"Come on...come on," Philip pleaded.
"It's no use man, "Shawn said, a grin spreading across his face, "I've got you."
"No way! It's not over until it's-"
Suddenly the bold words 'GAME OVER' flashed simultaneously on both computer screens.
"Ah, shit," Philip dropped his hands from the keyboard and hung his head in defeat.
"Los…er, los…er," Shawn chanted, pressing a few buttons causing the screen in front of him to go blank. "You were too distracted this time Mr. K. What's going on inside that head of yours or are you just missing your lady over this long holiday weekend?"
"I guess its Chloe," Philip said. "It's just that this trip came up all of a sudden."
"Where did she go again? Rhode Island?"
"No, Connecticut. I guess Mrs. Wesley has family back there so the three of them went for Thanksgiving. Chloe had no idea they were even going until her mom sprang it on her Wednesday morning that they were flying out right after school."
Shawn rose from the bar area and headed over towards a booth. "And poor Philip is suffering from Chloe withdrawals."
"Yeah, I guess." Philip smiled as he followed his friend and dropped into the seat across from him. "I mean, we were just getting back into a groove you know, and bam, she's gone again."
"Yeah but at least this time you know where she is and you know she'll be back in a few days."
"I guess."
"So how was Thanksgiving out at the Big K?" Shawn asked.
"It was pretty cool considering Nicole and Lucas spent most of the day taking shots at each other. If you ask me I think he's still got the hots for Sami."
"Was she there too?"
"Just for a little while to be with Will and of course things got real interesting when Austin showed up with Greta. I swear my brothers have more trouble in the love department than any guys I know. I spent most of the day watching football. So, how were things over at castle Brady?"
"It was good. We had Belle's family over and then we all ended up at Gran's. We couldn't believe when it started to snow so the whole lot of us went outside and messed around."
"Yeah, can you believe this weather?" Philip took a quick peek out the window. "A week ago we were walking around in tee shirts and now there is four inches of the wet stuff out there."
"And another night of below freezing temperatures." Shawn said as he too took a quick look over his shoulder as the sidewalk outside before turning back. "Say hello to winter. Chloe is going to be surprised when she gets back. Where in Connecticut is she? Any where near New York City?"
"Yeah I guess her relatives live right across the state line. I was able to see her for a quick minute before they headed off to the airport and she said Craig was able to get tickets to the Metropolitan Opera so she was walking on air!"
"The Met huh? I would love to go there."
"I'd rather see that line of dancing girls with the long legs but to each their own." Philip's voice suddenly took on a serious tone. "Hey…do you know anything about the High School for Performing Arts?"
Shawn shook his head. "No, not much. I know its in New York City and from what I've heard, it's really tough to get into. Besides taking the regular classes, like we do, I think the students specialize in a certain field like dance or playing an instrument.
"Or singing opera?"
"Yeah, I guess that too. Why?"
"It's nothing." Philip dug into his pocket and pulled out a few dollar bills. "You wanna get something to eat?"
"Wait a minute…opera? You aren't really trying to connect Chloe's trip to this school are you?"
Philip just shrugged his shoulder. "I know it seems crazy-"
"Seems? It is crazy! Why would Chloe go to school in New York?"
"Because opera is the most important thing in her life and because she now knows she's got family near by and because she's got so much talent…"
"But her family is here!" Shawn protested. "She and her mom are finally getting along and this is the first time in her life that she's a part of a family, a family that really wants her. I don't think she would want to be away from them or Salem…or you."
"All those things you just listed, including me, have only been a part of her world for a short time Shawn but opera is what makes her come alive. Its such a part of her…it's as natural as breathing is to you or me. She's doesn't just sing with the physical parts of her body," Philip paused, struggling to find the words, "it comes straight from her soul you know? It's like she takes everything she has experienced in her life and put it into those songs with such passion that it doesn't matter if you don't know the language…because she sings about the emotions behind the words."
"Wow, I've never heard it described quite that way before," Shawn said, "especially from you. But where did you come up with this performing arts school thing?"
"She's got paperwork from the school."
"How do you know that?"
"I saw it a few days ago in school. It fell out of her notebook and when I bent over to pick it up for her she seemed to be in a big rush for me not to see it."
