AN: Hi guys, this is my new story, as I am coming up to summer and I'm about halfway through my exam's, I thought I would start my writing again. I aim to upload this every other Friday, and my Tastes of Rumbelle one shot's the other week on Friday. This may not happen, because I am away on a month long activity trip for 16-17 year olds in July after my birthday, so then It may go up on the Saturday, other than that I will try to stick to this.

The school was relatively small, with only one main building, with the 'Storybrooke high' sign on the top. The grounds are in front and the car park adjacent to the building. It looked like a quaint little school, of course it was relatively empty as it is only half seven in the morning and the school doesn't open until ten past eight.

'Well. It's different to Australia.' Belle thought to herself. She was stood at the very front, just stepped through the bright red gate. She had obviously been stood there taking it in for a little longer than necessary, because she heard a cough from behind her.

"Ma'am, are you alright." A voice with a Scottish accent asked politely from behind her. She turned to face the stranger and he nearly took her breathe away, quite literally. He wore a dark grey suit, with a white shirt, a blue and grey striped tie and a pair of black shoes. He stood straight, looking directly at her as she practically drooled over him.

"Miss?"

"Oh right, I'm so sorry." She blushed and held out her hand. "I'm Belle French, the replacement for Mr Will Scarlet, the English teacher."

"Well, Hello Miss French. It's nice to see I'm no longer the only one with a different accent." He smiled at her. "Though, be prepared the children will rip you apart for it."

"Well, I'm tough. Don't worry." She returned the smile. "Would you kind sir escort me to reception."

"Why of course, my lady." He laughed and started towards the front of the building.

They walked towards it, talking of their home countries and how they came about to be here, in Storybrooke, Maine. When they arrived at the reception, they were greeted by the receptionist, Ashley.

"Mr Gold." She said with a monotone voice. "Ooooh. New person. Are you the new English teacher?"

"Hi, yeah that's me. I'm Belle French, new English teacher." Belle had a feeling she would be repeating herself a lot.

"Okay, if you come with me, you can sign all the final forms and then I'll show you to the staff room."

"Okay, well I'll see you later Mr. Gold and we'll continue this conversation then." Belle waved goodbye to her first, new colleague.

"So you're from Australia?" the receptionist inquired, whilst showing her where to sign on the forms.

"Is it that obvious? Yeah. I am. Born and raised there. Just moved over here for work." Belle smiled at the young girl. "Congratulations. So how far along are you?" She asked looking at her bump.

"What do you mean how far along am I?" She looked confused, then hurt.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't..."

"'I'm just kidding." She laughed. "I'm six months, so she's coming soon."

"You had me then. Seriously, I got worried." Belle laughed along with the girl.

Soon, the forms were signed and Ashley walked her towards the staff room.

"Good luck." She said her goodbye to Ashley and looked in the window of the staff room. There was around ten people in the room, in small groups chatting, everyone except Mr Gold, who was sat in the corner reading a novel, drinking a cup of coffee by himself.

Belle walked in to the room, unnoticed by most of them and walked towards the kitchenette, to make a cup of tea. She observed that there was six women and about six men, including Mr. Gold, in the room. She would eventually introduce herself to everyone, but the staff room seemed so much like high school, with everyone stood in cliques.

'There's always the popular group and the not so popular ones.' Belle thought to herself, when she was interrupted by a voice.

"Can you pass the sugar? I'm in desperate need of it, so early in the morning." A dark haired woman asked.

"Yeah sure." Belle replied, sliding the pot of sugar along the counter. "I'm Belle French, the new English teacher y the way."

"Ruby Wolfe, French." She replied with a smile. "Thanks for the sugar. We'll talk more later, got to get to my classroom."

Once Ruby had gone, Belle was left to herself. She decided to go talk to Mr Gold as she didn't think she could face having to introduce herself to more new colleagues.
"Hey Mr Gold, it's Belle again."
"Miss French. Sit. Please." He replied, signalling to the seat next to him and closing his book.

"So what that you're reading?" Belle asked, always curious about literature.

"Oh just an old favourite of mine, Oliver Twist. I trust you've read it."

"Of course. I do enjoy the old classics." She smiled at him, glad to have found someone that shares her love of old classics. However, their conversation was cut short, by the on site bell.

"Is that really the time? I'm usually in my classroom by now. I bid thee farewell once again my lady."

"Wait! Would you be as kind to show me to my room, kind sir?"

"Oh of course, my lady."