Chapter 10
A silence filled the beach for what felt like hours, even though it was only a minute. Shawn, still ontop of Belle, shifted his weight uncomfortably and started to wonder if Belle heard him. He then started to wonder if she was even conscious--she had the same dazed expression on her face since he told her the truth. Shawn closed his eyes when it dawned on him--Belle was thinking of a way to let him down...to let him know she only thought of him as the ill-fated friend. Or maybe she'll use the "it's not you, it's me." "I'm too busy with cheerleading to have a boyfriend." "Um, thanks, Shawn." "Get off me, you creep." Any of these would send Shawn packing his bags and buying a one-way ticket to Mexico. Is that far away enough? How was Guam this time of ye--
"Your in what with me?" A whisper sliced through his thoughts like a knife.
This was his chance. He can take back what he said, go back to her not knowing how he felt. Shawn was about to say that she misheard him until he realized...he couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't keep lying to himself...and Belle.
"I--Well, you know. I'm, uh..." Dammit, why is she making me say this again, he thought. "I'm in love with you. Belle." Did it sound more romantic when I said her name? he thought. Yeah, definitely. Good thinking, buddy, Shawn congratulated himself.
Another wave washed over their legs.
"I love you too. Shawn," Belle choked out. This has to be a dream, she thought. She has dreamed about this moment, fantasized about it, imagined it happening in school, at a carnival, a dance, at her door with him carrying a dozen red roses and a teddy bear...but she never really thought Shawn Brady telling her he loved her would ever actually happen. Especially like this.
But when she felt Shawn's lips against hers, nothing seemed more real. The kiss was nothing like either of them expected. It was full of hope, trust, relief, passion and love. Neither of them wanted to pull away, both scared and excited...knowing nothing would be the same for them ever again.
Philip got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. It turned out that when Chloe said she wanted to go for a swim, she meant it.
**Right when Philip opened his mouth to ask her what was happening, she shot off like Brook Bennett trying to win the Olympic gold. As she swam around the ocean at a steady pace, Philip bobbed up and down in the water in shock. He just couldn't get why she was acting this way.
Chloe enjoyed the refreshing feel of the water. It took away from her troubles. One minute, she wanted to pretend that she and Philip could be okay, that they could work things out. But then she'd always realize what she realized on the bed before the gang picked rooms. That she could never---her thought was interrupted by a girlie scream.
"Belle? Mimi?" Chloe called out, unsure which of her friends had screamed. Then she caught Philip wincing in pain a few feet away from her. "Philip? Was that you?"
Philip nodded and continued to grimace. "Jellyfish."
Chloe couldn't help but giggle. "You'll be fine. The jellyfish stings down here are never that bad. Priceless scream, by the way, Philip."
"Can we just go back to the condo?"
Chloe helped Philip back up the beach and he tried to take another great opportunity to ask her why she was acting cold one minute and hot the next. Unfortunately, when he began his question, Chloe just happened to spot a rare type of bird that she thought would be fun to babble about for the rest of the trip up to the condo.**
Philip sighed and leaned against the edge of the sink. What was she hiding from him? Philip walked out of the bathroom and heard Mimi and Brady laughing downstairs. He heard the TV blasting also...he assumed Jason and Chloe were watching it. He wondered where Belle and Shawn were as he walked into his room to see Chloe lying in one of the beds reading.
"Oh...I thought you were downstairs."
Chloe looked up to see Philip soaking wet and dressed only in a towel. She couldn't help gaping at the sight and Philip smiled at her reaction. Chloe quickly averted her attention back to her book. "Hi, Philip."
"Chloe," he said, walking over to her bed. He pulled her book down so he could look into her eyes. "What's been wrong? You've been acting so different towards me since we got here."
"Nothing. I--nothing. Um, I'm really tired, Philip, maybe we should just go to sleep."
"It's only eleven."
"Oh. Well, um, I kinda want to finish this book," she said, fumbling with it at first before pulling it up to her face. Her eyes quickly scanned the pages and Philip sighed.
