"Tabi!" Chloe yelled to her sister who was heading up the stairs.

She stopped and turned around. "What?"

"What were you thinking? How could you do that to me?" Chloe felt betrayed.

"Do what to you?" Tabi was slightly confused.

"Go in there and make me look like a bitch! God, I thought we were on the same side!"

"What? What side? Chloe, you aren't making any sense."

"You apologized to Nancy! How could you do that? And now I look bad because I didn't."

"Chloe I didn't do this to hurt you." Tabi's voice stayed low and even. She refused to get upset.

"Right. Just like you aren't trying to take Belle from me either."

"What? Chloe, I don't know what you are talking about but I'm gonna go back to class." Tabi knew the best thing to do was walk away. She had a bad temper and once she allowed it to unleash it took awhile to pull it back. She didn't want to fight with her sister. Chloe, on the other hand was fuming but followed Tabi to class. The two listened to the teacher in tense silence. Luckily they didn't have their next class together. Tabi was heading to Drama, a class she was really looking forward to. She did her best to get back in a good mood. She walked into the theatre of Salem High and was amazed at it's size. "Wow." She whispered to herself.

"Yeah, pretty amazing isn't it?" Tabi turned to see a tall blonde guy standing behind her. "I'm James."

"Tabi." She shook the hand he offered.

"You're new here, right?"

"Yeah. Wow, this is the most amazing theatre I've ever seen."

"Well, we've got a good department. Very well known. Come on, let's sit down." He led her to the front row of seats in the theatre and sat down. She sat next to him. "So, how long have you been one of us 'weird theatre people'?"

"Since fifth grade actually." She watched as a few more students entered the theatre and sat around her and James.

"What grade are you in?"

"I'm a senior."

"Yeah me too. That means you've been doing this longer than me, wow. You'll like Mr. White. He's tough but knows a lot. He should announce today what play we're doing first today."

Their conversation ended as Mr. White came into the theatre. "You know," he said. "Every year I ask them not to have my advanced drama class as last period but they never listen. Um, Ms. Tabitha Cole?"

"That's me, sir." IGreat, now what? /Ishe wondered.

"You are the only member of my class that I don't know and haven't approved. Come up here please and sit in the first chair on the stage. James, join her. But take these scripts. I want you two to read this scene to yourselves once and then you'll do a reading for the class." Tabi was nervous but knew she had to do well. This would determine how the teacher thought of her for the rest of the year. "While they read, I have decided on the first play. We're going to do IJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. /IAuditions will be Friday, you must all have a song prepared. Okay, are you two ready?" Tabi nodded nervously. "Ok, then begin."

Tabi looked at James and then began to read. "It's a pleasure to hear you talk, Sam. It's the best talk I've heard in a long time."

"Well...I'm sure that's not true but- you make me very happy by saying it."

"Sam - I don't know what I'm doing."

"What do you mean?"

"I have no business wasting your time." She got up and walked a short distance away.

"I don't understand." James said standing.

"I don't belong here."

He walked to her. "Where's here?"

"You know what I mean." She said turning to look at him.

"You think it's so small, my world. You think it's so provincial? - You think it defines me? - Is that the problem?"

"Sam...I'm confused about a lot of things, but I do know that I don't want to hurt you. - I wish I could turn myself into what you're looking for, into who you think I am, but I can't..."

"Excuse me, but how do you know hat I'm looking for? What angel have you been talking to who gives away these secrets? Do you know I was so full of happiness to know I was going to see you today, to be in the same room with you, I made a special brocha for the occasion - I said a prayer for the planting of new trees - don't ask me why, Isabelle, I don't know why these things come to pass, but this is it. This is all my heart on the table in front of you." He crossed to her as the script called for and kissed her lightly. "Is it all right for me to kiss you like this?"

"It's all right." And they kissed once again.

Shawn was taking a bathroom break and decided to peek into the theatre to see what Tabi was up to. He opened the door slightly and saw her in the arms of another guy on the stage. He tried to remember the guys name...iJeremy...no James...James Mulligan. But what was he doing with Tabi? Kissing Tabi nonetheless. I haven't even done that. /IHe thought. I Can't make a scene. I'll bring it up later. /IAnd he went back to class, fuming.

Tabi pulled away from James and looked to Mr. White. "You may stay. Have a seat." was all that he said.

"You did great." James said.

"Thanks."

"You really did, you're amazing." The girl on Tabi's other side said. "I'm Sasha."

"Girls please save the conversation for after class. Thank you." Mr. Woods said. Tabi noticed a girl glaring at her and made a mental note to find out why later on. Mr. Woods told them the plans for the year and she listened. He seemed like a tough teacher and definitely not one for compliments. As she listened to him she began to get excited. It seemed they were going to do one scene each quarter with a partner. They would also make a movie. During his speech she was also looking around the theatre and was in awe of it. She estimated that it sat about seven hundred people but could be wrong. The stage was about four feet off the ground with a magnificent dark blue velvet curtain. It was closed which prevented her from seeing how big the stage actually was. The bell rang and as she stood Sasha and James started to talk to her.

"So like it?" James asked.

"The theatre is amazing. How many does it seat?"

"750. You should see the stage itself. It's huge." Sasha answered.

"Tabi then saw the girl who'd been glaring at her. "Hey guys, who's that?"

James looked and his expression immediately darkened. "That's Kelly, she's considered the best actress here at Salem High. She's good, don't get me wrong but she's a flat out bitch. I think she's jealous of you."

"Me? Why?"

"Cause White obviously thinks you are good." Sasha piped up. The group began to walk out the theatre door.

"Really? He barely said two words to me." Tabi was finding this hard to believe.

"Yeah. But I have to go. I'll see you on Wednesday." James squeezed her arm and then walked off. Tabi spotted Shawn as she walked outside.

