"A
Single Yellow Rose" – Chapter Ten
Saturday evening…after
Salem's High Homecoming game
"So, Romeo…"
"Come on Philip, lay off." Jason
said, sitting down in front of his locker wearing nothing but the traditional
blue victory towel around his waist and beads of water glistening on his chest
and shoulders. "You've been ragging on me the whole game!" he continued,
grateful for the regular white towel he was using to dry his hair with,
effectively hiding his smile.
"Jase, refresh my memory here,"
Philip said, draping his blue towel around his neck as he pulled on his jeans
and began fastening the metal buttons. "Who was it, on the very first play mind
you, that let a 200 pound linebacker get past him? A gorilla who then took
great pleasure in planting my ass into the dirt, now…who was that?"
"It was taking me a few minutes to
get my mind on the game," Jason answered, pulling the towel off his head,
flashing his most charming grin at his friend knowing it was a wasted effort.
"And off of…" Philip let his voice
trail away.
"Hey,
Mr. All-State Quarterback," Jason shot back, reaching into his locker for his
clothes and starting to get dressed. "We won the game, thanks to your winning
forty yard touchdown throw, which by the way you never could have made without
me there to protect that ass of yours, so give me a break."
"Yeah it was nice of you to finally
join us out there on the field instead of fantasizing about you and Mimi."
Jason pulled a navy blue polo shirt
over his head, straightening the collar and tugged the sleeves up past his
biceps. "There is no 'me and Mimi'."
"What?" Philip dropped down on the
bench, "after a kiss like you laid on her earlier there HAD better be a 'you
and Mimi'."
"I just mean that there's nothing
official."
"Official? I think you're a little
too young for the down on one knee bit Jase."
"What I mean is we haven't even been
out on a date yet. You know with Jan… I went to a party, had a few beers and
woke up with a girlfriend. I didn't even know her that well in the beginning."
"Well, you know Mimi pretty well.
You've been friends for a while and you can't tell me that that ride home the
other night was a first timer."
Jason smiled as he bent over to put
on his sneakers. "No, it wasn't. That's been going on for a few weeks."
"So when you first notice her? I
mean Inotice/I her." Philip repeated, raising his voice to be
heard over the celebratory hoots and hollers of the rest of the team that
filled the locker room.
"Halloween night."
"What? You mean the party at my house?
Boy, was that the most uncomfortable night of my life."
"Hey yeah…I should be calling you
Romeo considering you spent the whole night in tights… thanks to your Juliet."
Philip shook his head against the
memory of that night. "I still can't believe I let her talk me into that
costume."
"You would've walked around in a
loincloth playing Tarzan to her Jane if Chloe asked you too."
"Well, I bet a loincloth would've
been a lot more comfortable than those damn tights. At least Shawn was semi
normal as Blackbeard the Pirate and Belle dressed like Scarlett O'Hara. What
was Mimi dressed up as that night? I can't remember."
"A genie."
"A what?"
"A genie, you know, as in 'I Dream
Of". She was wearing these silky, see through pants and this little cropped top
and she had this belly ring…" now it was Jason's turn to let his voice trailed
off.
Philip reached inside his locker and
grabbed his jacket. "A belly ring? I can't believe I missed that. So was it
real or just part of her costume?"
"I've been trying to find that out
ever since."
Philip laughed at the grin on his
friend's face. "Come on, finished up so we can get out of here."
"Do you think she pissed?" Jason
asked, his tone turning serious.
"Who?"
"Mimi, do you think she's pissed
because I kissed her?"
"Oh yeah, she looked really upset."
"I'm serious Phil, I didn't plan on
that happening, at least not when it did. I was so wrapped up in thinking about
the game and then dealing with you and Chloe…I really wasn't thinking about my
jacket at all. I mean, I knew she had it and that didn't bother me but then she
seemed so insistent on me taking it back like I don't know what it means if
everyone saw her wearing it and-"
"Whoa, whoa…slow down Jase." Philip
said, trying not to laugh as his friend's running monologue. "Why don't you
finish getting dressed and then you can ask her yourself? I'll even give you
two a lift up to Nick's party since Shawn probably has his dad's pickup.
Everyone is waiting in the parking lot so shake your tail okay?"
*****
"Are you okay?"
