Disclaimer: I don't own Boy Meets World. Also, the "psychic" character at the end of this chapter was heavily influenced by the book store owner in the movie Just Like Heaven.
A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait. Hope you like the chapter!
Chapter 3
"What's wrong between you and your friends?" Brody asked.
Dani took a sip of her drink, then leaned back in the booth. "What makes you think anything's wrong?"
"You walked out on them twice this week."
Dani just barely stopped herself from tensing up. "You've been watching me?"
"I'd say it's more like noticing." He smiled and bashfully looked down at the table before gazing across at her again. "How could I not notice the prettiest, most interesting girl here?"
A smile spread across her face. She really needed to relax. Yes, her life so far had enough action and drama to make even the most trusting person quick to suspect everyone of being bad, but not everyone was. "Thank you," she said.
She took a moment to glance over at Cory and Topanga a few booths down and then at Shawn and his date—Angela, she thought her name was—walking back towards the game room section. "I had a falling out with one of my friends. Things have been awkward ever since, especially since we have all the same friends."
Brody looked sympathetic. "What happened?"
She pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She had hoped they could get to know one another a little better before any subjects she couldn't talk about came up. No such luck, apparently.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to pry. If you don't want to talk about it, I understand."
Why couldn't everyone be like that? "It's okay," she said. "I'd rather not talk about it, though."
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"Whoa-ho," Shawn said as Angela just nailed a dart in the center of the target for the second time in only a few throws. "I like it. A girl not afraid to show her talent."
"Yeah, well, I was never one to pretend to be weak or stupid just for a guy," she said.
Shawn nodded his head at her appraisingly. That was a definite change from most of the girls he went out with. Different was good—in this case, anyways. He watched while Angela threw the last of her darts at the board, this time hitting just left of center. "Not bad, not bad." He stepped within throwing range as soon as she was done clearing the board and readied his first dart. "Now watch the master." He hit the far edge of the board on the bottom.
Angela mockingly clapped. "Nice going, master."
"Okay," he said, "so maybe I could use a few pointers." He gave his best smirk. "Care to help me?"
"Are you seriously asking me to pull that 'let me show you how it's done, baby' move?"
"Well, I have always wondered what that move was like from the other side of things." A certain journalism experiment thanks to Cory sprung back to mind. ". . . while actually dressed like a guy, that is." He caught sight of Angela's expression. "Don't ask."
"Oh, no," Angela said. "You're not getting away that easily. Does Shawn Hunter have another side to him that no one knows about?"
Shawn laughed. "No, no. Veronica Wasboyski made only a very brief appearance and only—and I do mean only—because I was helping Cory with an article he was writing for the school paper. 'Chick like me.' He wanted to know what it was like to be a girl while actually being a girl himself. Since the point was to go on a date like that, and Cory is, well, Cory, I wound up having to do it instead."
"Veronica Wasboyski, huh?" She sounded like she just barely stopped herself from laughing.
"Hey," he said. "Don't mock it. I happened to be very cute."
"I happen to think you are very cute as yourself," she said. "Now, if I ever decide to swing the other way, maybe I'll look up your alter ego."
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"This is great," Topanga said. "Shawn's dating someone. Dani's maybe-kind-of-sort-of dating someone. We're still dating. I think we should triple. Switch things up a bit."
"Whatever you say, honey," Cory said.
Topanga stared at him a minute. He wasn't even looking at her. "Maybe before that, you and I could go to the Pottery Barn."
"Yeah, sure. Sounds good."
"And maybe you and I can sign up for that new ballroom dancing class down at the community center."
"Uh, huh."
"Are you even listening to me?"
"Sure thing, honey."
Topanga drummed her fingers against the table before a big grin plastered across her face. "Then again, I could always sign up for the salsa dancing class. That instructor is really hot. I could definitely learn a thing or two from him."
"Huh, what?" Cory finally seemed to snap his attention over to her.
"You know, there was a time when we actually paid attention to each other when we went out. What happened?"
"Oh, don't take it personally, honey. We've just been together for a long time and I got distracted by our friends' new budding relationships."
"Well, maybe if we go on a triple date, you can actually stay focused on the date." Topanga crossed her arms.
"That's a great idea," Cory said. "Why didn't we think of that before?"
Topanga just barely stopped herself from growling in frustration. She loved him. She did in fact love him. Why was that again?
