Chapter 20: Hope
NOTE: Once again, there is violence in this chapter.
Because the opposite of desperation is hope.
Note: Once again, there is violence in this chapter.
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!"
Her mind screamed.
****
Shawn and Belle were sitting inside Dot Com talking about their two best friends as they drank their mochas.
"They're lying to us and to themselves Shawn. I really think they're starting to like each other more than friends."
Belle took a sip of her mocha.
"Yeah, I guess, but they're not willing to admit it Belle. And Philip still hasn't totally let go of Chloe."
"I know, but at least he's making an effort to now. And just look at how protective he's been of Mimi lately."
****
His mind was in turmoil as he tore through the woods.
The leaves shattering underneath his feet.
****
"Belle, it's just.I don't know. Maybe we should leave them alone. If Philip and Mimi really like each other as more than just friends, they'll do something about it.eventually."
Shawn still wasn't sure if they should interfere.
"But Shawn, maybe we could just lend them a helping hand."
****
She was trembling, trembling oh so much.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Paralyzed by fear at the nightmarish image that invaded her vision.
Oh.
Philip had been there to protect her before, but now.
Now she was all alone.
With the STRANGER.
In her mind she cried out silently,
OH, WHY DIDN'T I JUST WAIT FOR HIM.
****
Why didn't she wait for me.Why didn't she wait for me?
Philip looked up to the skies whispering,
"PLEASE protect her, keep her safe and let me get there in time."
****
"Okay, so how Belle? What do you think we should do?"
"They both keep insisting they're just friends. Let's see if they can prove it."
Belle grinned slyly at her boyfriend.
It was time to put the two of them up to the test.
****
Mimi looked up at the Stranger standing above her, holding a knife, the silver blade glistening malevolently through the fog.
He was surrounded by it.
The fog, but through it she could see his menacing grin as he looked down at her yearningly.
OH NO, oh no.
Say something. Say something. If she could just get her voice to work.
"Please don't hurt me."
It sounded so weak and feeble, even to her own ears; her mouth felt so dry.
"Oh no honey. You just can't scream, okay?"
His voice low and vicious sounding as he moved down slowly, eagerly, his body threateningly hovering over hers. He grinned at her evilly, letting the knife slither, like a venomous snake towards her throat again.
His expression LICENTIOUS.
She shuddered, unable to stop her shaking body or her rapidly beating heart. If she moved just one inch, she probably would feel that blade.
Oh, please somebody help me.
"Now remember no screaming.We're just going to have some fun.and you're boyfriend won't be interrupting us this time."
He laughed viciously, and then started to remove her coat, wrenching the buttons loose.
Mimi watched as they fell from her coat one by one.
A single tear falling down her face.
Please.
Please help me.
****
The fog was thick and made it hard to see, but he continued on.
Meems I'm coming.
****
The beige coat fell away from her body onto the ground as he roughly pulled it off her. She already had experienced some pain when her back hit the ground; now she could feel the dampness on the ground from the mist in the air. It was making the leaves wet.
He looked at her and she tried to look away, but the knife prevented her from directing her attention elsewhere.
His hand was on her cheek, forcing her to see his eyes, full of hatred and lewdness.
She was terrified.
So lost, so helpless.
He was going to hurt her in the worst way imaginable and there was nothing she could do about it.
****
"What are you talking about Belle?"
Belle just smiled and told Shawn her plan.
Time to get to work.
****
His hand starting to go under her sweater...
Mimi felt wretchedly ill. His hand on her skin.
Just starting to scrape abrasively against her upper stomach.
Oh.
How vile it felt.
His hand creeping up more.
Her body frozen in terror.
His erosive touch crawling up her body.
INCHING Up.
WAIT.
The knife.
She had felt so fearful and ill by what he wanted to do to her that she didn't even realize that he moved the knife away from her throat and put it on.
The ground!
But one of his hands was so close to it that if she tried to grab it he'd probably be able to stop her and maybe even hurt her more.
No, no.
She couldn't get the knife, but maybe.
While his attention was not on her face.
Mimi very quietly and slowly reached on the ground for something, anything.finding some small pebbles and rocks. She gathered as many as she could into one hand as he began to move his hand underneath her sweater up more.
Past her ribs.
Slinking up.
She couldn't take this much more, him touching her.
You have to do this Mimi. You have to. Be strong. You're not going to let him hurt you. You're going to fight back.
NOW!
She acted quickly, flinging the rocks and pebbles right into his face, forcing him to cover it with his hands to protect himself from the barrage. Then she pushed him away from her with every ounce of strength in her body and hurriedly started to get up.
Feeling a coarse hand snake up her leg. He grabbed at her roughly, causing her skirt to rip some on the side.
Then she heard it.
What sounded like someone running.
"HELP! HELP ME!"
****
Philip stopped dead in his tracks, hearing the agonizing cry.
HER cry.
"MIMI!"
He yelled back, sprinting through the dense foliage.
****
The Stranger stood and pulled her up against him, forcing her to face him, frowning in such an ugly and hateful way.
Mimi cried out in pain at his menacing grip.
His suddenness terrifying her, how close his crazed eyes were to hers now.
Full of hatred.
Violent tremors rocked her body, the fear seeping through her heart.
Oh no.
"YOU STUPID LITTLE.We could have had so much fun, but now-"
The Stranger only liked dealing with helpless girls. But she, she actually tried to hurt HIM.
And now someone was coming.
He didn't want to be caught, he didn't like trouble.
He had to get out of there.
There were more young girls.
Ones that wouldn't fight back.
He viciously let go of Mimi.
She fell down on the ground hard and cried out. She had heard his voice. She knew she had. He said her name!
"PHILIP!"
The Stranger ran by Philip, knocking him down. However, Philip quickly got back up on his feet ready to pursue him.
"PHILIP!"
The terrified scream stopped him.
OH MIMI.
He turned around and saw her sitting on the ground, her arms wrapped around her upper body, shaking uncontrollably.
Mimi looked up, not believing her eyes.
It was him.
Oh, it was HIM.
PHILIP.
Please let him be real.please let it not be her mind playing tricks on her.Be real, be real be real be real.
Philip looked down at her, feeling part horror part relief. There she was, but was she okay? Did that BASTARD do anything to hurt her? His feet felt stuck to the ground as he just stared at her for what seemed an eternity. She was looking at him as if he was an illusion.
Finally, he got his feet to move.
He crouched down in front of her.
Mimi looked up, seeing Philip moving towards her.
Then he was in front of her, his eyes full of concern, his blue eyes searching her green ones.
It was horrible seeing her like that.
Shaking uncontrollably.
Her arms wrapped around her trembling body.
Was she cold?
Even worse yet.
Was she hurt?
The leaves crackled under his legs as he kneeled down.she was still trembling uncontrollably .and her look of disbelief, of unadulterated fear.the fact that not a single tear fell now from her eyes.
She's going to break.
He willed his voice to be gentle, speaking as softly as he could. She looked so frightened still. He had to help her see that everything was all right now. She was safe.
"It's okay Meems. It's me. It's Philip."
Her mind was reeling. Oh, that voice.that warm gentle voice.
Philip.
She was safe now. She was safe, but what if he wasn't real.what if it was a dream.
What if the NIGHTMARE was REAL and it was still happening to her.
No, no, no, no.
Philip made no move to get closer to her. She was in shock or traumatized by what happened to her.
What DID happen to her?
"Mimi take my hand okay.take my hand Meems."
He started to hold his hand out to her, but she shuddered, moving away quickly, like a wounded animal.
"No, no, no.it's all right. I'm not going to hurt you. It's me Meems. It's Philip. Remember? When we were kids, I used to do dumb things like scare you with plastic spiders and tease you on the swings. Remember? How Belle Shawn you and I would play at the park during the summer? And how we all started calling you Meems and you guys started calling me Philly? Remember Meems?"
All those memories. When they were kids. Only Philip would know that right? She moved a little closer.
He stayed still, his hand out in case she felt ready to take it.
She reached for his hand tentatively and looked up into his eyes, his caring eyes. Good. He didn't try to grab her. He just sat still, with her hand in his now. She started to reach for him.
She was cold.oh, she was so cold.
"Iii'mmm coooolllllddd, sssoooo coolddd."
He felt a tightening in his chest at her words, at the sound of her absolutely shaken voice.
Oh, how much he wanted to just hold her now.
But he had to let HER make the first move. He had to help her feel safe again.
"Let me hold you then, okay. And if you want me to let go, just tell me. All right Meems?"
She looked up at him questioningly.
"Yyyyouoourr're rrrreeaaalll?"
"Yeah. I'm real. You're safe now. I promise you. Let me help you feel better okay? Let me take the cold away."
He knew he might be making a big mistake, but he couldn't hold back anymore. He had always been impatient. One of his biggest flaws. He reached for her, relieved when he found no resistance. She seemed apprehensive, but she wasn't fighting him. He stayed like that, reaching for her, his hands on her arms, making no other sudden moves.
Waiting.
She reached out tentatively with her fingertips, touching his face, feeling.
She gasped.
"Pphhhiiilllippp, ooohhh iiittt'ss yyyoouu, iittss's rrrreaallyy yyyoouuu!"
She called out in relief. Then she grabbed him fiercely, her hands clutching at his shoulders, holding him close to her..
Finally, she broke.letting out all the fear and horror of what had happened, the anguish .sobbing in the protection of his arms.
She closed her eyes to make the nightmare go away.
Philip sighed in relief when he felt her arms go around him. He didn't even care that her grasp was almost choking as she grabbed his shoulders and neck tightly and held on.
He too, held onto her tightly, rocking her back and forth in his arms as she cried.
"It's all right now, it's all right, you're safe."
He spoke to her softly, running his hands slowly over her hair, gently removing leaves from it. She was okay, she was okay.
She.
Then he saw it. There was a rip going through the side of her skirt and her coat.where was it?.
There it was, on the ground, the buttons loose and lying in the dirt.
OH NO. WHAT DID HE DO TO HER? IF HE HURT HER.
He looked over and saw her backpack lying on the ground, forgotten. What happened!?
He knew so very little. Somebody, a man.he knew that much, ran by him and knocked him down. Exactly what he looked like, he wasn't certain of. He needed to figure out what happened.
