Some days had passed since that date at the roller rink and Clarabelle couldn't stop thinking about it.
Granted, they still saw each other and met for lunch throughout the week, but she was finding herself being more and more comfortable being herself around him. Even little mannerisms she thought were annoying seemed to be endearing to him and it made her heart soar.
And in this moment of comfort, she decided she wanted to go on another date with him. Unlike the last time when they went to the sushi place, she felt much more confident this time and knew he probably wouldn't say no to her.
All she had to do was ask him, if he said no due to having other plans, it was no big deal, no none at all.
As Clarabelle looked out across the alley, she saw him hard at work with his cameras, taking photos and she felt her heart sink to the floor.
No, totally not a big deal, really. She can take a no..
Could she?
Wait, why was this even an issue? Of course he would say yes! He's said yes to everything else so far, why would he stop now?
Even with that little vote of confidence, Clarabelle couldn't shake the feeling that there was eventually going to come a time when things would change and she wasn't sure how to handle that, at least, not yet.
Maybe that was just her pessimistic side talking, everything they've done together has only shown her that he was different, absolutely nothing like any other guy she had ever met. If he would say no, it would be within good reason.
So, what if he said yes?
Deciding to have a backup plan, Clarabelle looked online with the computer and searched for things they could do in this mall. Then, it hit her, this mall had a movie theater and they were having a Friday Fest sale!
She looked through the website until she found a movie both of them could enjoy, found a showtime that would be more or less close to the time both of them got off of work and she was all set.
"Okay, calm down, girl. He's most likely going to say yes. And if he doesn't, that's mighty fine, we'll just... postpone for another day. Yeah, we can go another day.." Clarabelle fidgeted with herself, realizing that if she was talking to herself, she was really out of it.
Why was she so scared now? Things were going so great and now she was having the jitters over it?
Maybe it meant something big was coming.
She hoped it was good.
"No, I'm sorry, I can't do that."
Goofy's words hung in the air of the studio, making the silence all the more deafening. It was a very rare occasion for him to refuse someone, but this time, it was important.
"But.. But, why?" The client asked him, clearly on the verge of tears.
Goofy felt his heart sink, he didn't like doing this, but he had done this sort of thing before and it always ended up costing him in the long run. He sighed and began to explain.
"Because the film negatives I have are always sent out when the month finishes. I really wish I could help ya, miss, but I don't have the negatives here, nor do I have the photocopies. They're always sent to the company to be recycled and reused as fresh new photo negatives and sheets."
The client looked down, defeated.
"But, it's all I have left... to remember him by."
His heart really felt for this poor girl, but he had to stick to the company policy, no matter how much he wanted to do it off the books.
"Listen, miss, I'm real sorry. But if ya like, I can give ya the number to the company I work with. Though lookin' at how long ago we did the shoot, I don't think there'd be anything left."
The client held up a picture of her dog and a tear fell from her face. Over a year or so ago, she came into this studio with said dog and had some photos taken as a way of celebrating his 16th birthday and Goofy remembered that day fondly since the dog was so calm and still while he took the photos, like he had been doing it his whole life.
That dog had now passed and this woman, his owner, was looking for any remains of the photos so she could order a large print. But, Goofy had to follow company protocol regarding photos and negatives, he had already tried to get negatives and photocopies for other clients with similar stories, yet he was only successful once and it ended up costing him a great deal, a risk he couldn't take or the company would pull their deal with his studio.
Goofy knew there was nothing he could do.
As the woman sniffled and wiped her tears, Goofy had a notion and looked up at the security camera installed in his studio and suddenly got an idea.
"Wait here just a minute, ma'am."
He went to the security office stationed at the other side of the mall, meaning he had to run as fast as he could. Once he had arrived, the officer was right as he had expected him to be.
"Bernie! There ya are! Listen, I need a favor!"
The officer turned in his chair, in the middle of a taco and his favorite show.
"F-Favor?!" He muffled as he swallowed his food.
"Nothin' too big, Bernie, just need to look for a tape for my studio from a certain day."
It took him 20 minutes to come back to the studio.
No, the tape was easy to find, that only took less than 5 minutes. What kept Goofy was that he was trying to convince the security officer to let him borrow the tape so that he could make a series of photographs from it. It wasn't the best, but it was all he could do for the client.
The security officer refused at first, saying that the tapes are confidential and that he could lose his job if even one tape was missing. Not to mention, the tape could be ruined and they would have to be rotated at the end of the year. If there was anything wrong with them, they would have him in an interrogating session to find out why the tape was ruined and how.
