Hola! More Than Just

Chapter 7: Words

I do not own this

Emma's brain switched on suddenly and her mind flooded. What was she doing? She thought and she pulled away from Belle, and climbed off the bed, not looking at the hurt expression on her friends face.

"We can't do this," Emma whispered, backing herself against the wall as Belle followed her, placing a hand on her cheek.

"Why not?" Belle whispered back, caressing her cheek lightly.

"We're best friends, Belle," Emma breathed, "We've been best friends forever."

"I love you," Belle almost had to choke the words out.

Emma sighed, knocking the back of her head on the wall behind her, "Belle," she almost begged, "What about Ruby?"

Belle looked guilty for a moment and spoke quietly, "Ruby's great, Em, but she's not...," she hesitated, "She's not you."

Emma bit her tongue, hard, until she felt the blood in her mouth; this was so messed up, she thought.

"I can't, Belle," she put up her hands, removing Belle's hand from her face, "I can't," she repeated firmly.

Belle's eyes were wide and watery and she replaced her hand on Emma's neck instead, "But Em, I could take care of you," she whispered, a note of desperation in her voice, "'You know I could."

Emma could feel her heart breaking, "I know you could, Belle," her voice broke as she admitted it, "But you do already."

Belle stared at her best friend for moments on end, "Do you have feelings for me, Emma?" she asked, almost monotonously, still running her fingers over Emma's neck and jaw.

The blonde wanted nothing more than out of this situation right now; it was too hard, it hurt her, it was hurting Belle, she was hurting Belle, and the whole time her body was on fire and her lips tingled and her mind thought of Ruby. This was so wrong on so many levels.

"Yes," Emma finally answered through clenched teeth, "But I can't," she pushed Belle away and attempted again, to get some space from her friend.

"Why?" Belle questioned, "Because you don't think you deserve me? That's what you used to say," Belle shook her head, "It's not true, Em – "

"It's not just that," Emma found her mouth saying before she continued chewing the inside of her cheek, looking hopelessly at her friend.

Belle frowned, "Then why?" she pushed, "Don't you think...if you're going to reject me again, you can at least tell me why," she said softly.

Emma could see the guilt flash through her friends eyes, but also the curiosity, no, it was more than that, the need to know.

"Because I like someone else, okay?" Emma admitted, throwing her hands up in frustration, "Belle, please – "

"Who?" Belle asked lowly.

Emma shook her head, "Belle – "

"Regina?" Belle asked, "Come on, she's like thirty? She's too old for you. It's never going to happen."

Emma wanted to hit her, she really wanted this to be over, "I know that," she snapped, "But I really like her, okay? I can't help it, I've tried, but I – "

"It's not like you're in love with her," Belle said, almost mockingly.

Emma lowered her eyes, "I don't know," she shrugged, "Maybe I am. I don't know what I am. I just know the one constant in my life has been my best friend," her eyes were like saucers, "Please, don't change that."