Belle & Daegan

Party

Not long after Daegan returned, his mother died in a plane crash.

He took it hard. He didn't want to talk to Belle for weeks at a time.

She always tried to talk to him when she came for the weekends. She'd watch and talk about city life while he worked on his farm, but he ignored her.

One time, she found a black bandanna in the storage room of her house. She immediately thought about Daegan.

She brought the bandanna to the farm, and gave it to him. He didn't respond, or take the bandanna. Belle wrapped it around his wrist roughly, and left him.

She stopped coming to the farm altogether when she couldn't stand the silent treatment.

One Friday morning, before Belle left for school, her mom picked up the ringing phone.

"Belle, it's for you."

She frowned, but took it. "Hello?"

"Belle."

"Daegan. What's going on?"

"Can you come to the farm again?"

"How would I know that you won't just ignore me again?"

"I won't. I'm sorry, Belle. I've been so distant from you--it won't happen again."

"Daegan, don't think that you can't grieve. I understand," said Belle. She glanced at the time on the stove. She was going to be late for school.

Daegan hesitated, but added, "Come back. Please?"

"Okay. I will."

The party was excellent fun, now that they had a new addition to the horse family. It was all the more reason to celebrate.

Belle sang and danced with her friends with Harissa's music.

Everybody clapped when the song ended. Belle and her friends bowed, and gestured to Harissa to thank her for her music.

Harissa bowed again, then held up her hands to settle everyone down. When the clapping had subsided, she said, "And now, my new song is dedicated to my best friend." She started strumming the guitar to a slow song.

"Mmm, this music makes me want to have a slow dance," murmured Grandma.

Grandpa smiled and took her hand. "A dance you shall have," he said, pulling her into the open space nearer the picnic bench where Harissa was playing. Grandpa embraced Grandma, and they started to sway to the soft music.

Belle noticed Reed taking Olive's arm, and started to twirl. Qwin sat by Harissa.

Belle jumped when a hand touched her shoulder. "Can I have a dance?" Daegan asked.

She turned to meet Daegan's mischievous grin. "Yeah, I guess," she nodded teasingly.

"I'll have to work with that," said Daegan, and pulled her into an embrace. He started to sway back and forth.

Belle gazed into his eyes, noticing how dark they looked in the dim candlelight. "So."

"So." He laughed, breaking out his huge smile.

"Winter's foal is born."

"Yeah. That's pretty awesome."

"You like Rea?"

He stared at her, as if memorizing her face. "Yeah," he said softly. For one millisecond, Belle thought he glanced at her lips.

"A beau and a belle," Harissa sang. Belle jumped at the sound of her name.

"Oh, the first time I saw them, I knew they were meant for each other,"

Harissa was staring at them while she sang. When she met Belle's gaze, she grinned widely, before singing the next verse.

"I've seen movie love left and right

Love guiding the emotions

To do foolish things

I've seen love everywhere

But oh oh oh

I ain't seen love quite like this one

The beau and his belle

The beau and his belle

Harissa wasn't the greatest songwriter, but Belle loved every bit of it. She knew that Harissa was talking about her and Daegan. Belle fell in love with him every time she came up to her grandparents' farm and hung out with him. Every weekend, she looked forward to seeing Daegan.

"Belle, I have something for you," Qwin interrupted her thoughts. She handed Belle a neatly folded piece of paper. She opened it, to see an anime drawing of a boy and girl with black bandanas on their wrists. They were holding hands in a very typical couple pose, the girl slightly turned away from the boy, and the boy was looking at the girl with gentle, loving eyes.

"I love it."

"So, yeah, I do anime," said Qwin shyly.

"Oh, this is awesome. You definitely seem like an anime girl. And I love you for it." Belle hugged her friend. She briefly noticed the bandana on her wrist before breaking away from Qwin.

Qwin smiled, and quickly glanced at Daegan. Belle blushed, and resumed her dance with Daegan.

"So."

Belle laughed. "So."

He pulled her aside into the barn, claiming that they should see the new foal again. But as soon as they were hidden away from the partying friends, Daegan slid his arms around Belle's back, and lifted her up. Belle gasped just as Daegan pressed his lips to hers. Belle felt a warm, soothing feeling in her gut as Daegan kissed her. The feeling in her gut confirmed that this...Belle and Daegan...was right. It just felt right.