Chapter 19
After the rest of the gang had left the room, Philip stood there, trembling, staring at Chloe. She couldn't take the intensity of his eyes and looked down. Philip went over to the small stereo Jason brought with him and turned it on. He knew that the Beatles' CD was in there and found the track he was searching for. As the song played, Chloe continued to stare at the floor and Philip gazed out the window.
Yesterday...
All my troubles seemed so far away
Now it's looks as though they're here to stay...
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
"Philip," Chloe whispered, but his back remained to her.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be
There's a shadow hanging over me
Oh yesterday came suddenly...
Why she had to go, I don't know
She wouldn't say
"Philip, I didn't go anywhere," she said, responding to the lyrics. Philip turned to her with tears in his eyes.
"I don't know if I can talk to you right now, Chloe," he said, his voice low. "It's...still hurting."
I said something wrong and now I long for yesterday
"Philip, please," Chloe pleaded. "I need this...I need...you."
Philip closed his eyes in confusion. He didn't know what to say, what to do. Here was the love of his life and he couldn't even look at her. Philip just wanted to forget last night, forget what she said, and kiss her and hug her and just be with her. Be happy with her.
Yesterday...love was just such an easy game to play
Philip nodded slightly, agreeing to hear what she had to say. Chloe swallowed nervously and shifted her feet. She thought she cried all her tears out with Belle in the car, but as soon as she opened her mouth, the tears starting streaming down her face. Philip's eyes filled with misery as he wanted to go and hug her, and make the tears go away. He wanted to make his tears go away too. Philip just wanted this whole nightmare to go away.
And now I need a place to hide away
Chloe cleared her throat and took a step forward. She winced when Philip took a step back and leaned against the wall. "Philip...I. I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I didn't kiss Brady because I loved him. I don't even care for him. Hell, Philip I can hardly stand him, you know that."
"I thought I knew that," he muttered.
Oh I believe in yesterday
"I was so scared, Philip...I've never been more afraid of anyone than you." Philip looked up at her in shock and hurt. "I mean...I mean, I love you, Philip. But...you're the first person I ever wanted to...to put all of my trust in. And that scares me. Every time I put my trust in someone's hands, they crush it. And I was so afraid it would happen with you, and I didn't want to lose you."
"So you kissed another guy? Oh, yeah, that's a way to keep me, Chloe."
Why she had to go
I don't know she wouldn't say
"I didn't know if I could trust your feelings, Philip! No one ever felt the way you have for me. Never. So when Brady started putting those ideas in my head, I...my fear grew. I needed to know this wasn't just a game. That we weren't just another thing to put on my list of things that hurt me. So when I kissed him, it was to see if our love was real. I wanted to know this wasn't just a fairy tale, a mere crush. And when I felt absolutely nothing, I knew...I knew the only one I wanted to kiss was you. I knew I could trust you...trust us."
"Can you trust yourself, though, Chloe?"
"W--What?"
"Because I sure as hell don't know if I can. Chloe, do you think life has been easy for me? It's scary for everyone to trust and to love. Sure, of course, it's harder on you because of your past. But did you even think once that you were breaking my trust in you? I gave you everything I got, Chloe...and you couldn't even give me your trust. And you kiss someone else, and take even more away from me. So I don't know what you want from me...I've got nothing left to give you."
"Philip--"
"I mean, did you even love me at all?"
I said something wrong
"Yes!" Chloe yelled immediately. "Yes, of course I did...I still do! When I kissed Brady, all I could think was that it was wrong. That he wasn't love, he wasn't you! I just needed to know Philip. I needed to know. Every time I turned around, someone stabbed me in the back. Do you know how scary it was for me to all of a sudden fall in love with you? And, yes, I know it wasn't a piece of cake for you, either. But you've had friends who cared for you. You've trusted people before. I haven't. You've had girlfriends before. I've never had a boyfriend before you. And...and when I started getting all these feelings for you, I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to get my heart broken again by finding out that we didn't have love, that it was all a mistake. I was confused and rushed, and even though it was a horrible way, kissing Brady was the first thing that came to mind. Because it was convenient. I just wanted to find out that your kisses were different...that the way you brushed your fingers through my hair was different...the way you held me was different. And it was, Philip. It is. Because we are in love. Please, Philip. Please, you have to forgive me."
