Pop Tarts, Brand, and Her

Chapter 7: A Wager

Chapter 7: A Wager

Shannon glanced over at Noel tentatively. He was smirking down at a sketch he was working on. Noel must have felt her gaze however and looked up, still smirking, and winked playfully at her. Shannon mock glared at him for a moment. Her gaze softened as she stood and walked over to sit beside him.

“Hey stranger.” Shannon smiled sweetly as she plonked herself down next to Noel, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Hey back.” Noel replied, still drawing.

“Whatcha workin’ on?” Shannon asked innocently as he hid the sketch from her.

“An idea you gave me the other day.” He winked playfully down at her.

Shannon blushed and turned her head to hide her face against his shoulder. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, Noel…”

He took her chin gently in his hand and turned her face back to his…inches apart. “Well then I’ll just have to remind you-”

“Ah! Shannon!” Russell’s voice interrupted their moment. “Freddie’s been looking for you.”

“Oh, thanks Russell.” Shannon smiled up at him before glancing back at Noel. “Well, I guess we’ll hang out another time, m’dear.” She stood and looked back at Russell. “Where was he last?”

“He was out by the pond, with them ducks and some bread.” Russell smirked.

“Okay…thanks!” Shannon mock saluted them both. And with that, she left.

***

Russell watched her leave and made sure she was out of hearing range before he spoke. “So…”

“So?” Noel looked up from his sketch, confused.

“So what do you think you’re doing?” Russell crossed his arms as he looked down at his friend.

“What do you mean?” Noel looked back to his sketch.

“Shannon. She’s Freddie’s niece, Noel!” Russell pointed in the direction Shannon had just gone.

“Yeah, I know.” Noel replied, a slight hiss escaping him in frustration.

“D’you know what he’d do if he found out-”

“I know you like her too, Russell. You’re all over her when I’m not close by!” Noel stood and crossed his arms also. “You like her. Don’t you dare pretend this pretend intervention is anything but you wanting to get rid of the competition!”

Russell grinned wickedly. “Alright, so I’ve been caught.” His smile turned evil. “How about a little wager then? Seeing as you’re so game for it.”

“What wager?” Noel asked, taken aback by Russell’s confidence.

“Whoever beds her first, gets the girl.” Russell smirked. He knew he was good. He was confident he had this in the bag.

Noel mulled it over in his head. This could go badly…very badly! But he wasn’t going to give Shannon up so easily. “Right! You’re on!”

“Excellent!” Russell smiled and held his hand out to Noel. Upon shaking hands, Russell turned and began prancing away. “Oh, by the way,” he called over his shoulder. “Shannon’s a virgin…”

***

Noel pulled Julian away from his conversation with Derek Jacobi in a frantic state.

“What’s wrong Noel?” Julian regarded his friend carefully.

“I’ve done something terrible.” Noel began, flustered.

“What?” Julian sighed and his hand clenched itself into a fist.

“I think I just gambled with Shannon’s virginity…”

Julian’s eyes widened. He didn’t know what to say.