Was she okay.
Physically?
He attempted to pull her away from him, but was having difficulty. Her hold on him was so unyielding and desperate.
Mimi felt Philip pulling back a little, trying to get her to release her hold on him, but he was her one sense of security now and she needed to be close to him. She needed to be surrounded by his warmth.
His caring.
Philip realized that Mimi was too scared to let go. He spoke to her quietly, but firmly.
"Mimi, I want you to listen to me okay?" She nodded her head a little and he realized that would have to do. "I need you to let go of me some, okay, so I can see your face."
She let go of his neck and shoulders a little and then rapidly buried her face against the front of his suede coat, clenching it with her hands.
He gently moved her some so he could see the side of her face as she maintained her hold on him. He kept holding her too, lacing his hands together around her tightly, but without being overbearing.
"Mimi, I'm sorry, but I need you to tell me what happened. Can you do that?"
She only nodded her head again.
Philip sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. But he had to know. He had to know if she was hurt more than just emotionally.
Even if it meant facing the worse.
Oh man.
Let it not be the worse.
"Meems, I need you to talk."
Her voice was still shaky, but a little more understandable since her crying had quieted down some and she was shaking less.
"I w-was walk-ing h-ome and h-e st-opped me. He g-rabb-ed me and put-put- put-a-kn-kn-ife at my th-roat."
Her words made Philip sigh. She must have been so scared. "Did he hurt you with the knife?"
"N-n-n-o. He j-ust sc-sc-ared m-e. H-he pu-she me do-wn on th-the gr- ground. M-my b-back h-hurt."
Philip HATED what she was telling him. He unlaced his hands slowly, using them to massage her back, feeling her jump a little at first. It scared him, how shaken she was. After the repeated gesture though, his hands slowly moving up and down, he felt her start to calm down. If he could just keep reassuring her with his gestures, his voice that she was safe.
"Does it hurt now? Are you alright?"
"I-I'm o-kay. It h-hurts a lit-tle, b-but I'm o-kay." Mimi could feel him gently stroking her back with his hands as she talked to him. It felt so soothing.
Her thoughts were coming out in a rush as she painfully remembered what happened.
"H-h-e g-got d-own on th-e gr-ground t-oo and t-told me n-not to sc-scream. I-I-I c-c-could-n't m-m-move. Th-The kn-if-ife-he-he woul-d h-have h-h-urt me wi-th it. S-s-so I-I d-id wha-t he s-said."
Philip could feel she needed reassurance.
"That's okay Mimi. You didn't do anything wrong. Whatever happened, you did what you had to, to protect yourself."
Please let him have not hurt her anymore.
"Can you tell me what happened next?"
"H-he st-arted t-to at-ke off m-my c-coat. Th-then h-he th-threw it on th- the g-ground. I-I t-tried to l-look a-w-way, b-but he m-made m-me l-look at h-h-him. I-I- couldn't-t look aw-way b-because the kn-knife was a-a-gain-st m-my th-throat. Th-th-the g-ground-it w-was s-s-so c-c-old a-and h-h-hard."
Her thoughts were getting jumbled as she spoke.
Philip kept rubbing her back, hoping that that sicko hadn't hurt her anymore.
"Th-then h-h-h-h-h-e-"
Mimi broke off, burying her face against Philip's coat again.
OH NO. What happened to her?
Please, please, please.
Philip repeated over and over in his mind, struggling to not scream out, 'what did he do to her?' He fought to keep patient, knowing if he lost control she would lose it too. She was barely holding on now as it was. So he pushed back his desperation and thought only of her. He had to help her. Now wasn't the time to get upset. He spoke very softly, trying to sound calm, but it was hard to keep out the growing emotion in his voice.
"Mimi please, please tell me what happened. You're safe. Nobody's going to hurt you anymore. Just tell me.Meems?"
Mimi moved slowly so her cheek was against his coat again. She had a hard time getting the words out. Only Philip's caring seemed to make it possible.
"H-h-e p-put h-his h-h-and."
She started crying more as she relived it.
"U-u-u-nder m-my sw-sw-eat-er."
Philip closed his eyes tightly at her words, but steeled himself for the worst, holding her tighter.
"A-a-nd h-he p-p-ut it on m-my st-st-sto-mach."
Her words made Philip feel sick. He rubbed her back with one hand and smoothed her hair with the other. His own stomach was twisting up into knots.
What if she.
What if he.
That rip in her skirt, going up her leg.
Oh please let him not have hurt her THAT way.
Please.
"It's okay. I'm here with you now. I know this can't be easy for you, but can you tell me what happened next?"
"I-h-he p-put the kn-knife d-down-I-I s-saw it on th-the gr-ound. H-he was- wasn't l-l-looking at m-me any m-more. H-his h-hand w-was r-rough and s-sc- scratched me. I-I g-grabbed s-some r-rocks and p-pebbles f-from the g- ground and th-threw th-them a-at h-him. I-I pu-pushed h-him a-way. Ph- Philip I j-just wan-wanted it t-to st-op."
She was crying even more now, but Philip finally felt a bit of relief. She fought back! He knew that she put herself down sometimes and there were those at school who liked to joke about her. Even he was guilty of it, though he didn't do it anymore. But right now he was so proud of her. She was so much stronger than people thought-where it counted-inside.
He softly asked her to continue.
"I-I st-started t-to g-get up, b-but he-he grabbed m-my leg and m-m-y skirt r-ripped. Th-th-en I-I-h-heard a s-sound like some-one r-running. I-I sc- screamed a-nd I h-heard y-ou y-ell. H-he g-got s-so an-gry a-and g-grabbed m-e. It hurt. H-h-he grabbed m-my ar-arm."
Philip's worried eyes sought out her arm, seeing some redness there.
That bastard!
Thankfully, it didn't look too bad.
But the fear in her face right now as she relived it all.
The way she said he grabbed her.
That he was angry.
Oh no.
Oh please let her not have been hurt anymore.
"H-h-e sc-scared m-e b-but h-e l-let g-go and I f-fell dow-n ag-ain a-nd th- then y-ou c-came. O-oh Ph-Philip I-'m s-so gla-d y-you c-came.if y-you had- hadn't c-come-Oh."
She broke off weakly.unable to continue.sobbing in his arms.feeling his warmth and familiarity.oh, how safe he made her feel.
She clung to him.
He was her shelter.
Letting her head fall against his chest.
He let go of the tense breath he'd been holding, relief rushing through his entire being. She was safe! She was safe. He hadn't hurt her anymore.
He hadn't hurt her THAT way.
He spoke again softly, but finally with sustenance.
"Hey, we're friends remember? We look out for each other. And you don't have to worry about what could of happened because you're safe, okay? And what about yourself, huh? I'd say you did a good job of defending yourself. I'm proud of you."
The relief continued to flow through him as he felt her holding onto him tightly. That bastard had scared her and what he wanted to do to her was sick, but thank goodness-Oh, thank goodness she wasn't hurt any more. She was going to be all right, she was going to be all right.
He held her tightly and kissed the top of her head, resting his chin on top if it afterwards, closing his eyes with long needed peace.
Then, for a while, he held her silently as she cried.
Time seemed to cease as the two of them just held onto one another, bound by friendship and caring.
Philip pulled back from her eventually and this time she let him go, reluctantly. He smiled down at her, then started to take off his coat, until he saw her look up at him apprehensively.
"Hey, it's okay. It's me, remember? You know I would never do anything to hurt you. It's just that you're still shaking and I know that you're cold."
He finished taking off his coat after he saw her relax. Slowly, he helped her put it on. Then he reached down and one by one buttoned it up for her.
Mimi couldn't believe how kind he was being to her. Never in her life had anyone treated her so tenderly. She looked up at his face as he buttoned up the coat for her. His eyes so soft and caring.
She felt feelings inside her, new feelings.
Ones that made her feel wonderful and terrified at the same time.
Philip finished buttoning up the coat, and then raised his hand to her face, touching her cheek with it, wiping her tears away. Then he did the same with the other hand on her opposite cheek. When he was done, he took his hand away and held onto her waist as he helped her to stand up. Then he spoke softly.
"I know you probably just want to go home, but Meems, you have to report this and you might want to see a doctor too."
She had finished crying and finally she could speak without her voice shaking.
"No Philip. I just want to go home, like you said. I just want to take a hot shower and go to sleep. Can you just walk me home? I know I said I didn't need-"
He cut her off.
"Of course I can walk you home, but Mimi you have to report this. I'll go with you, even to the hospital if you need me to."
"I don't need to go to the hospital. I'm okay. My back even stopped hurting."
"Good. But Mimi, the police need to know what happened so they can catch the guy."
"Oh My-"
Her face was one of shock and remembrance.
It alarmed Philip.
"What?!" He asked her anxiously.
"The man that attacked me-he-he was the guy we saw on the pier that night."
"OH MAN- Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"That settles it Meems. We have to go to the police. I know you probably don't want to hear this, but he might have been following you all this time." He looked at her tensely.
"Oh."
She trembled suddenly and he reached for her, taking her into his arms again.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to scare you, but this guy needs to be put away. I'll go with you. You won't be alone, I promise."
It wasn't easy for her, but she decided he was right.
Okay, as long as you're with me."
She looked up into his eyes shakily.
He gave her a reassuring look.
"No way am I letting you go alone. You're stuck with me Miss."
He joked lightly, happy to see the first actual smile he saw on her face all night, even if it was just a small one. He moved away from her, picking up her things and holding them for her. Then he put his arm around her protectively and they began to walk to the police station.
****
Philip was not happy. They got to the police station and were told that Roman Brady was going to deal with the case. That just did not sit well with Philip. He remembered how Roman treated him when Nancy accused him of raping Chloe. He had made Philip feel like a criminal. Philip didn't want Mimi to deal with any of that garbage. He raised a fuss, demanding to see Bo Brady. Then he got even angrier when he was told that Bo wasn't available at the moment and that Roman would come talk to Mimi soon.
His raised voice got him what he wanted, the attention of one Bo Brady.
"Philip? What is going on out here?"
