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Chapter Text

The smell of cheap vodka and weed wafted through the air, the staple of any good college party. Of course, Regina would have prefered to spend her Friday night somewhere that her designer shoes didn't stick to the floor, but Karen had heard her newest crush was throwing a house party. So that's where they went.

After the 'incident'-as people had began to call it- at North Shore, The Plastics had split up for the remainder of high school. It was only when they all somehow found themselves at the same college that they reunited. Naturally, things were tense at first- it was hard for them to trust anybody after everything that had happened, but especially the people that they were surrounded by whenever it all happened- but over time, they begin to remember why they had gravitated towards one another in the beginning. Their power had always been something to be admired, it was just their dynamic that needed a little work.

After reuniting, they naturally fell back into their old positions within the group- Regina being the leader, Gretchen gathering knowledge about everyone and everything, and Karen being unwaveringly supportive of the other two- but while that stayed the same, other things had shifted. Regina no longer told the other girls what they could and couldn't do, if she every tried, Gretchen and Karen no longer would have listened, and overall, they were all trying to be better people. To each other, at least.

College was different than high school, they had discovered that quickly. Popularity was no longer measured in the same way that it had been in their younger days, and even then, most people paid no attention to any sort of hierarchy. At least not externally.

There are three things that are certain in this life: birth, death, and the innate, primal need to be liked. History has been nothing but popularity contest after popularity contest, showing time and time again what happens to those who aren't liked. Those who claim not to care about being liked are just lying to cope with the fact that they know it's never going to happen. Those who care, those who will do anything to make it happen, those are the people who they write the history books about.

While people no longer shivered when accidentally making eye contact with Regina, it was undeniable the effect that the trio still had. They walked down the sidewalk? People parted like the Red Sea. It was raining after class? Boys would offer their umbrellas just to keep them dry. Regina wore a baby tee with a bitchy saying on it to the bar? The next weekend, all of the girls would have the same one.

It was a ripple effect, the same way it had always been, just without the fear.

Most of the time.

No amount of lacrosse could have taken away all of Regina's anger, and sometimes it just slipped out. Like that night.

Gretchen had recently been assigned a new lab partner in her biology class and after just one class together, she had sworn to the other girls that he might be the one for her. It was ridiculous, and the old Regina would not have hesitated for even a second to tell Gretchen that, but the new Regina had just smiled and nodded through the whole story. She knew that Gretchen would be over him and have a new crush within a week, but she wanted to be supportive. That's how she ended up in a house that belonged to somebody she didn't know surrounded by even more people that she didn't know.

As soon as the three had walked through the doors, Gretchen had gone to try and find the sole reason they were there- she had really found her own independence in her time away from Regina- leaving Regina and Karen alone. The two had promptly found the alcohol, taking a couple shots each of whatever vodka was left, just before Karen found some guy to make out with. The blonde always found herself getting a little slutty after any amount of alcohol, and while calling her a whore was on the tip of Regina's tongue, she managed to bite it back. Something that would have been impossible two years prior.

Still, she rolled her eyes before grabbing a seltzer and pushing her way deeper into the party. She felt eyes on her from all angles, but after so many years of practice, she didn't even flinch. Instead, she just tossed her perfectly straight hair over her shoulder and followed the sound of music. A sound that ultimately led her outside and into a shitty garage.

She felt her eyes roll again involuntarily. Of course this shitty party would have a shitty band playing shitty music in some shitty garage.

She stood at the back of the small crowd, contemplating asking one of the guys standing around to get her another shot-something that she was sure any of them would say yes to- whenever the people in front of her moved, giving her her first real look at the 'band'

As she suspected, they all looked like people she would have relentlessly bullied in high school. Hell, they looked like people she still would not have been nice to then. Wannabe punk rockers who wouldn't ever make it past being gas station workers. Dressed in black, messy hair, eyeliner. Smudged eyeliner at that.

Of course, that last part was mostly about the drummer, the band member directly in front of the girl, the one who she could see the clearest. His hair was unkept, but whether it was intentional or not was a mystery to her. She decided it would have been a miracle if he had graduated high school, and she was halfway through a thought about how he probably sold weed out of his parent's basement whenever he looked over at her for the first time. As their eyes met, his movements halted for a moment, seemingly forgetting what he was doing. When he did remember where he was, he couldn't seem to find the rhythm, causing Regina to roll her eyes for the third time in only a matter of minutes.

Rodrick wasn't really sure what had happened. He never messed up, at least not like that, especially at gigs. But there was something about the blonde girl who stood at the back of the crowd that had mesmerized him as soon as their eyes met. Maybe it was the seemingly miles and miles of smooth, long legs beneath her mini skirt, maybe it was the way he was sure that her picture was under the word 'perfect' in the dictionary, or maybe it was the way that she looked at him like he was worthless. The way that her expression read that she was less than impressed, that he was sure she wouldn't cared if he lived or died. How she rolled her eyes like just looking at him was an inconvienence. In that instant, he knew that he needed to know every detail about her.