And now I long for yesterday...
Philip's tears wouldn't stop falling down his face. It would be so easy to just walk over and kiss her, murmur that he forgave her with all of his heart.
"Chloe...I...really don't know what to do. But...I understand."
"You do?"
"I do."
Chloe ran over to Philip and threw her arms around his neck. She slowly drew back when he remained stiff and unresponsive.
"Philip--?"
Yesterday...love was such an easy game to play
"I understand. And I know why you did what you did. I don't think you're lying at all. But I'm not sure...I'm not sure if I can get over this."
Chloe's sob ripped through her throat without warning. She sunk to her knees, thinking she lost the only person who ever loved her. As she cried, she felt Philip's arm wrap around her shoulders.
"Chloe...I'm not saying good-bye."
She looked up at him and sniffed. "What?"
And now I need a place to hide away
"You haven't lost me. I...I can't just let you go out of my life. But...you made a mistake, Chloe. A big one."
"But--but you said--"
"That I don't know if I can get over this. I just need some time, Chloe. I...I need time to rebuild our trust together. So do you. If you feel the need to kiss Brady to find trust in me...you need some time too. And I think you know that."
Chloe looked up at him with pain in her eyes. "So...when you say...need some time. Are we...not together anymore?"
Philip pulled Chloe in a hug. "Come here. You'll always be my girl, Chloe. What I'm saying is that we just can't move on, skip off and pretend this never happened. I can forgive this, but it's going to take me a while to forget it. So things are going...to be different for a while. We're just going to have figure out how...how to rebuild our trust," he repeated softly. "We have to move on and work this out...together." He said, sighing. He put his chin on her head.
"How?" Chloe asked softly.
Philip put his chin on her head. "I don't know."
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
"You were what?" Belle shouted.
"Making out with Mimi," Jason shrugged. Mimi glared at him and he shrugged again. "What? We were."
Shawn plopped down on the couch in shock, then turned to Jason with a sly grin on his face. "Nice going, man." Jason grinned back and they nudged each other's elbows. Belle shook her head in disgust and Mimi stood there with her mouth open.
"Mimi? Is he serious?" Belle asked.
Mimi put one hand on her hip and the other brushed back the hair on her forehead. "Yes. He's serious." Belle smacked Mimi's shoulder. "Ow! Belle!"
"God, Mimi, what were you thinking?"
"Gee, thanks, Belle," Jason said, rolling his eyes.
"You hate him!" She continued, ignoring Jason.
Jason stood up. "Oh, please, go on. You're so good for my ego, Belle."
"Shut up, Jason!" Belle and Mimi shouted at the same time.
Shawn buried his face in a pillow to keep from laughing and Jason sat back down. "Phew. Welcome to PMS Central." Mimi shot Jason a warning glance and he pointed to Shawn, accusing him of the comment.
"He was just teaching me how to kiss, that's all!" Mimi yelled frantically. "Trust me, it's not like me and him are going to go pick daisies together and skip off into the sunset hand-in-hand."
"Um, who actually does that anyway?" Mimi tensely turned to Jason who bit his lip.
"Do you ever shut up?!" Mimi shouted.
"I like to keep my mouth working every minute, you know that," Jason said, winking.
Mimi gave up in exasperation and turned back to Belle, who's eyes were still wide from surprise. "Belle, don't worry. He--he was like a teacher. But far from boyfriend material." Belle nodded and relaxed. Jason crossed his arms as he wondered why that comment affected him. It's not like he wanted to be Mimi's boyfriend. He sighed in frustration as Shawn glanced over at him. Shawn smirked, realizing that Jason obviously had something going on for Mimi. He shook his head in amusement. What loser would want to deny his feelings for a girl that he obviously liked? What a coward. He should just tell her, he thought, staring happily at Belle.
