//

At school-

I stopped in place to see Topy telling Cory. "That's great, Cor. I'll see you later."

"See you," he told her.

Shawn and I approached Cory. "Cory, were you just talking to Topanga?" Shawn asked.

"Yeah. Well, I was feeling a little chatty and, you know, even though we broke up, we're still friends."

"That's good," I tell him.

"No. She's your ex," Shawn objected. "Let me spell that for you. X! When Betty broke up with me, she was my ex!"

"Really? You had to bring that up?" I ask.

"Yes."

"Look, Shawn, Topanga and I aren't like other couples," Cory cut in.

"You're not a couple."

"I know."

"My point exactly."

"Then we agree," Cory said.

"No! I think we're saying the same thing," Shawn stated.

Topy came back over. "Cory, I double-checked. We have to be there at three for the Promwear Fashion Fest."

"Fashion Fest?" Shawn asked.

"Yeah. Remember when you said you go with me as my date," I remind him.

"Oh, that Fashion Fest."

"Yeah. This Saturday, Cory and I are modeling formalwear for the prom," Topy told him. "Isn't it great we can still do things together?"

She pecked Cory's cheek causing him to say, "Don't do that."

"I've always done that."

Once Topy walked away, Cory asked, "Shawn, are you crying?"

"I think I lost you, man," Shawn whimpered.

"I said I'd do this Fashion Fest thing when we were still going out. I mean, I can't bail on her," Cory stated.

"Yeah, you can. You've got to move on," Shawn told him.

"I'm all for you still being friends with Topy, but I think you haven't moved on," I add, patting Shawn's arm.

"Quit your crying," Cory directed at Shawn. "Betty, I'm just a guy in a tux, walking down an aisle with his ex-girlfriend in a gown, in front of the entire school. And you think I haven't moved on."

"No, you really haven't," I answer.

"Okay, Cor. If you're really over her, then you're ready to date other girls," Shawn said.

"Well, I should say so," Cory grinned.

"So you'd be up for a little double-date action?"

"Yes. But what will you do, Shawn?"

"Oh, now this is the Cory I've always hoped for." He looked me. "Betty?"

"Duh," I tell him, kissing his cheek. "Now, as for Cory..." I look as a girl I see down the hall. "Melissa, you wanna go on a date with Cory?"

"Sure," she answered.

"All right, Cor, we just got you a date. What do you say?" Shawn asked Cory.

"You go," he replied.

***

After the movie, me, Shawn, Cory and Melissa went to Chubby's. I wrapped my arms around Shawn as he kissed me. I felt bad considering I should probably talking with Cory because from the sounds of it, it isn't going well. Shawn just kissed me and I had the habit of kissing-making out with him. That was until he pulled back.

"Are you guys gonna keep talking? 'Cause I can't hear myself kiss," Shawn asked them.

I chuckled, leaning into Shawn. "Phew! Fresh air."

"Excuse me for a minute," Melissa said before going towards the restroom.

"Hi. I'm on a date. What are you on?" Shawn asked Cory.

"A date," Cory answered.

"No. You're on the lecture circuit. A date is not a date until you kiss," Shawn stated.

"Or a hug or a kiss on the cheek, something instead of sitting to yourself," I said.

"That's just your opinion," Cory told us.

"It's the reason we got out of the trees, man. Now, look. I'm doing this for your own good. I don't want to have to put pressure on you, but you have got to kiss her," Shawn stated.

"I know. I know."

"By the end of the night. And remember, you've got until the doorstep."

***

At lunch, Cory came over to sit with Shawn and I. "Hey, hey, hey, mi amigos," Cory greeted.

"All you did was shake her hand?" Shawn asked.

"How did you come up with that?"

"It's written all over your unkissed face."

"Plus, Melissa told me," I say.

"Look, I was gonna kiss her, all right? I really wanted to. I mean, my lips were primed. My hand just got there first," Cory replied.