But that would have to wait. He still had a set that needed finished. By the way his friends had looked at him when he messed up, he knew it had been as bad as he imagined it, but he couldn't find it in himself to care. He would take all of his friends bitching at him later if it meant getting to look at the mystery blonde for even a second longer. He blinked for just a second to get himself back on track, but by the time he tried to find her again, she had vanished. His eyes searched frantically through the crowd, but there was no sign of the blonde hair that had stood in front of him seconds before. So he focused on getting through the set.

This gig had been on the calendar for months, one that him and the whole band had been looking forward to anxiously. Truth be told, it was one of their only gigs, but they were sure that it would be the gateway to something bigger. Of course that's what they had said about the last one. And the one before that. Still, they all remained optimistic, sure their time was coming.

Rodrick was considering then that maybe this gig was a gateway into finding a girl who he would do anything for instead of a career. And he couldn't even be mad about it.

As soon as the last chord was played, as soon as the music died down, he was standing off the stool and shoving his drumsticks into his back pocket. His band mates called after him, but he didn't care. Too determined to find her to care about what they had to say.

After searching inside the small house, he began to grow frustrated that he couldn't find her. He had even gotten a cup of beer to drown his sorrows in, giving up hope that he would find her. It was only when he turned to walk back to the garage that he saw the familiar glint of blonde hair.

Unfortunately, he hadn't seen her in time to stop the turning motion, thus he ran right into her, spilling the entire cup of beer down her shirt.

"Shit- sorry," Was the first thing he could think of to say, dropping to the floor without a second thought to retrieve the cup.

The girl still hadn't spoken, frozen in place like she couldn't believe what just had happened. Her gaze pierced through him, eyes so intense that he couldn't help but shiver.

Standing, he grabbed a couple of napkins from the table, "Here, lemme help," He mumbled, reaching towards her to try and sop up some of the liquid dripping down her body. Before he could get close enough to touch, she reached out and caught his wrist.

"Don't," Was all she said, voice as icy as her eyes had been. Rodrick knew just from that word that he would have done anything for her.

Reaching for her own napkin, Regina glared back at the boy in front of her, "Didn't your mommy ever teach you not to stare?" She barked out, and he realized that he was suddenly jealous of all of the surfaces that she had ever stood on, wishing that he could be the floor beneath her feet.

"Uh, she did," Rodrick answered stupidly, shoving his hands in the pockets of his too tight jeans, leaning on the table, "But she didn't tell me what to do when there was a goddess in front of me"

Regina was obviously not impressed, rolling her eyes instead of responding

Still, Rodrick waited for her to say something.

She never did, instead turning to walk away from him.

"So listen," Rodrick said, following her, "I really am sorry about the beer, let me make it up to you. Let me take you-"

"No," Regina cut him off, never turning to look at him again. She found Karen and Gretchen together, the latter with tears gathered in her eyes.

It was a clear sign that her night had not gone the way she wanted- the way Regina knew it wouldn't- but she didn't say that.

"Let's go," She said to her friends, ignoring the man's presence still behind her, "This party blows"

Agreeing, the other two stood, leading their way to the front door .

"Just one date," Rodrick tried one more time, leaning on the door frame once the first two girls had cleared it.

Regina continued to walk, still not looking back, "I don't date losers who didn't graduate high school," Were her parting words, following her friends, disappearing into the dark night.

"I did," Rodrick called after her, watching until her blonde hair vanished into the night, "Barely," He muttered to himself once she was out of his sight.

Shaking his head, he headed to grab another drink before going back to the garage to reunite with the other members of the band, ignoring their jabs at his screw up from before.

Their words fell on deaf ears, Rodrick replaying the short interaction over and over in his mind. The way she had looked at him like he didn't matter. How her fingers had felt wrapped around his wrist. The fact that she was entirely unimpressed with him.

He didn't even know her name, but by the time later that night that he had finally found his bed, he had come to two realizations: She absolutely hated him, and he would follow her until the end of the Earth.

Chapter Text

It was over two weeks before they would see each other again, and while Regina may have all but forgotten about the interaction, Rodrick couldn't seem to get her out of his head.

After she had left, he had asked every single other person if they knew her name. Most of them didn't, but the few that did either told him to avoid her or laughed because he never had a chance.

So this girl, whatever her name was, she had a reputation. Not a great one at that. Some people may have run away at that notion, but it only made Rodrick's obsession burn hotter.

He knew that she probably lived close, and he had a pretty good idea that she was a student at the local college. Much like Rodrick himself, something that shocked most people whenever he told them.

Higher education had never been his goal, had never been something that he was interested in, but he knew it was the best way to get his parents off his back while continuing to pursue his music career. And college provided the band with more opportunities than they had ever had. So he stomached through a couple of bullshit classes a week just to be able to get to the weekend.