"Good book so far?"
"Yeah, especially this chapter," Chloe responded, still staring at the pages.
"You must be a really talented reader...I don't know anyone else that can read upside down so fast." Chloe noticed she was holding her book upside down and slowly closed it, smiling guiltily.
"Chloe, please tell me what's going on."
"Are you hungry? I can go down and--"
"Dammit, Chloe, cut it out!" Philip screamed, making Chloe jump. "I'm tired of playing this game, ok?! I want you to tell me what's wrong and I want you to tell me right now!"
Chloe stared at Philip with her mouth wide open in shock. Her thoughts were spinning...she was scared to tell Philip of why she was acting the way she was. She only had the courage to say it once, but Mimi interrupted. Now, with Philip's yelling echoing in her mind and her own thoughts pounding loudly...it was too much. With tears streaming down her face, Chloe pushed past Philip and ran from the room.
"Chloe!" Philip called after her. He heard the others downstairs call after her too and then the front door slammed shut. Philip ran out of the room in record speed. He rushed past Mimi, Brady and Jason and out the front door. The trio stood there in silence before Brady spoke up.
"Does he realize he was only wearing a towel?"
Chapter 11
Shawn broke the kiss to breathe and stared into Belle's eyes. He couldn't help grinning. He finally kissed Belle Black. And it was amazing.
"Shawn?" Belle whispered.
"Yeah?"
"My leg fell asleep."
Shawn bust out into laughter. "Okay, Princess Isabella, as much as I hate to tear myself off of you..." -- he rolled off Belle and sat Indian style, picking Belle up easily and sitting her on his lap as she shrieked -- "this will just have to do."
Belle wrapped her arms around Shawn's neck and lightly kissed him again. "I don't even know what to say," she laughed. "You've been my best friend for years and now I don't even what to say to you."
"Tell me you love me again."
"I love you, Tough Boy."
"I love you, Perfect Girl." He was amazed how easily he could say those words now. "I have never met a girl like you before, Belle. I know I never will. You've made me see things in ways I never thought I could see and I don't know what I'd do without you in my life. You're my angel."
Belle looked into Shawn's eyes as a single tear fell down her face. "Shawn...I had no idea. But I feel...you practically read my mind word for word. Your...your like a part of me, Shawn."
Shawn kissed her again, getting lost in the fact that their lips together felt so right. When they parted, Belle giggled. "I feel like we've just earned our spots as Hallmark writers."
Shawn laughed with Belle. "Or the Backstreet Boys' new songwriters."
Belle looked up at the stars and sighed happily. "This feels so right, Shawn," she whispered, barely audible. "Nothing could make this more perfect." Shawn couldn't help but stare at the beauty of Belle's face in the moonlight. She looked...wonderful. An idea popped into Shawn's head and he grinned.
"Well, I wouldn't say nothing...would you dance with me, Belle Black?"
"But there's no music..."
"Sssh. Just trust me."
Belle stared into his soulful eyes and didn't even hear herself speak. "I trust you."
The two stood up and Shawn began humming as they swayed in the moonlight. The water crashed around their feet and Belle thought she might faint...she was still unsure this moment was really happening. Soon, Shawn began to sing in Belle's ear and she began to cry when she realized what he was singing...to her.
**It's late in the evening...she's wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blond hair
And then she asks me..."Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes...you look wonderful tonight."
We go to a party...and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady who's walking around with me
And then she asks me..."Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes...I feel wonderful tonight."
I feel wonderful because I see the love light up in your eyes
And the wonder of it all is that you just don't realize
How much I love you
It's time to go home now...and I've got an aching head
So I give her the car key and she helps me to bed
And then I tell her...as I turn out the light
I say, "My darling...you are wonderful tonight."
Oh, my darling, you are wonderful tonight.**
Belle lifted her head to meet Shawn's face. He had tears welling in his eyes and Belle was all cried out. "Belle...you are wonderful...always."