"You're never gonna be over Topanga until you can kiss another girl," I tell him.

"And I will."

"Okay. But it's not gonna be Melissa because, after last night, she is never gonna want to see you again," Shawn stated.

Just then, Melissa came over. "Cory, I'd like to see you again."

"That happens a lot," I note, before looking at my tray. "I forgot my juice."

I got up, walking over to the front of the line, grabbing a juice before walking back, as I got closer, I heard Shawn say, "Everything I've ever believed is wrong," Shawn spoke. "I-I must try this what you call 'handshake'."

"Hi, Shawn," I greet, placing my juice down on the table.

"Hi, Betty." Shawn stood up. "Can I-Can I shake your hand?"

I chuckled. "Um, sure?" I shook Shawn's outstretched hand awkwardly.  "Okay, this weird. Kiss me." I grab Shawn's shirt, bringing my lips against his, wrapping my arms around him instantly.

Shawn pulled back. "Cory, you're a genius."

***

At Chubby's, Shawn and I were playing pool.

"Dang it," I huff, missing my red ball.

"You're good, Bettykins, but not good enough," Shawn asked, leaning his pool stick on the table, ready to take his shot.

I lean towards Shawn. "Good luck, cutie," I tell him, pecking his cheek, making him hit his solid orange ball, but he missed.

"You sabotaged me," Shawn accused.

I smirk. "I just know how to rattle my opponent," I reply, pecking his lips as Cory came over.

Shawn took one look at Cory. "You met her parents?"

"How do you do that?" Cory asked.

"No, bigger question. How do you not kiss her?" Shawn asked.

"Look, I was going to, Shawn, all right? But every time I tried, all I could think about was Topanga. You were right, though. I mean, I'm not over her. But she's not over me. I mean, I know it, Topanga knows it, and..."

I tried to pull Cory away from looking towards Topy and her date. "Cory, don't-"

He saw her kissing her date though. "The guy she's kissing knows it. Why doesn't Topanga just rip my heart out and stomp on it?"

"She can't. She's busy making out," Shawn answered.

I smack his arm. "Shawny."

"Maybe I'm dreaming. Pinch me," Cory said to which Shawn did, making Cory's eyes widen. "Not on the butt."

"Sorry. It was just right there," Shawn answered.

"All right, that's it. I'm going in."

Shawn and I pulled Cory back. "No! Cory, Cory. I'm not gonna let you make a fool of yourself," Shawn stated.

"But that guy's helping himself to my woman. You'd do the same if it were Betty," Cory accused.

"Cory, we're talking about you, not us," I stated.

"And one, she's not your woman. And two-" Shawn looked towards the booth. "Wow, he's fast."

Cory grew angry. "That's it. I'm putting a stop to this.

"No! That's it. You're going home," I say, jumping on Cory's back, wrapping my arms and legs tightly around him.

"But Betty-"

"Shawn, guide." I tug on Cory's hair, kicking him not too hard. "Giddy up, Cory!"

He began to run as Shawn said, "Okay, watch out! Watch your feet. Hot soup. Coming through."

***

Once Cory got sick of me hurting his back and kicking him, I got off Cory's back, but when he tried to run, Shawn picked him up on his shoulder to his apartment.

"Ow! Oh! Ow!" Cory groaned.

"Sorry, buddy. It's not easy to hold a guy and work a lock," Shawn replied, opening the door.

"Betty, Shawn, I don't know what you're doing. I mean, as soon as you put me down, I'm going right back to Topanga," Cory stated as Shawn placed him down.

"Yeah? And what are you gonna tell her?" I ask.

"I'm gonna tell her that if she keeps kissing guys like that, then...then it's over!" Cory exclaomed.

"Cory! It is over! Look, Topanga's doing exactly what she's supposed to. She's met someone new, she's dating someone new, and now she's kissing someone new, just like you were gonna," Shawn explained.

"But I didn't, Shawn. I don't want this."