Now every single place Rodrick went, he was on the lookout for shiny, blonde hair and a cutthroat eyes. He even went to all of his classes for those two weeks- something that he never did- in hopes that he would catch a glimpse of her again.

Something that hadn't happened until a random Wednesday as he was leaving a lecture on film-making through the ages. Usually, he was one of the first people out of the lecture, anxious to get home, but his earbuds had gotten stuck in his pocket- it was a whole ordeal- meaning that he left the lecture hall a couple of minutes later than he normally would.

He was feeling vaguely annoyed about the crowd of people that had gathered on the sidewalks, contemplating whether or not there was still enough room to skateboard rather than walk, whenever long legs in a mini skirt caught his attention.

Now, to be fair, that combination on any frame would have stopped him in his tracks, but the familiar hair that sat a couple of inches above was what made his breath catch in his chest. Although he had only seen her that one night, he had been dreaming about her ever since, and he was positive that it was her.

He hadn't realized that he was still stood in the middle of the sidewalk, paralyzed just by being in her presence, until somebody bumped into him with a rough, 'Watch it'

The sudden force brought him back into reality, and he blinked slowly a few times to ground himself. Realizing that she had continued to walk and was only getting further away, he quickly began to follow her, watching the shine in her hair as she navigated through the busy campus.

Some people may have considered that stalking, but he was considering it chasing after his dreams.

He watched as she walked into a local coffee shop, contemplating what he was meant to do next.

Of course he hadn't just followed her route to simply watch from afar- that would be considered stalking- but he also had no idea what he was going to say to her. For two weeks, he had sat and thought about this exact moment, but now that it was in front of him, he was at a loss. But he knew that he couldn't let her get away again, so he took a deep breath and walked into the coffee shop.

By the time he had entered, she had found a seat, coffee in hand and was concentrating on something on her laptop in front of her, earbuds blasting music into her ears.

He wondered what kind of music she liked and even went as far as to imagine her telling somebody that her favorite band was his own. Of course, gathering from her reaction at the party, that wouldn't be happening anytime soon.

Realizing that he couldn't just stand in the doorway, he decided to just go for it. There was no reason to be nervous, of course she would like him. At least that's what he told himself as he walked over, tossling his hair as he did, taking the seat across from her without asking.

Peering at him from over her laptop, Regina's eyes narrowed before she looked back at her laptop screen, "No," Was all she said, clearly not interested in having a conversation.

"I didn't say anything?" Rodrick responded, eyes tracing the slope of her nose even as she ignored him.

"Up," She said next, no room in her tone for negotiation, and without thinking, Rodrick did exactly that.

Standing up, he internally cringed, not sure what he was supposed to do now. But there was something about the way she talked to him that made him want to do anything and everything that she asked. Though there was no ask, no kindness in her tone. No, she hadn't asked him, she had told, and he had obeyed without a second thought.

Still focused on whatever she was doing, she spoke again, "Now leave"

Obviously he couldn't give up that easily, especially not when just her voice made his heart thunder harder in his chest, but it was clear she was busy.

At least that's what he told himself. Not that she absolutely despised him and wanted nothing to do with him.

"Listen," He tried, sitting again, determined to get more than a word at a time out of her, "I get if you're still mad about the beer, let me buy you a coffee, make it up to you"

She looked him up and down, eyebrows furrowing. Not in a genuine curious way, but in a 'who the fuck are you' way, "What?"

"A couple of weeks ago, party, my band was playing, I spilled a beer on you," It was hard not to be hurt that she didn't know who he was, but it was easy to forget as she pulled out a lipgloss and coated her lips in the fruity gloss.

The way the brush swiped across her lips, he had never wanted to be an object more. Had never craved something he had never tasted the way he was then.

"Oh my God," She was finally looking at him, but her facial expression read one of pure disgust, "Are you stalking me?"

Mentally, he struck his palm to his forehead. Of course it would look like that, of course, and what could he say? 'No, I just saw you after class and followed you here' while that would be the truth, it did sound a lot like stalking.

"Uh," Was all he could think of to say, mouth opening and closing like a fish.

"Oh my God," She repeated, closing her laptop and beginning to pack her things back into her bag.

"No, no, God no," Rodrick finally said, desperate to not let her go again, "I just wanted some coffee, saw you here. Coincedence"

"So then where is it?"

"What?"

"The coffee"

Oh. Yeah, that was something that he hadn't been thinking about whenever he had thought of the lie.

"Oh- well, I guess I just saw you and forgot"

She rolled her eyes, putting her laptop into her bag just before she began to zip it.

"C'mon, Princess, let me buy you dinner," He tried again

Her eyes rolled at the nickname, but to his surprise, she didn't say anything about it, "No," Was all she said instead, a word that he was realizing was her signature. And while she said 'no' a lot, he had a feeling that she wasn't used to hearing it. Though he knew he would never tell her no.

He should have just accepted it and let her be, but she wasn't just some girl. She was a girl who he couldn't get out of his mind, a girl who had become the muse for his songs.

