“Oh Scott, you’re fine! I was having a blast! It just barely came on. I think I just need to rehydrate and I’ll be fine.”
Scott looked skeptical.
“I promise!” she said, touching his arm. “I feel better already.”
Scott finally seemed to believe that she was really alright and he relaxed. “Now don’t you go trying the bunny hop or anything until I get back,” he teased.
No sooner had Scott walked away then Belle and Ariel came over and sat down beside Cinderella. They both appeared to be as out of breath as Cinderella felt.
“Scott is so cute!” Belle tried to whisper, but it came out more like a shriek.
Cinderella nodded, her smile widening as she watched him laugh with Nate and Bobby at the refreshment table.
“Nice work!” Ariel added.
“You guys look really good! I love your dresses!” a girl said as she passed by their table.
“Thanks,” the cousins all replied. They smiled at each other and went back to their conversation.
“Are you guys having fun?” Cinderella asked.
“Are you kidding? Nate is way cool and man can he dance!” Belle said.
“How about you and Bobby?” Cinderella asked turning toward Ariel.
“He is so much fun!” she said enthusiastically. “It’s like Scott picked out the perfect guy for each of us!”
“You did seem to be hitting it off at dinner,” Belle acknowledged.
“Yeah, he’s a lot of fun to talk to!” Ariel said. She started to lean back in her chair and then remembered something and quickly lurched forward. “Oh and get this,” she added, making both Belle and Cinderella jump. “He’s seen all our favorite retro 80’s movies,” she said, nodding at their stunned faces. “And he likes them!”
“He’s a keeper!” Belle said, pointing in his direction with her hand.
“Definitely! Hang on to that one!” Cinderella added. “So have you guys talked about anything other than TV and movies?” she asked.
“Music,” Ariel added.
“Is that it?” Belle asked.
“What else is there?” Ariel shrugged and they both rolled their eyes at her.
Then after looking around for a minute Cinderella asked, “Hey, have you guys seen Aurora or Snow?”
“Aurora was dancing by us a little while ago, but she didn’t want a break when we told her we were coming over here,” Ariel said.
“And I think Snow and Brad went outside for some fresh air,” Belle chimed in.
“Congratulations, Belle,” another girl said, approaching the table.
“Thank you so much!” Belle smiled in return.
“Where did you guys get those dresses? They are so awesome!” she asked.
“Our grandmas made them for us,” Cinderella answered.
“Wow, I wish my grandma could sew!” she said, walking away.
Cinderella followed the girl with her gaze and then looked over to check on Scott’s status. “Uh-oh,” she said, quickly looking away again.
“What’s up?” Belle asked, following her gaze. Her face grew stern when she spotted them. “Oh.”
Dave was standing by the refreshment table arguing with his brother.
“He looks pissed,” Ariel said.
“Good!” Belle replied. She crossed her arms and looked away from them. “I am so done with him! I don’t even care anymore what people think! I’m going to quit my tutoring, just so I won’t have to see him anymore!” Belle’s words were saying one thing, but her face said another.
“That may be a problem,” Ariel said.
“And why is that?” Belle asked.
“Because he’s heading this way.”
Chapter Forty
Ariel got to her feet and started walking towards Dave, stopping him before he reached the other two.
“Hey Ariel,” he said solemnly. “Can I talk to Belle please?” he asked, looking past her in Belle’s direction.
“No,” she said, crossing her arms and shaking her head at him. “But you know what you can do? You can go directly to Hell. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200,” she added, pointing back in the direction he had come.
Dave just stood there, looking stunned at Ariel’s sharp words. Their dates came back at that moment carrying two cups of water, one in each hand.
“This guy bothering you?” Bobby asked coming up beside them.
Ariel smiled at Bobby and took the cup he offered. “What would you do if I say yes?” she asked.
“Probably find a large garbage can and see if he fits inside.”
Dave opened his mouth to protest, but Bobby put up a hand to stop him. “Let the lady speak.”
Ariel pretended to think about it for a while. “Naw,” she finally said. “He’s not worth your time.” Then she turned and walked out onto the dance floor, Bobby snickering beside her.
“They really found each other, didn’t they?” Scott said, smiling at his little brother who gave him an annoyed look in return. Cinderella came walking up to them and Scott handed her some water. She took it gratefully and eyed Dave, who stood staring at his feet. Then she followed Scott, who led her back out onto the dance floor to join the others. Belle finally got to her feet and approached Dave.
“Do you want me to stay?” Nate asked her.
Belle shook her head. “I’ll come find you in a minute.”
Nate nodded and turned away.
Once he was out of hearing range Dave finally spoke. “I can’t believe you told my brother,” he said.
“Well, technically Cinderella did,” she retorted.
Dave finally made eye contact. “I’m really sorry,” he said, quietly. “About everything. That’s why I’ve been trying to be your friend again, when we study together.”
Belle didn’t respond. She just stood there, watching Dave, and waited for him to continue.
“Hey, save me a dance,” Craig Jacobs said, coming up behind Belle and grabbing her elbow.
Belle nodded and then looked back to Dave.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Craig said. “You look great, by the way,” he added, before walking away.
