Chapter 31: Surprise! Surprise!
"Meems, I was wondering, since you said there's no one you're really interested in, how would you feel about going out on a blind date with this really cute guy who wants to meet you?"
"A blind date?" Mimi questioned Belle, wondering who this guy could be.
****
"You want me to go out with you and Belle on a blind date?"
"Well, actually Phil, a friend will be joining us." Shawn responded to Philip's question.
****
"So where do you know this guy from Belle?"
"Uh, I met him at one of the away games with Shawn. He's really nice and he's even into photography like you."
"Really?"
Meeting him might not be so bad.
***
"I'll tell you in a minute, but first let me tell you about this girl."
"Okay, tell me about her." Philip said with some wariness.
"She's this cool girl that Belle met at one of our games. You know, she's a cheerleader, too.cute, totally your type."
"My type, huh?" Philip asked, wondering what he meant by that.
"Yeah, and she wants to meet you."
****
"Yeah, so what do you think Meems? Want to meet him?"
"I don't know Belle.a blind date?"
"I know, blind dates can be kind of risky, but I think you guys could really get along and it's not like you'll be alone.Shawn and I will be there."
And someone else, Belle thought.
****
"So you want to meet her Phil?"
"A blind date, Shawn?"
"Really Philip, I know you two will like each other."
"Oh, you do?"
****
"So, where would we be going on this date?"
"That's the best part! We were thinking of going clubbing.you know dancing.to what's supposed to be this really great place in Boston!"
"Boston?"
"Yeah, I mean there's hardly anything here in Salem and we're all on break now. Don't you think it'll be fun?"
****
"Yeah. And since we don't have any school for awhile, we thought it would be cool to go out to a club in Boston."
Philip smiled. "That does sound kind of cool."
"So, come on Phil, what do you say?"
"Does she have a name?"
Shawn smiled. "Yeah of course. Stacy."
****
"Yeah, it does sound like fun, Belle. What's this guy's name?"
"Oh, I didn't even tell you it! Chris."
****
"So Philip?"
"You only live once, right? Yeah, why not."
"Cool." Shawn said with a smile.
"So who's the friend that's coming with us?"
"Mimi."
"Mimi?" Philip asked, a little shocked.
"Yeah, with a date." Shawn replied smoothly.
****
"Oh."
"So, what do you say Meems?"
"Uh, yeah.I'll go."
Great.and there will be a friend going with us."
"A friend? Who?"
"Philip, with a girl."
****
"Mimi's going? And with a guy?"
Philip wasn't sure how he felt about that fact.
"Yep."
"Who?"
"I don't really know. Belle knows him."
"And you don't know who he is? Don't you think that's kind of weird, your girlfriend knowing some guy who you don't know?"
"Well, I know him a little and why should I be worried? He's totally interested in meeting Mimi. You know, they have a lot in common."
****
"Philip? And he's bringing a girl?"
"Well, see, this is a girl that's Philip's type. Shawn and I got to know her.she's really nice and she's totally into meeting Philip."
"How nice."
"Yeah, I really think there's a lot of potential.I think they might end up being a really cute couple."
"Really?" Mimi questioned dryly.
****
"Oh they do?" Philip asked, feeling slightly annoyed.
"Yeah, they're totally into the same types of things. Belle thinks he may be the perfect guy for Mimi, the perfect match."
"Perfection's overrated."
Okay, why was this getting to him so much?
****
"Yeah. And Meems, uh."
"What Belle?"
"Oh, I'll just come out and say it. I don't know why I'm so worried. I mean you said you guys are just friends, right?"
"What?"
Her mind was distracted by the thought of Philip.with someone knew.
"You and Philip.you're just friends, right?" Belle asked pointedly.
****
"Uh, yeah Phil." Shawn laughed a little. "Anyways, uhh maybe I shouldn't say anything."
"What Shawn?"
His patience was running thin. Now what?
"Uh, it's just."
"Come on. What?"
"Oh, I'll just tell you. After all, you've made it abundantly clear that you guys are just pals. That's all you are, right?"
****
Mimi wasn't sure she wanted to know what Belle would say next.but a part of her was also dying with curiosity.
"Yes, we're just friends, so what Belle?"
"Oh good, then you won't mind. He is just so into meeting this girl!"
"He is?"
"Yeah, but don't tell him I said anything.ohhhh, I said too much. Oh well, I'm just so happy for him and I know you must be too, right?"
"He's really excited about meeting this girl?"
Where the heck was she when all this happened?
"Yeah, but he.uh."
"What Belle?"
"He didn't want to hurt your feelings, just in case, well you know, I guess he thought you might like him more.He'll be so relieved to know that's not true."
****
"Yeah, Brady, that's it for the one thousandth time. Now, what were you going to say?"
"Great, you won't mind! She's totally psyched about meeting this guy.and Belle and I couldn't be happier for her!"
Okay, what planet was he orbiting when all this happened?
"She wants to meet this guy?"
"Oh yeah, but, hey, listen."
"What?"
"Don't tell her I told you. She's kind of scared you might be upset.she somehow got it into her head that you wanted to be more than friends! She'll be so happy that wasn't true."
****
Great. Wonderful. Ugh!
"Oh, he thought that huh? Well you know what Belle, he couldn't be more wrong."
Okay, she was just a bit defensive there.
"Great Meems, this is going to be so fun!"
Oh yeah, Mimi thought, this will be fun all right.
She'd show him!
****
Oh, this was just what he wanted to hear! Ugh!
"That I like her more than a friend, huh? Well that's the furthest thing from the truth!"
Well, well, well, if that answer wasn't just a bit bitter.
"Cool, this is going to be quite a night!"
Oh yeah, Philip thought, this was definitely going to be some night.
He'd make sure of that!
****
"Hey, it's me.he took the bait."
"So did she."
"I don't know. Are you sure this is going to work?"
"Did he seem happy to you, after you told him she wanted to meet this guy?"
"Not really. Did she seem happy to you?"
"Definitely not."
"But what if they talk to each other about it. what if they find out?"
"Trust me. They won't. They're both too angry right now. This is going to work."
"You're sure?"
"Oh yeah. I just know it will."
"But what if something goes wrong?"
"What could possibly go wrong?"
****
She was at Belle's in the bathroom, getting ready.
Ready for her blind date, not sure how she felt about going. The guy sounded nice enough, but.
DAMN! Why couldn't she stop thinking of him? He only liked her as a friend. She knew that. She had no problem with that. Sure, he didn't tell her about this, uh, girl, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings. That was nice of him, right?
Wrong! It made her feel like a fool. that she actually thought there was the possibility of something more.the way he had held her in his arms so many times recently.almost too many to count.his soft voice.the way he laughed.the way he smiled.how he touched her face.sending tingling-
"Meems, Shawn's here! Ready to go?"
She shook away her thoughts, determined to not let him get to her tonight. They were just friends! Period. "Yeah, I'm ready Belle", she called out, opened the door and walked out.
****
He looked at himself one more time in the mirror and then turned away, sitting down on his bed. A blind date! Oh boy.the thought of meeting someone new, when lately .
ENOUGH! Stop thinking about her! She thought of him as just a friend. That was fine. It didn't bother him. Of course, she hadn't told him about any other guy, but maybe she didn't want to hurt him. She didn't want to make him upset.
How generous of her, right?
Wrong! He felt dumb now.that he had actually started to feel something.something special.the sound of her laughter.her sweet smile.her genuine interest in what he liked.holding her in his arms.her soft touch-
His thoughts were cut off by Henderson, knocking on his door, letting him know Shawn was downstairs.
He answered, his mind set on not letting her affect him tonight. As Shawn said, they were just pals, nothing more. He walked out the door of his room and started down the steps..
So both thought they could ignore the heart.
The brain was winning again.
Yet, the battle wasn't over and this night would give it quite a challenge.
It would challenge them.
Chapter 32: Jealousy Part I
"There is never jealousy where there is not strong regard."
----Washington Irving
You couldn't have cut the tension with a knife. It was that thick. Belle looked at Shawn shakily as the silence continued. He looked at her as if to say 'like I know what to do?'
Mimi and Philip sat on the backseat, on opposite sides, ignoring each other completely. Neither were really thinking about their prospective dates either, who were set to meet them in Boston. Their minds were otherwise occupied.
Finally, Shawn spoke up, hoping it would keep Belle from nudging him in the side anymore. This wasn't his idea!
"So Philip, you must be pretty excited, huh, getting a new car for Christmas?"
"Yeah, it was a huge surprise, but hey, you got one too, one of the best." Philip was referring to the car that Shawn was now driving, a used mustang that his parents had gotten for him.
"True, but I didn't get a brand new one, though I definitely like what they got me. But I bet you won't have to pay for anything, like gas for example."
"Wrong Brady. My dad wants me to help pay for it and actually I really don't mind."
"And how are you going to help pay for it, through what must be your very generous allowance?" Shawn was only half joking.
Philip smirked. "Funny. No, I'm going to start working at Titan after the New Year starts."
Mimi still said nothing, but inside she was happy for him.that he was going to start working with his dad. He had told her about it on Christmas Eve and she knew it was important to him.
Belle spoke from the front. "Philip, that's great! What's your position going to be?"
"Junior executive?" Shawn asked dryly.
Mimi chuckled a little, catching an amused yet ironic glance from Philip as he shook his head.
Belle hit Shawn on the arm lightly.
"Hey, I was just joking!" Shawn protested, receiving a sour look from her. Would he ever learn?
Philip finally answered. "No, my dad doesn't believe in handing out special favors. For all I know, I'll end up being an errand boy. But hey it's a start, right?"
"Right!" Belle responded from the front.
Then her cell phone rang. "Hello..oh, that's too bad.right, another time.I'll tell her. I know, so am I.okay, sorry.yeah, talk to you later."
She hung up and looked back at Mimi with an apologetic look.
"Is something wrong Belle?" Mimi asked.
"Yeah. Oh Meems, I'm so sorry, but Chris can't come."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he ended up having to baby-sit his little sister at the last minute. He said he's really sorry and he hopes that you guys can get together another time."