"I love you, Shawn," she whispered as she watched a falling star over his shoulder. She smiled and closed her eyes. All of her wishes have already come true.
(song: Wonderful Tonight, by Eric Clapton)
Chapter 12
Brady slammed the fridge shut and walked quickly to the back door. "That's it, I'm going to look for them."
Mimi caught up with him and grabbed his wrist. "Brady, she's not ten anymore. Not to mention she's just with Shawn--"
"Who's a seventeen year old guy."
"Who's her best friend," Mimi corrected. "They're probably just talking on the beach or something."
"Yeah, it's the 'something' I'm not crazy about," Brady muttered.
"You're hopeless, Brady," Mimi said, rolling her eyes as she walked back to the living room.
"I'm going upstairs to change and take a shower," Brady said, still in his swimsuit. "If they're not back by the time I'm downstairs, Shawn's sleeping in the car."
Mimi sat down next to Jason, who asleep on the couch. He was curled up in a little ball and was shivering a little. Mimi smiled in spite of herself and grabbed a blanket from the hall closet. As she walked back to the couch, she accidentally stepped on the remote control, which was on the floor. The TV was turned up almost to the full volume, and Limp Bizkit was rocking out their new song.
"Dammit!" Mimi murmured and turned off the television with the remote. She turned back to see Jason sitting straight up on the couch and she screamed, throwing the blanket up in the air in surprise.
"Thanks for the wake-up call, Meems. The scream was a good back-up though to make sure I was fully awake," Jason said bitterly, rubbing his eyes.
"I was just bringing you this blanket," Mimi said defensively, pointing to the blanket on the floor.
"Yeah, I just love how you tossed it on the floor. Thanks, what a pal."
"You scared me! I thought you were sleeping!"
Jason stood up and crossed his arms. "I was, until you decided to play me that nice Limp Bizkit lullaby. You're just going to make this vacation hell for me aren't you?"
Mimi lost her short being-nice-to-Jason mood as she gained confidence she never knew she had. "Just like you've made my life hell for me since elementary school."
"Oh, God, Mimi, get over it! Chloe did!"
"Chloe only had to deal with you being an ass for a year! On the plane,you told her you were a great guy, pre-Jan...yeah, sure, to your friends! Never to me!"
"Look, I'm sorry, whatever, ok?"
Mimi threw her hands up in the air. "Well, there it is, folks! The greatest apology in history! How long did it take you to think up that one, Jase? You really deserve an Oscar for that eloquent speech."
Jason sighed in exasperation. "You know, Mimi, we had a deal. You stay out of my way, and I stay out of yours'."
Mimi, on a roll, moved closer to Jason and put her hands on her hips. "I've wanted you out of my way for my entire life, Jason. But you always did what you wanted--you made fun of me every day for years, looked down on me. Now it's time for what I want. I want you to realize how goddamn annoying it is to have someone you hate always have some sort of mean comment on everything you do."
"That was middle school, Mimi. Everyone was annoying...besides, I hardly talked to you in high school until now."
"Exactly! You ignored me until it was my turn to be made fun of by Tweetle-Dumb and Tweetle-Dumber! And now that Jan is gone from your life, everyone might have forgiven you...but not me."
"I could care less if you've forgiven me or not, Mimi!"
Mimi's eyes filled with rage and Jason titled his head to the side. There was something different about her right now (besides her explosive anger) that he couldn't put his finger on. "You know what, Jason? Forget what I said about me making fun of everything you do. It's not worth actually having to spend any time with you."
"Sounds good to me. Stay away from me and you won't have to deal with me," Jason said, never taking his eyes off of her. He felt so angry...but he felt something else that he couldn't figure out. What was it?
"Fine!" Mimi shouted.
"Fine!"
"Good!"
"Great!"
