Blooming Red Rose: Chapter 1

It had been a few months since the stranger had released her from the asylum. Her life had taken a very unexpected turn. Belle had gone from accepting that she was going to spend the rest of her life in the asylum to being reunited with Rumpel and her father, and then for them both failed her in the space of a couple of weeks. But Belle cherished her new independence as she sat in one of the window sills of her apartment above the library, peeking through the blinds at the people below.

Not much was going on outside. It was Sunday. She didn't expect to see many people outside. Relaxing seemed to be on everyone's agenda apart from Rumpel's. Belle could see his car parked in its usual spot next to his shop. The lights were on inside but no other trace that there was a soul inside.

Belle's phone started to ring from the kitchen area. Reluctantly she unfolded her legs and trudged her way over to her phone, flicking it open to answer with a 'hello'.

"Belle," Ruby greeted. "What you up to?"

"Hey Ruby, nothing really. Just at home." She replied, strolling back to her perch in the window.

"There's talk of us meeting down at the beach for a barbeque. Come and join us!" Ruby pleaded with Belle. She had been trying to get Belle to come out of hiding spot for weeks. There were only so many invites that Belle could rebuke.

"When is everyone meeting there?" Belle asked peering through the blinds when she caught sight of Rumpel leaving his shop.

"In about an hour. Just bring yourself." Ruby's voice was full of excitement. They agreed to meet at Grannies and ended the call.

Belle got changed into a pair of white shorts and a sleeveless yellow shirt. She packed some things into a bag, a book and other things, and laid a cardigan over her bag to take with her in case it got chilly. Her keys chinked as she locked the door to her apartment and made her way down the wooden steps that led up the outside of the library to her apartment.

There was a small crowd outside Grannies when Belle crossed the road. Ruby was standing on a chair passing out orders to people and pointing things out to them. Belle rolled her eyes at her friend as she side stepped pass people to get to her friend.

"Ruby." Belle called to Ruby. She seemed oblivious to her for a second before she stepped down off the stool and came to stand in front of Belle.

"Yay!" Ruby hugged Belle. "You are not going to regret this. This is going to great!"

"Okay… Do you want me to get something?" Belle was distracted by the people milling around, grabbing items and carrying them to the cars and trucks that were parked along the street.

Ruby shook her head. "Nope. You just get yourself in my car and we'll be leaving in a minute."

Belle acknowledge her instruction with a nod of her head and made her way over to Ruby's car. As she pulled at the door handle to the passenger door, she got the distinct feeling that someone was watching her. She looked around and notice Rumpel walking down the street on the other side. Their gaze met and he gave her a brief smile before turning his attention back to the sidewalk.

They hadn't spoken much since he'd given her the keys to the library. Belle had just been concentrating on getting her life in order. Thankfully Rumpel respected that, even though her father felt that he had the right to demand her to speak with him. She only wanted to speak with Rumpel. Time though hadn't healed her wounds yet. She wasn't ready to go back there yet. Belle shook her musings away yanking the car door open and climbed inside, securing her bag between her feet.