"A Single Yellow Rose" – Chapter Thirty-Five
Saturday night…Penthouse Grill, Titan Publishing BuildingMimi took a deep breath as she stepped into the archway that led into the main room of the Penthouse Grill. Her fingers gripped the red sequined clutch purse that she borrowed from her mother thankful she had something to do with her hands. In fact, her shoes, earrings and most importantly, her dress, were all borrowed from her mother.
Having spent most of the day trying to convince herself that she didn't care at all about going to the ball, it had only taken one simple question from her mom, when she came by her room with a armload of clean laundry, to launch Mimi into her arms and sending socks and underwear flying into the air. Through the tears, Mimi told her everything from the first day she had gotten up the nerve to offer Jason a ride home after school to seeing him at the cast party last night kissing another girl.
Mimi smiled wistfully as she remembered the end of their conversation….
(flashback)
"Well, it sounds like you and Jason have gotten your signals crossed at every turn the last couple of weeks."
"Tell me about it," Mimi replied, pulling out even more tissues to wipe away the tears and blow her nose. Tossing them neatly into the growing pile in her wastebasket, she let out a heavy sigh mixed with a slight shudder that told her the tears were finally abetted.
"So what are you going to do about it…besides hiding in your room I mean."
"Mom! I'm not hiding! I'm not going to the ball because…"
"Because why? Not due to the fact you weren't asked…you told me that Brady Black asked you just a couple of night ago."
"Oh mom…Brady is…well, he's Brady. He s sweet and fun to flirt with but he's Belle's brother and he's got girl trouble of his own."
"What about that young man from your play that asked you?"
"Reed? Oh, well…Reed is nice…and cute but he's not…well, he's just not…"
"Not Jason?"
Mimi nodded, blinking back fresh tears. "This is just too weird mom…I mean up until a few months ago guys never looked at me in anyway other than just one of the guys and now suddenly…"
"Suddenly you're getting flowers and being asked out on dates?"
"It's not even that…I mean that's all nice but this whole thing with Jason…and Jan…" Mimi flopped down back on her bed. "Being a teenager sucks!"
"Oh honey, it's only just started," her mother laughed.
"Does it get worst?"
"Yes," her mother nodded, "and it gets better. Especially if you take action to make things better. You have to talk to Jason."
"I've tried mom…we either end up fighting or he's got the most annoying way of ignoring me…he has this ability to look right through me as if I'm not even there…"
"So we'll make it that he can't help but look at you…tonight at the ball."
"I can't go to the ball…it starts in thirty minutes and I'm a mess."
"Honey we can fix your hair and do your makeup-"
"But I don't even have a dress!"
"Well…I might be able to help out with that one too. I've got a dress I've had put away for quite a while. If fact, I haven't worn it in over twenty years but you are welcome to it."
"Twenty years…I don't think so mom."
"Hey I thought retro was in."
"It is but a dress from the late seventies…"
"Just take a look at it okay?"
Mimi nodded halfheartedly, not wanting to disappoint her mother but when her mom came back into the room with the dress she was surprised at how much she liked it. "It's really beautiful mom...but I don't think I can do it..."
After hanging the dress from the top of the bedroom door, Mimi's mom returned to sit next to her on the bed. "Honey I know this is a crazy time in your life and I know you get all kinds of advise on how to handle things from your friends, the magazines you read…even the t.v. shows you watch. You know, styles may change but being a teenager is the same as it as always been and I know you think its impossible for me to understand what you are going through but I've been there too. So, do you think you can handle a bit of advice from your mom?"
"Sure," Mimi answered.
"The most important thing you need to do is to stay true to yourself…and I know that can be the hardest thing of all when at this age all you want is to be accept into and become part of a crowd…safety in numbers I guess."
"But how do I know what is right for me…sometimes I think I don't even know who I am."
"And that's when things can get pretty scary but if you listen to yourself…call it your guardian angel, an inner voice…your conscious…you'll know what's the right thing, the wrong thing and more times than not…what's the best thing for you…and when you don't…your friends, true friends, are there to help and you can always come to me or your dad…about anything."
"Thanks mom."
"And my last piece of advice…you need to clear the air with Jason."
"I don't think he's even interested in me anymore…he as much said so."
"Well, I think you need to jump into the shower and then we'll make sure you are a knockout… let's make Jason eat his words and curl his toes."
(end of flashback)
"Eat his words and curl his toes," Mimi whispered, looking around at the people finishing up their dinners and the few couples already on the dance floor. Squaring her shoulders and widening her smile, Mimi discretely lifted the hem of her gown and headed into the room. "Okay Jason, ready or not…here I come."
