A/N: New Chapter up! Took me a long while to finish writing this. Life just gets in the way. Anyway, enjoy this one!
Sky high is still ain't mine. :))
Chapter 5 – Paper Lantern
Warren was in the kitchens when Layla arrived at the Paper Lantern. She looked at her watch and saw that she was 10 minutes early. She took a seat at a corner booth and waited for him.
Over thirty minutes has passed and Will still haven't arrived. Layla was getting worried. Just then, Belle arrived at the restaurant still wearing a black leotard and ballet skirt with a jacket over it. She wore ballet flats on her feet and her hair was pulled up in a messy high ponytail. Belle entered and looked for a booth when her eyes landed on Layla and she remembered that Will was supposed to meet them tonight here.
"Layla?" Belle called as she neared Layla's table.
"Belle." She gave her a small smile. Belle looked across at the empty seat to where Will was supposed to be.
"Where's Will?" she asked with her eyebrows furrowed. Layla only shrugged and looked down. Belle dropped her bag at the seat across from Layla and sat down with her.
"He bailed on you?" she asked gently.
"Looks like it." She said sadly as the potted flower next to them suddenly wilted. 'Hmm. So that's what she can do?' Belle thought and realized that she has never seen Layla use her powers in school.
"Maybe something came up?" she tried. Layla shook her head.
"He would call or send a text if something did. He must have forgotten." Layla sadly declared.
Belle took a hold of Layla's hand to cheer her up which the red head was grateful for. A waitress in red Chinese-style outfit went to their table and took their order. Belle ordered some dumplings and fried rice and Layla got herself some beef wonton noodles.
"I guess, Warren was right." Belle whispered after the waitress walked away with their orders and calling it out in the kitchens.
"About what?" Layla asked, curious now that she raised the topic of Warren.
"Will. Having that fame get to his head. He told me when I took him to the Nurse's office after PE." She answered nonchalantly. Layla narrowed her eyes at her.
"Do you like him?" she suddenly asked. Belle blushed scarlet and sputtered. Layla laughed.
Just then, a male waiter arrived with their food.
"Two orders of dumplings and-" the two girls looked up and was surprised to see Warren in a black muscle shirt and a black apron around his waist.
"Hey." Layla greeted in surprise. Belle blushed even more, thankful for the dim lights of the restaurant that it was barely noticeable if she looks away.
"Hey" he replied and gave a look at Belle, who only smiled at him. He placed their orders at the table.
"We go to school together." Layla answered his confused look. He gave an acknowledging nod.
"You're Stronghold's friend." He replied with disdain.
"Yeah." Layla said awkwardly. "We were supposed to meet him here tonight but…"
Belle rolled her eyes.
"Would you like to sit down?" Belle offered, still blushing a bit and scooted over.
"I think I could spare a minute." He was about to sit but he gave Belle a once over first. He blushed at the sight of her cleavage that was a bit exposed from her v-neck cut leotard and the short skirt over her toned, stocking-covered legs. To him, Belle looked even more sexy in her ballerina clothes.
"What are you wearing?" he asked as he sat down next to her, the tray he was holding was placed on the side of the couch.
"I had a ballet class down the street. I got hungry after and decided to come here. My change of clothes is with Albert, who has an errand to run so…I got stuck wearing my ballet clothes." She explained and shrugged.
"Oh." And he looked back at Layla who watched the exchange with interest.
"So, you work here?" Layla asked, curious.
"Except Saturdays." He answered. Belle took her chopsticks and opened the bamboo steamer to reveal 6 pieces of shrimp dumplings. Her mouth watered at the sight.
"So, where's Stronghold?" he asked.
"He bailed on Layla." Belle answered. Layla looked at her noodles and took some in her mouth.
"I'll never understand why your friends with him." He commented. Layla looked defensive.
"Well, when we were in first grade, you remember how in Biology class you're asked to grow lima beans? Well, Will could not figure out how mine was growing so fast. After I while, I took mercy on him and told him about my powers. And we've been best friends ever since." Layla answered proudly. Belle simply smirked with dumplings and rice inside her mouth.
"So, you falling for Stronghold was before or after the lima beans?" Warren suddenly asked. Belle nearly choked on her dumpling and Layla was already coughing.