"Why not," He pleaded instead, truthfully not expecting an answer.

"I don't date losers," She said cooly, her bag over her shoulder although she was still sitting.

The fact that she hadn't left yet gave him hope, and he leaned back to try and appear aloof.

"I'm not-"

"Could've fooled me," She said, standing finally, "It's not gonna happen"

That was something he couldn't accept

"What's your name?" He asked, hoping she would at least divulge that information.

"Confidential," She replied, beginning to walk away.

As she began to walk away, heels clicking with authority with each step she took, he continued to watch her. The hope in his chest was beginning to dwindle, but as she reached the door, she turned for just a second to look back at him, eyes running up and down him once more.

If he had blinked he would have missed it, but he had seen it. And he replayed it over and over in his mind, having to sit back down at the table to fully grasp what had just happened.

That's when he noticed it, his next beacon of hope.

Whether she had left it intentionally or just forgot in her hurry to leave, there sat her basically untouched coffee in front of him, lip gloss stain still fresh on the rim.

That wasn't what caught his eye though-however, after he realized he was desperate to know what the mark would feel like on his skin- no, it was what was written on the cup. No, it was six letters that solved one of his biggest questions.

Regina

Her name, something he hadn't the privilege to be told, but now he knew. And it was perfect. It suited her unlike any name he had ever heard, and his hope renewed tenfold.

Regina

He repeated her name over and over in his head, sure that if he said it enough times, it would make her want him.

And if that didn't work, something would.

He wasn't going to stop until he found the thing that would make her want him.

Chapter Text

Just as the first one had been, the interaction was quickly pushed to the back of Regina's mind. She knew there was no use in wasting her thoughts on some emo loser wannabe, so she focused back in on the essay she had been trying to write whenever she had been interrupted.

Or at least she tried.

At first, it was easy to think about something other than dark hair and lined eyes, but the longer she wrote, the more her mind began to drift back to cocky smirks and stumbled words. Each time her thoughts shifted, she only allowed it for a second, always quickly blinking herself back into reality. Annoyance rooted itself in her chest each time his face popped into her head, finally emitting an 'ugh' whenever he became the thing at the forefront of her mind. Accepting that the essay was a lost cause for the night, she slammed her laptop shut, pushing herself away from her desk with a loud sigh.

Making the short walk from her desk to her bed, she flopped down onto it, instantly frustrated.

Its not like male attention- or any attention for that matter- was new to her. For as long as she could remember, people fawned over her, stared wherever she went, but this was different. She couldn't place her finger on why though.

He was just a boy, there was literally nothing about him that separated him from the crowd. Except his inability to take a shower, at least she assumed so. She had no idea why this boy out of anybody would have been occupying the forefront of her mind.

It couldn't be the way he looked at her like he was desperate to do whatever she asked, nor the way that he always looked like he wanted more when she talked so harshly to him. No, it had to be something else, and she wasn't going to stop until she realized what it was.

Closing her eyes, she tried- and failed- to push the two short interactions out of her head. When that didn't work, she let herself dissect the interaction.

That's when it hit her, the reason why she couldn't get him out of her mind (or at least the reason she would tell herself): He wasn't afraid of her.

He continued to come back no matter her absolute indifference to him, no matter how piercing her gaze was. She had lost her edge.

Two years prior, nobody would have ever dared to look in her direction for too long, let alone continue coming back after she had made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with them. People shivered when she walked by, fell in line with every single thing she said, and while she was working on being a better person to her friends, that didn't mean she wanted random boys to think that they could just come up to her whenever they wanted. She was still Regina George after all, nothing would ever change that.

Frustrated, she realized that she wouldn't be able to focus on anything until she got some of the anger out of her body. In years past, she would have taken it out on her friends, but instead she put on a pair of running shorts, laced up her shoes, tightened her ponytail, and plugged her earbuds in before heading out to the pavement. After taking a few minutes to stretch, she set out running a path she had never taken through the town's connecting sidewalks. The knot of frustration in her chest had finally started to subside, and she was finally feeling her shoulders begin to relax again whenever it happened.

She came to a stop at a crosswalk in the middle of houses rented by students, waiting for the light on the other side to indicate that she could cross whenever she happened to look over to the house nearest her. The garage was open, set up with amps, looking like it was ready for some amateur band to rehearse. And sitting behind the cheap set of drums was the same face she had been running to try and avoid.

Instantly, she felt her shoulders tense, and she went to look away. It didn't happen fast enough, though, she didn't look away before he had found her.

Raising his fingers to his head in almost a salute, she snapped her gaze back to the road, trying not to become flustered. Who did he think he was? Popping up wherever she was, plaguing her thoughts, waving at her like they were friendly. It was almost her worst nightmare.

Of course, she hadn't been close enough to see the way that his hand had trembled slightly as he had raised it, the way his face was tinted pink from the second their eyes locked, the way his breathing faltered ever so slightly anytime he was in her presence. All she had noticed were the same eyes that had been plaguing her thoughts, the cocky smirk.

