Chapter III: Romance Grows (A Valentine To Remember)
Romance continued to blossom after Christmas. One knew that Valentine's Day was coming to Enchanted Falls. Little hearts started to appear around the school. Girls were starting to flirt a little more, and the couples were even more mushy than ever. Belle and the Beast would hold hands while walking around the school and Gaston's attention was focused more on Julie, in hopes to make Belle jealous. Belle didn't even care, she knew the reason why Gaston was dating Julie, but acted like she knew nothing around Julie. Belle could be seen at more wrestling matches and now the Beast had more friends. It was clear in the lunch room. More people were starting to drift away from Gaston and his football team and more went towards the Beast's table. Before, even the wrestling team wouldn't eat with him. Now, the tables were swamped with kids talking and laughing.
One thing that surprised me was how popular Belle was becoming now. The Beast always had his own little moments in the sun, when he won all those wrestling titles for the school. Belle wasn't never popular and was an outcast from the beginning. Now, she seemed to be more into the student body. She had been elected as senior class rep to the student council (the previous had to resign due to conflicting schedules) and had gotten many privileges back for the seniors, who loved it. She started a literature club, with me as the moderator, and we would discuss famous pieces from literature. One day after the meeting, Robin Ashen, the Head of the Committee for Student Dances, came up to Belle. "Hey, Belle, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked. "Sure. About what?"
"The Valentine's Day dance. I was wondering, I need someone to work on the decoration committee. You did such a good job decorating the classroom for Mrs. Feval's going away party," Robin said. Mrs. Feval was the senior English teacher and had left for her maternity leave. The seniors threw her a party/baby shower. "Well, thanks, I'll think it over. Can I tell you tomorrow? But I think I can do it," Belle said. "Absolutely. Thanks, Belle. See you tomorrow. Bye, Mr. Gregorio!" Robin left the library. The next day, Belle agreed to do the decorations.
A few days later, the whole school was buzzing with news. There would be something different done at the dance this year. It was a contest held by the Student Council to find the cutest couples. There were three couples that stood out with me: Julie and Gaston, Belle and the Beast, and Polly and Chris. The latter four were walking down the hallway one day, reading the list of couples. "Me and Polly? That is preposterous! One little dance on Christmas and you're suddenly an item!" Chris said, shaking the paper. "Chris, calm down. Someone probably put your names on as a joke," the Beast said. "I highly doubt Belle would dare do it," Chris said, glaring at the brown haired senior. "No, Chris, I didn't have access to the list," Belle said sweetly. "Good," Chris said. "But who could've?" Polly burst out suddenly, "I'm going to kill him!"
"Kill who?" Belle asked. "Lance," Polly replied. "Lance?" the others chorused. "Yes. Remember, he was voted as a homeroom rep to the Student Council. He added our names as a joke! It had to be him. Ross, put him in a headlock the next time you see him and tell Lance that it is from me!" Polly said, suddenly standing in front of her cousin, who stood at least a foot taller than her. "Calm down, Polly, I'm not putting anyone in a headlock. Not until my next competition, anyway," the Beast told his cousin. "But," he told her, "I might need some help practicing for it. Maybe Lance will help me." This seemed to satisfy Polly, who went to her next class all smiles. Chris left for his, still huffing about how "this whole matter is absurd." That left Belle and the Beast alone for the time being. "What do you think of it?" Belle asked her boyfriend. "I think it's all in fun," he replied. "What about you?"
"I think the same. It would be even funnier if Polly and Chris won it, though," she replied. "I wonder why they are taking it so horribly?" The Beast started to smile, as if reliving some funny memory. "You want to know why they're taking it so badly?" he asked. "Yes," Belle replied, eagerly. "Okay. When we were in eighth grade, the yearbook editor thought that it would be cute to make couples out of everyone in the class and put them in the yearbook. We had an even amount of boys and girls, so it worked out in the end. Lance was paired with Jessie Killington, back when she was a brunette. ("I knew it was dyed!") I remember she hated being paired with Lance. You see, back in second grade, Lance put a frog in her desk and she still hasn't forgiven him.
"Chris and Polly were paired up. It wasn't so bad, but Lance teased them recklessly. Looking back, I wasn't too much of a help since I didn't stop them, but what's in the past is in the past. Taking after Lance's example, the entire class started to tease the two. Oh, the taunts they would say, to their faces and behind their backs. It was cruel. Then, the families joined in and now the two are very, very upset every time they are labeled 'an item,'" the Beast finished his story. "The poor dears!" Belle cried. By this time, they had arrived at their class. "By the way, who were you paired up with?"
