Chemistry
Regina grumbled as she scrambled to finish her chemistry homework before the start of the class. She had been doing extra shifts at Granny's to earn money for a plane ticket to New York to visit her father for Thanksgiving but she was falling behind on her school work. Coupled with the various applications Regina had been working on over the past two weeks from various non-profit organizations helping victims of domestic abuse, the brunette had barely had any time to rest.
"I can help you if you want."
Regina jumped at the voice.
"Hi." The blonde girl greeted cheerfully. "I'm Wendy. But my friends call me Tink." She extended her hand.
Regina looked at the petite blonde with some misgivings. She had been trying to stay away from her classmates, most of her which had been forced into adult school by a court order or in a plea agreement to lessen their sentence. None of them cared about learning the material but Regina needed to obtain her GED. She also needed letters of recommendation from her teachers to apply to college in the spring. She didn't have time for distractions.
The blonde let her hand fall when Regina didn't move but she wasn't deterred by the brunette's attitude. "Mind if I sit next to you?" Without waiting for an answer, Tink slid on the lab stool next to Regina. "I can help you." She reiterated. "Chemistry was my favorite subject until I left high school." She smiled.
"Why did you leave?" Regina asked suspiciously.
The blonde shrugged. "My father was transferred to another country a few years back. I attended high school there but never got a diploma. At least not one that the US would recognize. My mom thought it was important for me to come back here so I could go to college. I arrived last night."
"Why Storybrooke?" Regina's tone was on the verge of rude but it didn't seem to phase her cheery companion.
"Aunt Mal moved here a few years back. Mom thought it would be a good idea for me to stay with her."
"You aunt is Malerie Balaur?" Regina was shocked. Mal had never mentioned having a niece. Yet, why would she? She was the prosecutor in Leopold's case. Although she needed to know personal details about Regina's life with her husband, she was under no obligations to share her story in return.
"You know my aunt?"
Regina nodded. "I'm… I'm Regina Mills." The shocked expression on the young woman's face told Regina everything she wanted to know: Tink already knew about her without having even met her.
"My aunt's talked about you. She's so proud of you!"
Regina blushed. "Why? Why would she?"
Tink fidgeted on her seat, clearly embarrassed by her previous outburst. "She told me about your ex-husband…" She explained, contrite. "And she said that you took control of your life. That despite everything you've been through, you're still following your dreams! She said you should be proud of yourself too!"
Regina smiled shyly. Before she could think about formulating a response, their teacher entered the classroom and started his monotone lecture about the atomic structure. When their torture was finally over, the students rushed toward the exit, leaving Regina and Tink packing their notebooks. "Would you like to meet to study tomorrow?" Regina offered.
"Yes! I'm supposed to volunteer at the animal shelter in the morning but I could meet you after lunch."
"Me shift ends at 3pm at Granny's."
"I can meet you there." The blonde insisted.
"Thank you, Tink."
"You're more than welcome, Regina."
EC
When Regina climbed up the stairs leading to her room at Granny's, her steps were lighter than usual. She had met a friend; not exactly a friend yet but it was the start of a friendship. She had never been allowed to have one before and Regina was both excited and terrified at the prospect. Friends were supposed to share everything with each other; but how could Regina share some of her darkest secrets? Tink would run away from her the minute she opened her mouth and justifiably so.
Regina gasped when she entered her room and found the gift box on her bed. She recognized David's handwriting on the envelope and slowly opened it. The card she found inside was that of a dog with puppy eyes with the words "I'm sorry" engraved at the top. She opened it and read the content quickly: I will always be in your corner. -D.
Regina smiled and placed the card on her chest. Although she was still mad at David for having insinuated that her father had a role in her misery, she was relieved that he was willing to talk to her. She had missed him. She had missed him more than she should. With a giggle, she jumped on her bed and placed the box across her lap. She took particular care in untying the white ribbon before opening the lid. She loudly gasped when she saw the light blue dress at the bottom of the box; the same dress she hadn't been able to afford.
Regina closed the lid and jumped off her bed, hoping that David was in the room next door. He and Thomas had relayed each other at the bed and breakfast to make sure that Leopold wouldn't try anything with Regina.
Her heart was beating faster in her chest as she knocked on the heavy oak door. "Come in" came David's voice on the other side. She opened the door and threw herself into his arms.
"Thank you." She hugged him. Dumbfounded, David didn't immediately reply. "For the dress." Regina clarified.
The sheriff smiled at her. "You're welcome. And I meant every word." He assured her.
Regina nodded as she let go of him and took a step back. "I'm sorry for getting mad at you."
"It wasn't my place to judge your life."
Regina looked down. In this instant, she looked so vulnerable that all David wanted was to hug her tightly and to never let go. He swore to protect her at all cost. "But you were right." She looked up at him. Tears had welled up in her eyes and she was fighting not to let them fall. "I need to talk to someone." Regina sat down at the foot of David's bed. "I made an appointment with Dr. Hopper for Friday."
David smiled as he sat down next to her on the bed. He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. "I'm so proud of you, Regina."
Regina took a deep breath before asking David the question that had been weighing on her ever since their fight. "Would you…" She paused, wetting her lips. "Would you come with me?"
"If that's what you want, of course."
Regina felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her chest. She hugged David again and buried her face into the crook of his neck. She always felt safe and protected when she was with him and she couldn't conceive not having him in her life, regardless if the cost. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." David kissed her temple tenderly. "What time is your appointment?"
"9am." She replied. Regina could only hope that Archie was available at this time. More importantly, she hoped that David would still be in her corner after her session with the psychiatrist.