“I really wanted to ask you to the dance,” Dave said, once Craig was gone.
Belle’s jaw dropped slightly, but she still said nothing.
“I just…couldn’t,” he finished.
“Because I’m not ‘cool’ enough to be seen with? Is that it?” Belle asked. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks now.
“No!” Dave said quickly. “I…I love you Belle,” he finally blurted.
Belle took a step back, stunned. But then the anger quickly returned. “And why should I believe you?” she asked. “For all I know, you could be telling me another story to fulfill some sort of sick bet you made with your friends. All you’ve done is use me and my cousins since we met you! You’ve told so many lies, you should go into politics. Cause let me tell you, with the crap you’re selling, you’d stand a good chance of winning!” Belle was almost shouting now. “Go sell your stories somewhere else,” she added, and she made to move past him in the direction Nate had gone.
Dave grabbed her arm, not hard, but forcefully enough that she had to stop and look at him.
“One of Cynthia’s friends didn’t get asked to the dance, so I made a deal with her in exchange to take her friend.” Belle tried to pull away, but Dave held on. “It was the only way I could think of to get these back for you.” Dave reached in his pocket and pulled out five silver bracelets and placed them in Belle’s open palm. “I’m really sorry!” he said again. “I hope this will prove to you that I mean it.” Then Dave released his grip on Belle and disappeared back into the sea of people.
Belle stood frozen in place for a moment, watching Dave walk away. She wasn’t sure if she should go after him. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted to! He loves me?! Is he kidding? Part of her, the part that thought he could be her prince, was elated to hear those words! But the bigger part, the part that was focusing on all the lies, wonde
red if he was just being a toad and playing her again. Maybe he is a frog, and he really is trying. As Belle remained standing there, battling with her own thoughts, Nate appeared on her left side and gently touched her arm.
“Do you want to dance again?” he asked.
Belle looked after Dave one more time. She couldn’t make him out in the crowd any longer so she nodded to Nate and followed him to their group, who had formed a circle in the middle of the dance floor. They were all swaying and swinging to the music, taking turns dancing in the center of the circle before moving across to the other side. Belle put on her best smile as they approached and tried to push the conversation with Dave from her mind. The others spread apart, making room for two more in their dancing ring. Belle walked around the circle, handing each bracelet back to its rightful owner. Her cousins all looked at her in surprise, but Belle just shrugged. “I’ll tell you about it later,” she mouthed. The girls nodded, with huge grins on their faces as they returned the bracelets to their wrists.
Belle laughed as she watched Bobby fish for Ariel across the circle, who hopped and wiggled toward him like a fish caught on a line. Then she glanced over at Cinderella and saw that she and Scott were lost in conversation as they stood side by side, moving to the music. Belle gave her a thumbs up when Scott wasn’t looking and Cinderella blushed in return, but her face was glowing.
Snow White seemed to actually be talking back to Bradley, who had her doubled over in laughter. Then, when their turn came, they entered the center together doing some cheesy lawn mower and shopping cart moves. Everyone moaned, but then they joined in laughing with Snow White and Bradley and gave them a round of applause for their efforts. Belle noticed Aurora seemed to be teaching Kris some hip-hop moves and thrusts, and he was teaching her some western swing in return. Then Belle and Nate entered the circle and Nate motioned for everyone to step back. He then lifted her off her feet and flipped her backwards over his arm. Belle stood breathless when they were finished, a huge grin spreading across her face. And this time it appeared naturally, not just to cover up other feelings.
That’s when Aurora and Kris jumped into the circle, shooing Belle and Nate back to the outer edge. They showed off the new lift they had been practicing, where Kris held her above his head. It was a little tricky while wearing a dress, but they made it work. Cinderella and Scott then pushed them away and Scott spun her around really fast in circles before pulling her horizontal and then releasing her with one hand and catching her with the other, inches before she hit the ground. That did it. The competition was on! Belle laughed as she watched her cousins and their dates trying to one-up each other in dance moves. This was the most fun they had had in a really long time!
A group of sophomore girls and their dates approached the circle and asked if they could join the Princesses.
“Sure,” Belle waved them forward. “The more the merrier!"
“You guys look so great!” another girl spoke.
“Cynthia doesn’t even know what she’s talking about,” another added.
The large group continued to dance and talk as they took turns showing off their moves in the center of the formed ring. Then Craig and a group of his basketball friends approached as a slow song was starting. “Our dates are primping or something in the bathroom,” he said. “We’re just wondering if we can have the honor of dancing with the Princess sisters,” he asked, waving to the four guys who stood by his side.
Belle glanced at her cousins, who all looked to their dates. Scott and his friends nodded and quietly backed away toward the refreshment table.
“I told you you’d find another guy,” Scott whispered to Cinderella as he moved away.
Then Craig took Belle by the hand and tried to imitate Nate’s suave moves. “You look incredible,” he said, swaying Belle back and forth. “I think you’re going to be a great President.”
“Thanks,” Belle said aloud, while in her head she thought, Yes! I finally got an ‘incredible’ too!
