A/N: A lot of people have been requesting this story. I have been working on rewriting it in hopes that maybe someday I could publish this love story, but since I have received so many requests I decided to post it once again. If you already read this story, thank you so much, but I rewrote everything. I extended scenes and added new ones so if you would like to reread this there are new things to look forward too. Thanks again for everyone's amazing support!!

Emma Swan

The small ding above the old diner rang above my head as I entered. The sound alone caused too many emotions to run rampant across my mind for me to land on just one. The old familiar chime was slowly tugging at the old scars molded into my heart. The past came rushing back with a heavy smack against my forehead. So many wonderful memories from all those years ago, just to be shattered in the end.

I'm not that girl anymore.

So, I wipe away those taunting thoughts and try to focus on the now, but is that any better? The past is suffocating but the present is exhausting. That bone crushing, muscle aching, head pounding type of burned out feeling.

Another trying day of work would be a nice way of explaining my day. I've been in my line of work long enough now to understand that some people just want to abuse the system. These greedy people are only foster parents for the check they receive each month. Is this what our world is coming to now? Self-absorbed humans who don't understand the simple concept of decency. It boggles my brain that these people are inevitably hurting a child and yet they don't even think twice about the welfare of these children. I'm finding it more and more difficult to find worthy enough homes to place these children in. I chose this career after college for one reason and one reason only.

"Hey, Emma!"

My lifelong friend, Ruby Lucas, called out from a booth while waving her hands dramatically in the air. Her overly enthusiastic personality always brings a smile to my face no matter how miserable I am feeling.

Ruby's long chestnut hair was straightened to perfection, laying across her lower back and swept away from her shoulders. A skimpy sheer tank top and short mini shirt to complete her ensemble, making her stick out in this family restaurant like a sore thumb. Some would say that my best friend for over twelve years, dressed a little inappropriately but I hardly notice that anymore.

Ruby's smile shined brightly as I approached her table. She was already sipping some fruity cocktail, that I assume she prepared herself. I attempted my best smile as I slumped down into the uncomfortable leather seat across from her.

Our old booth.

"Hey," I groaned miserably as I snatched the menu from the table. My eyes drifted across the small menu even though I already have everything memorized by now.

"Another crazy day?"

"You have no idea." I shook my head trying not to replay the horrific scenes from earlier. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ruby shift awkwardly in her seat. I peeked over the top of my menu and squinted my tired eyes at her. "What's going on?"

My friend cleared her throat and nodded her head toward the door. I began turning around when I heard her ask, "Isn't that..."

I cut her off immediately, "Yes, it is."

"And that's..."

"Yes," I exhaled knowing all too well who they are. I'm not an idiot, I knew they would be here. They are always here every Friday night. Ruby is the one that's in the dark about it all.

XXXXXXXXX

Six Years Ago

Beep beep beep beep

On instinct my hand flew out from under my pillow and slammed down hard on my alarm clock to stop the obnoxious beeping. Only three more months of this seven-a.m. class and I will be done. I can't wait until graduation day, it's so close I can practically taste the freedom but since it's right around the corner, I'm finding it rather difficult to stay focused in class and I can't deny how lazy I've become.

The sun is barely sneaking up over the horizon, casting a soft orange glow through my bedroom window. I stretch out my sleepy limbs and groan into my fluffy pillow. There's no acceptable reason to wake up before the sun does. Except for this Thursday class, I usually don't allow myself to roll out of bed until at least ten.

After I was finished making myself presentable for the day, I trudged my way to the kitchen to find my two best friends, who are also my roommates, already cleaning up after their breakfast. How the hell do they have time for breakfast this early in the morning? I'm barely strolling in looking like a zombie, complete with bags under my eyes and the incoherent grunts, but these two are bouncing around like they belong in some Disney movie. I wouldn't be surprised if birds were chirping a melody while some squirrels helped them prepare their meal this morning.

"Is it Thursday morning already?" Ruby teased while she gaped at Belle to add more dramatic effect. The shorter brunette simply chuckled softly in response, being the quiet one of our group.

Belle French has been one of my closest friends along with Ruby, since we were sixteen years old. She is definitely the quiet, respectable one of our small group of friends. She's the stereotypical good girl with her nose always stuck in a book, but her wavy, warm brown locks and piercing blues eyes drive all the boys mad. It's too bad she never gives any of them the time of day.

"Ha. Ha." I sarcastically mock while rolling my eyes. "Thank god this class is almost over! I am so tired of it. The professor is boring, the class is way too early and I really don't have any interest in it," I complained as I tramped my way to the pantry to find a granola bar. My go to breakfast since my stomach is still very much asleep.

"But you need this class to graduate Emma. Just hang in there, it's almost over. Besides, I heard that professor is being forced to retire," Belle smiled kindly as she attempted to lighten my spirits.

"Too bad it's after you graduate..." Ruby quipped. She's always been like an annoying little sister to me, full of smart ass remarks.

"Way to pour salt in my wound," I retort dryly. "So, are we still on for drinks tonight?" I asked slinging my backpack over my shoulder and retrieving my keys.

"Thirsty Thursday! You know it!" Ruby exclaimed.

"Alright, see you guys later," I confirmed before I closed the door behind me.

Even though I graduate in May with a sociology degree, I will still need a masters to do anything of importance with my degree. Once I graduate, I will try to find a job that somewhat relates to my future career and then continue taking courses to earn my masters.