Chloe offered a small smile, knowing
it was a question she was going to be asked a lot from now on by everyone from
her Mom to Philip. "Yeah Shawn, I'm fine."
"You know, Philip never said
anything to us about whatever it was that caused you to run like that. But it's
not everyday that someone's voice coach is arrested for murder."
"You know about that?"
Shawn nodded, leaning back against
the driver's side door of the pickup. "We all do. A group of us showed up at
Philip's last night and walked in on a conversation he and his father were
having about what Victor's people had found out about you. In fact, to back up
a few hours, Phil called me around three in the morning looking for you after
Dr. Wesley called him."
"Craig told me about the two of you
and your dad coming over." Chloe said as she moved to stand in front of Shawn,
bracing one foot up on the truck's running board. "I'd thought about leaving a
note but I made the decision to…to go…rather suddenly."
"I've known Phil all my life and I
have never seen him the way he was these past couple of days." Shawn said, "You
were the only thing on his mind."
"I know I really upset a lot of
people taking off that way but there was something I had to take care of.
Something I've been running from for a long, long time and…the last couple of
months have made me realize that it was time for me to resolve it."
"And some how there is a connection
with that and something your voice coach did that set you running?"
Chloe broke away from Shawn's
intense stare. "You are too smart for your own good Brady, you know that?"
"It's something about your eyes
Chloe…there's a little bit of fear lurking in there."
"Is that all you see?" Chloe asked,
refusing to look at her friend.
"Nope, I still see the same girl
I've always known but she seems a little more courageous to me now. A little
more in control."
"Thanks."
"So, did you get this thing
resolved?"
Chloe took a deep breath and slowly
released it. "No, but I took the first step and sometimes that's the hardest
one to take, ya know?"
"Hey, I consider you one of my
closest friends and if you ever need someone to talk to…I mean if you need
someone different than a girlfriend like Belle or even Philip…you know you can
always call me."
"Thanks Shawn, I appreciate that."
*****
"Hey, you wanna try on my tiara?"
"No thanks Homecoming Princess,
Junior Class…I think it looks perfect on you."
Belle hopped up on the downed
tailgate where Mimi sat, swinging her legs. "Yeah it goes real well with my
jeans and Tommy Hilfiger sweatshirt. I know it's a little cheesy but it'll be
something neat to tell my kids about someday. Can you believe Rachel was
crowned Homecoming Queen?"
"Well, you got my vote but by your
squeal of excitement I guess you were just a little surprised."
"I
was surprised. I was so busy thinking about everything that happened before the
game that I could hardly concentrate on the cheers."
"Yeah, it was pretty exciting
finding out that Chloe is back and that she's okay." Mimi agreed.
"That's not what I'm talking about,"
Belle said, leaning over and tugging on the sleeve of Jason's jacket that Mimi
had put after he disappeared back into the locker room. "You want to talk about
it?"
"No."
"Ahh, come on Meems."
"There is nothing to talk about Belle,
it was just a kiss."
"Yeah right, just a kiss. That kiss
was so hot I felt weak in the knees just watching you two."
"Yeah you were watching and Shawn
was watching and Chloe was watching…the whole damn town was watching."
"So what's wrong with that?"
Mimi didn't answer but instead
jammed her hands deeper into the pockets of Jason's coat finding a set of keys
in one side and the package of gum in the other.
"Come on Mimi," Belle scooted over
until she was sitting hip to hip next to her best friend. "What's bothering
you?"
"Belle, that was the first time I've
ever…kissed a guy." Mimi curled her hands into the sweatshirt she had in her
lap. "I mean, Ireally/I kissed a guy."
"So?"
"I just stood there! I didn't know
what to do!"
"Well, it didn't look one sided to
me. I mean, I know he surprised you and all but it didn't seem to take you too
long to figure out what was going on and decided to participate. Come on,
remember what you asked me when I told you about me and Shawn at Philip's
party?"
"Oh Belle," Mimi groaned, "don't
make me!"
"Oh yes, I have been waiting for
this day! One word Meems…describe that kiss in one word and no fair using
mine."
"Soul shattering is not one word,"
Mimi reminded her.
"It is if you put a hyphen in it!"
Belle answered. "Come on, one word."
