Belle snorted. "Guys are only nervous before first dates because they're wondering whether or not they're gonna get laid at the end of the night. For you, it's a foregone conclusion."

I arched an eyebrow. "I imagine you're right, but how you came by that knowledge I don't want to know.”

Belle chuckled and ran both hands down the front of my shirt. She rubbed my pectorals for a moment, smiled softly, and then raised her eyes to mine. She quickly went up on her tiptoes and puckered up, so I gladly gave her a sweet kiss. For a moment, her eyes unfocused as she looked Lost in thought, and I raised her chin up with my fingertip.

“Hey, you alright?"

Belle sighed and looked up at me, her pale green eyes just a tad moist.

“Your first date with a BTC girl. I know I was the first one to say it was okay, but... it just feels a little weird, you know?"

I shrugged.

“I think we can agree the wedding thing with Sam was my first date with a BTC girl. As for this one with Mari, we both know she's not going to try and steal me from the group. This really is just one special night for her, and that's it."

Belle gave me a sad look.

“When's MY special night gonna happen?"

I frowned. "Wait, NOW you want a special night? That night when you gave me your cherry, I TOLD you I'd get dressed up and take you out to a fancy dinner, rent a horse-drawn carriage, the whole nine yards."

She shook her head immediately.

“I never needed any of that to give you my cherry. What we had was great... apart from the whole ridonkulously painful first time. Otherwise, I don't regret a thing."

“Then what is it?"

Belle shrugged, sighed, and gave me that sad look again.

“I'm still in love with you, Matty. But I know Sam's in love with you, and Neevie's in love with you, and while I don't think Mari's quite there, by the end of tonight she might very well be in love with you too."

I sighed.

“I think a lot of teenage girls think they're in Love because they're teenage girls and they don't know any better. I'm not sure if

ANY of us really know what love is."

“Well -I- know I love you." Belle suddenly pushed my chest. "And I thought you said YOU loved ME?"

“I DO," I told her unequivocally.

“You're my Annabelle."

“I'm not talking the love of a 12-year-old boy terrified of losing his sister." Belle's eyes narrowed as she folded her arms across her chest.

“Neither am I." I held her upper arms firmly and leaned down to kiss her. She kissed back, but not passionately, and when I pulled away her eyes were still narrowed.

“I meant what I said before. If you asked,