Chapter 11
[I've been watching two days of shows now, and it's quite obvious that they're going to drag out this whole Phillip/Brady/Chloe crap for quite awhile. Just think of my fic as the "quick and easy" way out of the whole mess. Just the way I want it. Now back to the story...]
(Exactly one week after the dance...)
Chloe stood outside the Black penthouse, and rang the doorbell. She hoped Belle came to the door soon, because the bag she was carrying was extremely heavy. Who knew that some pajamas, a change of clothes and her other extras could weigh her down like a pack mule?
After what seemed like an eternity, Belle finally opened the door.
"Ooh. Chloe. I'm sorry I made you wait. I was on the phone with Shawn upstairs and I didn't even hear the doorbell."
"It's alright, Belle. I just thought my backpack was going to drive me into the hallway floor out here..." Chloe heaved her backpack off her shoulders with a groan and placed it near the stairs.
"Well, I'm glad you're here...thanks for coming over."
"Believe me, I'm glad to be here. Nancy & Craig have been really great this week and all, they've almost been TOO great. Them coddling me and taking care of me gets annoying after awhile."
Belle nodded knowingly, "I think I know what you mean. When I was in my accident, I couldn't have even a second alone. Between Mom, Dad, Brady and Shawn - I think I spent a whole month being waited on. Sweet, but annoying. Come on, let's take your stuff upstairs."
The two girls headed upstairs and into Belle's room. Chloe threw her bag down again, and sat down to rest on the edge of Belle's bed.
"Soooo, Belle Black...how was that phone conversation with Shawn Brady that you were ignoring me for?"
Belle chuckled softly, "Fine. As always...waiting to...get a second date, but fine."
"You mean he hasn't asked you on another date yet?"
"Nope. Not yet. I mean, I understand. He's been busy this week, and so I have I. I've been volunteering at the hospital again, and he's been helping his mom take care of JT, so he hasn't had the time."
"So, instead of being out on a date with the wonderful Mr. Brady tonight, you're here with poor little Chloe."
Belle shook her head in disagreement, "Nooooo...I'm here with you, because I want to spend time with you. That's it. Besides, Shawn had other plans tonight anyway...He's at Phillips."
"Oh."
"And, I probably shouldn't talk about that, right?"
"Whatever. It doesn't matter, Belle. I mean, he made his apology and now it's time for me to move on. Deep down, he's a good person, so I'm glad that Shawn is there for him."
Belle nodded knowingly, "Yeah, well, somebody has to be there to keep him in line. You know how Phillip is, he's not always clearheaded and since nobody else seems to be there for him in his family, Shawn has been there for him all week."
Chloe smiled slightly, "Well, good. I may not want to be near Phillip right now, but that doesn't mean I don't want what's best for him."
"Yeah, well, he wants the same for you too, Chloe. That's what Shawn told me anyway. He says that Phillip knows that you deserve better than what he gave you."
Chloe thoughtfully nodded, and decided to change the subject. "So, anyway. Speaking of dates with Shawn...I know the first one didn't go quite as planned, but you have to tell me all the good details. We've been so wrapped up in my problems all week, I haven't even had the chance to hear if anything juicy happened with you and Shawn."
Belle's face lit up, and she looked as if she was about to burst. "Oh Chloe! I've been meaning to tell you all about it too!"
"Well, don't keep me in suspense! Tell! Tell!"
Belle threw her a sly smile and continued, "Well, the dance was...well you saw our dance together. I know it's not like the first time we've ever danced together, but there was definitely something different about it...It was just...better. Much better. And, after the dance we went to the pub and...we almost kissed!"
Chloe's eyes widened with excitement, "OH BELLE! Finally...Shawn gets a clue. That is so great. Wait...wait a second...you said *almost*...What happened to make it an almost?"
Belle sighed and bit her lip in disappointment, "Well...he took me outside the pub because he said he wanted to be 'alone' with me. He leaned in, and we were SO CLOSE, like almost there and Mimi interrupted."
"Oh Belle...I'm sorry. Leave it to Mimi to screw it up."
"I know...I'm just afraid he'll take a long time to even work up the nerve to try it again now."
"Don't worry, he'll kiss you. No man can resist the charms of Belle Black."
Belle raised her eyebrows skeptically, "Oh really? Well, he's done a pretty good job of it so far."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about, Belle. You just have to wait for the right moment...It will happen."
"Well, I hope it happens before I start to get gray hairs."
