Chapter VI: Back Again
A/N: The next two chapters should be told by Mr. Gregorio. I have to see where my muses take me! ~*Mac*~
I sat in the library, over a month after Belle left, proctoring study hall. I watched as the students trickled into the library and took their seats. I called roll call, careful to skip over "Lagrange, Belle" once again and then let them to their own devices. I sat, trying to call up the program Belle and the Beast created for me, but was failing miserably. I was tempted to call over to the Beast to help, but remembered he wasn't feeling so well yesterday and that I had to mark him absent today. I sat there, silently wishing Belle would suddenly enter into the library when I heard Jessie Killington utter an "oh my god" under her breath. I turned around, fearing a repeat of yesterday's paper ball fight that left one kid with a black eye, only to find my prayers answered. "Belle!" I exclaimed. "Hi, Mr. Gregorio. Sorry I'm late, but Mrs. Estelle couldn't find the re-registration papers. Here's the note," Belle said, handing me the note. She searched around excitingly, and I said, "He's absent today."
"Oh," she said, dejected. "Thanks." Belle walked to the back of the library and took a seat with Robin, who was surprised to see her friend. Gaston's Bimbettes were throwing the girl death glares, while everyone else seem overjoyed she had returned. Especially Gaston, who was once again eying her since he dumped Julie last week. Julie, who was now an exile from the Bimbettes, went up to Belle and Robin and sat with them. Jessie and Janie had chosen Junior Justine Elson to take Julie's place. The three girls sat in the back, whispering about something. I smiled, turned back to the computer and remembered I needed Belle's help and called her over.
In the cafeteria that day, I went and searched for Belle. I found her sitting with Chris, Lance, Polly, Francine, Robin, Robin's boyfriend Andrew, Ashleigh, Julie and Julie's new boyfriend Craig. They were laughing and talking like Belle never left. Gaston and his crew were across the room. After Belle left and the Beast started to pull away from the school, most of the kids had flocked back to Gaston, so he was kept busy. I saw the Beast enter the school and walked up to him. "Hello Mr. Gregorio," he said, so politely. "Hello, Ross," I replied. "How are you feeling today?"
"Better. The doctor said it was a twelve hour virus. That's why I'm late today."
"That's okay. As long as it was a virus and nothing like the flu," I replied. "Yes," he said again. "Well, I guess you'll want to get your lunch," I said, getting ready to move. "No, no. Mrs. Glass packed me a lunch, because of my stomach and all," he said, staring into space, almost not there. "Well, then, I'll let you get to your table. There's something there that will brighten your day," I said, with a wink. He gave me a confused look and walked towards his table. Belle was throwing out her trash and they didn't see each other. The Beast sat down and I could tell the entire table was busting with excitement at the upcoming reunion. Belle turned around and broke out into a run towards her table. She slowed down, and stood behind the Beast. She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. To say the Beast was surprised is an understatement. He fell of his chair, pulling Belle down with him, with Lance and Chris soon joining them, clutching their sides.
Later Belle and the Beast were walking down the hallway, trying to catch up. "I tried to contact you, really, I did," Belle was explaining. "My father, though, didn't want me to contact you. He even burned the letter I wrote you explaining what was going on."
"Why?"
"Listen, he never told me, but it seems that we were getting threatening phone calls. It was about me going out with you. My father thought it was your father, and panicked. When he was promoted he asked to be transferred. He only told me about these threatening phone calls when I confronted him about week ago, when he told me we were moving back here to Enchanted Falls. I only knew you never got my letter when I talked to Polly and she told me how upset you were. I don't think my father ever saw me so angry with him."
"But my father would never, ever threaten you. He thinks you're the best thing since his last merger," Ross said. "I know, but my father didn't know. But I figured out who it was," Belle replied. "Who?"
"I think it is Gaston."
"Listen," Ross stopped Belle and turned her towards him, "if these phone calls start again, come and get me. We will prove whether or not it is Gaston and get the person responsible. You got that?"