The four heard footsteps and turned to see Chloe and Philip walking silently down the stairs. A second later, Brady and a familiar-looking blond girl entered from the front door. The two couples stared at each other in stony silence.
"Well, then," Jason muttered. "Glad this trip hasn't turned into one big awkward mess!"
Chapter 20
"Heather!" Belle squealed, forgetting about the tension for a minute after seeing the girl. Heather always treated her like a little sister and she was so happy to see her--with Brady.
"Hey Tink!" Heather said, giving a hug to Belle. She shot a sideways glance as Brady frowned. She used to adopt the nickname from Brady all the time just to piss him off. Still worked.
Belle pulled away as Philip and Chloe stood off awkwardly near the stairs. "How are you? You look great! What are you doing here? Did you get highlights?"
Heather laughed...she was glad some people just never change. She stole another glance at Brady. After him admitting he also missed being the old lighthearted Brady, she asked him to try and bring that Brady back. He immediately changed the subject, suggesting to go see Belle at the condo. Heather gave in, knowing arguing with Brady was like walking on a treadmill--you never get anywhere. "I'm great, thank you, I'm here for spring break and yes. You're the first person who noticed the highlights! Of course."
Belle was about to ask if her and Brady were going to hook up again when she saw Brady's face. She sighed...it looked bad, but Philip looked worse. As soon as that thought entered her mind, she whipped around. Philip was glaring down Brady as Chloe uncomfortably shifted her weight.
"Um...maybe we should leave you guys alone." Belle said slowly.
"No," Philip said immediately. "You don't need to go. We have nothing to say to each other."
"Phil, I really am sorry," Brady said, stepping forward. "For everything."
"That's great, Brady. Once you turn back the clocks and erase all this bullshit, let me know. I'll be sure to forgive you," Philip said, storming out of the house.
"Philip!" Chloe protested after him. Brady looked over at Chloe with sadness in his eyes.
"Chloe...I'm so sorry--"
"Don't. Not now, Brady." Chloe said before running after Philip. Brady exhaled and ran up the stairs. Heather looked at the gang apologetically before following him.
The four teens sat in silence.
"God, even Passions doesn't have stuff this chaotic," Mimi muttered under her breath.
A few days later
Heather walked over to her desk and grinned, grabbing a Polaroid she and Brady took the other day at the beach. She was sitting on his shoulders and Brady had a huge goofy grin on his face. Heather sat down her bed and wondered how things at the condo were going. Philip spent most of his time jet-skiing or swimming alone and Chloe read or spent time with the girls all week. Belle told her that Philip wasn't spending a lot of time with Chloe because he needed the rest of the week to think things out on his own. Philip promised Chloe to work on their relationship when they arrived home. Heather hoped he stuck to his promise and that Philip wasn't afraid of working on a relationship that love usually came easily to. Later, Brady told Heather that he hardly got to spend time with Belle since she always at the beach with Shawn...he wondered what was so important that those two had to talk about it for a week. He also loved telling the latest stories about Jason, who still gave Mimi "lessons" every night. Turned out Jason talked about Mimi every night when Brady was trying to sleep but frantically denied he had feelings for the girl.
"Mimi wore blue today. I love when she wears blue. Jan never looked so great in blue, ya know? But blue's my favorite color. Not that I like Mimi or anything," Brady mocked Jason one night for Heather as she cracked up.
And then there was Brady himself. Since Belle basically disappeared, Philip and Chloe were ignoring him and his roommate was a major pain in the ass, Brady spent most of his time with Heather. She curled up on her bed and sighed...he definitely was more confusing than ever. Sometimes when Heather would bring up some of their past times, like when they got in a pudding fight one night, she would see flashes of the Brady she used to know.
She remembered how Brady's eyes lit up when Heather reminded him of The Great Pudding War, as she called it.
Heather made the pudding and had put the snack in the fridge for nearly forever. Brady decided to sneak a taste and spit it out in disgust. It was lumpy and overly-chocolately, he complained. Heather didn't see how anything could be overly-chocolately. As they had argued in the kitchen over chocolate, Heather grew fed up, stuck her hand in the bowl and smeared the pudding over Brady's face. Brady stood their in shock before grinning.