Chloe laughed at her friend, and rolled her eyes. "Well, be glad you two are taking it slow. Kissing someone isn't something to be taken lightly."
Belle gave her friend a quizzical glance, "And, what is that supposed to mean, Chloe?"
"Mmm...nothing, Belle. Forget I said it. I don't want to even go there."
"Noooo...problem. It's forgotten already. Sooo, what's up with the case against Jan & Mimi?"
"Well, Jan refuses to admit to anything, and since Mimi promised to testify that Jan was the mastermind. It looks like Jan will get the harsher punishment of the two, because Mimi & Kevin's testimony are all the proof they need to show that she's the evil bitch goddess of Salem High. Besides, they're both minors so it's not like they can send them to San Quentin, or the electric chair or something."
"And what about you? Are you going to file a lawsuit?"
"No, I said I didn't want money or anything. And, Nancy agreed to go along with my wishes...for once. I just want to make sure that they get punished by the justice system, and that they get the help they need so that this never happens to anyone else."
"Well, no matter what the courts hand down...I have a feeling that Mimi is grounded for the rest of her life, and any possible lives that she may be reincarnated in too. I tried to call her, but her mom will only let her on the phone or out of the house if it's to talk to the police or the lawyers."
Chloe just sighed and look downward for a moment, thinking of how nobody had come out of this smelling like a rose. Everybody had lost something this week. Even Shawn & Belle... she thought, Their friendship with Mimi would never be the same again. None of us will ever be the same now. Any dumb wide-eyed innocence we may have had about the nature of people is gone forever.
Belle finally broke the awkward silence by grabbing Chloe's hand and throwing her one of her patented dazzling smiles.
"Ok, enough of all that serious talk. I have big plans for you tonight, Chloe Lane."
Chloe tilted her head curiously, "Oh no. Should I be afraid now? What are you forcing me into tonight Belle?"
"Just shush and follow me." Belle stood up and dragged Chloe downstairs and into the kitchen. "Alright, first off, nobody is going to be home tonight. Mom and Dad are out at Tuscany, and Brady is with some friend from his old school. So, we've got the whole place for just us. I went shopping after I left the hospital today, and stocked the kitchen with everything we need. Ice cream to make sundaes...plenty of things that are bad for us...and, I even baked cookies."
Chloe looked shocked, "Belle. YOU made cookies?"
Belle grimaced in embarrassment, "Okay, no, not actually. I got the kind that just tear off and stick in the oven. And, you're lucky those turned out okay...Me and appliances do not get along."
"Believe me, I remember. Who could forget your famous homemade muffins?" Chloe nearly shuddered at the thought.
"Awwwww. That wounds me, Chloe. They weren't THAT bad. Just a little...Okay, you're right. They were terrible." Chloe nodded, and the two friends burst into laughter.
"Oh Geez, Belle. That was just too funny. Soooo...what else do you have in store for me? Besides two hours on the Stairmaster to get rid of all those calories you're stuffing me with."
"The usual...I rented a wide selection of movies from comedy to action to horror, so no matter what you're in the mood for. I got it. They're over on the other counter, take your pick."
Chloe walked over to the other counter and looked at the four selections that Belle had picked out.
"Hmmm...I think maybe we should watch...Halloween. Nobody in it falls in love, and the people who are having sex get killed. It's weird twisted movie justice, and in my state of mind, I can appreciate that."
"Wow. Chloe... did you just channel my brother or something? I swear he said the exact same thing when I rented it."
Chloe quickly turned to face Belle and stared at her in slight amazement, "Really? Uhm, I guess that's...well...odd."
Belle quickly shook her head, "Not really. Not coming from you. You and Brady are a lot more a like than I used to think, Chloe."
"Believe me, I know."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing really, it's just...as much as we haven't gotten along in the past. Lately...I guess we're warming up to each other. We are a lot alike. I know that Brady seems to understand why I am the way that I am, and I understand him. And he's actually becoming...a good friend."
Belle shrugged her shoulders, "Well, I don't always understand you two, that's for sure."
Chloe grinned back at her friend, "But that's all part of the fun of being my friend. It keeps you guessing."
"Boy, you can say that again."
"Well, let's not stand around here all night, get that ice cream and let's watch some sicko in a mask stalking teenagers."
***
(About an hour later...)
Belle leaned into the couch further, and began questioning having that 4th cookie. She looked over at Chloe, who seemed content to idly dip her cookie into her melted ice cream. The images on the TV flickered before them...a high school girl is helping the kid she's babysitting carve a jack-o-lantern.