She wanted to slap that look off his face.

Little did she know, that was something that he would have enjoyed. Something that he wanted, to feel the sting across his cheek, to see the hand print that would be left.

That's what he was fantasizing about as she ran off, watching her perfect figure until she was out of his line of sight. God, he really was fucked.

As the pavement pounded beneath her feet, she couldn't shake the feeling this time. Couldn't shake the image of him out of her head. Not as she ran. Or showered. Or as she fell asleep. Just before she drifted asleep, there was one thought she focused on: she would do whatever it took to destroy him.

Friday night was another party with Gretchen and Karen by her side. This party was thrown by some boy in Karen's Intro to Meteorology class, somebody who she had never spoken to, but he was seemingly desperate for her to come. So she did, her friends by her side the way the three of them so often were.

They had had three rounds of shots before Karen was swept away into the crowd, probably somewhere up against a wall making out with a boy she barely knew.

"And she wouldn't stop contradicting me," Gretchen complained, five minutes into a story about a girl who wouldn't stop talking during a presentation she had given in class that day, "It made me look so stupid, I would never talk like that to another girl!" Of course, history had proven that that statement was false, but Regina knew that this wasn't the time to bring that up, "It was, like, so not fetch"

Regina had to clench her jaw to keep from saying anything, had to look at the floor to keep from rolling her eyes. It took everything in her to not yell at Gretchen, to tell her that fetch still was never going to happen, but she managed not to, "No, that sucks," She said instead, trying not to let her voice strain too much, "She'll probably go gray by the time she's thirty anyway, you should just ignore her," Leaning against the wall they were standing by, she shrugged, "Unless you want me to take care of her because I will"

The sides of Gretchen's mouth turned up just slightly, still getting used to not being the one under Regina's scrutiny, but she still shook her head, "No, that's okay. It's not like she matters at all"

The two shared a look, happy to be at a point in their life where they could talk like this. Years before, it wouldn't have been possible, and while sometimes it was still strained, things were much better now.

The conversation drifted to other people in their classes- who was cute, the people that annoyed them- and Gretchen was halfway through another story whenever her eyes drifted to behind Regina, face twisting in disgust, "Punk loser staring at you at twelve o'clock," She whispered, eyes still on the boy behind Regina, trying to imitate her friend's signature glare. It, of course, did not pack the same punch as Regina's, but that didn't make it ineffective.

Regina knew who it was before she looked, but still she turned with the same fierceness of a lioness pouncing on its prey, "Stalk much?" She asked, ice oozing from her tone.

"You're the one who ran by my house, princess, maybe you're stalking me," He shot back without a second of hesitation.

The sudden confidence, the coolness of his words took Regina back, but she refused to show that on her face, raising an eyebrow in response.

"You know this freak?" Gretchen asked, obvious judgement in her tone, eyes shifting back and forth between her best friend and the mystery man that stood behind her.

Regina scoffed, almost offended by the accusation, "More like a parasite," She responded, noticing the way that he didn't flinch as the girls talked about him, "Can't seem to get rid of him"

Rodrick smirked, leaning against the wall, coming closer to being face to face with Regina, "If that's what I am then I guess I'll stick to you, baby," He responded, and for the first time, Regina noticed the red twing to his eyes.

So he was high, that's where all the sudden confidence came from. Or maybe it was the alcohol in her system clouding her judgement.

"Don't call me that," Regina responded fiercely, realizing that maybe it wouldn't be as easy as she was hoping to shake him, "Gretchen, get me a drink," She ordered, falling back into her old ways for a second until she was Gretchen's expression crumble, "Please," She added, "I need to get rid of this dog"

"Woof," He responded as Gretchen walked away, still watching the two as she moved through the crowd

"Leave," Regina said, not giving into his antic

His smirk widened, and he leaned down until they were mere inches apart, "Not without you"

Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion, trying to figure out if he was being serious, before her eyes rolled, "Then I will," She turned on her heel to go and find Gretchen, but he caught her arm before she could take a step.

"C'mon, Regina," He said, using her first name for the first time, "Just give me a chance"

Regina froze, throwing his hand off of her as she turned to face him again, "How?" Was all she said, voice icier than it had ever been

"What?"

"How do you know my name?" She asked, emphasizing each word like he was a child who needed something explained

This time, it was his turn to freeze, remembering that she had never told him directly, "Coffee cup," He said honestly, figuring that any excuse he could think of would be worse than the truth

"Oh my God," Regina basically screeched, "You're such a creep"

Rodrick smirked again, liking how riled up she was getting. How riled up he was making her, "You're the one who left it, princess, I was just using clues"

"Ugh," Regina groaned, turning back to face him, "Listen, loser, it's never going to happen. You are a high school has-been going nowhere in life playing shitty drums in a shitty band. You will never be good enough for me, leave me alone," With each word, she took a step towards him, stopping only when she was close enough to see her reflection in the metal pick he wore around his neck

Instead of backing down, he just stared down at her. Although he wouldn't let it show, his heart was thrumming in his chest. He just needed to reach out, grab her arm or her waist, pull her in and kiss her. But he knew that wouldn't be wise, so instead he just spoke, "Marry me," Was all he said, smiling as her eyes narrowed.