They stood there for a second staring at each other in rage. Out of nowhere, Jason grabbed Mimi's face and planted a kiss roughly on her lips
A silence filled the beach for what felt like hours, even though it was only a minute. Shawn, still ontop of Belle, shifted his weight uncomfortably and started to wonder if Belle heard him. He then started to wonder if she was even conscious--she had the same dazed expression on her face since he told her the truth. Shawn closed his eyes when it dawned on him--Belle was thinking of a way to let him down...to let him know she only thought of him as the ill-fated friend. Or maybe she'll use the "it's not you, it's me." "I'm too busy with cheerleading to have a boyfriend." "Um, thanks, Shawn." "Get off me, you creep." Any of these would send Shawn packing his bags and buying a one-way ticket to Mexico. Is that far away enough? How was Guam this time of ye--
"Your in what with me?" A whisper sliced through his thoughts like a knife.
This was his chance. He can take back what he said, go back to her not knowing how he felt. Shawn was about to say that she misheard him until he realized...he couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't keep lying to himself...and Belle.
"I--Well, you know. I'm, uh..." Dammit, why is she making me say this again, he thought. "I'm in love with you. Belle." Did it sound more romantic when I said her name? he thought. Yeah, definitely. Good thinking, buddy, Shawn congratulated himself.
Another wave washed over their legs.
"I love you too. Shawn," Belle choked out. This has to be a dream, she thought. She has dreamed about this moment, fantasized about it, imagined it happening in school, at a carnival, a dance, at her door with him carrying a dozen red roses and a teddy bear...but she never really thought Shawn Brady telling her he loved her would ever actually happen. Especially like this.
But when she felt Shawn's lips against hers, nothing seemed more real. The kiss was nothing like either of them expected. It was full of hope, trust, relief, passion and love. Neither of them wanted to pull away, both scared and excited...knowing nothing would be the same for them ever again.
Philip got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. It turned out that when Chloe said she wanted to go for a swim, she meant it.
**Right when Philip opened his mouth to ask her what was happening, she shot off like Brook Bennett trying to win the Olympic gold. As she swam around the ocean at a steady pace, Philip bobbed up and down in the water in shock. He just couldn't get why she was acting this way.
Chloe enjoyed the refreshing feel of the water. It took away from her troubles. One minute, she wanted to pretend that she and Philip could be okay, that they could work things out. But then she'd always realize what she realized on the bed before the gang picked rooms. That she could never---her thought was interrupted by a girlie scream.
"Belle? Mimi?" Chloe called out, unsure which of her friends had screamed. Then she caught Philip wincing in pain a few feet away from her. "Philip? Was that you?"
Philip nodded and continued to grimace. "Jellyfish."
Chloe couldn't help but giggle. "You'll be fine. The jellyfish stings down here are never that bad. Priceless scream, by the way, Philip."
"Can we just go back to the condo?"
Chloe helped Philip back up the beach and he tried to take another great opportunity to ask her why she was acting cold one minute and hot the next. Unfortunately, when he began his question, Chloe just happened to spot a rare type of bird that she thought would be fun to babble about for the rest of the trip up to the condo.**
Philip sighed and leaned against the edge of the sink. What was she hiding from him? Philip walked out of the bathroom and heard Mimi and Brady laughing downstairs. He heard the TV blasting also...he assumed Jason and Chloe were watching it. He wondered where Belle and Shawn were as he walked into his room to see Chloe lying in one of the beds reading.
"Oh...I thought you were downstairs."
Chloe looked up to see Philip soaking wet and dressed only in a towel. She couldn't help gaping at the sight and Philip smiled at her reaction. Chloe quickly averted her attention back to her book. "Hi, Philip."
"Chloe," he said, walking over to her bed. He pulled her book down so he could look into her eyes. "What's been wrong? You've been acting so different towards me since we got here."
"Nothing. I--nothing. Um, I'm really tired, Philip, maybe we should just go to sleep."
"It's only eleven."
"Oh. Well, um, I kinda want to finish this book," she said, fumbling with it at first before pulling it up to her face. Her eyes quickly scanned the pages and Philip sighed.