"Belle...You know, I would have never pegged you for a horror fan."
"I know, nobody does. But, it's cause of Brady. Being the evil big brother, he always forced me into watching them, and now I like them."
The phone beside Belle began to ring, and she groaned slightly and reached for it.
"Blaaaack residence...Hello?"
"Belleeeeee...."
"Oh, hey Shawn. What's up? Couldn't leave me alone for an hour or something? Just HAD to call me back?"
"Maybe... How's it going?"
"Fine. We're stuffed with junk food and watching a movie. What about you?" Chloe looked over at Belle, and Belle mouthed the name 'Shawn' to let her know who was on the phone. Chloe smiled and winked at her, and Belle just rolled her eyes in return.
"Slow going here... Phil's not the easiest to deal with when he's in 'oh poor me' mode. But, that's not what I called to talk about. Are you busy tomorrow night?"
Belle thought about it for a moment and replied, "Mmmm, nope. Why? Does your mom need me to watch JT or something?"
"Uhm, no, Belle. Definitely not. I just... well, it's been a busy week, and we have hardly seen each other. So, I was calling to ask you what I should have asked you days ago. Would you like to go on a date? A date...with me...tomorrow. Whaddya think?"
Belle smiled widely, and Shawn could almost hear it in her voice over the phone, "I would love to, Shawn. Really really love to. Thanks for asking."
"Well, after the mess of the first date...I thought we should, y'know, try it again. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 6:30...is that okay?"
"It's perfect, Shawn. Absolutely perfect."
"Good, very good. I'll...uhh...see you then, I guess. Uhm, tell Chloe I said 'Hi'. Take care, Belle."
"Goodnight Shawn."
Chloe had been listening intently and as soon as Belle placed the phone down, she reached over and grabbed her tightly. Belle breathed a huge sigh of relief, then collapsed back into the couch and threw her hands up excitedly.
"Finally!"
Chloe smiled at her, "Oh, Belle...I'm so happy for you. Maybe you'll finally get to finish what Mimi interrupted."
Belle smiled back at her, "Well...I hope so."
The two girls sighed simultaneously and returned to watching the movie.
[I've been watching two days of shows now, and it's quite obvious that they're going to drag out this whole Phillip/Brady/Chloe crap for quite awhile. Just think of my fic as the "quick and easy" way out of the whole mess. Just the way I want it. Now back to the story...]
(Exactly one week after the dance...)
Chloe stood outside the Black penthouse, and rang the doorbell. She hoped Belle came to the door soon, because the bag she was carrying was extremely heavy. Who knew that some pajamas, a change of clothes and her other extras could weigh her down like a pack mule?
After what seemed like an eternity, Belle finally opened the door.
"Ooh. Chloe. I'm sorry I made you wait. I was on the phone with Shawn upstairs and I didn't even hear the doorbell."
"It's alright, Belle. I just thought my backpack was going to drive me into the hallway floor out here..." Chloe heaved her backpack off her shoulders with a groan and placed it near the stairs.
"Well, I'm glad you're here...thanks for coming over."
"Believe me, I'm glad to be here. Nancy & Craig have been really great this week and all, they've almost been TOO great. Them coddling me and taking care of me gets annoying after awhile."
Belle nodded knowingly, "I think I know what you mean. When I was in my accident, I couldn't have even a second alone. Between Mom, Dad, Brady and Shawn - I think I spent a whole month being waited on. Sweet, but annoying. Come on, let's take your stuff upstairs."
The two girls headed upstairs and into Belle's room. Chloe threw her bag down again, and sat down to rest on the edge of Belle's bed.
"Soooo, Belle Black...how was that phone conversation with Shawn Brady that you were ignoring me for?"
Belle chuckled softly, "Fine. As always...waiting to...get a second date, but fine."
"You mean he hasn't asked you on another date yet?"
"Nope. Not yet. I mean, I understand. He's been busy this week, and so I have I. I've been volunteering at the hospital again, and he's been helping his mom take care of JT, so he hasn't had the time."
"So, instead of being out on a date with the wonderful Mr. Brady tonight, you're here with poor little Chloe."
Belle shook her head in disagreement, "Nooooo...I'm here with you, because I want to spend time with you. That's it. Besides, Shawn had other plans tonight anyway...He's at Phillips."
"Oh."
"And, I probably shouldn't talk about that, right?"