Maybe it was the alcohol in her system, but something about his words caught her off guard. Only for a second did her cold demeanor show shock, but that one second that he could see through her mask was probably the best moment of his life. He couldn't believe he had gotten her to crack. Even if it was just for a moment.

"Never going to happen, freak," She shot back, tossing her hair over her shoulder

Before he had time to respond, Gretchen was back, a drink in each hand, expression clearly confused, "Regina?" She asked, unsure what was happening.

Regina also was unsure of what was happening, but in a completely different way. Nobody had ever made her crack like that, not even Aaron in all of the times they had been off again and on again. Nobody ever saw her interior unless she wanted them to, and he was the last person she wanted to know her. But she wasn't going to let either of them know that. So instead of saying anything else to him, she just took the drink from Gretchen, taking a sip, "Let's go, Gretch, find someone worth my time" Gretchen nodded, following Regina as the blonde began to walk away from the boy, neither of them looking back at him. Not even whenever he called after them.

"See you around, princess," He called, ignoring the looks that people gave him. That had gone well. Way better than any of the other times they had talked. She would be his in no time, he was sure of it even if she was still against the idea.

"Who is that?" Gretchen asked once they were far enough away, curiosity, caution, and a little disgust mixing in her voice

Regina shook her head, taking another drink, "I have no idea," She answered honestly.

He had never told her his name, all she knew was that he was a mediocre drummer in a shitty band, a stoner, he had that perfect effortless 'I don't care' look about him that made her want to knock him down, and that no matter how hard she tried, she wouldn't be able to stop thinking about him.

Chapter Text

The interaction left Rodrick's head spinning. She had been close enough that he could smell her perfume-something expensive, champagne and strawberries- close enough that if he had tried, he was sure that he could have seen himself in the reflection of her lip gloss. With a little more bravery, he could have kissed her. Could have found out what those full, pink lips tasted like, something that he had been fantasizing about since the first time he had laid eyes on her. Subsequently, he also then could have found out what the palm of her hand would feel like across his cheek. That would be his dream.

Even from the small interaction that they had had, he had learned more about her, the main thing being that she seemed to be the leader amongst her friends. That was clear, even just from the few words that had been exchanged between Regina and her brunette friend. She seemed to dominate every relationship she had, every room that she was in, every conversation that she had. Except for that one second, that one single moment where she had cracked. He was almost proud of himself for getting her to drop the mask, but then that begged an even bigger question: what was she hiding under all of the malice? Under the powerful exterior, what else was there? What things made her go soft? What were her weak points? And from that came the question that had been on his mind the most: What had happened that made her expel that much attitude? If there was truly something softer inside of her, why did she feel the need to hide behind glares and perfectly timed eye rolls? While he wanted to know everything about her, that was the question that was on his mind every time he thought about her. Which was often.

Since that night at the party, he had fallen asleep every night thinking about her. Wondering what her lip gloss tasted like, what her major was, her biggest dreams and regrets, everything. But they didn't see each other again for several weeks. Or rather she wouldn't see him again for several weeks. She started running different routes, making sure to avoid the street that she now knew that he lived on. She had avoided going to parties hosted by people she didn't know. She was always aware of her surroundings. Except for twice a week whenever she was done with classes for the day and heading back off campus. Twice a week when she was surrounded by a crowd of other people, so focused on getting home that she didn't realize the pair of eyes that watched her walk, following her until he no longer could. Every week, like clockwork, he found her shiny hair, heard the signature click of her heels, and tried to figure out what to say. And as luck would have it, he never could think of anything witty enough until she was already out of his sight. Which meant that every week, twice a week, he was frustrated with himself. Something that the people in his life had began to notice.

His band mates, in particular, had noticed the change in his mood since band practice happened the same day as his close encounters. They, too, were beginning to get frustrated, not at Regina, but rather because the band was no longer Rodrick's top priority.

He hadn't told them what was the cause of his bad mood, the reason why his tempo was off, but it didn't matter. They had all noticed regardless, and it was beginning to affect not only their band life but also their friendships.

They slowly had stopped asking him to hangout, slowly stopped asking his opinions on what the set list for gigs should be, and this should have bothered Rodrick.

It didn't

Only because he hadn't noticed, every free second his mind had finding its way back to Regina. Every weekend was a new party, but she was never there. His hope was dwindling just as fast as it had built, almost accepting the fact that maybe they would just never see each other again, but then Halloween happened.

Halloween was the day of the year that Regina looked forward to the most, a day that was just about looking hot and getting drunk. Two of her favorite things. Her, Gretchen, and Karen had spent months planning, and the night had finally arrived.

