Ruby Lucas walked through the halls of Storybrooke High, her backpack flanked over her shoulder. She smiled at the students that greeted her as she passed and gave a genuine thank you to those who congratulated her on the teams victory the night before. She stopped at her locker, dropping her backpack between her feet and began turning the combination. Just another day of classes to get through before she was able to do the one thing she loved more than anything..

Play soccer.

"Lucas!"

She turned at the sound of her last name being shouted and smiled as Emma and Graham came walking toward her. She smiled at them before finally opening the lock and pulling the door open. "What's up, guys?" she greeted, picking her bag up from the floor and putting the items she didn't need inside the locker.

Graham leaned against the locker, a smirk across his face. "So, I hear you girls kicked some ass last night."

Ruby chuckled lightly as she shifted her books around. "You could say that."

"Just a few more wins and we are totally in the championships." Emma added, pushing Ruby playfully. "And it's all because of this badass right here."

"I don't play alone, Emma." Ruby said, rolling her eyes as she closed her locker. She gave her friend a curious look. "Hey, do you know why your Mom wants to see me before class?"

Emma made a face. "How the hell should I know?" She rolled her eyes. "The only reason she talks to me in the morning is to remind me that I'm still grounded." She shook her finger. "Remember, Emma, straight home after soccer practice. No stopping to see that girl."

Graham crossed his arms against his chest and raised an eyebrow. "Still pissed because you got caught making out with Regina in the storage closet?"

"You think she would be happy that I'm dating the class President." Emma shrugged. "There's just no pleasing some people."

Ruby laughed and shook her head. She grabbed her backpack, placing it over her shoulder. "Well, she wants me to see her before class." She started walking down the hall with Emma and Graham following closely.

Graham furrowed his brow. "Are you failing something?"

"I'm not doing so hot in English Lit." Ruby turned to him, suddenly worried. "But, that's not a big deal, is it?"

"Ruby, you can't fail anything or you're off the team." Emma explained.

Just as Ruby opened her mouth to speak, a howl of laughter interrupted her. The trio looked in the direction of Gaston and the rest of the offensive line. They were standing over a girl, her books were spread all over the floor as she knelt down trying to pick them up. They exchanged glances and walked faster toward the scene.

"You should really watch where you're walking, bookworm." Gaston growled, giving his cohort a high five.

The girl looked up, her eyes narrowed as she attempted to gather her things. "Maybe if you perceived that you do not own the hallway, I wouldn't have to." she snapped back as Gaston looked at her confused. She rested her hand on her knee, raising her eyebrow. "Which word is confusing you, Gaston? Perceived or Hallway?"

He growled angrily about to spit back an insult when Graham's hand came down on his shoulder. "Okay, big boy, maybe you should pick on someone your own size." he suggested, pushing Gaston back.

Gaston narrowed his eyes, releasing a huff. "Who? You?" He leaned in, going nose to nose with Graham. "You aren't even close to being my size."

Graham glared back at him. His jaw twitched and his fist clenched. Ruby stepped between them. "Gaston, do you really want to do this right now?" she questioned, staring sternly into his eyes. "Aren't you already on two game suspension?" He glared down at her and released a low growl. She smirked, rolling her eyes. "Oh, you're so scary." She waved her hand. "Bye bye now."

Gaston's glared didn't fade as he slapped his friend's chest. "Come on." He pointed at Graham over Ruby. "We're not done."

"We never are." Graham responded, holding his arms out.

Ruby breathed out, turning and placing her hand on Graham's chest. She pushed him back. "You're about as scary as he is so calm it down." Her eyes shifted downward seeing the girl still gathering her things. She knelt down in front of her. "Here let me help you." She picked up a book and held it out toward her. She raised an eyebrow. "It's Belle, right?"

Blue eyes stared back at her suspiciously. "That's correct." she responded, slowly taking the book from her hand. "Thank you." She looked away, placing the book in her pile.

"I'm-"

"Ruby. I know." Belle interrupted, glancing at her quickly before gathering the rest of her things. "You'd have to be completely oblivious to social standards in this school to not know who you are."

