Making Exceptions (swanqueen)

Chapter 6: Ruined

The brunette smirked at her roommate, "I thought we were making exceptions, here."

Emma woke up the next day with too many things to think of. How should she go about wooing Regina? Should she go to class and attempt to learn more about not only the professor's subject, but also the professor herself? Should she skip the class the next few days? And what about being Regina's assistant? Was that still a withstanding job? Or had that ended before it really even started?

Before the blonde could read too far into her current, overly upsetting situation, she received a text from the woman of her thoughts.

Emma-

Please do not forget office hours today. I could still use the help, and you still need to serve your time. :)

The blonde stared at the message before passing the phone to her brunette roommate that was sitting across from her.

"This is good, Emma," Ruby encouraged, handing the blonde her cellphone and a cup of fresh coffee with nowhere near enough sugar for Emma's liking. "It means she isn't upset with you. Maybe she just needed some time to think things over, too. I mean, you did, didn't you."

"That's the thing, Rubes," Emma sighed, rubbing one palm over her face. "I didn't take the time think things over. I basically jumped the woman and I barely even knew her."

"Well, you obviously saw something you liked." The brunette smirked over her coffee cup and winked at the blonde.

"This isn't the time for jokes, Ruby. I'm really struggling with this." Emma shook her head. "This isn't who I am. I don't just go after a woman like this. I do one night stands. I do hit-it-and-quit-its. I do women with no strings attached. I don't fall for people."

Ruby smiled again, this time it showed how much she cared, instead of her humor at the blonde. Reaching across the table she pulled Emma into a hug, "Emma, we had this conversation last night. Obviously Mills is an extremely different situation. You need to make an exception here. You don't want her slipping through your fingers, do you?"

"I don't want her running away, do I?" Emma sighed. She was resigned to agreeing with Ruby eventually, but it would be much easier for her to end this thing she and Regina had now, than Regina ending it later, right?

Right.

"Emma." Ruby gave the blonde her signature glare, "You're being an idiot."

"EXCUSE M-"

"Shut up." The brunette put a hand over her roommate's mouth. "As I was saying, you're being an idiot." Ruby took in the other girl's look of hurt, "I mean that in the most loving way, honey. But you do need to know that I do mean it."

Once Ruby removed her hand Emma spoke. "I don't get it. Why am I an idiot?"

"Because, Emma. The woman of your dreams just asked you to come back and you're sitting here questioning if you have a chance with her instead of getting ready to see her and woo her."

Emma looked at her best friend, "You're right, Rubes, but I'm scared."

"You should be. Mills is one scary bitch." Ruby ducked an unfrosted cupcake that flew her direction, but smiled when she heard laughter break from her long-time friend's lips.

Regina rolled over and looked at her alarm clock. She didn't have any classes to teach on Fridays, but she still had to keep up with her administrative duties. Why she ever agreed to take over the head position when her mother retired and to continue teaching classes was beyond her.

At least I now have Emma to help me.

Emma. The adorable, foot-in-mouth blonde who had attacked her with her lips after only knowing the professor for a day.