A/N: I'm currently admidst trying to rework some of my old chapters... I have about seven written, so expect those soon, but after that it might be a week or two between updates, sorry!
CHaPTeR 2
Belle narrowed her eyes because of the sun when she entered the courtyard. "What the HELL is your problem. You are such and insensitive little jerk, you know that?" she said, looking at him with a scowl. This was not looking very good for him.
"Hey, I just speak my mind. And that was what I was thinking, so I said it." Shawn replied with a shrug.
"Could you have put it a little lighter. Mimi is already insecure as it is, that did not help. She thinks she's in love with you, she was practically drooling." Belle was making frantic hand motions as she talked. Shawn started laughing. "What, do you think this matter is funny? Cause it isn't. I'm starting to wonder if you fell off the swing one to many times when we were children."
"Actually, I was laughing at you. The hand inflections are quite dramatic." He told her, then paused to think. "And, no, I don't think it was the swing falls. I think it was all that liquor I consumed at the boarding school last year."
"Whatever Brady. I probably had just as much to drink as you did and I'm still ok." She replied with a snort. "Besides, a beer or two doesn't really mess with you. They just make you pass out and then sick the next morning. Drugs on the other hand…those could mess with your head. You could loose a couple of brain cells to those. But I hope you haven't done any of those, I mean, I think your parents would seriously kill you, either that or send you to a reform school or something. Besides, drugs are just stupid. Alcohol in small doses is ok-"
Shawn wanted her to shut up. And in his opinion, there was only one way to do that. He kissed her. She pulled away, looking at him with her mouth slightly open. "What was that for?" she asked quietly.
"Well, it was the easiest way to shut you up." He said with a grin.
Chloe stood at the doors to the courtyard. She turned quickly and went back to the table, sitting down next to Phillip. "He kissed her." She reported with a smirk, "What did I tell you? Sexual tension."
"Go Brady! He kissed the most popular girl in school his first day back." Jason shook him head. "Man, some guys have all the luck."
Later that afternoon, Belle walked into the penthouse. "Anybody home?" she yelled curiously. No answer. She plopped down on the couch, thinking about what happened during Algebra. Turned out Shawn had that class with her too.
FLASHBACK
"So, are you following me around or something?" she asked sarcastically as he took his assigned seat behind her.
"Yeah, that's it. I'm obsessed with you." he replied dryly, rolling his eyes.
"I wouldn't be surprised after you kissed me like that this afternoon." she replied, a fake scowl on her face. She wasn't upset that he kissed her. Wasn't exactly happy, either, but pretty much was just confused. I mean, they were friends. But he was cute, so...what could being friends with benefits hurt?
"Hey, it was fun, and it shut you up. Either way you look at it, it was a win-win situation."
"Well maybe I'll let you shut me up again sometime." she told him with a wink.
END FLASHBACK
"I can't believe I said that!" Belle muttered to herself, falling back dramatically into the pillows on the couch. She banged her head against the arm of it. "What was I thinking?" Okay, she knew what she was thinking. Friends with benefits. But had that every really worked out for anyone?
"Belle honey? Is that you?" a voice yelled from upstairs.
"Yeah mom?" Belle said, lifting her head slightly.
"You need to get ready, we are going out to dinner with the Brady's tonight."
"What?!" Belle yelled back, her eyes widening.
"Well, Shawn's back and they want us to go out and celebrate with them"
"Alright." Belle ran upstairs, closing her door behind her. "Shoot shoot shoot! What am I going to wear?" She rummaged through her drawers. Suddenly, she ran to the door. "Mom?" she questioned.
"Yeah honey?"
"Where are we going?"
"The Blue Note."
"Ok, thanks!" she went back into her room and pulled out her short black skirt, slipping it on. Then she went to her closet, looking at her shirts.
She pulled on her green sleeveless sweater. "No, this looks bad." She whipped it off and stood in front of her mirror. "Come on Belle, think. Something flattering, dressy, and I got it!"
She went to her closet again and pulled out a black lace off the shoulder top. It was cute, and she hadn't gotten a chance to wear it yet. Slipping off her black skirt, she put on her red leather one. She modeled the new look in her mirror. "Perfect."
Hmmmm...now what was she thinking. She sat down at the mirror in her room to check her makeup. Okay, so maybe she was liking this whole more than friends idea a bit too much. Nah, she just wanted to look nice. Was it wrong to want to look nice to go out to dinner? No, of course not.
Belle looked at herself in the mirror, shaking her head. "Oh, who am I kidding?" she said to herself. Getting up, she grabbed the cordless phone off her nightstand and punched in a number that was almost automatic to her.