Karen was a mouse, the same thing she had been for several years before, but she had bought lingerie so it wasn't quite the same as previous years. The same ears, of course. It was the kind of costume that teetered between actual costume and just plain lingerie, but neither Regina or Gretchen said anything. After all, it was the one day of a year she could get away with it without anyone saying anything to her.

Gretchen stuck with the same concept as she normally did, a concept similar to Karen's but involving at least slightly more clothes: She was a leopard. Full body, skintight jumpsuit, complete with ears and a tail. Knee high, leather, stiletto boots finished the outfit, perfected with just the right amount of lip gloss.

Regina, as always, was the star of the show. While the goal was always to be sexy, her costumes did change from year to year. This particular year she was a Victoria's Secret angel, complete with an elaborate set of wings. Wings that would be inconvienent for everyone else at the party, but that didn't matter to Regina. As long as she was the person who looked the best, that's what mattered.

And she would be. She always was.

Karen had helped her achieve the perfect blowout and after a final layer of hairspray, making sure she had picked the right pair of shoes, and a final once over in the mirror, and a couple of pregame shots, the three headed off.

Regina was the one who found the party that week, one thrown by a boy she had once made out with a year before. It wasn't their usual circle of people, but they figured there would be enough people there that some of them were bound to be worth at least kissing. And they had been promised tons of free booze.

Gretchen and Karen were already stumbling just from the shots- and having not eaten all day, too busy getting ready to remember to- but Regina walked in with the same confidence that always made peoples head's turn.

And they did

As soon as they walked in, all eyes turned on them. They pretended not to notice, pretended not to care, but inside, all three girls were reeling that they had the same effect they had all those years before. It was the same feeling they had had walking into school the first day of junior year. The same feeling they had walking onto stage every year for the Winter Showcase. They felt powerful, felt like nothing could stop them.

"Drinks?" Regina asked the two girls behind her, not waiting for an answer before guiding her friends into the kitchen were a makeshift bar and a sink full of drinks were hiding.

Pouring three shots, she handed two to her friends before they all poured it back. Despite the burn, despite the fact that tequila tastes like straight gasoline, Regina didn't flinch. She didn't make a face. She didn't try and find a chaser. She took that shot like it was nothing. After all, if there were two things that she refused to chase, it was shots and men. She had never broken either of those rules before, and she wasn't planning on starting now.

After grabbing a seltzer each, the girls made their way back out to the man party, pretending like they didn't notice the way that people stared at them as they passed.

Finding a place to people watch, they observed the crowd.

"What about him?" Karen asked, eyes following a fit guy in a firefighter costume as he walked by, "He's cute"

As always, she was looking for somebody to hookup with by the end of the night, but this time, she was seeking out her friend's approval.

"Costume too basic," Regina responded, despite the fact that she too was in a very basic costume, "Too cocky," It was a bold assumption to make about something based on nothing but what they chose to wear for Halloween, but she knew she was right. She had spent years studying people, learning how to read them in order to find their weaknesses, that came in handy in times like this.

After several more "no's" from both Gretchen and Regina, Karen was beginning to get dejected, about to lower her standards whenever a new group of boys walked in.

They all looked a little rough, but whether it was because of Halloween or just the way they were, Karen didn't know.

"Him?" She whispered, nodding slightly to the tallest of them all, messy hair and lined eyes that had been haunting Regina's thoughts.

She wanted to scream

Why the hell was he here? Who could have invited him? Regina had gone weeks without seeing him, weeks avoiding him, weeks pushing him out of her mind, and now he had just waltzed back in to a place where she had been sure he would never have been.

She didn't respond to Karen at first, not until the other blonde whispered, "He's kind of cute, in a loser way"

"You're better than that," Regina said to Karen, voice sharper than she had meant. Karen still smiled, however, always happy to get a compliment, especially from Regina.

After having spent the whole party reveling in the fact that everyone was looking at them, Regina wanted to just disappear in that moment. Of course it didn't work, and almost as soon as she had thought that, he looked over at her.

It stopped him in his tracks, the sight in front of him, and she watched his eyes travel down her body and then back up

"Wow," Was all he said, mouth still hanging slightly ajar after his eyes had found their way back to her face

"No," Regina said as she had so many times before, knowing already that that wasn't going to work

Karen and Gretchen shared a confused look, but after having witnessed their last encounter, Gretchen knew better than to stick around

"Let's go get a drink," Gretchen said to Karen, grabbing her arm

"But I already have a drink," Karen argued, tilting her head in confusion

"Then let's go find the firefighter, see if he's still free"

That was enough to get Karen to agree, and the two were soon walking off

"Does she know him?" Regina heard Karen ask as they walked away, seeing the other blonde glance back over at them from her peripheral vision

"I don't really know," Gretchen answered honestly, but that was the last Regina heard from their conversation, leaving her and Rodrick fully alone for the first time that night

"How's it going, angel?" He asked her, nodding to the wings as if she wouldn't understand the joke without an explanation

Instead of responding immediately, Regina scoffed, "What are you? A disappointmnet to your parents?" She asked, not bothering to actually look at his costume

"Ah, close, I'm a pirate," He responded, gesturing down to the costume he wore. Regina still didn't look

"I wasn't asking about a costume," She shot back without hesitation

He pretended to be hurt, bringing a hand up to his heart, "Ouch," He said, the ends of his lips turning up into a smile, "Harsh, I think that warrants a kiss"

She laughed.

