Surviving High School

Chapter 16

Emma sat in English drowsily with a pen in hand trying her best to pay attention to what was going on but was failing miserably. Everything around her was slightly blurred. She could see Regina's lips moving at the front of the room as she taught but the girl couldn't hear; she couldn't focus, she could barely see past the end of her nose.

It was the last lesson of the week and throughout the lesson, Emma has been trying to force herself to stay awake. The blonde has been doing that in various other lessons throughout the day as well.

Emma felt her eyelids begin to droop again, "Miss Swan, I would appreciate it if you at least made an attempt to pay attention in my class" the brunette teacher snapped in a stern tone that the young girl only ever heard directed towards other people.

The blonde mentally slapped herself.

Emma flinched slightly at her harsh tone, "sorry, Miss Mills" she mumbled softly.

The girl bit her lower lip, "I don't ever want to get in trouble with her again. I don't like that stern, harsh voice that she uses whilst in class. I prefer her soft, caring voice that shows nothing but kindness in love; the voice that very few got to hear" the blonde thought to herself.

Regina gave the student a swift nod as she stared at her intently from across the room, "stay behind after class, please" she hissed causing a small frown to cross the young blonde's face.

Emma heard a few people behind her begin to mutter among themselves. The girl was practically a teacher's pet as far as they knew. She was the 'good girl' who never got into trouble in this class, not even when she and Regina weren't on the best of terms for that brief time.

The blonde nodded slowly in response, not trusting her own voice, and Regina continued with the lesson.

The girl was planning to stay behind after class to try and steal a kiss before heading out with the girls but now she's a little uneasy and nervous about what is about to come.

The bell rang through the school signalling the end of class and everyone practically leapt up and scurried out of the classroom, but Emma remained seated.

Regina quickly closed the door after the last person left and turned to face her girlfriend; the blonde could see nothing but disappointment in her eyes.

The brunette let out a harsh sigh, "what's gotten into you, Emma? You've been blanking out all week" she muttered.

Emma sat there for a moment trying to figure out how to respond.

The blonde cleared her throat gently, "it's not just this class, it's most of my classes" she mumbled honestly with a small frown.

That was the one thing the blonde couldn't do, she couldn't lie to the older woman. At least, not directly. She could shield the truth a bit but when it came down to telling her things, the girl is completely honest.

Regina made her way closer to the blonde until she was standing right next to her.

The brunette watched her for a moment before speaking, "are you okay, Em? You look like you haven't slept in a week" she whispered as she trailed her fingers through the girl's blonde hair.

Emma couldn't help but lean in to her gentle touch.

The blonde sighed, "because I haven't" she muttered before biting her lower lip gently.

Regina's cocoa eyes widened, "what? What's wrong?" She asked urgently, worry filling her tone as her voice softened once again.

The blonde let out a small sigh, "I've just been having a bit of trouble sleeping lately" she whispered softly.

Regina gently pulled the girl into her arms.

Emma let out a soft, content sigh as she wrapped her arms around the woman's chest and buried her face into the crook of her girlfriend's neck. The blonde inhaled the familiar smell of apples from her shampoo and instantly felt comfortable.

Regina pulled back slightly but still held the girl protectively in her arms. She reached out and tucked a small strand of her blonde hair behind her ear as she stared into her sea-green eyes.

Her cocoa orbs never left Emma's for a second, "what's wrong, Baby?" She asked again, her tone was much softer and calmer than it had been previously.

Emma let out a small sigh, "nightmares" she mumbled honestly as she tangled her fingers with hers.

The older woman gave the girl's hand a gentle squeeze, "do you want to talk about it?" She asked softly.

The blonde slowly shook her head in response, not trusting herself enough to speak.

Regina nodded, "okay but I'm always here if you need me, you know that, right?" She asked the student gently.

A wide smile spread across the blonde girl's face as she spoke, and she nodded.

Regina's big, beautiful cocoa eyes stared at the blonde, "do you want to come over later?" She asked her gently.

Emma let out a soft sigh, "God, as much as I wanted to say yes, I know that I can't" she thought to herself.

The blonde frowned, "I can't, I'm staying at Ruby's tonight" she mumbled softly.

Regina nodded slowly, "yes, Zelena mentioned it to me this morning. It looks like another sleepless night for you then" she muttered with annoyance lacing her tone.

The sleepovers at Ruby's usually weren't that bad, everyone passes out eventually so Emma was sure she'll be able to get at least a little bit of sleep.

Emma slowly leaned forward and placed a quick and gentle kiss on the older woman's lips.

Regina pressed her lips back against Emma's and smiled as they pulled apart, "well then, I want you over tomorrow morning" she husked with a soft chuckle.

The blonde couldn't help but giggle at the older woman.

The girl quickly nodded, "of course, Gina" she whispered.

Emma slowly got to her feet and threw her bag over her shoulder.

Regina's hand never left her own, the blonde clung to it tightly as if her life depended on it. Regina walked with her to the door.

The brunette pressed her lips against the girl's temple.

The blonde smiled at the small, gentle touch.

Regina smiled, "I'll see you later, Baby," she told her girlfriend softly as she ran her thumb across the smooth skin of the girl's hand.

Emma felt her cheeks heat up, "God, I loved that pet name" the blonde confessed internally, although the brunette woman already knew how much she favoured it over any other.

The blonde nodded and gave the older woman's hand a small squeeze.

Regina stared at the girl for a moment, "if you need anything, and I mean anything, or just want someone to talk to at any time, call me. I don't care if it's three in the bloody morning, you call me" she told her in a soft yet stern voice.

Emma nodded quickly, "I will, Gina," she told her.

The older woman nodded as she pulled Emma into her arms.

Regina wrapped her arms around the blonde's waist and pulled her tight against her chest, "have fun, Em" she whispered softly.

The blonde nodded as she reluctantly pulled away from her warm embrace.

Regina chuckled, "you should probably go before Ruby and Zelena start thinking that I've stolen you from them and send a search party out looking for you" she joked light-heartedly.

Emma giggled at her comment, "bye, Gina" she whispered softly.

The brunette smiled and quickly pressed her lips against Emma's, "goodbye, Baby" she whispered before hesitantly letting go of the blonde's hand.

Emma shot her a small smile before walking out of the classroom and off to meet the girls.