This is my first attempt at this, so try and be kind. I really hope you enjoy! I don't own OUAT

Belle slowly closed the door to the library, it was 5:15 and she was closing up for the day. She locked the door and began to walk to her car, it was spring time in Storybrook, but there was still a mild chill in the air, she hugged herself into her thin white sweater, praying inwardly that the coming weeks would be warmer.

Storybrook rarely warmed up until later in the spring, may at the very least. Belle had little experience with the small town's temperamental weather, as she had lived there less than a year. She had never seen herself living in such a small, cold place but early last year, not long after graduating college, her mother had passed away, and with a father that had been negligent since her birth, she was alone save for her boyfriend of 3 years, George Gaston. Unable to Cope with Belles grieving at the loss of her mother, George had left her not long after the funeral, leaving her completely alone.

It was then that she decided that she needed a radical life change, Mary-Margaret, her newly married, best friend since high school, had contacted her telling her about the open position of librarian in the town that Mary-Margaret and her husband David had just moved to. Knowing she had nothing to lose Belle packed up her Boston apartment and moved to Maine.

Though she had never pictured herself ending up as a small town librarian, she had carved out a good life for herself, allowing her to heal properly. As English major she was well suited to the job of librarian and she had already made some of the best friendships of her life, not only did she have Mary-Margaret, but they had become very close with Emma swan, the towns sheriff's Deputy, as well as Ruby Lucas, a waitress at the local Diner.

Belle was living in the small above the library, it was small, but she didn't need much space and it made getting to work on time effortless. On an average day she would lock the library doors and head up stairs to make dinner, watch TV, or delve into a good book. Tonight she made the short trek from the library to her car because she had promised to meet Ruby at Granny's for dinner. Ruby had recently gone through yet another rough breakup and Belle was spending much of her free time helping her cope.

"It's okay; there are quite a few other guys in this town. You will find some else, you always do." Belle said unreassuredly as she sat down at newly cleaned booth with Ruby

"I don't know, I really thought it would be different this time, he's a doctor after all"

Ruby had a point; the town's local doctor was a vast improvement from the low lives Ruby normally went for. "What were his reasons for breaking it off" Belle asked cautiously

"He's looking for something more serious"

"Are you not serious?" Belle questioned

"Well… yes, I really really like him, but I don't know I just don't see myself as the settling down type"

Then maybe you should think about if you care for him enough to want to settle down with him. If he is worth it, you need to tell him"

Ruby nodded looking down at her coffee. Belle truly felt for her, she could plainly see that she was mad about the guy. They passed the rest of their dinner in an attempt at happy conversation, she even managed to make ruby smile a few times and as Belle left the she felt that her friend would be okay for now.

Leaving the diner she looked lazily at the street and the few people milling around, she was about to get in her car when she noticed something a bit unusual. Mr. Gold, the towns lawyer and pawn broker, was closing the door to his shop and leaving for the day. It wasn't that this simple act was strange; it was more that Belle had never spotted him on the street before. In fact, the only time she had met him was when she had entered his shop in search for a gift to send to her old college roommate. He had been perfectly polite at the time, but the man carried a fearsome reputation as a shrewd and relentless business man. Belle only realized she was starring when their eyes met from across the street; she then embarrassedly got into her car and drove off.