Bo came out of his office, looking at Philip in bewilderment. They were half brothers, but had never been close. For one thing, they had a huge age difference. Philip was much closer to his son, Shawn. But right now Philip looked upset as he held onto a shaky looking Mimi.
Hope came out after Bo, immediately going over to Mimi. "Oh my goodness, Mimi honey, what happened? Philip?" She looked at Philip questioningly.
"Bo I need to talk to you. I need you to deal with this.with what happened to Mimi tonight." Philip spoke seriously and urgently.
"What Philip, what happened to her?" Bo looked at Philip, wanting answers.
Philip felt Mimi move in closer from where she was standing next to him and he tightened his arm around her a little.
"She was attacked. She's really scared right now."
Hope went to go get a blanket and put it around Mimi. "Oh, Hon, it's okay. Everything's going to be all right now." Then she sent someone to go get Mimi some coffee and they all went into Bo's office.
****
Mimi was in Bo's office now, alone. She had just finished giving a detailed account of everything that had happened. Her parents were there with her at the station and Philip was getting ready to leave. Bo was sending him home in one of the squad cars so he wouldn't have to walk.
The door opened to Bo's office and Phillip walked in.
She handed him his coat.
Philip looked at her. She looked tired. She must be after the kind of night she just had. She had a blanket, the one Hope had put on her, draped around her shoulders and was holding out his coat. Philip regarded her with question.
"You don't need it anymore? Because if you do you can hold onto it for now."
She smiled at him. "No it's okay; my mom brought me my jacket. I don't want you to be cold."
He smiled back at her, but then turned serious as he asked her a question.
"So are you going to be all right now?"
"Yeah, I'm feeling better.mostly because of you. I don't know how to.how do I thank you for what you did for me tonight?"
"You don't have to thank me. I care about you.there was no way I was going to let anyone hurt you."
Wonder filled her eyes. There was still one thing she couldn't understand.
"How Philip? How did you even know? I mean why would you come after me, unless you knew?"
"I didn't know anything for sure. I just knew that you walked home alone, and believe me we are going to talk about THAT, but not now.I just had this feeling, this awful feeling that something was going to happen.and so I went after you."
"And you saved me."
"No, no.you saved yourself.I just helped you feel a little better."
"Philip Robert Kiriakis, are you being modest?"
She laughed softly and he laughed along with her. Then she moved a little closer to him, looking up at him seriously.
"You rescued me tonight.when I felt desperate.you.you gave me hope.and I will NEVER forget that."
Mimi took one more step closer and wrapped her arms around Philip, holding him close to her for one long moment, relishing the closeness.
Then with some reluctance, she let him go.
He just looked at her for a second, before he reached for her taking her into his arms, holding her against his chest, and brought his lips to her forehead, kissing her gently. His hands against her face, he closed his eyes for a minute before opening them again. Then he let go, smiled down at her and walked out.
She watched him leave, shutting the door softly behind him. She whispered,
"Thank you Philip, thank you for being my hero."
~*~
I wrote this chapter mainly to strengthen the bond between Philip and Mimi. I debated about writing these last two chapters because I usually don't care that much for a lot of violence, but I'm hoping that the attack added some emotional value to this story and I have to admit I do like drama and emotional scenes as long as they serve a purpose.
I didn't want to make it too much about Philip fighting for her or anything. I wanted Mimi too to have a part in dealing with her attacker, because I think she is that type of character. I didn't want to make the attack any worse or turn it into a story about rape because I think if you're going to deal with something like that you need to do it right and I'm still pretty new at this (writing). It also could have made the story go in directions that I didn't want to have in this story.
Mara
Chapter 21: Honesty
Mimi sat in her room, happy to be home, grateful that she was safe.
"Honey, would you like me to stay here with you tonight? I could if that would make you feel better."
Mimi looked up at her mom who was sitting behind her combing her hair. It was something she hadn't done for her for so long. However, when she had started to do it tonight, Mimi did nothing to stop her. There was something so comforting about your Mom combing your hair for you.
"No Mom. I'll be okay. This helps a lot."
"Okay honey, but maybe I'll just stay with you for a little while after I finish combing your hair."
Mimi's mother continued to comb her daughter's hair. She was so thankful that her daughter was home now and though it horrified her, what could have happened to her and that she still went through an awful experience, she was glad that she was left unharmed, physically. Mostly thanks to one young man who she was very grateful to.
Mimi sat still, enjoying her Mom's pampering as she thought back to everything that had happened that night. OH, what a night! What could have happened! But thankfully, it didn't, all because of.Oh how he made her feel tonight.everything changed.
"Mom?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think it's possible to be just friends with someone and then to start feeling something.uh.different?"
Mrs. Lockhart smiled. "Yes Mimi I do. Your Dad and I started out as friends. Oh and we used to tease each other all the time."
Mimi was very curious now. She had never heard this story before. "So when did you guys start liking each other.you know.more?"
"Well, you see, we met in junior high, but in high school things just changed. I had this beau and your dad didn't like him one bit." Mrs. Lockhart stopped combing her daughter's hair and peered over her shoulder with a sly grin. "But he would never admit that."
Mimi laughed and her Mom went back to combing her hair.
"So anyways, there was the Winter Ball. It was a big deal at our school. And right before it, this BOY that I was going out with broke up with me. I think because he wanted to take this other girl who wasn't very nice."
"Oh Mom that's awful. So you didn't go to the dance."
"Oh no! I went. I went with a bunch of my girlfriends. I wasn't going to stay home just because of that bozo!"
Mimi giggled. "Mom!"
"Well, he was a bozo!" Mrs. Lockhart laughed too, remembering the pains of being a teenager. Oh how strange it was, that what seemed like the end of the world at one time was now something she could laugh at. "Anyways, your Dad also went with a bunch of his friends."
"So what happened Mom?" Mimi was dying to know how everything turned out.
"What do you think happened? We met up with each other and he asked me to dance. We danced and.it was just a wonderful night. Anyway, your dad was a much better beau."
Mrs. Lockhart finished combing her daughter's hair, got up, and put the comb down on the dresser. Then she sat down on the bed next to her daughter.
"Well, I must say that I am very happy that you have such wonderful friends sweetheart. Oh and Philip tonight. My goodness, how much he's grown."
Mrs. Lockhart remembered when Philip would come over, a polite little boy who had an air of mischievousness in him. He would come over with Shawn and Belle, wanting to play with Mimi. Oh, it seemed like just she was just a little girl. And now look at her!
"I'm so glad that you and he are friends. And I'm so grateful to him for helping you tonight."
Mimi smiled, feeling warm inside just thinking about him.
Mrs. Lockhart could see that Mimi was starting to feel.
Well, she wisely said no more. Time would tell.
Mimi yawned sleepily.
"Oh dear, I think that's enough talking for tonight." Mrs. Lockhart hugged her daughter and kissed her cheek gently.
"Mom?"
"Yes Mimi?"
"Would you tuck me in? I know I'm a lot older now, but, I'd just really like it." Mimi asked her mom a little shyly.
Mrs. Lockhart was beaming. "Oh of course I would. Oh how much I miss doing this."
She pulled back the blankets as Mimi got in her bed. She pulled them over her, tucking her daughter in warmly. Then she kissed her daughter's cheek again.
"Good night sweetheart. I love you."
"Good night Mom. I love you too."
Mimi watched with a tired smile as her mom turned off her light and closed her bedroom door. She reached for her witch cat and started to close her eyes. But she started to remember the stranger and she felt it hard to fall asleep.
She looked at the phone in her darkened room, contemplating.
When it rang.
She just stared at it first, and then picked it up, not wanting anyone else in the house to hear.
"Hello?" She whispered.
"Oh man, I'm sorry. I woke you, didn't I?"
Mimi smiled at the sound of Philip's soft voice.
"No, you didn't. I was just talking to my mom and then she left and I started to go to sleep, but."
"But what.Oh, the phone rang and I disturbed you."
"No, no.I.I just couldn't fall asleep."
"Why? Are you all right? Are you scared because of what happened tonight?"
The concern in his voice.why did she barely realize before how caring he could be?
"I'm okay."
She could practically feel his disapproving look he must have on the other end. There was something so comforting about knowing somebody for so long that you could predict their reactions.
"Okay.that's not entirely true. I'm kind of afraid right now."
Philip sighed at her shaky whisper. At least she was being honest. It didn't make him happy when she wasn't completely truthful with him, because he valued her honesty.
"Oh Meems, I wished there was something I could do."
His voice dropped off. What could he do? He was in his own bed right now, ready to go to sleep himself. It's not as if he could just go over there.
"My mom offered to stay with me, but I said no, that I'd be okay."
"Why don't you tell her you changed your mind? I mean you've always seemed to have a good relationship with your parents."
"Yeah, I do.but, I'll be okay.I just."
Her voice dropped off this time, uncertainly.
Philip thought of something, something he had done lately to ward off his own nightmares. He hoped it would work for her.
"You know, I've never told anyone this, not even my parents, but after the island I.I started having dreams sometimes, about it.And sometimes when I wake up, I.it's hard for me to go back to sleep so I listen to a song that makes me feel better or I.I sometimes play my guitar."
Philip sighed. None of this was easy to talk about, but if he could help her.
Mimi was shocked. "You play the guitar? I didn't know that."
"Yeah, I got one when I was a kid and it was at Austin's apartment when the fire happened so I still have it. I even took it to the island and left it at our campground when we went looking for the ruby. I'm not that great at it, you know, the guitar? But I'm okay. I can play decently. Actually it just kind of relaxes me."
Mimi laughed.
Philip's expression on the other end was indignant.
"Thanks a lot."
"No, no it's not that. It's just, where did you put this guitar on the plane? What? Did your bag have a bottomless pit?"
Philip laughed too. Actually, that was a good question. How did he fit that guitar? He barely even remembered carrying it.
"Uh, somehow I got it on the plane and everything. Hey, at least I made you laugh."
"Yeah. Oh Philip, I wasn't laughing about you playing the guitar. And I wouldn't laugh about you not being able to sleep. I know you went through so much on that island.a lot that you never talk about. Thank you for confiding in me."
"I just wanted to give you a suggestion. Something that works for me."
"I know and that means a lot to me. I better go. I want to try your idea."
