"A
Single Yellow Rose" – Chapter Thirteen
"God, how could I be so stupid!" Mimi hurled another rock into the lake. "To think that Jason Hillman really wanted to be with me…"
Mimi's thoughts drifted back to that searing kiss Jason gave her before the game that left her knees weak and her pulse racing. And later when they first got in Philip's car and he'd pulled her close to him, his lips nuzzling in her hair near her ear, telling her that they both were going to come out winners in this discussion about his jacket.
"But not me," she muttered, her hunt along the shore for another rock made easy by the bright light of the full moon, "could I just go with the flow and enjoy myself…nope! I've got to take a stand, do the right thing and look what it got me…alone again!"
"Well, not completely."
Mimi whirled around at the deep voice that came from behind her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Who are you?"
"Um…my name is, um…Peter."
"Well, um…Peter, I'm really not in
the mood for company so…" Mimi bent over and picked up a few rocks and again
began throwing them into the lake.
"You should be in a good mood. Your
team just kicked our…um…Milford's butt and this is a rocking party."
"Well, not for everybody." Mimi
finished the last of her drink, wishing she had more, a lot more. "You don't
look familiar to me…do you go to our school?"
"No…" he said, quickly checking his
watch. "I-I'm a freshman at Salem U."
"Oh…well Peter…it seems like I am a
little low on the juice so I'm off for a refill."
"You want some of mine?" he stepped
forward blocking her way. "I don't mind sharing."
Mimi eyed the bottle in his hand.
"What is that?"
"I'm not sure…I think the guy called
it 'bash' or something like that."
"I didn't know it came in bottles."
"It does when you fill up an empty."
Mimi held out her glass. "Okay, fill
it up." After her glass was full again, she took a long swallow and turned back
to the lake.
"So why are in such a bad mood?"
"Look Peter, I'm about two steps
away from turning into a real bitch so thanks for the booze but maybe you
should go and work your charms on someone else."
"Sometimes it helps to talk about
it," he said, after taking a quick peek at his watch again.
"With a total stranger?"
"How about someone who's just
strange?"
"What the hell," Mimi tossed back
another long swallow, hoping the numbing sensation would continued until she
could no longer feel the heat of Jason's eyes, hands and lips on her body.
"Well, tonight I got screwed by this guy."
Peter just nodded as he took a few steps along the
edge of the lake and Mimi found herself walking along side beside him. "I take
it that wasn't a good thing."
*****
Walking alone along the edge of the wooded area that
separated Nick's house from the neighbor's, Belle's eyes frantically searched
for Mimi. She didn't know why Jason had disappeared with Jan but right now she
was worried about her friend. She knew from the talk she shared with Mimi
earlier just after the game while they were waiting for Philip and Jason, just
how much Mimi was beginning to care about him. And from that kiss, Belle would
have bet that Jason felt the same way, which didn't explain why he was off
somewhere with his ex-girlfriend. Looking back over her shoulder, she'd
expected to see Shawn chasing after her but all she could see was the crowd of
teenagers. Perhaps he went after Jason, she thought.
As she neared the water's edge, Belle looked across
the yard and saw a gazebo down near the dock. "Perhaps Mimi went there for some
private time," she said aloud, finishing the last of her drink. As she looked
farther across the yard, she suddenly saw Mimi heading in her direction and she
wasn't alone. Belle couldn't make out who she was with but she could tell it
wasn't Jason.
"Well, maybe that's not a bad thing," Belle
muttered, slowing her step. "It might not hurt to have Jason see Mimi talking
with someone else." Deciding not to interrupt, she turned back towards the
house and walked straight into a wall of muscles.
"Whoa pretty girl," two strong hands wrapped around
her arms, "where do you think you are going in such a hurry?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Belle said, stepping away. "I
didn't even see you there. Please excuse me."
"Wait a minute," he immediately stepped in front of
her, blocking her way. "Where are you going?"
Belle tried to look around the stranger but he stood
almost six feet tall with wide shoulders. His long, dirty blond hair hung past
the collar of his tee shirt and she could tell from the vacant stare in his
eyes and the strong odor of alcohol that clung to him that whoever this guy was
he was well on his way to a serious state of inebriation.
"I'm heading back to the party and my friends," she
said, trying again to take a step around him.
"Well, I want to be your friend," his fingers
clamped on her arm like a vise grip and he swung her around until she was
pressed against the side of his body, his strength holding her immobile. He
started to head away from the party, bringing forth a half empty of bottle of rum
and taking a mouthful. Offering it to Belle, he tried running it along her lips
but she turned away.
"Let go of me!"