"Good book so far?"
"Yeah, especially this chapter," Chloe responded, still staring at the pages.
"You must be a really talented reader...I don't know anyone else that can read upside down so fast." Chloe noticed she was holding her book upside down and slowly closed it, smiling guiltily.
"Chloe, please tell me what's going on."
"Are you hungry? I can go down and--"
"Dammit, Chloe, cut it out!" Philip screamed, making Chloe jump. "I'm tired of playing this game, ok?! I want you to tell me what's wrong and I want you to tell me right now!"
Chloe stared at Philip with her mouth wide open in shock. Her thoughts were spinning...she was scared to tell Philip of why she was acting the way she was. She only had the courage to say it once, but Mimi interrupted. Now, with Philip's yelling echoing in her mind and her own thoughts pounding loudly...it was too much. With tears streaming down her face, Chloe pushed past Philip and ran from the room.
"Chloe!" Philip called after her. He heard the others downstairs call after her too and then the front door slammed shut. Philip ran out of the room in record speed. He rushed past Mimi, Brady and Jason and out the front door. The trio stood there in silence before Brady spoke up.
"Does he realize he was only wearing a towel?"
Chapter 11
Shawn broke the kiss to breathe and stared into Belle's eyes. He couldn't help grinning. He finally kissed Belle Black. And it was amazing.
"Shawn?" Belle whispered.
"Yeah?"
"My leg fell asleep."
Shawn bust out into laughter. "Okay, Princess Isabella, as much as I hate to tear myself off of you..." -- he rolled off Belle and sat Indian style, picking Belle up easily and sitting her on his lap as she shrieked -- "this will just have to do."
Belle wrapped her arms around Shawn's neck and lightly kissed him again. "I don't even know what to say," she laughed. "You've been my best friend for years and now I don't even what to say to you."
"Tell me you love me again."
"I love you, Tough Boy."
"I love you, Perfect Girl." He was amazed how easily he could say those words now. "I have never met a girl like you before, Belle. I know I never will. You've made me see things in ways I never thought I could see and I don't know what I'd do without you in my life. You're my angel."
Belle looked into Shawn's eyes as a single tear fell down her face. "Shawn...I had no idea. But I feel...you practically read my mind word for word. Your...your like a part of me, Shawn."
Shawn kissed her again, getting lost in the fact that their lips together felt so right. When they parted, Belle giggled. "I feel like we've just earned our spots as Hallmark writers."
Shawn laughed with Belle. "Or the Backstreet Boys' new songwriters."
Belle looked up at the stars and sighed happily. "This feels so right, Shawn," she whispered, barely audible. "Nothing could make this more perfect." Shawn couldn't help but stare at the beauty of Belle's face in the moonlight. She looked...wonderful. An idea popped into Shawn's head and he grinned.
"Well, I wouldn't say nothing...would you dance with me, Belle Black?"
"But there's no music..."
"Sssh. Just trust me."
Belle stared into his soulful eyes and didn't even hear herself speak. "I trust you."
The two stood up and Shawn began humming as they swayed in the moonlight. The water crashed around their feet and Belle thought she might faint...she was still unsure this moment was really happening. Soon, Shawn began to sing in Belle's ear and she began to cry when she realized what he was singing...to her.
**It's late in the evening...she's wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blond hair
And then she asks me..."Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes...you look wonderful tonight."
We go to a party...and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady who's walking around with me
And then she asks me..."Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes...I feel wonderful tonight."
I feel wonderful because I see the love light up in your eyes
And the wonder of it all is that you just don't realize
How much I love you
It's time to go home now...and I've got an aching head
So I give her the car key and she helps me to bed
And then I tell her...as I turn out the light
I say, "My darling...you are wonderful tonight."
Oh, my darling, you are wonderful tonight.**
Belle lifted her head to meet Shawn's face. He had tears welling in his eyes and Belle was all cried out. "Belle...you are wonderful...always."