"Oh, well, I guess I don't have a date then." Mimi was unsure what else she could say. She felt like she had been dumped.
"Oh Meems, I'm sorry, but there'll probably be so many cute guys there, you'll have a great time anyways. I just know it."
"Yeah Belle." Mimi looked out the window, wondering what else could end up happening this strange night.
Something didn't feel right.
Philip just watched her silently.
****
They walked into the club. Philip still had yet to meet his date. She was set to meet them there. They rode up the elevator, up to the second floor for the younger crowd. Once there, Shawn offered to put their coats away and Belle said she'd help him out.
Belle was wearing an off the shoulder sparkly top with a black leather skirt, her hair curled. Shawn was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt with charcoal colored slacks.
However, Mimi and Philip barely noticed their friends. Their eyes were on each other as Shawn and Belle left with the coats.
Mimi studied Philip, thinking he looked.
Oh, so fine!
He was wearing a burgundy button down, short-sleeved shirt, the sleeves rolled up a little, showing off his muscular arms. In fact, his athletic physique was very much in evidence since the shirt fit him well. A pair of black slacks that also fit him well finished it off. Black shoes completed the look. And his hair.
It was different from the way he normally wore it, but she definitely liked it. It didn't really have a definite part, combed in a way that made it look almost kind of wind swept, yet it didn't look messy. It made it look wavier and it made him look older.
Philip had watched from the moment she took her coat off, revealing a very.
Wow! He had never seen her look like this! She was wearing.
What did they call that? A tank top?
It had swirls of different colors of glitter all over it and it drooped a little in the front (cowl neck for the fashionably inclined), but in the back it went down low with tiny little straps (spaghetti straps) revealing part of her back. Around her waist she was wearing a swirling black short skirt (wrap around skirt that went a little high over the knees) dark nylons and black high heeled sandals. She seemed to have glitter on her too (body glitter) and there were little bobby pins that sparkled in her hair, which hung down tonight in gorgeous waves. He thought she looked very grown up.
Shawn and Belle came back and once again had bad news. Stacy couldn't come. Her grandmother was sick. She was very sorry, but she hoped they could meet again another time. So now both had no date.
Hmmm, this evening was turning out to be quite unpredictable. Not to mention, something still didn't feel right.
They walked through the doors of the lobby into the .
Land of excitement. It was huge.
Unlike anything they ever saw in Salem. Lights were flashing everywhere in the darkened room, that was lit up by the zooming laser lights. Young people were all around dancing to the loud music that thundered throughout. A D.J. could be seen in one corner, dancing as he played song after song. On the sides, there were small round tables and stools where you could sit if you chose to. There was also a small bar serving non-alcoholic drinks since this floor was for the younger crowd.
They walked in and headed over towards an empty table. Shawn and belle kept apologizing about their dates, but Philip and Mimi just shrugged it off. Not much they could do about it now. Besides, it was too loud in the place to even be heard that well. This wasn't the right time to have a conversation.
Pink's "Get the party started" came on and Belle started moving to the music. "Ohhh, I love this song!"
Mimi laughed and sort of yelled, "Then why don't you go dance with Shawn, Belle?"
"Will you two be okay?" Belle asked.
Philip answered dryly. "Yes, I think we'll be fine. Go dance you two."
Shawn grabbed Belle's hand and Belle waved back as they went out towards the middle of the crowded dance floor and started dancing away.
Mimi stood there for a minute, and then spoke up.
"Well, don't stay on my account Philip. Go dance."
"What?"
He could barely hear her with all the noise.
"I said, go dance!"
"Maybe I don't want to!" He answered a little angrily, not happy that she didn't tell him about this guy she had wanted to date.
"I just don't want you to think you have to stay here with me. I'm fine."
"Don't I know that." Philip replied sarcastically.
"What?" Mimi asked.
"Nothing." Philip replied. He looked out at the dance floor silently, not noticing the guy who came over.
Mimi was now standing further away from Philip.
"Want to dance?"
She looked up at a very cute guy, who was smiling down at her, asking her to dance, of all things. She smiled back, starting to actually enjoy herself.
Philip just stood there, watching in shock as this.
Whoever he was.came over and asked her to dance. He glared at him.
The poor guy looked nervously over at Philip, noticing his not so friendly look and then back at Mimi.
"Uh, are you guys together, 'cause I didn't mean to interfere or anything if that's the case."
Mimi was still smarting from the fact that Philip was so looking forward to meeting this girl he had been set up with. She gestured to Philip.
"Him? Oh no, we're just friends, right Phil" She asked, putting her hand on his shoulder like they were old pals.
"Yeah." Philip answered a little sarcastically.
"Bosom buddies."
"And I would love to dance with you." Mimi replied flirtatiously, letting herself be led out to the dance floor.
****
"So are they dancing Shawn?" Belle asked her boyfriend, since he had the better vantage point.
"Uh, she is."
"What?" Belle asked in shock. "What about Philip?"
"Uh, he's just standing there, glaring."
"Ohhh, what went wrong Shawn?!" Belle asked her boyfriend who wisely didn't answer.
****
Philip watched them dancing together, feeling.
Fine! Two could play at this game. He walked over to a very attractive girl, giving her one of his dimpled grins, charming her completely, and asked her to dance. She very happily said yes. They went out to the packed dance floor and started moving to the beat.
****
"Okay, okay, what's happening now?"
"Uh, he's dancing too."
"Together? Are they dancing together?" Belle asked Shawn excitedly.
"No, he's dancing with this, uh, really fine looking gir-OW! What did you hit me for?" Shawn asked his girlfriend, completely confused.
"Shawn Douglas Brady, you better watch your mouth and remember that I'm your girlfriend!"
"Of course I remember that Belle and you are by far the best looking girl here." He said affectionately.
"Good save. Now turn me around so I can see them."
Poor Shawn did as she told him. Boy, sometimes.
Sometimes she could be so demanding!
"OHHH!"
"What Belle?" Shawn asked in shock, wondering what happened.
Did he step on her foot?
"This is turning out to be a nightmare! Why are they dancing with other people and why do they both look like they are flirting with those people? What is wrong with them?"
Shawn just sighed. This was going to be a long night.
****
{I'm coming up so you better get this party started
Get this party started on a Saturday night}
Philip could tell he was dazzling his partner, with his smiles and charm. It was easy, getting a girl to like him for superficial reasons and at one time it had interested him. Now it just made him feel bored and empty. However, he was determined to act as if he was having fun. No way was he going to let her get to him.
Dancing with that.
Show-off-whatever he was!
And this way he could keep a good eye on her too. He wasn't sure of what he was doing. He only knew that he didn't want to let Mimi out of his sight.
He looked at the girl he was dancing with. She was definitely good-looking, blond, tall, wearing a dress that showed off a slim figure.
"So my name's Philip. What's yours?" He spoke near her ear, since it was the only way to be heard.
"Lydia." She spoke back in his ear, flashing a dazzling smile.
He only nodded his head, barely paying attention.
{I'm your operator you can call anytime
I'll be your connection to the party line}
Oooohhh, blond, leggy bimbo.
Probably had the IQ of.
Ooh, forget it! Who cares who he dances with?
Especially when her partner, was exceptionally cute, tall, dark haired, handsome.totally.
Now what was he doing?!
Whispering in her ear?!
Well, she could flirt; she could flirt just like any other girl. She smiled up at her dancing partner with a lily sweet smile. He smiled back and spoke near her ear.
"I don't even know your name."
Mimi smiled back up at him, and then spoke near his ear. "Tell me yours first."
He laughed softly. "Joshua."
"Miriam, but everyone calls me Mimi."
"Nice."
Mimi was only half-paying attention. She was too busy noticing Philip.
Watching her?
Philip looked away quickly as the song changed to Craig David's "Fill me in."
{Fill me in
Let me know what's up baby
Can you fill me in
Let me know what's up}
****
"This is all your fault Shawn." Belle informed her boyfriend as they continued to dance.
"My fault?!" Shawn asked with complete shock.
"I mean you guys, you are just so.so ridiculous at times! Why can't you just admit how you feel instead of playing these dumb games and everything. making us girls go crazy!!"
"What does this have to do with me?" Shawn asked, now completely dumbfounded.
"How many YEARS did it take you to just kiss me, huh, to finally tell me how you felt?"
Oh brother, not this again.
"I know, but I made up for it right?"
He kissed Belle, one long very deep kiss, right there on the dance floor.
She finally smiled, in total agreement with him.
"Yes, you definitely did." She replied, kissing him back.
****
{The games you play.}
His hands were on her waist now! Get your hands off her!
Oh man.
Uh, Laura was looking at him a little strangely.
"Sorry Laura, just enjoying the music."
She smiled, but corrected him. "Uh, it's Lydia."
"What?"
He was distracted again.
"My name, it's Lydia."
"Uh-huh."
Okay, Joshua was holding her a little close and she felt.
Absolutely nothing.
She was too busy watching Philip with Miss America.
"Hey, you alright?"
Oops, was he talking to her?
"Excuse me?"
"You just seem kind of distracted."
"No, I'm really having a good time."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
****
"Okay, you have to keep an eye on Mimi. I mean we don't even know who this guy is. He could be some mass murderer or something."
Shawn reacted to his girlfriend's paranoid state.
"I highly doubt that Belle."
"Shawn, please just watch out for her. I don't like the idea of her being out there all alone with some stranger."
"I don't think we have to worry about that."
"Why?"
"Because Philip's watching her like a hawk.when his dancing partner isn't looking."
****
The song changed to Destiny's Child's "Jumpin' Jumpin'"
{Though he say he got a girl
Yeah it's true you got a man
But the party ain't goin' stop
So let's make it hot hot}
Philip and Mimi were still dancing with their dancing partners, smiling, laughing, pretending to have a wonderful time, that is, when they weren't watching each other. Of course they only did this when the other wasn't watching, not wanting to look like they were interested.
Philip noticed how good she looked in that sparkly top and how that skirt showed off her legs.
Mimi noticed that he looked so good, every viewpoint of him: front, back, side.