"So what? I carry around stuff from the Merchant Marines. It doesn't mean I'm gonna run out and join up."
"Because you can't until you are eighteen unless you lie about your age but this school is something Chloe can do right now." Philip said, methodically folding a twenty-dollar bill into a tight triangle.
"Did you ask her about it?"
"I was going to but she seemed upset that I had even seen it in the first place so I just let it go. Besides it kinda bugs me that she's not bringing it up first. I mean, if this school is a possibility that she is thinking about it would be nice if she said something."
"Well I wouldn't worry about it," Shawn said, creating a mini goal post out of his hands with his palms facing Philip, his fingers pointed straight up in the air and his thumbs creating the cross bar. Philip lined up the triangle and tapped it lightly, sending it soaring in the air right through the uprights.
"Score!" Shawn announced bending over to pick up the folded bill that had fallen to the floor.
"Glad to see someone is scoring around here."
Philip and Shawn both looked up to see Jason heading their way brushing the light flakes of snow off of his jacket and out of his hair.
"Well, hey there Shakespeare," Philip called out, "how goes everything in the theater?"
"Nice," Jason answered, sinking down into the booth next to Shawn. "Everything is just…nice."
"And you sound 'just' so happy about that," Shawn said.
"Is it Mimi again?" Philip asked.
"Is it Mimi again?" Jason repeated, "it's still Mimi…it's always Mimi. I swear, the more I try to understand that girl the more-"
"Okay, okay…we get the point. So, what's going on with you two now? Last time we saw you things seem really good."
"That's just it…everything is fine!"
"And you're complaining about what?" Philip asked.
"It's just too weird. I mean, one minute she giving me the evil eye and she can't get the smart remarks out of her mouth fast enough and then not fifteen minutes later she's actually talking to me like everything is…well…fine. But unless we are talking about the play I can't get her to talk to me about anything else."
"What exactly does all of that mean?" Shawn said. "You must have told her about Jan and last Saturday if things are so good between you two."
Jason dropped his head, breaking away from his friend's stares and traced an imaginary line on the table. "I never told her."
"What!"
"I tried…as soon as rehearsal was over on Monday I tried to get her alone but she disappear while I was trying to get away from Mrs. Lakota. I swear, if that woman thanks me one more time for doing this play…"
"Yeah we know," Philip laughed. "You certainly have found a fan in her."
"Anyway, I tried to call Mimi that night thinking since things seemed to better between us we might be able to talk but her mom said she was tied up with homework and she never called me back. So I tried all day Tuesday but its like every time I saw her she started talking about the play but when I tried to change to subject she just disappeared on me."
"What about after school…during the rehearsals? You must have had some free time over the last few days."
"I finally was able to start a conversation about the party and she told me she just wanted to forget about last Saturday night and that it was all in the past."
"Then what are you getting all worked about?" Shawn asked.
"Because something just isn't right here. I can't figure it out but I've noticed one thing. She's always touching me. You know, putting her hands on me somewhere or standing really close to me."
"Yeah okay," Philip said with a grin showing off those famous dimples. "Let me know when you get to the bad part."
"You're not listening to me. She's always touching me but I can't lay a hand on her. Even when it comes to a movement or a touch during the play she always pulls away from me. It's as if she wants to be in control of what happens between us. Other than the one class we share, study hall or the play I can't get two minutes with her."
"Maybe you need to pull a caveman on her." Phil said.
"Excuse me?"
"You know, just grab her and kiss her show her who's boss."
Shawn laughed at the uncertain look on Jason's face. "While I don't prescribe to the K man's approach maybe you do need to sit her down and find out what's going on. I'll admit I've seen you guys together a few times this week in school but I can't say I've really paid much attention with all that Belle is going through right now."
"I know, I can't explain it but it just feels like she is…I don't know…acting I guess. I tried to ask her out for this weekend. Maybe a movie or something but she said she had some big project for school to work on and a lot of homework."
"Come on Jase," Philip stood up. "I'll buy up something to drown your sorrow in. You want anything Shawn?"
"Yeah a coffee I guess." Shawn said, tossing Philip his money as Jason rose from the booth. "Don't worry about Jase. Maybe you just need to relax about things."
"I guess. Maybe it's this play that messing with my head and not Mimi at all."
"Hey Mimi, wait up." Belle called as her friend sprinted for the double glass doors still a few blocks away.
