celeven

Belle sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was up in rollers and her make-up was just finished. It was the night of the dance-the dance that she had wanted to go to with Shawn so badly. But it wasn't meant to be. She remembered her phone call with Chloe the day before.
"Belle, but you have to go!" she protested.
"Chloe, I'm really not in the mood to go alone" she had said. "Last time I went to a dance alone it almost turned into a giant disaster"
"But this time will be different" she said. "I promise"
"But it will be awkward" she said. "You'll be there with Philip and Mimi will be there with Kevin and everyone else has their dates already. I don't feel like playing fifth wheel. It'll be ok, I'll stay in and watch some movies or something. Maybe Shawn and I can rent some together"
"But Belle, I never would have gone to the Last Blast if you hadn't talked me into it" Chloe said. "And look how that turned out. And I went because of you! So now it's my turn to make you go" Belle sighed-she knew it was a losing battle. "You're silent because you know I'm right" Chloe continued. "You have a costume and you want to go...so go!"
"Fine" she said. "But I'm not staying the whole time"
"Fine! Whatever you say!" Chloe said. "I talked to Mimi earlier and we're all going to come over and get you-and we're just going as a big group-no dates. Is that alright?"
"Chloe, you guys didn't have to blow off your dates because of me!" Belle said.
"We didn't 'blow them off'" Chloe said. "And besides, we love you"
"Ok" Belle said. "I'll be ready at seven"
So here it was, 6:30, half hour until the big dance. She began to take down the rollers in her hair as she imagined how horrible the dance was going to be.
At five after seven, there was a knock at the door. She hurried down the rest of the stairs and went to grab her purse.
"Is that your date?" Brady asked sleepily, from the couch.
"No, I'm just going with some friends" she said, hurrying to the door.
"Good, I'm too tired to lecture some guy" he said, his head disappearing again from the couch. She sighed and pulled open the door.
"Shawn!" she said, with surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Are you going to let me in?" he asked, a small grin across his lips. She opened the door further and allowed him to enter. "Wow, you look beautiful. What's your costume?" She was wearing a long, full length sky blue dress and her hair was pulled up with a crown in it, a few small curls falling around her face. She lifted her dress a little to reveal the glass slippers from the costume shop.
"I'm Cinderella" she said, with a smile. He took her hand and made her spin around.
"You look completely amazing" he said, taking in her complete attire.
"Thank you.." she said. "But wait, you never answered my question-what are you doing here?"
"I'm taking you to the ball, Cinderella" he said, holding out his arm. He was dressed in his tux with his hair done nicely.
"But wait, you can't go" she said, stepping back.
"I'm fine, Belle, trust me" he said. "My mom said I can go, the doctor said I could go...so I'm going"
"But what about the others...Mimi and Chloe..." she said, confused.
"They're in on the act" Shawn answered. "I knew I couldn't convince you that I was well enough to go. So Philip and Chloe fixed it that you would go, not knowing that I was still your date. You're pretty stubborn Belle, but you forgot that I am too"
"Shawn, you are too much" she said.
"I know" he said. "Oh, I almost forgot" he continued, pulling a pink rose from behind his back and handing it to her.
"Oh, Shawn, it's beautiful" she said, taking it and sniffing it.
"Not as beautiful as you" he said, staring at her hard. She blushed and they turned at a commotion from behind them.
"I thought you were going with friends" Brady said, approaching, with his hair standing up from his nap.
"I thought so too" Belle said, giving Shawn a look.
"Long story" Shawn added.
"Since dad isn't here, I have to play chaperone" Brady said. "Have her in by eleven. Drive carefully-I know how you kids like to play around on the road out there" Belle smiled at his demands as he continued.
"And last, but certainly not least" he finished up. "Touch her...and I will kill you" Shawn laughed.
"I'll take care of her, Brady" he said. "You know I will"
"I know" Brady said. "I wouldn't trust her with anyone else" Belle gave Brady a quick hug and Shawn helped her slide on a coat.
"Be careful with my little sister!" he said, as Shawn escorted her out of the door. They went out and Shawn laughed.
"Sorry about that" Belle said.
"No problem" Shawn said. "I'd do the same if I had a little sister" They waited for the elevator in silence and it soon arrived. They stepped in and Shawn pressed the button.
"Wait a minute, one more question" Belle said. "What's your costume?" He gave her a quick grin as he brushed one of the curls out of her eyes.
"I'm your Prince Charming" he said, quietly, gently laying a tiny kiss on her cheek.