"I'm not in love with… was it that obvious?" Layla relented after seeing Belle and Warren's "are you kidding me?" look. Warren and Belle nodded at the same time.
Layla slumped in her seat and said, "Great…"
"So why don't you just tell him?" Belle asked.
"Well, I was gonna invite Will to homecoming but there are two problems." Belle raised an eyebrow at that.
"He likes somebody else and she's..perfect." she added.
"Gwen Grayson is NOT perfect." Belle said angrily. This time it was Warren who raised his eyebrow.
"She's a manipulative bitch who thinks she runs the student body. And she thinks every guy has a crush on her." She added.
"Not every guy." Warren contradicted. Belle blushed at that.
"Anyway, Will likes her. A lot. And I can't really compete with her." Layla said dejectedly.
"Oh, pish posh." Belle commented. To her, Layla is one of the most amazing human beings she ever met. Kind, beautiful, optimistic and a true friend which is rare for Belle to find.
"You know what I think?" Warren leaned over to Layla. "To let true love, remain unspoken is the quickest route to a heavy heart." He said in serious tone. Both girls were taken aback and stared at Warren for a few seconds.
"Wow, that's…really deep." Layla commented. Breaking the silence.
"Yeah and your lucky numbers are…" he raised a piece of paper that, turns out, was from a fortune cookie that came with the meal. "four, sixteen, five and forty-nine." He finished. Belle burst out giggling and Layla shook her head, chuckling.
"Let's see what mine says." She cracked open her fortune cookie and read the inscription aloud,
"Love is like war, easy to begin but hard to stop." She looked at both of her companions and saw that Layla had a cheesy grin. Warren was just staring at her.
"What?" she asked Layla.
"So, when are you gonna tell him?" she suddenly exclaimed subtly pointing to Warren with her chin. Both people in question blushed furiously and Layla giggled.
Just then, one of the older Chinese ladies called to Warren in Cantonese and he answered back in the same language which took Belle and Layla by surprise.
"I gotta go." He told them and they both nodded.
The two continued their conversation in Cantonese and both ladies were impressed.
"Why don't you just tell him? It's obvious he likes you too." Layla asked Belle who was still blushing furiously.
"Shouldn't I ask you the same question?" she countered.
"It's different. Will doesn't look at me the way Warren does you." She said in a serious tone. "Besides, if you didn't notice earlier, he was checking you out." She added with a mischievous smile which only made Belle redder if it was possible.
A few minutes after they ate, Layla decided to leave and go home. Belle stayed longer wanted to wait for Albert but so far, her butler was not picking up.
'He must still be on a meeting with Sasha.' She thought. She picked up a book from her bag and started to read instead. Without her knowing, Warren was on the other side of the booth, cleaning tables while he watched her. Belle was a mystery for him; he wonders how she can make him feel so sure about himself, confident. However, at the same time, she makes him feel doubtful, like he will never be enough for someone like her so now he wants to be better. To him, Belle was the epitome of beauty, kindness, and grace and he never felt something like this for someone. His heart races whenever she sees her smile at him or see her blush.
He shook his head out of his own thoughts. 'I feel like a hormonal teenager' he thought. But then he realized that he is a teenager and now have his first crush. Probably, his first love but he wasn't going there yet.
After cleaning some more tables and leading an old couple out of the restaurant, he looked at the clock and noticed that it was already the end of his shift. And it was closing time and yet, Belle was still sitting there, reading. He went back to the kitchens and changed out of his dirty clothes.
He went to Belle's table wearing a navy-blue shirt and his signature leather jacket. His hair was still tied back into a small ponytail.
"Hey." He greeted in a low voice.
"Hey." Belle noticed the change in attire. "You're done with your shift?" he nodded.
"It's closing time already." He told her and she looked at the clock and saw that it was nearly 11:00PM already.
"Albert's late." She announced.
"Were you waiting for him?" she nodded.
"I should probably walk home." She announced, disappointed.
"I'll walk you home." He offered. She looked up at him with a small blush.