"I have to go too. Nice meeting you, Sasha." She jogged towards Shawn and hugged him. "Hey."

"Hi." Shawn said before tilting her head up and kissing her deeply. Recovering from the initial shock Tabi returned the kiss. She was amazed at how great it felt to kiss him and an electric sort of feeling shot through her. His arms tightened around her and he continued to explore her mouth with his tongue.

Belle and Philip walked through the double doors of the school and out to the parking lot. "Well would you look at that. I wonder what brought that on." Belle followed Philip's gaze to see Shawn and Tabi kissing.

"Well, it's about time. Isn't this an odd place for a first kiss though?"

"Hey," Philip said smoothly, "When you've got a beautiful girl beside you sometimes you can't help yourself." He kissed her sweetly and then looked back at Tabi and Shawn. "Hey none of that you two." The kiss broke but Shawn and Tabi remained holding each other, smiling widely.

"Philip, that wasn't nice." Belle said.

Tabi smiled up at Shawn. "What was that for?"

"What? Can't a guy kiss his girlfriend?"

"No, he can, and is very welcome to but after two weeks it's kind of surprising."

"Well, let's just say something happened to open my eyes." He glanced at Philip and Belle. "I'll explain later." They began walking with Belle and Philip over to where they were all parked. "So did your day get better?"

"Yeah it did."

Philip began to look uncomfortable. "Look Tabi, don't think I believed what I was saying."

"Don't worry abut it, I understand." As they reached where they were parked Tabi reached into her bag for her keys. "Well, that's funny. I swear they were in this pocket." She then looked up to where her car had been parked. "What the-? Hey, have any of you seen Chloe?" Shawn and Philip were talking about he up and coming football season and hadn't noticed the missing vehicle.

"Chloe? No I haven't." Belle said. "Why?...Oh my gosh!"

Tabi went to stand in the now vacant spot that had once been occupied by her car. "That little bitch! I can't believe she did this!"

"I'm sure she had a reason. Just relax." Philip said.

"I knew she was mad at me but this is ridiculous!"

"Hey, why don't we all head over to .com and you can fill us in as to why Chloe would be mad enough to leave you here. Just calm down, ok?" Shawn kissed her and Tabi felt herself smile in spite of her fury.

"Okay." The four headed downtown to Salem Place and settled into the booth at .com, the most popular hangout for Salem teens.

"Hey guys!" Jason called as he and Mimi entered. "Mind if we join you?" He pulled a table up next to the booth and he and Mimi sat.

"What's up, guys?" Mimi asked.

"My sister's gone whacko and jacked our car." Tabi smiled fakely.

"What?" Mimi had never been a huge fan of Chloe's to begin with. "Why?"

Tabi explained to everyone what had happened during debate ant then filled them in on Nancy's visit to the school. "I knew she was mad but this is a slight overreaction, don't you think? Plus, I didn't do anything."

"Chloe doesn't usually overreact like that--" Philip started but was then cut off by Belle.

"Yes she does! Did you forget that she falsely accused you of rape?"

"What?" Tabi asked. She hasn't' heard about this. Belle gave a quick recap of the issue. "Whoa."

"Look," Philip said. "Don't worry. She'll get over it, she always does." Belle shot Philip an obviously annoyed look but let his defense of Chloe slide.

Tabi couldn't figure out how Chloe had gotten her keys. Then she remembered how Chloe had dropped her pencil. "I still can't believe she did this."

"Hey, you want something to eat?" Shawn asked.

"No thanks, I'm fine."

"You didn't eat at lunch." Shawn was concerned.

"Fine. I'll get a salad." Everyone placed their orders and the chatter lightened up a bit.

"Hey." Belle piped up. "Let's go shopping tomorrow after school for dresses."

Mimi nodded but Tabi was wary. "I don't know, Belle. Last time I let you have a say in what I wore I ended up looking like a whore."

"Hey, those were my clothes!" Belle said defensively.

Jason laughed. "Yeah Belle, but Tabi's got bigger boobs."

Both Tabi and Belle flushed. Shawn tried to control his laughter. "Man, I should hit you for that."

Philip had too laughed. "It must be genetics. Chloe's stacked too."

Immediately Belle's hand whipped around and smacked Philip's arm. "Why are you being such an asshole today?"

"Sorry." Philip said, as the food arrived.

"Hey Tabi," Mimi said, trying to change the subject. "you had drama today right?" Tabi nodded. "What play did White say we were doing?" Mimi had Advanced Drama the next day.

"OH! We're doing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I'm so excited!"

Mimi's face fell at Tabi's response. "Yeah, it's a great show, but the female rolse suck and I can't sing."

"Oh Meems, I'll help you prepare a song for auditions if you want." Tabi offered. "Let's see, tomorrow we're shopping so...Wednesday?"

"That would be so great. Thanks!"

"No problem. I have free time."

"What about me?" Shawn looked at Tabi with puppy dog eyes causing her to kiss him.

"Don't worry. I'll still have plenty of time for you." Shawn stared deeply into Tabi's eyes before kissing her. The two began a replay of the scene in the parking lot earlier.

"Um, when did that happen?" Mimi whispered.

"Earlier today." Belle replied. "We don't really understand either." After that the mood at the table lightened and the group became more jovial.

The waitress brought the check to the table and Tabi reached for her wallet. "I'll pay." Shawn said.

"No, that's okay. I got my own."

"Let me pay for you."

"Shawn, we've had this discussion before. I can pay for myself."

"Fine, but I'm paying for dinner before the dance."

"Fine."

"Good." Shawn drove Tabi home. "Call me." he said kissing her softly. "I want to see you tonight."

"I will." Tabi said smiling one last time before facing the argument waiting inside.