Chapter two
"Oh Jason, You're so funny. Why were we never friends before." Belle said faking laughter and trying to make Jason interested in her. The more time she spent with Jason more repulsed by him she grew. She was beginning to rethink her plan… "I don't know Belle. I guess you've changed and I've liked that." Jason said nonchalantly. Belle became offended by that comment but tried to keep her cool, "What do you mean by I've changed." Belle asked a little angered. Jason sensing that she was agitated said "Relax Belle, all I meant is since you've became hot by wearing sexy clothes and not the ugly baggy clothes you wore last year… well let just say you're status has gone up." With that comment Belle had enough and couldn't stand being with Jason one more minute. How stupid is Jason to tell a girl that thinking it would be a compliment? "Well Jason, It was nice having coffee with you, but I really should get going. Bye Jason," Belle said getting up from the booth they were sitting in. "What? Don't I get a good bye kiss?" Jason asked grabbing Belle's arm kind of hard and she was walking by. "Sorry, not this time" Belle said trying to get Jason to let go of her arm. He was really hurting her. She eventually got her arm free and left Dotcom.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" Belle greeted as she walked into her penthouse, which was right next door to the Brady's. "Hey honey! How was your first day at school?" Belle's mother asked greeting her with a hug. "It was Okay, I saw Shawn and Jason, Shawn's best friend, We went out for coffee after school. Sorry I was a little late coming home." Belle said sitting down at the kitchen counter telling her mom about her day. That's good. Oh Shawn came by after school looking for you. The Brady's are also coming over for dinner tonight, Just so you know." Marlena said as she began to prepare dinner. "Thanks mom, Do you need help making dinner or is it ok if I go see what Shawn wants?" Belle asked her mom, curious why Shawn was looking for her. "Yeah honey, It's fine. You can just come over with the Brady's tonight if you want to hang out with Shawn for a while." Marlena said kissing her daughter on the cheek. "Thanks mom. I'll see you for dinner then Bye" Kissing her mom back.
Belle went to her room to put her backpack down and checked her appearance before running next door to Shawn's house. Belle stood waiting on Shawn's porch as she waited for him to answer the door. "Hey Belle. Come In." Shawn said holding two year old JT in his arm. "Hey Shawn what's up? My mom said you were looking for me?" "Yeah, I was just wondering if you were back from coffee yet." Shawn said a little concerned then noticed Belle's arm. "Belle, what happened?" Shawn said even more concerned. "What on earth are you talking about Shawn? And why do you care?" Belle asked frustrated at Shawn for all of a sudden caring about her for no reason. Was he as superficial as Jason too? "Belle, Your arm… You have a huge bruise on it, and I care cause you're my friend." Shawn said sincerely. "What arm? Oh that um you know me… I'm just clumsy and walked into a wall that's all. And we've never been friends Shawn… We only pretended to get along for our parents." Belle said noticing the bruise that Jason must have given her and tried to cover. "Is that really what you see us as? Enemies pretending to get along?" Shawn said hurt by Belle's words. Belle could tell she hurt Shawn which wasn't what she intended to at all. She was just telling the truth with what she thought about their relationship. "I don't know Shawn, I guess not enemies but acquaintance. What do you expect though Shawn? At school you never talk to me or even ask me to hang out." Belle said in her defense and glad he forgot about the bruise. "Belle, you know it's a two way street there. I could say the same about you. What do you say we call a truce" Shawn said. "Ok, Shawn I'm sorry. While we're being honest I thought you just started caring about me cause of how I'm dressing now." Belle said looking down kind of embarrassed. "Belle, I will admit you're new look is nice but that's not really who you are. Even if you were still wearing your baggy clothes I'd still care. Belle, I want to ask you something…. The paper that Mr. Seymore read today… Was that yours?" Shawn asked looking at Belle into her eyes and setting JT down to play with his toy truck.
Shawn looked at Belle and noticed tears beginning to form in her eyes. He didn't know why but at that moment he felt his heart sink a little bit. "Belle, it's ok. You can tell me. Please talk to me?" Shawn said walking closer to Belle and giving Belle a hug. She felt so tiny in his arms and he could feel her getting weak. Shawn eventually heard little whimpers and felt tears soaking through his shirt and against his skin. It hurt him so much knowing it was Belle in pain. "I'm sorry Shawn. But thank you for caring," Belle whimpered as she parted from Shawn and wiped away her tears. "Of course I care Belle, sorry if I've never acted like it. Just know you can always talk to me." Shawn said rubbing her back.
"So when are your parents coming home? My mom said you guys are coming to dinner." Belle asked trying to change the subject. "They should be home soon. Do you want to go on a walk or something when they come back? It's a nice day and fresh air might help." Shawn suggested. "Yeah, sure that sounds great" Belle said giving Shawn a smile and sitting to play trucks with JT. Shawn smiled as the scene and soon joined them playing trucks.
"Shawn honey, We're back. Oh Hey Belle how are you?" Hope said as she entered her home. "Great Mrs. Brady, can I help you with the groceries?" Belle said getting up. "No It's ok. I've got most of them and How many times do I have to tell you. Just call me Hope." Hope said sincerely. "Ok Sorry… Hope." Belle said. "Hey mom, is it ok for Belle and I to go on a walk? We'll meet you back at Belle's for dinner." Shawn asked greeting his mother with a hug. "Yeah sure that's fine, But I'd like for you to come back here so you can change into something nice before dinner." Hope said sweetly. "Ok, I'll see you back at 5:30." Shawn said giving his mom a good bye kiss. "You ready Belle." Shawn asked. "Yeah sure lets go. Bye Hope" Belle said as she headed out the door. "So where do you want walk to?" Belle asked looking at Shawn. "I just wanted to get some air with you and maybe make you feel better. "Thanks Shawn. That means a lot to me." Belle said with a smile. "So, I don't want to make you any more upset… but I know you didn't run into a wall Belle. What really happened?" Shawn asked sincerely.
Belle didn't know what to say at first. Should she tell Shawn the truth? She's sure it was just an accident and Jason didn't mean to hurt her. Shawn probably won't believe her anyways, since Jason is his best friend and all. "It's really nothing Shawn. It was just an accident…" She began trailing off, but realized Shawn wasn't buying it and kept going "… he just said something that kind of offended me and so I just wanted to go. So I told him I had to go and said bye politely when he grabbed my arm and asked for a good buy kiss." Belle said too embarrassed to look at Shawn's reaction. Shawn in return didn't really know how to react. Was it out of line for him to ask if she kissed him? Why did he even care? She wouldn't do that anyways… She just met him… right? Then came back to the question why did he care. He knew Jason was strong and knew that Jason probably did it by accident and didn't really know his own strength. "Belle, I know Jason's my best friend and all but you shouldn't be afraid to tell me these things Belle. Whether it's an accident or not he shouldn't have hurt you." Shawn said as he subconsciously put his arm around her as they walked. "Thanks Shawn, and just so you know I didn't kiss him." Belle said as she looked up at him and smiled. Shawn then looked down and smiled at Belle in return. " I guess I should get back and get ready to go to your house for dinner." Shawn said realizing he had put his arm around Belle and grew a bit nervous and awkward. "Yeah I guess, I should go get ready to…" Belle said unsure of why Shawn removed his arm from her yet also wondering why she wanted his arm to remain around her forever. As they walked back the rest of the way to their houses in silence, and giving each other a quick good bye before stepping into their house, each hoping the dinner wouldn't be awkward for them and each wondering what they were feeling for the other…. Was what each of them looking for just right next door all along and just under their noses…..