"You don't have to. It's just a couple of blocks from here. I can manage." She said. He leaned down to her and whispered,
"It's dark out and a beautiful tiny lady like you shouldn't be walking alone at this hour." She blinked at him, hypnotized by the sound of his soothing deep voice. She shook her head to clear it.
"Alright then." She relented and packed her stuff.
"Did you just call me short?" she asked, annoyed, when she stood up. Warren simply laughed at her and ushered her to the door.
Warren was right, Belle did feel safer walking at that hour with him by her side. A cold breeze whipped by and Belle pulled her jacket tighter around her. She pulled her ponytail from its constraints and let her hair cascade down her shoulders, warming her a bit. Warren saw this and was mesmerized. Belle looked at him and saw his strange look and blushed.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing." Warren looked away.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, a car pulled up in front of them. Warren got into a defensive stance right away and held Belle's hand. When the car window slid down, Belle saw Albert was driving.
"Albert!" she exclaimed. Warren was still holding her hand.
"Dear God, Miss, I'm terribly sorry for being so late. The meeting with Sasha and the rest of The Lightbringers took longer than expected." Albert explained after he got out of the car and went straight to Belle's sight.
"Sasha? As in my mother?" Warren asked.
"Yes, sir. Your mother." Warren gave him a bow as a greeting. Warren returned it with a slight lower of his head.
"That's alright. I understand. You could've told me though." Belle reprimanded.
"I know, Miss. But my phone died on me and I couldn't find your number on my wallet." He said sheepishly.
"I told you to memorize it. I've got yours in my head." She stated.
"Well, I'll do better to memorize it then, Miss." Albert gave her an apologetic bow.
"Alright, alright, you're forgiven." Belle said chuckling to herself.
"Shall we then?" He was about to usher Belle inside when he noticed her hand was still in Warren's. Albert smirked a little. "Let me drive you home as well, Mr. Peace. I'm sure your mother is already worried about you." He added.
"That's alright, I can walk myself home." He answered.
"Nonsense! Your mother was downright hospitable with me a while ago and I want to return the favor. Besides, I can't just let my mistress's boyfriend walk alone at this hour." Albert smiled teasingly which caused the two teenagers to blush.
"We're not-"
"He isn't-" they said at the same time and yet, Warren was still holding Belle's hand as if it was the most natural thing to do. Albert raised his eyebrow and looked at their joined hands. Both followed his eyes and looked at their hands and blushed.
Warren let go of her hand and cleared his throat. He placed it in his jacket pocket to keep it warm. Belle nearly whimpered at the sudden loss of warmth. She wanted to hold his hand much longer. Maybe all throughout the drive home, if it was possible. Albert chuckled and ushered them in. Warren, being a gentleman, held Belle's hand again in assistance as she went into the back seat, Warren immediately followed but not without noticing Albert's teasing smile.
When they drove off, Belle was gripping the edge of her seat, resisting the urge to hold the hand next to hers. She was surprised though when she felt his warm hand gently grasped hers. She gave him a small smile, but Warren wasn't looking her way though she could see a resemblance of a blush in his cheeks.
They dropped Warren off first and before he got out of the car, he squeezed Belle's hand a bit before letting go.
"I'll see you at school?" Belle asked him. Warren only gave a smile and a nod of his head and got off. They waited for him to get in before driving off and Belle saw his mother. A tall, lithe woman with long jet-black hair and the bluest eyes she had ever seen. Albert gave a small wave to Sasha who waved back to him. She saw Belle inside the car and gave her a sincere beautiful smile. Belle gave her a wave goodbye and they drove off.
"You're glowing brightly, Miss." Albert said in a teasing tone which caused Belle to blush.
"Just keep driving Albert." Belle said jokingly. And Albert chuckled.
"You two make a fine couple. I'm happy for you." He added.
"We're not together, Al." Belle stated trying to put conviction in her voice.
"Not yet. But he's just as smitten with you as you are to him. If only you could see how he looks at you." he teased.
"Why does everyone keep saying that? How does he look at me?" Belle wondered.
"Like a man in thirst for water but needs to tread carefully as he wonders if you'll be a salvation or a poison." Albert shrugged. "Quite the same as you look at him, to be honest. You're both drawn to each other."
"I look at him like that?" she wondered.
