Belle grasped the metallic key between her thumbs, and made her way to the old building. Abandoned for 28 years, the library needed some work. Belle was happy to do that. She loved books, more than anything in the world. No other job other than a librarian would suit her.
When she reached the building, she noticed that the boards that had been blocking the windows had been removed. The sign was no longer hanging on one side, and there was a banner hanging over the double doors, which read "Storybrooke Library: Now Open!" She smiled, happy to see that someone other than her cared enough to make the library look presentable.
Belle unlocked the library and cautiously opened the door. This building was foreign to her, as she had only referred to it as the 'building which holds the clock tower'. But once she stepped inside, she realized it was much more than that.
Walls upon walls of books engulfed her vision—never in her life had she seen so many books! So many to read, too little time, she thought. She smiled at the thought of her new adventure, and set out to opening the library for customers.
After an hour or so of dusting and reassembling shelves, the library was ready to be opened. Belle flipped the closed sign to 'open', grabbed a copy of Hansel and Gretel, and sat down at the desk.
Shortly after Belle had gotten to Chapter 4, she heard a chiming of bells; her first customer! She folded the page of the book, sat up straight, and waited for the fellow book-lover.
"Hi, this is the library, right?" A teenager with tussled hair and a large sweatshirt stumbled into the main lobby.
Belle cleared her throat. "Yes, it is. Welcome to Storybrooke's official library! I'm Belle." Belle smiled. Never did she think she would be so excited to see a teenage boy interested in reading.
"Nicholas." The boy mumbled, and wandered over to a cluster of shelves.
Belle nodded, and returned to the desk. She pulled her hair up into a clip, and let the rest of her auburn hair fall behind her shoulders.
After half an hour of searching, Nicholas slapped a book down in front of Belle. The Outsider. "The Outsider. Great choice, classic book." Belle said, still reading her book, only quickly glancing at Nicholas.
"Yea. I know. I've read it. I just couldn't find anything else." Nicholas sighed. Belle looked up at him, and saw a pleading look in his eyes. He wants me to help him? She looked at him, and smiled.
"Come on, I think I know just the right thing for you." She stood up and wandered over to a section with a high wall. Belle pointed to the top shelve, at least 7 feet out of her reach. "There." She rolled the ladder over to where she was, and began to climb. Once at the top, she pulled out a copy of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
"I think you'll like this one. It's one of my favor—" As Belle was climbing down, she missed her footing, and fell off the ladder. A scream escaped her mouth, but was quickly muffled when she landed in the arms of Nicholas.
When Nicholas saw Belle slip off the ladder, he immediately moved under her to catch her. His dad was a fireman, so he had experience. It was no big deal. But when Belle landed in his arms, it suddenly was a big deal. It became very awkward for Nicholas. Belle's slender waist in his arm, her arms wrapped around his neck, grasping at his back; all of this made him very uncomfortable. Yet there was something about it, something…he liked it. He liked the thought of the beautiful librarian holding onto him. And while all of this was going on, he continued to hold Belle. For longer than he should have.
Belle stared up at Nicholas, and cleared her throat. Nicholas seemed to snap out of a daze, and set her down in front of him. He smiled, and continued to look at her. Belle dusted her skirt off, and cleared her throat once again.
"Um…thank you…Nicholas." She looked up at him, getting his attention once again.
"Oh, yep, you're um, you're welcome." He stuttered. He then proceeded to the front desk, with Belle following. Nicholas grabbed the book, and started to head out.
"I'll see you soon, ok Belle?" He looked back as Belle sat down. She was so graceful and delicate, the way she moved.
"Mmm, yes, I will see you around Nicholas." Belle looked up, and caught the back of Nicholas as he ran out. Teenagers, she thought. She chuckled to herself, and then went back to reading.
First chapter, something I thought of on instagram. Don't worry, it gets better, Rumple WILL come into the picture :)