"Well, Heather, dear, I have a weapon," he said, holding up the spoon. He flung the pudding, which landed in her hair.
"That's it," she had screamed. "It's on!" After ten minutes, they had pudding all over their clothes, the kitchen and their hair.
Heather grinned when Brady commented that despite her being covered in lumpy pudding, she looked as beautiful as ever. He remembered how they kissed on the kitchen counter for an hour, the Great Pudding War getting his vote for most bizarre turn-on. But those moments of Brady complimenting, Brady laughing, Brady joking...they were rare. But Heather held hope in her heart...even though they were scarce, the moments were still there. She planned on helping Brady break down the wall he built ever since his mishaps with Marlena. Heather had to...she was still in love with him.
On the Beach
Belle hummed to herself as she drew circles in the sand. The gang was leaving tomorrow morning and things were definitely weird. She felt bad not being there for Chloe or Philip more, but they insisted Belle enjoy her spring break. Belle looked up to see Shawn slowly walk out of the ocean and she swallowed nervously. As a soaking-wet, bare-chested Shawn flashed his famous grin, Belle blushed. She was definitely enjoying her spring break, there was no question.
Shawn ran over and tackled Belle onto the sand as she screamed. "Shawn! You're all wet!" Shawn remained on top of Belle and smiled down at her.
"Well, Miss Black, I do believe you were gawking at me."
"Mr. Brady, I do believe you are delusional."
"Am I?" Shawn said softly, bringing his face closer to Belle's.
"No." She met his lips and they rolled over. As they were kissing, Belle felt something hit the back of her bathing suit top. She pulled away and gave Shawn an accusing stare.
"What?"
"What did you put on my back?"
"Nothing, I swear."
Belle stood up and she felt something gooey slowly drip down her back. "Ew! Shawn, what did you do?!"
Shawn got up also and turned Belle's back to him. He bust out into laughter.
"Shawn! What?!"
"It's bird poop!"
Belle hurried to the downstairs bathroom, screeching in disgust all the way. Shawn waited outside the door and Belle opened it a crack.
"Here, take this," she said, handing him the stained bathing suit. "At least the ocean washed it all off my skin," she called out through the door, as she searched for soap. Belle turned on the bathroom sink and scrubbed quickly away.
Shawn wrinkled his nose in disgust and ran the suit under the sink. "Ya know, I was hoping the first time you gave me your clothes, it would be a lot sexier than this."
After a few minutes, he heard the door crack open. "How about this?" Belle said, emerging from the bathroom with a short white towel wrapped around her.
Shawn dropped the suit in the sink and left the water running. He was practically frozen. "Belle Black, what are you trying to do to me?" he said lowly.
Belle just grinned and walked over to Shawn slowly. She spun around in a purposefully slow circle before Shawn grabbed her by the hips.
"Careful!" she shouted, giggling. Belle shuffled her feet, still feeling nervous about being so intimate with Shawn. "I don't want this towel unwrapping."
"I don't think I would mind," Shawn whispered before kissing her. They backed up against the counter and Shawn pulled away, grinning. "I always wanted to do something." He moved Belle away from the counter and stepped back, as he tried to wipe the contents on the counter off smooothly with one hand. But since the counter was so long, the items just piled on top of each other near the end of it. Belle tried to suppress a laugh as Shawn sighed and neatly gathered up the items and placed them on the opposite counter. Shawn turned back to Belle with a sheepish grin as she giggled. He picked Belle up and dumped her ungracefully on the edge of the counter.
"Ow," Belle said, laughing nervously.
"Oh, I'm sorry, are you ok?" Shawn asked, concerned. Belle nodded and leaned back and Shawn forgot all of his nervousness once he remembered what she was wearing. Or what she wasn't wearing. He climbed on top of her and she lied down on the counter. They kissed hungrily as Shawn's hand rubbed Belle's calf and slowly ran its way up her thigh.
"What the--?"
Shawn lifted his head and immediately jumped off Belle. Belle sat up, turned around and her jaw opened in surprise.