"What do you think of when you see him?" he asked gently, and Belle blushed.
"Like I want to know what's under that tough exterior but afraid that if I get too close, I'll burn." She described.
"Like a moth to a flame." He said with a smile.
The next morning came and Will told Layla the news that he's going to homecoming with none other than Gwen Grayson. In a state of panic, Layla told Will that she's going too…with Warren Peace.
Belle was unaware of this news so when she saw Layla sitting across from Warren at lunch, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion; and her heart sank from what she heard.
"So, I was going to ask Will to the homecoming dance this morning and guess what? I told him I was going with you instead!" Layla announced with an obvious awkward tone.
Warren saw Belle standing behind Layla and straightened up. Belle took this cue to sit next to Layla. Belle opened her mouth to speak but before anything comes out of her mouth, Magenta suddenly sat next to Layla's other side.
"What are you doing?" Warren asked Magenta, annoyed.
"It's called sitting." Magenta answered sarcastically and looked to Layla and asked something about Tigerman.
Belle raised an eyebrow at Warren who gave her an annoyed look. Again, before either could say anything, Zach came barreling to Warren's side.
"This guy's bothering you, Magenta?" he asked, acting tough.
"Try the other way around!" Warren exclaimed angrily.
"Are we sitting at Warren's table now? I feel so dangerous!" Ethan suddenly said, sitting on Warren's other side.
"Whoa whoa whoa! Does anyone else need a date to homecoming?" Warren exclaimed, obviously embarrassed and annoyed with all the attention. Belle was still looking miffed at Warren.
Layla suddenly burst out with the most awkward sounding laugh Belle has ever heard.
"Ha ha ha Warren, you are funny!" Layla exclaimed and suddenly holding Warren's hand. Belle felt someone passed by their table and saw Will getting dragged by the arm by Gwen. When they passed, Layla looked at Warren pleadingly.
"Please, I'll try to make this as painless as possible." She pleaded, looking at Warren with her wide auburn eyes. Belle felt something ignite in her chest and her eyes glowed a bit which no one noticed.
"So, you're doing this not because you like me or anything, right?" Warren asked curiously, Belle's eyes glowed a bit brighter and this time, Warren noticed but didn't say anything.
"You're doing this to get back at Stronghold." He declared. Layla gave a small nod and looked down at her lunch.
"Then I'm in." Warren grinned. Layla's head snapped up in surprise and Belle's eyebrows furrowed. Warren suddenly dropped his grin and said,
"But I'm not renting a tux." And took his bag and took off. Belle followed him with her gaze.
"Whoa, Belle, what's wrong? Your eyes are glowing." Zach said as he noticed the slight glow.
"What?" Belle's eyes suddenly dimmed and looked at the rest of table and noticed them looking back at her, curious, but in Layla's case, guilty.
"Uhh.." Belle stuttered and looked down at her hands and placed them in her lap. She gave them a sheepish smile.
"Nothing. Must be the hormones. Girl thing." She said awkwardly but Layla knew better, and she felt even more guilty now.
"Well, since Layla's going to homecoming with Warren…" Ethan said clearing his throat and standing up, "Belle, will you-" before he can finish though, Belle's phone suddenly rang.
She took her phone out and noticed a text from an unknown number. Her eyebrows furrowed upon reading the text.
"I have to go." she stood up from her seat and went out of the cafeteria. Ethan sighed heavily as she went out the door.
"Well, that went well." Ethan said, dejectedly, sitting back down.
Layla looked at her hands and looked back up to the door where Belle went out of. Layla felt extremely guilty for what she did. She got blinded by her jealousy that she forgot about Belle's feelings for Warren and didn't thought about how she would feel. She didn't even give Warren a choice and didn't ask if he was already planning on inviting someone else. Tears were starting to gather in Layla's eyes and stood up and gathered her things. She tried to follow Belle but she was no longer in the hallways.
A/N: I'll try to update again as soon as possible. To : I will try to do both and incorporate original scenes and stitch it within the scenes from the movie. But so far, i haven't finished plotting the ending of this story so...stay tuned! ^_^ To those who followed and favorited this story, thank you so much! Your support are much appreciated. ^_^"