Chapter 10

Belle had not spoken to Shawn all week. They had a few classes together but he wouldn’t look at her and hurried out of class when the bell rang. She had never wanted it to come to this. Losing Shawn’s friendship was never part of the deal. If she had had to make a choice between that and them being together, she would have chosen their friendship. She had really messed things up this time and how was she going to fix it?

Shawn could feel Belle’s eyes on him. It was unnerving the way she kept staring, waiting for him to maybe look up and smile or say something. What was there to say? Lines had been crossed and he didn’t know if they could ever go back. He didn’t know if he wanted to. Belle had been on his mind every waking second of the day and even still in his dreams. He kept seeing them together in the pool with him tasting her sweet lips, touching her soft body. He had to stop this. What happened that night could never happen again, there was too much at stake mainly his relationship with his best friend in the whole world.

"What does Henry want again?"

"Humm."

"Henry. Look at him, still trying to come on to Belle." Shawn motioned over to where Belle and Henry were standing. They were at dot.com.

"You know Brady you need to make up your mind," Phillip said.

"What?"

"If you want Belle to be your girl, you better step up to the plate before it is too late." Phillip was indulging in his cheeseburger and fries and he had not looked up once to see the possessive look that lingered in Shawn’s eyes.

He did not want Belle to be his girl. He didn’t. Who exactly was he trying to convince? There was no time to figure this all out. He had to get Belle away from Henry. They had things to sort out and he did not want her near any other guy until things were straightened out between them. Shawn marched over to where Belle and Henry were standing.

"Hey Belle…Henry," Shawn barely muttered.

"What do you want Brady?" Henry looked a little annoyed that Shawn had interrupted whatever conversation he and Belle had been having. Shawn grinned.

"Yeah." Shawn ignored him. "Belle I think we need to talk."

"About what?"

"Belle, don’t play dumb."

"Hey back of Brady. It doesn’t look like the lady wants to talk to you." Henry attempted to get in Shawn’s face. Big mistake!

"Belle could you please tell this halfwit to get out of my face." Belle could tell by Shawn’s voice that he was aggravated and she also knew what would accompany his anger if he were pushed further. From the corner of her eye she could see Phillip get in a position to jump in if Shawn needed any backup.

"Who you calling a halfwit?" He was just about to shove Shawn when Belle stopped him by holding his arm.

"It’s okay Henry. I’ll talk to you later." Belle grabbed Shawn’s hand and led him out of dot.com. As soon as they got outside she pulled her hand out of his and began raving.

Shawn had calmed down already. Just the feel of Belle’s hand in his had soothed his anger.

"You had no right Shawn do you hear?" She looked so cute pacing back and forth scolding him.

"I’m sorry. I just…"

"You just what Shawn?" She was hoping that he would have said he was jealous then she would know that he cared.

"I just think he is such a dumb jock."

"And what, you aren’t?"

"That was a low blow Belle."

"Yeah whatever." She knew not to believe that for one minute he was hurt. She had known him too long. "So what do you want to talk about?"

"The other night." He started to shift a little.

"Do we have to?"

"I just wanted to let you know that I will never let it happen again."

"But what if I want it to happen again?" Belle was tired of waiting for Shawn to make the first move. She walked up to him.

"I don’t think that you are ready for this. I’m not even sure that I am."

"I’m ready." She stepped even closer. She had been thinking about him a lot these past few days. She did not want to talk. She just wanted to kiss, for him to kiss her the way he had done last week.

"Do you hear yourself?"

"Do you hear yourself?" Belle asked back. "You are lying. You want to be with me. I can see it your eyes. I can hear it your voice. I can feel it when you’re near me." Belle was right in front of him now. She touched his chest with her hand and felt his heart racing. Belle became even bolder as she moved her mouth next to his ear. "You want me." She gave him a short love bite and then moved back to look into his eyes. Shawn looked back at her with…

"Belle, are you listening to me." Belle came back to reality and drew in a deep breath.