"Hello?" a voice said on the other end.
"Mimi! Help!" Belle said, sitting back down.
"What's up? Oh, I heard what happened with Shawn." Mimi said.
"Yea..." Belle said, suddenly feeling bad. Okay, so maybe Shawn had shot Mimi down, but still...Belle was Mimi's friend, and she shouldn't steal her latest love interest! Best friends just didn't do that.
"Yea. Thanks for sticking up for me, but don't worry about it. I'm over him." Mimi assured her.
"Seriously? That was quick" Belle said, raising her eyebrows. Usually these sort of crushes lasted at least two or three days.
"Uh huh...besides, I heard he kissed you! I think you should totally go for it...he may be a jerk, but he's cute."
"Ugh. That's why I called...I don't know...I mean, we were friends for so long and-" Mimi cut her off, "No, uh uh. No over analizing. Just have fun, okay?"
Shawn Brady stood in his room, muttering to himself. "I do not want to go, I do not want to go…" he wanted to look respectable so his parents wouldn't yell at him, so he put on a charcoal gray polo top and a pair of khakis. He ran a comb through his hair quickly then walked downstairs.
"My, my, son, you sure look nice." Hope said to him, smiling, "Dressing up for Belle? You haven't seen her in so long."
"Mom, I already saw her."
"You did, did you?"
"Yeah, I had class with her. Anyway, why would I dress up for her?"
"Well, she is a pretty young lady."
"Right mom. So, when are we leaving?"
"Right now." Bo said, coming into the room carrying the car keys.
"Is JT coming?"
"Nope, he went over to Gran's."
"Alright then," Hope said, "Lets get a move on."
At the Blue Note, Belle and her parents were already seated when the Brady family came in. After they had all sat down at the table, Hope turned to Belle, "So, I hear that you and Shawn have class together."
"Um, yes, Algebra and PE" Belle replied, shooting Shawn a questioning look across the table. He just shrugged.
"Oh, so you have honors courses as well?"
"Yes ma'am. I'm in three this year."
"Oh, those must cut into your social time. Have you become a nerd this year Belle?" Shawn asked sarcastically. She kicked him under the table, and he scowled at her.
She raised an eyebrow at him warningly, then smiled. "so, what language are you taking?" she asked.
"Spanish. Unfortunately."
"Oh. Mimi and I are taking French." She offered, than took a sip of her water. The parents began to talk about work and such. Belle looked around the restaurant, slightly bored. Under the table, she flipped off her high heels. Those things hurt.
Just for kicks, she reached her foot over and rubbed it seductively against Shawn's leg. It caught him off guard, and he almost spit out his appetizer. Belle had to hold back a laugh. Shawn reached down and grabbed her foot, and Belle immediately pulled back. Jerk, she though.
After they had had dinner, the parents settled in to talk yet again. "Mom," Belle asked, "Is it ok if I leave? Brady said he would pick me up."
"Well, if you want to. Shawn, why don't you go with her." Both of the teens were about to protest, but Belle rolled her eyes. "Fine. Shawn, you coming?" she got up and started to walk towards the exit.
"Yeah, I think spending time with you will be slightly less painful than spending the evening with the parents."
"Oh, I'm touched." She pulled out her cell phone. She dialed home first "Brady? It's Belle. I'm at the Blue Note…pick up the phone!" she sighed. "Alright, I'll try your cell. And if you aren't picking up because you have a girl with you I'm going to get a cab and make you pay!" she threatened. Hanging up the phone, she looked at Shawn. "He does this all the time. He has a date and completely ignores me."
"Hey, when love is involved, it comes first." Shawn offered in explanation.
"Love?" Belle said laughing. "Yeah, right. Try lust."
"Ah. So your brother's only in it for the score?"
"Definitely."
"A man after my own heart." Shawn replied, receiving a smack from Belle. "What?" he asked innocently.
"I'm trying his cell now." She dialed again, and this time he picked up. "Brade?" she questioned.
"Sheila?" he replied.
"Um no. Try your darling little sister."
"Oh, sorry Tink."
"Whatever. I'm at the Blue Note with Shawn. Can you please come pick us up?" she said in a sweet, innocent voice. Shawn laughed.
"thank you Brady. See you in 15 minutes."
"Well, we got a ride." She said, "But where to?"
"Well, we could to back to my place." Shawn said suggestively.
"And do what?" Belle said with a laugh. "You think I would actually make out with you? If so you are a serious head case."
"Actually, I thought we could bake cookies." He deadpanned. She rolled her eyes. Sometimes, guys were so lame.