Pretending not to hear her, Mimi continued her caution dash through the snow until she was peering through the glass into the interior of DotCom. The warmth of the inside brushed up against the cold of the glass producing a misty coating making it difficult for her to see everybody that was inside.
Not that she was interested in everybody.
Only one somebody and she couldn't see Jason anywhere. Breathing a sigh of relief, Mimi felt the tension escape from her muscles. She didn't know if she would be able to continue this outside of school when she didn't have classes and teachers as easy excuses to get away quickly if she had too. Spotting the back of Shawn's head as he sat alone in one of the booth she noted that Philip was not anywhere in sight either.
"Must be home missing Chloe," Mimi said aloud, her breath vaporizing into a cloud. "Must be nice to have someone miss you while you are gone."
"Yeah…and you have no idea how that feels and I doubt you ever will."
Mimi closed her eyes for a brief moment before turning around and coming face to face with Jan. "I don't see anyone out here keeping you all warm and toasty."
"Just as alone as you are." Jan smirked.
"Yeah but for me it's a choice. For you…there's no other alternative."
"You don't really believe that garbage do you?" Jan said, taking a step closer. "Just because you've got Jase all wrapped in this drama crap during the day don't forget there's more hours in the day that just 8 to 5."
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"Do you want me to spell it out for you and give you all the juicy details? Is that how you get your kicks Mimi…living through other people's love lives?"
Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Mimi lost her bravo for a moment and dropped Jan's bold stare. Could it really be true, she thought. I've been successful in wrapping Jason around my finger but was that only during the day at school? He had tried to ask her to do something this weekend and of course she rebuffed his offer so does that mean he's been spending time with Jan?
Closing her eyes against the image of Jan cradling Jason's face in her hands as he nuzzle against her neck Mimi reminded herself again why she was doing this.
"You know, there's a name for the game you are playing."
Mimi's eyes flew open again. "What are you talking about?"
Hey!" Belle joined Mimi, huffing as she tried to catch her breath. "What's the rush?"
"I was cold and wanted to get inside." Mimi answered her. "Come on let's go in."
"Wait a minute," Jan said, "I'm not done with you yet."
"I'm not interested in anything you have to say."
"Fine…you keep playing the tease because that is exactly what you are…a tease. And guys may like that game for a while but soon you'll be expected to come across with the goods and we both know that won't happen."
"Do you have to work really hard at being such a b*tch Jan," Belle turned on her, her words at biting as the cold air surrounding them, "or does it just come naturally to you?"
"Well, a naughty word from Salem's reigning perfect princess," Jan said, "what happened last weekend must have had quite an effect on you to allow such a word to fall from those sainted lips."
Belle stared hard at Jan who returned her unflinching gaze. She knew that the both of them were remembering that chance meeting they had in the girl's bathroom and for a slender moment Belle had actually thought that Jan's usually calm demeanor was ruffled by the bruising she'd seen on her face.
"Yes," Belle answered, tucking a strand of blond hair behind her ear, revealing the still visible discolored spot that was now a sickening shade of yellow. "It taught me that life is too short to spend it on people of little importance."
Surprisingly, Jan let the remark go without a comeback. Pushing between Mimi and Belle she headed for the doors of DotCom. "You just keep warming Jason up for me Mimi…and I'll take care of the rest."
Spinning around, Mimi watched as she disappeared into the building. She kept telling herself and Jason and Jan deserved each other and no matter what her heart kept trying to tell her Mimi was determined to believe what she had seen with her own eyes.
"What was that all about?" Belle asked.
"Oh you know Jan," Mimi answered, "she was just being…Jan."
"But why all the comments about Jason? I mean, its obvious from anyone who has seen the two of you this past week that you guys are an item now-"
"Well…don't believe everything you see."
"What is going on Meems? I feel like we haven't talked in such a long time about anything except what happened to me."
"You've got a lot to deal with right now with your sessions and I'm wrapped up in the play."
"And in Jason…I've seen you with him you know. At times it looks like you are so into him but then suddenly you freeze up and take off. What's up with that?"
"Nothing up Belle and right now I'm freezing." Mimi headed for the doors. "Your man is inside…let's go and get him to buy us a couple of hot chocolates."
