The shadows of the trees danced upon the cedar fence as I awaited Jefferson. They dapple the wood, leaves flickering like candlelight, creating a new picture from moment to moment. The perfume of summer's almost sunset blooms, and I could feel the cool of evening wash over me. The lamp in his bedroom glowed like fire, outlining his figure. Jefferson bounced from end of his room to the other until the light shut off and a few minutes later the front door opened. The blue and black stripped muscle tank caught my eye highlighting his defined arms, that were looking less like a boy and more of a man.

"Sorry," he greeted, teeth glistening behind his charismatic smile. "Shower took longer than I thought."

"Mmhm. I know exactly what that means." I turned around in time to keep with him.

"Okay, so I was watching Never Back Down today." He admitted, nudging his shoulder against mine. "You know what that movie does to me." I felt his fingers softly grip the inside of my bicep. "Changing subject…Glad we get some us time, before we really get some us time."

I nodded in agreement and angled my head slightly to kiss his gelled hair. Taking the lead, I guided us out of the neighborhood striking up small talk on our walk to Town Center. "Honestly though, is there really a point to look for a job before we leave?"

"It was your idea." I replied, shaking my head while untangling myself from him as the streets became more crowded.

"You should've told me it was a dumb idea. I still have to pack, do laundry, charge all my electronics, pack snacks…" he continued, using his fingers to count out the list of items. "And that doesn't even include all the things my mom wants me to do."

"I don't understand why you wait 'til the last minute to do things." I said, unsympathetic to his 'large' list of tasks that needed to be finished. Shoppers swarmed the boutiques with slogans stenciled to the glass fronts in fashionable off-white. They strutted from up-market cars to flash their credit cards in exchange for designer goods costing many times more the price anywhere else. The street that narrowed down to one lane each direction brought bright lights from each store front illuminated the joy a summer evening can bring.

"I can't pack early, because the clothes I want to bring are the ones that I will mostly likely wear, leading up to the trip." He defended, brushing his shoulder against mine once he could get close enough.

"Oh, right. How could I forget? Never mind that the trip is tomorrow," We chuckled at my sarcastic tone before we stopped in front of the coffee shop where I bumped into Warren. "Is this where you want start?"

"I figured we would just stop in every store and see what we could find." He shrugged walking to the door, but I didn't move. Instead, looked a few blocks down and saw a young woman passing out flyers, by a sign that said 'now hiring' with purple and black balloons tied to it.

"I think I'm going to check this place out."

Jefferson raised an eyebrow, sweeping curious eyes over my body language. I'm not saying I'm allergic to the place but I don't need to spend most of my days here. "Okay. If you finish first meet me and if I finish first I'll meet you."

"Sounds like the best plan you've ever had." I joked, earning a light push to my chest. Breaking off, I head towards the woman who was smiling as people walked past her. She attempted to hand out the papers she was cradling but the pedestrians brushed her off like an annoying fly. The sun had dipped behind the city, yet her skin glowed. There seemed to be a shyness to her, hesitation in her body movements, an adult but with an exuberance of a teen. She turned her back to me, slipping her fingers in her back pocket, and pulling out her phone. The muscle definition in her legs poked through the leggings she wore and the tight Underarmour sleeveless shirt framed the edges of her shoulder blade perfectly.

Soon, there was almost no distance separating us and heard squeaks of the soft voice trying to get the attention of a man walking with a young boy. However, he proceeded to ignore her. Clearly she is out of her element, and there was something in me that wanted to help her. "Excuse me."

The woman turned around, sending a light breeze my direction and the earthy, yet sweet perfume tickled my nose. "Oh, I'm sorry. Was I in your way?" She blinked allowing her eyelashes to flutter like the wings of a butterfly.

"No, you definitely weren't in my way." Pretty sure, I was making my attraction to her obvious, based off the way she seemed to shy away from me. Those irises' though, that's what held me. Her left eye was a rapturous shade of deep sea blue, much more appealing than my own, and hazel-auburn rondure sphere orbited in her right eye. "Saw the sign." I slid my eyes to the bright red letters painted on the plastic sign, then brought them back to the flawless skin-like silk over glass.

"Do you have experience?" she lifted an eyebrow before a playful smirk crossed her lips.

"In…?"