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"Hey, look," Topanga said. There was a flyer on the bulletin board by the pay phone. She turned back towards Cory, Shawn, Angela, and Dani.
"What is it?" Cory asked.
"The drama club is hosting a superstition themed Friday the 13th dance this Friday. We should all go. You could even invite Brody, Dani." This was just what they all needed to get out of their rut. She and Cory needed to get out with other people. Shawn and Angela were great together. She really liked Angela and wanted to hang out more before Shawn ended things between them. And though Shawn and Dani didn't actively avoid one another anymore, it was still awkward with them, so the more people around as buffers the better. And it was the perfect chance to get to actually meet the guy Dani had started seeing.
"I don't know," Dani said, sounding skeptical.
"Come on. It'll be fun."
"It's not even Halloween," Shawn said. "Who throws that kind of dance in the middle of March?"
"Oh, where's your spirit?" Angela asked. "It's because it's Friday the 13th. I'm game. Sounds fun."
"We could all meet at Chubbie's beforehand and all go together," Topanga said. "We should go shopping. What do you say? Get something new to wear for it?"
"Why?" Dani asked. "It's not formal."
"So? It'll be fun. Give us all a chance to bond more."
"You hear that, Shawn? They're having a girls' night out. We should do something," Cory said.
"You should come with us," Topanga said.
"Why?" Cory asked. "If you want opinions, just ask each other. I can give you mine without even going."
"Yeah?" Topanga crossed her arms. "Like what?"
Cory leaned forward on the bench he was sitting on and started ticking off his fingers. "You look amazing. Beautiful. And no, honey, that doesn't make you look fat."
Shawn snorted beside Cory.
"Oh, you two think that's funny, do you?" Topanga asked.
"Oh, let them be," Angela said. "They'll just complain the whole time. We'll have more fun without them."
"Wow, Shawn," Cory said. "You need to seriously rethink that whole two-week thing. She's a keeper."
"Men," Topanga and Angela said together.
"So what do you say, Dani? Are you in?" Angela asked.
Dani shrugged. "Sure, I guess. Why not?"
"That's the spirit," Topanga said overenthusiastically. Maybe some of it would rub off on Dani.
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Topanga browsed through the clearance rack, pausing at a cute green peasant-style top. She pulled it out and held it up for a better look. Very simple, but it had possibilities. She added it to the stack of clothes she was trying on.
"So you and Brody, huh?" Angela asked.
Topanga glanced up at the two girls across from her.
"What about us?" Dani asked.
"Come on, girl, details," Angela said.
"Hey, how come you haven't asked me any details about Cory," Topanga asked.
"If I want to know about your relationship, all I have to do is pick up a copy of Old Married Couples' magazine, the 50th Anniversary and Still Going Strong issue."
"Ha ha," Topanga said. "Really, though, Dani. What she said. Details."
"Like what?" Dani asked.
Topanga shook her head. They really needed to get that girl out more.
"Well, for starters, you like him obviously, right?" Angela asked.
"I don't know. It's weird," Dani said. "I mean, yeah, I like him. I know I like him . . . a lot, but it's like it's all happening so fast, and when I'm around him, things just get really confusing and fuzzy—like I have a hard time concentrating on much of anything."
"Sounds like someone's caught the love bug."
Dani blushed. "I have not—at least not yet."
"It's a start," Topanga said. "Told you, by the way. Besides, it's a good thing. Relax. Enjoy it. And that conversation we had the other day about you and that . . . uh . . . thing you don't like going into . . . don't worry so much about it."
"Yeah. I guess you're right," Dani said.
"Wow, can you sound anymore unsure?" Angela asked.
Dani shuffled through the clothes on the sales rack. "I just can't shake this feeling that something's . . . ." She paused in her search through the sales rack and frowned. "I don't know. I guess I do worry a lot. That's probably all it is. What about you and Shawn?"
"I don't know. I mean he's cute, and we have fun and all, but it's just two weeks and done. And the first week is more than half over," Angela said.
"You're really okay with that?" Topanga asked.
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be? It's better that way. We have fun and no one gets hurt in the end."
"Bad relationship experience?" Dani asked.
"I've never been with anyone long enough for that, but I've seen what can happen and don't want to deal with it myself."
Topanga held up a red sparkly sweater. "What do you think? Too flashy for a casual dance?"
