𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙂𝙤 - 𝙀. 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣

[03] THE PROJECT (NOT-A-DATE-JESSICA)

"There you are. I was starting to worry you stood me up," Emmett quipped as he met her in the parking lot after school. Regina grinned, refusing to tell him the reason she was running late was Jessica fussing over her and making her promise to tell her everything once she was home. Her best friend insisted that working on the project at Emmett's place was as good as a date with the looks they were giving each other – Regina had rolled her eyes at that – and supported the argument by saying that nobody had ever seen their home before.

"Nah, I'd never." Regina looked over Emmett's shoulder at where his siblings always parked. Jessica had been quick to inform her that that was 'the Cullens' spot'. His siblings were just getting into the car, so she looked back at him. "Should I follow you and your siblings, or did you want to ride with me?"

"I'll drive with you, if that's okay."

"Sure."

She led him to her car and the two set off to the Cullen home, Emmett giving directions. They were talking and joking around, until one of Emmett's favourite songs was heard from the radio. He began grinning like an idiot and turned up the music. The first notes of 'It's My Life' by Bon Jovi blasted through the speakers and Regina turned the volume up even more. The two of them shared a grin when the chorus hit and started yelling the lyrics.

"It's my life

It's now or never

But I ain't gonna live forever

I just want to live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"

I just want to live while I'm alive

It's my life"

Both of them burst out laughing and continued shouting the lyrics passionately the entire song. By the time the song ended, they were both grinning from ear to ear. They shared a fond look and Regina felt her heart beat loudly in her chest. She looked back at the road again, but she wished that moment could've lasted.

Emmett told her to 'take a left' onto a barely visible dirt road to the side and Regina did as told, though she raised a questioning eyebrow. Emmett just nodded, as if to say 'yeah, I know', so she took the turn wordlessly.

Despite the unpaved road that would surely mean that she needed to wash her car soon, she found that the small path was marked by tire tracks, making her believe that Emmett was actually leading her somewhere.

After about five to ten minutes, in which Emmett and she had continued their small banter and conversation, the two arrived at a home that Regina could only describe as incredible. Most of the building was made out of glass, the windows undoubtedly brought a lot of natural light into the home. The remaining part of the home was mostly made out of a warm-coloured wood or stylish black stone. It was a timeless, beautiful house that seemed to fit in perfectly with the surrounding forest. Regina's mouth dropped as she saw it.

"Damn," Regina said, not having the ability to form any other words that would express how great she thought this house was.

Emmett snorted. "Yeah. Esme designed it."

"Who?"

"My mother." Emmett caught the strange look Regina gave him. She didn't understand why he referred to his mother by name, so he added, "Adopted."

"You don't call her Mom?" Regina asked as she turned the car to park it in the Cullens' driveway.

"Not really. None of us do."