*****
"Belle what are you looking at?" Shawn asked.
Belle only continued to stare across the room, a wide smile on her face. "Way to go Meems," she whispered under her breath.
"Well something has Jason's and Belle's attention," Chloe said lightly, casting quick glance at Philip's slumped form.
"Something I've got to see," Shawn said, dropping his spoon and wiping his mouth with his napkin as he rose. "What could have the two of you so enthralled…whoa…"
"What is it?" Chloe asked.
"Not a what…a who," Shawn said, leaning over to look at Jason's stunned expression. "And I think she got the reaction she was looking for." Noticing Chloe and Philip's confused expressions he waved them and Reed to stand. "Take a look."
"Oh Mimi," Chloe said softly getting her first look at her friend, "she looks beautiful."
"Red," Philip said admiring Mimi standing at the other side of the room. "What is it with you girls and red?" Dropping back to his seat, he glared at Chloe. "First you at the Last Blast and now Mimi…"
"What's that suppose to mean?" Chloe said, sitting back down.
"You want to turn a guy's head…grab his attention…wear red," Philip said, waving at his friend's motionless form. "Case in point."
'Red,' Jason thought to himself unable to tear his gaze away from Mimi. 'She looks like she's been dipped in the color… the way that dress is clinging to her body.' His eyes started at the banded collar that circled her neck before it spread out to cover her from her breasts to her feet in a river of a red silky material that left her arms bare from her shoulders to her fingertips. Her hair was piled up in a mass of curls on head and the simple lines of the dress made her look tall and elegant. 'I can't believe she's really here.'
Reed suddenly coughed and cleared his throat causing everyone, including Jason, to turn his way. "Sorry," he muttered, "a natural reaction I guess."
"Understood Reed," Shawn said leaning over to take Belle's hand, "she certainly takes the words right out of your mouth."
Belle smiled in return, not the least bit jealous of Shawn's compliment. "I think I'll go get her."
"Sit down honey," Shawn said, returning to his seat and pulling Belle down to his lap. "I think she needs to get over here on her own."
Belle's confused gaze followed Shawn's as he looked over at Jason who finally broke away and spun around, dropping into his chair with an air of casualness that wasn't quite believable to everyone else at the table. "Do think she'll find us?" he asked, tugging at the collar of his shirt.
"I'd bet on it," Shawn said, looking over his shoulder his smile disappearing from his face. "That is unless we need to break up 'cat fight – the sequel'…damn!"
"What are you talking about?"
"We aren't the only ones who have spotted Mimi," Shawn said. "Jan did to and she is heading straight for her."
Jason twisted around in his chair, his eyes searching the crowd immediately picking out Mimi as she stepped away from the table where Shawn and Belle's parents were sitting to come face to face with Jan. "Should we do something?" he said softly.
"Too late now," Shawn said watching words being trades back and forth between the two girls.
"Mimi wouldn't do anything here," Belle said, stretching in her chair to see what was happening.
"Jan has a way of making you do things that you never planned on," Jason muttered, forcing himself to turn away.
*****
"Well, well…look who finally made it to the ball," Jan sneered. "If it isn't Cinderella herself."
"Hello Jan," Mimi said softly.
"So where's your date…oh wait…you seemed to be turning guys away now a days…except for one of course."
"Is there something specifically that you wanted Jan?"
"No…just wanted to let you know that Jason made a point of letting me know that he is stag here tonight…there was no one he was interested in bringing, I think he said. I of course have a date but isn't it sweet that Jase went out of his way to let me know that he arrived…and is leaving here…alone."
Mimi felt her smile and new found confidence falter but then she thought about her mom sitting outside in the parking lot waiting the agreed half hour before she assumed that Mimi was staying and she would then head back home.
'Be true to yourself…be true to yourself…be true to yourself', the words rang in her ears as she met Jan's bold stare. "Well I guess Jason and I have something in common in respect to this evening…we are both here alone by choice."
"Only you were turning down offers just waiting for him to ask you. First Reed what's-his-name…that I can understand…what a loser but Brady? Now there is a guy I could get horizontal with quite easily…but that doesn't explain why he asked you? A pity date maybe…or wait a minute, I've got it…Belle asked him to."
"Good night Jan," Mimi said, moving to walk past her.
Jan immediately stepped in her way. "I'm not done yet."
