To be or not to be Friends (shared with Merida)

Belle was walking in the courtyard, reading a new book from her cousin Sara from France. It was one of Shakespeare's works. Belle was fascinated.

Merida had her own book tightly gripped with her nose buried in it. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander" Always having a sort spot for mythical creatures Merida was highly interested when the chapter regarding Thestral's popped up. Not looking where she was going Merida nearly bumped into another student. Trying to fix the wild red locks blinding her she looked up at the girl in front of her.

"Sorry. I'm pretty sure i'm being followed by someone in an invisibility cloak shoving me wherever I go." she joked.

Belle looked up. "Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to run you over. I blame my book." Belle laughed at what the girl said. "Gotta love our invisible tourguides, am I right? I'm Belle. "

Merida smirked. She held out her hand and shook Belle's. "I'm Merideth. But I prefer Merida. If you call me Merideth we're going to have a problem." she said with a slight giggle. "Is that Shakespeare your reading? I read Macbeth over the summer and it was a bit complex for me. So I read a little Romeo and Juilet."

Belle laughed. "I promise to never call you Merideth." She shooked her hand. "I've read those two stories before I found them amazing, but I have to admit that this one is my favorite. " She said showing Merida the cover of the book , A Midsummer' s Night Dream.

Merida's eyes lit up. She loved books. Especially muggle books. (Even though she preferred to keep that a secret from Mavis)

"That looks interesting. What's it about?"

Belle had a sparkle in her eyes and she smiled. She sat onto the bench and patted the spot next to her for Merida to sit next to her. "Well, it takes place in ancient Greece, and there are so many complications and confusion with one thing: love. It's very fascinating and funny."

Merida pulled her legs up and hugged them to her chest, fascinated. "So it's a cute little tragic love story? I ransacked the romance isle the other day while shopping for school books. Love stories are sort of an excuse for me to fantasize that any living organism could ever have the hots for someone like me."

Belle smiled. I just got this yesterday from my cousin- she sent it by Air Nimrod. Nimrod is our snowy owl. He is.,.. something. And what do you mean about no one liking you? Amyone would be lucky to have you. I just met you, and I already think that you're awesome. Don't give up hope way to soon, Merida. "

Merida had contemplated getting herself an owl. After Belle finished she felt a hard blush rising in her cheeks.

"Stop it." she said with a sheepish grin, pulling her hair over her face over dramatically. Coming out she added, "What about you? Boyfriend?" she paused, smirking down at the ground. "Girlfriend?"

Belle smiled and blushed. "Wellll... Kinda. She and I care about each other a lot, but we haven't exactly asked each other if we wanted to be girlfriend and girlfriend. " Then her eyes widened. "Wait! You're not against homosexuals... Are you?"

Merida held up her hands defensively. "Of course not! If I was i'd be quite a hypocrite." she paused. "I wouldn't say that i'm gay...so much as..bisexual or...I don't know. I like both. Never saw anything wrong with it." she let out a breathless, nervous laugh.

Belle smiled. "So, you're Questioning? Not really knowing? I knew I was a lesbian the moment I had my first conversation with my crush. But hey, I'm here if you need someone to talk to, Merida."

Merida lowered her hands, relieved that she hadn't said something to cost her this new friendship.
"T-Thanks Belle." again the blush colored her pale cheeks. "So how old are you? You look old enough to be a professor."

Belle smiled. "You're welcome." Belle laughed at the professor comment. "Actually, I'm sixteen. I'm a Sixth Year here in the KaleVala House."

"KaleVala? That sucks." immediately she added, "I mean-I...I meant it sucks that were not in the same house. I'm in Grewulf." she twisted her fingers in her hair nervously. "Oh well. And sixteen? Geez, you're already outstanding me. I'll be sixteen in September." she grinned.

Belle laughed. "Hey, KaleVala and Grewulf has some classes together, so we'll still get to see each other. And happy extremely early birthday!"

Merida grinned. "That sounds great! I'd really love to see you again. I don't have many friends here."

"How come?" she asked, confused. "You're nice, funny, smart, anyone would practically be dying to hang out with you."

Merida shrugged. "They all assume i'm like my friend Mavis. Not like she's bad or anything. She just doesn't have a very good reputation." Merida didn't want to talk about Mavis. She knew she'd be jealous if she was talking to anyone else. "But whatever." Mavis looked for a clock, seeing the time she sighed. "I got to go. But i'll see you around?"

"Alright. Bye!" Belle said before she stood up. "Hey maybe when I'm done with my book, you could read it. I'm only in the middle of it." Yes, she just got the book last night at dinner and she's alreaddy halfway done with it. Crazy bookworm.

Merida nodded. "Sure! That sounds great." Leaning in she gave Belle a polite kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you around Belle!" Merida grabbed her book and headed towards to the common room.

"Bye," Belle said before she touched her cheek. She had a little smile and then she got up and walked to the KaleVala tower and she went to the girls dorm, thinking about her new friend.