"What did you say?"

"Belle there are things I have never told you." Shawn backed away.

"Like what?"

"Like about my life at boarding school."

"What about it?"

"I don’t want to talk about it." He began to leave.

"Shawn, don’t do this. Don’t walk away from me now." Shawn stopped for a second and then continued on. "Shawn I don’t know if I can wait on you forever."

Shawn turned around and screamed back, "Don’t."

"Fine." Belle just wanted to cry. She wanted to wait because all she ever really wanted was Shawn.

"Belle." Henry had been watching Belle and Shawn from inside. Belle turned into Henry’s arms and began crying.

Shawn had realized how stupid he was for even thinking that he could not trust Belle with his secret. He had turned back to go and see her when he spotted Belle in Henry’s arms. The green-eyed monster reared its head, but before Shawn could do something, he ran and he just kept on running. He ended up at the lake.

"Belle, forget Shawn. He doesn’t deserve you."

"And what? You do." Belle really did not want to hear anyone rag on Shawn.

"No I don’t either. All I know is that I could never hurt you like this. I could never turn my back on you. You are so beautiful. You are like the hottest girl in Salem High. Shawn is a fool." Belle looked up into Henry’s eyes.

They were a dark gray, completely different from Shawn. Forget Shawn she repeated to herself. Before she knew what was happening Henry was kissing her and she was kissing him back. It was a chaste kiss, soft and sweet. It was nothing like the kiss…forget him. Belle draped her arms around Henry’s neck and lost herself in the moment. Shawn…. Shawn who?

Chapter 11

Shawn could not believe his eyes. Belle was standing by her locker and literally drooling all over her was Mr. Henry. Shawn was just standing in awe near his locker when he saw Belle reach up on her tiptoes and plant a kiss on Henry’s lips. Henry then put his arms around her shoulder and the headed in the opposite direction.

Maybe it was all for the best. It meant that Belle was no longer fair game. She was off the market. There would be no more temptation. Who was he kidding? Shawn had not liked the way he had been feeling and acting lately. He found himself brooding for no reason. Sometimes he just wanted to punch something. Why? Because everything was all messed up. Things were not the same. Things were not the same, Shawn repeated to himself. He had to fix things and knew just how.

"Hey partner!"

"Hunh!" Belle turned to face Shawn. "Partner?"

"Yeah you and I are partners for our final chemistry project, remember." Belle looked away.

"Oh I forgot. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want." She continued to focus her gaze anywhere but on him.

"Why wouldn’t I want to be partners with you?"

For the same reason you don’t want to go out with me, Belle thought. I just don’t know what that is. "I don’t know. Maybe you don’t like hanging around me anymore." Belle shrugged her shoulders.

"Where would you get that idea?" like he didn’t already know. "Belle you the best friend anyone could ever have and I don’t want to lose you…as a friend. You are very important to me."

"You mean the same thing to me too."

"So can we go back to how things were before?" Shawn held his breath. She had to say yes. What would he do if she didn’t?

Belle’s eyes shouted I don’t want to go back, but her mouth said, "yeah sure." Shawn was so happy he did not think. He reached over and grabbed her and gave her a big hug. He could feel Belle stiffen in his arms. As he pulled back, she smiled faintly and said, "Let’s get to work."

"Shawn over here." Phillip waved Shawn over to their table, their being him, Chloe, Belle, and Henry.

"Hey guys." Shawn could not help but miss the way Henry had possessively put his hand on Belle’s. He had wanted to mark his territory. Shawn could not help but smile. Hey if it had been him, he would have done the same. He would not let any other guy within ten feet of Belle; anyone who even tried would have to answer to him.

Shawn pulled up a chair. "So what are your plans for this weekend?" Phillip asked.

"I haven’t really thought of anything. I was thinking of checking out a fair for the merchant marine recruits though." Belle shifted uneasily in her bench. She hated hearing about the fact that Shawn would probably be taking off in a couple of weeks.