The woman laughed, tossing her long, blonde almost white hair. Maybe she wasn't as shy as I perceived her to be. "Let me show you." She led me to the door, holding it open to allow me to walk in first, and I couldn't help raise my eyebrows in surprise. Various people scattered around with harnesses strapped around their waist. Intricate rock like formations lined the walls and even a little on the ceiling.

"Welcome to The Climb." A proud smile crossed her face and just by the way she said, I could tell this place meant a lot to her.

"It's actually kind of cool." In reality, I was awe struck. I've rock climbed a few times, it was a lot of fun. Never did I think I could work at one of these gyms.

"I can already tell by your energy that you'll make a great addition, assuming this is something you are interested in?"

"I am but I have zero experience in this field."

"I figured." She chuckled out. "We can put you through our training course. It's about two and half weeks long but perks, you get paid."

"Hey, Madison!" a young man to our left shouted. She looked back at me with an apologetic expression. "Here-" The woman, Madison, handed me a flyer, "Let me go handle that, while you look over the description. Feel free to take a look around…?"

"Emma." I replied.

"Emma, I'll be back."

Madison walked over to the teen boy who looked about my age and was surrounded by a group of kids. I couldn't help but stare at the smooth curves that made her. There was something dare I say, almost stunning about her ordinariness. Something radiated from within that probably rendered her irresistible to both genders. After mistakenly making eye contact with her I silently promised to not look like a fucking creeper my first time meeting this woman. So, I busied myself by actually reading the flyer or rather, skimmed over it. Of course, covering the most important part. Like full time or part time, in this case part time. Hourly wages? For sure more than what I made at my last job. What's the harm in trying something new? It was only a few minutes later that Madison was jogging over to me.

"So, what's the verdict?" She asked, when she got closer.

"Well, I'm definitely interested the only thing is…I go out of town tomorrow so I won't be able to start for another few weeks."

"Great, I like you and I'm sure my pops will dig ya too. So I think we can work something out, but only if this is something you will want when you return. I don't want to hold the position only to find out you are going to look for another job. Deal?"

Nah, I don't think that will happen. Plus with Jefferson and I getting our place my parents will be relieved to know I'll have something set up when I get home.

"Deal." I reached my hand out in between us with my famous crooked smile. Picking up on what I was putting down Madison accepted the hand shake, iris's twinkling with fascination as she stared at me, and for the first time in a while I found myself feeling excited for the unknown possibilities of things sure to come.

I don't want to plan what will happen next. I don't want to stress about who I'll be with. All I want to do is get a true feeling for who I am. I want to let things develop as an old polaroid photograph, nice and slow. Perhaps Madison is a lifelong friend, a lovable rouge, or a person too damaged to give an emotional warmth. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoy meeting someone new, it's a divine pleasure.

Screw how things may turn out, I love the dance that begins.

The pure black of the night is my comfort, the blanket of generous velvet that keeps me safe. It is what makes the moon so beautiful, that makes a stage for her to stand upon. Unfortunately, we're not there yet, but I was hoping I could convince myself that it's later than it is. Yes, Coach Robin's house is where I stand. He said 'no matter how late it is Roland will wait up for you' but it's after 7, isn't there a rule about that?

Ah, who am I kidding, he's up.

I parked my bike in a roundabout behind two high end cars, noticing the fountain in the center. Never saw Coach Robin living in a place like this but the large windows, squared contemporary frame was proving me wrong. It was two stories high, not as tall as its neighbors but still stood out. Shudders blocked the view of anyone trying to get a peek through the bay windows, however it couldn't stop Roland's high pitched squeal from reaching my ears.

The door was solid metal. Nothing was going to budge it. The surface was flat and shiny like the outside of a stainless steel refrigerator. There was no handle, no lock, no hinges, nothing to get a grip on it. The top and bottom, even the sides, lay so utterly flush with the frame that if a robber attempted to break in through the front they would have one hell of a time. My eyes caught the keypad, specifically a button with a green phone etched in white paint, and naturally I pressed it. Roland's angelic fits of laughter quieted down and my nerves frayed to the quick. It's just Roland, so the anxiety I'm feeling doesn't make sense, yet it builds, so here I am, constructing elaborate rationalizations for why everything would turn out alright, but still the nagging voice spoke uncertainties.

The flinch of the blinds moving caught the corner of my eye and when I looked brown eyes peered through the blinds before I heard my name being shouted from the other side. Soon the metal door in front of me slid open accompanied by the sounds of Roland's grunts as he pushed with everything he had.

