cfive

The rest of the week had past and Belle found her Saturday engaged in finding a costume with Mimi. She had been a little nervous in telling Mimi about going with Shawn but she obviously had other things on her mind-mainly Kevin-and had just seemed happy in the fact that Belle was going at all.
"Belle..." she whined. "I don't know what to wear! I mean, I wanna look cute and maybe even a little sexy...but I don't want to look like slutty or anything"
"We'll find you something" she said, wearily. They had already been to all the shops in Salem Place. They passed a small outdoor cafe and the smell of fries stopped Belle in her tracks.
"Meems, let's take a little break" she said, taking her arm and pulling her over to a table. She sat back and exhaled as she let her feet rest.
"So, Belle, what do you want to dress up as?" she asked, flagging over a waitress.
'I don't know, but I still have another week so I'm not worried" she said, as the waitress came over. They both ordered drinks and split a large order of fries. Belle looked up and saw Chloe across the way.
"There's Chloe!" she said, waving her over. "Be nice, Mimi"
"I'm so happy with Kevin right now that I have no beef with anyone" Mimi said. "Hi Chloe!"
"Hey girls, how's the costume shopping going?" Chloe asked.
"Not too good so far" Belle answered. "How about you?"
"Just got mine" she said, holding up a bag.
"What did you get?" Mimi asked, eagerly.
"It's a surprise" Chloe said, with a grin. "Philip and I aren't telling each other what we're dressing up as"
"That's a good idea" Belle said. "We should all do that to make it more fun"
"Sounds good" Mimi said. "That is, if I ever find one"
"You'll find one..." Belle trailed off, when she saw Shawn across the walk. Philip noticed the girls first and gave a wave before he started to pull Shawn over.
"Hey girls, what's up?" Philip asked, pulling Chloe in his arms.
"Just talking about costumes" Chloe answered.
"Well, I got mine" Philip said and Belle zoned out on the conversation as Shawn came over to her, bringing butterflies into her stomach.
"Hey Belle" he said, leaning in close to her so she could feel his breath on her ear. "Hey Mimi" he said, straightening up and placing his hand on her shoulder. She inhaled hard.
"Hey Shawn" she said, trying to play it cool.
"What are you girls up to?" he asked.
"We're trying to find costumes...but not having much luck" Mimi answered.
"So you don't have one yet, Belle?" he asked.
"Nope" she said. "I'm having creative problems"
"Me too" he said. "Wanna shop together?"
"No way!" Chloe interrupted. "All the costumes are surprises"
"Like this one in your bag?" Philip teased, trying to pull it from her. She ran off and Philip chased after her.
"Philip's got it bad" Shawn said, watching them run off.
"Who would've thought?" Mimi said. She turned and saw someone waving at her from the fountain. "ohmygod, it's Kevin! Be back Belle!" She took off running across the mall and Belle laughed. Shawn slid into Mimi's seat.
"So Miss Belle, are we excited about the dance?" he asked, stealing a fry,
"Yes, of course!" she said. "Everyone's going so it'll be fun. Just promise me there are no bets involved in this one" Shawn groaned.
"No more bets for a looong time" he said.
"Good, glad to see you learned your lesson" she said.
"Oh, I did, trust me" he said, taking another fry. Belle laughed as a smear of ketchup appeared on his chin.
"Shawn, do you need a bib?" she asked, laughing.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, oblivous.
"Here" she said, taking a napkin and reaching across the table to gently wipe it off him.
"Hmm, maybe I should do that more often" he said, stopping her hand with his own. He gave her a little smirk and she felt the her cheeks getting pink.
"Hey guys, you know Kevin don't you...whoops, am I interrupting?" Mimi said, as she suddenly appeared at their side. Belle pulled her hand away and threw the napkin in his face and he laughed.
"No, you're not interrupting anything" Belle said.
"Umm, yeah, sure" Mimi said, exchanging a knowing look with Kevin. "Sorry to abandon you Belle but we're going to go see a movie"
"Oh, that's no problem...have fun!" she said.
"Thanks, bye!" Mimi said, walking away but turning to give Belle an excited grin.
"Looks like you're left all alone" Shawn said.
"No there's still Chloe" Belle answered.
"Are you sure?" he said, pointing. She turned to look and saw Chloe and Philip kissing in the corner of the mall.
"Ok, nevermind, guess I'll be walking myself home" she said, standing up and grabbing her purse.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" he interrupted, taking her arm. "I could use a shopping partner for a little bit"
"But Shawn, we already decided that the costumes are going to be surprises" she said.
"Well, we'll just walk around for fun then" he said. "C'mon, it'll be fun...are you coming?"
"I should get some homework done..." she said.
"So you're implying that schoolwork is more fun than me?" he said, pouting. "Thanks Belle, I thought we were really starting to get along there for but now..."
"No, that's not what I meant at all!" she said. He pretended to cry as he covered his face in his hands. She exhaled loudly.
"Ok, let's go" she said, pulling his hands off his face.
"I knew you'd crumble"
"No you didn't"
"Yes, I did"
"I don't always listen to you"
"Yes, you do"
"Why do I even put up with you?" she said, exasperated.
"Cause you love me" he said, as they walked along the sidewalk. She looked up at him.
"Something like that" she mumbled, as he pulled her into a store.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Shawn, there is no way I'm wearing that" she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Come on, Belle, it'll be funny" he said, holding up the costume. It was a red devil costume, complete with fishnet stockings and a supertight red bodysuit with a tail coming off the back.
"My dad wouldn't let me out of the house in that!" she said, trying to pull it away from him.
"Yeah, but do you know how hot you'll..." he started and then stopped himself. Belle blushed.
"Here's one for you" she said, pulling out a Peter Pan costume. He held it up to himself.
"Yeah, me in tights, that's scary enough for Halloween" he said.
"Don't mock it till you try it" she said.
"I have been told I have nice legs...but no thanks" he said, putting it back.
"Shawn, we are having no luck" she said, as they left that store and headed into another.
"Don't worry, we'll find something" he said, as they walked around another costume shop.
"Shawn, look!" she said, stopping at a display. "Glass slippers, like Cinderella wore"
"Yeah, and look at the heels on those things" he said, warily. "You'll kill yourself"
"No way, let me try" she said, sitting down and sliding off her shoes. Shawn watched as she slipped them on and then stood up. "They are way too cute" She went over to look at them in the mirror and was jostled by another customer, pushing her straight into Shawn's arms, who caught her and held her up.
"I think I love them" he said, looking her straight in the eyes. Belle had regained her balance again but stayed pressed up against him, his strong hands holding her up.
"I'm sorry, are you ok?" the lady next to them said.
"Yeah, fine" Belle answered, finally breaking away from his grip. She quickly put the shoes back and looked at her watch.
"Shawn, it's late, I better get back for dinner' she said.
"I'll walk you back' he said, grabbing her purse and handing it to her. They quickly left the store and hurried through Salem Place against the crowd. Shawn held her arm and pulled her close for warmth and the walk was done too quickly. He walked her upstairs to her door.
"Well, thanks for walking me home, it was fun" she said, as she lingered by the door.
'Yeah, it was" he said. "Just think, in 6 days we'll be at the dance together"
"I know, I can't wait"
"And I'll get to amaze you again with my wonderful dancing" he said. She laughed.
"Shawn Brady, you're..." she started.
"I'm what?" he prompted, placing his hand lightly on the bottom of her chin.
"Too much sometimes" she finished, feeling goosebumps from his touch.
"I know" he said, turning to leave. "That's why you love me" He slipped out of the hallway silenty and Belle silently urged the rest of the week to go faster.