A/N: I did get a couple of requests at different times for Rumbelle being friends. So I thought how cute would it be to start at the beginning of a friendship? I hope you all like!

Best Friends

jamie-wan-kenobi and belle'sdarkangel prompted: It's Robby Gold's first day of school. He is really nervous that none of the kids would like him. Then he met Belle. (Rated K)

"Here we are. You can find the office on your own."

No I love you or good luck, not even a have a good day. Not that Robby Gold expected that from his father. His Da wasn't really a "share his feelings" kind of person. He was straight to the point, sometimes brutally so, and lazy. The only reason Robby was now attending a new school was because his Da had to leave the last town they lived in. In fact, this was the third time they had to move in the last two years.

But this time Da said it will be different. No more moving.

Robby hoped so. He hated moving. He also hated being the new kid.

Of course, it wasn't like he had much of an opportunity to make friends. He was shy, painfully so. He barely spoke which made him prime fodder for the mean kids. Part of the reason he didn't like to speak was his accent. The kids from his last school teased him a lot when he accidentally dropped his American accent. He had wanted to fit in so badly that he thought if he sounded like the other kids then they would want to be friends with him.

It didn't work and Robby was determined not to lose his American accent this time. He would have to concentrate and speak slowly, but he knew he could do it.

Walking into the main office, Robby approached the secretary's desk meekly. He took a deep breath and said, "Hi. I'm new."

The secretary, a kind and older face, looked down with surprise. "Oh my! Hello my dear! Um, where are your parents?"

"My Da—Dad was running late to work," Robby told her. He set the paperwork his Da had given him on top of her desk. "This is everything."

The secretary—Mrs. Potts, said the sign plate—picked up the papers and shuffled through them. "They appear to be in order… Robert Gold is it?"

He nodded. "I like Robby."

"As do I." She gave him a little wink. "All right sweetie. Can you wait in that chair over there? We'll let your teacher know you're here."

Robby did as she asked, pleased with himself that he didn't stammer or lose his accent. Perhaps this time was going to be different.

It took ten minutes but Mrs. Potts came back with that endearing smile that felt so warm and welcoming. "All right Robby. Ms. Shirin is on her way to get you. Welcome to Storybrooke Elementary."

As promised, his teacher Ms. Shirin was soon in the office. Right away Robby liked her. She had this friendly smile and the prettiest brown eyes he had ever seen. Plus she smelled like honey and almonds when she knelt down and held out her hand in greeting.

"Hello Robby. I'm Ms. Shirin, your third grade teacher. Ready for your first day?"

He grinned. She was certainly the nicest teacher he ever had! No one ever greeted him like they were happy to see him.

"I am."

"Wonderful! Let's go." She stood up and opened her hand again so Robby could slip his hand in hers. Together, they walked out of the office and towards his classroom. Ms. Shirin was telling him about the school and pointing out the gym/cafeteria, the specials rooms for music and art, and lastly the library.

She paused as another affectionate smile overcame her lips as she shook her head to herself. "I see my little reader is already hard at work."

Robby looked over to see a little girl about his age with curly brown hair and two of the brightest blue eyes. She smiled wide with a tiny gap between her front teeth as she closed the book she was reading and stood up.

"Hi Ms. Shirin!" she exclaimed. "You were right! This book is so good!"

"Where are you at?" the teacher asked.

"The princess just met the prince but she doesn't know that it's the same boy that rescued her from the evil guard."

"That's my favorite part," Ms. Shirin said. Looking down at Robby, she told him, "I have a good idea. Robby, this is one of my students. Belle, this is Robby."

"Hi," Belle chirped. "Do you like to read?"

Robby shrugged. "I don't read a lot."

"That's okay. I bet you are a reader."

"Belle, do you think you can show Robby around? He's new and could probably use a friend," Ms. Shirin said.

Belle grin her toothy grin as she took Robby's free hand. "I think we're gonna be the best of friends."

Robby felt his shyness melt away as this strange little girl who loves to read books held his hand as she took over the teacher's duties and told him everything about their class schedule and other random things that popped into her head. Belle wasn't afraid to speak her mind and Robby found that he liked listening to her talk.

Once they reached their classroom, Belle nearly dragged him over to two desks.

"You can sit by me. That way if you have any questions, then all you need to do is ask!"

She slipped her book into her desk as she grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil. Robby followed suit as Ms. Shirin took her place in front of the classroom.

For the first time in a long time, Robby felt like he belonged. And he had a feeling Belle was right… they were going to be the best of friends.

Okay, I can't stand this cuteness. Please feel free to prompt more!