"Are you going to be okay now?"
"Yeah, I will. Thanks Philip. I'm so glad you're my friend."
"Me too Meems. G'Night."
"G'Night Philip."
She hung up the phone and went over to her personal cd player. She put in a cd and turned it to one of her favorite songs, a song that she always thought would be about .well about someone special. Tonight it made her think of Philip. She lay down and listened, her player at a low volume.
{When the visions around you
Bring tears to your eyes}
She thought of when she had been crying in his arms.the way he held her, his incredible warmth.how wearing his coat made her feel close to him.
{I'll be your strength
I'll give you hope
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call
Was standing here all along}
He gave her his strength tonight.waiting until she was ready for him to hold her.helping her feel safe again.
{I give you my word}
His promise to help her.that he'd keep her safe.
{Just close your eyes
Each lovin' day}
How he was there for her when she needed him.took the nightmare away.made it safe to close her eyes.
{Over and over I fall
When I hear you call}
Her hero.but not a cardboard one.he was real.unwilling to take all the credit.proud of her.
{And I will take you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong}
When he held her against his chest.kissing her forehead.with such tenderness.
{Every word I say is true
This I promise you}
The last beats of the song.
She fell asleep.her cat in her arms.him in her thoughts.
****
Philip sat down on his bed, combing his hair. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans, a Salem High sweatshirt and tennis shoes. He was going to meet Mimi and they were going to go to the park together. He needed to talk to her.
He could still remember her face when her parents walked into Bo's office. It was obvious how close she was to them. He wished he had that. But with his mom living on her own and Nicole living in the "new" mansion he felt as if he barely even had a family at times. His parents had seemed more demonstrative towards him since the island, but.
He just still wished they were together sometimes.
Oh well, he'd started to accept lately that you can't always get what you want. Maybe his parents just weren't meant to be.well for now at least. He would never lose hope though that one day they would find their way back to each other. He had very little doubt that underneath all the bitterness, they still loved each other. But for now, he needed to focus on his own life. His schoolwork, his friends, his best friend.
Mimi.
She had become such an important part of his life lately. The amazing thing was it had just kind of crept up on him. But the night that she was attacked, he realized something.that he cared for her a lot. He wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but he knew one thing.
He never wanted to see her hurt.
Sitting in his room now, he could remember what it felt like, holding her shaking body in his arms. He had never seen her so absolutely terrified before. It tore at him to see her that way. At least she was safe and he intended to make sure she stayed that way.
He got up off his bed, put his comb in his pocket, grabbed his blue jacket and walked out of his room.
****
It was a chilly day in Salem, the trees bare now. It wouldn't be much longer probably before the winter season brought snow with it. Mimi was sitting on a swing at Salem Park next to Philip, their finished mochas sitting on the ground. Mimi was wearing faded jeans too, a burgundy sweatshirt, a beige jacket and tennis shoes. Her hair was down, hanging loosely with natural waves.
Philip looked at her and smiled.
"So what a week this has been, huh?"
"Yeah, but at least we got through it."
Mimi looked down.
Philip got serious.
"So have you heard from Bo? Have they caught the guy yet?" Philip reached for Mimi's hand, placing his over it. He moved his head down more, trying to get her to look at him.
Mimi looked down at her hand in her lap, his on top of it. She knew he was trying to get her attention. She looked up at him finally.
"No. I don't know how much I'm looking forward to when they do anyways."
"Why Meems?"
"Because I don't really want to see him again.you know to identify him.I kind of just wish I could forget any of this happened."
Mimi looked down again.
Philip moved his swing closer to hers. He reached out and softly touched her chin, lifting it slowly, getting her to look at him and then let go.
"You don't really have to see him again. I mean, you'll be behind a wall. He won't even know that you're there. But you don't have to do this alone, okay?"
He squeezed her hand softly.
"When you get the word just give me a ring. We'll go together."
Mimi looked over at him with surprise.
"Really? You want to go with me? Why?"
Philip laughed softly and shook her swing a little.
"Don't you get it? I WANT to help you."
He touched her cheek for a second, his fingertips just grazing it.
"I want to be there for you."
"Thank you."
"Your welcome."
He let go of her hand.
"But now we need to talk about that night. I want to know why you lied to me."
"Boy, don't beat around the bush Philip. But I'm not sure what you mean."
She avoided his eyes.
Philip looked annoyed. "Oh come on Mimi. You know exactly what I mean. You told me you were getting a ride with Jan and her mother that night. That was a lie. Brady saw Jan and Jason in the parking lot, after you had SUPPOSEDLY gotten a ride with her."
Mimi finally looked at Philip. He sounded so angry. "Brady saw them? What was he doing there?"
Philip shook his head.
"He was picking up Chloe."
He saw Mimi react to that.
"What? Is that it? You lied because of Chloe?" He asked her, incredulous.
Mimi laughed sarcastically. "Don't flatter yourself Philip."
"Don't try to change the subject! And what is that supposed to mean? We were talking about why you lied to me, remember?"
Mimi now looked annoyed.
"And you thought it was because of Chloe! Like everything always revolves around her."
"Oh knock it off Mimi! I just can't believe that you would do something so damn unsafe. What were you thinking?!"
His quick temper was starting to get the best of him, but he was frustrated. And she wasn't giving him any answers.
Mimi exploded.
"Fine, you want to know why I lied? I'll tell you. And why I was so DUMB too."
Philip started to protest, but she cut him off.
"I had a horrible day cleaning the locker rooms with Jan. I ended up having to spend the whole afternoon cleaning with HER. Listening to her complain endlessly. I was tired and just wanted to get out of there and go home. Then I come outside and there you are with Chloe and I just wanted to.I don't like her, okay.I've made my peace with her. I apologized for the internet prank, but we're never going to be friends. For your information, it wasn't about you, it was about ME. I wanted to go home."
She started to get more and more upset, her voice starting to break.
"I didn't think. And so I probably got what I deserved, huh Phil? You probably wish -"
Her voice broke as tears filled her eyes.
Philip looked at her disbelievingly.
"How can you even say that?"
He got off the swing and pulled her up by the hands. Then he held her in his arms.
"I would never EVER wish for anything bad to happen to you. You should know that."
His voice was scolding, but gentle.
"I know you don't like Chloe. I don't completely understand why, but it's like you said. You made your peace with her. I'm not going to stop caring about her, but I'm not her boyfriend anymore. I've accepted that. And I do not intend to lose you as a friend either. Don't you see? That's why I was so upset. You lied to me. You weren't honest with me. And you nearly were."
His voice broke off as the reality of what COULD have happened to her hit home.
"It could have been worse Meems."
He finished in a low whisper.
She pulled back and looked up at him.
"I know and I am grateful to you."
Philip shook his head. "I don't even care about that Mimi. Just don't ever walk home alone again at night, okay? I mean, we have a deal. Remember? I walk you home two nights a week and keep you entertained with my amazing football stories."
Mimi laughed softly.
He grinned at her, happy to hear her laugh. But then he got serious again. He touched her cheek, with his hand, his thumb moving back and forth, as his eyes searched her face with concern.
"Please, just don't ever do anything like that again, okay? Always be honest with me."
Mimi looked up into his eyes, feeling his hand against her cheek, his touch so soft, filling her with emotion. She found it hard to speak.
"I won't. I promise."
Philip slowly moved his hand away.
"Good." He clapped his hands together.
"Now that that's settled.let's forget that we're teenagers on the verge of being adults. Let's be kids again." He grinned at her.
Mimi smiled, looking at him with curiosity. "What do you mean by that?"
Philip grasped her hand in his.
"Come on."
Then he ran with her over to the tire swing.
"Okay, sit down."
"You're absolutely nuts!"
"Hey! At least I know how to have fun!" He challenged her with a smirk.
Mimi huffed. "I know how to have fun!"
"Prove it then." Philip answered her matter of factly.
"Fine."
Mimi got on the swing, letting her legs swing inside the tire as she gripped onto the chains.
Philip gave her a crafty look and started spinning the swing around and around. Then he ran with the swing and jumped on at the last minute, startling Mimi. She laughed along with him as the swing spun in circles wildly. They both yelled out, in total abandon as they got dizzier and dizzier.
Finally it stopped.
"Whoa, I think I could handle that better when I was seven years old." Philip laughed, still feeling not so steady.
Mimi smiled softly. "I know what you're trying to do and I appreciate it."
"What? What are you talking about?"
Philip feigned innocence.
"You're trying to get me to forget that night."
Philip shot her a confused look.
"Is that what you think? Nah. I just thought it would be fun to be kids again."
Mimi smiled again.
"You're right, it is. Now, how about the swings?"
She climbed out of the tire swing and ran over to the swings they had been sitting on earlier. She started to pump her feet, rising up high in the air. She watched as Philip ran over, a little slower. He really must be dizzy. He got on the swing next to her and pumped his feet too, raising high up in the air. Mimi closed her eyes, leaning back, feeling incredibly free.
Philip watched her, slowing down his own swing. Her hair was blowing behind her, her face was so carefree, her eyes closed, her lashes fluttering like a butterfly.
Mimi sensed she was being watched, opened her eyes, and looked over, meeting Philip's. She slowed down her swing.
"What, what is it?"
"Nothing."
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
He gave her no time to respond, bumping into her swing with his own.
"Hey, you!"Mimi bumped him back.
Philip bumped her back. And so it continued until their swings were swaying sideways wildly and they could barely control them anymore. In fact, it took some effort to get those wildly swaying swings to slow down.
They laughed, letting their feet hit the ground.
Suddenly, Philip grabbed Mimi's swing, catching her off guard. He pulled the chains closer to his so they were face to face. Then he moved his face even closer, continuing to grasp the chains on her swing.
He started to lean in.
Mimi stared up at him in shock. Was he going to.?
He moved in more.
His blue eyes looking straight into her green ones.
And.
Kissed her squarely on the nose.
Then he pulled back a little, with a sly grin.
"Remember, we're just kids!"
He laughed and got up and ran off.
She sat there for a second in total disbelief, getting her heartbeat back to normal, then ran after him.
The two swings swayed.in unison.side by side.