It seemed pretty strict, but the security officer assured that it was entirely to keep people from tampering with the tapes. Goofy pinkie promised him and promised fifteen times on his grandmother's old Bugatti and crossed his heart so many times, it might as well have been a failed midterm paper, that he would return the tape safe and sound.
Even when the officer handed him the tape, he wouldn't let go of it.
"Bring. It. Back."
Goofy nodded and promised again that he would.
He arrived back at the studio and explained the situation to the woman, who was confused at first, but then she was excited. Sure, a security footage photo of her dog wasn't the best, but it would have to do.
Goofy explained that he would have to watch the tape to know where exactly to look and when he had a spot, he would use a special machine to let him print from it and that she could come back the following week to take a look.
"Th-Thank you.." The woman was so grateful, she hugged Goofy and bid her goodbyes, leaving the studio.
As soon as she left, Goofy let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
He went off the books again, but not the company's books, just his own. As he looked at the tape, he knew he had to be extra careful.
There was no way he could afford to take it home, he'd lose it for sure. Goofy decided that he would have to bring his VCR and TV from home and watch it first thing Monday morning, granted his morning appointments didn't show up earlier than expected.
He then thought about it and realized he might have trouble bringing such a large TV with him to work on Monday, there wasn't anywhere to even put it on, besides the floor or the counter and he needed plenty of both to do his job.
That meant he would have to take it home, no other way around it.
Still though, he was a little disappointed in himself for going above and beyond for a stranger at the risk of his own job that he worked hard to keep. And also that there wasn't much more he could do, it was a strange feeling to be disappointed for very different reasons.
He was about to pack things up for the day when he was greeted once more by Clarabelle who had walked into his studio.
"Hey, Goofy!"
He smiled, feeling the weariness of the day melting off of him. He was always happy to see Clarabelle, she always made him feel better.
"Heya, Clarabelle! What brings you here?"
A little bit of shuffling suddenly came from Clarabelle as she fidgeted a bit, but then straightened herself out.
"I was just wondering, you know, if you had some free time, if you would like to... watch a movie with me?"
Goofy blinked at that, then thought about his schedule. Sure, he would be late to getting home to Max, but if he knew his own son, he was probably doing another sleepover with P.J. since it was Friday.
Maybe he should call ahead? Let him know?
No, he's a big boy now, he could manage. Besides, Goofy felt like he could use a little something get his mind off of what just happened.
"Aw, heck. Sure!"
With that, he left the tape on the counter, deciding to pick it up afterwards and he closed the shutters to the studio before following her.
They went to the theater within the mall, grabbing some snacks at the concessions stands and made it to where the movie would be showing.
As they entered, they both moved up towards a row near the back. The place was half-packed since it was nearing the weekend, but the movie they were seeing was a pretty old one as part of a retro revival the theater was doing, showcasing old films for the modern age.
It was so old, it was in black and white, which gave the theater they were in a pretty dark ambience. Clarabelle saw a large opportunity and was going to take advantage of it if she couldn't help it.
They shuffled towards the middle of the row with a large tub of popcorn and a couple of sodas and sat down, the movie barely beginning.
"Gawrsh, Clarabelle, I didn't know ya liked old movies too.." Goofy whispered, surprised at the movie she had picked out for them.
Clarabelle blushed, not realizing that this was another thing they had in common beforehand, but she was glad she chose it.
"Oh, of course. Ya can't beat classics, Goof!" She laughed confidently, but quietly as the movie began.
As soon as she saw the chance, Clarabelle eyed Goofy a few times and waited for it to grow dark before she wrapped herself around his arm, feeling secure in the darkness of the theater. This move surprised Goofy, but he blushed, liking the close contact and her sudden boldness.
In her mind, she felt she was victorious and wanted to see how much farther she could take it.
As the movie went on, she would eventually manage to interlink her hand with his, rubbing the back of it and feeling his larger fingers in between her own. She was glad it was dark as she was so sure she was beet red. Goofy was doing his best not to react as he figured Clarabelle was feeling comfortable right now and he didn't want to ruin it for her.
A few times throughout the film, they both reached for the popcorn at the same time, looked at each other and blushed, looking away before one would grab some before the other. Even later on, Clarabelle felt comfortable enough and rested her head on Goofy, sighing happily as she did. If it bothered him at all, he didn't say it.