Actually laughed

And though he knew it wasn't genuine, knew it was condescending, it was still the most beautiful noise he had ever heard.

He instantly craved to hear the noise again

"In your dreams," She replied, taking a drink as she looked up at him, expression bored

He leaned down, leaving a gap between them, but still closer than what was normal, "They're all about you," And while it sounded flirty, it was the truth

That didn't stop her from rolling her eyes

"Does this ever work?" She asked, tilting her head

"What?"

"The desperation?"

"Never tried it out before, princess, this is all for you"

She laughed again, the same condescending laugh, and he was sure that he was in heaven

"Should I feel special?"

"You should," He responded without a second thought, "Should give me a reward"

He watched her perfect eyes roll the way he had so many times before, but there was something beneath the disgust this time. Something he couldn't quite name, but he knew that it hadn't been there before.

It made his heart beat harder beneath his chest.

"Since you've been such a good boy?" She mocked, voice cruel

He stopped breathing. He had died, that was the only explanation for the words that had come out of her mouth, but he felt his chest move sighting that that wasn't true. No, he was still alive. This was really happening. She really was right there

"I'd be anything you wanted me to be," He responded, knowing that it was the truth. Everything he was saying was true, no matter how cliche it sounded

"Like far away from me forever?" She asked, raising an eyebrow as she waited for him to respond

He moved closer to her again, a clear contradiction of her words, but she didn't make a move to leave. Didn't push him away like he had thought she would, "I don't think you want that, princess"

For the third time, she laughed, mocked him with her expression in a way that others would have found cruel. He thought it was the hottest thing that he had ever seen.

"Leave," Regina demanded the way she had so many times before. But like he always had, he didn't move

"Make me" He dared, his smile slowly turning into a smirk, messy hair falling into his eyes

"You're a freak"

"You like it"

It was a challenge now, the conversation. Neither of them willing to back down. Rodrick chasing Regina and Regina chasing the power.

She hated him, loathed him in a way she hadn't felt in years. A feeling she wasn't familiar with rooted itself in her chest every time they talked, but whether she was ready to admit it or not, she chased the feeling he gave her. She was obsessed with it, obsessed with the power he gave her, obsessed with how he challenged her. Obsessed with how much she hated him

"I'd like it if you died," Regina said, taking another long drink

"Anything for you, princess," He responded

"So then do it"

"Kiss me first?" He asked, leaning in once more, centimeters between their faces, "So I can die a happy man"

Regina didn't respond right away, in fact, she didn't respond at all. And it took Rodrick a second to realize that it seemed like she hadn't even heard him. Like his words had fallen on deaf ears despite the fact that just seconds before she had been locked into their conversation. Even though they were closer than they had ever been, her eyes were no longer on him, instead focused on something just behind him. Or rather someone.

Aaron Samuels

Regina's first weakness, Regina's only weakness.

They had been broken up for years, hadn't even talked since graduation, and she had no idea why he would be there. But he was, in all of his stupid, handsome glory. Hair still slightly too long, falling into his eyes. But unlike the careless way the boy's hair above her fell like that, Regina knew that it took Aaron meticulous practice to get his hair that way.

She didn't want him, she had gotten over him long before, but that didn't mean she had forgiven him. Not after everything that had happened, not after he had embarrased her, humiliated her. She wasn't in love with him still, but that didn't stop the innate need to make him jealous. To remind him of everything he had lost.

On top of that, she didn't want to seem pathetic and lonely the first time that she had seen him in years-especially because she had heard recently that him and Cady were still going strong. She wanted to seem like she didn't even remember who he was, like her life was so much better without him.

She wanted him jealous

That was the bottom line

And unfortunately for her, the closest person to her was the person she despised the most

So as Aaron's head turned her way for the first time, just before he would see her for the first time since high school, she put a hand on the back of Rodrick's neck, pulling him into her.

Lips pressing against lips for the first time, tense and surprised at first before they melted into one another

For weeks he had been dreaming about this moment, wondering what it would be like, and although he was confused, he wasn't going to complain.

So as his hands went to hold her waist, as her hands found there way into his hair, he just enjoyed the moment, smiling into the kiss.

Doing his best not to be too eager, to not let her feel the way his pulse had sped up.

And as he learned what flavor her lip gloss was- cherry, not that he was surprised- he was sure this time that this is what heaven was, unaware of the storm brewing in Regina's mind at the same moment