****
"Is he still looking out for her?"
"It's more like they keep looking out for each other." Shawn answered his girlfriend as they continued to dance.
"Maybe something good will happen."
Let's hope, Shawn thought, or she might come up with another grand plan. He loved Belle, but when she decided to play matchmaker, watch out world!
****
Samantha Mumba's "Gotta Tell You" started playing.
{Your love for me came as a waterfall
Flowin' inside me like never before}
Mimi was still dancing with Joshua, who seemed very nice, when he didn't try to amaze her with his flash dancing moves. Yes, he was quite the show- off, so she was kind of shocked.
Shocked that she wasn't attracted to him.
If she had met someone like him last year, she probably would have loved showing him off and everything. But now.
Now it was different. She wanted more than just a guy to show off. She wanted someone.
Someone who made her feel special.
Someone who knew and cared about her for who she was.
She continued dancing, feeling strangely empty.
{It was something in you eyes
That made me realize
But now I hear voices deep inside
Tellin' me tellin' me}
Philip continued to watch them, barely realizing he was doing it. He should be having fun.
With such a hot girl, but he wasn't. The old Phillip would have loved this, but that wasn't who he was anymore. He had changed so much in the last year, since the island especially. He had experienced love and now meaningless relationships meant nothing to him, nothing at all. He wanted no part of it. Friendship.
It meant everything to him.
He wanted something real.
{Don't wanna love you if you don't love me
Don't wanna need you when you won't need me too}
****
"Shawn, see how they keep looking at each other. Now, if they would just stop dancing with those two perfect strangers and go dance with each other."
"You know Belle.I hate to say this, but.I think we.I don't think we should of done this."
"What are you talking about?"
"I think if we gave them more time, they would have admitted it themselves."
"Well then why did you agree with me on this plan?"
"What?!"
"We should have just let nature take its course."
NOW, she finally agreed with him! Ohhhh!
"That's what I said in the first place. I never wanted to go along with this. It was all your idea."
"Well, you should have stopped me then."
He gave up. He'd never win anyways. Just admit defeat.
He would never, ever understand the opposite sex.
****
Joshua started holding Mimi closer, though a respectable distance, as Usher's "U got it bad" started playing. Mimi sighed quietly, looking over his shoulder.
Philip held, oh man, what was her name? Lorraine?, a bit closer as the song began, looking over her shoulder.
{When you feel it in your body
You found somebody who makes you change your ways.}
He stared ahead blankly.
She stared ahead blankly.
{And everything in your past you wanna let it go.
Nobody wants to be alone.}
He thought of how he had danced with her that night.
The night of the Winter Ball, how surprised she had looked when he came back and how he had taken her into his arms and held her close.
{U got, u got it bad
If you miss a day without your friend
Your whole life's off track.}
She thought of how it felt to dance with him in the snow, playing like kids, embracing each other.
{U got it bad when you're out with someone
But you keep thinking' bout somebody else
U got it bad.}
Suddenly.
Their eyes locked and they stared at each other, knowing, knowing they would rather be dancing at that moment with each other. It was still scary to admit that they were feeling something.
Something more than friendship. Why interfere with something that was so special? But still.
Watching her.
Watching him.
With someone else wasn't easy. It didn't feel right.
Maybe at first she wanted to be with someone else tonight..
Maybe at first he wanted to be with someone else tonight,
But now.
Now was what counted.
{I want you to know
I really adore you}
"Uh, Lorraine, I'm sorry, I've got to go."
"LYDIA."
"Yeah. Sorry."
"I can't do this, uh, excuse me Joshua."
"You want to just take a break?"
"No. I've gotta go. Sorry."
Where she was going, she didn't know. She just knew she didn't want to watch him dancing with somebody else anymore. She turned away, disheartened, and walked through the crowded dance floor.
Shuddering as she felt hands wrap around her waist.
Then.
{I'm your man}
"Dance with me."
A low whispered breath against her ear.
Making her shiver.
{You're my girl}
Song credits:
"Get the party started" by Pink
"Fill Me In" by Craig David
"Jumpin' Jumpin'" by Destiny's Child
Chapter 32 Part II
"There is never jealousy where there is not strong regard."
----Washington Irving
"Shawn, look, look!"
"What?"
"He's asking her to dance!!" Belle exclaimed.
"Finally."
"See, I told you this was going to work!"
****
Shiver with excitement.
{U got it, u got it bad}
His touch made Mimi tingle. She felt his warm breath against her ear, his hands on her waist, his arms encircling her, making her feel weak. She turned around in his embrace, looking up at him.
At Philip's serious face.
The tone of his voice implying that it was not a demand.
But it wasn't quite a request either.
{U got it, u got it bad}
Philip let go of her waist, slowly and reluctantly and held his hands out for her to dance with him, watching her face carefully.
She looked up at him for a minute, and then placed her hands in his.
He backed up with her towards a corner to dance, keeping his eyes on her as much as he could while trying to navigate his way through the swamped dance floor.
The Usher song had ended and now No Doubt's "Hella Good" (fast song) started playing.
{The waves keep on crashing on me for some reason
But your love keeps on coming like a thunderbolt}
Mimi and Philip both started moving to the driving beats of the song, finally enjoying themselves.
{Come here a little closer
Cause I wanna see you baby real close up}
They let loose, as the lights flashed all around the room and the thundering sound from the speakers continued.
{You got me feeling hella good
So let's just keep on dancing
You hold me like you should
So I'm gonna keep on dancing}
He watched her with wonder. She was quite the dancer, so he wondered why she barely set foot on the dance floor at the many school dances they had.
She held her arms up in the air and slowly brought them back down by her side, feeling the music.
{A performance deserving of standing ovations
And who would've thought it'd be the two of us}
Her hair swinging with her movements, all that glitter sparkling.
It was quite a sight, watching her go.
The way he looked so carefree now.
The lights illuminating his face.
The way he moved.
{So don't wake me if I'm dreaming
Cause I'm in the mood come on and give it up}
The beat changed and she put her hands on his arms. Philip put his hands on her waist, smiling as she moved to the beat with a lot of energy. He considered himself a pretty good dancer, but man, it wouldn't be easy keeping up with her.
He'd have fun trying though.
The laser beam lights, coming from all directions, shined on them, altering the colors of their clothing and everything else. How a dance floor could be such an illusionary world.
****
"Oh yes, they're having a great time now! It worked!"
"Good, now we can have a great time too, right?"
"Oh yes, Baby."
Belle kissed her boyfriend, pleasing him immensely.
****
They both still wondered why neither had told the other about wanting to go out on a blind date, but they were having too much fun to discuss it now. It's not like they could really talk that much anyways because it was so loud. They could talk later. Now, they just wanted to enjoy the moment.
A new song started playing.
"Oh Philip, I'm crazy about this song!"
Philip laughed, then spoke close to her ear, to make sure they could hear each other. Of course, he didn't mind getting closer to her either.
"What song is this?"
Mimi whispered in his ear, a little flirtatiously, having so much fun with him.
"Cherry Lips (Go baby go)."
Philip smiled at the delectable name.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah. Let's dance."
She grabbed his hands, grinning.
He laughed again. She was one little livewire.
She looked at him a little shakily.
"Unless, you don't want to."
"Are you kidding? Come on!"
He stepped out with her a little more on the dance floor and they started moving once again.
The song started out with an almost comical beat. Mimi playfully danced holding Philip's hands. He moved with her, smiling, showing off his dimples. Then all of the sudden the music got loud and had a more rocking, danceable beat.
{You're such a delicate boy
In the hysterical realm
Of an emotional landslide
In physical terms}
Philip spun her around, with their hands still linked. She now danced on the other side of him, holding hands with him again after letting go for one small moment. They danced together, feeling not a care in the world. They laughed together. It was such a silly, but fun song to dance to. She surprised him, wrapping her arms around his neck and shoulders, making him chuckle, then letting go as he held onto her, watching her go, moving her body to the beat.
{Go baby Go Go
We're right behind you}
As the beat changed again, Philip let loose himself. Mimi smiled, a smile that lit up her face, watching him with pure delight as she danced with him.
It was such a joy being with each other!
{Go baby Go Go
Yeah we're looking at you}
The beginning beats of "Don't let me be the last to know" started.
Mimi looked at Philip a little timidly as the almost exotic beginning of the song started to permeate the atmosphere, then she started to walk away, not sure if he wanted to dance a slow song with her, secretly hoping he did.
Philip reached out for her arm.
"Hey, don't cut out on me now. Time to cool down, don't you think, with a slower number."
He looked down into her eyes, waiting for her reaction a bit nervously.
She smiled up at him, her expression letting him know her answer and he smiled back. Then he reached for her, taking her into his arms, feeling her hands move up to his shoulders as he held onto her waist.
{My friends say you're so into me
And that you need me desperately
They say you say we're so complete}
She held onto him.
Her hands feeling his strong shoulders...
The silkiness of his shirt.
The subtle scent of his cologne.
He wrapped his hands around her waist further.
Feeling the texture of her top.
Her soft waves of hair against his neck.
Her body against his.
{But I need to hear it straight from you
If you want me to believe it's true
I've been waiting for so long it hurts
I wanna hear you say the words, please}
He turned with her in his arms and moved his head back, wanting to see her face. She slowly looked up at him, this the first time that they danced slowly that they really looked at each other. They gazed without distraction into each other's eyes.
{You're body language says so much
Yeah, I feel it in the way you touch}
He moved his hands up her arms, sending tiny little shivers thorough her.
Oh, the way he made her feel.
{Don't, don't let me be the last to know
Don't hold back, just let it go
I need to hear you say
You need me all the way}
He moved his hands to her back, feeling her soft skin, letting his chin rest on top of her head.
She closed her eyes, letting her arms wrap around his back too.
As the song changed to Enrique Iglesias's "Hero" neither showed any signs of letting go of each other.
****
"Belle, look." Shawn said softly, from where they were dancing.
She looked over at the wonderful sight of Philip and Mimi dancing together, oblivious to the rest of the world, encased in one another.
