Belle hurried into the library, closing the door behind her. She exhaled heavily and pressed her forehead against the wood door. Her head was spinning; she was burning up. The tears were forming behind her blue eyes, and she fought to stop them from falling. What is the matter with me? she thought. Her question to herself was completely rhetorical. She knew what was wrong.

She was jealous.

Belle muttered a curse to herself as she turned and slid down the wood frame. She sat on the floor, her knees bent to her chest, her hands placed over her face. For so long she had fought these feelings for Ruby because she didn't understand them. She brushed it off, telling herself she just cared for Ruby as a friend. That was all. Now this woman comes along and …

"UGH!" Belle grunted as she raised herself to her feet.

She wiped under her eyes, making sure to erase the sign of any tears that had fallen. She inhaled then exhaled deeply. She had to calm down. She honestly had no right to be jealous. She wasn't in a relationship with Ruby. Hell, Ruby didn't even know that Belle might have had feelings for her. Belle wasn't even sure of it herself until Esmeralda walked through the door.

She made a disgusted face as she stomped over to her office. Esmeralda. What kind of name was that? And what was she wearing? Does she think she's some type of Gypsy palm reader? Some fortune teller who found Ruby in a crystal ball and hunted her down because she found her beauty irresistible?

She slammed her hand down on her desk, realizing she was overreacting. Jealousy was a powerful emotion. One she had only read about in books. She had never experienced it until now. But her books were right. Jealousy makes you crazy. Creating scenarios and drama in your mind that don't actually exist or may never exist.

Belle drew in another quick breath, shaking her head to clear it. She began shifting items on her desk. She had to focus on something other than Ruby and Esmeralda. The way the woman looked at her, smiled at her. The soft, adorable little smile Ruby gave her in return. The image flashed in Belle's mind, and she growled, tossing a book across the room.

"Hey! Easy now!" Ruby teased as she stepped back so the object didn't hit her. Belle's attention snapped to her. The waitress entered slowly, carrying an ice tea and a to-go bag. She raised an eyebrow at her friend. "Are you okay?"

Belle returned her attention to her task. "I'm fine," she replied flatly. She began sorting through the papers on her desk. "What are you doing here?"

Ruby stopped the smile that was about to form. She had never seen Belle angry. She had to admit, it made her accent even sexier than it already was. "I boxed up your breakfast." She cautiously stepped forward, placing the items on the desk. "It's still warm if you're hungry."

The librarian glanced at her. "Thank you." She refused to look Ruby in the eyes. "I'm sorry, but I'm extremely busy…"

"Practicing your book tossing?" she joked as Belle finally raised her eyes to look at her. She took a step back at the darkness of the blue. Belle was really angry, but about what? "Seriously, what's wrong?"

Belle gathered her items in her arms. "I don't want to talk about it." She pushed passed Ruby and walked into the library.

Ruby furrowed her brow and followed behind her. "Belle, come on, I'm your best friend. You can tell me anything."

The brunette kept her books clutched to her chest. "Shouldn't you get back to the Diner? I'm sure Esmeralda is waiting for you."

Her head tilted at Belle's ending statement. "She went back to work…" Her brow drew closer together. "Is that what's bothering you? I swear, Belle, I didn't know she was going to stop by..."

Belle shook her head, laughing lightly for no apparent reason. She was definitely going crazy. "You don't have to explain anything to me, Ruby." She turned to finally face her friend. "She's pretty. ... I don't blame you for being interested..."

Ruby crossed her arms against her chest, the confused expression growing across her face. "Who said I was interested?"

Belle rolled her eyes and huffed. "I saw the way you smiled at her."

It was Ruby's turn to laugh. It came out harder than she had expected. "I smile at everyone."

"Well…" Belle pouted. "Just another reason for me not to feel special then..."

She made a face at her own words. What was that?!

Ruby huffed in disbelief. "I don't even know what you mean by that." She held her hands up. "Look, obviously, you're really pissed off about something, and I don't know what. ... So when you feel like talking again..." She lowered her hands and shrugged. "You know where to find me." She started walking toward the door.

"With Esmeralda, I'm sure…" Belle said before she could stop herself. She closed her eyes, biting her lip, immediately regretting it.

Ruby paused with her hand on the doorknob. She went to respond but stopped herself. She simply shook her head and exited the library.