Chapter Two: Well Met Sweet Prince

Roger and Novel headed for the library where they knew her mother would be waiting. But when they reached the door, someone else was waiting too.

"Well met, sweet prince." Novel said with a merry curtsy.

The handsome blond boy bowed ever so slightly, "My lady." he said with a flourishing wave of his hand. A somewhat mocking gesture to be sure, but the sparkle in his eyes proved it was well meant. "Please, call me Neal." he said, a request he had made many times before, but it never seemed to stick, probably because Novel found his admittedly empty royal title romantic. Even if the only castle Storybrook boasted was a plastic one at the playground.

"Ok, Neal." Roger hissed through clenched teeth. Why is that blond bilge-rat always hanging around Novel lately?

"Prince Neal to YOU." Neal Charming rejoined in what he hoped was a commanding tone.

"Is there a reason you're shouting in front of my library?" a quiet, but firm voice asked from the doorway.

"Hi mum." Novel mumbled, hanging her head a bit, "Sorry I'm late."

"'Better late than never', as my father used to say." Belle Gold said, grabbing her daughter's hand and pulling her close enough to hug. "Should I even ask why there's grass on your new dress and a flower petal in your hair?" she looked the two boys, even though the words were for Novel.

"I'd rather you didn't." Novel muttered.

Roger coughed, "My fault really, Mrs. Gold. Novel was reading on the bench over by the meadow and I walked up behind her and scared her and then she kind of ...fell into a wildflower patch." he lied. It was a skill that had always come easily to him and had saved him many a lecture at home too.

"A likely story." Belle said, smiling warmly at Roger, even though she knew he was lying to protect Novel from another long talk about responsibility. He was a dear boy really and in any case Belle didn't have time to bandy words with a teen-aged con artist. "Come on," she said to her daughter, locking the library door behind her. "We're late for Snow White's Ballroom Dancing and Charm School..."

Roger and Neal waved and smiled as they watched the ladies cross the town square and drive off in Mr. Gold's shining black limousine. As soon as it was out of sight they eyed each other warily. Roger wasn't about to let that smug git charm his way into Novel's affections, she was HIS best friend after all. As long as he could remember he'd looked after her; he'd even flunked a couple of tests to get kept down into her grade and he had absolutely no desire to see this 'prince' sweep in and steal his treasure right out from under him.

Neal's eyes narrowed. He knew Novel considered 'Jolly' to be her best friend, but he also knew that Jolly had other plans. He knew a rival when he saw one. "Feel like shooting a few hoops?" he asked in a charming tone.

"Sure why not." Roger replied.

"Sounds good." said Neal, before adding smugly, "I only have time for a few shots though. Mother expects me at her class by six. I'm supposed to help the girls learn to waltz tonight..."

Inwardly Roger scowled, but outwardly he managed a tight smile as they walked down the street side by side with a deceptive friendliness that would've fooled any stranger. Not that Storybrook saw too many strangers.