Chapter 45: Swish
Philip rushed through the crowded halls of Salem High. If he was late, he was going to have to spend his afternoon in detention and he couldn't afford that, considering he had basketball practice that afternoon.
It wasn't easy though, making your way through the crowded corridors in a rush when you were six feet tall, at least without knocking some poor soul over. He turned the corner.
Mimi raced to class, not wanting to be late. She couldn't be! She had her daily job of cleaning the locker rooms out. If she was late to class she would end up going to detention which would make her late in cleaning out the locker rooms. Today was her day she got off early. She didn't want to have to end up staying any later. She turned the corner.
Philip barely had time to ascertain who it was before he came to a skidding halt. They almost ran right into each other.
Again!
"MIMI!"
"PHILIP!"
They both spoke at the same time:
"What are you doing running down the hallway?!"
Then realization also hit for both of them at the same time.
"CARTER'S CLASS.Detention!"
Philip laughed. Never a dull moment with her around.
She gave him an annoyed look.
He decided their one second of rest was over. He grabbed her arm, so they could start their mad dash down the final corridor to class.
They rushed through the door, nearly knocking someone over accidentally as they sped into class.
Less than a minute after they made it through, in came their teacher with a bewildered look. "My goodness what is this school coming to? Somebody nearly knocked me over in the hallway."
Philip and Mimi looked at each other sheepishly. Oh-oh, they nearly knocked their own teacher down! Mimi bit down on her lip to keep from laughing. Philip gave her a humorous look, but quickly got serious again, frowning.
Meanwhile,Mr. Carter stood in the front of the room, tapping his foot with displeasure. "Excuse me Mr. Kiriakis and Miss Lockhart, do you intend on taking your seats or were you planning on giving a speech to the class on the fundamentals of the American Constitution?"
The whole class broke out into laughter as Philip and Mimi gave their teacher a conciliatory look, then finally took their seats.
"Thank you so kindly. Now, if only we could get some kind of hallway patrol to keep overly zealous students from knocking over their teachers." Mr. Carter mumbled under his breath, then began to lecture the class on the Constitution.
Allison nearly laughed at how Philip and Mimi said a quick "hi" to her almost simultaneously, then hurried to get out pen and paper to take down notes. Hmmm. They had come through the door together. They had both smiled at each other for the tiniest second. They looked to be getting along... Maybe everything was finally okay.
****
Mimi stopped at her locker to get her books for her next class.
"Meems, there you are! I've been looking for you all over the place!"
Mimi, dressed in a long black skirt, boots, and a fur lined red sweater with her hair hanging down loose, grabbed her books, then directed her attention to her best friend.
"Hi Belle." She greeted with a smile.
Belle gave her a perturbed look. "Oh don't you 'hi' me Miriam Lockhart. What happened to you Friday night? Where did you disappear off too?"
Belle quickly changed her perturbed expression to one of excitement. "Were you with Philip?"
Mimi thought of how she and Philip had danced in the stables, so close, his breath against her forehead, his lips against her skin, his kiss intoxicating her..Whoa! They were going to take baby steps, remember? Just friends.
"Uh, yes and no."
Belle rolled her eyes and stood there with her hands on her hips. "Yes and no? What is that supposed to mean? You know Meems, I've been patient, but that's it, I've had it. We need to get together soon to have some good girl talk! And I'm not accepting no for an answer. We'll set a date and then---"
She looked at her watch. "Ooooh, I have to go to class! Just one quick thing, is it just me or do you really look just the tiniest bit happy again for the first time in a long time?"
Mimi smiled at her friend, reaching out to give her a big hug. "It's not just you Belle. I'll tell you more later. Thanks for being my best friend!"
Belle pulled back from her, seeing once again the glimmer back in her eyes. Yep, Mimi was getting back to her old self again and Belle was delighted about the fact.
"Okay, we are going to get together Mimi--SOON! Belle called out as she rushed to class.
Mimi smiled and laughed.
****
Philip walked to his locker, starting to dial his combination as somebody came alongside.
"Philip.just the guy I wanted to see."
Philip grinned. Shawn was digging for information. Must be Belle's influence.
"Really?"
"Oh now, don't you get closed-mouthed all of the sudden. This is the first day I've seen you actually look."
Shawn looked at his friend with amazement. "My gosh, you're actually smiling again! Does this have to do with uh."
Shawn smiled slyly.
Philip laughed, opening his locker, taking out a book from it. "Sorry Bro, going to be late to class."
He slammed his locker shut, then started heading down the hallway.
"No way!"
Shawn ran after him.
"Just tell me one thing."
Philip stopped to face his friend. "Yeah."
"Is it Mimi?"
Philip grinned even more.
Shawn's face took on a knowing look. "Oh yeah.it's Mimi..Okay, I'll let you off the hook for now, but I'm not giving up. You're going to have to 'fess up soon Phil."
Shawn started to head down the hallway in the opposite direction, calling out. "I want to know what happened with the two of you at that party!"
Philip laughed, then shook his head. No question about it, his best friend wasn't going to leave him alone until he knew the truth.