"You're here." He greeted after there seemed to be enough space to let me in. What followed was his awesome hugs, and I bent down in time to catch him. For such a small dude he sheds so much warmth. Maybe it's because he hasn't been tainted yet, happiness still flows so freely within. "I'm so happy you came."

I chuckled and rubbed my cheek against his hair, "Well, where else would I rather be?" In that moment the arms squeezed a fraction tighter and Roland breathed slowly, his body melted into mine as every muscle lost its tension to the summer air.

"With your friends." He replied, finally letting some space between us though he made sure to keep contact with me.

"You are my friend." Ugh, I need to stop using Regina's lines. However, him being 'my friend' is putting it mildly. This kid has become part of my soul. There is a kindness in his smile, of one who laughed with ease and saw the person under the behavior, a soul-connector. But then approaching footsteps clip-clopped closer and closer to us. I couldn't imagine it was Robin wearing such impractical shoes, and I was right. As the noise came to halt, I tilted my head up and saw oh so familiar heels.

The fuck bro.

Roland realized the attention was no longer on him, letting me go to swing his body around, and small gasp fell from his lips. I stood up, dropping my gaze to the boy beside me finding his apologetic eyes widen. "I'm sorry. I forgot." He mumbled, his cheeks getting tinted with red, and a thin glassy layer fogged the brown pupils.

"It's okay." I reassured. God damn, he shouldn't have to feel like this. He's not the child in a messy divorce, forced to pick his favorite parent. And what he doesn't realize is that as far as I'm concerned Regina comes first. After all, she's Roland's actually family.

"Emma, I'm sorry." His stutters were a precursor to the tears that would surely come if I didn't do something.

"Hey, it's okay. We can hang out some other time."

"Um, Roland. Why don't you come back inside?" Regina urged, stepping out of the way so there was a clear path. I could see the look so clearly on his face.

"But-"

"Roland." She repeated, making both of us flinch at the serious undertone. So I can't even say goodbye? Alright, cool story. My partner in crime seemed to be feeling the same way, crossing his arms and pouting then stomped inside. I turned around as the door closed sensing that Regina was still standing on the porch. I figured her dismissing Roland in that manner meant this conversation was over, so that's what I was trying to do, let it be over.

"You shouldn't leave." Her words gave me chills, and maybe it wasn't her words but the way they fell from those luscious lips. Ignoring the pull to go turn around I began to walk back to my bike, noticing her Porsche was nowhere to be found.

"I'll see him some other day. Besides, isn't that why you told him to go inside?"

"I told him to go inside so we can talk."

"Regina I didn't come here to talk to you. I came to hang out with Roland, so if that's not going to happen then there is no reason for me to be here." Taking my place behind the oversize fairing I pressed the button and my bike came alive. Out of the corner of my eye I picked up movement from the shudders slipping open, again.

Of course, Roland is watching.

"Emma-"

"Regina just stop." I'm ready to leave, though before I could go anywhere my wonderful ex planted herself in front of me. I tried to roll back but she grabbed the handle bars with both hands, much more gentle than the last time, and I can only assume it was so she didn't throw me off balance again.

"Emma." She softly repeated, locking her brown eyes with mine. Curly luscious hair fell in front of the beautiful iris's and I gripped the bars in order to keep my fingers from brushing it out of the way. Despite everything, this is how we stay. "Don't go. Please…" A tickle ran up my spine when Regina placed her hands on top of mine.

"Why?"

"Because there was a time when you did the same for me. Don't let what is going on between us affect you and Roland." Just before it happened there was this vague sense of familiarity that washed over me. Seconds before Regina spoke I knew what she was going to say. "I think we can put our bullshit aside for a few hours, don't you?" Ugh, so many déjà vu moments in the last 15 minutes, from me telling Roland we are friends like Regina did in the parking lot that night everything changed, to her begging me to stay like I did for her during Roland's Family Picnic. "Please…come in." she urged.

She must've seen the mental decision to say yes through my eyes because Regina released the hold she had on my hands and took a step away from my bike. Keeping a note to make sure I keep my facial expressions neutral I turned off my bike, pushed down the kick stand with my foot, and followed her into the house. When we stepped inside I noticed Roland was sitting at a large wooden table then looked at me with faux surprise.

"Emma! You stayed." He sat up and patted the empty wooden chair next to him.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Regina asked, veering towards the kitchen that seemed so far away in comparison to the front door. Dude, this house is fucking huge. How in the hell can this man afford a place like this?