"Brady!"
After the rest of the gang had left the room, Philip stood there, trembling, staring at Chloe. She couldn't take the intensity of his eyes and looked down. Philip went over to the small stereo Jason brought with him and turned it on. He knew that the Beatles' CD was in there and found the track he was searching for. As the song played, Chloe continued to stare at the floor and Philip gazed out the window.
Yesterday...
All my troubles seemed so far away
Now it's looks as though they're here to stay...
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
"Philip," Chloe whispered, but his back remained to her.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be
There's a shadow hanging over me
Oh yesterday came suddenly...
Why she had to go, I don't know
She wouldn't say
"Philip, I didn't go anywhere," she said, responding to the lyrics. Philip turned to her with tears in his eyes.
"I don't know if I can talk to you right now, Chloe," he said, his voice low. "It's...still hurting."
I said something wrong and now I long for yesterday
"Philip, please," Chloe pleaded. "I need this...I need...you."
Philip closed his eyes in confusion. He didn't know what to say, what to do. Here was the love of his life and he couldn't even look at her. Philip just wanted to forget last night, forget what she said, and kiss her and hug her and just be with her. Be happy with her.
Yesterday...love was just such an easy game to play
Philip nodded slightly, agreeing to hear what she had to say. Chloe swallowed nervously and shifted her feet. She thought she cried all her tears out with Belle in the car, but as soon as she opened her mouth, the tears starting streaming down her face. Philip's eyes filled with misery as he wanted to go and hug her, and make the tears go away. He wanted to make his tears go away too. Philip just wanted this whole nightmare to go away.
And now I need a place to hide away
Chloe cleared her throat and took a step forward. She winced when Philip took a step back and leaned against the wall. "Philip...I. I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I didn't kiss Brady because I loved him. I don't even care for him. Hell, Philip I can hardly stand him, you know that."
"I thought I knew that," he muttered.
Oh I believe in yesterday
"I was so scared, Philip...I've never been more afraid of anyone than you." Philip looked up at her in shock and hurt. "I mean...I mean, I love you, Philip. But...you're the first person I ever wanted to...to put all of my trust in. And that scares me. Every time I put my trust in someone's hands, they crush it. And I was so afraid it would happen with you, and I didn't want to lose you."
"So you kissed another guy? Oh, yeah, that's a way to keep me, Chloe."
Why she had to go
I don't know she wouldn't say
"I didn't know if I could trust your feelings, Philip! No one ever felt the way you have for me. Never. So when Brady started putting those ideas in my head, I...my fear grew. I needed to know this wasn't just a game. That we weren't just another thing to put on my list of things that hurt me. So when I kissed him, it was to see if our love was real. I wanted to know this wasn't just a fairy tale, a mere crush. And when I felt absolutely nothing, I knew...I knew the only one I wanted to kiss was you. I knew I could trust you...trust us."
"Can you trust yourself, though, Chloe?"
"W--What?"
"Because I sure as hell don't know if I can. Chloe, do you think life has been easy for me? It's scary for everyone to trust and to love. Sure, of course, it's harder on you because of your past. But did you even think once that you were breaking my trust in you? I gave you everything I got, Chloe...and you couldn't even give me your trust. And you kiss someone else, and take even more away from me. So I don't know what you want from me...I've got nothing left to give you."
"Philip--"
"I mean, did you even love me at all?"
I said something wrong
"Yes!" Chloe yelled immediately. "Yes, of course I did...I still do! When I kissed Brady, all I could think was that it was wrong. That he wasn't love, he wasn't you! I just needed to know Philip. I needed to know. Every time I turned around, someone stabbed me in the back. Do you know how scary it was for me to all of a sudden fall in love with you? And, yes, I know it wasn't a piece of cake for you, either. But you've had friends who cared for you. You've trusted people before. I haven't. You've had girlfriends before. I've never had a boyfriend before you. And...and when I started getting all these feelings for you, I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to get my heart broken again by finding out that we didn't have love, that it was all a mistake. I was confused and rushed, and even though it was a horrible way, kissing Brady was the first thing that came to mind. Because it was convenient. I just wanted to find out that your kisses were different...that the way you brushed your fingers through my hair was different...the way you held me was different. And it was, Philip. It is. Because we are in love. Please, Philip. Please, you have to forgive me."
