Love at First Touch

Chapter 12 - The Fight

The sun peeked in through the small portion of the window exposed through the blinds. It shined directly onto Belle's face, causing her to wake up from her slumber.

She sits up from her bed and wipes her eyes as she tries to fully wake and begin her day.

Belle reminisced about the night before. the night where all was forgiven. She pictured her embrace with Shawn as he whispered the words Thank you while gently kissing her forehead. That image was one in which she wanted to cherish forever as the first night that they were able to free themselves from the past and focus on their future together.

She looked at the picture of her mother on her nightstand and said aloud, "Thank you. again."

A rock smashed through Shawn's window and landed at the foot of his bed. The shattering sounds made him jump from his bed and take defense.

He waited a few moments before he felt that his room was once again his safe haven.

Shawn reached over and picked up the rock. The rock's size caused him to hold it with both hands. As he was inspecting the rock, he noticed that a paper was attached to it and had fallen on the floor. He placed the rock down on the bed and reached over for the paper.

I told you to stay away from her read the writing on the paper.

"Brady," commented Shawn to himself.

Shawn decided it was time to take action on this matter with Belle's brother. If Belle and Shawn were going to move forward with their relationship without looking back, something had to be done.

He grabbed his jeans and anxiously put them on. He swung one arm towards the chair and seized his leather jacket.

Shawn practically ran out of his room and out of his house. He jumped in his truck and drove off like a maniac.

Belle swung the kitchen door open and greeted her father.

"Hi, dad!" "Hey pumpkin. How did you sleep?"

"Wonderful. What do you have cooking there?"

"Pancakes, lots of pancakes."

"Yum. can't wait to have some," said Belle in a cheery tone.

"What has got you so happy this morning?"

"Let's just say that mom came for a visit and we resolved some issues."

"Is that a fact?" said John while lifting his eyebrow.

"Yes, that IS a fact. Can you tell Brady that Shawn and I are fine and I no longer need his brotherly protection? I was so tired when I got back, I forgot to tell him and I had a feeling that he was keeping a close eye on Shawn."

"No problem, kiddo."

"Thanks, dad. I'm off to the mall. Going to meet Meems and go shopping together."

"Be easy on the credit cards or you'll wear them out!" said her father with a chuckle.

Belle grabbed her purse and dashed out of her home.

Shawn arrived at his destination.

He rang the doorbell and impatiently waited for someone to answer.

The door opens and Shawn is greeted.

"Hey son, you just missed her," said John.

"Actually, I'm looking for Brady, is he home?"

"No, he's at the gym in Salem Place."

"Thanks!" exclaimed Shawn as he ran out of the building.

He hurried and made his way to Salem Place.

"Meems!" yelled Belle as she flagged down Mimi.

Mimi Lockhart was Belle's best friend since forever. Belle's busy life at school kept her from seeing Mimi, but they talked a few times a week. It has been several months since they had seen each other and about a week since their last conversation. Belle hadn't a chance to talk to her friend since she finished school, so she is clueless about Shawn.

Mimi rushed towards Belle nearly pushing over the shoppers at Salem Place. When she reached her, she hugged her and practically knocked the wind out of her.

"Ohhhhh. I missed you so much, Belle! Why haven't you called?" pouted Mimi.

"I was busy with my finals. and. I met a guy."

"A guy?! Oooo girl, tell me all the details," said Mimi as she tugged and pulled her friend to a seat at the Java Café.

"Well, he's as handsome as they come. Meems, this guy is out of this world and so romantic. I've only known him for so little, but I think I'm in love."

"Does he have a twin brother?" said Mimi with a smile.

"Oh don't you wish!" Belle paused and considered telling Mimi about the past that Shawn shared with her, but decided against it. It was best if they leave the past behind. "He's giving me letters, gifts, and the best kisses in Salem."

"Sounds like a dream. So when can I meet him so I can give him my Too Hot to Handle test?"

"I'm sure you'll meet him soon."

"I better!" commanded Mimi in a joking way.

Shawn threw open the gym door and targeted Brady.

Like a missile, Shawn darted towards Brady in the back of the room. Brady was caught off guard as Shawn grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

"You listen, and you listen good. Your sister and I don't need you trying to mess up our relationship. You need to go and get your facts straight before you start destroying property, or us for that matter." Shawn demanded.

"Let's take this outside," said Brady.

Brady walked towards the outside of the gym followed by Shawn.

When they reached outside, Brady quickly turned around and landed a punch to Shawn's stomach.

"Maybe next time, you'll change your tone with me."

Shawn didn't take this lightly. After recovering from Brady's punch he gathered his strength to run full blast toward him and knock him to the ground.

"FIGHT!!!!" Yelled an unknown shopper who was witnessing the fight.

"FIGHT!!!"

"Did you hear that? Let's go check it out." Mimi told Belle. Mimi was always the type of person that wanted to observe everything happening around her and everyone she passed by.

Before Belle could say anything, she dragged Belle towards the large crowd forming around the folks fighting.

Both girls made their way through the crowd. They both thought they recognized the man that was facing in their direction.

"Shawn?!"

Belle looked at Mimi. "How'd you know his name?"

"Duh, that's the guy I was dating last month," said Mimi.

Although the fight was still occurring, Belle heard silence as her world once again was twisted with something from the past.