"Shawn don’t…" Everyone turned his or her attention to Belle. "Don’t go to the fair, come with us to…"

"Shawn?" Belle was cut off by the tall brunette that had walked into dot.com. Shawn got up and looked into the direction of the voice. "Shawn!" She ran over, hugged him, and planted a big kiss on his lips. Belle’s eyes opened wide. Who the heck was she and why was she all over Shawn?

"Kelly what are you doing here?" Shawn pulled her over to the side.

"I ran away from home."

"What?" Shawn could not believe what was happening.

"I know we haven’t seen each other in years, but I never stopped thinking of you." She started kissing him again. Shawn pulled her off. He could not miss the stares they were getting from all around the room, even more importantly from Belle.

"Shawn, are you going to introduce us?" Phillip asked.

No. "Guys this is uh Kelly. Sorry we can’t chat right now. We have to go." Shawn had to get her out of there before she revealed his secret.

"Are these your friends? There is no rush then. I want to meet the friends of my love." Belle’s eyes were fixated on Shawn. Who was this girl? "I’m Kelly and you are?"

Each of them introduced themselves. Then Belle asked, "Where do you know Shawn from?"

"Boarding school. We use to date." Shawn stared at the floor.

"Maybe we should go."

"No Shawn I want to hear more."

"Maybe another time." Shawn dragged Kelly out of dot.com behind him. He had to be the one to tell Belle his secret. Only he could make her understand. She just had to understand.

Belle had not waited seconds after Henry had dropped her off before heading over to Shawn’s place. He had not been there, so she decided to check out the boathouse. In the distance she could see Kelly sitting on the deck, but Shawn was nowhere in sight.

"Hey Kelly remember me."

"Belle right."

"Yeah." Belle stepped on the boat. "Where’s Shawn?"

"He said he was going to the…the pub to get some food."

"Isn’t that sweet."

"Shawn’s a sweet guy."

"Yeah." Belle found a seat next to Kelly. "So you and Shawn go way back."

Kelly nodded her head. "Shawn and I were the cutest couple. We were inseparable. We were the only things that kept each other going. Then…"

"Then what?" Belle was at the edge of her seat. Could Kelly reveal the secret that was keeping her and Shawn apart? "What happened?"

"Then I got pregnant." Had she heard her correctly?

"What did you just say?"

"I got pregnant. Shawn and I were going to have a…"

"Belle what you doing here?" Belle turned to face Shawn with tears in her eyes. Oh no! This couldn’t be happening. "Belle. I…" Shawn reached over to touch her.

"Don’t. Don’t you dear come near me."? She ran off the boat and just kept running. Shawn Brady is a father. Shawn, her Shawn.

"What did you say to her?" Shawn followed Belle with his eyes while speaking to Kelly.

"I told her about the baby."

"No. No!" Shawn screamed. Kelly walked up to him. "I have to find her. I have to."

Chapter 12

Belle was sitting by the lake. She couldn’t control herself. She couldn’t stop crying. It had to be a lie. Kelly was lying. She should have waited for Shawn to tell her the truth.

"Belle." Belle looked up to find big brown doe eyes gazing back at her. She rushed to him.

"Tell me she’s lying. You are not father." They were holding each other.

"I’m not a father."

"I knew it." Because of where Belle’s head lay he could feel her lips on his skin. "She is a liar. You have to get rid of her before she spreads more rumors about you."

"Belle. There is more."

Belle looked up at him with the most amazing blue eyes he had ever seen. "More."

"Let me explain everything." Shawn led Belle over to the bench to sit down. "Kelly was my best friend at boarding school. The more time we spent with each other, the closer we got. Soon we started dating, and then before we knew it, things were getting hot and heavy. I found myself having to go to a little convenience store to buy condoms." Belle didn’t know if she wanted to hear anymore. "So anyway it was Valentine’s and we seriously thought that were in love. One thing lead to another and well…" Shawn could see how uncomfortable Belle looked. "Two months later, Kelly comes to my room to tell me that she was pregnant and that I was the father. I didn’t understand how it could have happened. We had only done it once and we had used protection."

