering longer than what's appropriate. Every subtle move she makes demands my attention. I find the woman to be riveting, alluring...absolutely infuriating.
The three-hour class passed by very quickly and before I knew it, I was packing up my belongings.
"Mills!" The comforting voice of the blonde echoed as she approached the desk. I kept my eyes locked onto my task at hand.
"Miss Swan, we are in the classroom. Miss Mills is more appropriate." I heard a huff of breath escape her mouth that sounded more like a laugh.
"Miss Mills," she teased, "you are going to do so well next semester. That was the most enjoyable class this year. You kept everyone interested and focused. Great job!"
She placed her hand upon my shoulder, eliciting a sensation I never really experienced before. I couldn't explain the feeling, but it was quickly gone as she pulled away. I looked up into her youthful green eyes and she smiled softly.
"Thank you, Miss Swan, I greatly appreciate the compliment."
"Em-ma!" She joked pointing to her chest.
I waved my hand around us and said, "Class-room," mimicking the teasing taunt in her voice. We both laughed for a moment, enjoying the simplicity of each other's company.
"Wanna grab some breakfast?" She asked earning a quizzical look from myself.
"Breakfast? Didn't you eat this morning?"
"Nah, I never do. Seven is just too early for me to eat."
"Well that isn't healthy. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Especially before a class this long, your body requires the nutrients to keep your mind focus," I explained hoping she will be wiser next time.
Miss Swan rolled her stunning eyes, but I could tell she didn't mean for the gesture to be rude. This woman is always playful and charismatic.
"Thanks for lecture but class is over. Come on I'll drive."
There's something so captivating about this blonde that I found myself nodding along and following the woman out the door before I even had a chance to process my actions.