Song Lyrics are to: 'This I Promise You', By NSYNC and Richard
NOTE: Once again, there is violence in this chapter.
Because the opposite of desperation is hope.
Note: Once again, there is violence in this chapter.
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!"
Her mind screamed.
****
Shawn and Belle were sitting inside Dot Com talking about their two best friends as they drank their mochas.
"They're lying to us and to themselves Shawn. I really think they're starting to like each other more than friends."
Belle took a sip of her mocha.
"Yeah, I guess, but they're not willing to admit it Belle. And Philip still hasn't totally let go of Chloe."
"I know, but at least he's making an effort to now. And just look at how protective he's been of Mimi lately."
****
His mind was in turmoil as he tore through the woods.
The leaves shattering underneath his feet.
****
"Belle, it's just.I don't know. Maybe we should leave them alone. If Philip and Mimi really like each other as more than just friends, they'll do something about it.eventually."
Shawn still wasn't sure if they should interfere.
"But Shawn, maybe we could just lend them a helping hand."
****
She was trembling, trembling oh so much.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Paralyzed by fear at the nightmarish image that invaded her vision.
Oh.
Philip had been there to protect her before, but now.
Now she was all alone.
With the STRANGER.
In her mind she cried out silently,
OH, WHY DIDN'T I JUST WAIT FOR HIM.
****
Why didn't she wait for me.Why didn't she wait for me?
Philip looked up to the skies whispering,
"PLEASE protect her, keep her safe and let me get there in time."
****
"Okay, so how Belle? What do you think we should do?"
"They both keep insisting they're just friends. Let's see if they can prove it."
Belle grinned slyly at her boyfriend.
It was time to put the two of them up to the test.
****
Mimi looked up at the Stranger standing above her, holding a knife, the silver blade glistening malevolently through the fog.
He was surrounded by it.
The fog, but through it she could see his menacing grin as he looked down at her yearningly.
OH NO, oh no.
Say something. Say something. If she could just get her voice to work.
"Please don't hurt me."
It sounded so weak and feeble, even to her own ears; her mouth felt so dry.
"Oh no honey. You just can't scream, okay?"
His voice low and vicious sounding as he moved down slowly, eagerly, his body threateningly hovering over hers. He grinned at her evilly, letting the knife slither, like a venomous snake towards her throat again.
His expression LICENTIOUS.
She shuddered, unable to stop her shaking body or her rapidly beating heart. If she moved just one inch, she probably would feel that blade.
Oh, please somebody help me.
"Now remember no screaming.We're just going to have some fun.and you're boyfriend won't be interrupting us this time."
He laughed viciously, and then started to remove her coat, wrenching the buttons loose.
Mimi watched as they fell from her coat one by one.
A single tear falling down her face.
Please.
Please help me.
****
The fog was thick and made it hard to see, but he continued on.
Meems I'm coming.
****
The beige coat fell away from her body onto the ground as he roughly pulled it off her. She already had experienced some pain when her back hit the ground; now she could feel the dampness on the ground from the mist in the air. It was making the leaves wet.
He looked at her and she tried to look away, but the knife prevented her from directing her attention elsewhere.
His hand was on her cheek, forcing her to see his eyes, full of hatred and lewdness.
She was terrified.
So lost, so helpless.
He was going to hurt her in the worst way imaginable and there was nothing she could do about it.
****
"What are you talking about Belle?"
Belle just smiled and told Shawn her plan.
Time to get to work.
****
His hand starting to go under her sweater...
Mimi felt wretchedly ill. His hand on her skin.
Just starting to scrape abrasively against her upper stomach.
Oh.
How vile it felt.
His hand creeping up more.
Her body frozen in terror.
His erosive touch crawling up her body.
INCHING Up.
WAIT.
The knife.
She had felt so fearful and ill by what he wanted to do to her that she didn't even realize that he moved the knife away from her throat and put it on.
The ground!
But one of his hands was so close to it that if she tried to grab it he'd probably be able to stop her and maybe even hurt her more.
No, no.
She couldn't get the knife, but maybe.
While his attention was not on her face.
Mimi very quietly and slowly reached on the ground for something, anything.finding some small pebbles and rocks. She gathered as many as she could into one hand as he began to move his hand underneath her sweater up more.
Past her ribs.
Slinking up.
She couldn't take this much more, him touching her.
You have to do this Mimi. You have to. Be strong. You're not going to let him hurt you. You're going to fight back.
NOW!
She acted quickly, flinging the rocks and pebbles right into his face, forcing him to cover it with his hands to protect himself from the barrage. Then she pushed him away from her with every ounce of strength in her body and hurriedly started to get up.
Feeling a coarse hand snake up her leg. He grabbed at her roughly, causing her skirt to rip some on the side.
Then she heard it.
What sounded like someone running.
"HELP! HELP ME!"
****
Philip stopped dead in his tracks, hearing the agonizing cry.
HER cry.
"MIMI!"
He yelled back, sprinting through the dense foliage.
****
The Stranger stood and pulled her up against him, forcing her to face him, frowning in such an ugly and hateful way.
Mimi cried out in pain at his menacing grip.
His suddenness terrifying her, how close his crazed eyes were to hers now.
Full of hatred.
Violent tremors rocked her body, the fear seeping through her heart.
Oh no.
"YOU STUPID LITTLE.We could have had so much fun, but now-"
The Stranger only liked dealing with helpless girls. But she, she actually tried to hurt HIM.
And now someone was coming.
He didn't want to be caught, he didn't like trouble.
He had to get out of there.
There were more young girls.
Ones that wouldn't fight back.
He viciously let go of Mimi.
She fell down on the ground hard and cried out. She had heard his voice. She knew she had. He said her name!
"PHILIP!"
The Stranger ran by Philip, knocking him down. However, Philip quickly got back up on his feet ready to pursue him.
"PHILIP!"
The terrified scream stopped him.
OH MIMI.
He turned around and saw her sitting on the ground, her arms wrapped around her upper body, shaking uncontrollably.
Mimi looked up, not believing her eyes.
It was him.
Oh, it was HIM.
PHILIP.
Please let him be real.please let it not be her mind playing tricks on her.Be real, be real be real be real.
Philip looked down at her, feeling part horror part relief. There she was, but was she okay? Did that BASTARD do anything to hurt her? His feet felt stuck to the ground as he just stared at her for what seemed an eternity. She was looking at him as if he was an illusion.
Finally, he got his feet to move.
He crouched down in front of her.
Mimi looked up, seeing Philip moving towards her.
Then he was in front of her, his eyes full of concern, his blue eyes searching her green ones.
It was horrible seeing her like that.
Shaking uncontrollably.
Her arms wrapped around her trembling body.
Was she cold?
Even worse yet.
Was she hurt?
The leaves crackled under his legs as he kneeled down.she was still trembling uncontrollably .and her look of disbelief, of unadulterated fear.the fact that not a single tear fell now from her eyes.
She's going to break.
He willed his voice to be gentle, speaking as softly as he could. She looked so frightened still. He had to help her see that everything was all right now. She was safe.
"It's okay Meems. It's me. It's Philip."
Her mind was reeling. Oh, that voice.that warm gentle voice.
Philip.
She was safe now. She was safe, but what if he wasn't real.what if it was a dream.
What if the NIGHTMARE was REAL and it was still happening to her.
No, no, no, no.
Philip made no move to get closer to her. She was in shock or traumatized by what happened to her.
What DID happen to her?
"Mimi take my hand okay.take my hand Meems."
He started to hold his hand out to her, but she shuddered, moving away quickly, like a wounded animal.
"No, no, no.it's all right. I'm not going to hurt you. It's me Meems. It's Philip. Remember? When we were kids, I used to do dumb things like scare you with plastic spiders and tease you on the swings. Remember? How Belle Shawn you and I would play at the park during the summer? And how we all started calling you Meems and you guys started calling me Philly? Remember Meems?"
All those memories. When they were kids. Only Philip would know that right? She moved a little closer.
He stayed still, his hand out in case she felt ready to take it.
She reached for his hand tentatively and looked up into his eyes, his caring eyes. Good. He didn't try to grab her. He just sat still, with her hand in his now. She started to reach for him.
She was cold.oh, she was so cold.
"Iii'mmm coooolllllddd, sssoooo coolddd."
He felt a tightening in his chest at her words, at the sound of her absolutely shaken voice.
Oh, how much he wanted to just hold her now.
But he had to let HER make the first move. He had to help her feel safe again.
"Let me hold you then, okay. And if you want me to let go, just tell me. All right Meems?"
She looked up at him questioningly.
"Yyyyouoourr're rrrreeaaalll?"
"Yeah. I'm real. You're safe now. I promise you. Let me help you feel better okay? Let me take the cold away."
He knew he might be making a big mistake, but he couldn't hold back anymore. He had always been impatient. One of his biggest flaws. He reached for her, relieved when he found no resistance. She seemed apprehensive, but she wasn't fighting him. He stayed like that, reaching for her, his hands on her arms, making no other sudden moves.
Waiting.
She reached out tentatively with her fingertips, touching his face, feeling.
She gasped.
"Pphhhiiilllippp, ooohhh iiittt'ss yyyoouu, iittss's rrrreaallyy yyyoouuu!"
She called out in relief. Then she grabbed him fiercely, her hands clutching at his shoulders, holding him close to her..
Finally, she broke.letting out all the fear and horror of what had happened, the anguish .sobbing in the protection of his arms.
She closed her eyes to make the nightmare go away.
Philip sighed in relief when he felt her arms go around him. He didn't even care that her grasp was almost choking as she grabbed his shoulders and neck tightly and held on.
He too, held onto her tightly, rocking her back and forth in his arms as she cried.
"It's all right now, it's all right, you're safe."
He spoke to her softly, running his hands slowly over her hair, gently removing leaves from it. She was okay, she was okay.
She.
Then he saw it. There was a rip going through the side of her skirt and her coat.where was it?.
There it was, on the ground, the buttons loose and lying in the dirt.
OH NO. WHAT DID HE DO TO HER? IF HE HURT HER.
He looked over and saw her backpack lying on the ground, forgotten. What happened!?
He knew so very little. Somebody, a man.he knew that much, ran by him and knocked him down. Exactly what he looked like, he wasn't certain of. He needed to figure out what happened.