"Oh Shawn, look at them, how happy they look! Finally, Mimi found someone! And Philip, it's so good to see him smiling again, and not a superficial smile, a real smile!"
"Yeah, but let's just keep it low key, alright Belle." Shawn warned. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here."
"But just look at them Shawn."
"I know, but it might be the atmosphere too.let's just give them time."
"I know you're right, but I can be happy for them, can't I?" Belle asked with a smile.
"Sure Belle. Believe it or not, I'm happy too."
****
{Would you dance if I asked you to dance?
Would you run and never look back}
She had always wanted it, wanted someone to care for her, but was she reading into it too much? 'Cause now that she felt it, felt the deep caring of someone, she also felt very afraid, unsure.
Did he know that she had grown to treasure their friendship, that his smile lit her up inside?
He knew that moving on wouldn't be easy and it hadn't been, but with such a special friend at his side, it had been easier.
Did she even realize how much she had helped him?
Now he was ready to let go of the past, even if the future still made him apprehensive.
All he knew for sure was that he didn't want them to lose their friendship.
Something she too didn't want to lose.
What they both.
Couldn't bear to lose.
{Would you cry if you saw me cryin'?
And would you save my soul tonight?}
They held each other close, letting go of their anxious thoughts, wanting to just enjoy the feel of each other.
Giving into emotion.
{Would you tremble if I touched you lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please tell me this}
{I can be your hero baby'
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away.}
****
Philip looked over at Mimi as she quietly sat in the backseat, a little ways from him, bundled up in her coat, obviously cold. It was taking time for the heater to warm up Shawn's car. Up in front Belle was sitting close to Shawn as he started driving home. Philip noticed Mimi shiver and thought enough was enough. He scooted over a little and spoke to her in a whisper, smiling charmingly.
"Meems, why don't you come over here? You're obviously cold. I won't bite, I promise."
She smiled back and moved over closer, feeling him wrap his arms around her. She snuggled against his chest, finally getting warmer.
"Thanks." She whispered softly.
"Anytime." Philip said lightly.
They continued to talk in whispers.
"So, you know, I had a good time tonight, the second half of the night anyway. I didn't even really mind that my date didn't show up..."
He wanted to know how she would answer back. Did she have a good time too?
His comment made her smile and feel happy.
"Me too. I mean the second half. And I was okay that my date didn't come. I had fun anyways."
Her comment made him happy.
"So, uh, do you have any big plans for the rest of the break?"
"No, but, well, actually, I have to do this project for my photography class."
"What?" Philip asked with interest.
"I have to go out of town and take some pictures, anywhere other than Salem. We're going to be graded on originality and quality, but I don't know, I need a means of transportation."
Philip jauntily replied.
"Well, look no further. Remember, you're speaking to a guy who just got a brand new set of wheels and who has been dying for a chance to get to test them out. This will be perfect."
Her voice sounded surprised. "You want to go with me?"
"Sure. It sounds like fun. Now, where do you think we should go? Vegas? L.A.?"
Mimi giggled. "Stop being a nut."
"Hey, is that the way to talk to your own personal chauffer?" He teased.
"Watch it Phil. Now come on, get serious."
"All right. All right." He suddenly got excited. "Hey, let's come back out to Boston."
"Boston?"
"Yeah, we could spend the day. Wouldn't that be cool?"
"I've never really explored Boston before. It would be cool. Could we go to Cambridge and some of the older parts?"
"Yeah, sure. We could leave really early, that way you can get tons of pictures. It'll be great."
"So when should we go?"
"Day after tomorrow sound good?"
"That soon?"
"Yeah, I mean the break's going to be over in next to no time."
"But that's New Year's Eve."
"So, we can spend the day and then come back to Salem and ring in the New Year."
"Should we ask Shawn and Belle to come with us?"
He shook his head in response.
"No, I was thinking we could go alone, just us. I think we both learned tonight, those two just aren't very good matchmakers." Philip joked. "I mean we both got dumped tonight."
"Let's save ourselves from further humiliation."
"Right."
Mimi yawned. She covered her mouth, looking up sheepishly at Philip.
Philip spoke gently.
"You getting tired?"
The heater was working fine now, but he still had his arms wrapped around her. Hey, she wasn't complaining and he was more than comfortable holding her, his chin resting on top of her head, her hair tickling him a little.
"Yeah, I guess."
She could feel his heart beating, near her head that lay against his chest.
He whispered softly against her hair...
"Go ahead and fall asleep if you want. I'll wake you if anything exciting happens."
Oh, that soft sweet voice of his.
"Okay." She responded quietly, relishing being in his arms.
Closing her eyes, she ceased fighting her tiredness, surrendering to his warmth.
Philip watched her close her eyes and smiled, then he rested his head against hers, involuntarily yawned, and felt himself getting sleepy.
****
"Oh Shawn, look through the mirror, look how cute they look."
"What?" Shawn glanced over at Belle who had been resting her head on his shoulder.
"Philip and Mimi, look at them in the backseat."
Shawn looked and smiled. "Oh. They actually are kind of cute, but let's not tell Philip that; his head will get even bigger."
Belle laughed. "Knock it off Shawn."
She looked back again at the sight, the sight of Mimi in Philip's arms, her head against his chest, fast asleep and there he was holding her, sleeping peacefully too.
"I told you Shawn, I told you this would work."
"Yes Belle you did." Shawn responded with a soft laugh as she snuggled back up against his shoulder. What a romantic she was!
****
{I could lose my heart tonight
If you don't turn and walk away}
He tiredly and slowly started to open his eyes, forgetting where he was, feeling something warm against him, something he was holding, something that felt so right. He let his eyes adjust to the darkness.
The darkness of the car, yeah, that's right. He was in Shawn's car, on their way back from Boston and the thing.
Wait, it was a person in his arms.
It was.
{Cause the way I feel I might
Lose control and let you stay}
It was her, his best friend, his favorite companion lately, the girl that was starting to enter his thoughts more and more.
Creeping slowly into his.
{Cause I could take you in my arms
And never let go}
The song continued softly playing on the radio as he looked down with wonder at the sleeping discovery in his arms. Her face looked so peaceful, the little bit he could see of it since most of it was hidden by her hair; he could feel her soft breath against him as she breathed in and out, in slumber. With one hand, taking it away from her back, he started to reach down.
{I could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you}
He started to touch her hair, feeling how soft it was, falling around her face in waves; his hand slowly, tenderly pushed it away more, reaching out, starting to feel her face, her cheek, stroking it gently.
{I could only wonder how
Touching you would make me feel}
She felt something, where was she, something so soft. And oh, she was so warm, in such a place of tranquility, but.
She started to open her eyes, taking in her surroundings.
The car, they were in the car on their way back and she was.
Oh, she was in his arms.
{But if I take that chance right now
Tomorrow will you want me still}
His hand, it was his hand, touching her and how it made her feel...
She looked up into his eyes.
{So I should keep this to myself}
"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."
{And never let you know}
"No, it's okay."
His hand continued touching her face and she closed her eyes.
{I could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you}
He started moving her head gently, to get her to look at him again. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling his touch and looked up, starting to reach out for his face.
{And I know it's not right so I guess I should try}
His head started moving down towards hers as she started moving hers up.
Wanting to meet him halfway.
Their eyes closing.
{To do what I should do}
Their lips getting closer.
Inching nearer to each other's.
{I could fall-}
Then suddenly the music stopped, the sound of a voice replacing it, jarring them.
"Okay, you two sleepy heads, rise-"
Oh no! Belle cringed at the fact that she just probably interrupted what could have been an incredibly romantic moment.
"Oh you two, I'm so sorry! Just go back to what you were doing! Shawn drive around the block!"
"What?"
Shawn looked at her incredulously. What was wrong now?
"But we're at Philip's house. Doesn't he want to go home?"
"Just drive Shawn and let's put the music back on."
Philip sat in the backseat with Mimi, though a considerable distance from each other now. Both of them were trying to get their breathing back under control, their racing heartbeats back to normal. They had almost just.
"No, no Shawn it's alright. I just better go home."
Philip looked over at Mimi staring out the window, wishing she would turn around so he could see her face.
Was she okay?
In the meantime, Belle had whispered in Shawn's ear what almost just happened. Oh, she could kick herself for ruining it! Shawn asked Philip if he wanted him to drive around and when Philip said no, he pulled up in front of his house.
Philip started to get out of the car, but looked back at Mimi and stopped.
"Uh." He started to say towards the front of the car. Shawn and Belle quickly occupied themselves in the front seat, giving Philip and Mimi at least some of the privacy they needed.
A part of Philip just wanted to take her out of that car and.
But the moment had been broken and now sensible or maybe not so sensible thoughts were mixing with emotions.
"Meems, hey."
Mimi turned around and looked at Philip, now standing outside the car, his attention completely on her. She moved over closer to the side he was on, looking up at him shakily.
He smiled down at her warmly and squatted down against the side of the car, to be at her eye level. "You okay?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry."
"No, no, it just."
She looked across at him shyly, not knowing what else to say.
She looked so pretty.
"I want you to know, I had a great time tonight, 'cause I was with you. And I know we're going to have a wonderful time in Boston. It'll be so cool.just us, don't you think?"
Mimi smiled at him, his words making her feel so happy inside. "Yeah, I think it will and I enjoyed every minute tonight too.when I was with you."
Philip smiled back. "I'm glad." He so wanted to.
But instead he reached into the car and held her close to him, cradling her face in his hands, kissing her on the forehead, and letting his head fall against hers.
Both of them closed their eyes and just stayed like that for a minute, then he slowly let go and started to close the door to the car for her.
"Philip."
She stopped him.
"Yeah?"
He stopped to look at her.
"I was jealous."
He smiled at her softly. "Me too Meems."
He looked down at her warmly and finally closed the door, anticipating their little road trip.
She was looking forward to it too.
Little did they know.
How eventful it would be.
"Hella Good" by No Doubt
"Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)" By Garbage
"Don't let me be the last to know" by Britney Spears
"Hero" by Enrique Iglesias
"I could fall in love" by Selena
"U got it bad" by Usher
"Meems, I was wondering, since you said there's no one you're really interested in, how would you feel about going out on a blind date with this really cute guy who wants to meet you?"
