Emma had never really liked school, and it bugged her how much her sister did.

"Why are you so happy?" Emma asked Mary Margaret. "It's 8 o'clock on a Monday morning!" Emma groaned. She hated Mondays.

"Unlike you, I actually like school," Mary Margaret said, "but you're unusually grumpy today. Did you have a fight with Ruby or something?"

"Of course not. When have I ever had a fight with Ruby? I just really hate Mondays!"

Mary Margaret was right, of course. She was always right. She was unusually grumpy and it had nothing to with Ruby, and even less to do with Mondays. She had spent the last two weeks trying to figure out a natural way to talk to Regina, but all her ideas had either been stupid or she had chickened out at the last minute.

Emma hated that she was so shy and nervous around Regina; if anything, Emma would call herself reckless, not this shy and scared person she became around Regina.

"It's nothing, I swear," Emma said, as her sister parked the car.

"If you say so. I have to run because I promised I meet James before school." Emma just shot her sister a "really?!" look and got out of the car.

"I have soccer practice after school, so you'll have to take the bus or ride with Ruby," Mary Margaret said as she practically ran towards the steps where James and his group of blonde cheerleaders were situated.

Emma walked into the school just as the as weekly announcements were made on the monitors, and Regina being student president was the one who presented them. This was the only thing Emma liked about Mondays – the opportunity to stare at Regina without anyone noticing or caring.

Emma stopped in front of the closest monitor to watch. Regina really was beautiful. She always seemed so regal when performing her presidential duties, like she was born or at the very least bred to be a leader. Emma was so lost in Regina's voice that she didn't even notice someone coming up behind her.

"Hi!" Emma jumped at the voice of her best friend.

"You scared me half to death, Red."

The nickname had stuck around ever since Emma met Ruby, and she'd had red highlights put through her hair. She still had one single stripe but nothing like what she had when she was 12.

"How could I know that you'd be lost in thoughts about our wonderful president again?" Ruby teased.

"Ruby!" Emma almost hissed, "Someone could have heard you. I knew I shouldn't have told you."

"Ha, like you could keep a secret from me." Ruby stuck her tongue out at Emma.

"I know. " Emma pouted, and Ruby pulled her into a hug.

"Relax." Ruby kissed her cheek. "I won't tell anyone."

Emma smiled, "I trust you." Ruby was the only person other than her sister that Emma trusted with her life. "So what did you do this weekend?" Emma asked eager to change the topic.

"Absolutely nothing. Gran wouldn't even let me out of the house."

Emma laughed. "Are you still grounded because of the whole Stephen thing?"

"She is totally overacting. It's not like we were sleeping together. He is fourteen." Ruby said with an eye-roll, but they both knew that Ruby's grandmother was only looking out for her. Especially when it came to boys.

"You know, Red, sometimes you remind me so much of Double M." Emma smiled.

"Speaking of your sister, I saw her outside with James and his group. Is she dating him?" Ruby's voice was bitter, but nothing beyond what was expected. It was less than two months ago since James had broken her heart.

"I don't actually know. I know she likes him. But you know my sister."

"Yeah, I do. Just tell her to be careful, please. She is so much better than him. "

"I will."

Ruby kissed Emma's cheek. "I have to run, I have biology first period."

"See you at lunch?" Emma shouted after her.

"Always!"

Emma smiled; Ruby was really one of a kind. She walked over to her locker and took out her algebra books and groaned. Another reason why she hated Mondays, algebra first period was like asking for the class to fall asleep.

Just as she closed her locker and started to walk towards her class, she walked right into someone. And suddenly the floor was showered with books and folders.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry," Emma said, as she looked up to see who she walked into – shit. Regina. Of course she would walk into Regina. Probably not the most ideal way to meet the woman of your dreams, Emma told herself.

"It's my fault," Regina said with a sigh, "I have too many books."

"And these are all for AP classes?" Emma asked, extremely impressed. Regina seemed to be brilliant in everything, how could she even have the time for all of it? "That's impressive," she added with a smile.

"Wait, aren't you Mary Margaret's sister? Ella?" Regina asked with a smile that made Emma's heart flutter. Regina almost knew her name! She knew who she was!

"Emma," she corrected with a smile. "It's Emma." She reached out her hand, seeing as most of Regina's books were still on the floor.

"I'm Regina." Regina said, and shook Emma's head.

"I know." Emma said with a nervous laugh. "I mean… everybody knows who you are, Madame President," Emma said, trying to make a joke.

Regina smiled at her and Emma's heart fluttered again. This was actually happening. She was having a conversation with Regina, or at least taking to her. And Regina Mills was talking back!

"I am really sorry I made you drop all your books. Now you are probably late, too..."

"First of all it was my fault," Regina said, and there was that smile again. Emma hoped she could find a way to see that smile every day for the rest of her life. "Secondly, I actually have first period free. I am only here to do the announcements and do some work on the paper."

"Wow, you really are devoted to your position. I wouldn't have got out of bed before 10 if I had first period Monday free!"

Regina gave a small laugh, and Emma was certain it was the prettiest sound she had ever had. "I get up at six every day."

"Holy mother of..." Emma said, and shuddered.

Regina smiled at her as she picked up her last book, just before the bell rang.

"Damn," Emma cursed, "I'm late for algebra. It was really nice meeting you, Regina." Emma tried to sound nonchalant. It wasn't like half of her dreams just came through because she was a clumsy idiot.

"Same to you, Emma." Regina smiled and walked towards the newspaper room as Emma hurried towards her class.

"You are late, again, Miss Swan-Blanchard" her teacher drawled without looking up as Emma tried to sneak into the classroom.

"I'm sorry," Emma said, but she didn't mean it. "It won't happen again."

"I think we both know it will. Please take your seat, Miss Swan-Blanchard. And I'll see you in detention after all."

So worth it, Emma thought, so completely worth it. She pulled out her book with a smile on her face. Maybe Mondays weren't so bad after all.