Meanwhile, Goofy blushed and held a secret smile, suddenly feeling like he was in high school all over again.
It sure was nice to feel young once more.
"Markus! Wait!"
"Maribella! What are you doing here?"
"I cannot see you off! I just can't!"
The movie had now entered it's final scene, in which the two lead characters who had been in love the entire movie were now at a crossroads, one was heading onto a plane for South America to finish seeing the world while another could not leave her place, but she did not want to lose her one and only love. Clarabelle held a hand to her heart and snuggled on Goofy's shoulder, enveloped by the romantic tone the movie was headed.
"Gawrsh.." Goofy silently awed as he took another bite of the popcorn, the bin was now nearly empty.
"But I must, Maribella! The world is growing and I wish to see it all!"
"But Markus, what if you get lost in it? What then?"
"I must, Maribella! It is my destiny!"
"Will it make you happy?"
Clarabelle perked up at that, the question was a familiar one and she couldn't help feeling somewhat connected to it.
"I... I cannot answer that."
"Markus! Will it make you happy?"
A long word of silence between the two as both Goofy and Clarabelle held their breath, waiting for his response. Would he be with her? Would he not? The suspense was a bit too much for them both.
"I... No... It wouldn't."
"So, why are you doing this, Markus? Why?"
"Because it is all I have left! I have nothing outside of this dream of mine."
"No... you have me."
Clarabelle felt herself gasp and held a hand to her mouth.
"Stay here with me, Markus."
"But I... Maribella, I can't. You deserve to be with someone who makes you happy."
"... You make me happy, Markus."
The movie's score began to pick up as the two lead roles looked at each other in the eyes with the sunset just behind them both, leaving only a silhouette of a man and a woman that slowly, but eventually joined in a tender kiss, solidifying their love for each other.
Clarabelle looked over at Goofy, who was still eating his popcorn and engrossed with the movie as the movie's final song began to play.
"Lately, I've been thinking about you and me...
How your laugh is like music, lovely."
Goofy seemed to sense Clarabelle's gaze on him as he stopped mid-bite and looked at her, his eyes meeting hers.
"All my wishes, all my dreams, could be coming true...
If only, oh my darling... You'd say 'I love you'..."
Goofy swallowed his popcorn as the tension between them suddenly thickened. Both of their hearts were beating rapidly, but neither one refused to acknowledge it, they remained trapped in each other's gaze, moving ever so close.
"I know that you like me, I know that you do...
But, honey, you could love me too!"
They both looked at each other's lips instinctively and it was like they knew what to do without needing to think about it.
"Oh, yes, I implore you! I would that you will!
And, sweetie, you could like me still!"
"G... Goofy...?" Clarabelle asked weakly, wanting something, anything to tell her that Goofy was feeling the same way she was feeling. She couldn't bear it if he didn't, she... she...
Goodness... did she... love him?
"Dreaming of another lover just will not do!
Honey, I'm just here for you!
Darling, all for your kiss,
Though a bliss,
I could reminisce,
And only you can make it come true!"
Goofy said nothing in return as he blinked and leaned in closer, slowly inching towards her. Clarabelle knew it was coming, their first kiss, the one that would define their relationship as she recalled from her younger days.
She was scared, she was so scared. She nervously looked around the entire theater to see if anyone was watching, but it was like it was just them two all alone.
Not that she minded, she wanted this to be a private moment between them... and the music, oh the music was perfect.
Everything was perfect.
He was perfect.
Clarabelle reflected on Goofy, he really was a sweetheart who did nothing, but think of her welbeing and ask her for nothing more than to be herself. Everything they did together seemed to show that they matched each other in nearly every single way.
It was like they were both so perfect for each other.
It was like... they were made for each other.
"Dreaming of another lover just will not do!
Honey, I'm just here for you!
Darling, all for your kiss,
Though a bliss,
I could reminisce,
And only you can make it come true!"
As Goofy leaned in closer, he closed his eyes and Clarabelle instinctively closed hers, waiting for his lips to meet hers.
Then, the lights turned on and the music from the film finished, signaling that the movie was over.
Both Goofy and Clarabelle opened their eyes and noticed their faces were only inches apart.
They both blinked for a while, then blushed before looking away, realizing that they let the heat of the moment get to both of them and they both began acting on instinct.
Goofy was a bit ashamed of his actions as he didn't want to push Clarabelle into anything without properly asking her first, especially with something so... intimate as a kiss, which was something that he was raised to never ever take lightly, especially when it came to a girl's first kiss.