Was she okay.
Physically?
He attempted to pull her away from him, but was having difficulty. Her hold on him was so unyielding and desperate.
Mimi felt Philip pulling back a little, trying to get her to release her hold on him, but he was her one sense of security now and she needed to be close to him. She needed to be surrounded by his warmth.
His caring.
Philip realized that Mimi was too scared to let go. He spoke to her quietly, but firmly.
"Mimi, I want you to listen to me okay?" She nodded her head a little and he realized that would have to do. "I need you to let go of me some, okay, so I can see your face."
She let go of his neck and shoulders a little and then rapidly buried her face against the front of his suede coat, clenching it with her hands.
He gently moved her some so he could see the side of her face as she maintained her hold on him. He kept holding her too, lacing his hands together around her tightly, but without being overbearing.
"Mimi, I'm sorry, but I need you to tell me what happened. Can you do that?"
She only nodded her head again.
Philip sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. But he had to know. He had to know if she was hurt more than just emotionally.
Even if it meant facing the worse.
Oh man.
Let it not be the worse.
"Meems, I need you to talk."
Her voice was still shaky, but a little more understandable since her crying had quieted down some and she was shaking less.
"I w-was walk-ing h-ome and h-e st-opped me. He g-rabb-ed me and put-put- put-a-kn-kn-ife at my th-roat."
Her words made Philip sigh. She must have been so scared. "Did he hurt you with the knife?"
"N-n-n-o. He j-ust sc-sc-ared m-e. H-he pu-she me do-wn on th-the gr- ground. M-my b-back h-hurt."
Philip HATED what she was telling him. He unlaced his hands slowly, using them to massage her back, feeling her jump a little at first. It scared him, how shaken she was. After the repeated gesture though, his hands slowly moving up and down, he felt her start to calm down. If he could just keep reassuring her with his gestures, his voice that she was safe.
"Does it hurt now? Are you alright?"
"I-I'm o-kay. It h-hurts a lit-tle, b-but I'm o-kay." Mimi could feel him gently stroking her back with his hands as she talked to him. It felt so soothing.
Her thoughts were coming out in a rush as she painfully remembered what happened.
"H-h-e g-got d-own on th-e gr-ground t-oo and t-told me n-not to sc-scream. I-I-I c-c-could-n't m-m-move. Th-The kn-if-ife-he-he woul-d h-have h-h-urt me wi-th it. S-s-so I-I d-id wha-t he s-said."
Philip could feel she needed reassurance.
"That's okay Mimi. You didn't do anything wrong. Whatever happened, you did what you had to, to protect yourself."
Please let him have not hurt her anymore.
"Can you tell me what happened next?"
"H-he st-arted t-to at-ke off m-my c-coat. Th-then h-he th-threw it on th- the g-ground. I-I t-tried to l-look a-w-way, b-but he m-made m-me l-look at h-h-him. I-I- couldn't-t look aw-way b-because the kn-knife was a-a-gain-st m-my th-throat. Th-th-the g-ground-it w-was s-s-so c-c-old a-and h-h-hard."
Her thoughts were getting jumbled as she spoke.
Philip kept rubbing her back, hoping that that sicko hadn't hurt her anymore.
"Th-then h-h-h-h-h-e-"
Mimi broke off, burying her face against Philip's coat again.
OH NO. What happened to her?
Please, please, please.
Philip repeated over and over in his mind, struggling to not scream out, 'what did he do to her?' He fought to keep patient, knowing if he lost control she would lose it too. She was barely holding on now as it was. So he pushed back his desperation and thought only of her. He had to help her. Now wasn't the time to get upset. He spoke very softly, trying to sound calm, but it was hard to keep out the growing emotion in his voice.
"Mimi please, please tell me what happened. You're safe. Nobody's going to hurt you anymore. Just tell me.Meems?"
Mimi moved slowly so her cheek was against his coat again. She had a hard time getting the words out. Only Philip's caring seemed to make it possible.
"H-h-e p-put h-his h-h-and."
She started crying more as she relived it.
"U-u-u-nder m-my sw-sw-eat-er."
Philip closed his eyes tightly at her words, but steeled himself for the worst, holding her tighter.
"A-a-nd h-he p-p-ut it on m-my st-st-sto-mach."
Her words made Philip feel sick. He rubbed her back with one hand and smoothed her hair with the other. His own stomach was twisting up into knots.
What if she.
What if he.
That rip in her skirt, going up her leg.
Oh please let him not have hurt her THAT way.
Please.
"It's okay. I'm here with you now. I know this can't be easy for you, but can you tell me what happened next?"
"I-h-he p-put the kn-knife d-down-I-I s-saw it on th-the gr-ound. H-he was- wasn't l-l-looking at m-me any m-more. H-his h-hand w-was r-rough and s-sc- scratched me. I-I g-grabbed s-some r-rocks and p-pebbles f-from the g- ground and th-threw th-them a-at h-him. I-I pu-pushed h-him a-way. Ph- Philip I j-just wan-wanted it t-to st-op."
She was crying even more now, but Philip finally felt a bit of relief. She fought back! He knew that she put herself down sometimes and there were those at school who liked to joke about her. Even he was guilty of it, though he didn't do it anymore. But right now he was so proud of her. She was so much stronger than people thought-where it counted-inside.
He softly asked her to continue.
"I-I st-started t-to g-get up, b-but he-he grabbed m-my leg and m-m-y skirt r-ripped. Th-th-en I-I-h-heard a s-sound like some-one r-running. I-I sc- screamed a-nd I h-heard y-ou y-ell. H-he g-got s-so an-gry a-and g-grabbed m-e. It hurt. H-h-he grabbed m-my ar-arm."
Philip's worried eyes sought out her arm, seeing some redness there.
That bastard!
Thankfully, it didn't look too bad.
But the fear in her face right now as she relived it all.
The way she said he grabbed her.
That he was angry.
Oh no.
Oh please let her not have been hurt anymore.
"H-h-e sc-scared m-e b-but h-e l-let g-go and I f-fell dow-n ag-ain a-nd th- then y-ou c-came. O-oh Ph-Philip I-'m s-so gla-d y-you c-came.if y-you had- hadn't c-come-Oh."
She broke off weakly.unable to continue.sobbing in his arms.feeling his warmth and familiarity.oh, how safe he made her feel.
She clung to him.
He was her shelter.
Letting her head fall against his chest.
He let go of the tense breath he'd been holding, relief rushing through his entire being. She was safe! She was safe. He hadn't hurt her anymore.
He hadn't hurt her THAT way.
He spoke again softly, but finally with sustenance.
"Hey, we're friends remember? We look out for each other. And you don't have to worry about what could of happened because you're safe, okay? And what about yourself, huh? I'd say you did a good job of defending yourself. I'm proud of you."
The relief continued to flow through him as he felt her holding onto him tightly. That bastard had scared her and what he wanted to do to her was sick, but thank goodness-Oh, thank goodness she wasn't hurt any more. She was going to be all right, she was going to be all right.
He held her tightly and kissed the top of her head, resting his chin on top if it afterwards, closing his eyes with long needed peace.
Then, for a while, he held her silently as she cried.
Time seemed to cease as the two of them just held onto one another, bound by friendship and caring.
Philip pulled back from her eventually and this time she let him go, reluctantly. He smiled down at her, then started to take off his coat, until he saw her look up at him apprehensively.
"Hey, it's okay. It's me, remember? You know I would never do anything to hurt you. It's just that you're still shaking and I know that you're cold."
He finished taking off his coat after he saw her relax. Slowly, he helped her put it on. Then he reached down and one by one buttoned it up for her.
Mimi couldn't believe how kind he was being to her. Never in her life had anyone treated her so tenderly. She looked up at his face as he buttoned up the coat for her. His eyes so soft and caring.
She felt feelings inside her, new feelings.
Ones that made her feel wonderful and terrified at the same time.
Philip finished buttoning up the coat, and then raised his hand to her face, touching her cheek with it, wiping her tears away. Then he did the same with the other hand on her opposite cheek. When he was done, he took his hand away and held onto her waist as he helped her to stand up. Then he spoke softly.
"I know you probably just want to go home, but Meems, you have to report this and you might want to see a doctor too."
She had finished crying and finally she could speak without her voice shaking.
"No Philip. I just want to go home, like you said. I just want to take a hot shower and go to sleep. Can you just walk me home? I know I said I didn't need-"
He cut her off.
"Of course I can walk you home, but Mimi you have to report this. I'll go with you, even to the hospital if you need me to."
"I don't need to go to the hospital. I'm okay. My back even stopped hurting."
"Good. But Mimi, the police need to know what happened so they can catch the guy."
"Oh My-"
Her face was one of shock and remembrance.
It alarmed Philip.
"What?!" He asked her anxiously.
"The man that attacked me-he-he was the guy we saw on the pier that night."
"OH MAN- Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"That settles it Meems. We have to go to the police. I know you probably don't want to hear this, but he might have been following you all this time." He looked at her tensely.
"Oh."
She trembled suddenly and he reached for her, taking her into his arms again.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to scare you, but this guy needs to be put away. I'll go with you. You won't be alone, I promise."
It wasn't easy for her, but she decided he was right.
Okay, as long as you're with me."
She looked up into his eyes shakily.
He gave her a reassuring look.
"No way am I letting you go alone. You're stuck with me Miss."
He joked lightly, happy to see the first actual smile he saw on her face all night, even if it was just a small one. He moved away from her, picking up her things and holding them for her. Then he put his arm around her protectively and they began to walk to the police station.
****
Philip was not happy. They got to the police station and were told that Roman Brady was going to deal with the case. That just did not sit well with Philip. He remembered how Roman treated him when Nancy accused him of raping Chloe. He had made Philip feel like a criminal. Philip didn't want Mimi to deal with any of that garbage. He raised a fuss, demanding to see Bo Brady. Then he got even angrier when he was told that Bo wasn't available at the moment and that Roman would come talk to Mimi soon.
His raised voice got him what he wanted, the attention of one Bo Brady.
"Philip? What is going on out here?"