"Oh no honey…I've been watching you all night," he
slurred as he trailed the long neck of the bottle down the front of Belle's
sweater. "I think it's time for you and me to have a private party out here and
got to know each other a little better...or a lot better."
Horror engulfed Belle as she realized his intention
and as she struggled to break free she opened her mouth to scream but he quickly
forced her closer to him, clamping his hand over her lips. Turning his back to
the party, his large frame blocked any view someone might have of the hold he
had on the pretty, blond girl. "Tsk, tsk, tsk…now, we can't have any of that."
A sheer, black fright swept through her as Belle
fought against each step, realizing they were almost into the shadows of the
dense trees but her diminutive form was no match against this stranger's
powerful stride.
"You're not going to fight me every step of the way
are you darling?
*****
"No it wasn't a good thing because
it was my fault." Mimi continued as she walked. "I could have taken the easy way out and fallen all over him like
some dim witted sap but I wanted to do things different. I wanted to be different…I
fooled myself into thinking I could change my luck but here I am again on the
losing end." She watched as Peter again checked his watch. "Is there some place
you need to be?"
"Why? What makes you say that?"
"Well you should have the time
inbreeded into your brain by now…that's the third time in the last five minutes
you have looked at your watch."
"No, I don't have to be any where."
Peter let his gaze rest of the gazebo just ahead for a quick second before
turning back to Mimi. "Go ahead with what you were saying…I guess you really
liked this guy?"
"Yes…no! I don't know…I could
have…but that's the story of my life. You see I tend to find myself liking a
guy and he ends with someone else. The first guy I really liked…that's what
happened with him but at least I can see now that there was never really a
chance there. I mean, he never felt the same way about me that I thought I felt
about him."
Mimi stopped and found herself staring again at the
lake, rolling the plastic cup back and forth between the palms of her hands,
her voice dropping to a whisper. "But now this second guy…I really thought that
he…I thought that because we had really seemed to hit it off over the last
couple of weeks and got to know each other that…well, it doesn't matter what I thought.
He was free and clear to make his choice and he's made it. Of course I was
stupid enough to make it soooo easy for him but hey, that's me." Mimi tipped
back her head, determined to finish the rest of her drink in one swallow. Proud
of her accomplishment, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "So,
Peter, enough about me and my problems…tell me your story."
Mimi looked around and found herself
alone near the lakeside dock, her mysterious companion gone as quickly as he
appeared. "It figures…I must be like a reverse magnet. I don't draw guys
closer…noooo, I push them farther away."
Staring down into the empty cup, she
blinked hard against the tears that she couldn't seem to control. She had to
admit, to herself if to no one else, that she was surprised by the depth of the
hurt she felt when she watched Jason walk away with Jan, his arm around her
shoulder. She wanted nothing more that to be home, alone in her bedroom but she
doubted Belle and Shawn were ready to leave. Hell, they were probably off
somewhere getting as hot and heavy as-
"Time for another drink!" Mimi said
aloud, determined not to show anyone what she was feeling. Turning around, her
gaze traveled casually over a secluded gazebo only a few feet away and down
closer to the water passing over the couple intertwined in each other arms in
the structure's opening when her head snapped back around. "Oh my god…" her
voice wavered and then broke, "it-it can't be."
Her body stiffened in shock when she
realized her eyes could travel from Jason's bronze shoulders down to his
impossibly tight abdomen muscles, his shirt and jacket lying in a heap on the
floor. His arms lay wrapped around Jan's waist as she sat inside the circle of
his denim-covered legs. Jan's shirt hung loose off her shoulders, barely
covering her breasts and Mimi felt her heart break as she watched Jan cradling
Jason's face in her hands. Unable to move, she felt like her feet were cemented
to the spot as she watched Jan's head tilt back, her long black curls draping
down past her shoulders as she lead Jason's lips to her neck. Mimi squeezed her
eyes shut, her breath catching in her lungs at the searing pain that filled her
chest.
She had to get out of here!
Just before she turned away Mimi
made the mistake of opening her eyes. Though the watery view of unshed tears,
she watched as that cold hearted bitch lowered one eye lid in a wink directed
right at her and her evil laughter rang in her ears as she bolted for the
house.
"That's it Mimi…run away," Jan said,
watching as Mimi stumbled and then disappeared into the crowd.
"Sometimes I even amaze myself," she continued as
she pushed Jason off her and back against the railing. "Damn you're heavy."
Jason groaned as he rolled his head side to side,
struggling to open his eyes. "Baby…is that you?"
"I'm right here," Jan said, reaching up to caress
one of his chiseled cheekbones she had always admired.
