School

"One burger with curly fries and a root beer, on the house," Ruby said as she placed the plate before Belle. The librarian sat at the counter on the red stool and chuckled.

"Ruby, you can't keep doing that. Granny won't like it."

Her friend rolled her eyes. "Who do you think keeps telling me not to charge you?" She leaned against the counter as Belle picked up a curly fry. "So, have you decided yet?"

"Decided on what?" Tinkerbell asked as she sat beside the librarian.

Belle grinned and hugged her friend. "I thought you were working with Blue over lunch."

Tink shrugged. "I decided a lunch date with you two was more fun. So, what are we deciding on?" The blonde snatched a fry off of Belle's plate.

Mrs. Gold grabbed the ketchup. "I applied to an online college."

Tink grinned. "That's great! Did you already hear back?"

"That's what she has to decide on," Ruby said as she poured Tinkerbell a glass of water.

"Doesn't Rumple want you to do it?"

Belle nodded. "Oh of course! He was the one who encouraged me in the very beginning before I told anyone else." She smiled. "He thinks I could get a Masters in English Literature, if I set my mind to it."

"Why don't you? That sounds perfect for you!" said Tink.

"Do you know how much a Masters costs?" Belle chuckled. "I can't afford it."

"Rumple can," Ruby said as she poured herself a root beer. "Do you know how much he's made from his business?"

"Who do you think does the bookkeeping?" Belle replied. "I know he can afford it, but I don't want to use all our savings for a degree. We've got enough repairs to do on Zelena's old home. Plus purchasing some new furniture. I'd much rather have a new home than a degree."

"Why not just start with a few classes and see how it feels?" Tinkerbell suggested. "It can't cost that much, can it?"

Belle smirked. "You'd be surprised." She took a few bites of the delicious burgers. She dabbed at her mouth. "But you both make a point. A few classes can't hurt, I suppose."

"What would you do with a Masters?" Tinkerbell asked.

"I think I'd like to teach a class at the school. Snow told me the older students could use an English teacher who was actually passionate about English."

"You should do it," Tinkerbell said as she squeezed Belle's arm. "You'd be a great teacher."

"Alright, enough talk of classes. I'm glad we didn't have to do go to school in our old world," Ruby chuckled. "I doubt I would have made it out alive."

"At least you'd be doing something you enjoy. I don't know how much longer I can stand working at the nunnery with Blue. It's so-"

"Boring?" prompted Ruby.

"Yes!" Tink exclaimed. "I wish there was something else I could do, but I don't know where to start looking. I don't want to offend Blue either. She's been so good to be, giving me a home in the nunnery and all. I don't want to turn away her good graces."

Ruby waved her hand dismissively. "Tink, you worry too much. Blue will understand."

Belle agreed. "Don't you need a new waitress around here, Ruby?"

She looked behind her and glanced at Granny. "We could always use more help around here, couldn't we, Granny?"

The older woman squinted at Tink. "You want to be a waitress, kid?"

As Tink and Granny discussed the details, Belle dug in to her meal. She wondered what class she could take first.