"Nah. It's cute. Try it," Angela said. "I'm going to head back to try these on. Either of you ready?"
Probably a good idea. Topanga could feel the clothes weighing down her arm. "Just give me one second." Topanga pulled a navy blue and white chevron patterned shirt off the sales rack. She held it in front of her for a second before putting it back. "Okay, I'm ready."
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Cory stopped dead in his tracks. There was no way he would walk under that. There was an open ladder right in front of the gym entrance so everyone had to walk under it to go into the dance. He could almost feel Topanga staring at him. He looked over at her. "Nope. Not gonna happen."
"Really, Cory?" Topanga said, crossing her arms. "It's just a ladder that happens to be open. Nothing bad is going to happen when we walk under it. It's just a superstition."
"Don't tell me you actually buy into that stuff," Angela said.
"Well, it is Friday the 13th and this is a superstition themed dance, so yeah, I'm a little worried we're tempting fate here," Cory said. "Come on, Dani. Back me up here. I mean, you of all people with your . . . ." Cory watched Topanga's, Shawn's, and Dani's eyes all widen. ". . . your open-mindedness about weird stuff. I mean I know you buy into a lot of the supernatural/spiritual/myth-like stuff."
Dani raised her eyebrow. "Uh, yeah. I'm open-minded because there are a lot of weird and unexplainable things out there, but superstitions are just superstitions."
"Superstitions were just ancient cultures' way to explain the unexplainable," Topanga said.
Cory turned to his best friend. "Come on Shawnie. You've got to be with me, at least."
"Yeah. I know as soon as we walk under there, the grim reaper himself will come for us," Shawn deadpanned. "Come on, Cory. Nothing bad is going to happen."
"Don't say that. They always say that and then something bad always does happen."
Shawn walked towards the ladder-blocked entrance.
Cory's worry grew as his best friend walked under the ladder without any hesitation. Shawn stood on the other end for a while. Nothing happened.
"See? I'm fine," Shawn called out.
Cory cautiously went through with Topanga after Angela joined Shawn on the other side. Dani and Brody followed after them.
They were all fine for now. Nothing happened yet.
Cory looked around. He let out a startled scream. There were cracked mirrors all over the walls. These people were going way out of their way to tempt fate here.
"What now?" Shawn asked.
Cory pointed.
"The cracked mirrors?" Topanga clarified, doing little finger quotes around the word 'mirrors.' "Those aren't even real. They can't be. The school wouldn't allow that. It would be a danger hazard . . ." Cory almost chimed in with an 'I told you so.' ". . . because of the risk of people getting hurt from broken glass, not because of a stupid superstition about bad luck for seven years."
"Not real? Not real?" Cory walked over to the side wall to prove a point, only there was no point to make. Topanga was right. It was just torn aluminum foil over top of black construction paper. Huh. Creative. He turned back towards the others. "Okay. So maybe I got a little carried away."
"You think?" Shawn said with a grin.
The group made their way over to one of the many tables set over on the sidelines so they could ditch their winter coats, scarves, hats, and gloves. Each table had a stuffed black cat as a centerpiece. There were also decks of tarot cards and clear glass ornaments—probably meant to simulate crystal balls—at each table. On the wall back behind all the tables were multiple posters that gave trivia about various well-known and not-so-well-known superstitions.
The DJ was set up on the stage. Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" was blaring out of the speakers.
From the corner of his eye, Cory saw Brody lead Dani out to the dance floor. Angela pulled Shawn out there not even seconds later. Feeling a little calmer now that nothing bad had happened yet, he turned to Topanga. The happy couple went out to join their friends.
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John leaned against the wall behind the refreshments table with his arms folded across his chest and blankly stared at the massive blob of students dancing. He hated chaperoning. At least in the past he'd had dates.
George Feeny walked up beside him and sipped from a clear cup filled with punch.
"How did you talk me into this again?" John asked
"Oh, quit your whining," George said. "I hate these things too, but someone's got to do it."
"Couldn't we ask for parent volunteers instead?"
George gave him a pointed look John took as a reminder that he was a parent/guardian now and had been for several months. "I'm sure they would just be lining up to volunteer," George said sarcastically. "Besides, that's why I asked you." He took another sip from his cup. "Cheer up." He checked his watch. "Twenty minutes down, only two hours and forty minutes to go."
"You're not helping."