Ruby stared at her blankly for a moment. "Um, I don't know how I'm supposed to respond to that."

"I didn't think you would." Belle stood and Ruby followed. "Well, thank you again." She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, looking away from Ruby shyly before clutching her books to her chest and hurrying down the hall.

Ruby watched her go, her brow furrowed. She pointed toward Belle's retreating form and turned to her friends. "Did she just imply that I was stupid?"

Emma chuckled. "Belle is not exactly a fan of athletes so probably." She wrapped her arm around Ruby's shoulders. "Come on, let's go see what hell my Mother wants to put you through."

Ruby walked with her friends, glancing back one final time to see Belle at her locker. Her hair was blocking her face, but Ruby couldn't help staring. Belle must have sensed someone staring at her. She turned her head slowly and caught Ruby's eyes. When Ruby flashed her perfect smile, Belle quickly looked away and returned her attention to her locker. Ruby huffed a small laugh, shaking her head, and turning her attention back to her destination.

"Ruby, please, sit." Ms. Blanchard requested, holding her hand out toward the chair. Ruby nodded and obliged as Emma leaned against the door frame. The woman looked up, an unamused expression on her face. "Emma. Class. Now. This doesn't concern you."

Emma made a face. "Fine." she muttered, turning to leave.

Ms. Blanchard folded her hands together as she watched her daughter for a moment. "Emma." she called as Emma grunted and turned face her. "Stra-"

"Yeah, I know, Mom. Straight home after soccer practice. I got it." she interrupted, sarcastically. She threw her hands up, muttering a few curses, and walked out of the office.

The woman closed her eyes, taking in a calming breath. She slowly opened them and smiled at Ruby who was staring at her, eyebrows raised. "Now, Ruby, we need to talk about your English Lit class." she explained, opening a file.

"I know. I'm not doing so great, but I can fix it." Ruby replied as Ms. Blanchard placed a piece of paper in front of her. She leaned forward took look at it. "What's this?"

Ms. Blanchard pointed at the marks on the paper. "That is your grade pattern in English Lit." She folded her hands together again. "Ruby, if you don't pass your next exam, you're off the team."

Her hazel eyes widened. "But, the championships are coming up.."

"Ruby, your education is more important than kicking some little ball around a field."

"That little ball can get me a scholarship."

"Not if you don't do well in school." Ms. Blanchard sighed and stood. She walked around and sat on the desk in front of her. "Ruby, I'm saying this to you not only as your counselor, but as someone who's known you your whole life." She ran her hand through her short dark hair quickly "I care about your future. I want you to succeed in whatever makes you happy."

Ruby slumped back in her seat, looking down at her hands. "Soccer makes me happy." she mumbled, watching her fingers intertwine with one another.

"Then you need to pass your class." She kicked Ruby lightly bringing her attention back to her. She smiled. "I've assigned a tutor to you. You'll meet with her three times a week, after practice, in the library."

Ruby's jaw slacked. "I don't need a tutor." she protested, sitting up in her seat.

Ms. Blanchard shrugged. "Your grades say otherwise." She hopped off the desk. "Today's your first session so don't be late." She walked back around and sat down in her chair, glancing up at the clock. "Now, get to class."

Ruby grunted, grabbing her backpack and throwing it over her shoulder. "This sucks." she muttered as she stomped her way out of the office...

Belle French used her free period as she always did. She sat quietly in the library studying for her next class. She took notes on the important things and re read anything that seemed slightly relevant. She heard the chair in front of her slide from under the table and she raised her eyes to see who was joining her.

"Hey, Belle." August greeted, smiling brightly at her.

"Hello, August." she returned, with a smile of her own. Her eyes returned to the pages in front of her as she scribbled more notes on a piece of paper. "What can I do for you?"

"Ms. Blanchard has a student she wants you to tutor." He lifted himself from the chair for a moment and pulled a piece of paper from his back pocket. He placed it on the table and slid it toward her. "I don't think you're going to like this one."

Belle looked up once again, a curious expression on her face. She dropped her pencil and picked up the paper. Her eyes remained on August until she opened the paper. She slowly shook her head. "No, I won't do it." She folded the paper back up and placed it back down on the table.

