"A Single Yellow Rose" – Chapter 18

"A Single Yellow Rose" – Chapter Eighteen

Monday morning…hallway at Salem High School…

Jason hung his jacket on the small silver hook inside his locker, grabbed his books off the top shelf and slammed the metal door harder than necessary to shut it. Closing his fingers into a tight fist, he aimed at the center of the door but stopped himself in time so that his fist only landed against the cool metal with a soft thud.

"Hey, I know the team lost its chance to go onto the finals but don't take it out on the locker."

Jason whirled around to find Shawn standing behind him.

"Yeah, those good ol' Merrimack Tomahawks," Jason said with a wiry grin, taking a quick glance at the kids hanging around before the first bell of the day rang. "They finally decided to win a game and of course it's the one that matters the most, the one that ends our season for the year."

"Well, there's still the All-State game."

"For Mr. "Starting Quarterback" Philip Kiriakis anyway. But you know, with everything that happened this weekend not making it to the state finals doesn't really seem to be all that important."

Shawn nodded in agreement, looking both to the left and right of him as he followed Jason's ever-wandering gaze around the hallway, wondering what he was searching for.

"How's Belle doing?" Jason asked, again looking far down the hallway.

"Pretty good actually." Shawn answered as it dawned on him what his buddy was doing. "She's decided to run off and join the circus."

"Oh yeah? That's great," Jason answered, leaning around his friend, his eyes quickly looking over and dismissing each girl that walked by.

"In fact, she's hoping they'll let her work with the tiger act…you know, riding on their backs, sticking her head inside their mouths."

"Well, I'm sure she knows what is best for her," Jason said, his smile widening at the sight of shoulder length brown hair until the girl turned around, then it quickly disappeared.

"Let me guess," Shawn asked, hitching up his backpack onto one shoulder, "you still haven't talked with Mimi yet."

Jason's attention was suddenly riveted on his friend. "What did you say?"

Shawn only laughed. "The magic word I guess. You didn't hear a thing I said until the name 'Mimi' came out of my mouth. Don't tell me she still doesn't know the truth?"

Jason fell back against his locker in defeat. "I called four times before her father threatened to take a pair of scissors to the phone cord. Then I drove up and down her street a few times trying to decide if I should just go up and knock on her door but I know how rough the night before was for her…I just didn't want to make things worse."

"You know Mimi…she gets her mind stuck on something and it's like moving a mountain to get her to change it."

"Yeah, I'm beginning to learn that. But she's upset about more than just what she saw between Jan and me…or what she thought she saw. What happened to Belle really shook her. I think it's because she blames herself."

"What! That's crazy!"

"I know, I tried to convinced her of that Saturday night but I don't know if I got though. She said if she had never run off, Belle wouldn't have followed her and that guy wouldn't have…well, you know."

Shawn nodded. "I guess there are a few of us who feel responsible for what happened to Belle."

"Tell me about it. If I hadn't been stupid enough to walk off with Jan, Mimi never would have seen us and took off and Belle wouldn't have gone after her-"

"I know, I know," Shawn stopped Jason with a wave of his hand. "And if I hadn't waited those few minutes after Belle was out of my sight. It's not going to do any of us any good to blame each other or ourselves. Belle and I talked about that again last night on the phone. She just wants to put this behind her. But about Mimi, do you want me to talk to me? She might listen if Philip or I tried to explain things."

Jason just shook his head. "No thanks…I think she at least deserves to hear from me how I was stupid enough to let Jan get one over on me. I hope that during study hall I can get her to listen to me when she can't run out on me."

"That's it Jase…confine her to a closed space where she'll be forced to listen."

Jason and Shawn turned to see Philip had joined them.

"I'm running out of ideas here Phil, you got a better one?"

"Well, I can always play messager for you."

"I already offered that," Shawn said, "but lover boy here want to do his own dirty work."

Philip just smiled as Chloe stepped up behind him and gave him a gentle nudge. "Hey there."

"Hey," leaning over he gave her a quick kiss, "you just get here?"

"Yeah I overslept. I was up late last night talking with my mom." Chloe answered before turning to Shawn. "Is Belle even going to be here today?"

"I guess so. She didn't say she wasn't coming to school but I can understand why it would be a little scary for her."

"Especially now."