"A blind date?" Mimi questioned Belle, wondering who this guy could be.
****
"You want me to go out with you and Belle on a blind date?"
"Well, actually Phil, a friend will be joining us." Shawn responded to Philip's question.
****
"So where do you know this guy from Belle?"
"Uh, I met him at one of the away games with Shawn. He's really nice and he's even into photography like you."
"Really?"
Meeting him might not be so bad.
***
"I'll tell you in a minute, but first let me tell you about this girl."
"Okay, tell me about her." Philip said with some wariness.
"She's this cool girl that Belle met at one of our games. You know, she's a cheerleader, too.cute, totally your type."
"My type, huh?" Philip asked, wondering what he meant by that.
"Yeah, and she wants to meet you."
****
"Yeah, so what do you think Meems? Want to meet him?"
"I don't know Belle.a blind date?"
"I know, blind dates can be kind of risky, but I think you guys could really get along and it's not like you'll be alone.Shawn and I will be there."
And someone else, Belle thought.
****
"So you want to meet her Phil?"
"A blind date, Shawn?"
"Really Philip, I know you two will like each other."
"Oh, you do?"
****
"So, where would we be going on this date?"
"That's the best part! We were thinking of going clubbing.you know dancing.to what's supposed to be this really great place in Boston!"
"Boston?"
"Yeah, I mean there's hardly anything here in Salem and we're all on break now. Don't you think it'll be fun?"
****
"Yeah. And since we don't have any school for awhile, we thought it would be cool to go out to a club in Boston."
Philip smiled. "That does sound kind of cool."
"So, come on Phil, what do you say?"
"Does she have a name?"
Shawn smiled. "Yeah of course. Stacy."
****
"Yeah, it does sound like fun, Belle. What's this guy's name?"
"Oh, I didn't even tell you it! Chris."
****
"So Philip?"
"You only live once, right? Yeah, why not."
"Cool." Shawn said with a smile.
"So who's the friend that's coming with us?"
"Mimi."
"Mimi?" Philip asked, a little shocked.
"Yeah, with a date." Shawn replied smoothly.
****
"Oh."
"So, what do you say Meems?"
"Uh, yeah.I'll go."
Great.and there will be a friend going with us."
"A friend? Who?"
"Philip, with a girl."
****
"Mimi's going? And with a guy?"
Philip wasn't sure how he felt about that fact.
"Yep."
"Who?"
"I don't really know. Belle knows him."
"And you don't know who he is? Don't you think that's kind of weird, your girlfriend knowing some guy who you don't know?"
"Well, I know him a little and why should I be worried? He's totally interested in meeting Mimi. You know, they have a lot in common."
****
"Philip? And he's bringing a girl?"
"Well, see, this is a girl that's Philip's type. Shawn and I got to know her.she's really nice and she's totally into meeting Philip."
"How nice."
"Yeah, I really think there's a lot of potential.I think they might end up being a really cute couple."
"Really?" Mimi questioned dryly.
****
"Oh they do?" Philip asked, feeling slightly annoyed.
"Yeah, they're totally into the same types of things. Belle thinks he may be the perfect guy for Mimi, the perfect match."
"Perfection's overrated."
Okay, why was this getting to him so much?
****
"Yeah. And Meems, uh."
"What Belle?"
"Oh, I'll just come out and say it. I don't know why I'm so worried. I mean you said you guys are just friends, right?"
"What?"
Her mind was distracted by the thought of Philip.with someone knew.
"You and Philip.you're just friends, right?" Belle asked pointedly.
****
"Uh, yeah Phil." Shawn laughed a little. "Anyways, uhh maybe I shouldn't say anything."
"What Shawn?"
His patience was running thin. Now what?
"Uh, it's just."
"Come on. What?"
"Oh, I'll just tell you. After all, you've made it abundantly clear that you guys are just pals. That's all you are, right?"
****
Mimi wasn't sure she wanted to know what Belle would say next.but a part of her was also dying with curiosity.
"Yes, we're just friends, so what Belle?"
"Oh good, then you won't mind. He is just so into meeting this girl!"
"He is?"
"Yeah, but don't tell him I said anything.ohhhh, I said too much. Oh well, I'm just so happy for him and I know you must be too, right?"
"He's really excited about meeting this girl?"
Where the heck was she when all this happened?
"Yeah, but he.uh."
"What Belle?"
"He didn't want to hurt your feelings, just in case, well you know, I guess he thought you might like him more.He'll be so relieved to know that's not true."
****
"Yeah, Brady, that's it for the one thousandth time. Now, what were you going to say?"
"Great, you won't mind! She's totally psyched about meeting this guy.and Belle and I couldn't be happier for her!"
Okay, what planet was he orbiting when all this happened?
"She wants to meet this guy?"
"Oh yeah, but, hey, listen."
"What?"
"Don't tell her I told you. She's kind of scared you might be upset.she somehow got it into her head that you wanted to be more than friends! She'll be so happy that wasn't true."
****
Great. Wonderful. Ugh!
"Oh, he thought that huh? Well you know what Belle, he couldn't be more wrong."
Okay, she was just a bit defensive there.
"Great Meems, this is going to be so fun!"
Oh yeah, Mimi thought, this will be fun all right.
She'd show him!
****
Oh, this was just what he wanted to hear! Ugh!
"That I like her more than a friend, huh? Well that's the furthest thing from the truth!"
Well, well, well, if that answer wasn't just a bit bitter.
"Cool, this is going to be quite a night!"
Oh yeah, Philip thought, this was definitely going to be some night.
He'd make sure of that!
****
"Hey, it's me.he took the bait."
"So did she."
"I don't know. Are you sure this is going to work?"
"Did he seem happy to you, after you told him she wanted to meet this guy?"
"Not really. Did she seem happy to you?"
"Definitely not."
"But what if they talk to each other about it. what if they find out?"
"Trust me. They won't. They're both too angry right now. This is going to work."
"You're sure?"
"Oh yeah. I just know it will."
"But what if something goes wrong?"
"What could possibly go wrong?"
****
She was at Belle's in the bathroom, getting ready.
Ready for her blind date, not sure how she felt about going. The guy sounded nice enough, but.
DAMN! Why couldn't she stop thinking of him? He only liked her as a friend. She knew that. She had no problem with that. Sure, he didn't tell her about this, uh, girl, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings. That was nice of him, right?
Wrong! It made her feel like a fool. that she actually thought there was the possibility of something more.the way he had held her in his arms so many times recently.almost too many to count.his soft voice.the way he laughed.the way he smiled.how he touched her face.sending tingling-
"Meems, Shawn's here! Ready to go?"
She shook away her thoughts, determined to not let him get to her tonight. They were just friends! Period. "Yeah, I'm ready Belle", she called out, opened the door and walked out.
****
He looked at himself one more time in the mirror and then turned away, sitting down on his bed. A blind date! Oh boy.the thought of meeting someone new, when lately .
ENOUGH! Stop thinking about her! She thought of him as just a friend. That was fine. It didn't bother him. Of course, she hadn't told him about any other guy, but maybe she didn't want to hurt him. She didn't want to make him upset.
How generous of her, right?
Wrong! He felt dumb now.that he had actually started to feel something.something special.the sound of her laughter.her sweet smile.her genuine interest in what he liked.holding her in his arms.her soft touch-
His thoughts were cut off by Henderson, knocking on his door, letting him know Shawn was downstairs.
He answered, his mind set on not letting her affect him tonight. As Shawn said, they were just pals, nothing more. He walked out the door of his room and started down the steps..
So both thought they could ignore the heart.
The brain was winning again.
Yet, the battle wasn't over and this night would give it quite a challenge.
It would challenge them.
Chapter 32: Jealousy Part I
"There is never jealousy where there is not strong regard."
----Washington Irving
You couldn't have cut the tension with a knife. It was that thick. Belle looked at Shawn shakily as the silence continued. He looked at her as if to say 'like I know what to do?'
Mimi and Philip sat on the backseat, on opposite sides, ignoring each other completely. Neither were really thinking about their prospective dates either, who were set to meet them in Boston. Their minds were otherwise occupied.
Finally, Shawn spoke up, hoping it would keep Belle from nudging him in the side anymore. This wasn't his idea!
"So Philip, you must be pretty excited, huh, getting a new car for Christmas?"
"Yeah, it was a huge surprise, but hey, you got one too, one of the best." Philip was referring to the car that Shawn was now driving, a used mustang that his parents had gotten for him.
"True, but I didn't get a brand new one, though I definitely like what they got me. But I bet you won't have to pay for anything, like gas for example."
"Wrong Brady. My dad wants me to help pay for it and actually I really don't mind."
"And how are you going to help pay for it, through what must be your very generous allowance?" Shawn was only half joking.
Philip smirked. "Funny. No, I'm going to start working at Titan after the New Year starts."
Mimi still said nothing, but inside she was happy for him.that he was going to start working with his dad. He had told her about it on Christmas Eve and she knew it was important to him.
Belle spoke from the front. "Philip, that's great! What's your position going to be?"
"Junior executive?" Shawn asked dryly.
Mimi chuckled a little, catching an amused yet ironic glance from Philip as he shook his head.
Belle hit Shawn on the arm lightly.
"Hey, I was just joking!" Shawn protested, receiving a sour look from her. Would he ever learn?
Philip finally answered. "No, my dad doesn't believe in handing out special favors. For all I know, I'll end up being an errand boy. But hey it's a start, right?"
"Right!" Belle responded from the front.
Then her cell phone rang. "Hello..oh, that's too bad.right, another time.I'll tell her. I know, so am I.okay, sorry.yeah, talk to you later."
She hung up and looked back at Mimi with an apologetic look.
"Is something wrong Belle?" Mimi asked.
"Yeah. Oh Meems, I'm so sorry, but Chris can't come."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he ended up having to baby-sit his little sister at the last minute. He said he's really sorry and he hopes that you guys can get together another time."
