Hello, everyone! This is the only story I've ever written. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I would most definitely appreciate your feedback and reviews!

The sharp sound of an alarm roused Emma from her sleep, but just before her hand reached out to press the snooze button on her phone, she remembered the alarm's purpose: today was supposed to be her first day at grad school. She reluctantly pulled herself up and rubbed her eyes, trying desperately to erase away any sliver of sleep. She was desperately failing.

Hoping cold water would do the job, she stumbled her way towards the bathroom, tripping over her last night's clothes but bracing herself against the wall before impact, and finally reached the sink that promised consciousness.

An hour later, Emma was driving to Harvard University, the place she knew she'd be spending most of her time at for the next two years or so. With Sia's 'I go to sleep' faintly playing in the background, Emma couldn't help but get lost in her own thoughts, recalling the first time she heard that song, and what circumstances revolved around it at the time. She shook her head once, but firmly, sending whatever painful memories threatening to climb to the surface tumbling down- it was not the time nor the place for such things.

Fifteen minutes later, Emma found herself being not-so-subtly watched by several students as she parked and stepped out of her car, a delicate but evident silence falling into place. She was never one to feel self-conscious, and knew that the main reason behind the stares was her car, a yellow limited edition Z/28 Chevy Camaro, with matt black rims and dark tinted windows. So, instead of glaring back, she just smirked and pressed the lock button on her key, making her Camaro beep and successfully making everyone in close proximity jump in surprise.

Emma was sure that there were tens, if not hundreds, of more expensive and impressive cars around, but she was well aware that her baby was still awesome. As she pulled her phone out of her back pocket to check the time, she was interrupted by someone's loud but friendly voice- "sweet ride!" the girl said. Emma turned around to find a tall, skinny girl with dark brown hair and red highlights, wearing a skirt and heels that did not seem fit for a day at university, but rather a night out at the club.

She couldn't help sizing her up, her eyes traveling from her long legs up to her hips and finally her lips- she was hot. Once she finally landed on her eyes, Emma realized that the girl was doing the same to her. She smirked, "Thanks."

"I'm Ruby, by the way," Ruby said as she put out her hand.

"Emma. Nice to meet you."

"So, Emma," glancing over at the blonde and grinning. "What do you study?"

"Psychology; I'm starting my Master's in counseling today."

Ruby's grin became wider, if that were even possible. "So, like, could you analyze me and shit?"

Emma couldn't help but sigh at that. Every time she mentioned her area of study, someone, without fail, had to ask if she could 'analyze' or 'read' them. It frustrated her beyond end. Not wanting to seem rude, she smiled back, "I'd have to lay you down on an expensive couch and ask you very personal questions to analyze you." She paused to look around, then continued, "sadly, I don't see any around."

The girl with the red highlights only continued to grin. "Well, that's a shame. I can think of at least one thing I'd like to do on an expensive sofa."

Emma only chuckled, catching the hint but choosing to ignore it. "What about you? What do you study?"

"I'm doing a Master's in business. Boring, huh?"

"Not if you love it," Emma countered.

Ruby faltered, but only for a split second, before replying. "I'm good at it."

"But do you love it?" Emma couldn't help but ask.

Ruby went quiet for several moments, and Emma cursed herself for asking too much way too quickly. She had just met this girl and she was already asking her things that were none of her business. "I'm sorry," she immediately said. "You don't have to answer that."

"Nah, it's alright," she let out a breath. "It isn't a big deal, really. My grandmother owns her own company and I'm the only relative she has. I have to study business so that I can take over someday."

Don't be stupid and ask about her parents, Emma thought. Ruby said she's the only relative, so that means her parents are definitely out of the picture. "What about your parents?" Ugh, you're an idiot, Emma. There's no doubt about it.

"Uh, they both died. I was young but I still remember them."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't mean to pry. I never knew my parents so I can relate," Emma spoke softly.

"Wait, you never knew them? How?" Ruby inquired.

Emma didn't want to go into details; she was a private person and didn't open up to others very easily, if ever. But she couldn't say so after asking so much of the girl- "Uh, yeah, I've been an orphan ever since I was a baby." There, that was more than enough for now, she thought.

"Sucks, doesn't it?" Ruby really knew how to comfort, didn't she?

"Yeah but it's alright I suppose; you can't really miss what you've never had, you know?"

