Belle French nervously walked down the hallway to her class. It was her first day at Storybrooke High, and she was definitely lost. Biting her lip, she glanced down at her schedule. She was supposed to be in Algebra 2 at the moment. An older kid pushed her out of the way as they headed down the hall. Belle put her head in her hands. "Hey, do you need help?" Belle looked up to see a girl with blonde hair looking at her. She nodded. "Let me see your schedule." Belle handed it to her. "Algebra 2 with Mr. Spencer? That's where I'm headed. It's just down this hall." The blonde girl smiled. "I'm Emma, by the way."
"Belle. Nice to meet you."
"Are you new here?"
"Yeah."
"Welcome to Storybrooke." They stopped outside the door. "Well, here we are." They walked in. Belle took a seat close to the door. Emma walked around and sat behind a boy with light brown hair. He nodded in acknowledgement. The class turned to listen to Mr. Spencer talk about the course expectations for the year. Belle listened attentively. Emma silently prayed for the clock to move faster. Finally the bell rang. Belle looked back at her schedule. Lunch. She sighed and walked to the cafeteria.
Tray in hand, Belle scanned the cafeteria for an empty table. She found one and started to walk over when she heard someone calling her name. Emma was walking toward her. "Hey,"
"Hi"
"Do you have anywhere to sit?" Belle shrugged. "You can sit with us." Emma smiled and led Belle to a table. A group of girls looked up and waved at them. Before Emma could get over, a boy with black hair and blue eyes stood up and blocked their way.
"Hello Swan. You look lovely today."
Emma scoffed. "Out of the way, Hook." He smiled, clearly having no intention to move.
"You could always say please." Across the cafeteria, a group of guys started calling for Hook. He grinned. "It appears I'm being summoned. Until next time, love." With a wink, he strode off. Emma rolled her eyes and slammed her tray down at her friends' table. Belle looked at the girls at the table. A brunette with a pixie cut was talking to a girl with red streaks in her hair. A blonde girl was finishing her homework. Another girl was texting.
"Hey guys, this is Belle. She's new. Belle, this is Mary Margaret, Ruby, Ashley, and Ariel." The girls smiled at Belle.
"So Ems, what was that over there with Hook?" Ruby asked, wiggling her eyebrows up and down.
"Nothing of importance." Emma said stiffly. Ruby looked skeptical.
"Hook? Is that the guy you were talking to on the way here?" Belle asked. Emma nodded. "Why do you call him Hook?"
"Because he's a manwhore?" Emma supplied. Ashley and Ruby laughed.
"Everyone does. It's just sort of his nickname. Nobody really knows the reason." Mary Margaret explained.
Ruby leaned over to Belle. "Hook's got a major thing for Emma. She likes him too, just won't admit it." She whispered. Emma glanced in their direction, making Ruby giggle. She sat upright and changed the subject. Belle found that she liked these girls. She had always had a hard time making friends because she was quiet, but these new people seemed kind and welcoming. Maybe a new school wouldn't be so bad at all.
The bell rang. Ariel looked at Belle's schedule. "English with Ms. Nova? That's my next class too! It's in the 500 wing. This way!" Ariel ran off, Belle hurrying to follow. She was so focused on following Ariel that she crashed right into someone.
"Watch where you're going!" A boy with longish brown hair turned around angrily. Belle stuttered out an apology several times. The boy's face softened. "It's okay, just be more careful next time." Belle nodded and gave a half-smile, which he returned. She continued to Ariel.
"What just happened?"
"I bumped into him." Belle shrugged. "Who is he?"
"That's Gold. And that was the nicest I've ever heard him speak to someone. What did you do to him?" Ariel asked, amazed. Belle blushed. He hadn't seemed that awful. She glanced back in his direction on her way out.
Gold watched the girl leave. There was something different about her. He hoped their paths would cross again.