"Yes you are…you got your digs in now be good girl and put your claws away." Mimi replied, immensely proud of her calm tone and shocked look on Jan's face. Walking through the crowd, she said hello to people she recognized from the hospital when she suddenly saw Belle's blond head bobbing excitedly in her direction. She offered a quick wave with her fingers, happy to see a smiling face. Two smiling faces, she amended once she saw it was Shawn's lap Belle was perched on.
"I wonder if Jason with them," Mimi whispered as she started to head in their direction.
"He is," came the soft reply from next to her, "and you are going to knock his socks off."
*****
"Oh, she saw us," Belle said. "Thank goodness she just walked away from Jan."
"Good advise," Shawn said dryly looking directly at Jason. "Maybe that's something the rest of us should try to do more often."
"Amen to that," Jason mumbled, grabbing his water glass and taking a large gulp.
"I wonder if Brady and Heather are going to come back," Chloe said.
"Why do you care what Brady does?" Philip said hotly.
"I didn't say Brady…I said Brady and Heather," Chloe returned. "It's just that she looked kind of sad when she was talking to us and you know Brady and his temper…oh, sorry Belle."
"I know my brother a hot head Chloe but he would never hurt anyone on purpose…especially a girl," Belle said, looking over at where Mimi was standing a few minutes before. "Besides, Heather isn't with Brady."
"How do you know that?" Chloe asked.
"Because she is over there…talking with Mimi."
"What!" The water glass slipped from Jason's fingers but he was just able to catch it before it spilled all over his pants. Brushing off the few beads of water that managed to escape, he put the glass back with enough force to rattle the whole table.
"Hey watch it bro," Philip said, as everyone reached out for his or her own water glasses. "What's gotten into you?"
"Yeah what the matter Jase," Belle asked with a grin. "Are you afraid that Heather is telling Mimi the same thing about that kiss you two shared last night that she told us?
*****
"Now don't bother to deny who you are all dressed up for because I wouldn't believe you anyway."
"I'm here alone Heather," Mimi replied.
"Join the club…it must be singles night but I wanted to talk to you for a moment…to explain about last night."
Mimi dropped her gaze, taking a sudden deep interest in the design of the sequins on her purse. "Whatever happened between you and Jason last night…umm, that's really none of my business."
"Normally I would agree with you but except for one tiny factor…he wasn't kissing me…he was kissing you."
Mimi's head shot back up. "Really? That's not how I saw it."
"I mean, I know he kissed me but that is because you and Brady were getting a bit hot out there on the dance floor."
"We were just dancing Heather."
"I know that…but deep down it bothered me too but that's because I can't seem to get Brady out of my head," Heather signed, pushing back her long, dark hair with one hand over her shoulder. "But that's my problem… and when Jason couldn't stand it any more watching the two of you…well, I just happened to be the closest girl to the door when he decided to walk out."
"So you are saying any girl would have worked for him?"
"Pretty much because after he ended the kiss he called me Mimi."
"He did what?"
"Now don't be too hard on him Meems," Heather said with a smile. "He's just a guy and guys do stupid things…all the time."
"And you know all about that don't you?" came the deep voice from behind Heather.
"Hi Brady," Mimi said noticing how pale Heather went the moment she realized who was standing behind her.
"Hey Mimi…you look terrific."
"Thanks…you look pretty snazzy yourself."
"Do you mind if I take your friend here away," Brady said, moving his body so close to Heather's she could feel the material of his tuxedo jacket on her skin, "we have a few things we need to discuss."
Mimi watched at Heather closed her eyes for a quick moment before opening them to blink away freshly formed tears. "You be nice young man," Mimi said quickly. "Remember it's almost Christmas and Santa won't be to happy to hear that you were being naughty."
"Yes ma'am."
"If you think I'm going to go somewhere with you and listen to you lecture me you've got another thing coming." Heather said giving Mimi a wink of thanks for the moment she gave in order for her to pull herself together.
"I was actually thinking about the dance floor instead," Brady said, dropping his head close to hers so his lips brushed against her ear as he spoke.
"Oh…well…in that case…I guess we can't do too much damage to each other while dancing," Heather said, looking over her shoulder at Brady for a quick moment before turning back to Mimi. "I think you were heading in a certain direction weren't you?"
*****
"Here she comes and there goes Brady and Heather on the dance floor," Belle said before turning back to the table. "…and you behave Jason."
"Me? What did I do?"
"Nothing yet," Chloe said, joining Belle. "But it must have taken a lot for her to come here alone tonight so be nice."
"She didn't have to come alone," Jason replied sharply. "She had plenty of invites."
"That she turned down," Reed reminded him. "Come on Jase…don't go supporting that dumb jock theory okay?"