"Why?" Shawn questioned.

"What does that mean?" Philip said.

"I guess you guys haven't seen this morning's paper." Chloe said, reaching inside her notebook. Pulling out the folded newspaper she flipped it open and then turned it around so they could read the headlines. "Local Girl Assaulted at High School Party."

"Damn it! This is just what she doesn't need." Shawn said.

"I guess once she went to the police this became public record," Chloe said. "I wonder if she's seen it yet."

"I hope not," Shawn answered, "she's nervous enough about what she thinks everyone is going to say to her today."

Moments later, Nick and Rita came down the hall and joined the group. "Hey Shawn, you got a second?"

"Yeah, what's up Nick?"

"I just want to say I'm sorry about Belle…I mean, what happened to her." He dropped his gaze to his feet and it wasn't until Rita gently nudged against him that he continued. "I feel kind of responsible since it was my party."

"It's not your fault Nick but thanks."

"I wish now that the weather hadn't been so cooperative. Maybe if it was colder out I could have controlled the crowd a bit more…ya know, kept everyone inside. As it was, I closed things down just after midnight because I started noticing alot of faces in the crowd that I didn't recognize anymore."

"We saw the paper this morning," Rita added. "Do they have any idea yet who might have done this to her?"

Shawn only shook his head when he suddenly felt Philip tap him on the shoulder. "Hey, here comes Belle and Mimi," he said, gazing farther down the hallway. "Maybe you should get that paper out of sight just in case she hasn't seen it."

"Good idea," Chloe agreed juggling her books trying to slide the paper inside her binder. As she tucked it inside the cover something fell out and fluttered to the ground.

"Hey, you dropped something," Philip said, bending over.

"No! I'll get it!" Chloe said, dropping to her knees.

"That's okay, I'm already down here-ouch!" he uttered as he and Chloe bumped heads as they both reached for the papers. "Don't worry I've got it."

"Here, I'll take those," Chloe snatched at the documents.

"Hey…wait a minute," Philip said tightening his grip, "what's this? What are you doing with an application to the New York City High School for Performing Arts?"

Mimi looked over as Belle's hand caught her gaze. She watched as Belle again tried to brush her short, cropped blond hair farther forward on her face. Mimi knew she was trying to cover up the glaring bruising across her cheek that seemed even more brilliant today and the light touch of makeup Belle had applied hadn't concealed it entirely.

"It's okay honey."

"No, it's not," Belle said in a hushed whisper, as she hugged her books close to her chest and again pulled a few blond strands forward to lay over her cheek. "I feel like it shining out there in bright neon…blinking…look everyone…Belle got the crap beat out of her."

"Belle stop," Mimi said. "We teenagers are a selfish group and you can bet everyone here is more worried about how they look than how you look."

"It feels like they are staring at me."

"The only one staring at you right now is Shawn and that's because he is so worried about you."

Belle quickly looked around and seconds later she found Shawn standing with their friends and she knew they were all looking at her but she locked her gaze onto him, drawing courage from the strength she saw in his eyes. He offered her a quick wink and she couldn't stop her lips from responding with a small smile.

"I'm not the only one being stared at." Belle said.

Mimi stopped walking and turned toward her friend. "Closed subject Belle, I already told you that."

"But you didn't tell me why Meems. I tried asking you about it on the phone yesterday but you kept turning the conversation back to me."

"That because I'm worried about you."

"And I'm worried about you. Did you ever find out why Jason walked off with Jan?"

Mimi looked quickly over her shoulder and saw Jason staring intently at her. After his fourth phone call in two hours yesterday afternoon she had almost decided that if he called again she would finally talk with him but her father got to the phone first and after that he never called again.

Damn, I feel like I'm stuck on an out of control merry-go-round, Mimi thought. Seeing Jason with Jan had created a hurt inside of her that she'd never felt before but after he saved Belle he had stuck around the cottage with the rest of gang. Later, when the guilt she felt over her part in what happened to Belle threatened to consume her he'd held her in his arms and only thought about comforting her.

"Come on, let's head over there."

Mimi turned back to her friend. "Ah…I don't think so Belle."

"Why? Because of Jason? Please tell me what is going on…can I help?"

"You've got enough to worry about Belle…I'll deal with Jason." Mimi answered, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.

