Belle awoke before her alarm even went off. She was so happy. Today was a new day, a new beginning—she and Shawn had admitted their love for each other and soon, the whole school would know. She showered, using scented bath gel, and applied peach body lotion to herself. She jumped in front of her closet to decide what to wear. She chose a knee length skirt with two layers, the layer underneath was a dark magenta fabric with a chiffon layer on top in a softer pink. She picked a dark magenta ¾ sleeve length top that clung to her body, showing off her curves. She slipped her feet into nude shoes. While she finished getting ready she wondered what the day would bring.
Shawn woke up to his alarm. He smiled to himself as he rolled over in bed. He got up, showered and did his hair. He wanted to look good today, even though they were an item, he had to impress Belle. He chose some dark indigo jeans, his mom had bought him, and a black button down top and black t-shirt underneath. He rolled the sleeves back and only buttoned the middle three buttons, so he wouldn’t look too preppy. He slapped on some cologne and was out the door.
Shawn stood at his locker waiting for Belle. He was so excited he could barely contain himself. He heard a familiar clicking sound coming down the hallway, Belle’s footsteps. She turned the corner and his tongue practically became the rug under feet. She was gorgeous! She smiled and ran up to him, immediately and without hesitation they kissed, a deeply inappropriate kiss, right there in front of everyone passing by. They were the only ones there, the only thing that mattered to each other.
“Hi.” She giggled.
“Well hello gorgeous. Don’t you look scrumptious today.”
“Why thank you. I’m trying to impress my other boyfriend.” She joked.
“Other boyfriend?”
“I was just kidding. You are the only one for me. I love you.”
He kissed her forehead, “I love you too.”
They both had British Lit first period so they walked to the classroom, hand in hand and sat in the back, so they wouldn’t be interrupted from gazing at each other because of the class. Mimi strolled in. Suddenly Belle got a sick feeling in her stomach, she hadn’t spoken to Mimi since their fight. She whispered to Shawn about it. Mimi fortunately, did not see them and sat towards the front.
“She won’t bother you or me Belle. And if she does then let me handle it.”
Philip came in next. He saw Shawn and Belle and waved.
“Hey. Nice to see your faces not stuck together.”
“Don’t be a moron man.” He sat in front of them. Mimi turned around after hearing Shawn’s voice, she must have had her Shawn radar on high, and flashed Shawn a smile and shot Belle a dirty look.
“Did you see that Shawn?”
“What did I tell you. I will handle it. Don’t worry. You are too pretty to worry.”
The teacher walked in. Class progressed, slowly and boring. They were discussing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As Belle tried to listen she heard the teacher reading a few lines “I wish but for the thing I have: My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.” That’s just how she felt about Shawn. Finally the bell rang. Belle and Shawn walked to her locker with Mimi hot in pursuit. She interrupted the private discussion Belle and Shawn were having.
“Hi Shawn. I’ll save you a seat in Trig later okay?”
“Um that’s alright Mimi, I’ll probably be late walking Belle to class.”
“Hi Mimi.” Mimi ignored her.
“Walking who?”
“Walking Belle to class? What is your problem Mimi. Belle is standing right here, why are you acting like she doesn’t exist?” Belle felt horrible.
“Mimi I’m sorry we had that fight, but it is not an excuse for ignoring me.”
“See you later Shawn” She leaned in and pecked him on the cheek before strolling off.
Shawn could see that Belle was very upset by this.
“I’ll talk to her Belle. Don’t worry.”
“No Shawn that isn’t going to fix things. She has never done that to me before.”
“Hey guys. Why do you look so upset?”
“Mimi just came over and completely ignored Belle and then she kissed me before walking away.” Shawn was getting very frustrated. The bell rang for the next period. Philip and Belle had Chemistry together and Shawn had health class.
*
Shawn sat in the back so that he would not be called on. The topic was sex ed. They were discussing ways to practice safe sex.
“Of course the number one method is abstinence. But if you do choose to be sexually active then your number one method is condoms….” Shawn was listening intently but trying to look as if he wasn’t listening. He wondered about sex. There was so much to be afraid of that was involved with sex: disease, pregnancy, emotions. He decided then and there that it would be a while before sex became a topic for he and his new girlfriend.
*
Belle sat next to Philip, they were usually lab partners. He usually talked about Chloe all through class, but today he was different. It was as if Chloe never existed to him. Belle wondered if he thought about her, but she was afraid to ask. Class was just about over.
“What is it Belle?” He whispered.
“Huh?”
“You’re staring at me. What are you thinking about?”
“Do you miss Chloe?”
He hesitated, “Yes. I was actually wondering if we could get together later today so I can talk to you. I don’t have anyone to talk to really….” She put her hand on top of his.
“Of course. That’s what friends are for.”
Shawn’s class had gotten out early. He walked to Belle’s classroom and peered into the door. He saw Belle sitting next to Philip as usual but her hand was on his and they were smiling into each other’s eyes. Then he saw Philip put his hand on Belle’s. They stood up and hugged. Shawn felt a twinge of jealousy. It was difficult for him to watch. Just then Mimi tapped his shoulder.
“Lonely honey?”