Lost in thought, Mimi replayed that
moment over and over in her mind when Jason grabbed her and planted that kiss
on her. She could still feel the heat of his hands where they pressed wide
against her back, holding her close and trapping her hands against the solid
wall of his chest. His lips were urgent and demanding and it was only because
of her shock that he was able to easily slip his tongue inside.
Her stomach muscles clenched at the memory of the
intimacy of his searching and her initial panic at her own inexperience. But
when she felt him beginning to pull away she knew she didn't want the kiss to
end. Surprised at her passionate refusal to let him stop, she found herself
grasping at the front of his shirt and a natural response took over as she gave
herself freely to the kiss.
She felt her cheeks flame as she remember her
reluctance to allow Jason to end the kiss but he'd done so without pulling away
from her and then his whispered-
"Hello," Belle called, waving a hand back and forth
in front of Mimi's face. "You still here with me?"
Mimi shook herself out of the memory and found Belle
staring intently at her. "One word huh?"
"It shouldn't be too difficult with a memory like
you were just having."
"Okay…one word. How about…breathtaking?"
"Breathtaking," Belle nodded her head in approval.
"Nice word."
"How about stupid…that's a good word too."
"Meems, don't start. That kiss was not stupid."
"I'm talking about the way I feel now Belle. What am
I supposed to do? How am I supposed to act? I have no idea what he is going to
do when he and Philip finally come out here."
"Just be natural and be yourself. The first time I
saw Shawn after that party I was a little unsure of how to act and I could tell
he was too so we just took things slow and let things happen. And I bet Jason
is wondering the same things you are."
"I doubt that…he's probably wondering why in the
hell he did it in the first place," Mimi muttered as she stared off in the
distance, "and then there's Jan-"
"Jan!" Belle hopped off the truck, whirling the
rhinestone tiara around her finger. "What does that witch have to do with
anything?"
"Well, we had a little talk tonight and she informed
me-"
"Hey," Shawn walked to the back of the truck and
leaned up against the end, pulling Belle into his arms, "here comes Philip."
Everyone turned to see Philip jogging towards them
in the nearly empty parking lot. He slowed to a walk as he got closer. Joining
his friends, he reached for Chloe, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Hey
guys!"
"It's about time," Belle said, "what took you so
long?"
"Well, you know…had to do a little male bonding and
celebrating before we got down to taking showers." Philip answered before
placing a soft kiss on Chloe's cheek. "You-"
Reaching back, Chloe covered his mouth with her hand
before he could finish his words. "We've got to come up with another question!
That one is getting old very quickly."
"Okay," Philip answered and then laugh when he
realized what he just said.
"So Philip, where's Jason?" Shawn asked, unable to
contain his sly grin.
"Oh, he's still inside getting beautiful. It takes
some guys a little longer… unlike those of us where it just comes naturally."
"Oh please," Belle rolled her eyes and the rest
joined in with her laughter.
"By the way, nice game Philip." Shawn said.
"Yeah we did okay but we'll have to wait until after
Valley and Merrimack play tomorrow to see if we make it to the finals over
turkey weekend." Philip took a quick look at his watch. "Geez, it's almost
nine. The party gonna be over by the time we get there. Where the hell is
Jason?"
"Here he comes," Mimi whispered as she spotted him
leaving the school and heading in their direction. Belle glanced over at her
and offered a quick wink of support.
"Sorry I'm late guys," Jason said walking up to
stand next to Philip and Chloe.
"Come on, lets get a move on," Shawn said, pushing
off from the truck. "Who's riding where?"
"Let me go over and get my car," Philip said digging
into his pockets for his keys. "Come on Chloe…we'll be right back."
Belle watched the two of them walked off towards
Philip's mustang, looking back in time to see Jason's gaze dart from her and
Shawn to Mimi, to the ground and then back to Mimi again.
"Come on Shawn," she said, heading around the end of
the truck tugging on his hand.
"Where are we going now-"
"Don't argue Brady, just obey."
"Yes ma'am."
The air was heavy with silence as Mimi inwardly
groaned at Belle's obvious maneuvers. Unable to stop the nervous swinging of
her feet, she kept her head down until she saw Jason move over until he was
standing directly in front of her.
"Hey."
Mimi briefly closed her eyes when she heard his
voice. Give me strength, she prayed. "Hi."