George smiled. He was getting way too much amusement at John's expense. "Eat some food. Drink some punch. It's the best part about this. It helps pass the time a little better."
"Did someone spike the punch?" John asked a little too cheerfully. Sadly, he wasn't nearly as sarcastic as he should have been.
George glared at him. "That's what we're here for—well . . . one of the reasons—to make sure they don't. Grow up, man."
John checked his watch. Two hours and thirty-nine minutes to go. He just barely resisted the urge to bang his head against the wall.
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"Whoo, I'm beat," Shawn said.
"That makes two of us," Angela said.
"I'm thinking more like all of us," Cory said.
They all walked over towards the table where they left their coats. Dani stopped when she felt someone gently tug on her arm. Some kind of ballad started playing through the speakers.
"Just one more dance?" Brody asked. He looked so sweet and cute with those puppy dog eyes.
She smiled and let him pull her into his arms. It felt so natural to put her arms around his shoulders while he put his around her waist. Between the dimmed lights and the music and Brody softly singing along with the lyrics of Backstreet Boys' "All I Have to Give," it was easy to let herself keep falling. As much as she instinctually tried to fight it—since she always had a hard time letting anyone in—she couldn't deny that it was happening, and she wasn't sure she wanted it to stop.
"You know, I won't walk away, no matter what you do or say," Brody said. "I know something happened between you and that Shawn guy. I don't know what, and I respect that you're not ready to talk about it, but I just want you to know, I will never hurt you like he did."
Dani lowered her head. "That's the thing, though. I hurt him. I didn't mean to, but I did, and—"
"Dani," Brody cut her off. He gently lifted her chin up with his finger. She raised her eyes back up to meet his after only a few seconds hesitation. "It doesn't matter what you did, or may even still do. I will never hurt you like he did."
Dani searched for any hint he wasn't completely serious in his eyes. All she found was her growing love for him reflecting back. She hugged his shoulders tighter and rested her head against his chest. Her heart gave an excited little flutter when he pulled her closer.
Too soon, the song ended and something faster started playing through the speakers. The two reluctantly pulled apart and turned to go join the rest of their group.
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Shawn casually rested his arm across the back of Angela's chair. Of all the girls he'd dated, there were none others like her. They just clicked so naturally. He didn't even have to try to be interested in anything she said. He actually was interested. He'd miss her when their two weeks were up.
"What?" Angela said, looking over at him. It was then he realized he must have been staring.
"Nothing," Shawn said. "Just thinking." He made a point of looking away. "You know, once our two weeks are over and we break up, we could still stay friends at least. I like hanging out with you. And with Cory and Topanga being . . . well, married, it would be nice to have another friend around who's not attached."
"What about Dani?" she asked. "Brody's not always around. You have her."
Shawn shifted in his seat. "We're not really friends anymore."
"I'm sensing there's a story there."
Shawn didn't even know how to go about talking about it with someone who didn't know Dani's capabilities. They may not be friends anymore, but he wouldn't just spill her secret like that. He knew that was a bad idea for so many reasons.
"Either of you interested in a game of poker?" Joey asked. The short, thin thug with shoulder length, straight brown hair stood beside their table with his hands in his pockets. "We've got two more spots to fill."
Shawn had never been more grateful for an interruption.
"Two more spots?" Angela asked. "Why not just go with however many want to play?"
"Because in the spirit of this Friday the 13th dance, we're trying to round up exactly thirteen players. Not twelve. Not fourteen. Thirteen, or it won't be worth it."
"And you just happen to have brought a deck of cards with you?"
"Look around. I didn't have to." Joey picked up the deck of tarot cards on their table. "We'll just stick a few of these babies together."
"I don't think those are meant for games," Angela said.
"Can you even play poker with tarot cards?" Shawn asked.
"That's the fun of it. If it doesn't work, we'll make up our own rules," Joey said.
Shawn bit back a laugh. "Yeah, and I'm betting those rules will stack the game highly in your favor. No thanks. I'm out."
Angela declined too.
Joey shrugged. "Suit yourselves." He walked away. Shawn shook his head when he saw this once-feared thug stop Dani and Brody on their way back from the dance floor. To think he used to be afraid of him. He was nothing compared to those people on the island.
Shawn shook his head to clear that thought. He didn't want to go down that thought trail right now.