"Oh, come on, Belle. At least it's one that actually acts like a human being." He folded his arms together. "You could have had my luck and gotten Gaston." He exhaled heavily. "It's like teaching Chemistry to a monkey." He thought for a moment. "Actually, I think teaching a monkey would be easier."

Belle laughed lightly, but it soon slowed. "But, Ruby Lucas." She sighed, running her hand through her hair. "She's like a God in this school. If she doesn't pass, and ends up off the team, that's going to be on me." She waved her hand, picking up her pencil. "No, I don't need that kind of attention."

August scooted forward, touching her hand. Belle sighed and looked up at him again. "She's not going to fail on your watch. None of the kids you've tutored have failed." He pushed her hand encouragingly. "Come on. Who knows? Maybe you two will become friends."

Belle made a noise filled with disbelief. "I doubt that." She breathed out, her hand resting on the pages of her book. "Okay, fine." Her hand slapped gently against the pages. "When do we start?"

August smiled proud of her. "Today. After her soccer practice." He checked his watch and stood. "Don't worry, Belle. It's going to be good." He gave her a short wave and walked out of the library.

Belle bounced her pencil against the book before sighing again. "We shall see." she mumbled as she shook her head and returned her focus to her books...

"Belle?"

Belle looked up at the sound of her name being called. Ruby stood over her, clutching her backpack. Belle looked her up and down for a moment. She must have come straight from the field. She was still wearing her jersey, which was stained with grass, and a pair of baggy track pants. Her eyes drifted upward and she felt herself jump when she noticed Ruby staring at her expectantly.

Belle shook her head. "Uh, yes. Please, have a seat."

"Cool." Ruby placed her backpack on the table and pulled out the chair. She sat down and smiled at Belle. "So, you're going to help me pass English Lit?"

Belle pulled a book from her bag. "I'm certainly going to try." She placed the book on table, opening it to the first page.

Ruby folded her arms on the table and rested her chin on them. "You don't seem to have a lot of faith in yourself."

"It's not me I'm worried about." Belle stared at the pages refusing to look into those hazel eyes again.

Ruby's broad smile turned into a little smirk. "You think I'm stupid, don't you?"

"Stupid is a very harsh word." Belle finally looked at her. "I would just say you are far too concerned with extracurricular activities than actually learning anything."

Their eyes remained locked as they stared at one another in silence. Ruby titled her head slightly wondering why she had never taken the time to speak to this girl before. Or notice how blue her eyes were. Belle fidgeted a bit finally breaking their stare and returning her attention to the book. Ruby straightened up, stretching her hands out in front of her as she blew out a breath.

Belle cleared her throat, focusing on the pages. "So, according to Ms. Blanchard..."

"Are you hungry?" Ruby inquired, cutting her off in mid sentence. "Cause I'm starving."

Belle gave her a strange look. "We are supposed to be going over this." she stated. "You can eat when we are done."

Ruby shook her head. "Nope. That won't work." She grabbed her backpack and stood from the table. "I can't concentrate if I'm hungry." She motioned her head for Belle to stand up. "Come on. We'll go to the Diner and study."

Belle looked down momentarily. Granny's Diner, Ruby's grandmother's diner, was where all the jocks and popular kids hung out. She never set foot in that place. If she had, it was only to get take out for her father. She shook her head. "No, I don't go to the Diner."

Ruby flashed her a crooked grin. "Well, maybe it's time to step out of your comfort zone." She gave her an adorable pleading look. "Come on. I promise I'll be the perfect student after we eat."

Belle pressed her teeth into her bottom lip, hesitating. She looked at Ruby who was staring down at her, smiling, still motioning her head toward the exit, silently pleading with her. She exhaled heavily and ran a nervous hand through her hair. "Okay, fine." she agreed as Ruby pumped her fist in triumph. She rolled her eyes and closed her book. "But, you seriously better pay attention to everything I tell you."

Ruby crossed her heart. "You have my word." she promised as Belle stood from her chair. She stepped to the side, allowing Belle to go first. Her smile widened in victory as she followed Belle out of the library...