"Right. Cookies. Was I correct in saying that you take home ec?"
"Actually, yeah." He said with a smirk, "Cooking skills impress the ladies."
"So do manners." Belle muttered under her breath. Shawn scowled. He had heard her. She looked at him innocently. "What? You can dish it but you can't take it?"
"Yeah. That's it. So, tell me. You said you've had some conquests yourself. Care to elaborate?"
"Hmmm. Not here." Belle said, looking back to the table where her parents were still talking animatedly. "Don't want the information to fall into the wrong hands. Or, as the case may be, be overheard by the wrong ears."
"So, back to my place?" Shawn suggested again.
"Nah. To my house. Brade would flip if he had to drop me off with a guy at a unsupervised house." She told him. "He'll feel better knowing you are on his territory, so he can kill you if he wants to." She quipped with a smile.
"Oh, great." Shawn said. "Just what I need. An over protective brother after me."
"Well, he won't hurt you unless you try something with me." She smiled devilishly and took a step closer. "do you plan on trying anything?"
"Would you want me to?" he drew closer as well.
"Depends." She said, "Do you plan on keeping the attitude."
"Why? Does it turn you on?" he said, grinning at her sexily.
"Try not." She said. "I go for the sweet boys."
"Oh, you like to corrupt them yourself." He said, "I don't doubt you could do it, especially if you kept wearing outfits like that…" his eyes scanned her body. She shivered under his gaze.
"Yeah, that's the general idea. But who knows, maybe I could go for a tough boy and turn him around." She replied, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Let the games begin, perfect girl. See if you can change me."
"Thanks Brady!" Belle said, waving at him from the door of the penthouse. He had a date so he wouldn't be joining Shawn and her upstairs.
"So what are we going to do now?" he said as they walked towards the elevator. Belle punched the button for the 9th floor.
"Well…" Belle said, turning herself to face him, "we could try a bit of this." She pushed him against the wall, kissing him forcefully. It took a moment for him to register what was going on. But as soon as the kiss started, it ended.
"No fair." Shawn pouted. Belle just smirked.
"What? All's fair in love and war."
"Is this love or war?" Shawn wondered out loud.
Belle smirked again, amused at his reaction.
"Both, I would say." The doors opened and they stepped out into the hall. "So, you want to see my place?" she asked suggestively, pulling out her key.
CHaPTeR 2
Belle narrowed her eyes because of the sun when she entered the courtyard. "What the HELL is your problem. You are such and insensitive little jerk, you know that?" she said, looking at him with a scowl. This was not looking very good for him.
"Hey, I just speak my mind. And that was what I was thinking, so I said it." Shawn replied with a shrug.
"Could you have put it a little lighter. Mimi is already insecure as it is, that did not help. She thinks she's in love with you, she was practically drooling." Belle was making frantic hand motions as she talked. Shawn started laughing. "What, do you think this matter is funny? Cause it isn't. I'm starting to wonder if you fell off the swing one to many times when we were children."
"Actually, I was laughing at you. The hand inflections are quite dramatic." He told her, then paused to think. "And, no, I don't think it was the swing falls. I think it was all that liquor I consumed at the boarding school last year."
"Whatever Brady. I probably had just as much to drink as you did and I'm still ok." She replied with a snort. "Besides, a beer or two doesn't really mess with you. They just make you pass out and then sick the next morning. Drugs on the other hand…those could mess with your head. You could loose a couple of brain cells to those. But I hope you haven't done any of those, I mean, I think your parents would seriously kill you, either that or send you to a reform school or something. Besides, drugs are just stupid. Alcohol in small doses is ok-"
Shawn wanted her to shut up. And in his opinion, there was only one way to do that. He kissed her. She pulled away, looking at him with her mouth slightly open. "What was that for?" she asked quietly.
"Well, it was the easiest way to shut you up." He said with a grin.
Chloe stood at the doors to the courtyard. She turned quickly and went back to the table, sitting down next to Phillip. "He kissed her." She reported with a smirk, "What did I tell you? Sexual tension."
"Go Brady! He kissed the most popular girl in school his first day back." Jason shook him head. "Man, some guys have all the luck."
Later that afternoon, Belle walked into the penthouse. "Anybody home?" she yelled curiously. No answer. She plopped down on the couch, thinking about what happened during Algebra. Turned out Shawn had that class with her too.
FLASHBACK
"So, are you following me around or something?" she asked sarcastically as he took his assigned seat behind her.
"Yeah, that's it. I'm obsessed with you." he replied dryly, rolling his eyes.