"By not dealing with it? Whatever 'it' might be."

"Okay, I give up. Let's go."

Mimi again fell in step beside Belle, refusing to look away from Jason's continuous stare. Shawn stepped away from the crowd, reaching out for Belle hand, noticing how cold it was as he laced his fingers with hers.

"Hi."

"Hi yourself."

Belle then offered hellos to everyone, enjoying the feeling of safety she felt among her friends. She noticed the quick glances at the bruising on her face but thankfully, no one mentioned it. She assured everyone that she was okay and shared a private smile with Chloe.

"Hey Mimi."

Mimi watched as Jason edged away from the circle of people surrounding Belle moving towards her, his back still against the lockers. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Mimi answered, puzzled by his question. "Why do you ask?"

Jason bent one leg at the knee and propped it against the locker, balancing his books there. "Well, you were pretty upset Saturday night and I tried to call you yesterday a few times before your dad threatened to cut the phone lines."

Mimi only nodded as she took in a deep breath to settle her nerves but she instantly recognized her mistake. The woodsy scent of Jason's cologne swirled around her taking her instantly back to Saturday night when she had awaken to find herself nestled against his chest, the pulse of his heartbeat a hair's breath away from her lips. She still couldn't believe she had actually fallen asleep in his arms minutes after yelling at him to get away from her. "Well my dad can get a little carried away sometimes. Especially because you kept interrupting the Bears football game."

"I guess I can understand that." Jason smiled softly before his tone turned serious again. "I'm sorry about Saturday night."

"What?"

"I know that no matter what explanation I may have for my actions that night," Jason said, grateful that his surprise tacit had momentarily puzzled her into silence. "I still owe you an apology."

Mimi copied Belle movement of hugging her books close to her chest. "I'd rather not talk about Saturday night if you don't mind."

"There's a lot that you don't know about what exactly went on that night-"

"And I don't want to know," she interrupted.

"Mimi please…"

Suddenly a bundle of blue material hit Jason in the shoulder before falling into his lap. "What the hell? My shirt…where did this come from?"

"Hey Jase, I found that Sunday morning when I was cleaning up." Nick called over after closing up his backpack. "Next time you and your lady decide to get friendly in my gazebo remember to pick up after yourselves!"

"Oh Mother Hen…bad timing," Philip groaned, knowing Nick had no idea of the damage he had just caused as he watched Jason's head drop back hard against the lockers.

"What? What'd I say?" Nick asked.

Jason opened his eyes in time to watch Mimi's gaze move from the shirt he held in his hand to his face and then he saw the pain fill her eyes before she spun on her heels and headed down the hall.

Philip walked over to where Jason stood watching Mimi walking away. "Back to square one huh?"

"I don't know bro, I think that was strike three." Jason replied, pushing off from the wall and heading in the opposite direction stopping only long enough to drop the shirt into the closest trash can.

*****

Philip and Shawn stuck their heads inside the double metal doors and looked around. The main room of the Salem High music department was designed with three semi circled carpeted tiers for when the school band was set up for rehearsals but during this open study period small groups of kids sat around either studying or more likely, talking. The double doors at the other end of the room lead into the school theater and behind a third single door was a row of individual sound proof booths for practice sessions with the chorus room at the other end. Two rooms led off from this main room were used for storage of the instruments and uniforms.

"Do you see them?" Philip asked.

"No, I still can't believe Chloe got Belle and Mimi to sign up for the school chorus." Shawn answered.

"Why, you're in it."

"Yeah, but music's my thing…Chloe's too. I just didn't think Belle and Mimi would get into it. Come on, let's get in here before the bell rings and our butts get caught out here in the hall."

"Hey, you're allowed to take your study halls in here," Philip said, following Shawn into the room. "I'm the one who cutting out of cafeteria study."

"Yeah, like anyone would stop Mr. Quarterback from going anywhere in the school that he wanted."

"It's got its privileges I must admit." Philip said with a smile. "Besides, Mimi is really into this drama stuff and that's all connected with the music department."

"Yeah I guess so," Shawn said. "I wonder where they are at?"

"Well, there are the two we are looking for," Philip pointed to the top tier where Chloe and Belle sat up against the long row of bookshelves talking.