"Whatever. It doesn't matter, Belle. I mean, he made his apology and now it's time for me to move on. Deep down, he's a good person, so I'm glad that Shawn is there for him."
Belle nodded knowingly, "Yeah, well, somebody has to be there to keep him in line. You know how Phillip is, he's not always clearheaded and since nobody else seems to be there for him in his family, Shawn has been there for him all week."
Chloe smiled slightly, "Well, good. I may not want to be near Phillip right now, but that doesn't mean I don't want what's best for him."
"Yeah, well, he wants the same for you too, Chloe. That's what Shawn told me anyway. He says that Phillip knows that you deserve better than what he gave you."
Chloe thoughtfully nodded, and decided to change the subject. "So, anyway. Speaking of dates with Shawn...I know the first one didn't go quite as planned, but you have to tell me all the good details. We've been so wrapped up in my problems all week, I haven't even had the chance to hear if anything juicy happened with you and Shawn."
Belle's face lit up, and she looked as if she was about to burst. "Oh Chloe! I've been meaning to tell you all about it too!"
"Well, don't keep me in suspense! Tell! Tell!"
Belle threw her a sly smile and continued, "Well, the dance was...well you saw our dance together. I know it's not like the first time we've ever danced together, but there was definitely something different about it...It was just...better. Much better. And, after the dance we went to the pub and...we almost kissed!"
Chloe's eyes widened with excitement, "OH BELLE! Finally...Shawn gets a clue. That is so great. Wait...wait a second...you said *almost*...What happened to make it an almost?"
Belle sighed and bit her lip in disappointment, "Well...he took me outside the pub because he said he wanted to be 'alone' with me. He leaned in, and we were SO CLOSE, like almost there and Mimi interrupted."
"Oh Belle...I'm sorry. Leave it to Mimi to screw it up."
"I know...I'm just afraid he'll take a long time to even work up the nerve to try it again now."
"Don't worry, he'll kiss you. No man can resist the charms of Belle Black."
Belle raised her eyebrows skeptically, "Oh really? Well, he's done a pretty good job of it so far."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about, Belle. You just have to wait for the right moment...It will happen."
"Well, I hope it happens before I start to get gray hairs."
Chloe laughed at her friend, and rolled her eyes. "Well, be glad you two are taking it slow. Kissing someone isn't something to be taken lightly."
Belle gave her friend a quizzical glance, "And, what is that supposed to mean, Chloe?"
"Mmm...nothing, Belle. Forget I said it. I don't want to even go there."
"Noooo...problem. It's forgotten already. Sooo, what's up with the case against Jan & Mimi?"
"Well, Jan refuses to admit to anything, and since Mimi promised to testify that Jan was the mastermind. It looks like Jan will get the harsher punishment of the two, because Mimi & Kevin's testimony are all the proof they need to show that she's the evil bitch goddess of Salem High. Besides, they're both minors so it's not like they can send them to San Quentin, or the electric chair or something."
"And what about you? Are you going to file a lawsuit?"
"No, I said I didn't want money or anything. And, Nancy agreed to go along with my wishes...for once. I just want to make sure that they get punished by the justice system, and that they get the help they need so that this never happens to anyone else."
"Well, no matter what the courts hand down...I have a feeling that Mimi is grounded for the rest of her life, and any possible lives that she may be reincarnated in too. I tried to call her, but her mom will only let her on the phone or out of the house if it's to talk to the police or the lawyers."
Chloe just sighed and look downward for a moment, thinking of how nobody had come out of this smelling like a rose. Everybody had lost something this week. Even Shawn & Belle... she thought, Their friendship with Mimi would never be the same again. None of us will ever be the same now. Any dumb wide-eyed innocence we may have had about the nature of people is gone forever.
Belle finally broke the awkward silence by grabbing Chloe's hand and throwing her one of her patented dazzling smiles.
"Ok, enough of all that serious talk. I have big plans for you tonight, Chloe Lane."
Chloe tilted her head curiously, "Oh no. Should I be afraid now? What are you forcing me into tonight Belle?"
"Just shush and follow me." Belle stood up and dragged Chloe downstairs and into the kitchen. "Alright, first off, nobody is going to be home tonight. Mom and Dad are out at Tuscany, and Brady is with some friend from his old school. So, we've got the whole place for just us. I went shopping after I left the hospital today, and stocked the kitchen with everything we need. Ice cream to make sundaes...plenty of things that are bad for us...and, I even baked cookies."
