Chapter 4.
Belle nervously twirled her hair around her finger as she stared at the photo of her and Shawn from Valentine's Day. It seems like a lifetime ago now, but that's over, it has to be, she thought as she put the photo away. She turned over to Phillip's sleeping form and thought about how different the two men were. Both men were handsome and smart, but she didn't love Phillip the same way she loved Shawn. She turned away again towards her night stand and picked up the four carat diamond, platinum engagement ring. She slipped it on her finger, remembering the first time an "engagement" ring was slipped on her finger by her true love.
...Flashback
Light snowflakes fell against the windshield as Belle warmed her hands by the heater. It was Christmas Eve of their senior year and they decided to come back to their spot. The place where Shawn had told her he loved her just a few years ago. Once again, Belle was freezing and Shawn was outside building them a snowman. It's corny, but romantic that he wants to rebuild a snowman to guard our spot, Belle thought.
"Are you ready to help me finish the snowman or do I have to do all the work myself?" Shawn asked. He snuck around the side of the truck and opened her door, letting in all the cold air and snow.
"Well, if you insist that you can't finish something without a woman's help, then I'd be honored Shawn Douglas." Belle laughed as she hopped down from the truck and looked over at the snowman. "Uh...Shawn, the snowman looks finished," said Belle, as she turned around. However, Shawn was no longer directly behind her.
"Actually, Perfect Girl, the snowman and I have a question for you?" Shawn placed his arm around the snowman and took out a small paper heart. He pulled out a tack, placed the heart on the snowman's middle, and pushed the tack in place. Belle could barely make out the words as she walked closer to the snowman. She was less than a foot away when she saw something hanging from the snowman's carrot nose.
"Oh my gosh! Shawn..." Belle could barely speak as she read the words, 'Will you marry us?' She was frozen in place as Shawn pulled the ring from the snowman's nose and bent down on one knee infront of her.
"I know it's not the Hope Diamond, but Perfect Girl, I have loved you since we were little kids and I was pouring sand over your head in the sand box. We were so young when we met, we grew to be friends, and that friendship turned into this love. I know it took me a while to realize my feelings for you, but you were always knew it. You are my best friend, my perfect girl, my soulmate, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you. Will you marry me Belle?"
"Shawn, I..." Belle hesitated and Shawn jumped in again.
"Belle, I know this is a big step and that we're only eighteen, but I love you so much and our love will only grow stronger from here. Why should we wait to get married, when I know in my heart that you are the woman that i'm going to marry. Why not spend our lives together sooner.
"You're right Tough Boy. I love you just as much, and my answer is yes. I would love to marry you." Shawn slipped the opal ring on her finger.
Shawn stood up and turned to the snowman, "And you were worried she'd say no." Belle laughed and jumped into his open arms. They stood there kissing in the snow as new flakes fell to the ground.
...End Flashback
That was the best day of my life and Shawn stole it all away from me. Belle crawled out of bed and wrote a note out for Phillip to let him know that she going for an early work out and then to the production office for the casting call of her new film.
JFK Airport in New York
Shawn took his seat on the plane and pulled out the magazine that had changed his life. The cover of Movie News featured those sparkling blue eyes that stole his heart whenever he saw them. Inside the magazine was an article about the casting call for her new movie, All for You. The role was the lead, apparently a love interest, and Shawn was on his way to make what could be the biggest mistake in his life. Actually, now that he thought about it, this was going to hopefully correct the biggest mistake he had ever made.
...Flashback
"I can't believe what your saying. What do you mean they want you to play for the New York Yankees? What about us Shawn? I'm going to UCLA to pursue acting and you'll be in New York playing ball? How do you expect us to plan a wedding and live three thousand miles apart?" Belle knew she was yelling in the middle of the hall in Salem High, people were starting to stare, but she was upset.
"Belle, we can still be together. Why don't you see what a great opportunity this is for me? I'm never going to get the chance to play pro-ball again. What do you want me to do? Move to California with you and become a mechanic or something. I didn't get accepted to UCLA, this is the only option for me."
"No, Shawn, your being selfish and I can't believe you don't see that. I don't expect you to do anything and apparently I can't expect anything from this ring either." She took the opal ring off her finger and held it in front of him. "Who's it going to be Shawn? Me or baseball? You can't have us both."
Shawn stared at the ring and the woman in front of him. He couldn't provide her with the life she deserved if he didn't take this job offer. But how could he live without her? Belle's face fell as she watched his eyes darting back and forth, as if following a game of tennis in his mind. She watched as the answer registered in his eyes.
"Your choosing baseball, aren't you?" She threw the ring at him and brought her hand up, slapping him across the face. The sound reverberated through the hall, as those who hadn't been paying attention stopped and took notice of the fight. Belle ran from the school with Shawn close behind. She finally stopped and turned to him.
"I don't know what to say," He whispered.
...End Flashback
Shawn shook the memory from his thoughts as the plane took off from the runway. I hope your ready Perfect Girl because your about to get the surprise of your life. This time, I won't make the same mistake twice.