"Oh, well, I guess I don't have a date then." Mimi was unsure what else she could say. She felt like she had been dumped.
"Oh Meems, I'm sorry, but there'll probably be so many cute guys there, you'll have a great time anyways. I just know it."
"Yeah Belle." Mimi looked out the window, wondering what else could end up happening this strange night.
Something didn't feel right.
Philip just watched her silently.
****
They walked into the club. Philip still had yet to meet his date. She was set to meet them there. They rode up the elevator, up to the second floor for the younger crowd. Once there, Shawn offered to put their coats away and Belle said she'd help him out.
Belle was wearing an off the shoulder sparkly top with a black leather skirt, her hair curled. Shawn was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt with charcoal colored slacks.
However, Mimi and Philip barely noticed their friends. Their eyes were on each other as Shawn and Belle left with the coats.
Mimi studied Philip, thinking he looked.
Oh, so fine!
He was wearing a burgundy button down, short-sleeved shirt, the sleeves rolled up a little, showing off his muscular arms. In fact, his athletic physique was very much in evidence since the shirt fit him well. A pair of black slacks that also fit him well finished it off. Black shoes completed the look. And his hair.
It was different from the way he normally wore it, but she definitely liked it. It didn't really have a definite part, combed in a way that made it look almost kind of wind swept, yet it didn't look messy. It made it look wavier and it made him look older.
Philip had watched from the moment she took her coat off, revealing a very.
Wow! He had never seen her look like this! She was wearing.
What did they call that? A tank top?
It had swirls of different colors of glitter all over it and it drooped a little in the front (cowl neck for the fashionably inclined), but in the back it went down low with tiny little straps (spaghetti straps) revealing part of her back. Around her waist she was wearing a swirling black short skirt (wrap around skirt that went a little high over the knees) dark nylons and black high heeled sandals. She seemed to have glitter on her too (body glitter) and there were little bobby pins that sparkled in her hair, which hung down tonight in gorgeous waves. He thought she looked very grown up.
Shawn and Belle came back and once again had bad news. Stacy couldn't come. Her grandmother was sick. She was very sorry, but she hoped they could meet again another time. So now both had no date.
Hmmm, this evening was turning out to be quite unpredictable. Not to mention, something still didn't feel right.
They walked through the doors of the lobby into the .
Land of excitement. It was huge.
Unlike anything they ever saw in Salem. Lights were flashing everywhere in the darkened room, that was lit up by the zooming laser lights. Young people were all around dancing to the loud music that thundered throughout. A D.J. could be seen in one corner, dancing as he played song after song. On the sides, there were small round tables and stools where you could sit if you chose to. There was also a small bar serving non-alcoholic drinks since this floor was for the younger crowd.
They walked in and headed over towards an empty table. Shawn and belle kept apologizing about their dates, but Philip and Mimi just shrugged it off. Not much they could do about it now. Besides, it was too loud in the place to even be heard that well. This wasn't the right time to have a conversation.
Pink's "Get the party started" came on and Belle started moving to the music. "Ohhh, I love this song!"
Mimi laughed and sort of yelled, "Then why don't you go dance with Shawn, Belle?"
"Will you two be okay?" Belle asked.
Philip answered dryly. "Yes, I think we'll be fine. Go dance you two."
Shawn grabbed Belle's hand and Belle waved back as they went out towards the middle of the crowded dance floor and started dancing away.
Mimi stood there for a minute, and then spoke up.
"Well, don't stay on my account Philip. Go dance."
"What?"
He could barely hear her with all the noise.
"I said, go dance!"
"Maybe I don't want to!" He answered a little angrily, not happy that she didn't tell him about this guy she had wanted to date.
"I just don't want you to think you have to stay here with me. I'm fine."
"Don't I know that." Philip replied sarcastically.
"What?" Mimi asked.
"Nothing." Philip replied. He looked out at the dance floor silently, not noticing the guy who came over.
Mimi was now standing further away from Philip.
"Want to dance?"
She looked up at a very cute guy, who was smiling down at her, asking her to dance, of all things. She smiled back, starting to actually enjoy herself.
Philip just stood there, watching in shock as this.
Whoever he was.came over and asked her to dance. He glared at him.
The poor guy looked nervously over at Philip, noticing his not so friendly look and then back at Mimi.
"Uh, are you guys together, 'cause I didn't mean to interfere or anything if that's the case."
Mimi was still smarting from the fact that Philip was so looking forward to meeting this girl he had been set up with. She gestured to Philip.
"Him? Oh no, we're just friends, right Phil" She asked, putting her hand on his shoulder like they were old pals.
"Yeah." Philip answered a little sarcastically.
"Bosom buddies."
"And I would love to dance with you." Mimi replied flirtatiously, letting herself be led out to the dance floor.
****
"So are they dancing Shawn?" Belle asked her boyfriend, since he had the better vantage point.
"Uh, she is."
"What?" Belle asked in shock. "What about Philip?"
"Uh, he's just standing there, glaring."
"Ohhh, what went wrong Shawn?!" Belle asked her boyfriend who wisely didn't answer.
****
Philip watched them dancing together, feeling.
Fine! Two could play at this game. He walked over to a very attractive girl, giving her one of his dimpled grins, charming her completely, and asked her to dance. She very happily said yes. They went out to the packed dance floor and started moving to the beat.
****
"Okay, okay, what's happening now?"
"Uh, he's dancing too."
"Together? Are they dancing together?" Belle asked Shawn excitedly.
"No, he's dancing with this, uh, really fine looking gir-OW! What did you hit me for?" Shawn asked his girlfriend, completely confused.
"Shawn Douglas Brady, you better watch your mouth and remember that I'm your girlfriend!"
"Of course I remember that Belle and you are by far the best looking girl here." He said affectionately.
"Good save. Now turn me around so I can see them."
Poor Shawn did as she told him. Boy, sometimes.
Sometimes she could be so demanding!
"OHHH!"
"What Belle?" Shawn asked in shock, wondering what happened.
Did he step on her foot?
"This is turning out to be a nightmare! Why are they dancing with other people and why do they both look like they are flirting with those people? What is wrong with them?"
Shawn just sighed. This was going to be a long night.
****
{I'm coming up so you better get this party started
Get this party started on a Saturday night}
Philip could tell he was dazzling his partner, with his smiles and charm. It was easy, getting a girl to like him for superficial reasons and at one time it had interested him. Now it just made him feel bored and empty. However, he was determined to act as if he was having fun. No way was he going to let her get to him.
Dancing with that.
Show-off-whatever he was!
And this way he could keep a good eye on her too. He wasn't sure of what he was doing. He only knew that he didn't want to let Mimi out of his sight.
He looked at the girl he was dancing with. She was definitely good-looking, blond, tall, wearing a dress that showed off a slim figure.
"So my name's Philip. What's yours?" He spoke near her ear, since it was the only way to be heard.
"Lydia." She spoke back in his ear, flashing a dazzling smile.
He only nodded his head, barely paying attention.
{I'm your operator you can call anytime
I'll be your connection to the party line}
Oooohhh, blond, leggy bimbo.
Probably had the IQ of.
Ooh, forget it! Who cares who he dances with?
Especially when her partner, was exceptionally cute, tall, dark haired, handsome.totally.
Now what was he doing?!
Whispering in her ear?!
Well, she could flirt; she could flirt just like any other girl. She smiled up at her dancing partner with a lily sweet smile. He smiled back and spoke near her ear.
"I don't even know your name."
Mimi smiled back up at him, and then spoke near his ear. "Tell me yours first."
He laughed softly. "Joshua."
"Miriam, but everyone calls me Mimi."
"Nice."
Mimi was only half-paying attention. She was too busy noticing Philip.
Watching her?
Philip looked away quickly as the song changed to Craig David's "Fill me in."
{Fill me in
Let me know what's up baby
Can you fill me in
Let me know what's up}
****
"This is all your fault Shawn." Belle informed her boyfriend as they continued to dance.
"My fault?!" Shawn asked with complete shock.
"I mean you guys, you are just so.so ridiculous at times! Why can't you just admit how you feel instead of playing these dumb games and everything. making us girls go crazy!!"
"What does this have to do with me?" Shawn asked, now completely dumbfounded.
"How many YEARS did it take you to just kiss me, huh, to finally tell me how you felt?"
Oh brother, not this again.
"I know, but I made up for it right?"
He kissed Belle, one long very deep kiss, right there on the dance floor.
She finally smiled, in total agreement with him.
"Yes, you definitely did." She replied, kissing him back.
****
{The games you play.}
His hands were on her waist now! Get your hands off her!
Oh man.
Uh, Laura was looking at him a little strangely.
"Sorry Laura, just enjoying the music."
She smiled, but corrected him. "Uh, it's Lydia."
"What?"
He was distracted again.
"My name, it's Lydia."
"Uh-huh."
Okay, Joshua was holding her a little close and she felt.
Absolutely nothing.
She was too busy watching Philip with Miss America.
"Hey, you alright?"
Oops, was he talking to her?
"Excuse me?"
"You just seem kind of distracted."
"No, I'm really having a good time."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
****
"Okay, you have to keep an eye on Mimi. I mean we don't even know who this guy is. He could be some mass murderer or something."
Shawn reacted to his girlfriend's paranoid state.
"I highly doubt that Belle."
"Shawn, please just watch out for her. I don't like the idea of her being out there all alone with some stranger."
"I don't think we have to worry about that."
"Why?"
"Because Philip's watching her like a hawk.when his dancing partner isn't looking."
****
The song changed to Destiny's Child's "Jumpin' Jumpin'"
{Though he say he got a girl
Yeah it's true you got a man
But the party ain't goin' stop
So let's make it hot hot}
Philip and Mimi were still dancing with their dancing partners, smiling, laughing, pretending to have a wonderful time, that is, when they weren't watching each other. Of course they only did this when the other wasn't watching, not wanting to look like they were interested.
Philip noticed how good she looked in that sparkly top and how that skirt showed off her legs.
Mimi noticed that he looked so good, every viewpoint of him: front, back, side.