"Water is fine." I answered while took off my boots and walked over to the dinner table he was sitting at. "I did stay." I quietly whispered to Roland. Amid the flour that covered the wood, there he sat clustered around a pasta machine. Him and I kept up idle chat as I watched him feed the dough through the rollers, noticing it get longer and thinner. After setting down my water Regina kept herself busy in the kitchen, making meatballs. I have already eaten but between the fresh pasta he's pushing out and the meat on the stove my stomach is making some noises.

"You're pretty good at that." I whispered.

"Aunt Regina taught me." He replied, focusing on his work. "She's good at that, ya know, teaching things. Can you turn the dial?"

"Oh trust me, I know." I did as I was told and changed the roller's thickness, and he continued to set in the dough until it was long and papery. Damn, I could almost taste it already covered in tomato basil sauce and sprinkled with parmesan. It was hard to believe that all it was, was flour and eggs, kneaded and shaped.

"I'm really happen you came. I was starting to think you forgot about me." Roland whispered in a voice that was barely audible.

"Are you kidding? I could never forget about you." My tone was unwavering as I helped him slide the last piece of dough through the machine, and this seemed to grab his attention. Dropping his hands, he gazed at me. His eyes were open and honest as any child, a warmth and safety. But I can see through them. I can see his worries and the gentleness just the same. I see how every emotion comes together to form the art of his soul.

"I guess I'm just nervous I'll never see you again. Everyone thinks I don't know what's going on but I do. You and Aunt Regina, your light isn't the same."

In that moment I felt my heart break, "My light?"

"Yea, the thing that makes you Emma. My mom told me everyone has a light and if you watch them closely you can see it." Well Lexi, way to raise an observant kid.

"Your mom is a smart woman, and regardless of your Aunt and I, our friendship won't change." and only now I remembered that there was more than us in the room. I glanced over his shoulder to find Regina leaning her low back against the junction where the counters met with her ankles crossed, as a wine glass casually played at the tip of her fingers. And then I did what I shouldn't have…

I looked at her.

Under the light her eyes were the color of deep sienna, a mischievous glint seemed to reflect the corners of her mouth which were fighting a smile. They glowed with humor and playfulness that gives you shivers and wraps you in a warm embrace at the same time. She didn't break contact, even in her lazy position she was glued to the Earth like a war horse's gait. Books always go on about how pretty blue eyes, how you can fall into the sea, but what they forget is the sea is dangerous. Brown eyes are like chocolate, and chocolate is less dangerous than the sea. But yet chocolate just doesn't do the color justice either.

I detected a hint of desire behind the stereotypical indifferent expression in her eyes. She seemed to go through dark recesses of peculiar anomaly that was usually hidden behind the mask. Her features reflected her "light", silent, alert, and almost unnoticed. I can see that this isn't Regina teasing me or lusting me back in. This is the way she looks at me; this is the way she has always looked at me.

"You promise?" Roland asked. Oh yea, we were having a conversation.

"Promise. Plus, who would teach me how to make pasta again?" I joked, lightly tapping his stomach, smiling at the giggle that slithered through his lips.

"Roland." Regina called, taking him and I out of the little bubble we created. "Why don't you go upstairs and get ready for your bath. By the time you're done dinner should be ready."

"Yes ma'am." He gazed of his shoulders with curious expression pointed towards me. "You'll still be here, right?"

"Scouts honor." I replied, and when he took my answer he skipped to the kitchen, grabbed Regina's hand and pulled her up the stairs. The sound of her high heels hit the wood floor, it was at this time that I took in her outfit. Blouse, tight jeans, and black boots. That's definitely her 'hanging with friends' clothes. I wonder where...

Nope.

No.

Fuck. No.

What she does and where she goes is no longer my business.

The water rushed through the pipes and heard the giggles from the two upstairs. I gazed at the door again, still in semi shock that Coach lives here. I stood up, grabbed my water glass and head towards the kitchen. I ran my hand over the wall tile, each one of them a smooth horizontal glass bar about two pencils thick. Perhaps pulled away from the wall they would be translucent, perhaps they would cast the irrepressible sunlight into the seaside tones they were. The deepest of them was like driftwood, another was the same as the sand, the blue was like the ocean on a cool Autumn day rather than one of tourist season. The floor was made of dark wood and black planks in a chaotic swirl of wonderfulness. Paint on the walls matched the sandy color from the tile in the kitchen.