"Janie Olsen." The two shuddered before Belle started to laugh.
Valentine's Day came and you knew it. Belle and I were busy in the library when flowers arrived for her: two bouquets. "Someone has many valentines," I joked with her. "Yes, I am just fighting off those boys with pepper spray," she responded, pulling her emergency pepper spray out of her purse. "Now why would you need pepper spray here?" I asked, surprised. Enchanted Falls was a quiet town, no crime. The police slept all day. "I didn't need it for here, but my father didn't feel that I was safe walking around the city we used live in without it. My best friend Jade had one as well. Our other friend Joanne knew martial arts, so she didn't really carry it around. Besides, we went everywhere together, so Jade and I could pepper spray the person while Joanne re-adjusted his spine," Belle said. She had finished reading the cards and started to smell the flowers. "Well, who are they from?" I asked. "One's from Ross and the other's from my father," she replied. "Well, I better get home to prepare for the dance tonight. I'll see you there! Bye, Mr. Gregorio!" she called as she skipped out of the library, flowers and all.
Belle's decorations were beautiful I noted as I stepped into the gym. Some kids were there already mingling and talking. As time went on, more and more couples started to arrive. Lance arrived with Francine, the girl he had danced with at Christmas. The two were giggling and made their way to save a table. Polly came in next, followed by Chris. The two seemed to be taking the pain to leave a certain distance between them. Lastly, Belle and the Beast entered. People called to the two and they responded. Lance stood on a chair, trying to get his friends' attention. Polly was sinking under her seat, Chris was turning redder than he already was, and Francine was trying to pull her date down. "Lance, you are an idiot," the Beast said as he pulled out Belle's chair. "And you are a true gentlemen, mon ami!" Lance replied. "Which can't be said about some people," Polly retorted, glaring at the skinny boy. "What?" Lance replied, as Polly's glare grew darker. "I'm going to go get some punch!" Chris squeaked, uncomfortable with the looks being passed across the table. "I'll join you," Francine stuttered out, also uncomfortable with Polly's dark look. The Beast tried to calm down his cousin, but in the end, Belle save the day. She pulled Polly out to the dance floor. "Polly, you have got to forgive Lance. He said he was sorry," Belle said. (After the wrestling "practice," Lance got up and apologized to both Polly and Chris. Unfortunately, he couldn't take their names off the list.) "But he is such a jerk. I can't believe he called up those memories again. I guess I should tell you-"
"Ross did. And Lance really regrets it. He honestly thought you two were over it. Just forgive him already," Belle pleaded with her friend. "Oh, all right!" Polly marched to the table. The next minute, she and Lance were hugging and all the friends went out onto the dance floor. The group danced until it came time for the contest. "Excuse me," Robin shouted into the mike, "will the couples please come on to the stage." The six nominated couples took their places. Polly and Chris were blushing beyond control. Julie and Gaston had their arms around the other's waist. Belle and the Beast held each other's hand. The other three stood near-by. "Okay, before we announce the cutest couple, there are a couple of other categories that we were asked to add. The first is Most Obsessed, which went hands down to Rick and Jill," Robin said. Seniors Rick Mitch and Jill McKenzie were always together. Rumor had it that if you ever borrowed their notes it was filled with just their names and anniversary. "Next is the Worst couple, that goes to Kelly and Josh!" Juniors Kelly Andersen and Josh Johnson were always arguing, which they were doing when they received their awards. Now, there were only four couples on the stage. "We do have to apologize to one of our couples," Robin said. "They were added on as a friendly joke and the person who added them has asked they be removed. The decision is up to them. Polly? Chris?" The two red seniors looked at Robin with gratitude and fled the stage. I noticed that Polly went back and hugged Lance even harder than ever. That left three. "Okay, second place goes to Julie and Gaston!" Robin cried, giving the two the second prize, a discount for a local restaurant. "And the winners are- Belle and Ross!" The smiling couple received their prize, also a discount coupon for a local restaurant.
As the slow music played, I saw how happy Belle and the Beast were. I hoped that nothing would ever tear them apart. Unfortunately, that was not to be.
AN: Thanks to all who reviewed! Thanks to Sue for the encouragement on the Regents. Luckily, I only have two this year. Thanks for sticking with me and now I will shamelessly plug my other stories:
"The Phantom Lives On"
"For Love of…"
"Summertime Mix-up…"
Please go…some haven't been updated in a while, sorry…and The Phantom Lives On is completed, but For Love of…is the continuation.