****
"Is he still looking out for her?"
"It's more like they keep looking out for each other." Shawn answered his girlfriend as they continued to dance.
"Maybe something good will happen."
Let's hope, Shawn thought, or she might come up with another grand plan. He loved Belle, but when she decided to play matchmaker, watch out world!
****
Samantha Mumba's "Gotta Tell You" started playing.
{Your love for me came as a waterfall
Flowin' inside me like never before}
Mimi was still dancing with Joshua, who seemed very nice, when he didn't try to amaze her with his flash dancing moves. Yes, he was quite the show- off, so she was kind of shocked.
Shocked that she wasn't attracted to him.
If she had met someone like him last year, she probably would have loved showing him off and everything. But now.
Now it was different. She wanted more than just a guy to show off. She wanted someone.
Someone who made her feel special.
Someone who knew and cared about her for who she was.
She continued dancing, feeling strangely empty.
{It was something in you eyes
That made me realize
But now I hear voices deep inside
Tellin' me tellin' me}
Philip continued to watch them, barely realizing he was doing it. He should be having fun.
With such a hot girl, but he wasn't. The old Phillip would have loved this, but that wasn't who he was anymore. He had changed so much in the last year, since the island especially. He had experienced love and now meaningless relationships meant nothing to him, nothing at all. He wanted no part of it. Friendship.
It meant everything to him.
He wanted something real.
{Don't wanna love you if you don't love me
Don't wanna need you when you won't need me too}
****
"Shawn, see how they keep looking at each other. Now, if they would just stop dancing with those two perfect strangers and go dance with each other."
"You know Belle.I hate to say this, but.I think we.I don't think we should of done this."
"What are you talking about?"
"I think if we gave them more time, they would have admitted it themselves."
"Well then why did you agree with me on this plan?"
"What?!"
"We should have just let nature take its course."
NOW, she finally agreed with him! Ohhhh!
"That's what I said in the first place. I never wanted to go along with this. It was all your idea."
"Well, you should have stopped me then."
He gave up. He'd never win anyways. Just admit defeat.
He would never, ever understand the opposite sex.
****
Joshua started holding Mimi closer, though a respectable distance, as Usher's "U got it bad" started playing. Mimi sighed quietly, looking over his shoulder.
Philip held, oh man, what was her name? Lorraine?, a bit closer as the song began, looking over her shoulder.
{When you feel it in your body
You found somebody who makes you change your ways.}
He stared ahead blankly.
She stared ahead blankly.
{And everything in your past you wanna let it go.
Nobody wants to be alone.}
He thought of how he had danced with her that night.
The night of the Winter Ball, how surprised she had looked when he came back and how he had taken her into his arms and held her close.
{U got, u got it bad
If you miss a day without your friend
Your whole life's off track.}
She thought of how it felt to dance with him in the snow, playing like kids, embracing each other.
{U got it bad when you're out with someone
But you keep thinking' bout somebody else
U got it bad.}
Suddenly.
Their eyes locked and they stared at each other, knowing, knowing they would rather be dancing at that moment with each other. It was still scary to admit that they were feeling something.
Something more than friendship. Why interfere with something that was so special? But still.
Watching her.
Watching him.
With someone else wasn't easy. It didn't feel right.
Maybe at first she wanted to be with someone else tonight..
Maybe at first he wanted to be with someone else tonight,
But now.
Now was what counted.
{I want you to know
I really adore you}
"Uh, Lorraine, I'm sorry, I've got to go."
"LYDIA."
"Yeah. Sorry."
"I can't do this, uh, excuse me Joshua."
"You want to just take a break?"
"No. I've gotta go. Sorry."
Where she was going, she didn't know. She just knew she didn't want to watch him dancing with somebody else anymore. She turned away, disheartened, and walked through the crowded dance floor.
Shuddering as she felt hands wrap around her waist.
Then.
{I'm your man}
"Dance with me."
A low whispered breath against her ear.
Making her shiver.
{You're my girl}
Song credits:
"Get the party started" by Pink
"Fill Me In" by Craig David
"Jumpin' Jumpin'" by Destiny's Child
Chapter 32 Part II
"There is never jealousy where there is not strong regard."
----Washington Irving
"Shawn, look, look!"
"What?"
"He's asking her to dance!!" Belle exclaimed.
"Finally."
"See, I told you this was going to work!"
****
Shiver with excitement.
{U got it, u got it bad}
His touch made Mimi tingle. She felt his warm breath against her ear, his hands on her waist, his arms encircling her, making her feel weak. She turned around in his embrace, looking up at him.
At Philip's serious face.
The tone of his voice implying that it was not a demand.
But it wasn't quite a request either.
{U got it, u got it bad}
Philip let go of her waist, slowly and reluctantly and held his hands out for her to dance with him, watching her face carefully.
She looked up at him for a minute, and then placed her hands in his.
He backed up with her towards a corner to dance, keeping his eyes on her as much as he could while trying to navigate his way through the swamped dance floor.
The Usher song had ended and now No Doubt's "Hella Good" (fast song) started playing.
{The waves keep on crashing on me for some reason
But your love keeps on coming like a thunderbolt}
Mimi and Philip both started moving to the driving beats of the song, finally enjoying themselves.
{Come here a little closer
Cause I wanna see you baby real close up}
They let loose, as the lights flashed all around the room and the thundering sound from the speakers continued.
{You got me feeling hella good
So let's just keep on dancing
You hold me like you should
So I'm gonna keep on dancing}
He watched her with wonder. She was quite the dancer, so he wondered why she barely set foot on the dance floor at the many school dances they had.
She held her arms up in the air and slowly brought them back down by her side, feeling the music.
{A performance deserving of standing ovations
And who would've thought it'd be the two of us}
Her hair swinging with her movements, all that glitter sparkling.
It was quite a sight, watching her go.
The way he looked so carefree now.
The lights illuminating his face.
The way he moved.
{So don't wake me if I'm dreaming
Cause I'm in the mood come on and give it up}
The beat changed and she put her hands on his arms. Philip put his hands on her waist, smiling as she moved to the beat with a lot of energy. He considered himself a pretty good dancer, but man, it wouldn't be easy keeping up with her.
He'd have fun trying though.
The laser beam lights, coming from all directions, shined on them, altering the colors of their clothing and everything else. How a dance floor could be such an illusionary world.
****
"Oh yes, they're having a great time now! It worked!"
"Good, now we can have a great time too, right?"
"Oh yes, Baby."
Belle kissed her boyfriend, pleasing him immensely.
****
They both still wondered why neither had told the other about wanting to go out on a blind date, but they were having too much fun to discuss it now. It's not like they could really talk that much anyways because it was so loud. They could talk later. Now, they just wanted to enjoy the moment.
A new song started playing.
"Oh Philip, I'm crazy about this song!"
Philip laughed, then spoke close to her ear, to make sure they could hear each other. Of course, he didn't mind getting closer to her either.
"What song is this?"
Mimi whispered in his ear, a little flirtatiously, having so much fun with him.
"Cherry Lips (Go baby go)."
Philip smiled at the delectable name.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah. Let's dance."
She grabbed his hands, grinning.
He laughed again. She was one little livewire.
She looked at him a little shakily.
"Unless, you don't want to."
"Are you kidding? Come on!"
He stepped out with her a little more on the dance floor and they started moving once again.
The song started out with an almost comical beat. Mimi playfully danced holding Philip's hands. He moved with her, smiling, showing off his dimples. Then all of the sudden the music got loud and had a more rocking, danceable beat.
{You're such a delicate boy
In the hysterical realm
Of an emotional landslide
In physical terms}
Philip spun her around, with their hands still linked. She now danced on the other side of him, holding hands with him again after letting go for one small moment. They danced together, feeling not a care in the world. They laughed together. It was such a silly, but fun song to dance to. She surprised him, wrapping her arms around his neck and shoulders, making him chuckle, then letting go as he held onto her, watching her go, moving her body to the beat.
{Go baby Go Go
We're right behind you}
As the beat changed again, Philip let loose himself. Mimi smiled, a smile that lit up her face, watching him with pure delight as she danced with him.
It was such a joy being with each other!
{Go baby Go Go
Yeah we're looking at you}
The beginning beats of "Don't let me be the last to know" started.
Mimi looked at Philip a little timidly as the almost exotic beginning of the song started to permeate the atmosphere, then she started to walk away, not sure if he wanted to dance a slow song with her, secretly hoping he did.
Philip reached out for her arm.
"Hey, don't cut out on me now. Time to cool down, don't you think, with a slower number."
He looked down into her eyes, waiting for her reaction a bit nervously.
She smiled up at him, her expression letting him know her answer and he smiled back. Then he reached for her, taking her into his arms, feeling her hands move up to his shoulders as he held onto her waist.
{My friends say you're so into me
And that you need me desperately
They say you say we're so complete}
She held onto him.
Her hands feeling his strong shoulders...
The silkiness of his shirt.
The subtle scent of his cologne.
He wrapped his hands around her waist further.
Feeling the texture of her top.
Her soft waves of hair against his neck.
Her body against his.
{But I need to hear it straight from you
If you want me to believe it's true
I've been waiting for so long it hurts
I wanna hear you say the words, please}
He turned with her in his arms and moved his head back, wanting to see her face. She slowly looked up at him, this the first time that they danced slowly that they really looked at each other. They gazed without distraction into each other's eyes.
{You're body language says so much
Yeah, I feel it in the way you touch}
He moved his hands up her arms, sending tiny little shivers thorough her.
Oh, the way he made her feel.
{Don't, don't let me be the last to know
Don't hold back, just let it go
I need to hear you say
You need me all the way}
He moved his hands to her back, feeling her soft skin, letting his chin rest on top of her head.
She closed her eyes, letting her arms wrap around his back too.
As the song changed to Enrique Iglesias's "Hero" neither showed any signs of letting go of each other.
****
"Belle, look." Shawn said softly, from where they were dancing.
She looked over at the wonderful sight of Philip and Mimi dancing together, oblivious to the rest of the world, encased in one another.
