Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-11058666-20141228031222/@comment-24674051-20150318151259

That is one thing. With Rumple out of the way, Belle is actually interacting more with the others, and building the relationships. Even with her former enemies Hook and Regina. and I find that type of character growth a good (and long overdue) change for her.

Still though, While it might be fair to call the Fairies, Hook, or the Apprentice her friends, I would say that she had a friendly relationship with Snow and Emma, and therefore would at least have cared about the people that they cared about. I mean, let's face it, She gave Rumple the much needed boot, but she still cares about him. That is just the type of person she is.