"I thought I lost you," Jason mumbled as he
continued to fight to stay awake. "I thought I had screwed up and you didn't
want to be with me anymore."
"Well, we all make mistakes, I'm glad you've come to
your senses."
"Me too," running his fingers through his hair,
Jason pressed his palm hard against his forehead praying the painful throbbing
would go away. "I promise I'll do better…I want to be better."
Jan trailed her fingers over his wide shoulders.
"Oh, you are just fine the way you are."
"Do you know how you make me feel? You make me feel
whole. Before…she-she made me feel like a piece of meat…"
Jan's hand froze at his words. "She?"
"She didn't care what I thought or what I felt,"
Jason struggled not to slur his words. It was important that he be able to say
these things to her now that she was here in front of him and willing to
listen. "She just wanted someone to do her dirty tricks and play stud
service…and even I wasn't ever enough for her. Am I enough for you Mimi…am I
enough?"
Jason never saw the tight right fist coming until it
landed hard against his jaw. He swayed but kept himself from falling off the
steps.
"Damn you Hillman," Jan hissed through clenched
teeth. "But she won't want you now anyway." Pushing away from him, Jan stood up
and walked away rapidly buttoned her shirt.
"Jan?" Jason's puzzled voice called out after a
disappearing figure. He wiped his bottom lip with the back of his hand,
surprised at the taste of blood on his tongue. "What the hell is going on
here?"
*****
Mimi pushed through the crowd of kids dancing, blind
to the comments and remarks thrown in her direction for her actions. She had to
get out of here even if she had to walk all the way back home, there was no way
she could stay now.
"Hey!"
"Mimi…what's the matter?"
Looking up, Mimi saw Philip and Chloe staring hard
at her. "Just leave me alone!" she cried, trying to get past them.
"Like hell we will. What is wrong with you?" Philip
said, taking a hold of her arm.
"Let go of me!"
"Mimi, calm down a minute," Chloe said, reaching out
to place a hand on her friend. "We just want to help. Are you hurt…did
something happen to you?"
"No nothing happened."
"Why are you so upset?"
Mimi opened her mouth but the words didn't come as
easily as the tears. Chloe looked helplessly at Philip who motioned her to move
out of the middle of the dance floor. Mimi didn't want to go with them but with
Chloe holding one arm and Philip with the other she had little choice.
"Okay," Philip said, letting go of her once they
were over near a patio table and chairs. "What's up?"
"I was stupid!" Mimi broke away from her friends,
her hands waving furiously in the air. "No…I wasn't even stupid I was just
being me. Just plain ol' Mimi thinking that someone could be interested in
her…damn him for kissing me like that! How could he do that? In front of all
those people!"
"I think this is about Jason."
"No kidding Philip." Chloe said, "what gave it away
for you?"
"I bet this was all planned," Mimi said, as she
began to pace back and forth. "I bet they cooked this up between them from the
beginning…"
"Mimi you aren't making any sense," Chloe said.
"Jason! I'm talking about Jason!"
"Yeah," Philip nodded, "we kinda figured that."
"Were the two of you together…did something happen?"
Chloe asked.
"Did something happen? Did something happen! You bet
it did! First we're all getting drinks, then I'm dancing with Belle and then
he's walking away with Jan!"
"Jan?" Philip and Chloe replied together.
"Yes! Let's just say her name in stereo…yes, he
disappeared with Jan in one direction and I disappeared in the other."
"You must be mistaken Mimi," Philip
said, shaking his head. "Jason can't stand Jan and you should've heard him
talking about you earlier tonight. I mean, he was psyched about that kiss and
then nervous about how you were going to react-"
"Really?" Mimi interrupted, "well,
here's a hot tip. Don't strip down to practically nothing and make out with
your ex at the same party with the girl your friends think you're crazy about!"
"You want to hear crazy?" Shawn
abruptly walked out of the shadows to join his friends. "I've just spent the
last half hour searching through that house and outside here and I can't find
Belle any where."
*****
Jason kneeled down at the lake's
edge splashing the cold water on his face and neck. It felt wonderful again his
skin but his head still felt fuzzy and his jaw was starting to ache. Sitting
back on his heels, his head reeled with images flashing in and out in a wild
abandonment. Mimi dancing, her hips moving back and forth in seductive waves,
Shawn and Philip's voices telling him to just be honest with her, Jan's nasty
comments and then the two of them talking…but why? Why would he be talking with
Jan when all he wanted to do was get up the nerve to join Mimi out on the dance
floor before one of his team mates made a move on the one girl he wanted to
keep for himself.