Pictures covered the walls but in a way that didn't make it feel cluttered. Pictures of Roland as a baby, his first day of school, his birthdays. Pictures of Marian and Lexi, but then I hit the jackpot. What I see is a young Regina, maybe the same age as Roland. Long hair pulled into a low side ponytail that curled at the ends, a dress with flowers printed on the fabric, white stockings and white shoes. What looked to be school books were clutched tightly between her arms and ribs, and the smile she wore was one of excitement. More pictures of Zelena, Robin, and Regina filtered through out and I couldn't help but look at all of them.

A light clearing of a throat sounded behind and I jerked at the noise. I turned around to find Regina standing in between the sliding glass doors that separated the entry, kitchen, and dining area to the living room and upstairs, "How long have you been standing there?"

"Mm, not too long." She smirked then glided back into the kitchen. I was staring, maybe too hard but she didn't seem to be bothered by it; washing her hands then finding dried noodles, breaking them in half and dropping them in boiling water. "You don't have to stand there. You can stare at me just the same on this barstool over here."

I could feel the heat growing on my cheeks, and by the time I made it to the chair they must've been beyond an attractive rosiness. We stayed in silence accept for Regina calling Roland's name to make sure he was okay. The silence caressed my skin like a cool summer breeze, smoothed the wounds and took away the jagged edges.

"I'm glad you decided to stay. You really made Roland's night." She turned towards the sink, across from me, and began washing dishes.

"Thanks for convincing me." I slid my fingers against the condensation beading the outside of the glass and gave Regina a genuine smile but she didn't return like I had expected. Her eyes were trained on some invisible spectre behind me, her seemingly heavy eyelids a fraction too slow to blink, her irises too stationary. It was as if her brain was short circuiting and struggling to compute. What did I do? "Regina…?"

"Hmm?" and then it was gone. She contorted her lips into an awkward, toothy smile, her cheeks weren't as compromising-reluctant to be falsely molded. "Oh, well I didn't really do anything." She turned away and rummaged through a drawer, pulling out a slotted spoon to test the noodles.

"What's wrong?" It's none of my business, I know this but she's been quiet, off…it's strange. "If it's too weird for me to be here then-"

"No, no. Roland, remember." The back of her shirt began to rise with each movement Regina made and the skin I know to be smooth began to show. "Can you drain the noodles while I check on Roland?" she spun around and I jerked my head up from the distracting pose. Making no indications that she noticed I was checking her out she bolted, leaving me to analyze our strange interaction on my own. Did she suddenly remember how I left her last night? I shook my head in attempt to rid my thoughts of her and remind myself I'm here for the kid. I drained water from the pot holding the noodles then rummaged through the cabinets in search for plates. A thunderous booming roared through the house accompanied with carefree laughter.

"Aunt Regina you don't play fair." Roland shouted as his heavy feet sprinted down the stairs with Regina closely behind him.

"You should know that!" she replied going a little faster once they were on solid ground and wrapped him in a bear hug from behind. He was just in his basketball shorts, droplets of water still dripped off the ends of his locks and it was only in this moment that I realized how long his hair had gotten since I've known him. Man, this dude is gonna be a looker once he grows into his features. As the two tumbled in the living room I found the plates, napkins, and silverware.

"Emma, Emma I need you to save me!" he shouted as she picked him up and slung him over her shoulder. There is something so intoxicating about an excited child. They bounce, they pounce, they squeal and they run. As their grins get wider everyone around them starts to smile. This is how I feel watching Regina spin him around, his arms flailing out to me. The desperation in his pleads intensify as she tickles him without shame, and for some reason this kicked me into action. Everything happened so quickly but it felt like I was moving through the room in slow motion.

When I reached them Roland wasted no time clinging to me but Regina gently pulled him back, "You're not going to get away that easy." She teased.

"C'mon Emma, you got this."

But it turns out the only thing I had was making things awkward. I know her sensitive spots and like a dumbass I reached out and poked in between her fifth and sixth rib causing an impressive shriek and the immediate drop of Roland.

"Yes, we win!" he shouted. Maybe it was the excitement that shielded him from the pained look Regina was giving, not physical pain but…well…

"Yes. You win. Go wash up for dinner." She walked away from us, straightening her back in the process and smoothed out her shirt.

"But I just took a bath." He whined.

"Roland."