Before Ruby could say anything, they were interrupted by a voice pooling out from microphones situated atop surrounding buildings, "if today is your first day as a student, please start making your way towards the desk at the end of this parking lot. The assistants there will give you your schedules for this semester and help you if you have any other questions."

"Here, give me your phone so I could give you my number." Ruby reached out and took Emma's phone from her hand before she could protest.

"Wait, aren't you going to that desk?"

"It's not my first day here," she grinned.

"Oh," and before Emma could say any more, she found herself looking directly at Ruby's behind as it sauntered away.

The rest of Emma's day was uneventful to say the least. She didn't meet anyone and she didn't attempt to start a conversation with any of her classmates. She didn't consider herself to be an introvert, but she wasn't very social either. She never found anyone interesting enough to start or keep up a conversation with, and that's why she could never form close friendships with anyone.

Her one hour break for that day finally came along, and she couldn't be happier. Her professors seemed good but somewhat dull, and she was glad to take a break from the boredom she had to endure for the past 3 hours. Finding an empty bench, Emma made her way towards it and sat down, a coffee in one hand and a paper bag containing her favorite pastry, a bear claw, in the other. Hardly lunch, but she wasn't up for anything more.

As she pulled it out of the bag to take a bite, she heard the faint click of heels approaching from her left, and turning around, pastry still at her lips, Emma caught a glimpse of possibly the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Dark brown hair that barely covered her neck, deep brown eyes, perfectly manicured eyebrows and full red lips. Emma noticed a scar above the woman's upper lip, and she wondered what circumstances resulted in such a scar.

The woman wore a black pencil skirt and a matching blazer, with a silk red blouse underneath. The faint click, she assumed, could only belong to those shiny black stilettoes the woman wore. Emma didn't need to see those red-bottoms to know that everything on that woman was expensive.

Before she could look away, the woman caught her staring and, to Emma's surprise, only raised an eyebrow and smirked. Emma quickly lowered her gaze back to her bear claw, wishing she had an invisibility cloak that could make her disappear on the spot. Thankfully, the woman continued to walk past her and didn't say anything, and that was that.

Or so Emma thought.

Ten minutes later, Emma realized that she was going to be late for her last class of the day- Neuroscience of learning and behavior change. She was actually looking forward to that one, and she heard that the professor, although strict, was one of the best in the psychology department. She certainly didn't want to screw it up by being late on her first day.

Even though she ran, she was still a minute late, and once she entered the lecture room, the professor had already started introducing herself. Emma didn't look up, and quickly made her way to the closest empty spot. "I apologize for being late, Professor. It won't happen again," she quickly announced.

"That's quite alright, Miss..?"

"Swan. Emma Swan."

"Miss Swan. You will soon discover, however, that I am much more irritated by being interrupted than by tardiness."

At this, Emma finally looked up to see none other than the beautiful stranger she saw ten minutes ago, and again, Emma was surprised to see a raised arch and a smirk instead of the angry scowl she expected.

Emma didn't get the chance to say anything else as the brunette resumed her introduction. "As I was saying before I was interrupted" some giggled, and Emma found herself sinking into her seat to hide the flush rising to her cheeks. "My name is Dr. Regina Mills, and I will be teaching you everything there is to know about Neuroscience of learning and behavior change. I'm sure you've heard many rumors about me. Anyone care to share with us?"

Someone in the back raised his hand, and Emma didn't have the energy to turn around to see who it was. "You're hella strict."

Everyone laughed, and the professor only smirked. "Very true."

Emma realized that she was staring at that smirk for too long far too late because Regina had to call her name twice before catching her attention. "Miss Swan?" she asked.

"Uh, yes, Professor?"

"What have you heard about me?" that smug smirk never faltering from those red lips.

"That, uh-that even though you're strict, you're still a remarkable professor and fair when it comes to grading."

"Can't deny the fact that I'm remarkable," she laughed, and the class laughed with her. "And yes, I try to be fair as much as I can. I like to see my students making an effort in my class, I like to see that they care. In my world, grades are not everything, and as such, I try to assess each student and their ability individually. Having a class of 19 students helps me do that, and I intend to do that, with your assistance, of course."

Emma finally looked around and couldn't see a single face that wasn't smiling, and she smiled, because this woman's words could certainly leave a crowd breathless at her feet. She looked back at her Professor and arrived to a quick but sure conclusion: this class was going to be her favorite.