And now I long for yesterday...
Philip's tears wouldn't stop falling down his face. It would be so easy to just walk over and kiss her, murmur that he forgave her with all of his heart.
"Chloe...I...really don't know what to do. But...I understand."
"You do?"
"I do."
Chloe ran over to Philip and threw her arms around his neck. She slowly drew back when he remained stiff and unresponsive.
"Philip--?"
Yesterday...love was such an easy game to play
"I understand. And I know why you did what you did. I don't think you're lying at all. But I'm not sure...I'm not sure if I can get over this."
Chloe's sob ripped through her throat without warning. She sunk to her knees, thinking she lost the only person who ever loved her. As she cried, she felt Philip's arm wrap around her shoulders.
"Chloe...I'm not saying good-bye."
She looked up at him and sniffed. "What?"
And now I need a place to hide away
"You haven't lost me. I...I can't just let you go out of my life. But...you made a mistake, Chloe. A big one."
"But--but you said--"
"That I don't know if I can get over this. I just need some time, Chloe. I...I need time to rebuild our trust together. So do you. If you feel the need to kiss Brady to find trust in me...you need some time too. And I think you know that."
Chloe looked up at him with pain in her eyes. "So...when you say...need some time. Are we...not together anymore?"
Philip pulled Chloe in a hug. "Come here. You'll always be my girl, Chloe. What I'm saying is that we just can't move on, skip off and pretend this never happened. I can forgive this, but it's going to take me a while to forget it. So things are going...to be different for a while. We're just going to have figure out how...how to rebuild our trust," he repeated softly. "We have to move on and work this out...together." He said, sighing. He put his chin on her head.
"How?" Chloe asked softly.
Philip put his chin on her head. "I don't know."
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
"You were what?" Belle shouted.
"Making out with Mimi," Jason shrugged. Mimi glared at him and he shrugged again. "What? We were."
Shawn plopped down on the couch in shock, then turned to Jason with a sly grin on his face. "Nice going, man." Jason grinned back and they nudged each other's elbows. Belle shook her head in disgust and Mimi stood there with her mouth open.
"Mimi? Is he serious?" Belle asked.
Mimi put one hand on her hip and the other brushed back the hair on her forehead. "Yes. He's serious." Belle smacked Mimi's shoulder. "Ow! Belle!"
"God, Mimi, what were you thinking?"
"Gee, thanks, Belle," Jason said, rolling his eyes.
"You hate him!" She continued, ignoring Jason.
Jason stood up. "Oh, please, go on. You're so good for my ego, Belle."
"Shut up, Jason!" Belle and Mimi shouted at the same time.
Shawn buried his face in a pillow to keep from laughing and Jason sat back down. "Phew. Welcome to PMS Central." Mimi shot Jason a warning glance and he pointed to Shawn, accusing him of the comment.
"He was just teaching me how to kiss, that's all!" Mimi yelled frantically. "Trust me, it's not like me and him are going to go pick daisies together and skip off into the sunset hand-in-hand."
"Um, who actually does that anyway?" Mimi tensely turned to Jason who bit his lip.
"Do you ever shut up?!" Mimi shouted.
"I like to keep my mouth working every minute, you know that," Jason said, winking.
Mimi gave up in exasperation and turned back to Belle, who's eyes were still wide from surprise. "Belle, don't worry. He--he was like a teacher. But far from boyfriend material." Belle nodded and relaxed. Jason crossed his arms as he wondered why that comment affected him. It's not like he wanted to be Mimi's boyfriend. He sighed in frustration as Shawn glanced over at him. Shawn smirked, realizing that Jason obviously had something going on for Mimi. He shook his head in amusement. What loser would want to deny his feelings for a girl that he obviously liked? What a coward. He should just tell her, he thought, staring happily at Belle.
