A Twist Of Fate

Chapter 1

"Ok. Raise your glasses bitches we made it. 4 years of high school is finally behind us and Storybrooke High can kiss my ass. Cheers".  We all clink our drinks together and take a sip. "Elegant as always Ems".  "Of course Ruby nothing but the best for my besties". It's such a great feeling every time I hang out with my friends. We've had this night planned for weeks. After the last day of school we would all meet at the lake for a small bonfire that night.  It's me, Ruby, Belle, Killian, Graham, and one of my best friends Regina.  Regina is one of the first kids I met when I moved here. I was 7 when I was adopted by Mary Margaret and David Nolan and they brought me here to Storybrooke. It's not easy being the new kid in a small town but Regina kind of took my under her wing and ever since my first day in second grade she's always been there for me. So here we all are 11 years later sitting around a fire having a few beers to celebrate our up coming graduation. We're listening to music, laughing, telling old stories. It's just awesome. I love all these people. I'm really going to miss them when most of us leave for college but we all still have family here so I'm sure we'll all see each other from time to time. I get up from the fire and walk to the waters edge. It's a beautiful early summer night. After a few moments of being alone I hear a voice. I look to my right and it's Regina. "Is everything ok Emma?"   "Ya. I'm fine. I was thinking about how much I'm going to miss all of you". She puts her hand on my shoulder and gives it a light squeeze. "Emma can we talk for a moment?"  "Of course. What's up?"  She looks back at our friends and then at me. "Can we go over here for a little privacy". I nod and flow along. We walk over to the little wooden play castle they have here for the kids and we take a seat. "So. What do you want to talk about Gina?"  "Well I like you Emma".  "Ok and how is that different from how you usually feel?"   "I meant I really like you Emma. Like I think I'm in love with you and I have been for a long time. I was always afraid to tell you because we are such good friends but knowing that your going away soon for college, I new I just had to tell you". Her words take me by surprise and it's an even bigger surprise when she leans in and kisses me. It takes me a second to realize what's happening and I pull back. "Whoa Regina where is this coming from?"  "It's coming from my heart Emma. I know I shouldn't have waited so long to say something but I need to say it now before we both are too many miles apart". She puts her hand on my face and rubs her thumb over my cheek.  She leans in to kiss me again and I back away. "Regina I can't. I'm sorry. Look. I love you too. Just not the same way you do. There was a time when I may have been but you really never showed me you were interested in me like that".  "I know and I'm sorry. I should have said something but maybe we can have a chance now". "Regina I cant. I've been seeing someone for about 6 months now and I really think it could be going somewhere".  "You've never said you were with someone. Is it someone from school?"  "No. I ran into her when I was at a college tour in Boston. We really hit it off and we've had a long distance relationship for a while now".  "That's why your always disappearing".  I see a few tears forming in her eyes. "Regina I'm so sorry".  "It's fine Emma really. I waited to long and I missed my opportunity". She hugs me and quickly walks away. I'm totally blown away by the conversation we just had. I stay at the castle for a few minutes and run what was just said through my head again. I feel bad that I had to turn her down like that but I'm in a good relationship right now and I don't want to ruin that. I start walking back to the bonfire and I see Regina isn't there. I grab a beer from the cooler and take my seat next to Ruby. "Where's Regina?"   "She said she wasn't feeling well and wanted to go home". Ruby tells me. "Damn". I say quietly to myself but Ruby heard me. "What's wrong Ems?"   "Regina just told me that she's in love with me and kissed me".  "Shit. It's about time. She's had a thing for you forever, but what happened, why did she leave?"  "I told her I was seeing someone right now and that I'd wished she would have said something a long time ago".  "Why the hell did you say that. You two are perfect for each other".  "I said it because it's true. I have been seeing someone for about 6 months now. She lives in Boston".  "Bull shit Emma. You would have told me by now".  "I couldn't Rubes. She hasn't come out yet to her family, plus she's a little older than me".  "How could you do this to Regina Em?"  "Do what?  I didn't do anything. She never told me she was interested in me ever. How was I to know?"  She looks at me and shrugs. I finish up my beer and get up from my beach chair. I tell my friends that I'd see them soon and head home. I walk into my house and my parents are sitting on the couch watching tv. "Your home early. Did you have fun honey?"  My dad asked. "Yeah. It was nice".  "How much did you drink Emma and did you drive?"  My mom asks a little judgmental. "I was there for 3 hours mom. I had 2 beers and something to eat. I was fine to drive. You know I wouldn't have driven if I wasn't".  "I hope so Emma. I really hope so".  "I shake my head. "Ok love you guys. I'm going up to my room. Night".  "Night sweetheart". My dad says and smiles at me. I get to my room and change and lay in my bed and think about Regina. I really do feel bad. I hear my phone ping with a text message. I look at the screen and it's my girlfriend.
"Did you have a nice time with you friends tonight love?" 
"It was nice, but something happened and we need to talk about it".
"Let me guess your drunk and got into another fight with Killian because he hit on you again".
"No, but good answer. It actually has to do with Regina". 
"Is it serious?" 
"She told me she's been in love with me for a while and then kissed me".
"She didn't".
"Yes she did".
"What did you do?" 
"I told her that I love her but not in the way she wants. She's always been my best friend since I came to Storybrooke. She got upset when I told her I was seeing someone and she ended up leaving the bonfire".
"You didn't tell her your seeing me right?" 
"No baby of course not, but what are we gonna do?" 
"Emma. Please just give me a little more time. Are you still coming to see me on Wednesday?"
"Yes baby. I'll be there. I miss you".
"I miss you too sweetheart. I'm going to sleep now. I'll try and call you in the morning. I love you".
"I love you too baby. Sweet dreams".
We ended our texting session and I plugged my phone in, shut off the light and went to sleep.