"I love you, Shawn," she whispered as she watched a falling star over his shoulder. She smiled and closed her eyes. All of her wishes have already come true.
(song: Wonderful Tonight, by Eric Clapton)
Chapter 12
Brady slammed the fridge shut and walked quickly to the back door. "That's it, I'm going to look for them."
Mimi caught up with him and grabbed his wrist. "Brady, she's not ten anymore. Not to mention she's just with Shawn--"
"Who's a seventeen year old guy."
"Who's her best friend," Mimi corrected. "They're probably just talking on the beach or something."
"Yeah, it's the 'something' I'm not crazy about," Brady muttered.
"You're hopeless, Brady," Mimi said, rolling her eyes as she walked back to the living room.
"I'm going upstairs to change and take a shower," Brady said, still in his swimsuit. "If they're not back by the time I'm downstairs, Shawn's sleeping in the car."
Mimi sat down next to Jason, who asleep on the couch. He was curled up in a little ball and was shivering a little. Mimi smiled in spite of herself and grabbed a blanket from the hall closet. As she walked back to the couch, she accidentally stepped on the remote control, which was on the floor. The TV was turned up almost to the full volume, and Limp Bizkit was rocking out their new song.
"Dammit!" Mimi murmured and turned off the television with the remote. She turned back to see Jason sitting straight up on the couch and she screamed, throwing the blanket up in the air in surprise.
"Thanks for the wake-up call, Meems. The scream was a good back-up though to make sure I was fully awake," Jason said bitterly, rubbing his eyes.
"I was just bringing you this blanket," Mimi said defensively, pointing to the blanket on the floor.
"Yeah, I just love how you tossed it on the floor. Thanks, what a pal."
"You scared me! I thought you were sleeping!"
Jason stood up and crossed his arms. "I was, until you decided to play me that nice Limp Bizkit lullaby. You're just going to make this vacation hell for me aren't you?"
Mimi lost her short being-nice-to-Jason mood as she gained confidence she never knew she had. "Just like you've made my life hell for me since elementary school."
"Oh, God, Mimi, get over it! Chloe did!"
"Chloe only had to deal with you being an ass for a year! On the plane,you told her you were a great guy, pre-Jan...yeah, sure, to your friends! Never to me!"
"Look, I'm sorry, whatever, ok?"
Mimi threw her hands up in the air. "Well, there it is, folks! The greatest apology in history! How long did it take you to think up that one, Jase? You really deserve an Oscar for that eloquent speech."
Jason sighed in exasperation. "You know, Mimi, we had a deal. You stay out of my way, and I stay out of yours'."
Mimi, on a roll, moved closer to Jason and put her hands on her hips. "I've wanted you out of my way for my entire life, Jason. But you always did what you wanted--you made fun of me every day for years, looked down on me. Now it's time for what I want. I want you to realize how goddamn annoying it is to have someone you hate always have some sort of mean comment on everything you do."
"That was middle school, Mimi. Everyone was annoying...besides, I hardly talked to you in high school until now."
"Exactly! You ignored me until it was my turn to be made fun of by Tweetle-Dumb and Tweetle-Dumber! And now that Jan is gone from your life, everyone might have forgiven you...but not me."
"I could care less if you've forgiven me or not, Mimi!"
Mimi's eyes filled with rage and Jason titled his head to the side. There was something different about her right now (besides her explosive anger) that he couldn't put his finger on. "You know what, Jason? Forget what I said about me making fun of everything you do. It's not worth actually having to spend any time with you."
"Sounds good to me. Stay away from me and you won't have to deal with me," Jason said, never taking his eyes off of her. He felt so angry...but he felt something else that he couldn't figure out. What was it?
"Fine!" Mimi shouted.
"Fine!"
"Good!"
"Great!"
They stood there for a second staring at each other in rage. Out of nowhere, Jason grabbed Mimi's face and planted a kiss roughly on her lips