The four heard footsteps and turned to see Chloe and Philip walking silently down the stairs. A second later, Brady and a familiar-looking blond girl entered from the front door. The two couples stared at each other in stony silence.
"Well, then," Jason muttered. "Glad this trip hasn't turned into one big awkward mess!"
Chapter 20
"Heather!" Belle squealed, forgetting about the tension for a minute after seeing the girl. Heather always treated her like a little sister and she was so happy to see her--with Brady.
"Hey Tink!" Heather said, giving a hug to Belle. She shot a sideways glance as Brady frowned. She used to adopt the nickname from Brady all the time just to piss him off. Still worked.
Belle pulled away as Philip and Chloe stood off awkwardly near the stairs. "How are you? You look great! What are you doing here? Did you get highlights?"
Heather laughed...she was glad some people just never change. She stole another glance at Brady. After him admitting he also missed being the old lighthearted Brady, she asked him to try and bring that Brady back. He immediately changed the subject, suggesting to go see Belle at the condo. Heather gave in, knowing arguing with Brady was like walking on a treadmill--you never get anywhere. "I'm great, thank you, I'm here for spring break and yes. You're the first person who noticed the highlights! Of course."
Belle was about to ask if her and Brady were going to hook up again when she saw Brady's face. She sighed...it looked bad, but Philip looked worse. As soon as that thought entered her mind, she whipped around. Philip was glaring down Brady as Chloe uncomfortably shifted her weight.
"Um...maybe we should leave you guys alone." Belle said slowly.
"No," Philip said immediately. "You don't need to go. We have nothing to say to each other."
"Phil, I really am sorry," Brady said, stepping forward. "For everything."
"That's great, Brady. Once you turn back the clocks and erase all this bullshit, let me know. I'll be sure to forgive you," Philip said, storming out of the house.
"Philip!" Chloe protested after him. Brady looked over at Chloe with sadness in his eyes.
"Chloe...I'm so sorry--"
"Don't. Not now, Brady." Chloe said before running after Philip. Brady exhaled and ran up the stairs. Heather looked at the gang apologetically before following him.
The four teens sat in silence.
"God, even Passions doesn't have stuff this chaotic," Mimi muttered under her breath.
A few days later
Heather walked over to her desk and grinned, grabbing a Polaroid she and Brady took the other day at the beach. She was sitting on his shoulders and Brady had a huge goofy grin on his face. Heather sat down her bed and wondered how things at the condo were going. Philip spent most of his time jet-skiing or swimming alone and Chloe read or spent time with the girls all week. Belle told her that Philip wasn't spending a lot of time with Chloe because he needed the rest of the week to think things out on his own. Philip promised Chloe to work on their relationship when they arrived home. Heather hoped he stuck to his promise and that Philip wasn't afraid of working on a relationship that love usually came easily to. Later, Brady told Heather that he hardly got to spend time with Belle since she always at the beach with Shawn...he wondered what was so important that those two had to talk about it for a week. He also loved telling the latest stories about Jason, who still gave Mimi "lessons" every night. Turned out Jason talked about Mimi every night when Brady was trying to sleep but frantically denied he had feelings for the girl.
"Mimi wore blue today. I love when she wears blue. Jan never looked so great in blue, ya know? But blue's my favorite color. Not that I like Mimi or anything," Brady mocked Jason one night for Heather as she cracked up.
And then there was Brady himself. Since Belle basically disappeared, Philip and Chloe were ignoring him and his roommate was a major pain in the ass, Brady spent most of his time with Heather. She curled up on her bed and sighed...he definitely was more confusing than ever. Sometimes when Heather would bring up some of their past times, like when they got in a pudding fight one night, she would see flashes of the Brady she used to know.
She remembered how Brady's eyes lit up when Heather reminded him of The Great Pudding War, as she called it.
Heather made the pudding and had put the snack in the fridge for nearly forever. Brady decided to sneak a taste and spit it out in disgust. It was lumpy and overly-chocolately, he complained. Heather didn't see how anything could be overly-chocolately. As they had argued in the kitchen over chocolate, Heather grew fed up, stuck her hand in the bowl and smeared the pudding over Brady's face. Brady stood their in shock before grinning.
