Chapter 1- I'm Back

Belle placed her suitcases on the floor and rang the bell on the counter. Mr. Bitters came out, eating a hotdog. "I'm back," Belle exclaimed. "Now, where are the keys to '2K'?" Mr. Bitters gave her an unsure look before his face brightened and he hurried to get her keys.

"Yes! Ms. Griffin! Your keys are right here!" Belle took her keys and rushed to the elevator. When she reached her floor, she tiptoed past '2J,' trying not to disturb anyone. She entered her old apartment room and looked around.

Thanks to the maids that her dad had ordered, her room was spotless. She carried her two suitcases to her bedroom. The other ten would come later. She sat on her bed and thought back to the day she left the Palm Woods, ten months ago.

Her boyfriend, Carlos had tried to make the separation easier by promising to call as many times as possible, and he had, but that didn't ease the longing she had to see him again. Belle got up and looked at herself in the mirror.

She had worn a black Muubaa Jacket Rebel over a blue seamless Cami, a pleated black mini skirt, black knee high lace tights and ankle boots. She grabbed her black Gucci purse and rushed out of the apartment. She knocked excitedly on the door of '2J.'

After a moment, a fourteen year old brunette answered the door. "Belle?" she asked. "Hey Katie," Belle said. "Is Carlos here?" Katie shook her head. "No. All of the boys are at the studio, recording. By the way, it's great to see you again."

After Belle and Katie had a short chat, Belle rushed to the lobby and called her limo. In ten minutes, she was by Rocque Records.

"Carlos! Pay attention!" Gustavo yelled as he saw Carlos falling Back into one of his daydreams again. He had been that way ever since he'd seen the new movie, 'If Love Could Choose.'

It was a nice movie, he had to admit, and Belle had acted brilliantly in all of her roles, but what troubled him the most was Taylor Lautner, who acted as Belle's love interest.

He had played his role well, but to Carlos there were times when he held her hand too long, caressed her too softly, kissed her too passionately. But all of that was over now, because Belle would be home the day after tomorrow.

The boys took a short five- minute break. Kendall got up to take a call from his mom. James went to his mirror and Logan sat by Carlos, drinking water. "Someone on your mind?" he asked. "Belle," Carlos said.

"I know," Logan responded. "I'm excited to meet her too." He thought for a moment before speaking again. "She loves you, Carlos. No 'Taylor Lautner' or any guy can stop her from loving you."

Carlos gave him a wry smile. "Alright Dogs! Break's over!" Gustavo yelled at them. The four boys assembled back to the studio. Kendall seemed a kinda happy. "What's with you?" James asked, putting away his comb. "Oh, nothing," Kendall grinned.

The boys started to sing 'Shot in the Dark.'

Belle hurried through the hallway. She could hear the boys singing and she smiled as she heard Carlos' voice. She opened the studio door, revealing the four guys, singing their hearts out. Their faces turned to see her simultaneously and they stopped singing, just staring at her.

Since Gustavo and Kelly's backs were facing Belle, they didn't see her. "Dogs! Why'd you stop singing!" he demanded. All four boys pointed to the blonde by the door. Gustavo and Kelly spun around. Belle waved to them. "Hey." "Belle!" Kelly and Gustavo chorused. Kelly ran over to Belle and they hugged.

Gustavo rushed up to her and shook her hand. "It's great to see you again," Gustavo welcomed. The four boys rushed out of the room and crowded around her. They all began talking at once. "Wait!" Belle silenced them. She turned to Carlos.

"I've missed you!" she squealed, hugging him tightly. She give him a peck on his cheek and then turned back to the boys. "You were saying?" The boys started back chatting non-stop. Belle laughed. "One at a time!" Logan went first. He hugged Belle and then proceeded to talk.

"We watched your movie. It was awesome, by the way. I like what you did to your hair." Belle had kept her hair short, and dyed the tips pink, with a pink streak in front. Kendall went next. He hugged Belle and then looked at her, grinning. "Katie called. She told me you were coming. She also told me that you looked different. She was right."

James went next. He hugged her and then grinned. "As you can see, I'm as handsome as always." Belle giggled. "But enough of me. Your annoying boyfriend over there kept us up a few nights ago when we watched your movie. He was certain that that Taylor Lautner guy was trying to steal you away from him."

"James!" Carlos yelled, his cheeks turning red. Belle laughed. "Well, Belle," Gustavo interrupted. "It really was nice meeting you again but, I really need to get back to recording with the dogs." "Sure!" Belle chirped. "I'll see you guys outside." She gave Carlos a short kiss and rushed outside.