"Yes," Belle said, before throwing her arms around him.
That night, Belle told her father about Ross' offer. The next week, Belle came into the library, frantic. "Where's Ross?" she asked. "Calm down, Belle, he will be coming here shortly. What's the matter?" I asked, upset by her condition. "I need to talk to Ross," she said. "Well, have a seat. You look like you are ready to collapse," I said, pulling up a library chair. Ross entered the library and was distressed to see his girlfriend's condition. "Belle, what's the matter. Did he call again?"
"This time he threatened to kill my father!" Belle said, bursting into tears. "Don't worry," the Beast calmed Belle down. Everything will be okay.
The next night, I found myself at the Lagrange household, with Polly, Beast, Mr. Angel and the Enchanted Falls police department. "I want this solved. No one should hassle any one else in this town," Mr. Angel told Inspector Franks. "I understand. We will find out whoever it is and deal with this situation," the officer replied. "I hope they get him, whoever he is," Mr. Lagrange told me. "I know. Belle was really upset by that phone call the other day wasn't she?" I replied. "To pieces. At least Ross was there," Mr. Lagrange replied. Polly and Belle were talking on the couch, with Belle holding the Beast's hand. "The inspector told me that when the person calls, we will record his voice and retrace the call. Then we will find the other person on the other line," Mr. Angel explained. "And I bet you will find Gaston Marks on that other end!" Polly exclaimed. "Or one of his cronies!"
"Polly! We will not jump to conclusions. It's hard for me to believe that someone from the Marks family would do this, but we are not ruling him out either. Not from the history the three of you gave me and what Mr. Gregorio backed up. But we are not going to jump to conclusions, understand?"
"Yes, Uncle Kevin."
"Good." The phone began to ring. The police inspector started the tape as Belle picked up. "Hello?" she said cautiously. "Belle?" a female voice came over the speaker. "Jade!" Belle said, relieved. The officer shut the tape. "Jade, I wish I could talk longer but we are trying to capture our phone stalker." Pause. "Thanks. Tell Joanne I said hi." Another pause. "Huh, huh. Love ya too. Bye, sis!" Belle hung up the phone. "Sorry. I didn't expect her to call. She's going to call back tomorrow," Belle said. We all released the breath we were holding.
Another hour went by before the phone rang again. Belle picked up the receiver and greeted the person on the other end.
"I warned you," the (apparently) male voice said on the other end. "I warned you to stay away from Ross Angel. Do you want your father dead?"
"Who are you?"
*Click* The person hung up the phone. "Good, we have a voice. Sound familiar to anyone?" The people, with the exception of myself, shook their heads. "I do remember that voice," I said. "You do, Mr. Gregorio?" Belle asked me, hope filling her words. "Yes. Gaston used that very voice his freshman year with his costume for the party that year," I said, remembering that year. "Call the number back, Sheriff," Mr. Angel told Sheriff Andersen. "Yes sir," he said, picking the phone. "Hello? Margaret Marks? This is your number." Pause. "I see. I'm coming over to your house. We need to talk to your son." Pause. "About what? About threatening innocent people." Pause. "Thank you. Good-bye." The sheriff turned around and motioned for two of his men to get to the car. "Looks like Polly was right Mr. Angel. It was Gaston Marks on the other side. We're heading towards his house right now. Don't worry Miss Lagrange, this young lad won't be bothering you anymore. Not after his parents and I are through with him. Good night."
What the sheriff and Robert and Margaret Marks had in store for the young man, I didn't know, but I knew one thing: he wasn't going to be threatening people anymore.
As we were leaving, Mr. Lagrange thanked Mr. Angel, who invited the two over to the Manor for dinner the next night. The two accepted, and the five friends bid each other and me good night, as Belle and the Beast shared a good night kiss.
A/N: I am *so* sorry this took so long to put up. My laptop got sent out for a repair and it took more than a month to return to me!!! Thanks for waiting and I'll try to update soon. ~*Mac*~