"You got her pregnant?" Belle moved as far away from him as she could on the bench. She did not breathe a word, he just nodded. "What happened to the baby?"

Shawn started to break into tears. "You have to understand that I knew we had made a mistake and I was going take responsibility. I never got the chance though because one weekend her parents had come up for her. They took her home and while she was there, they had our son killed." Shawn was crying immensely. Belle wanted to reach over and touch him but she did not have the strength. "Belle you have to understand that I wanted to tell you. I just didn’t know how. Please say you understand."

Belle got up. "It doesn’t matter whether or not I understand Shawn."

"Then tell me that you don’t hate me." He got up to be next to her. She backed away.

"I could never hate you. I…"What was she going to say? What could she say?

"Belle about us."

"There is no us, Shawn."

"I mean about our friendship. Are we still friends?"

"I don’t know. We were supposed to be best friends yet you couldn’t trust me with this." Belle didn’t understand.

"Belle I…" He came closer still.

"Shawn I need time." Shawn backed off.

"Fine." Shawn walked away and left Belle standing at the waterfront.

"Belle what you doing here?"

"I had to see you." She walked up to him until he could smell her hair, her soap, her perfume.

"I didn’t think that you would ever talk to me again."

"Never. I can’t stop thinking about you. I could never erase the memory of us that night in Phillip’s pool." Shawn was transfixed, he couldn’t move. "I want to feel what you made me feel that night. I want us to be together."

"What about Henry?"

"What about him?" The look in Belle’s eyes was alluring. "We’re over. I belong with you and only you."

She began kissing. "Belle I have been dreaming of this day." All Shawn wanted to do was kiss Belle until they both couldn’t think straight.

"Shawn…Shawn." Shawn must have fallen asleep. Kelly was nudging him trying to wake him up.

"Shawn I can’t do this anymore."

"Do what?" Shawn rubbed his eyes.

"There is something I have to tell you." Kelly’s voice was shaky.

"Can’t it wait until morning?"

"No. I saw your face when you found out that your friend Belle knew about the baby. You looked devastated. And when you ran after her I realized that there must be something going on between you too."

"It’s nothing." Shawn was now sitting up.

"Yeah. You were always living in denial. She has got it bad for you and you seem to feel the same." Shawn just shrugged. "Anyway it is time I get this off my chest."

"Kelly I am really tired. Could you just come right out with it?" Belle had been haunting his dreams. He just wanted peace even though he did not deserve it.

"Okay fine. The baby wasn’t yours."

"What are you babbling about Kelly?"

"I lied when I said that you were the father of my baby. I cheated on you."

"What?"

"Do you remember Tim?"

"How could I forget? I hated the way he looked at you."

"Well I didn’t. He looked at me the way I wanted you to, the way you look at Belle."

"What does Tim have to do with anything?"

"One night coming from your room after studying, I ran into Tim. He said the most beautiful things to me…Well anyway when it was all said and done I woke up the next morning naked and alone. A couple of days later you and I slept together." Shawn was flabbergasted. "I wanted the baby to be yours because you were so sweet and so caring, but I knew that it wasn’t. We had used protection."

"You let me think that whole time that I had fathered your child, not to mention the pain I felt when you aborted the baby." Shawn got up.

"You have to forgive me. We were both young and I didn’t know what to do." Kelly was crying immensely.

"Don’t cry. It’s okay." He held her in his arms.

"You don’t hate me?"

"How can I?" He couldn’t even if he wanted to. Not only was he relieved, but also this could mean the difference for him and Belle. Belle…he had to talk to her. Even more importantly he had to have her.

To be continued…