I'm starting off by apologizing for the really long chapter. There's a lot going on and I didn't want to split it into two chapters. I'd also like to apologize for not updating as much as I should.

Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time, nor do I own Sweeney Todd.

"I hate this song." Will said to Belle. It was the first time they were staging "Kiss Me". He glanced over at Belle. She looked distracted. "You okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, I'm fine." Belle shrugged, not really making eye contact. Will wasn't convinced, but he didn't say anything.

"Okay, guys?" Ms. Bell called from the audience. Next to her, Ruby was writing things down. "Are you ready?"

"Yes" Belle called back. Ms. Bell climbed up on the stage.

"Great! Your part of this scene takes place in Johanna's room. Belle, I think you're going to start the song by pacing. Will, go sit on the couch." They followed Ms. Bell's instructions. "So you'll be pacing while he's singing from there. On 'Is that a noise?' Will's going to stand up." She glanced at Will, raising an arm. "Stand up." He stood. "When she starts singing really fast, you kind of try to comfort her." The two didn't move. Ms. Bell sighed. "Come on, she doesn't bite." Will awkwardly put his arm around her. Belle's cheeks turned pink. "And then as 'Kiss me', Belle, you're going to put your hand on his shoulder. It's going to look like you two are about to kiss, but you don't. Not yet, anyway."

"Let's just do that far. I want to see how it looks." Ruby told them. Ms. Bell nodded. The actors got into position. Ms. Bell motioned to Granny, who started playing. Belle and Will immediately got in character.

"He means to marry me Monday, what shall I do? I'd rather die"

"I have a plan"

"I'll swallow poison on Sunday, that's what I'll do, I'll get some lye"

"I have a plan" Will stood up as Belle continued singing. He came closer, putting his hand on Belle's waist. She pretended not to notice, like her character was supposed to, but in reality it was all she could think about. Her singing picked up speed. Eventually Will cut her off with "Kiss Me"

"Oh sir" She put her hands on his shoulders. They stepped closer together.

"Ah miss"

"Oh sir" When he started to lean in, she turned away, starting her next part. The music died off.

Ruby smiled. Ms. Bell nodded, satisfied. "Good job guys. Here's what's next."

Granny played the final chords of the song. They had just finished running through most of the song a few times. The choreography had required a lot of invasion of personal space. At one stage Ms. Bell told them that Belle would be sitting on Will's lap; Will was worried Belle was about to pass out. He'd been paying close attention to her throughout rehearsal (well, he had to admit he always did that, but this time closer than usual), and she seemed really out of it. Almost like she was afraid.

"Belle, what's wrong?" Will followed her out of rehearsal.

"It's nothing. I'm sorry. See you on Friday." She forced a smile. When she tried to turn away, Will grabbed her wrist.

"Please. Tell me what's going on"

Belle sighed. "Look, it's not a big deal. It's just…"

"You're nervous about the kiss." He finished.

"Yeah."

Will led her to a nearby bench. "That's okay. A lot of people get nervous about stage kisses. It's totally normal."

"It's not because it's a stage kiss." Belle said, her eyes cast downward. "I've never kissed anyone before." She confessed.

"Really?" She nodded, her cheeks turning pink. Will suddenly understood why she had seemed anxious before rehearsal today. He didn't know how to help, but then came up with an idea.

"What are you doing Friday after rehearsal?" He asked.

"Nothing. Why?"

"Would you like to go to dinner with me?"

Belle stared at him, surprised. "On a date?" For a second, Will thought he'd screwed up everything, but it was too late to go back.

"Yeah. If I'm going to be your first kiss, I think we should get to know each other better." He stood up and offered her a hand. "What do you say?"

She took his hand. "Okay. I'll see you then." Belle smiled. She stood up. A car pulled up in front of the school. "That's my dad. I have to go. Goodbye!"

"Bye."

"And Will?" He looked at her. "Thanks." With a final smile, she went to the car.

Will picked Belle up from her house at 7. She opened the door, wearing a pretty blue dress. She smiled at him. "Hi."

"Hi." He stuttered. "You look great."

"Thanks. Shall we?" They went to Will's car. "So where are we going?"

"Is Granny's okay?"

Belle raised an eyebrow. "The same Granny that plays piano for the show?"

"The diner's her day job. She's a multifaceted woman, that Granny." Will turned on the car. The radio started blasting. Belle flinched. He jumped to fix the dial, laughing nervously. "Sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it." Belle said. Will looked at the road. Well this is going to a great start. He drove off.

Belle and Will sat in a booth at Granny's. Granny herself came over to hand them menus. "What are you two doing out together?" She sniffed. "And are you wearing cologne?"

"Can't two castmates hang out with each other on a Friday without raising suspicion?" Will said.

Granny looked at him skeptically. "We'll you've taken a shower, so we shouldn't complain I guess. I'll leave you kids be. Have a good night."

"Bye Granny." Belle smiled politely. Will exhaled in relief. "She seems to really like you." She commented.

"That's just Granny. She's not big on open displays of affection."

Belle giggled. "So if she runs a diner, why does she help with the school plays?"

"Ruby's her granddaughter." Will explained.

"So that's why everyone calls her that."

There was a silence as the two looked at the menu. A waitress came over and took their orders.

"So, tell me about yourself." Belle said.

"Ummm... what do you want to know?" Will stuttered. He mentally hit himself. Since when was he nervous around girls? He's the one who asked her out, for god's sake.

"Uh, what's your favorite class?"

Will paused. "Gym. I like sports." Way to form an intelligent sentence. Get it together.

Belle smiled. "That's cool. Are you on any teams at school?"

"No, I just play with friends for fun. What about you? What do you do outside of drama club?"

"I like to read." She replied. Will blinked. "I know, it sounds boring. But when you find a book you love, reading can be a lot of fun. Like I just finished this one book called Stardust..." She started rambling about the book. Will listened intently. Her face lit up when she was talking; he found it adorable.

The conversation flowed more easily after that. The two sat at the booth long after their food was finished. It was almost closing when they left the diner, having been issued a warning to get home safe, courtesy of Granny.

Will walked Belle back to her door. "I had a great time tonight, Will."

"Me too." They stood there for a moment. Somehow Belle's hand found its way to Will's. His heart started beating faster. He hoped his hands weren't sweaty or anything. Belle looked into his eyes with a small smile. Before he knew what happened, she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Will blinked. "Would you like to do this again some time?"

Belle giggled. "I'd love to." She opened the door. "Goodnight Will." The door shut.

Will stood there for a moment, not believing what had just happened. He came to his senses and broke into a grin, heading back to the car. When he took one last look at the house, Belle was looking out a window. He waved at her. She waved back. He was still smiling as he got home.