Worlds Collide

Chapter Four

Emma's POV
Dear Diary,

When we got off the phone, I was so nervous. I knew she was a student, and if we engaged in a relationship, I could get in serious trouble—both of us could. But there was something about Regina that made it... I don't know... Worth it. I went to the playground, despite of the cold, and sat on a swing, soon I heard that sarcastic tone that could be only Regina's. "You weren't gonna start playing without me, were you?" she asked, and I grinned. "Let's cut to the chase, Regina," I said. "And why did you want to meet here instead of at your house?"

"My mother," she mumbled under her breath. "She doesn't know I'm gay, and she barely even processes my existence. I cook frozen meals every night, just to stay alive, and even that doesn't go through the proper process. I end up sticking a finger down my throat and vomiting it back up." "You lied to me?" I asked. "You said you were sick." "And I am," she replied. "Just... Mentally. My mother poisoned my father to make his death look accidental, then tried to claim his insurance money. But he was smart and left it all to me. That's how my education is paid."

"I had a son when I was sixteen," I told her. "Meaning he's 6 years old. I got pregnant with my then boyfriend's baby, and at first he seemed pretty into it, but then he ran away at the last minute." She moved over and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. "It'll get better," she whispered. "I'm here." "No. I'm meant to be here for you, not the other way around," I said, pulling her closer to me. We sat on the swings, hugging each other awkwardly.

"Look, when I ran away the other week, I can explain," she stated. "I don't want the same thing to happen to you that happened to August. I care about you, Miss- Emma. I don't want you to get into trouble." "Regina," I say, tears slipping out of my eyes and down my face. "I don't care. There's something about you that makes me... I don't know. I don't care about the trouble. I just... I like you so much. You are the first person I've had feelings for since Neal. I can't lose you, Regina. You're the best thing that's happened to me since my son."

Regina's POV
Dear Diary,

When Emma said that, I couldn't hold it back. I pulled her in closer, and kissed her slowly. We got off the swings and, still kissing, sat on the pirate ship play area. We sat on it, and kissed passionately. "Do... Do you wanna... Get a room?" I asked, laughing. She giggled. "No, we should wait," she replied. "True," I laughed. "See you at school tomorrow?" She nodded. We kissed again one last time before parting ways. I walked home, and I felt like I was on Cloud Nine. Nothing could bring me down.

Until I got home. Police surrounded my house, and my mother was being taken away in handcuffs. "What the hell is happening here?!" I asked the nearest officer. "Why is there police storming my house?!" "Are you Regina Mills?" he asked. "Yeah, who's asking?" I asked. "Your mother, Cora Mills is being arrested," he replied. "What for?" I asked cautiously. "For drug trafficking, multiple counts of abuse, and she's suspected of enacting the murder of your father, Henry Mills. There's lots of other charges against her, so, your house will be off limits to you during the trial. Do you have someone to stay with?"

"Yeah, but can I please pack my stuff?" I asked. "I was planning on moving out anyway." "Sure, Miss Mills," he replied, smiling wryly. "But, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to move out?" "Things just aren't great for me here at the moment," I replied. "I'm gonna go out of state for a while, stay with my sister in New York." He nodded, and I began packing. I stayed home on Friday, then called Emma. "Emma, we need to meet, meet me at my house, 108 Mifflin Street," I said, leaving a voice message.

"Regina, what's going on?" she asked when she got here. "My mother's been taken to jail," I replied. "I'm moving to New York until the heat dies down. I'll be fine. I have some... Family there. I'll be living with them." "But what about school?" she asked. "I'll take online courses," I replied. "I'll be fine. And I'll be back. I don't know when, but I know I'll be back." I kissed her passionately. We were up against the kitchen bench, and I was pressing her up against it. "This may be too soon, but I'm too impatient to wait," I said.

"I love you." She kissed me, hard, and I knew what she wanted to say. "I love you, too." She began to cry. "You're moving away. I know it's only temporary, but we never said what our status was. I will wait for you." "And I, you," I replied, kissing her. Now I was crying. "I need to go. I love you, Emma." She was bawling her eyes out, and I backed out of the driveway. I love you, Miss Emma Swan. I'll never forget you, I thought as I drove away.