Cory and Topanga arrived back from the refreshment table about the same time Dani and Brody got away from Joey.
"Word around the dance is there's a so-called psychic here doing readings for whoever wants it." Topanga set her drink down. "Anyone up for it?" Topanga asked.
"Could be fun," Shawn said.
"Or at least good for a few laughs," Angela said.
"What about you, Dani?" Topanga asked as soon as Dani and Brody made it to the table.
"What about me?" Dani asked.
"We were gonna go see the psychic. Want to join?" Cory asked.
"I don't know," Dani said. "I think I might sit this one out."
"I thought you were open to all that weird stuff," Angela said.
"I am, but—"
"Oh, come on. What's the worst that can happen?" Topanga asked.
Dani frowned down at the table for a moment before shrugging. "I guess I can tag along and decide later."
They all stood up.
"What about you, Brody?" Cory asked. "You in?"
"I'll meet up with you. Where's the bathroom?" Brody asked.
Cory gave him directions and told him where to meet him. He left and the rest of the group stood to go find this possible psychic.
They found him in a back corner of the gym. There was a small table with only two chairs, one on each side. Shawn was a little surprised to see the table was plain. There were no crystal balls or tarot cards or anything that would give a 'smoke and mirrors' effect—just a simple white table cloth and a pile of business cards. The man behind it had short dirty blond hair and was wearing a grey sweater and jeans.
"Welcome to my little corner of the gym," he said in a dull, almost flat, tone. "Who wants a reading first?"
Cory stepped forward. The psychic gestured towards the empty chair across from him. Cory sat down.
"Do you want your friends to step back so you have privacy?"
"No, it's okay," Cory said. "So how does this work? Do I give you my hand or what?"
"No, just sit there," the man said. He stared at Cory for a short while, slightly nodding his head. "You're worried about all this superstitious stuff." The psychic lazily waved his hand in the air during the last part. "It's clouding your aura."
"My what?"
"It's a feeling that emanates off you. I can sense it. You need to lighten up, dude. Relax. Don't stress about this stuff. Most of it is bogus."
Shawn smirked. The guy wasn't speaking in deadpan, per se, but he was so mellow, Shawn had to wonder if he was high on something or if this Zen/hippie thing he had going on was just his normal personality.
"You're also in love . . . deeply in love. Hold onto it. Your girlfriend and you are very lucky to have found that. Not many have a love that strong and pure."
Topanga walked forward.
The psychic immediately looked up and smiled at her. "Ah, the girlfriend."
Cory stood and put his arm around her.
"Yeah, we are pretty lucky, aren't we?" Topanga asked.
"You two bring the best out of each other. Girlfriend, be his grounding force like I sense you usually are. Your love can help him lighten up just like he used to bring you down to earth."
Real deal or not, this guy was good.
Cory and Topanga stepped back away from him.
The psychic guy turned towards Shawn and Angela. "You two have some serious emotional blockage. You're both afraid to commit to anyone—to let anyone in. Don't be." He looked at Shawn. "Just because most of your family is unreliable and takes off on you doesn't mean everyone will." Shawn felt a chill go up his spine. How did this guy know all that? He just barely resisted the urge to glance over at Dani to check out her reaction.
The psychic guy looked at Angela. "Just because your mother left you and your dad doesn't mean you will leave too. And your dad may be stationed overseas, but he's always with you . . . in here." He put his hand over his heart during the last part. "Let each other in. The results may surprise you."
Shawn looked over at Angela. Her eyes had taken on a faint watery look. She blinked furiously, but none of the tears escaped. He looked away. He didn't know that about her. Yeah, they just started dating and would only be going out for one more week, but still. Of all the things to have in common with a girl . . . .
By the time Shawn focused back on the psychic guy, he seemed to be focused in on Dani. He wasn't saying anything, just staring at her . . . studying her. Shawn came dangerously close to letting out a snort. Good luck, buddy, he thought. Somehow, he doubted even this guy, however good at this he may be, could crack the mystery surrounding her.
"You have some serious blockage," the man said after a long time. "I'm sensing . . . ." Finally he started nodding slightly, like he had when he studied Cory. "I'm sensing insecurity. You're afraid others won't accept you for who you are. Sorrow over a friendship lost. Strength. Bravery. A lot of bravery . . . and love—an intense love that doesn't seem quite n—"
The man's eyes widened. "Whoah."