Surviving High School

Chapter 17

Emma lay there in the darkness, she felt a small tear fall slowly down her cheek, "I hated nightmares, especially this one. This one has been haunting me all week. I haven't been awake long, but I wasn't asleep for very long either" the young blonde thought to herself.

It was around 2 am whenever everyone practically passed out, but it took a little longer to sleep to take over for Emma.

Everyone was scattered around in various parts of Ruby's living room. Tink, being smallest of the group, was curled up in a small, cute ball on the rustic brown armchair with the black throw wrapped around her. Ruby and Belle were wrapped sweetly and securely in each other's arms on the couch not needing any covers to keep them warm, they were content with being in the warmth of each other.

The blonde couldn't help but feel slightly jealous. The girl craved Regina's loving touch that could calm and reassure her in an instant.

And finally, Zelena and Emma had taken the floor with a pillow each. Zelena had a thin single person duvet and the blonde had the thick red blanket from Ruby's room.

Emma checked her phone and saw that it was 4 am, she was asleep for perhaps just over an hour at the most.

The blonde let out a rough sigh as she ran her fingers through her thick blonde mane.

The eighteen-year-old bit her lower lip as Regina's words from yesterday afternoon in the classroom echoed in her ears "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 sighed.

Emma stared at the contact name 'Gina' with a small heart emoji next to it on her phone as she contemplated whether to call her or not, "she did say that I could call her, and there was no one I want more right now, but at the same time I don't want to wake her; I would feel bad for waking her, especially at this time on a Saturday morning" the girl thought to herself.

The blonde frowned in defeat as she tapped the call button. The girl turned the volume down and tucked the phone between her ear and the pillow. She bit her lower lip as the ringing noise sounded in her ear.

Emma squeezed her eyes shut, "Baby" she heard from the other end of the phone. The other woman's voice was raspy, low and tired.

The young woman immediately felt guilty for waking the brunette up.

The blonde choked back a sob as Regina spoke, "sweetie, hey, what's wrong" she asked in an urgent yet gentle and caring voice.

Emma frowned, "I just can't sleep" she mumbled softly.

There was a soft chuckle from the other end, "you know you can't lie to me, Em" she responded.

The blonde felt another tear make its way down her cheek as various flashes went through her mind.

The girl sniffed slightly, "talk to me, Baby. What's wrong" Regina asked gently.

Emma practically melted as the use of the pet name. Regina used it quite often now, as she quickly figured that it was the girl's favourite out of all the little names she used at different times.

The blonde shook her head even though she knew that the teacher couldn't see, "I'll explain later, Gina" she mumbled quietly through the darkness of Ruby's living room. The girl couldn't find the voice to talk about it right now.

Emma heard slight shifting on Regina's end, "do you want me to come over? Ruby and Zelena know about us, right?" She offered up.

The blonde felt her heart clench at the older woman's offer, "God, that only proves how much I want her with me. Here I am, one night with her holding me and suddenly I'm addicted to her touch. The little, often, gestures were always a favourite of mine but sleeping wrapped in her arms was something else altogether" Emma thought to herself.

The girl couldn't help but smile but it soon faded, "Tink and Belle are here too, not to mention Granny" she muttered with slight annoyance lacing her tone.

"God, I would do anything to have Regina holding me right now. Holding me tight against her body in her loving embrace. Her arms wrapped around my waist, holding me close and protecting me from any harm. My face cuddled into the crook of her neck, her light smell of apples, the sound of her breathing and the gentle pulse of her heartbeat acting as the lullaby that sends me to sleep" she thought unable to stop her thoughts from running wild.

Emma sighed, "I'm sorry for waking you, Gina" she mumbled softly.

Regina let out a soft sigh, "you don't have to be sorry, Baby. It's okay" she quickly reassured the girl.

The blonde bit her lower lip subconsciously, "okay" she mumbled shyly.

Emma shifted slightly in her spot on the floor trying to get herself into a more comfortable position, "I meant what I said, Emma. Every word. It doesn't matter what time it is, I'm here if you ever need me" Regina repeated, reassuring the blonde once again.

The girl choked back another sob as the tears started flowing more freely now, "are you sure you don't want me to come and get you, Baby" the brunette asked quickly, her tone much more worried that it has been.

"Yes, come get me. Hold me in your arms and tell me that everything is going to be alright" Emma thought but never said.

Emma sighed, "it's okay, Gina. I'll be round at yours soon anyway" she whispered.

Regina chuckled and the sound brought a small smile to the blonde's face, "I see you haven't forgotten" she joked light-heartedly attempting to lighten the mood.

The girl giggled lightly at her small joke.

Emma curled up into a small ball and clung to the red fabric as if her life depended on it, "please don't leave me" she gasped out, unable to hold the plea back.

The girl was vulnerable, weak and she didn't like it. The blonde hated being weak.

Regina let out a soft gasp, "never, Emma. I'll always be here, no matter what" she told the girl gently.

The blonde sighed at her soft words, "close your eyes, Sweetheart. Try to get some more sleep" she told her.

"I feel like a child. Like a stupid, needy, worthless child. But at the same time, I feel safe. She makes me feel safe" Emma thought to herself.

The blonde gently closed her eyes and listened to the brunette's steady breathing on the other end of the phone. Emma sighed as she slowly drifted off into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.