A Twist in Fate

Chapter four

Shawn 

I got permission from my commanding officer to wear my uniform for prom. I was on my way in the limo to pick up Beth. I was waiting after ringing the doorbell  and Carolyn opens the door. She was speechless, stepping aside to let me in.

"She's finishing her makeup," Mandy says as she descends down the stairs in her prom dress. She takes one look at me and tears fill her eyes. "She's going to be emotional when she sees you."

"Are you riding with us," I ask softly. 

"No, I'm going with Annie and some friends. They should be here soon," she says with a smile.

Beth gets halfway down the stairs before she looks at me. She comes to a halt with tears in her eyes. I meet her the rest of the way, stopping so we were eye to eye. "I'm not leaving for a few weeks. This is just to show them that I stand tall after everything, that they shouldn't mess with me or you," I say in a soothing tone, wiping her eyes. "Tonight I'm your soldier."

She takes me in a passionate kiss and I hear as our picture is taken. She breaks from the kiss and we continue down the rest of the stairs. I stood behind her, arms around her waist with her head resting against the front of my shoulder. Her mother takes a few pictures and we leave in our limo.

When we arrive at school our fellow classmates looked at us in awe. All those who bullied me walked up and shook my hand with respect. They thank me for joining the military to serve our country and wish me to return safely to Beth. 

She hugs to my left arm and a slow song starts playing. Beth brings me to the middle of the dance floor and brings her arms around my neck. I place my arms at her waist and we sway in a slow circle. Our eyes lock and it was almost as if we were the only two there.

We didn't even realize the music had stopped until our sisters broke our eye contact. "You guys okay? You've been standing there for twenty minutes," Annie says with concern. 

"Promise me something," I say quietly and Annie nods lightly. "When I leave, protect her."

"You're coming back Shawn, you promised," Beth chokes, freaking out. 

"I will, but I want you looked after while I'm away," I say softly as I take her in my arms. "I don't trust anyone who bullied me not to bother you. They may be showing respect for me now, but once I'm gone they could do something."

"I'll do it," Annie chokes quietly and I nod lightly. 

Beth 

It was getting towards the end of the night when Mr. Albright called for attention. Shawn wraps around at my back as everything gathers around. "Its time to announce the prom royalty and this is a first time having royals of the same gender. Our royals are Beth Cooper and Shawn Andersen," he says with a smile and everyone erupts in applause. 

I look back at Shawn and she looked shocked that her name was called. "Babe, come on," I say with a smile and she looks at me. 

We walk up on stage and everyone starts cheering. "Is this a prank," Shawn asks curious and everyone laughs. Tears fill her eyes and jumps off the stage and out of the gym.

"Do you not realize how sensitive she is," I choke with disappointment and go after her with our sisters following us. She was leaning against the big tree in front of the school. "Shawn?"

She looks up with tears in her eyes and asks in a choked whisper, "Will you wait for me? It's two years Beth, will you wait that long?"

"I waited four years to tell you about my feelings, two years is nothing compared to that," I choke quietly, confused why she would ask me this. "You're my first everything Shawn, there is no one else."