"I wouldn't be surprised after you kissed me like that this afternoon." she replied, a fake scowl on her face. She wasn't upset that he kissed her. Wasn't exactly happy, either, but pretty much was just confused. I mean, they were friends. But he was cute, so...what could being friends with benefits hurt?
"Hey, it was fun, and it shut you up. Either way you look at it, it was a win-win situation."
"Well maybe I'll let you shut me up again sometime." she told him with a wink.
END FLASHBACK
"I can't believe I said that!" Belle muttered to herself, falling back dramatically into the pillows on the couch. She banged her head against the arm of it. "What was I thinking?" Okay, she knew what she was thinking. Friends with benefits. But had that every really worked out for anyone?
"Belle honey? Is that you?" a voice yelled from upstairs.
"Yeah mom?" Belle said, lifting her head slightly.
"You need to get ready, we are going out to dinner with the Brady's tonight."
"What?!" Belle yelled back, her eyes widening.
"Well, Shawn's back and they want us to go out and celebrate with them"
"Alright." Belle ran upstairs, closing her door behind her. "Shoot shoot shoot! What am I going to wear?" She rummaged through her drawers. Suddenly, she ran to the door. "Mom?" she questioned.
"Yeah honey?"
"Where are we going?"
"The Blue Note."
"Ok, thanks!" she went back into her room and pulled out her short black skirt, slipping it on. Then she went to her closet, looking at her shirts.
She pulled on her green sleeveless sweater. "No, this looks bad." She whipped it off and stood in front of her mirror. "Come on Belle, think. Something flattering, dressy, and I got it!"
She went to her closet again and pulled out a black lace off the shoulder top. It was cute, and she hadn't gotten a chance to wear it yet. Slipping off her black skirt, she put on her red leather one. She modeled the new look in her mirror. "Perfect."
Hmmmm...now what was she thinking. She sat down at the mirror in her room to check her makeup. Okay, so maybe she was liking this whole more than friends idea a bit too much. Nah, she just wanted to look nice. Was it wrong to want to look nice to go out to dinner? No, of course not.
Belle looked at herself in the mirror, shaking her head. "Oh, who am I kidding?" she said to herself. Getting up, she grabbed the cordless phone off her nightstand and punched in a number that was almost automatic to her.
"Hello?" a voice said on the other end.
"Mimi! Help!" Belle said, sitting back down.
"What's up? Oh, I heard what happened with Shawn." Mimi said.
"Yea..." Belle said, suddenly feeling bad. Okay, so maybe Shawn had shot Mimi down, but still...Belle was Mimi's friend, and she shouldn't steal her latest love interest! Best friends just didn't do that.
"Yea. Thanks for sticking up for me, but don't worry about it. I'm over him." Mimi assured her.
"Seriously? That was quick" Belle said, raising her eyebrows. Usually these sort of crushes lasted at least two or three days.
"Uh huh...besides, I heard he kissed you! I think you should totally go for it...he may be a jerk, but he's cute."
"Ugh. That's why I called...I don't know...I mean, we were friends for so long and-" Mimi cut her off, "No, uh uh. No over analizing. Just have fun, okay?"
Shawn Brady stood in his room, muttering to himself. "I do not want to go, I do not want to go…" he wanted to look respectable so his parents wouldn't yell at him, so he put on a charcoal gray polo top and a pair of khakis. He ran a comb through his hair quickly then walked downstairs.
"My, my, son, you sure look nice." Hope said to him, smiling, "Dressing up for Belle? You haven't seen her in so long."
"Mom, I already saw her."
"You did, did you?"
"Yeah, I had class with her. Anyway, why would I dress up for her?"
"Well, she is a pretty young lady."
"Right mom. So, when are we leaving?"
"Right now." Bo said, coming into the room carrying the car keys.
"Is JT coming?"
"Nope, he went over to Gran's."
"Alright then," Hope said, "Lets get a move on."
At the Blue Note, Belle and her parents were already seated when the Brady family came in. After they had all sat down at the table, Hope turned to Belle, "So, I hear that you and Shawn have class together."
"Um, yes, Algebra and PE" Belle replied, shooting Shawn a questioning look across the table. He just shrugged.
"Oh, so you have honors courses as well?"
"Yes ma'am. I'm in three this year."
"Oh, those must cut into your social time. Have you become a nerd this year Belle?" Shawn asked sarcastically. She kicked him under the table, and he scowled at her.
She raised an eyebrow at him warningly, then smiled. "so, what language are you taking?" she asked.
"Spanish. Unfortunately."