Bo came out of his office, looking at Philip in bewilderment. They were half brothers, but had never been close. For one thing, they had a huge age difference. Philip was much closer to his son, Shawn. But right now Philip looked upset as he held onto a shaky looking Mimi.
Hope came out after Bo, immediately going over to Mimi. "Oh my goodness, Mimi honey, what happened? Philip?" She looked at Philip questioningly.
"Bo I need to talk to you. I need you to deal with this.with what happened to Mimi tonight." Philip spoke seriously and urgently.
"What Philip, what happened to her?" Bo looked at Philip, wanting answers.
Philip felt Mimi move in closer from where she was standing next to him and he tightened his arm around her a little.
"She was attacked. She's really scared right now."
Hope went to go get a blanket and put it around Mimi. "Oh, Hon, it's okay. Everything's going to be all right now." Then she sent someone to go get Mimi some coffee and they all went into Bo's office.
****
Mimi was in Bo's office now, alone. She had just finished giving a detailed account of everything that had happened. Her parents were there with her at the station and Philip was getting ready to leave. Bo was sending him home in one of the squad cars so he wouldn't have to walk.
The door opened to Bo's office and Phillip walked in.
She handed him his coat.
Philip looked at her. She looked tired. She must be after the kind of night she just had. She had a blanket, the one Hope had put on her, draped around her shoulders and was holding out his coat. Philip regarded her with question.
"You don't need it anymore? Because if you do you can hold onto it for now."
She smiled at him. "No it's okay; my mom brought me my jacket. I don't want you to be cold."
He smiled back at her, but then turned serious as he asked her a question.
"So are you going to be all right now?"
"Yeah, I'm feeling better.mostly because of you. I don't know how to.how do I thank you for what you did for me tonight?"
"You don't have to thank me. I care about you.there was no way I was going to let anyone hurt you."
Wonder filled her eyes. There was still one thing she couldn't understand.
"How Philip? How did you even know? I mean why would you come after me, unless you knew?"
"I didn't know anything for sure. I just knew that you walked home alone, and believe me we are going to talk about THAT, but not now.I just had this feeling, this awful feeling that something was going to happen.and so I went after you."
"And you saved me."
"No, no.you saved yourself.I just helped you feel a little better."
"Philip Robert Kiriakis, are you being modest?"
She laughed softly and he laughed along with her. Then she moved a little closer to him, looking up at him seriously.
"You rescued me tonight.when I felt desperate.you.you gave me hope.and I will NEVER forget that."
Mimi took one more step closer and wrapped her arms around Philip, holding him close to her for one long moment, relishing the closeness.
Then with some reluctance, she let him go.
He just looked at her for a second, before he reached for her taking her into his arms, holding her against his chest, and brought his lips to her forehead, kissing her gently. His hands against her face, he closed his eyes for a minute before opening them again. Then he let go, smiled down at her and walked out.
She watched him leave, shutting the door softly behind him. She whispered,
"Thank you Philip, thank you for being my hero."
~*~
I wrote this chapter mainly to strengthen the bond between Philip and Mimi. I debated about writing these last two chapters because I usually don't care that much for a lot of violence, but I'm hoping that the attack added some emotional value to this story and I have to admit I do like drama and emotional scenes as long as they serve a purpose.
I didn't want to make it too much about Philip fighting for her or anything. I wanted Mimi too to have a part in dealing with her attacker, because I think she is that type of character. I didn't want to make the attack any worse or turn it into a story about rape because I think if you're going to deal with something like that you need to do it right and I'm still pretty new at this (writing). It also could have made the story go in directions that I didn't want to have in this story.
Mara
Chapter 21: Honesty
Mimi sat in her room, happy to be home, grateful that she was safe.
"Honey, would you like me to stay here with you tonight? I could if that would make you feel better."
Mimi looked up at her mom who was sitting behind her combing her hair. It was something she hadn't done for her for so long. However, when she had started to do it tonight, Mimi did nothing to stop her. There was something so comforting about your Mom combing your hair for you.
"No Mom. I'll be okay. This helps a lot."
"Okay honey, but maybe I'll just stay with you for a little while after I finish combing your hair."
Mimi's mother continued to comb her daughter's hair. She was so thankful that her daughter was home now and though it horrified her, what could have happened to her and that she still went through an awful experience, she was glad that she was left unharmed, physically. Mostly thanks to one young man who she was very grateful to.
Mimi sat still, enjoying her Mom's pampering as she thought back to everything that had happened that night. OH, what a night! What could have happened! But thankfully, it didn't, all because of.Oh how he made her feel tonight.everything changed.
"Mom?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think it's possible to be just friends with someone and then to start feeling something.uh.different?"
Mrs. Lockhart smiled. "Yes Mimi I do. Your Dad and I started out as friends. Oh and we used to tease each other all the time."
Mimi was very curious now. She had never heard this story before. "So when did you guys start liking each other.you know.more?"
"Well, you see, we met in junior high, but in high school things just changed. I had this beau and your dad didn't like him one bit." Mrs. Lockhart stopped combing her daughter's hair and peered over her shoulder with a sly grin. "But he would never admit that."
Mimi laughed and her Mom went back to combing her hair.
"So anyways, there was the Winter Ball. It was a big deal at our school. And right before it, this BOY that I was going out with broke up with me. I think because he wanted to take this other girl who wasn't very nice."
"Oh Mom that's awful. So you didn't go to the dance."
"Oh no! I went. I went with a bunch of my girlfriends. I wasn't going to stay home just because of that bozo!"
Mimi giggled. "Mom!"
"Well, he was a bozo!" Mrs. Lockhart laughed too, remembering the pains of being a teenager. Oh how strange it was, that what seemed like the end of the world at one time was now something she could laugh at. "Anyways, your Dad also went with a bunch of his friends."
"So what happened Mom?" Mimi was dying to know how everything turned out.
"What do you think happened? We met up with each other and he asked me to dance. We danced and.it was just a wonderful night. Anyway, your dad was a much better beau."
Mrs. Lockhart finished combing her daughter's hair, got up, and put the comb down on the dresser. Then she sat down on the bed next to her daughter.
"Well, I must say that I am very happy that you have such wonderful friends sweetheart. Oh and Philip tonight. My goodness, how much he's grown."
Mrs. Lockhart remembered when Philip would come over, a polite little boy who had an air of mischievousness in him. He would come over with Shawn and Belle, wanting to play with Mimi. Oh, it seemed like just she was just a little girl. And now look at her!
"I'm so glad that you and he are friends. And I'm so grateful to him for helping you tonight."
Mimi smiled, feeling warm inside just thinking about him.
Mrs. Lockhart could see that Mimi was starting to feel.
Well, she wisely said no more. Time would tell.
Mimi yawned sleepily.
"Oh dear, I think that's enough talking for tonight." Mrs. Lockhart hugged her daughter and kissed her cheek gently.
"Mom?"
"Yes Mimi?"
"Would you tuck me in? I know I'm a lot older now, but, I'd just really like it." Mimi asked her mom a little shyly.
Mrs. Lockhart was beaming. "Oh of course I would. Oh how much I miss doing this."
She pulled back the blankets as Mimi got in her bed. She pulled them over her, tucking her daughter in warmly. Then she kissed her daughter's cheek again.
"Good night sweetheart. I love you."
"Good night Mom. I love you too."
Mimi watched with a tired smile as her mom turned off her light and closed her bedroom door. She reached for her witch cat and started to close her eyes. But she started to remember the stranger and she felt it hard to fall asleep.
She looked at the phone in her darkened room, contemplating.
When it rang.
She just stared at it first, and then picked it up, not wanting anyone else in the house to hear.
"Hello?" She whispered.
"Oh man, I'm sorry. I woke you, didn't I?"
Mimi smiled at the sound of Philip's soft voice.
"No, you didn't. I was just talking to my mom and then she left and I started to go to sleep, but."
"But what.Oh, the phone rang and I disturbed you."
"No, no.I.I just couldn't fall asleep."
"Why? Are you all right? Are you scared because of what happened tonight?"
The concern in his voice.why did she barely realize before how caring he could be?
"I'm okay."
She could practically feel his disapproving look he must have on the other end. There was something so comforting about knowing somebody for so long that you could predict their reactions.
"Okay.that's not entirely true. I'm kind of afraid right now."
Philip sighed at her shaky whisper. At least she was being honest. It didn't make him happy when she wasn't completely truthful with him, because he valued her honesty.
"Oh Meems, I wished there was something I could do."
His voice dropped off. What could he do? He was in his own bed right now, ready to go to sleep himself. It's not as if he could just go over there.
"My mom offered to stay with me, but I said no, that I'd be okay."
"Why don't you tell her you changed your mind? I mean you've always seemed to have a good relationship with your parents."
"Yeah, I do.but, I'll be okay.I just."
Her voice dropped off this time, uncertainly.
Philip thought of something, something he had done lately to ward off his own nightmares. He hoped it would work for her.
"You know, I've never told anyone this, not even my parents, but after the island I.I started having dreams sometimes, about it.And sometimes when I wake up, I.it's hard for me to go back to sleep so I listen to a song that makes me feel better or I.I sometimes play my guitar."
Philip sighed. None of this was easy to talk about, but if he could help her.
Mimi was shocked. "You play the guitar? I didn't know that."
"Yeah, I got one when I was a kid and it was at Austin's apartment when the fire happened so I still have it. I even took it to the island and left it at our campground when we went looking for the ruby. I'm not that great at it, you know, the guitar? But I'm okay. I can play decently. Actually it just kind of relaxes me."
Mimi laughed.
Philip's expression on the other end was indignant.
"Thanks a lot."
"No, no it's not that. It's just, where did you put this guitar on the plane? What? Did your bag have a bottomless pit?"
Philip laughed too. Actually, that was a good question. How did he fit that guitar? He barely even remembered carrying it.
"Uh, somehow I got it on the plane and everything. Hey, at least I made you laugh."
"Yeah. Oh Philip, I wasn't laughing about you playing the guitar. And I wouldn't laugh about you not being able to sleep. I know you went through so much on that island.a lot that you never talk about. Thank you for confiding in me."
"I just wanted to give you a suggestion. Something that works for me."
"I know and that means a lot to me. I better go. I want to try your idea."
