Mismatch Lovers

Chapter 22

*Emma's POV*

"So we got your registration materials from Yale," Miss Jacobs said as we took a seat in her office. "They weren't sure where you were living now, so they sent it here?"

"Oh, I'm back with Killian at his brother's place," I told her, my cheeks going pink when she raised her eyebrows. "I was actually going to make an appointment to talk to you about maybe switching to Harvard or somewhere closer to here. Do you think that's a possibility at all?"

"I mean I can try, but," she shook her head, looking totally lost. "You were so enthusiastic about getting out of this town, why'd you change your mind?"

"I just," I shrugged, trying not to let her know that it was only Killian keeping me here. "Realized that this is home and I've never had that. I'm not ready to leave that feeling behind."

"Emma," she sighed, seeing exactly what I meant. "I know at your age your boyfriend seems like the most important thing, but this is your future. It needs to come first."

"Believe me, I get that," I assured her, folding my hands in my lap to attempt to appear the perfect student that I was. "And I can promise you that I'm not the kind of girl to base her entire life on some guy she dates in high school. The only reason I wanted to go that far away in the first place was honestly just because I was running away from him when we broke up, but now that we don't, you know, hate each other, I don't have to. I can stay where I'm really happy, with my friends and my boyfriend."

"If you're sure," she said shaking her head as she flipped through a few files. "I'm going to have to make some calls, but don't get your hopes up. Just fill out your Yale paperwork, okay?"

"Thank you," I nodded and took the packet, staring at the Yale postage all the way down the hall until I smashed into someone and dropped everything. "Shit, I'm so sorry."

"It was you," an accusing voice said and I looked up to find Ruby on the floor as well, holding my Yale packet. "Of course it was you, I should have known."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, gathering my things as I stood and taking the envelope back. "What do you think I did to you now?"

"They only take one student from Storybrooke every year," she told me, still sounding like she was in utter disbelief. "I've been busting my ass as long as I can remember, and Yale took you? Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes. "I'm not in the mood for you and your bullshit right now. I'm finally getting my life figured out, I don't need you coming in and screwing things up again."

"You don't get off that easy," she snapped, shoving my shoulder back when I tried to walk away. "Yale was everything and you took that from me. You've taken everything from me from the moment you set foot in this town, but I'm done."

"Then leave me alone for once in your pathetic life," I snapped right back, pushing past her to continue my walk back to homeroom. All my friends were in the back on the floor, huddled together while they worked on one thing or another, so I dropped my things in an unceremonious heap before plopping down next to Killian.

"Well hello to you, too, beautiful," he said as he slid his arm around my waist to tug me closer. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I sighed, wrapping my arms around him as well and scooting even closer to him. "Just college stuff. I'll figure it out."

"Don't worry too much, love," he said with a light kiss to my hair that immediately had me relaxing. I didn't see him the rest of the school day but my mind was a complete mess by the time I saw him leaning against his bike waiting for me, immediately grabbing him to me for a deep kiss. "Mmm, I missed you, too."

"Take me home," I begged him quietly, desperate to go back to the solitary of our room in the basement. He had no objection, of course, running his hand up and down my back as I sat on our bed with my face in my hands. "Why? Why couldn't it have just been an easy day back?"

"Talk to me Swan," he said gently, pulling my hands down away from my face and lifting my chin to make me meet his gaze. "What happened this morning that's had you down all day?"

"Well you know how I had to go talk to Miss Jacobs?" I started and he nodded. "She doesn't know if she can get me into another school now, and apparently I stole Ruby's spot at Yale so she's going insane. All I wanted was to finish school on a good note."

"You will," he said simply, tucking my hair behind my ear. "Ruby has always been, well, Ruby, so that's nothing new for us. And even if you do end up going to Yale, that's not going to change anything between us. I'll visit, or even move if I have to. You're my Swan and I refuse to give up on us again, no matter what."

"Thank you," I said weakly, taking his hand and threading our fingers together as tears finally started to leak from my eyes. "I really really needed to hear that today."

"Any time," he smiled lovingly, bringing me closer and tucking my head into the crook of his neck. I let out a sigh when I relaxed against him, my eyes falling closed as I let him comfort me. It always blew my mind how easily he could make me feel better, even just with his words, everything about him just put me at ease. "That's what I'm here for."

"I love you so much," I sighed, looking up at him from my place on his chest. "I don't know how I didn't tell you that the moment I met you, but I do."

"Hush," he smiled, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "Let's just get started on our homework, yeah?"

I half smiled and pulled him down for a much deeper kiss before we let each other to get to work, laying on our stomachs on the bed to do our homework. He could always get us back to normal and I loved him all the more for it. He had gone back to being the constant in my life and I was infinitely grateful, the fact that he was willing to work with whatever school I went to easing so much for me. I just hoped we could keep this up.

Another update! It'll hopefully be easier now that my fiance is on the road and I have more time, so I'll do my best for you. (Side note, baby bedrest is boring) Later, loves!