"Well, Heather, dear, I have a weapon," he said, holding up the spoon. He flung the pudding, which landed in her hair.
"That's it," she had screamed. "It's on!" After ten minutes, they had pudding all over their clothes, the kitchen and their hair.
Heather grinned when Brady commented that despite her being covered in lumpy pudding, she looked as beautiful as ever. He remembered how they kissed on the kitchen counter for an hour, the Great Pudding War getting his vote for most bizarre turn-on. But those moments of Brady complimenting, Brady laughing, Brady joking...they were rare. But Heather held hope in her heart...even though they were scarce, the moments were still there. She planned on helping Brady break down the wall he built ever since his mishaps with Marlena. Heather had to...she was still in love with him.
On the Beach
Belle hummed to herself as she drew circles in the sand. The gang was leaving tomorrow morning and things were definitely weird. She felt bad not being there for Chloe or Philip more, but they insisted Belle enjoy her spring break. Belle looked up to see Shawn slowly walk out of the ocean and she swallowed nervously. As a soaking-wet, bare-chested Shawn flashed his famous grin, Belle blushed. She was definitely enjoying her spring break, there was no question.
Shawn ran over and tackled Belle onto the sand as she screamed. "Shawn! You're all wet!" Shawn remained on top of Belle and smiled down at her.
"Well, Miss Black, I do believe you were gawking at me."
"Mr. Brady, I do believe you are delusional."
"Am I?" Shawn said softly, bringing his face closer to Belle's.
"No." She met his lips and they rolled over. As they were kissing, Belle felt something hit the back of her bathing suit top. She pulled away and gave Shawn an accusing stare.
"What?"
"What did you put on my back?"
"Nothing, I swear."
Belle stood up and she felt something gooey slowly drip down her back. "Ew! Shawn, what did you do?!"
Shawn got up also and turned Belle's back to him. He bust out into laughter.
"Shawn! What?!"
"It's bird poop!"
Belle hurried to the downstairs bathroom, screeching in disgust all the way. Shawn waited outside the door and Belle opened it a crack.
"Here, take this," she said, handing him the stained bathing suit. "At least the ocean washed it all off my skin," she called out through the door, as she searched for soap. Belle turned on the bathroom sink and scrubbed quickly away.
Shawn wrinkled his nose in disgust and ran the suit under the sink. "Ya know, I was hoping the first time you gave me your clothes, it would be a lot sexier than this."
After a few minutes, he heard the door crack open. "How about this?" Belle said, emerging from the bathroom with a short white towel wrapped around her.
Shawn dropped the suit in the sink and left the water running. He was practically frozen. "Belle Black, what are you trying to do to me?" he said lowly.
Belle just grinned and walked over to Shawn slowly. She spun around in a purposefully slow circle before Shawn grabbed her by the hips.
"Careful!" she shouted, giggling. Belle shuffled her feet, still feeling nervous about being so intimate with Shawn. "I don't want this towel unwrapping."
"I don't think I would mind," Shawn whispered before kissing her. They backed up against the counter and Shawn pulled away, grinning. "I always wanted to do something." He moved Belle away from the counter and stepped back, as he tried to wipe the contents on the counter off smooothly with one hand. But since the counter was so long, the items just piled on top of each other near the end of it. Belle tried to suppress a laugh as Shawn sighed and neatly gathered up the items and placed them on the opposite counter. Shawn turned back to Belle with a sheepish grin as she giggled. He picked Belle up and dumped her ungracefully on the edge of the counter.
"Ow," Belle said, laughing nervously.
"Oh, I'm sorry, are you ok?" Shawn asked, concerned. Belle nodded and leaned back and Shawn forgot all of his nervousness once he remembered what she was wearing. Or what she wasn't wearing. He climbed on top of her and she lied down on the counter. They kissed hungrily as Shawn's hand rubbed Belle's calf and slowly ran its way up her thigh.
"What the--?"
Shawn lifted his head and immediately jumped off Belle. Belle sat up, turned around and her jaw opened in surprise.
"Brady!"