"Are you going to be okay now?"
"Yeah, I will. Thanks Philip. I'm so glad you're my friend."
"Me too Meems. G'Night."
"G'Night Philip."
She hung up the phone and went over to her personal cd player. She put in a cd and turned it to one of her favorite songs, a song that she always thought would be about .well about someone special. Tonight it made her think of Philip. She lay down and listened, her player at a low volume.
{When the visions around you
Bring tears to your eyes}
She thought of when she had been crying in his arms.the way he held her, his incredible warmth.how wearing his coat made her feel close to him.
{I'll be your strength
I'll give you hope
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call
Was standing here all along}
He gave her his strength tonight.waiting until she was ready for him to hold her.helping her feel safe again.
{I give you my word}
His promise to help her.that he'd keep her safe.
{Just close your eyes
Each lovin' day}
How he was there for her when she needed him.took the nightmare away.made it safe to close her eyes.
{Over and over I fall
When I hear you call}
Her hero.but not a cardboard one.he was real.unwilling to take all the credit.proud of her.
{And I will take you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong}
When he held her against his chest.kissing her forehead.with such tenderness.
{Every word I say is true
This I promise you}
The last beats of the song.
She fell asleep.her cat in her arms.him in her thoughts.
****
Philip sat down on his bed, combing his hair. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans, a Salem High sweatshirt and tennis shoes. He was going to meet Mimi and they were going to go to the park together. He needed to talk to her.
He could still remember her face when her parents walked into Bo's office. It was obvious how close she was to them. He wished he had that. But with his mom living on her own and Nicole living in the "new" mansion he felt as if he barely even had a family at times. His parents had seemed more demonstrative towards him since the island, but.
He just still wished they were together sometimes.
Oh well, he'd started to accept lately that you can't always get what you want. Maybe his parents just weren't meant to be.well for now at least. He would never lose hope though that one day they would find their way back to each other. He had very little doubt that underneath all the bitterness, they still loved each other. But for now, he needed to focus on his own life. His schoolwork, his friends, his best friend.
Mimi.
She had become such an important part of his life lately. The amazing thing was it had just kind of crept up on him. But the night that she was attacked, he realized something.that he cared for her a lot. He wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but he knew one thing.
He never wanted to see her hurt.
Sitting in his room now, he could remember what it felt like, holding her shaking body in his arms. He had never seen her so absolutely terrified before. It tore at him to see her that way. At least she was safe and he intended to make sure she stayed that way.
He got up off his bed, put his comb in his pocket, grabbed his blue jacket and walked out of his room.
****
It was a chilly day in Salem, the trees bare now. It wouldn't be much longer probably before the winter season brought snow with it. Mimi was sitting on a swing at Salem Park next to Philip, their finished mochas sitting on the ground. Mimi was wearing faded jeans too, a burgundy sweatshirt, a beige jacket and tennis shoes. Her hair was down, hanging loosely with natural waves.
Philip looked at her and smiled.
"So what a week this has been, huh?"
"Yeah, but at least we got through it."
Mimi looked down.
Philip got serious.
"So have you heard from Bo? Have they caught the guy yet?" Philip reached for Mimi's hand, placing his over it. He moved his head down more, trying to get her to look at him.
Mimi looked down at her hand in her lap, his on top of it. She knew he was trying to get her attention. She looked up at him finally.
"No. I don't know how much I'm looking forward to when they do anyways."
"Why Meems?"
"Because I don't really want to see him again.you know to identify him.I kind of just wish I could forget any of this happened."
Mimi looked down again.
Philip moved his swing closer to hers. He reached out and softly touched her chin, lifting it slowly, getting her to look at him and then let go.
"You don't really have to see him again. I mean, you'll be behind a wall. He won't even know that you're there. But you don't have to do this alone, okay?"
He squeezed her hand softly.
"When you get the word just give me a ring. We'll go together."
Mimi looked over at him with surprise.
"Really? You want to go with me? Why?"
Philip laughed softly and shook her swing a little.
"Don't you get it? I WANT to help you."
He touched her cheek for a second, his fingertips just grazing it.
"I want to be there for you."
"Thank you."
"Your welcome."
He let go of her hand.
"But now we need to talk about that night. I want to know why you lied to me."
"Boy, don't beat around the bush Philip. But I'm not sure what you mean."
She avoided his eyes.
Philip looked annoyed. "Oh come on Mimi. You know exactly what I mean. You told me you were getting a ride with Jan and her mother that night. That was a lie. Brady saw Jan and Jason in the parking lot, after you had SUPPOSEDLY gotten a ride with her."
Mimi finally looked at Philip. He sounded so angry. "Brady saw them? What was he doing there?"
Philip shook his head.
"He was picking up Chloe."
He saw Mimi react to that.
"What? Is that it? You lied because of Chloe?" He asked her, incredulous.
Mimi laughed sarcastically. "Don't flatter yourself Philip."
"Don't try to change the subject! And what is that supposed to mean? We were talking about why you lied to me, remember?"
Mimi now looked annoyed.
"And you thought it was because of Chloe! Like everything always revolves around her."
"Oh knock it off Mimi! I just can't believe that you would do something so damn unsafe. What were you thinking?!"
His quick temper was starting to get the best of him, but he was frustrated. And she wasn't giving him any answers.
Mimi exploded.
"Fine, you want to know why I lied? I'll tell you. And why I was so DUMB too."
Philip started to protest, but she cut him off.
"I had a horrible day cleaning the locker rooms with Jan. I ended up having to spend the whole afternoon cleaning with HER. Listening to her complain endlessly. I was tired and just wanted to get out of there and go home. Then I come outside and there you are with Chloe and I just wanted to.I don't like her, okay.I've made my peace with her. I apologized for the internet prank, but we're never going to be friends. For your information, it wasn't about you, it was about ME. I wanted to go home."
She started to get more and more upset, her voice starting to break.
"I didn't think. And so I probably got what I deserved, huh Phil? You probably wish -"
Her voice broke as tears filled her eyes.
Philip looked at her disbelievingly.
"How can you even say that?"
He got off the swing and pulled her up by the hands. Then he held her in his arms.
"I would never EVER wish for anything bad to happen to you. You should know that."
His voice was scolding, but gentle.
"I know you don't like Chloe. I don't completely understand why, but it's like you said. You made your peace with her. I'm not going to stop caring about her, but I'm not her boyfriend anymore. I've accepted that. And I do not intend to lose you as a friend either. Don't you see? That's why I was so upset. You lied to me. You weren't honest with me. And you nearly were."
His voice broke off as the reality of what COULD have happened to her hit home.
"It could have been worse Meems."
He finished in a low whisper.
She pulled back and looked up at him.
"I know and I am grateful to you."
Philip shook his head. "I don't even care about that Mimi. Just don't ever walk home alone again at night, okay? I mean, we have a deal. Remember? I walk you home two nights a week and keep you entertained with my amazing football stories."
Mimi laughed softly.
He grinned at her, happy to hear her laugh. But then he got serious again. He touched her cheek, with his hand, his thumb moving back and forth, as his eyes searched her face with concern.
"Please, just don't ever do anything like that again, okay? Always be honest with me."
Mimi looked up into his eyes, feeling his hand against her cheek, his touch so soft, filling her with emotion. She found it hard to speak.
"I won't. I promise."
Philip slowly moved his hand away.
"Good." He clapped his hands together.
"Now that that's settled.let's forget that we're teenagers on the verge of being adults. Let's be kids again." He grinned at her.
Mimi smiled, looking at him with curiosity. "What do you mean by that?"
Philip grasped her hand in his.
"Come on."
Then he ran with her over to the tire swing.
"Okay, sit down."
"You're absolutely nuts!"
"Hey! At least I know how to have fun!" He challenged her with a smirk.
Mimi huffed. "I know how to have fun!"
"Prove it then." Philip answered her matter of factly.
"Fine."
Mimi got on the swing, letting her legs swing inside the tire as she gripped onto the chains.
Philip gave her a crafty look and started spinning the swing around and around. Then he ran with the swing and jumped on at the last minute, startling Mimi. She laughed along with him as the swing spun in circles wildly. They both yelled out, in total abandon as they got dizzier and dizzier.
Finally it stopped.
"Whoa, I think I could handle that better when I was seven years old." Philip laughed, still feeling not so steady.
Mimi smiled softly. "I know what you're trying to do and I appreciate it."
"What? What are you talking about?"
Philip feigned innocence.
"You're trying to get me to forget that night."
Philip shot her a confused look.
"Is that what you think? Nah. I just thought it would be fun to be kids again."
Mimi smiled again.
"You're right, it is. Now, how about the swings?"
She climbed out of the tire swing and ran over to the swings they had been sitting on earlier. She started to pump her feet, rising up high in the air. She watched as Philip ran over, a little slower. He really must be dizzy. He got on the swing next to her and pumped his feet too, raising high up in the air. Mimi closed her eyes, leaning back, feeling incredibly free.
Philip watched her, slowing down his own swing. Her hair was blowing behind her, her face was so carefree, her eyes closed, her lashes fluttering like a butterfly.
Mimi sensed she was being watched, opened her eyes, and looked over, meeting Philip's. She slowed down her swing.
"What, what is it?"
"Nothing."
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
He gave her no time to respond, bumping into her swing with his own.
"Hey, you!"Mimi bumped him back.
Philip bumped her back. And so it continued until their swings were swaying sideways wildly and they could barely control them anymore. In fact, it took some effort to get those wildly swaying swings to slow down.
They laughed, letting their feet hit the ground.
Suddenly, Philip grabbed Mimi's swing, catching her off guard. He pulled the chains closer to his so they were face to face. Then he moved his face even closer, continuing to grasp the chains on her swing.
He started to lean in.
Mimi stared up at him in shock. Was he going to.?
He moved in more.
His blue eyes looking straight into her green ones.
And.
Kissed her squarely on the nose.
Then he pulled back a little, with a sly grin.
"Remember, we're just kids!"
He laughed and got up and ran off.
She sat there for a second in total disbelief, getting her heartbeat back to normal, then ran after him.
The two swings swayed.in unison.side by side.
Song Lyrics are to: 'This I Promise You', By NSYNC and Richard