Chloe looked shocked, "Belle. YOU made cookies?"
Belle grimaced in embarrassment, "Okay, no, not actually. I got the kind that just tear off and stick in the oven. And, you're lucky those turned out okay...Me and appliances do not get along."
"Believe me, I remember. Who could forget your famous homemade muffins?" Chloe nearly shuddered at the thought.
"Awwwww. That wounds me, Chloe. They weren't THAT bad. Just a little...Okay, you're right. They were terrible." Chloe nodded, and the two friends burst into laughter.
"Oh Geez, Belle. That was just too funny. Soooo...what else do you have in store for me? Besides two hours on the Stairmaster to get rid of all those calories you're stuffing me with."
"The usual...I rented a wide selection of movies from comedy to action to horror, so no matter what you're in the mood for. I got it. They're over on the other counter, take your pick."
Chloe walked over to the other counter and looked at the four selections that Belle had picked out.
"Hmmm...I think maybe we should watch...Halloween. Nobody in it falls in love, and the people who are having sex get killed. It's weird twisted movie justice, and in my state of mind, I can appreciate that."
"Wow. Chloe... did you just channel my brother or something? I swear he said the exact same thing when I rented it."
Chloe quickly turned to face Belle and stared at her in slight amazement, "Really? Uhm, I guess that's...well...odd."
Belle quickly shook her head, "Not really. Not coming from you. You and Brady are a lot more a like than I used to think, Chloe."
"Believe me, I know."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing really, it's just...as much as we haven't gotten along in the past. Lately...I guess we're warming up to each other. We are a lot alike. I know that Brady seems to understand why I am the way that I am, and I understand him. And he's actually becoming...a good friend."
Belle shrugged her shoulders, "Well, I don't always understand you two, that's for sure."
Chloe grinned back at her friend, "But that's all part of the fun of being my friend. It keeps you guessing."
"Boy, you can say that again."
"Well, let's not stand around here all night, get that ice cream and let's watch some sicko in a mask stalking teenagers."
***
(About an hour later...)
Belle leaned into the couch further, and began questioning having that 4th cookie. She looked over at Chloe, who seemed content to idly dip her cookie into her melted ice cream. The images on the TV flickered before them...a high school girl is helping the kid she's babysitting carve a jack-o-lantern.
"Belle...You know, I would have never pegged you for a horror fan."
"I know, nobody does. But, it's cause of Brady. Being the evil big brother, he always forced me into watching them, and now I like them."
The phone beside Belle began to ring, and she groaned slightly and reached for it.
"Blaaaack residence...Hello?"
"Belleeeeee...."
"Oh, hey Shawn. What's up? Couldn't leave me alone for an hour or something? Just HAD to call me back?"
"Maybe... How's it going?"
"Fine. We're stuffed with junk food and watching a movie. What about you?" Chloe looked over at Belle, and Belle mouthed the name 'Shawn' to let her know who was on the phone. Chloe smiled and winked at her, and Belle just rolled her eyes in return.
"Slow going here... Phil's not the easiest to deal with when he's in 'oh poor me' mode. But, that's not what I called to talk about. Are you busy tomorrow night?"
Belle thought about it for a moment and replied, "Mmmm, nope. Why? Does your mom need me to watch JT or something?"
"Uhm, no, Belle. Definitely not. I just... well, it's been a busy week, and we have hardly seen each other. So, I was calling to ask you what I should have asked you days ago. Would you like to go on a date? A date...with me...tomorrow. Whaddya think?"
Belle smiled widely, and Shawn could almost hear it in her voice over the phone, "I would love to, Shawn. Really really love to. Thanks for asking."
"Well, after the mess of the first date...I thought we should, y'know, try it again. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 6:30...is that okay?"
"It's perfect, Shawn. Absolutely perfect."
"Good, very good. I'll...uhh...see you then, I guess. Uhm, tell Chloe I said 'Hi'. Take care, Belle."
"Goodnight Shawn."
Chloe had been listening intently and as soon as Belle placed the phone down, she reached over and grabbed her tightly. Belle breathed a huge sigh of relief, then collapsed back into the couch and threw her hands up excitedly.
"Finally!"
Chloe smiled at her, "Oh, Belle...I'm so happy for you. Maybe you'll finally get to finish what Mimi interrupted."
Belle smiled back at her, "Well...I hope so."
The two girls sighed simultaneously and returned to watching the movie.