Clarabelle, on the other hand, was embarrassed at her own actions because they were about to kiss once more in a public place, how indecent of her! It was like she was in high school all over again! Didn't she have any sense of decency!
Still, a part of her was disappointed that it didn't happen. It was all so perfect, then it all ended abruptly because they took too long in making it happen and now the moment was gone.
What a letdown.
They both left the theater, neither one looking at the other and neither one definitely not saying anything about what almost transpired between them.
"That was a... that was a great movie, Clarabelle! Thanks for bringing me!" Goofy laughed, attempting to ease the tension and situation. Clarabelle looked at him and smiled a bit. Bless his heart, she thought.
"I-It was! Yeah! It was! I knew you would-we would both like it!" She tried to smile, but she really felt herself wincing on the inside. She really wasn't convincing herself.
Goofy smiled and looked at her, sighing happily as he did, glad she was trying.
"Ya know, Clarabelle. I really enjoyed tonight, really, I did. And, if it means anything, I'm real sorry for what happened near the end, I don't know what came over me at all... I didn't mean to ruin things."
He scratched the back of his head and winced, he was genuinely sorry for what happened, or better said, almost happened.
"O-Oh! Um... No, it's okay! Really! I... I wasn't thinking either! It wasn't your fault, it was mine for... yeah." Clarabelle scratched her muzzle and looked away, not wanting Goofy to see her blush.
They both chuckled nervously, then Goofy offered his arm to her.
"No hard feelin's?"
Clarabelle really couldn't believe this guy. Who walks away from a moment like that? Just forgive and forget? Really? Most people she once knew would've been embarrassed at this for the rest of their lives.
"Yeah! No hard feelin's!" She cheerfully grabbed his arm and they both walked out of the theater and into the mall, both of them as happy as they could be.
They both made it to the parking lot under the streetlights. A cold chill breezed right through as soon as they exited and Clarabelle shivered, realizing she hadn't packed a coat since she hadn't anticipated staying late tonight.
So much for planning ahead, she grimaced.
Goofy then wrapped his jacket around her without saying a word, which surprised Clarabelle as she felt the sudden warmth cover her. She looked over at Goofy who smiled and continued to walk her to her car.
I really am a lucky girl, she thought to herself, blushing at what a gentleman he was.
All too soon, they arrived to her car. Clarabelle turned to him and smiled, happy for the great date they had, but also sad because it was over.
"Well, I had a great time, Goofy. That was really somethin'," she sighed.
"It sure was!" Goofy enthused, smiling at her also.
It was a tender moment where neither really wanted to end things, but they had to. Clarabelle thought in the back of her head that this was a good time for a kiss, just a simple kiss goodbye before they left.
As Clarabelle leaned forward a bit, Goofy suddenly exclaimed.
"Oh, gawrsh! I forgot somethin'! Can ya wait for me just a bit, Clara? I'll be right back!" Goofy began jogging back to the mall, leaving a Clarabelle Cow all by her lonesome, even more disappointed.
So, no kiss? How much more pathetic could she even get?
No, no, these things take time. They need to happen on their own. Clarabelle reasoned with herself and sighed, leaning against her car as she waited for her Goofy to come back.
She instinctively put her hands into the jacket pockets and felt something in one of them.
Curious, she pulled it out and saw that it was a folded wad of paper, it was a little bent and worn, showing that it had been in the pocket for quite a while.
Even more perplexed, Clarabelle opened it and saw only this written.
"cupidsbow login
U: MisterCasanova
P: carschicksbabes123"
She was confused and wondered what it meant.
But before she could think on it any further, the familiar clopping of Goofy's loafers were heard, which made her quickly put the note away in her purse.
"There ya are! Thanks for waitin' for me!" Goofy laughed, oblivious to Clarabelle trying her best to hide what she just discovered.
"Yeah! Yeah! I'm here!" She laughed nervously, the thought of the note gnawing at the back of her head, but she decided not to bring it up.
"Well, I got what I was lookin' for. Thanks for the great night, Clarabelle!"
"Yeah, me too! And... you're welcome..."
Goofy happily opened her driver side door as Clarabelle hesitantly handed him back his jacket and got in, starting it up.
"See ya on Monday!"
"Yeah, you too..."
Clarabelle drove away and Goofy smiled as he waved goodbye to her, completely oblivious to what had transpired.
But, what he was even more oblivious to was that it was only the calm before the storm.
And what a serious storm it was.