"Uh, hey. I'm Emma." I replied, sounding more irritated than I wanted to.

"You shouldn't be sitting here all alone! Besides, you look upset." Regina poked, clearly disregarding my irritation.

Upset isn't even half the story. I tried to find anything to look at other than her.

"I'm fine, really."

Regina shook her head and smiled. "No way. I'm not falling for that. But you don't have to tell me anything. I just don't want you to be lonely." And with that, she settled in and started carefully slicing her piece of cheese pizza like some kind of… I dunno… queen.

She had long, dark brown hair and tan skin that I envied instantly. Brown hair coupled her deep brown eyes. I wish I was that pretty. But I'm stuck with pale skin, blonde hair and green eyes.

Charming says I look like him, which is dumb because he's just my foster dad. But sometimes, when no one is looking, I like to pretend.

She looks kinda Hispanic. I wonder if she's Hispanic. I mulled over whether I should bring that question up while I slowly poked at my tray of mac & cheese.

"So… are you new here or something? I haven't seen you around…" I blurted, trying to make the awkward blush that formed on my face from concentrating so hard on her features go away.

"Yeah, my family just moved here this summer. I really like this town. It's small and it seems like everybody knows everybody. I like this school too. Everybody seems really nice."

I stared blankly at her. She obviously hasn't encountered the not-nice-at-all side of our grade. Like Killian and his friends. I hate Killian so much. But I guess it wasn't always that way. Ever since last summer, everything has been… different. Nobody knows why except Killian and I. Nobody has the guts to ask either of us. Killian's friends don't even know, they just do whatever he does. Idiots. But they just started picking on me and teasing me. Then it just got worse from there.

The bell rang and everyone rushed around, lazily throwing their trash away then hurrying to their lockers. Regina and I got up and started to make our way through the bustling crowd, when suddenly a hand came up and whacked my tray out of my hands. Trash scattered onto the floor. Some kids paused and stared but most just slowly walking away, pretending to be oblivious. This torment had become somewhat of a normal, everyday event so most people just kept their distance to avoid being caught in the riptide. I inhaled slowly, anticipating what was coming. I turned around to face Killian who looked like he was in one of his moods. The small crowd that casually formed around me started to back off. I tried to follow suit, but he caught my shoulder. He took my head and slammed it against the wall with particular force. Passerby gasped in shock. He's never done anything that bad. No one moved, as if staying still would somehow make them invisible. I felt hot, angry tears rush down my face. My head throbbed and dizziness overcame me. I could no longer see anything but I heard what was going on.

"HEY!" I heard a voice yell. It sounded like Regina- but angrier.

"This is none of your business. Although I saw you sitting with our little bitch over here. You must be her new slut." Killian purred.

I felt warm hands stand me up slowly. I leaned weakly onto this person, whoever it was, as I tried to stop my body from shaking.

"It's okay, I've got you." It was Regina's voice. She held me in her arms as my sight began to return. I blinked sloppily and was faced in front of a lady- my math teacher, Ms. Belle.

"Mr. Jones, see the principal immediately." Ms. Belle quipped shortly, jerking her head in the direction of the south hall. She turned to address the small group of people still lingering, "Every single one of you should be in class. Go on your way." She took hold of my arm gently, pulling me away from Regina, who was still cradling me protectively. "Come on, Emma" she whispered quietly, "Let's get you to the nurses' office."

I dizzily nodded and leaned onto her arm softly as we walked. I turned around for a moment to look at Regina.

"Thank you." I managed to whisper through my pained, quiet sobs. She smiled softly and nodded, though a vein of concern adorned her forehead.

As I stumbled off, I contemplated my biggest concern- her. Regina. Why did she defend me like that? She doesn't even know me. She doesn't even know who I am and what I've done. I don't need anyone to defend me. I can handle my own problems. I mean, I guess it was pretty bad this time but… that doesn't matter. This won't last. If she ever finds out, she'll be like Killian soon enough.

But as I stared at the tile floor below me while I sat in the dimly lit nurses' office with an ice pack pressed against my head, I couldn't help but wonder if I might be wrong this time. I wondered if I had actually found a friend.

A friend in Regina.