None of the images explained the
dizziness and loss the balance he felt every time he took a step. He had
grabbed his jacket and started after whoever it was that was walking away from
him but the next thing he knew he was standing on the beach, his sneakers
soaking up the lake water. Attempting to rise again took all the strength he
had but he did it. The cold water dripped down in neck onto his chest and he
realized for the first time he wasn't wearing his shirt, only his letterman's
jacket lay next to his bare skin.
"Now how in the hell did that happen,"
he muttered, rubbing his hand across his chest. Starting back for the gazebo
where he guessed his shirt was, Jason suddenly stopped short when a small sound
caught his ear.
Stopping, he waited for the sound
but all he heard was the music from the house. He took a few more steps when
again, he heard what sounded like the cry of a wounded animal. Turning towards
the woods, he started forward only to have a wave of nausea over take him
forcing him to bend over at the waist, bracing his hands against his knees.
Taking a deep breath and then
blowing it out, he started forward again this time making it to the edge of the
woods before having to stop to lean against a tree. Shaking off the grogginess,
he again drew in a deep breath and peered into the trees, listening intently.
"I must be imaging things," he said
softly, but something was making he stay, standing with a stillness that would
allow him to hear that noise again.
"Please…no…."
The girl's voice carried faintly on
the night air, springing Jason into action. That was no wounded animal, someone
was in trouble. Thankful for the bright moonlight, he weaved through the trees
until he saw the couple before either one of them realized he was there. The
guy was rising from on top of the girl and with a quick motion he smacked her
hard across the face with the back of his hand. Jason saw her blond hair fly
through the air as her face landed in the dirt. Two running steps and a giant
leap crashed him into the guy sending the both of them tumbling into the
underbrush. They landed hard against a felled tree, knocking the wind out of
Jason allowing the guy to twist out of his grasp.
Jason rolled to his hands and knees
as he heard the heavy pounding of footsteps disappearing. He tried to stand but
found his sudden burst of strength gone so he crawled back to the clearing
where he saw the girl lay curled up in the fetal position, not moving.
"Are you okay?" he called, not
wanting to scare her. "It's all right…I'm here to help you. I'm not going to
hurt you…he's gone…the guy that…don't worry, he's gone."
All he heard was a low crying as he
slowly came closer to the girl. He could see her shirt was gone, her bra was
hanging on by one strap, her back scratched and bleeding. He knelt down beside
her, praying he could continue to fight off that dammed dizziness.
"Here," he slowly unbuttoned his
jacket, the snapping sound seemed to echo loudly through the trees, "I'm going
to take off my jacket and put it around you okay?"
He didn't get any response so he
gently eased it off his shoulders and reached down to cover her with it. The
moment the fabric touched her skin, a cry tore from her throat and she crawled
away, her fingers grabbing at the ground.
"It's okay, it's okay," Jason
repeated, crouching down to her level, he watched as the girl pulled herself
into a seated position, her legs pulled up close to her chest before she raised
her head. "Oh my God…Belle."
He watched as her blue eyes blinked
back at him. "Belle…it's me…Jason."
Silence was his only answer and his
heart broke when he saw the trail of blood leading from the edge of her bottom
lip to her chin. He saw her start to shiver in the night air. Holding up his
jacket, Jason slowly inched forward. "Belle…it's Jason…I just want to put this
on you okay?"
Afraid he would scare her away he
moved very slowly but Belle remained motionless as Jason reached up to ease the
jacket around her. Fighting back the next wave of nausea, Jason knew he had to
get Belle out of here and get her some help. "Belle…we've got to get some help…will you let me help you?"
Reaching
out, he slowly started to place one hand on her shoulder but at that moment a
feeling of dizziness overcame him, and his hand came down harder on her than he
intended and Belle scrambled away clutching his jacket against her half naked
body.
Damn! What was he going to do? He
couldn't leave her here! But he had to get her to safety. He could hear the
music coming from the party and terrified that Belle would disappear farther
into the woods, Jason knew he had to go get help. He knew he had to find the
one person who would be able to get through to her.
"Belle, I'm going to get help…I'm
going to find Shawn."
At the mention of his name, Belle's
empty gaze turned toward him but Jason still wasn't sure if she knew who he
was.
"S-Shawn?" her soft whisper breathed
past her open lips.
Jason nodded, slowly backing away
forcing his legs to carry his weight. "That's right…you stay here and I'm going
to get Shawn for you okay?"
Belle turned away and slowly nodded
her head. Jason could only pray she heard him and understood enough not to move
until he got back. He traveled backwards, wanting to keep his eyes on her for
as long as possible just in case she bolted but she only sat there.
"Shawn," she whimpered, her mind
refusing to yet allow her body to shed the necessary tears, "please…forgive
me."
To
be continued…