"Yes ma'am." He mumbled after I put him down. When he disappeared from view I crept back into the kitchen to find Regina with her hands resting on the edge of the counter, shoulders were drawn to her ears, head bowed, deep inhale, slow exhale.

"Can I help with anything?"

She sucked in a sharp breath and her head shot up, dilated pupils shown through heavy lids, "No." There was a flash of annoyance. In that moment she seemed to funnel all her strength and her body relaxed. Just like that.

"Dude I can tell something is wrong."

"Dude?" the disbelief in her voice was clear. "Dude." She whispered under her breath before slowly shaking her head. "We were more than just-no…no. I can't-I'm not even supposed to be here."

"What are you then?" Another shocked look and to be honest the almost accusing tone that came out of mouth surprised me as well.

"Robin and Marian had a thing. I was not even made aware that you were going to stop by..." And though it may have seemed like it, I knew that wasn't the end of the sentence.

"Otherwise you wouldn't have showed up." I finished for her, already knowing the damn answer. Those earthy eyes looked through long lashes, only solidifying what I already concluded.

"Okay so I'm thinking Goosebumps or Ghostbusters with dinner. Which one do you guys think?" Regina and I stared at each other, knee deep in silence dismissing Roland's suggestions. The faucet drips into the sink, each one reverberating around the room like a cymbal. "Um, hello."

"Goosebumps." Regina replied, not breaking eye contact with me.

"Emma?" he questioned, wanting my weigh in.

"That's fine."

"Awesome. That's what I was going to pick but I didn't know if you looked scary movies." Hey Em, can you help set up the tent and get the movie started."

"I think that's a wonderful idea." Regina stated and I guess that was the approval he needed. His hand gripped mine and with a soft tug, pulled me away from the staring match. We pushed the furniture around, or really, I pushed the furniture around while running over what in the fuck just happened. A big part of me wants to leave but every time I mentally make the decision to say 'I'm out of here', Roland adds a 'thanks for hanging with me'. So there I was, caught between a rock and a hard place.

Once our make shift tent was put together, Roland queued the movie just in time for Regina to bring our plates over. After all the lights had shut off the only thing to brighten the room was the plasma T.V. For the most part we ate in silence aside from the slight chuckles one of us would slip out. Roland and I scarfed our food down in a very us like fashion, while Regina took her time and still finished before we did. We paused the movie once and that was long enough to rinse the dishes in a half assed before cozying up in the tent.

Regina took the right side, I took the left, and Roland snuggled in between us, shortly after the muscles in his face began to release the tension of the day. Brown eyes fall off the screen, and he rested his head on Regina's chest as if the effort of watching was too much. A hand reached behind his back calling for mine, I gave it to him. That was the last thing he needed to be content. I found myself scooting closer and Roland cuddled against me, while I creepily watched his head rise and fall with Regina's breathing. She threaded her fingers through his almost dry hair-the soporific effect seemed too irresistible, bringing sleep only a few minutes later.

I feel myself following suit when I know I can't. There is still a little to pack and I want to make sure I get a decent sleep since I won't be in my own bed for a little while, and yea, I can literally come up with any excuse to avoid falling into this comfy bag of awesomeness.

"I'm gonna-" I started in a whisper.

"You can finish the movie, if you're into it." She answered without letting me finish.

"I can't." Slowly I released Roland's hand and started to sit up, catching a glimpse of Regina's curious look, "Tell him I said goodnight."

"But not goodbye, right…?" With precise movements Regina managed to slide her way from under Roland, replacing each gap she made with a pillow. We crawled out of the tent and towards the foyer where my boots were, mulling over the question.

"No, not goodbye." I finally replied, intrigued by the sigh of relief that filled her. But then that was it. There was no use trying to fight the peripheral glances I made while I tied my shoes, until I just stared. The wide eyed blank stare told me she was deep in thought; sometimes a loss of words says more, "Well, thanks for letting me stay for dinner. It was delicious…as usual."

Finally, her deep earthy eyes darted to me and a meek smile fell on her lips. She gave me a short nod then followed me to the door. I looked for a door handle to slide this heavy piece of metal to the side but found none. I was going to turn around, however Regina stretched her arm over my shoulder and her fingers hovered the keypad.

"Emma…" the push of air that pushed out her lips danced across the back of my neck, "What are we?" Um. Was I not clear?