I sigh. "Well, Cory-" 

"I don't want this." He began to walk to the door.

"What are you gonna do?" I ask.

"Something I should've done in the first place," he answered, leaving.

***

At school the next day-

"I mean, as soon as I kissed Melissa, I felt worse," Cory told us.

"So there are no sparks between you and Melissa," I note.

"You did a good thing kissing another girl. This way, when you see Topanga with another guy, you won't go bonkers," Shawn stated.

We turned a corner and say Topy talking to Nick.

"Bonkers," Cory said, running over and jumping on Nick's back. "Chicken fights, me and Nick."

"Now I've lost him again," Shawn stated, taking my hand and walking away. "Cory's gone crazy. I'm kind of worried, right?"

I was barely paying attention since my eyes were on my shoes as we walked. "Yeah, totally," I answer.

"Okay, what's wrong?" Shawn asked. "When it comes to Cory and Topanga you're never this quiet. You always have something to say."

"Nothing," I tell him.

Shawn stopped. "Hey, Betty." He cupped my face. "You can talk to me."

I smile at him. "I know, I just don't want it to become your problem."

"It won't become problem whatever it is," he promised.

"My cousin is moving to Philadelphia and probably going to the same school as me," I tell him.

"Your cousin moving...wouldn't most people be happy about that?" Shawn asked.

"Yes, but Jennifer isn't like any other cousin. Zack and I hate her. She criticizes him for not using his brain."

Shawn pulled a confused look. "Don't you do that though?"

"Yeah, but it's my job to do that, I'm his sister," I reply. "She has no right. And she called me fat before and kissed every one of my crushes at my old school."

"That's horrible."

"I know. Now, I'm afraid that if she comes here, she's going to sink her claws and poison into you or my friends," I answer.

"That's not gonna happen," Shawn reassured me, resting his forehead against mine. "Because I'm your guy. Only your guy."

"Good," I smile, pecking his lips.

"When is she coming?" Shawn asked.

"Probably next summer."

"Well, don't focus on it. Focus on me and how beautiful I am," Shawn replied.

I chuckled. "Beautiful you are? I thought I was the beautiful one."

"You are, but I'm better."

I playfully shove him. "Shut up."

***

It was finally Saturday for the Prom Fashion Show. I had on the gown I was given and my hair pulled up in a bun.

"I still can't believe Cory's not here," I scoff before looking to Topy. "Are you okay?"

"He said he didn't even want to be friends, Bee. What if he really meant it?" Topy asked, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Knowing Cory, I'm sure he didn't mean it. But it's not your fault. You broke up, you can date whoever you want. Are you sure you don't want me to talk to him?"

Topy smiled. "No, your version of 'talk' is nothing but smacks to the head."

"Hey, it works," I reply.

Mr. Turner came in the classroom. "Okay, guys. We got a roomful of parents out there, all right? I'm gonna need you lined up as couples."

"Will you be okay?" I question Topy.

She nodded. "Go to Shawn."

I listened, walking up to Shawn who was inspecting himself in a tiny mirror. "Shawny?"

"Hey, you ready?" Shawn asked, putting the mirror down.

"Yeah," I answer, adjusting the bow on the tux he was wearing. "You look very charming."

"And you look beautiful in that dress," Shawn replied, taking my hand and spinning me causing me to laugh. "I love you, Ponytail."

I smiled at him, pressing a kiss to his lips before looping my arm with his. "And I love you, Prince Charming."

We walked out into the cafeteria, onto the make-shift runway, smiling at the parents as they clapped for us. Shawn raised my hand to his lips kissing it.

"Show off," I mutter as we stood beside the other dressed couples.

"Well, I like to show off the best things that I have," Shawn replied.

Finally, Topy and Cory came up, arm in arm. I was about to a serious talk with Cory, but it looked like it worked out.

***

Hi!

If you didn't know, Jennifer is a future reference to...something im season 4.