I walked into the oversized classroom of Professor Glass. An older man in his late fifties who makes it very clear that he does not care for his personal appearance. His salt and pepper hair is always over grown and tossed around shamelessly, just like his scruffy face that desperately needs a trim.

Every time Professor Glass opens his mouth to lecture, I struggle to keep my eyes open from his monotone voice. This always comes as a shock to me because the man is intoxicated almost every day, I would assume that he would be a little more entertaining with that amount of alcohol seeping through his pours. The only reason why there are any students still here is because this is a mandatory class.

I slid into my regular seat located in the middle of the classroom. I pulled out my notebook and pen, preparing to take notes. I reached inside the front pocket of my backpack and pulled out my glasses. I slid my black framed glasses up my nose then proceeded to pull my long blonde locks into a high ponytail. Once I was settled, I tapped my pen against my notebook waiting for the class to begin.

My eyes were quickly drawn to a brunette sitting next to Glass's desk. I wondered for a moment if she is filling in for Glass today? I scanned the class until I found Glass setting up his projector. I pursed my lips and wracked my brain from our last class...I don't remember him saying we had a guest speaker today.

My eyes shifted back to the young woman. She couldn't be older than twenty-five. Her professionally painted face was smooth and free from any wrinkles. I studied the stranger for a moment, she was actually very attractive. Her sleek, jet black hair was slightly past her shoulders, framing her sculpted jawline. There was something in her big brown eyes that appeared stern but something, in the pit of my stomach, told me there was more than meets the eye. My eyes suddenly fell to her plump lips, well they were hard to miss, from the way they were painted a deep blood red. My eyes continued down as I took in her royal blue dress that was so tight, I wondered if she was able to breathe. Then came those black high heels. The heel was so high and so thin, I wondered how many times she's rolled an ankle in those damn things.

Too bad Ruby's not in this class, she would be drooling all over this mystery woman.

"Morning class," Glass started to speak pulling my attention back toward him, "this is Miss Mills, she will be observing and helping out until the end of the semester before she takes over this class in the fall." Miss Mills simply smiled professionally and greeted the class with a small hello before returning to her seat.

Glass began his lecture, but I found myself glancing every so often at the brunette. I bet she thinks this guy is full of shit, just like the rest of us. I watched as the new teacher attempted to mask her facial expressions every time Glass spoke. I could tell she thought he was an idiot. Even though all my friend's tease me, I swear I have this inner super power where I can just read people and this woman, trying to school her emotions, was like an open book to me.

The class resumed with its boring natural state as I tried to remain focused. I kept my hand moving across my notebook just to fight off the sleep that was taunting me in the back of my mind. After three dreadful hours, I was rushing home for my usual nap.

XXXXXXX

Thirsty Thursday was a ritual with my roommates by now. Four years at this college and every Thursday night we attended the same bar and drank until all our inhibitions were out the door. So of course, tonight we were out at our favorite dive bar, The Pub.

That's the name of it, just The Pub.

We were in a college town and this hole in the wall bar was all any college student needed to escape from the pressures of lectures, papers and professors. There wasn't much to this overly crowded bar except loud music, concrete floors and walls, a dark atmosphere (so everyone looked decent enough and nobody judged who you took home) and lots of alcohol.

The three of us all stood around a tall table, considering it was a Thursday night, this place was crowded. Everyone was crammed elbow to elbow like a bunch of sardines. The only light in the dark bar was from the flashing colored lights that danced around the room to the beat pounding around us. I could feel everyone's sticky heat radiating off their bodies. It was disgusting but that's college.

A waitress strolled by with a tray of shots which Ruby, Belle and I each grabbed two from. I pulled out some cash and tossed it onto the tray before the girl disappeared.

"I'm telling you Rubes, you would've been all over that new TA," I shouted over the obnoxious music, picking up our conversation right where we left off.

"I need to see this woman," she groaned while bouncing up and down. "Do you think I could get her?" Ruby inquired as she leaned across the table, expressing that I now have her full attention about this incredibly attractive woman.

"I don't know, she kind of seems like a hard ass, maybe a little stuck up." I shrugged my shoulders because I honestly don't know anything about the new teacher except from her stern eyes and cold stance.

"I love a challenge!" The taller brunette exclaimed as Belle rolled her eyes in return.

Ruby lifted her shot glass in the air and slammed back the cool liquid with expertise, showing off her confident side. Since I met Ruby, she has been open and proud about being a lesbian and it always worked in her favor.

"I mean she even had me questioning my sexuality," I stated, prompting all of us to break out into a fit of laughter before tossing back another shot.

"Well I'm glad to see something will keep your interest in that class," Belle teased as her face scrunched from the awful taste of alcohol sliding down her throat.

"Okay now I have to see this woman. Maybe I'll casually meet you after class next week."

"You could," I shrugged.

"Maybe ask her out for coffee? Not drinks right? That would be too presumptuous if she's snotty right? Maybe-"

"Who are you debating with?" I chuckled. "You know I'm not her pimp correct?"

"You have my mind spinning now," Ruby tossed back another shot and shook her head. "If you are thinking about switching teams then she must be something else."

"Shut...up!" I screamed as my eyes caught the familiar brunette being lead to the bar by a very tall woman with beautiful auburn hair.

"What?!" Both girls screeched in unison while their heads whipped around in search for some explanation of my sudden outburst.

"Well Ruby, today's your lucky day. Hot teacher is here!"