I turned around, leaned against the metal; careful not to make contact with the arm that was still above me. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean." She replied, resting her palm on the door behind me, slowly creeping closer. "Tonight, it was like I wasn't even there. The way you looked at me, like…a friend." Her shoulders slumped and her eyes cast down in a mournful gaze. "Dude." She whispered under her breath. "Last night felt like the end, but…I need clarity."

"It's not the end Regina." I assured, "but I don't know, I think right now I just need some time away from you."

The muscles in her cheeks protruded and she finally looks at me, the fire in her eyes has been dowsed with ice water.

"We can still be friends…" I continued, hoping that would somehow soften the blow, at the same time realizing how stupid that sounded. 'I need space but let's be friends'. Insert internally eye roll.

I light scoff echoed around me as she drew her hand back, "I thought you hated cliché's." The silence seemed to stretch between us, pushing Regina further and further away from me. "I guess already knew…Maybe you're right," she continued after some time, "Maybe we should just take some time apart." I was expecting it to come out snide and a little condescending but instead it was oddly calm, like realization and acceptance found a way to meet in the middle. "We were supposed to end up together at the end, not break up but…" and then it was like her entire being surrendered, "God Emma, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

"No it's not. You are not the only person in this relationship, Regina." I planted myself in front of her. "I know I definitely made some questionable decisions." She looked at me with so much sorrow that I really almost felt sorry for her. So I did what I thought I was best, "I should go." I took one last look into those beautiful eyes; the color of rich soil flecked with black and I could tell exactly what she's feeling. Two swirls of thoughts, revealing a soul so naïve and at the same time so sagacious. They were as deep as her soul and as luminous as amber.

"Listen, before you leave. I just want you to know, that I won't pressure you. I want to give you space. I want you to let me know when you're ready and in the meantime I'll be working on myself, because-" she shrugged her shoulders as a faint smile crept on her lips, "Let's face it. I have some inner work to do." Regina dropped her hands to my hips and gripped me like I was her life vest and I leaned into her. I honestly don't know what kind of parting this is. "It doesn't have to be a relationship right off the bat, it can be…" she waved her hand through the air, and as quick as she left it was right back where it should be, or was, "Whatever we want. I wouldn't want to put any weight on us when we do come back together."

"When?" I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head up in the process.

"I'm optimistic." But this crack in the solid ice that seemed to surround us was only that. Just a crack, "Seriously, I want to be in your life, any way I can."

"What if you're not ready when I am?" I questioned.

"Then I'll let you know, but…" she sighed heavily and backed away from me, like always the cold there in form of goosebumps. "This may sound contradictory to what I previously said, however…this is life and if you meet someone-"

"You wouldn't want me to pass that up." I nodded in agreement, "Likewise, but I don't see myself jumping into another relationship."

"Only the Universe how long this parting between us will take."

She looked at me with a longing that I have seen too many times. So much love is in those eyes, love that she has for me.

But, I guess…

This is it.

"Goodbye Regina." I responded, the words struggling to be heard. Turning around I pressed the button her fingers were previously hovering over, and slipped out of the house.

"Not goodbye Emma. Good night."

Her words sent a tingles down my spine, spreading out through each nerve and didn't plan on stopping even after the door was shut.

It was a cocoon of steel, the walls so elegantly curved and wrapping around to create this inner space. Beams supported so many windows, let in so much light that in the daytime it is as bright as any summers day. As we all know, at the airport there are two speeds. One, is when the people moved as chaotic rainbows. Flowing from the check in desks, to the café's, and through the gates. The other is serene. When the bustle reverted to ease, quiet rivers of humanity freshly roused from their slumber. The floors are clean and white, reflecting the early rays and the man made light the same. Luckily, we were on the latter end of that.

Jefferson and I stood in front of the plasma screens, watching the arrival and departure times flip through. People were line at the check in desk with suitcases and baggage. There was a sculpture of a whale with water cascading from its mouth. In the background soft classical music played, and the lounge was a mixture of boredom and excitement-like some were waiting for a bus and others were waiting for Santa himself.

"Well it looks like we've got about 25 minutes until boarding, how do you want to kill time?" For once Jefferson's hair wasn't in the perfect state, instead his sleek hair was feathery and ruffled.

"Food. Definitely food." We dipped in the pond of faces moving in the unseen current, keeping our eyes out for different cafes. We found a bagel shop at relatively decent price, the downside? The line was fucking forever long.

"So, how was your night with Roland?" Jefferson started as we took a step forward.