"Oh. Mimi and I are taking French." She offered, than took a sip of her water. The parents began to talk about work and such. Belle looked around the restaurant, slightly bored. Under the table, she flipped off her high heels. Those things hurt.
Just for kicks, she reached her foot over and rubbed it seductively against Shawn's leg. It caught him off guard, and he almost spit out his appetizer. Belle had to hold back a laugh. Shawn reached down and grabbed her foot, and Belle immediately pulled back. Jerk, she though.
After they had had dinner, the parents settled in to talk yet again. "Mom," Belle asked, "Is it ok if I leave? Brady said he would pick me up."
"Well, if you want to. Shawn, why don't you go with her." Both of the teens were about to protest, but Belle rolled her eyes. "Fine. Shawn, you coming?" she got up and started to walk towards the exit.
"Yeah, I think spending time with you will be slightly less painful than spending the evening with the parents."
"Oh, I'm touched." She pulled out her cell phone. She dialed home first "Brady? It's Belle. I'm at the Blue Note…pick up the phone!" she sighed. "Alright, I'll try your cell. And if you aren't picking up because you have a girl with you I'm going to get a cab and make you pay!" she threatened. Hanging up the phone, she looked at Shawn. "He does this all the time. He has a date and completely ignores me."
"Hey, when love is involved, it comes first." Shawn offered in explanation.
"Love?" Belle said laughing. "Yeah, right. Try lust."
"Ah. So your brother's only in it for the score?"
"Definitely."
"A man after my own heart." Shawn replied, receiving a smack from Belle. "What?" he asked innocently.
"I'm trying his cell now." She dialed again, and this time he picked up. "Brade?" she questioned.
"Sheila?" he replied.
"Um no. Try your darling little sister."
"Oh, sorry Tink."
"Whatever. I'm at the Blue Note with Shawn. Can you please come pick us up?" she said in a sweet, innocent voice. Shawn laughed.
"thank you Brady. See you in 15 minutes."
"Well, we got a ride." She said, "But where to?"
"Well, we could to back to my place." Shawn said suggestively.
"And do what?" Belle said with a laugh. "You think I would actually make out with you? If so you are a serious head case."
"Actually, I thought we could bake cookies." He deadpanned. She rolled her eyes. Sometimes, guys were so lame.
"Right. Cookies. Was I correct in saying that you take home ec?"
"Actually, yeah." He said with a smirk, "Cooking skills impress the ladies."
"So do manners." Belle muttered under her breath. Shawn scowled. He had heard her. She looked at him innocently. "What? You can dish it but you can't take it?"
"Yeah. That's it. So, tell me. You said you've had some conquests yourself. Care to elaborate?"
"Hmmm. Not here." Belle said, looking back to the table where her parents were still talking animatedly. "Don't want the information to fall into the wrong hands. Or, as the case may be, be overheard by the wrong ears."
"So, back to my place?" Shawn suggested again.
"Nah. To my house. Brade would flip if he had to drop me off with a guy at a unsupervised house." She told him. "He'll feel better knowing you are on his territory, so he can kill you if he wants to." She quipped with a smile.
"Oh, great." Shawn said. "Just what I need. An over protective brother after me."
"Well, he won't hurt you unless you try something with me." She smiled devilishly and took a step closer. "do you plan on trying anything?"
"Would you want me to?" he drew closer as well.
"Depends." She said, "Do you plan on keeping the attitude."
"Why? Does it turn you on?" he said, grinning at her sexily.
"Try not." She said. "I go for the sweet boys."
"Oh, you like to corrupt them yourself." He said, "I don't doubt you could do it, especially if you kept wearing outfits like that…" his eyes scanned her body. She shivered under his gaze.
"Yeah, that's the general idea. But who knows, maybe I could go for a tough boy and turn him around." She replied, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Let the games begin, perfect girl. See if you can change me."
"Thanks Brady!" Belle said, waving at him from the door of the penthouse. He had a date so he wouldn't be joining Shawn and her upstairs.
"So what are we going to do now?" he said as they walked towards the elevator. Belle punched the button for the 9th floor.
"Well…" Belle said, turning herself to face him, "we could try a bit of this." She pushed him against the wall, kissing him forcefully. It took a moment for him to register what was going on. But as soon as the kiss started, it ended.
"No fair." Shawn pouted. Belle just smirked.
"What? All's fair in love and war."
"Is this love or war?" Shawn wondered out loud.
Belle smirked again, amused at his reaction.
"Both, I would say." The doors opened and they stepped out into the hall. "So, you want to see my place?" she asked suggestively, pulling out her key.