Romance continued to blossom after Christmas. One knew that Valentine's Day was coming to Enchanted Falls. Little hearts started to appear around the school. Girls were starting to flirt a little more, and the couples were even more mushy than ever. Belle and the Beast would hold hands while walking around the school and Gaston's attention was focused more on Julie, in hopes to make Belle jealous. Belle didn't even care, she knew the reason why Gaston was dating Julie, but acted like she knew nothing around Julie. Belle could be seen at more wrestling matches and now the Beast had more friends. It was clear in the lunch room. More people were starting to drift away from Gaston and his football team and more went towards the Beast's table. Before, even the wrestling team wouldn't eat with him. Now, the tables were swamped with kids talking and laughing.
One thing that surprised me was how popular Belle was becoming now. The Beast always had his own little moments in the sun, when he won all those wrestling titles for the school. Belle wasn't never popular and was an outcast from the beginning. Now, she seemed to be more into the student body. She had been elected as senior class rep to the student council (the previous had to resign due to conflicting schedules) and had gotten many privileges back for the seniors, who loved it. She started a literature club, with me as the moderator, and we would discuss famous pieces from literature. One day after the meeting, Robin Ashen, the Head of the Committee for Student Dances, came up to Belle. "Hey, Belle, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked. "Sure. About what?"
"The Valentine's Day dance. I was wondering, I need someone to work on the decoration committee. You did such a good job decorating the classroom for Mrs. Feval's going away party," Robin said. Mrs. Feval was the senior English teacher and had left for her maternity leave. The seniors threw her a party/baby shower. "Well, thanks, I'll think it over. Can I tell you tomorrow? But I think I can do it," Belle said. "Absolutely. Thanks, Belle. See you tomorrow. Bye, Mr. Gregorio!" Robin left the library. The next day, Belle agreed to do the decorations.
A few days later, the whole school was buzzing with news. There would be something different done at the dance this year. It was a contest held by the Student Council to find the cutest couples. There were three couples that stood out with me: Julie and Gaston, Belle and the Beast, and Polly and Chris. The latter four were walking down the hallway one day, reading the list of couples. "Me and Polly? That is preposterous! One little dance on Christmas and you're suddenly an item!" Chris said, shaking the paper. "Chris, calm down. Someone probably put your names on as a joke," the Beast said. "I highly doubt Belle would dare do it," Chris said, glaring at the brown haired senior. "No, Chris, I didn't have access to the list," Belle said sweetly. "Good," Chris said. "But who could've?" Polly burst out suddenly, "I'm going to kill him!"
"Kill who?" Belle asked. "Lance," Polly replied. "Lance?" the others chorused. "Yes. Remember, he was voted as a homeroom rep to the Student Council. He added our names as a joke! It had to be him. Ross, put him in a headlock the next time you see him and tell Lance that it is from me!" Polly said, suddenly standing in front of her cousin, who stood at least a foot taller than her. "Calm down, Polly, I'm not putting anyone in a headlock. Not until my next competition, anyway," the Beast told his cousin. "But," he told her, "I might need some help practicing for it. Maybe Lance will help me." This seemed to satisfy Polly, who went to her next class all smiles. Chris left for his, still huffing about how "this whole matter is absurd." That left Belle and the Beast alone for the time being. "What do you think of it?" Belle asked her boyfriend. "I think it's all in fun," he replied. "What about you?"
"I think the same. It would be even funnier if Polly and Chris won it, though," she replied. "I wonder why they are taking it so horribly?" The Beast started to smile, as if reliving some funny memory. "You want to know why they're taking it so badly?" he asked. "Yes," Belle replied, eagerly. "Okay. When we were in eighth grade, the yearbook editor thought that it would be cute to make couples out of everyone in the class and put them in the yearbook. We had an even amount of boys and girls, so it worked out in the end. Lance was paired with Jessie Killington, back when she was a brunette. ("I knew it was dyed!") I remember she hated being paired with Lance. You see, back in second grade, Lance put a frog in her desk and she still hasn't forgiven him.
"Chris and Polly were paired up. It wasn't so bad, but Lance teased them recklessly. Looking back, I wasn't too much of a help since I didn't stop them, but what's in the past is in the past. Taking after Lance's example, the entire class started to tease the two. Oh, the taunts they would say, to their faces and behind their backs. It was cruel. Then, the families joined in and now the two are very, very upset every time they are labeled 'an item,'" the Beast finished his story. "The poor dears!" Belle cried. By this time, they had arrived at their class. "By the way, who were you paired up with?"