Jason leveled a dark look at his friend across the table. He had to admit that while getting dressed tonight he'd hoped that Mimi would come to the ball…and come alone. After the chat he had with his mom he really wanted to talk with Mimi but things were so loud and crazy at the cast party last night he knew he wouldn't get the chance, especially with Shawn biding his time until the two of them could go out looking for Turner. Of course walking back inside later with a case of beer on his shoulder and seeing Mimi and Brady going at it out on the dance floor didn't help things at all.
'And kissing Heather,' Jason thought with a shake of his head. 'If that doesn't support the dumb jock theory then calling her by another girl's name afterward certainly does.
"Hi everyone."
Jason visibly swallowed as he realized that Mimi was standing directly behind him.
"Meems you are beautiful!" Belle cried, jumping up to give her best friend a hug.
"Thanks Belle…you too wonderful too," Mimi replied returning the hug, "and Chloe…you are breath taking in that gown."
Chloe dropped her gaze down to her dress before she lifted her eyes to look at Philip. "Thanks Mimi…that's the second time someone said that to me tonight."
Philip returned her gaze for a long moment before releasing a deep breath and reaching out to circle his arm around the back of her chair, his fingers lightly stroking her shoulder. Chloe smiled as she inched closer and leaned into him.
"Hey…what about us?" Shawn said, feigning hurt that he'd been left out of the compliments that were flowing around the table.
"Oh you gentlemen look very handsome in your tuxes," Mimi said with a smile before dropping her gaze to the wide set of shoulders in front of her, "you too Jason."
"Thank you."
Mimi's smile slipped a bit at his curt reply and Belle shot him a warning look. "Hey Meems… come on and grab a seat."
"Oh no…it looks like they are all taken anyway."
"No they're not," Reed protested, "Brady was sitting over here next to me but he's busy as the moment so you're welcome to sit he-"
"Here," Jason pushed back his chair and rose so suddenly that Mimi had to take a few steps back to get out of his way. "You can have my seat."
"I-I can't do that Jason."
"It's alright," Jason said, shoving his hands in his pockets, his back still to her.
"Really…I can't…"
"Of course you can!" Jason said, spinning around and coming up short when he found himself only inches away from her. Looking down into her eyes, he inhaled a deep breath taking in the scent of her perfume as it surrounded him. "Stop being so damn difficult and take the seat!"
"I wouldn't take your seat if it was the last chair in the entire room." Mimi shot back.
Dropping his gaze first to her shiny lips, then onto her bare shoulders and the outline of her breasts pressing against the shimmering fabric of her dress Jason found himself unable to fight off the many memories of the two of them from flashing through his mind…
…the moment he grabbed her and kissed her before the game…
…pulling her body close to his in the backseat of Philip's car and the whispered conversation that he had to maintain or else he was going to kiss her again…
…holding her in his arms in the cabin while she slept in the aftermath of finding Belle and her hand innocently finding its way into the waistband of his jeans…
…their kiss at dotcom when they were rehearsing for the play…
…interrupting her workout and then confronting her, watching as she wiped the condensation from his beer bottle from the hollow between her breasts and then massaging away the cramped muscle in her leg…
…her leaning over him, cleaning the makeup off his face after opening night, the front of her costume gaping open revealing the bright, purple satin of her bra…
"Please…take the seat," Jason said firmly, trying to slam a lid on his runaway emotions. "I…I insist."
"Fine!" Mimi relented, "I will!"
"So tell me," his voice dropped to a low whisper as she started to walk past him, "are you wearing that purple satin bra again tonight?"
Mimi froze for a moment, praying her feet would remember how to keep moving as she refused to allow Jason to know his sting had hit its mark. Determined to fight fire with fire she continued to make her way past him, pausing a moment to look over at him. "In this dress…I think not."
Catching a glimpse of her bare shoulder, Jason found his gaze drawn to her back as she moved to the table. Son of a bitch! Wanting to close his eyes against the sight in front of him, he knew he couldn't do it so he continued staring at her unable to move…to think…to respond.
As simple as her dress was from the front, from the rear it revealed the smooth skin of her entire back with the only material being the red collar at her neck and strands of rhinestones that cascaded down from the collar in three tiers that attached to the sides of her dress just under her arms, at her breasts and her sides before the material dipped to a low vee at her waist.
"Hey Jason," Shawn asked with a grin as he watched his buddy's reaction to Mimi, he himself offering raised eyebrows when he too caught a glimpse of her dress, "I think you better sit back down."
to be continued…