Disney high; Belle

Chapter Three

Packing took most of the night; Maurice had a lot of heavy and bulky things that needed to go on the trip. When they were finished, Belle thought of looking up directions, but was too tired. When Belle flopped on her bed she could've sworn that there was some hulking figure in the shadows, but Belle shook it off and was asleep in no time.

In the morning Belle wished her father good luck and went to school with slight fatigue. In Home EC Belle was to cook a delicious traditional French breakfast, which woke her right up as breakfast does. The rest of her classes went by well and tutoring with Chip was easy enough. He had many interesting questions that made Belle question her own interpretations of the books they were reading.

When they were all packed and ready to go, Chip stopped Belle.

"Hey, listen, do you have a list of colleges you are going to apply for?" 

"I am still working on my own, do you want one?" Belle said packing her last book.

"Yeah, but what kind of college experience should I go for?" Chip asked.

"How should I know?" 

"What personality do you think I have?"

"I don't really know how to gauge anyone's personality, but I bet whatever college you go to, you'll make the best of it." Belle said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"Oh, ok, um.... well, thanks." 

"See you tomorrow, right?" Belle asked shyly.

"Oh, yeah! I'm not too upset, it was a weird question anyway." Chip gave Belle his best smile.

"Ok, see you then!" Belle scurried to the door.

Adam had been standing at the door when Belle almost ran into him. He quickly shoved his book behind his back when he realized Belle was in front of him.

"Uh... hey." He tried to say casually.

"What's up?" Belle caught her breath.

"Not much, um.... Well... you want to go do something?"

"Sure, but what about the favor?" Belle asked.

"Why don't we discuss the favor in a more private place, like my house?" Adam asked, shyly.

"Uh... Sure, as long as don't pull anything weird" she eyed him suspiciously. 

"Ok." 

"Do you want to go now?" Belle swayed a bit.

"Yes!" He said a bit too excitedly.

"Sweet, I have my own car so I'll follow you out." 

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The drive to Adam's was long and for a split second Belle almost turned around out of fear. The distance from town was getting to the point that Belle pictured her smiling senior pictures on the newest murder channel. At last Adam pulled into a secluded driveway up to a privacy gate. The gate was hidden perfectly from the road, Belle's fear crept back.

The driveway was steep, but lead to a massive home. It had to be an old castle from the French Revolution, Belle thought. As her car neared, Belle was amazed at how many gargoyles littered castle. The castle screamed "stay away," but Belle was intrigued by the grotesque exterior enough to see for herself if the "drapes match the curtains" so to speak.

Belle parked behind Adam and was ascending the steps before he'd cut his engine. She hardly glanced left or right once she got to the door, the lion-head knockers stared her down, daring her to reach them.