"Janie Olsen." The two shuddered before Belle started to laugh.
Valentine's Day came and you knew it. Belle and I were busy in the library when flowers arrived for her: two bouquets. "Someone has many valentines," I joked with her. "Yes, I am just fighting off those boys with pepper spray," she responded, pulling her emergency pepper spray out of her purse. "Now why would you need pepper spray here?" I asked, surprised. Enchanted Falls was a quiet town, no crime. The police slept all day. "I didn't need it for here, but my father didn't feel that I was safe walking around the city we used live in without it. My best friend Jade had one as well. Our other friend Joanne knew martial arts, so she didn't really carry it around. Besides, we went everywhere together, so Jade and I could pepper spray the person while Joanne re-adjusted his spine," Belle said. She had finished reading the cards and started to smell the flowers. "Well, who are they from?" I asked. "One's from Ross and the other's from my father," she replied. "Well, I better get home to prepare for the dance tonight. I'll see you there! Bye, Mr. Gregorio!" she called as she skipped out of the library, flowers and all.
Belle's decorations were beautiful I noted as I stepped into the gym. Some kids were there already mingling and talking. As time went on, more and more couples started to arrive. Lance arrived with Francine, the girl he had danced with at Christmas. The two were giggling and made their way to save a table. Polly came in next, followed by Chris. The two seemed to be taking the pain to leave a certain distance between them. Lastly, Belle and the Beast entered. People called to the two and they responded. Lance stood on a chair, trying to get his friends' attention. Polly was sinking under her seat, Chris was turning redder than he already was, and Francine was trying to pull her date down. "Lance, you are an idiot," the Beast said as he pulled out Belle's chair. "And you are a true gentlemen, mon ami!" Lance replied. "Which can't be said about some people," Polly retorted, glaring at the skinny boy. "What?" Lance replied, as Polly's glare grew darker. "I'm going to go get some punch!" Chris squeaked, uncomfortable with the looks being passed across the table. "I'll join you," Francine stuttered out, also uncomfortable with Polly's dark look. The Beast tried to calm down his cousin, but in the end, Belle save the day. She pulled Polly out to the dance floor. "Polly, you have got to forgive Lance. He said he was sorry," Belle said. (After the wrestling "practice," Lance got up and apologized to both Polly and Chris. Unfortunately, he couldn't take their names off the list.) "But he is such a jerk. I can't believe he called up those memories again. I guess I should tell you-"
"Ross did. And Lance really regrets it. He honestly thought you two were over it. Just forgive him already," Belle pleaded with her friend. "Oh, all right!" Polly marched to the table. The next minute, she and Lance were hugging and all the friends went out onto the dance floor. The group danced until it came time for the contest. "Excuse me," Robin shouted into the mike, "will the couples please come on to the stage." The six nominated couples took their places. Polly and Chris were blushing beyond control. Julie and Gaston had their arms around the other's waist. Belle and the Beast held each other's hand. The other three stood near-by. "Okay, before we announce the cutest couple, there are a couple of other categories that we were asked to add. The first is Most Obsessed, which went hands down to Rick and Jill," Robin said. Seniors Rick Mitch and Jill McKenzie were always together. Rumor had it that if you ever borrowed their notes it was filled with just their names and anniversary. "Next is the Worst couple, that goes to Kelly and Josh!" Juniors Kelly Andersen and Josh Johnson were always arguing, which they were doing when they received their awards. Now, there were only four couples on the stage. "We do have to apologize to one of our couples," Robin said. "They were added on as a friendly joke and the person who added them has asked they be removed. The decision is up to them. Polly? Chris?" The two red seniors looked at Robin with gratitude and fled the stage. I noticed that Polly went back and hugged Lance even harder than ever. That left three. "Okay, second place goes to Julie and Gaston!" Robin cried, giving the two the second prize, a discount for a local restaurant. "And the winners are- Belle and Ross!" The smiling couple received their prize, also a discount coupon for a local restaurant.
As the slow music played, I saw how happy Belle and the Beast were. I hoped that nothing would ever tear them apart. Unfortunately, that was not to be.
AN: Thanks to all who reviewed! Thanks to Sue for the encouragement on the Regents. Luckily, I only have two this year. Thanks for sticking with me and now I will shamelessly plug my other stories:
"The Phantom Lives On"
"For Love of…"
"Summertime Mix-up…"
Please go…some haven't been updated in a while, sorry…and The Phantom Lives On is completed, but For Love of…is the continuation.