Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Disney characters, but I do enjoy writing about them, and this site lets me!

Wonderment

I don't know why I started out into the direction of the dormitory from the hall considering it would be a long walk, but I did. About a block away from the tall building I saw the entrance. The same place just hours ago my father had dropped me off on. A horse and carriage pulled up to the front. When the driver cracked the whip the horse drove away the carriage, unveiling a tall man. As I got closer, I noted that the individual left standing, was staring right at me, smiling.

"Belle," said the tall man.

"Adam," I acknowledged, nodding.

"So you decided to take a walk. That must have been a long stroll from the hall to the dormitory. Anything on your mind?" he asked.

"You got me. I just needed to think and be with my thoughts for a moment so I thought a long walk would get the wheels in my head to turn. I was going to go upstairs and unpack the many books from my trunk I brought with me from home. There's so much organizing to do," I stated as I brought my arms across my chest barring me from the draft in the air.

Adam noted my shivers, and took off his coat He came behind me and placed it on my shoulders. I felt the breath of his being, tickle my ear. I smiled, and whispered a "thank you" receiving a nod from him in return. He was utterly handsome, and tall. So well-built. I was sure nothing could destroy him.

"I actually saw you, earlier today. Was that your father dropping you off? He looked like a common villager so I wasn't sure," he questioned.

Trying to keep my life as grey as possible to anyone and everyone was still the stance I wanted to take.

"Um…actually no. He works for my family," I lied. I couldn't believe I just did that, lie about the most caring person in my life! What was I ashamed of? I use to be so proud of my humble life, and though I wanted more, at what cost was I willing to take to reach it?

"That explains it. You never told me what aristocratic house you're from," Adam pressed on.

"Wow, aren't you the investigator?" I teased trying to deflect his assessment.

"No it's just, I try to get to know everything about a girl I'm interested in, "he stated as he leaned in closer to me. The proximity between us was growing thinner. Not just physically, but something deeper as well. I couldn't put my finger on what it was exactly.

"Interested in? I thought you had then golden-hair maiden of yours on your arm earlier. What of she?"

Ha! I thought. Investigate me and I shall ask back! This is how I would play the game, and so far it was working smoothly.

"Aurora? She's not with me, at least not anymore. T'was just a dance," he whispered.

"It looked like more than just a dance she was asking from you," I said as a matter-of-factly.

"Oh did it now?" Adam chuckled. "Perhaps it was because you felt her eyes piercing into you like fire! She was jealous when I asked where you were off to," he said as he walked around me in a slow pacing circle. I felt like I was being hunted.

I turned to his place. "There's nothing to be jealous about," I smiled.

Adam halted in his tracks, "oh but I'm afraid there is Belle. She knows, I'm interested in you. You've caught my eye."

"Millions of maidens here- all beautiful from one to the next and you're eye on me?" I tested.

He smiled in response.

I didn't know Adam well enough, but from the brief encounter I had with him earlier at the ball he seemed very well-mannered. All of a sudden the mood had changed, and the intensity between us had grown exponentially. He was all of a sudden very forward with me I noted uncomfortably. Too forward.

"What's your schedule like? Eager to start classes?" asked Adam.

"Of course! I've been waiting to attend a University like this one all my life!"

"Hm," he nodded.

"I'm surprised your parents never came to drop you off. Only daughter are you not?"

"I'm capable of doing things for myself," I dismissed look afar in the distance hoping he noted my lack of eye contact as a sign that I wanted out of the conversation. Truth be told, I didn't want to divulge anymore of my life. I had already lied about my father being a worker. The guilt was already taking a toll on the waves I was feeling inside my stomach churn.

"You didn't really answer my question," Adam seethed calmly half smiling. His blue eyes glittered in the moon light.

"I didn't?" I playfully replied, hoping to turn him off.

"You're somewhat of a mystery to me. And don't think I haven't noted you choosing not to answer my simple questions. You won't tell me more about yourself, but I enjoy a game of chase. You will lose Belle."

"Is that a challenge," I playfully replied.

"No Belle. Think of it more as a warning."

I looked at him wide eyed.

"I always get what I want," he ventured on, "and I have my eye on you."

"Well I'm never going to belong to anyone, " I said in half annoyance. The other half was stated playfully. So confusing he was. I thought I could decipher him, but he too had a bit of arrogance. It bothered me a bit.

"I'd walk you up to your room, but you seem to refrain as much information from me as you can. Plus you've made it clear," he started as his face came so close above my own, "that you are very independent. "

My own face tilted up to meet his eyes. I felt as if he would plant a kiss on my lips right then and there as he held my chin. He leaned in, and I closed my eyes.

"And yes, I'm always up for a challenge," he whispered, orange bitters laced on his breath.

I opened my eyes to find Adam so far ahead of me, most likely due to his long strides, headed in the direction of the dormitory. I caught him looking back, and I held my breath. Did he just try to trick me? I suddenly felt colder and hugged into his coat more. He wanted to leave me wanting more, and I think he succeeded. I now realized he was probably going to win. After all, I was now inclined to return his coat that he probably purposely forgot to ask for back. His tactic resulted into me now having to go after him, like a moth to a flame.

I like how in my story Belle is human. You can be kind and sweet and have flaws. Here for example Belle is showing some embarrassment of her simple life/birth compared to Adam's. In the movie she's TOO perfect at times I found it exhausting completely trying to relate to her. I hope you find the struggle Belle is feeling inside, and now the one she is feeling with Adam. Thoughts?