She ran into the school and slowed as she saw the pendulum of the clock tick back and forth. She still had about two minutes left as she entered class and sat down. This school was one of the few that took an interest into the education of young woman. Belle took her seat at the second chair in the fourth column. There were about twelve women in total in each one of her classes. She looked to the seat next to her. Her best friend, Maryanne, was almost always late. Belle watched as Maryanne drifted into the room just seconds before the class started, although it seemed today that their teacher would be late as well. Maryanne flipped her blond curls over one shoulder, and leaned close to Belle.
“How was the opera?” she asked quietly, seeking information from her friend.
“It was great,” Belle said with a reminiscent smile. It was more than great, but what made it so spectacular was the fact that she had been able to spend it with Vincenti. Maryanne didn’t particularly c are for Vincenti, although they had never had an actual meeting or conversation. What she had gathered from talking with Belle was that he was older than she was, probably around 35! That simply was a scandal in itself. Much to Maryanne’s disappointment, however, Belle didn’t take his age into consideration, and every attempt for Maryanne to throw Belle at younger, more appropriate men failed miserably. Her friend had come to accept the fact that Belle was going to do whatever she wanted to, no matter what good advice you would give her. Maryanne had been courted by a fair number of guys and had a line waiting. Vincenti was the first one to court Belle as far as she knew.
“Oh, Belle!” she exclaimed and brushed back her friend’s hair to better see the diamond pendent. “It’s so beautiful!” She then hid her fascination and admiration by scolding her friend. “He’s trying to buy you, Belle!”
“Don’t talk such rubbish,” Belle said quietly. “He knows I’m not interested in money.”
“Well you should be,” Maryanne replied back.
“Maryanne…”
“Sorry, Belle. Sometimes I just don’t think about what I’m saying. It’s just sometimes I think that this guy is looking for a kept woman. He’s taken you to the theater, given you jewelry, and you’ve been seeing him nearly every week! I just want to make sure that his intentions are---“
“His intentions are noble, Maryanne,” Belle said, getting a bit frustrated that her friend was attempting to ruin what bit of perfection she could acquire. “Listen, you’ve never met him and I’m very happy with him. He had never been too forward, and has always been respectful. Now just try and be happy for me, all right?”
“All right,” Maryanne replied, and looked at the necklace once more. “It really is beautiful.”
Belle smiled.
|