"How's your day going so far?" Chloe asked, sitting cross-legged with her books in her lap. "This is the first time I've seen you since this morning."

"Besides getting a lot of double takes and a few whispers behind my back I guess it's been pretty normal. Most of the kids have been really supportive consider it was splashed over the front page of this morning's paper."

"You found out about that huh?"

"Yeah, I saw a group of girls looking at it and I asked to see it. I think that surprised them and oh," Belle reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, "look at this."

Chloe reached out for the paper. "Can I read it?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

Opening it, she quickly scanned over the neatly printed words. "Wow, where did you get this?"

"I found it in my locker just before lunch. At first I thought it might be a prank but then after I read it…" Belle's voice trailed off.

"That's poor girl…I hope she gets the help she needs."

"She says she is because she read about what happened to me and the fact that I reported it."

Chloe refolded the note and handed it back to Belle. "You heading over to the hospital after school today?"

Belle nodded. "Yeah, how about you?"

"Yep, session one begins today. You want to walk over together?"

"Sure."

"Hey ladies," Shawn dropped to the carpet beside Belle and leaned over to give her a quick kiss but his lips landed near her temple when she ducked her head.

"I'm sorry," Belle said, unable to met his gaze. "It's not you…you just surprised me…that's all."

"It's okay," Shawn answered bending over at the waist until he was looking up at Belle and then he made a funny voice getting the smile he was hoping for in response. "I understand."

"Thanks," Belle whispered, trailing a finger along the edge of his cheek.

Philip sat down next to Chloe, leaning back on his elbows, his legs stretched out in front of him as Shawn straightened up. "So tell me oh great Jan Austen fan…did Mr. Darcy have too much pride or too much prejudice?"

Chloe smiled at Philip's remark concerning their shared English literature class. "I can't answer that for you Philip, you've got to figure it out all by yourself."

"What the use of having a smart girlfriend if you can't get any answers out of her?" Philip teased, offering her his best practiced pout.

"Because this smart girlfriend of yours knows you are smart enough to come up with the answers all on your own." Chloe said, leaning over to give Philip a quick kiss.

"Personally I think Miss Elizabeth had too much pride…it's a woman thing." Shawn said with a gleam in his eye.

"Shawn Brady!" Belle smacked him on the arm. "Take that back!"

"See what you have started now," Philip said with a laugh.

Suddenly a pair of legs walked over to the group and stopped at the edge of their little circle. "Okay, where is she?"

Four sets of eyes looked upward to see Jason standing over them.

"Don't tell me you have joined the chorus too?" Philip asked.

"Get real," Jason answered, plopping down beside his friends. "I just went to my study period and found out that Mimi switched out of it and into here."

"Perks of being in the music department," Belle answered.

"Or another way of avoiding me." Jason said, setting his books on the floor next to him. "I swear that girl is going to give me ten minutes of her time to explain things and it's going to be today."

"Explain what? Why you decided to take off with your ex girlfriend?" Belle asked.

Jason looked at her, confusion written on his face before he turned to Shawn. "She doesn't know? You didn't tell her?"

Shawn shook his head. "Not yet. With all she's been through I thought it could wait. Especially since you are determined to tell Mimi on your own. If Belle knew the truth she wouldn't be able to last two seconds without running off to find her."

"Hey, stop talking about me like I'm not here and what is this truth you are talking about?"

"Shawn will tell you later," Jason said, "or Philip or Chloe. Right now I've got to find Mimi."

"Well turn around because she is right behind you." Belle said.

Jason spun around, immediately searching through the crowd. "Where? I don't see her?"

"She's back in the storage room," Belle said pointing across the room. "See through that open door? Her and Scott went in there when we first got here."

"Scott? Who in the hell is Scott?"

"I don't really know him. I think he's in the play with her." Belle leaned around Shawn. "See…there they are sitting in front of the uniform closet."

Everyone turned to look through the doorway and saw that Mimi was sitting on a small stool while Scott sat in a metal folding chair next to her and they seemed to be in an intense discussion. Mimi perched her hands on hips and thrust out her chin, her head turned upwards as her unheard words seemed to anger the boy next to her. Suddenly he dropped to one knee and grabbed her by her shoulders and she struggled a moment before Scott dragged her up against him and planted a searing kiss on her lips.

To be continued…