"I'm not dropping this subject Meems," Belle said following her. "We've got all weekend to talk and I do mean talk."
Mimi just ignored Belle's comment as she welcomed the rush of warm air inside DotCom. Heading towards Shawn she peeled off her jacket and shook the snow out of her hair and Belle mimicked her movements.
"Hey there," Shawn said when he saw the two girls coming towards him. He reached out for Belle and pulled her down for a kiss. He quickly traced the edge of her lips with the tip of his tongue wanting access but he felt Belle become rigid and she quickly pulled away and scooted into the booth on the opposite side. Shawn shot Mimi a quick glance before he stared at Belle with a puzzled look.
"Umm…I'm gonna hit the ladies room," Mimi said, "how about a hot chocolate Shawn? We're freezing!"
"Yeah…grab Philip at the counter, he's buying," Shawn said never talking his eyes off of Belle, "see if you can get him to add it to his order."
"Okay…umm, you alright Belle?"
Belle just nodded and offered a small smile and Mimi walked away. Shawn reached across the table but his hands remained empty.
"What is it? What happened?"
Opening her mouth to speak but not knowing what to say Belle quickly closed it again. The old habit of tucking her hair behind her ear came automatically but her fingers froze against her neck the moment she saw the look in Shawn's eyes when he saw her face.
"Sorry," Belle muttered as she quickly brushed her hair forward, trying to cover the bruising. Shawn quickly moved over next to Belle and captured her trembling fingers with his own.
"Don't, please don't think you have to hide from me."
Belle pulled her hand free and twisted her fingers together tightly in her lap. "It's ugly," she whispered.
"Is that why you didn't want to see me today?"
Belle nodded. "When I woke up this morning it was like this. My mom says it's a good thing because it shows the skin is healing but just the sight of it…"
"I don't care about that Belle."
"I know but it still bothered me and then I had to go over to the hospital today for another sessions…it was a tough one. But then I met up with Mimi who was just finished her shift with the candy strippers and when she suggested we go shopping it just seemed so normal…"
"Hey," Shawn ran hand along the back of the booth, "you don't have to explain. I mean we not attached at the hip you know."
"Not anymore," Belle sighed.
Shawn placed his fingers under Belle's chin and turned her face toward him. She tried to refuse but he gently and firmly continued the pressure until she finally conceded and looked at him. "It's okay you know. I do understand…well, I'm trying to understand everything you are going through and I know we are long way from where we used to be but we'll get back there."
"You think so?"
"Yeah I do. I would never hurt you or try to make you do something you're not ready for. You must know that."
"Oh I do Shawn," leaning close Belle placed a hand high on Shawn's thigh and it took all his strength not to react to her touch, afraid she would pull away again. "It's just sometimes when you kiss me or touch me I get flashes…I mean I see images…oh god, I'm sorry."
"It's okay baby…when you're ready you'll know and believe me…I'll be ready too."
Belle had to smile at the double meaning in his words, "and until then?"
"I'll wait."
Shawn watched as Belle just looked at him, and then he felt her fingers unconsciously stoking against the denim material of his jeans. He swallowed the groan that threatened to erupt from his chest. He knew his Belle was still inside there…somewhere.
Mimi headed up to the counter just as Philip was getting his change. "Don't put that money away yet rich boy."
Philip looked over his shoulder. "Hey Mimi…Mimi! When did you get here?"
"Philip!" Mimi copied his surprised tone. "Just a few minutes ago. Belle and I would be forever in your debt if you added a couple of hot chocolates to that order."
"Umm…sure," Philip turned to look in the other direction before he quickly snapped his head back to Mimi. "Two hot chocolates…coming up."
"And tell them heavy on the whipped cream," Mimi said, walking away.
"Wait, where you going?" Philip grabbed her arm. "I'll bring your stuff with mine. The booth over there."
"Right…." Mimi looked down at her arm and back up at Philip, "but the ladies room is over there."
Pulling his hand away, Philip combed his fingers through his hair and offered a nervous laugh. "So it is. Boy's room too."
"Yeah, amazing how that works." Mimi said walking away.
"Not as amazing as you might think." Philip muttered as he watched her head around the corner.
Looking back over her shoulder at the strange
expression on Philip's face, Mimi never saw the body in front of her until she
ran smack into him.