"Oh Shawn, look at them, how happy they look! Finally, Mimi found someone! And Philip, it's so good to see him smiling again, and not a superficial smile, a real smile!"
"Yeah, but let's just keep it low key, alright Belle." Shawn warned. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here."
"But just look at them Shawn."
"I know, but it might be the atmosphere too.let's just give them time."
"I know you're right, but I can be happy for them, can't I?" Belle asked with a smile.
"Sure Belle. Believe it or not, I'm happy too."
****
{Would you dance if I asked you to dance?
Would you run and never look back}
She had always wanted it, wanted someone to care for her, but was she reading into it too much? 'Cause now that she felt it, felt the deep caring of someone, she also felt very afraid, unsure.
Did he know that she had grown to treasure their friendship, that his smile lit her up inside?
He knew that moving on wouldn't be easy and it hadn't been, but with such a special friend at his side, it had been easier.
Did she even realize how much she had helped him?
Now he was ready to let go of the past, even if the future still made him apprehensive.
All he knew for sure was that he didn't want them to lose their friendship.
Something she too didn't want to lose.
What they both.
Couldn't bear to lose.
{Would you cry if you saw me cryin'?
And would you save my soul tonight?}
They held each other close, letting go of their anxious thoughts, wanting to just enjoy the feel of each other.
Giving into emotion.
{Would you tremble if I touched you lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please tell me this}
{I can be your hero baby'
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away.}
****
Philip looked over at Mimi as she quietly sat in the backseat, a little ways from him, bundled up in her coat, obviously cold. It was taking time for the heater to warm up Shawn's car. Up in front Belle was sitting close to Shawn as he started driving home. Philip noticed Mimi shiver and thought enough was enough. He scooted over a little and spoke to her in a whisper, smiling charmingly.
"Meems, why don't you come over here? You're obviously cold. I won't bite, I promise."
She smiled back and moved over closer, feeling him wrap his arms around her. She snuggled against his chest, finally getting warmer.
"Thanks." She whispered softly.
"Anytime." Philip said lightly.
They continued to talk in whispers.
"So, you know, I had a good time tonight, the second half of the night anyway. I didn't even really mind that my date didn't show up..."
He wanted to know how she would answer back. Did she have a good time too?
His comment made her smile and feel happy.
"Me too. I mean the second half. And I was okay that my date didn't come. I had fun anyways."
Her comment made him happy.
"So, uh, do you have any big plans for the rest of the break?"
"No, but, well, actually, I have to do this project for my photography class."
"What?" Philip asked with interest.
"I have to go out of town and take some pictures, anywhere other than Salem. We're going to be graded on originality and quality, but I don't know, I need a means of transportation."
Philip jauntily replied.
"Well, look no further. Remember, you're speaking to a guy who just got a brand new set of wheels and who has been dying for a chance to get to test them out. This will be perfect."
Her voice sounded surprised. "You want to go with me?"
"Sure. It sounds like fun. Now, where do you think we should go? Vegas? L.A.?"
Mimi giggled. "Stop being a nut."
"Hey, is that the way to talk to your own personal chauffer?" He teased.
"Watch it Phil. Now come on, get serious."
"All right. All right." He suddenly got excited. "Hey, let's come back out to Boston."
"Boston?"
"Yeah, we could spend the day. Wouldn't that be cool?"
"I've never really explored Boston before. It would be cool. Could we go to Cambridge and some of the older parts?"
"Yeah, sure. We could leave really early, that way you can get tons of pictures. It'll be great."
"So when should we go?"
"Day after tomorrow sound good?"
"That soon?"
"Yeah, I mean the break's going to be over in next to no time."
"But that's New Year's Eve."
"So, we can spend the day and then come back to Salem and ring in the New Year."
"Should we ask Shawn and Belle to come with us?"
He shook his head in response.
"No, I was thinking we could go alone, just us. I think we both learned tonight, those two just aren't very good matchmakers." Philip joked. "I mean we both got dumped tonight."
"Let's save ourselves from further humiliation."
"Right."
Mimi yawned. She covered her mouth, looking up sheepishly at Philip.
Philip spoke gently.
"You getting tired?"
The heater was working fine now, but he still had his arms wrapped around her. Hey, she wasn't complaining and he was more than comfortable holding her, his chin resting on top of her head, her hair tickling him a little.
"Yeah, I guess."
She could feel his heart beating, near her head that lay against his chest.
He whispered softly against her hair...
"Go ahead and fall asleep if you want. I'll wake you if anything exciting happens."
Oh, that soft sweet voice of his.
"Okay." She responded quietly, relishing being in his arms.
Closing her eyes, she ceased fighting her tiredness, surrendering to his warmth.
Philip watched her close her eyes and smiled, then he rested his head against hers, involuntarily yawned, and felt himself getting sleepy.
****
"Oh Shawn, look through the mirror, look how cute they look."
"What?" Shawn glanced over at Belle who had been resting her head on his shoulder.
"Philip and Mimi, look at them in the backseat."
Shawn looked and smiled. "Oh. They actually are kind of cute, but let's not tell Philip that; his head will get even bigger."
Belle laughed. "Knock it off Shawn."
She looked back again at the sight, the sight of Mimi in Philip's arms, her head against his chest, fast asleep and there he was holding her, sleeping peacefully too.
"I told you Shawn, I told you this would work."
"Yes Belle you did." Shawn responded with a soft laugh as she snuggled back up against his shoulder. What a romantic she was!
****
{I could lose my heart tonight
If you don't turn and walk away}
He tiredly and slowly started to open his eyes, forgetting where he was, feeling something warm against him, something he was holding, something that felt so right. He let his eyes adjust to the darkness.
The darkness of the car, yeah, that's right. He was in Shawn's car, on their way back from Boston and the thing.
Wait, it was a person in his arms.
It was.
{Cause the way I feel I might
Lose control and let you stay}
It was her, his best friend, his favorite companion lately, the girl that was starting to enter his thoughts more and more.
Creeping slowly into his.
{Cause I could take you in my arms
And never let go}
The song continued softly playing on the radio as he looked down with wonder at the sleeping discovery in his arms. Her face looked so peaceful, the little bit he could see of it since most of it was hidden by her hair; he could feel her soft breath against him as she breathed in and out, in slumber. With one hand, taking it away from her back, he started to reach down.
{I could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you}
He started to touch her hair, feeling how soft it was, falling around her face in waves; his hand slowly, tenderly pushed it away more, reaching out, starting to feel her face, her cheek, stroking it gently.
{I could only wonder how
Touching you would make me feel}
She felt something, where was she, something so soft. And oh, she was so warm, in such a place of tranquility, but.
She started to open her eyes, taking in her surroundings.
The car, they were in the car on their way back and she was.
Oh, she was in his arms.
{But if I take that chance right now
Tomorrow will you want me still}
His hand, it was his hand, touching her and how it made her feel...
She looked up into his eyes.
{So I should keep this to myself}
"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."
{And never let you know}
"No, it's okay."
His hand continued touching her face and she closed her eyes.
{I could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you}
He started moving her head gently, to get her to look at him again. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling his touch and looked up, starting to reach out for his face.
{And I know it's not right so I guess I should try}
His head started moving down towards hers as she started moving hers up.
Wanting to meet him halfway.
Their eyes closing.
{To do what I should do}
Their lips getting closer.
Inching nearer to each other's.
{I could fall-}
Then suddenly the music stopped, the sound of a voice replacing it, jarring them.
"Okay, you two sleepy heads, rise-"
Oh no! Belle cringed at the fact that she just probably interrupted what could have been an incredibly romantic moment.
"Oh you two, I'm so sorry! Just go back to what you were doing! Shawn drive around the block!"
"What?"
Shawn looked at her incredulously. What was wrong now?
"But we're at Philip's house. Doesn't he want to go home?"
"Just drive Shawn and let's put the music back on."
Philip sat in the backseat with Mimi, though a considerable distance from each other now. Both of them were trying to get their breathing back under control, their racing heartbeats back to normal. They had almost just.
"No, no Shawn it's alright. I just better go home."
Philip looked over at Mimi staring out the window, wishing she would turn around so he could see her face.
Was she okay?
In the meantime, Belle had whispered in Shawn's ear what almost just happened. Oh, she could kick herself for ruining it! Shawn asked Philip if he wanted him to drive around and when Philip said no, he pulled up in front of his house.
Philip started to get out of the car, but looked back at Mimi and stopped.
"Uh." He started to say towards the front of the car. Shawn and Belle quickly occupied themselves in the front seat, giving Philip and Mimi at least some of the privacy they needed.
A part of Philip just wanted to take her out of that car and.
But the moment had been broken and now sensible or maybe not so sensible thoughts were mixing with emotions.
"Meems, hey."
Mimi turned around and looked at Philip, now standing outside the car, his attention completely on her. She moved over closer to the side he was on, looking up at him shakily.
He smiled down at her warmly and squatted down against the side of the car, to be at her eye level. "You okay?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry."
"No, no, it just."
She looked across at him shyly, not knowing what else to say.
She looked so pretty.
"I want you to know, I had a great time tonight, 'cause I was with you. And I know we're going to have a wonderful time in Boston. It'll be so cool.just us, don't you think?"
Mimi smiled at him, his words making her feel so happy inside. "Yeah, I think it will and I enjoyed every minute tonight too.when I was with you."
Philip smiled back. "I'm glad." He so wanted to.
But instead he reached into the car and held her close to him, cradling her face in his hands, kissing her on the forehead, and letting his head fall against hers.
Both of them closed their eyes and just stayed like that for a minute, then he slowly let go and started to close the door to the car for her.
"Philip."
She stopped him.
"Yeah?"
He stopped to look at her.
"I was jealous."
He smiled at her softly. "Me too Meems."
He looked down at her warmly and finally closed the door, anticipating their little road trip.
She was looking forward to it too.
Little did they know.
How eventful it would be.
"Hella Good" by No Doubt
"Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)" By Garbage
"Don't let me be the last to know" by Britney Spears
"Hero" by Enrique Iglesias
"I could fall in love" by Selena
"U got it bad" by Usher