Belle glanced at her cousins, who were all smiling and talking with their new dance partners. Then she looked over to the group of girls who had joined them and watched briefly as they all danced nearby. Then she looked into Craig’s smiling face, his chocolaty eyes gazed back into hers. Maybe high school won’t be so bad after all.
Sneak peek of “Frogs & Toads”
“Wait! Shhhhhh! It’s starting!”
Aurora and Ariel stopped talking mid-conversation and turned their focus to the TV. Belle picked up the remote and turned up the volume as the theme song began playing a dramatic tune. Without moving her eyes away from the screen, Cinderella passed a bag of peanut butter M&M’s to Snow White, who was sitting beside her on the couch. Their eyes were completely glued to the screen during the opening scene for their new favorite show.
School had only started a few weeks ago, but this new teen drama was the only thing anyone was talking about. The cousins had turned it on the first night out of curiosity, and were instantly hooked. Now, every Thursday night, a similar scene was found in Belle’s basement as the girls gathered to laugh, gasp, and ogle at the super-hot teacher on the screen. Then as soon as the first commercial started, the girls began talking again as if there had been no delay.
“Oh, this show is so good! Why do they have to ruin everything with dumb commercials?”
“To make us anticipate what’s coming even more.”
“We could always set the DVR to record Locker Partners, and just watch it later. That way we could fast forward the commercials,” Snow White suggested.
Ariel looked at her like she had gone crazy.
“And just stare at the clock for an hour while we wait for it to record? Seriously?!”
“I dunno you guys, I think I can make it through some lousy commercials to get to see Lucas Ferreira for an hour,” Aurora stated.
Her cousins all nodded with enthusiastic agreement. Then the show came back on and the room went silent once again. The show returned with Mr. Ferreira himself, leaning over a beautiful blonde student as he helped with her writing assignment. The girls simultaneously sighed, not one of them noticing the others, as they all wished for a Freaky Friday moment to transport them into that girl’s shoes. Everything from his tan skin to his dark hair and eyes reflected his Latino roots. But his flawless American accent indicated he was second generation.
His character grinned down at the student when she found success, revealing his perfect white teeth smile, embellished by a dimple on the right side. His dark, long lashes winked right into the camera during a close-up shot and Snow White actually giggled. She quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment, looking around, but her cousins were too lost in his charming voice to notice.
When the show went to another commercial break, the girls were quickly broken free of their trance and resumed conversation.
“So have you heard from Prince Charming since Lagoon?” Belle asked. This is what they had taken to calling Scott since his sudden show of affection at the park.
“No,” Cinderella said, looking down. “It’s all kinda awkward with the whole Jenny thing...” she trailed off.
“So no phone call, text, nothing since that day?” Aurora asked, reaching for another handful of chocolate.
“Nothing. He did apologize that night though.” Cinderella had her cousins’ full attention now.
“Apologized?” Ariel asked.
“It was as we were leaving the park late that night. He hung back a little bit and just said he was sorry for not telling me about Jenny.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about that?” Snow White asked, indignant.
“It was weird, and a little awkward. I’m not sure why he felt a need to apologize.”
“He led you on last year, and then you guys have been talking a lot. Don’t tell me he couldn’t find a moment in one of your conversations to mention he had started dating someone! He owes you way more than an apology!” Aurora shouted.
“I still think you can win him ba
ck,” Ariel stated. “I say you just grab his face and kiss the crap out of him!”
Cinderella was relieved when the show came back on at that moment, pulling the attention off of her once again. She didn’t want to reiterate how she had tried that technique once already, only to be shot down.
At the next commercial break, Cinderella fired off a question before the conversation even had a chance to return to her and Scott.
“What do you think it would be like having a teacher like that?”
“Oh, I would definitely pay better attention in school if all my teachers looked like Mr. Ferreira!” Aurora said emphatically.
“I dunno,” Belle paused. “I think I would be daydreaming so much, I’d probably fail all my classes!”
“Only one way to find out,” Ariel piped in. When the others looked at her quizzically she continued. “At your next SBO meeting, you’ll have to put in a request to hire Lucas Ferreira as the new English teacher, Belle.”
Cinderella and Aurora both launched pillows in Ariel’s direction, who laughed in return.
“If only I had that power!” Belle replied.
Then the show returned with its final climatic minutes, filled with cliff hangers to keep the viewers wanting more, and insuring their return next week.
Mary came walking down the stairs after getting off work and paused at the bottom step. “Hey Belle, I need you to−”
“Shhhhh!” all five girls shouted.
“Well, this must be some show!” Mary said more quietly.
“Hold on Mom, you haven’t seen the best part yet,” Belle said. “There!” she pointed to the screen as the gorgeous actor appeared. “Isn’t he great?”
Mary stood frozen to the spot. Usually she was the first to agree with the girls when it came to cute guys, and her sudden silence caused them all to turn in their seats.
“Mary?” Cinderella asked. “Is something wrong?”
“He…” Mary started, but was unable to continue. She reached out for the handrail and sat slowly on the bottom step, never taking her eyes off the screen.
“He plays one of the high school teachers,” Ariel said, looking at Mary quizzically. “His name is−”
The Princess Sisters (The Princess Sisters Series) Page 22