Chloe was sitting with Brady in her room when her phone rang. "Hello?"
"Hey Chloe? It's Philip. I...I really need to talk to someone."
"What happened?" Chloe asked.
Brady saw a strange look cross Chloe's face. "Who is it?" She held up a finger signifying for him to hold on.
"Belle broke up with me...or I gues you could say I let her go."
"Why?"
"She's still in love with Shawn. I could tell she was unhappy. I've grown since you and I were together. but even though I let her go it still hurts."
Chloe felt bad because her first thoughts were of her sister. "It's going to hurt but I am proud of you."
"Thanks. I just...I don't know what to do. I am just confused...I dont' know...do you think Belle hurts?"
"I'm sure she does."
"Did you?"
Chloe was taken aback and Brady noticed. He's already figured out who was on the phone and he wasn't too happy about it. "Yes." Chloe finally answered.
"Chloe, I know you're with Brady now and I totally accept that...but can we be friends.?"
"Yeah, I'd like that."
"Chloe, what's going on?" Brady asked.
Philip heard and decided not to cause problems. "Me too. Thanks Chloe. I'll talk to you later."
"Ok Bye." Chloe hung up.
"So what did Philip want?" Brady asked.
"Just to talk. You'll be happy to know he's no longer dating your sister." With that her mind returned to Tabi. If Belle broke up with Philip for Shawn then Tabi was going to get hurt. "I've got to talk to Tabi."
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Tabi sat at her desk, staring at the sharp, metal compass she held in her hand. She felt the familiar coolness of the metal as she twirled it in the circles it was meant to make. Memories she'd long suppressed flooded back. She was jarred form her reverie as Chloe knocked on the door. Tabi set the compass under her pillow. "Come in."
"Hey Tabi."
Tabi looked at her sister's face and knew what she was about to say. "I already know, it's already over, yes I'm fine." In truth she wasn't sure if she was or not but she really didn't want to talk about it.
"I'm sorry."
"yeah me too, but hey, what can you do? I've kinda been expecting this." Tabi said, resigned. "It was fun while it lasted thought. And now I don't' have to go to the dance."
"Yes you do. You aren't going to sit here and mope."
"I won't be moping. I never wanted to go anyway."
"You're coming."
"Whatever. Go back to Brady. I'm find." Chloe looked at her skeptically but left. Tabi sighed and lay on her bed. Her hand went under her pillow and gripped the compass. Holding it she fell asleep.
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Shawn looked at Belle. Here she was, standing before him and doing exactly what he'd wanted her to do, telling him she loved him. "I know you still love me," she said. Shawn stared deeply into her beautiful blue eyes and nodded. Belle smiled adn kissed him. They were interrupted by the ding of the elevator. Belle turned and saw who came out. "ERIC!" she yelled running to her brother.
"Hey Belle." Eric said hugging her.
"What are you doing here!?"
"I'm moving back to Salem. Mom and Josh knew but I asked them not to say anything to you." He smiled knowing she was going to hit him. He was right.
"You are so mean. Come on, let's go inside." Belle was overrun with joy. She had Shawn back and Eric too.
Shawn looked at Eric. "Guess we can't argue with that. Welcome back, man."
"Thanks." The guys followed Belle inside to find John and Marlena waiting expectantly.
"I can't believe you kept this from me!"
"Oh come on, I couldn't deprive Eric of seeing the look on your face." Marlena said. "Eric come her and give you mother a hug."
"Mom, I missed you." Eric hugged Marlena tightly.
"Are you going to be staying here?" Belle asked.
"For a little while, until I get my own place."
"Oh." Belle said, forlorn.
"Belle, I'm 22 years old. I'm not going to live at home. But at least I'll be close by." Eric smiled.
Shawn walked up behind Belle. "I'm going to go."
"OK." She replied. "I'll be right back." Belle told her family and walked Shawn to the door. They stood outside, looking awkwardly at one another. Then Shawn reached out and took her hand and they found themselves in a searing kiss. As they pulled away Belle placed a hand on Shawn's cheek. "I missed you."
Shawn kissed her once more. "I'll see you tomorrow." Belle smiled as Shawn walked away but he wasn't too happy. He knew what came next. He had to hurt Tabi.
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Tabi awoke the next morning on top of her sheets. What was going on? She asked herself. The muscles in her hand were tense and she realized she was holding something. She sat up and pulled her hand out and saw the compass. She became disgusted with herself and tossed it aside. Then she walked to the shower. When she was finished she ran into Chloe. "You okay?" Chloe asked her.
"Yeah, Yeah I am." Tabi answered. And she was...now.
"You better get ready. We need to leave in ten minutes."
It was then that Tabi noticed Chloe was fully dressed. "Crap, sorry. I'll be right back." Tabi ran into her room and pulled out a pair of jeans, very similar to the ones from the day before, an olive green tank top and matching bandanna. She went back to Chloe. "K, ready."
"Tabi, that looks exactly like what you wore yesterday."
"I know. I'm driving, just so you know." Tabi said.
"What? You drove yesterday."
"I don't trust you. Sorry. Not after yesterday."
"Yeah you're right." Chloe said. "I wouldn't trust you if you left me."
Tabi grabbed the keys and the money Nancy'd left on the table. "Let's go."
The girls got to school and Tabi saw everyone waiting for them, standing once more in a parking space. Belle stood next to Shawn. Tabi forced a smile and got out of the car.