Jason leaned over a bit, trying to catch her gaze
and she found herself offering an answering smile to the one she saw on his
face.
"Great game," she said.
"Thanks."
"It nice to see you opened your stance after that
first play. That guy from the other team got right past you."
"Yeah," Jason agreed, surprised at Mimi's detailed
account of his playing. "Philip told me the same thing after I helped him off
the ground."
"I bet he did." Mimi reached up and started to pull
her arms out of the jacket. "Here, you must want this back now."
"No! I mean, it's no big deal…I mean, I don't care if
you keep it."
Mimi noticed the short sleeves of his shirt. "You
must be cold."
"No, I'm fine."
"Well, this party at Nick Harris's is pretty much
outside from what I've heard. You're going to get cold eventually."
"I rode over here with Philip tonight, I've got a
pullover in his car if I need it."
"Well, I got this," Mimi said, showing him her
sweatshirt.
Jason moved a few steps closer so that Mimi had no
choice but to stop swinging her legs or she would end up kicking him. "Are you
always going to argue with me?"
"I like to argue," she replied softly, her gaze
settling on his mouth.
Shoving his hand deep into his pockets, Jason leaned
forward. "If you don't want to wear the jacket…just say so."
"Jason it's not that," Mimi reached out and laid her
hand on his arm, surprised as the shiver of electricity she felt when she
touched his skin. "Getting this jacket was a really big thing for you and
Philip. I mean, most guys don't get them until their senior years but you two
were the only juniors picked for the varsity team this year and except for last
two days when I've had, you've wore it every single day."
"Yeah so?"
"I just think you've earned the right to wear you
own jacket, that's all," she said, pulling her hand away, "I mean, Philip wears
his own jacket not Chloe."
"Well, Chloe's not your usual girl."
"I agree with you there so if you want it back…it's
okay."
Before Jason could response, Philip roared up next
to the truck. "Hey you two, jump in."
"You guys riding with Philip and Chloe?" Belle
asked, suddenly reappearing.
"He's got an empty back seat and Mimi and I have a
little discussion to continued," Jason said, holding out his hand.
"Come on…lets go!" Shawn called from the driver's
seat as he started up the engine. "We're wasting good partying time!"
Mimi placed her hand in Jason and let him help her
off the tailgate. After sharing a smile with Belle she climbed in behind Philip
and Chloe, moving to the far side of the car so Jason would have room after he
finished closing the truck's tailgate.
After climbing in the back seat, Jason took a deep
breath and decided to just jump in with both feet and trust the sincerity he
heard earlier in Mimi's voice. "Come here,' he whispered, as Philip put the car
in gear and headed out of the parking lot. Throw off balance, Mimi landed
against Jason's chest and he wrapped his arm tight around her. "I think we need
to keep this debate between ourselves."
"Have I ever told you that I don't like to lose
arguments?" Mimi whispered back, forced to put her hand on the solid muscles of
his thigh simply because there was no other place to put it.
"That's the best part of this one," Jason answered,
his mouth inches away from her ear. "I've got a feeling that no matter who
loses…we both win."
*****
Sitting in the dark interior of the silent car
parked in the shadows on the other side of the school's parking lot, Jan's eyes
narrowed to thin slits as she watched Jason and Mimi talking. At first she
thought Mimi was actually going to take off his jacket and give it back but
that never happen. When they climbed into the back of Philip's car and she saw
Jason pull her close to him, she felt her blood reach its boiling point.
"F**king bitch," she spat, reaching for the bottle
of Jack Daniels cradled between her legs. Lifting the bottle to her lips, she
opened her throat and tried to drown the memory of Jason kissing Mimi outside
the locker room before the game in a way that he never kissed her when they
were together.
"She going to pay for this," Jan said, wiping her
mouth with the back of her hand, "both her and her little blond buddy."
"Who's going to pay?"
"Just shut up and drive," Jan said.
"I ain't going to no Salem High victory party," the
guy behind the wheel said. "They just kicked our asses."
"But I need your help," Jan ran her hand high across
his thigh knowing he would do anything she asked. "And let's stop and pick up a
few of your buddies…I'm going to need all your help tonight."
"With what?"
"Well, someone needs to be taught a lesson
tonight…and that lesson is that you don't play with fire unless you're ready to
be burned."
To be continued…