"It was interesting." Doing my best to avoid where the conversation would surely go. I eyed the menu hoping to find the basic bacon, egg, and cheese…but oh, not just any cheese. Goat cheese.

"I like the sound of interesting, please do continue." Already the curious tone was setting in.

Let's just get this over with, "Regina was there."

"What? What happened? Did she know you were coming?!"

"Nothing happened, really." Except for the fact that I officially broke up with her. "And I don't think she knew I was going to be there. Now what's going on with you? Any new guys I should be aware of?"

"Stop trying to dodge the question. What. Happened?"

Hooking my thumbs underneath the straps of the backpack I adjusted the weight on my shoulders to be evenly proportioned, but really stalling the inevitable, "I got to Coach's house, Regina was there. We both stayed cordial until Roland went to sleep. Then I broke up with her."

Jefferson's eyes were a laser beam burning a hole in my cheek. He couldn't possibly be surprised after everything that has gone one between Regina and I.

"Like, actually broke up with her?"

"Yes, like actually broke up with her."

"Oh." Oh? Oh? That's it? All of that and all I get is a fucking 'oh'? "Are you okay?"

"Yea, I mean," I shrugged my shoulders feeling the straps slide off them again, "I feel like Regina loves me it's just we need some time apart. Ya know."

"I do know" Jefferson stated, wrapping his arm underneath mine. "I'm proud of you Emma. And I'm proud of her." I looked at him with a raised eyebrow but couldn't. I found that the cat has got my tongue. "I'm happy that you stuck to your guns and uh, it doesn't seem like you blamed it on what's her name…?"

"Cora." I deadpanned.

"Yes, Cora. Even if you believed it in your heart of hearts-"

"I don't." I quickly interrupted, "It's not her fault. In the end she was looking out for her daughter, although she has an interesting way of showing it."

"Shitty." Jefferson corrected. We took a few steps forward sharing a small chuckle, "Just say it. Now Regina, she could've gone all desperado on you but decided to let you have your space. So all in all I'd say this is a fantastic growth experience."

"Thank you Dr. Jefferson for your therapeutic advice. You can bill my card." I teased. We laughed, I mean really laughed. Probably too much for the A.M crowd but who gives a fuck.

"Enough of the heavy?"

"Please!"

It took a while for our fits of outburst could be tamed but we got under control before it was our turn to go order, which was a nice mood changer. The last few days have been a buildup of pressure and now I can finally let off some steam. After we got our food and ate, we casually strolled back to our gate in time to find them starting the boarding process. We fished out our tickets and passports, enjoying all of the surprised faces when we got in line for first class.

"Pretty sweet Ruby set us up like this. I gotta put this on the The Gram."

"The Gram?" I swear I can't keep up these fucking names.

"Yea, Instagram." He said, as though I should've known that. As the woman checked our info I let the moment sink in that I'm here. I fucking made it. This trip used to seem like it would never come.

We walked down the pathway and were greeted by two women with forced smiles. "Welcome, can I help you find your seat?" one asked, though I could tell she didn't really didn't give a shit. Probably not looking forward to two teenagers in this area of the plane.

"No, we're 2A and B." I replied, giving her a short nod before we slipped around them and took our seats.

"Hope you're okay with me using your shoulder as a pillow for the next many hours." He was already pulling his blanket and head phones out.

"And that's different than any other day?"

"Hey!" he gently shoved me, before doing exactly what he warned me about, "thanks for inviting me." Jefferson's voice dropped an octave indicating the mood had changed.

"Of course, thanks for saying yes."

"Duh. No, say salami." Jefferson held his phone up with camera already opened to selfie mode.

"Salami." I replied before the snap of the photo, hearing the cabin doors shut at the same time.

The flight attendants went through their safety procedure and food options even though they knew no one was paying any attention.

"…Now sit back, relax, and enjoy." The captain said, ending his announcement and the plane began moving. Jefferson had his eyes closed and blanket wrapped around him like rice on sushi. I looked out the window, and watched the guys guide the large aircraft to take off.

Damn was this senior year a fucking trip, or what? In the beginning it was all about doing what needed to be done so I could get out of that fucking place, then it was all about Regina, and now...I suppose it's about me.

What will I do?

I have no fucking idea.

Not a clue.

And guess what you all.

Like it or not, I'm good with that.

A/N: Sorry for the delay. Don't give up hope on SQ. Seriously love your reviews and honest opinions. I will never get enough of those. When I need motivation I just reread your comments. XOXO