Belle sat at a booth in Granny's diner reading a book. Her eyes focused on the page as she absentmindedly stirred her ice tea with her straw. Her concentration broke as a warm body pushed against her side sliding her further down the seat. Her attention shifted to see Ruby sitting next to her, a pleading look on her face.
Belle flashed a tiny smile followed by an inquisitive look. "What are you doing?" she inquired, motioning her head to the empty space in front if them. "There is a perfectly empty seat over there." A small chuckle escaped her lips as Ruby shot her a look.
"You'll understand why I'm sitting here in a second." she said, turning so she was fully facing her. Her arm rested on the top of the booth behind Belle. "I need your help."
"Of course." Belle closed her book, setting it down on the table. "You're my best friend." She smiled, touching her cheek. "You know I'd do anything for you."
"Okay, that was good. Keep your hand there." Ruby held her hand over Belle's keeping it on her face.
Belle drew her eyebrows together in confusion. "Ruby, what's going on?"
Ruby sighed as she moved Belle's hand away, but still kept hold of it with her own. "Whale will not leave me alone. He keeps asking me to go out with him tonight."
Belle shivered in disgust. "You're not going to, are you?"
"Ew, gross, no." Ruby gagged for a second causing Belle to chuckle. Her expression turned serious. "Which is why I need your help." Her smiled widened. "I kinda told him that you and I… well… uh…"
Belle raised an eyebrow curiously. "You and I what, Ruby?"
Her face shifted. "Were together… like… you're my girlfriend."
"Ruby!" Belle scolded, her hand crashing down on her book.
"I know, I know, I'm sorry. He kept hounding me and I panicked." she explained, taking Belle's hand again. She wrapped both hands around the librarians and held it close to her chest. "Please, just do this for me? It's just for tonight." She grinned. "I'll be the perfect girlfriend, I promise."
Belle rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Alright, fine, I'll do it." she sighed.
"Thank you so much!" Ruby threw her arms around her neck, hugging her tightly. She pulled back and looked into her eyes. "You're the best."
Belle pointed at her. "You better…" she paused, glancing passed Ruby to see Whale staring at them. She decided it would probably be best to play up her part. She bit her lip lightly and inched closer to the waitress. "I can't wait for tonight, Sweetheart…"
Ruby felt herself suddenly becoming nervous. She leaned back. "Belle, what are you…" she whispered, stopping when she noticed Belle's eyes directing her toward Whale. "Oh…" She cleared her throat and smirked. "So, the Rabbit Hole for drinks tonight?" She ran her fingers through Belle's hair.
An odd shiver ran down Belle's spine at the contact. She composed herself quickly and shot Ruby a look. "The Rabbit Hole? Seriously?" she questioned, her voice laced with laughter. "That's your idea of a date?"
Ruby shrugged. "I don't know."
She leaned in so her voice didn't carry. It didn't hurt that it looked as if she was snuggling against Belle's neck. She took in the scent of her perfume. Never before had she noticed how intoxicating it was.
"I've never really done this before." she whispered, her lips extremely close to her friends ear. "I'm usually the askee not the asker."
Belle closed her eyes for a moment, lost in the sound of her voice. Again, she composed herself and turned her head slightly so she was looking into beautiful hazel. Their faces were just centimeters apart. Whale had turned in his stool so he was watching the whole scene.
Belle huffed a small laugh. She raised her hand, brushing her fingers against Ruby's cheek. "At least take me to dinner first."
Ruby's smile widened as she found herself suddenly enjoying Belle's touch. "Okay, meet me here at seven." she stated as Belle rolled her eyes.
"Dates with you just get better and better, don't they?" she teased.
Ruby flashed her a goofy grin. "You'll just have to wait until tonight to find out…" she replied, moving closer so their lips were hovering next to one another's. "…Baby."
Belle sighed exasperated and pushed her away playfully. "Get back to work before Granny has a coronary."
"I love the way your accent sounds when you order me around." Ruby joked, wiggling her eyebrows.
Belle couldn't help the laugh that escaped her throat as she pushed her again. "Go away. I'll see you tonight." she said as Ruby kissed her cheek unexpectedly and slid out of the booth. She looked at her friend, stunned by her action
Ruby shrugged, her grin still on her lips. "Just felt like the right thing to do." she explained before she was even asked. She tossed her a wink and walked away.
Belle watched her for a moment, giggle when Ruby avoid Whale reaching out to grab her. She shook her head and chuckled. As she opened her book again, she wondered what exactly she had gotten herself into.