****
"Ramon, wait up!" Allison called out to the tall dark haired young man heading to class.
Ramon turned around with a smile, waiting for Allison to catch up to him. "Hi Allison."
"So, how ya doing?"
"I doing good. You?"
"Great.great." Allison said distractedly. She started talking to him in Spanish. "Did you get to talk to Mimi?"
Ramon moved closer to her, also speaking in Spanish. "Yeah. Did you talk to Philip?"
"Mmmhmm, and I don't know if you've seen them today, but it looks like they're on friendlier terms. Maybe it worked!"
Ramon laughed. "Maybe it did! We'll just have to wait and see, huh?"
"Yep."
****
Philip ran down the court, throwing the ball through the hoop, grinning as it sailed through the basket. Yeah!, he thought.
He caught the ball, thinking about Friday night. She had looked so great and had smelled so good, like wildflowers, as he held her close and they danced. Kissing her again had been so wondrous, feeling her soft skin.
He shook away his thoughts, throwing the ball again, watching as it swished through the hoop. He was just glad they were starting over again, that they were talking to each other again. He looked back, hearing the sound of someone clapping.
"Great shot Philip, that how you say, yes?" Ramon asked, coming behind Philip.
Philip smiled good-naturedly at Ramon's response. He was getting really good at learning the teenage lingo of Salem High students. He shook hands with him in the traditional way he and Shawn usually did, something he had taught him a while ago. "Yeah, that's how you do it Ramon. Hey, wanna play a little one on one?"
"Okay!" Ramon responded with enthusiasm.
After awhile of playing during their open P.E. period for that day, since they had a substitute teacher, they sat down on the bleachers in the gym, taking a time out.
Philip opened his water bottle, taking a drink from it as Ramon did the same with his own. "So you must be quite the dancer in Spain, huh, after the way you danced with Mimi at my party."
Ramon chuckled. "I okay. I have a friend who much better. Miriam just fun to dance with."
Philip smiled. "Yeah she is. So be straight with me Ramon."
Philip got more serious, though he tried to look casual about it. One thing Philip and Mimi still hadn't really talked about was Ramon and Allison. He didn't suspect anymore that she was more than friends with Ramon, after their dance in the stables and talk in the park, but Philip was still interested in how Ramon felt. DID he like her as more than just a friend? "How do you feel about Mimi?"
"I like her. She very nice." Ramon smiled. Philip was fishing.
Philip tried to stay patient. What a vague answer. "Care to elaborate?"
"Que?" Ramon looked at Philip with confusion. E-labor-ate? What did that mean? Probably didn't matter since he knew exactly what Philip was trying to find out. Time to turn the tables on him and have a little fun.
"How do you feel about Mimi?" He asked with a sly smile.
Philip had to laugh. Good comeback! "We're friends.again."
"Again?"
"Yeah. Some stuff happened before, but I think we're okay now. All right, come clean, do you like her Ramon?"
Ramon could see Philip's seriousness. "Si. I like her.as friend. You like her as more?"
Philip just smiled.
Ramon spoke up again. "I have something I want you to see.I think it be ready soon."
Philip looked at him with interest. "What?"
"I show you soon."
Ramon got up to go to the other end of the gym, calling out as he walked."It have to do with Miriam!"
Philip was barely listening till he heard Ramon say Mimi's name. After that, his curiosity was piqued. What was Ramon talking about?
He got up suddenly, running after him.
Ramon walked ahead, laughing at the sound of footsteps behind him, getting closer and closer.
****
Mimi sat down at a weight machine strengthening her leg muscles as Allison sat across from her flexing her arm muscles.
"Mimi, you and Philip had the whole class cracking up this morning!" Allison exclaimed.
Mimi laughed. "But you guys didn't even know the half of it! We almost knocked down Carter!"
Allison gasped. "No way, that was you guys he was talking about!"
"Yep. We were racing to class trying to avoid detention."
Allison sat up and glanced over at Mimi. "You guys were coming to class together?"
"Well, we just kind of met in the hallway."
It was true. Mimi had been racing to class like so many other times, though this time Philip had been too. She had been surprised, but happy to see him. It was such a relief to be back on speaking terms with him. The day they had walked home from the park together they had spoken only a little on the way to her house, but it had been so nice, holding hands, just being close with each other again. Mimi still wondered though, was Allison interested in him as more than just a friend? Only one way to find out.
"I'm just going to ask Allison. What's your interest in Philip?"
Allison answered nonchalantly. "We're friends."
"And that's it?"
"Why so interested Mimi? You really care about him? Don't you?"
Mimi sat up. "Sure I do. We've been friends for a long time."
Allison smiled. "Uh-huh."
****
Allison and Mimi got out of their P.E. class early. They crossed through the gym, seeing Ramon and Philip playing basketball together.
Ramon threw the ball through the hoop, then looked over at the other side of the gym, noticing Allison and Mimi. He good-naturedly hit Philip on the back, pointing to them. Philip had been trying to get him to open up about what he had said earlier, but Ramon was keeping his mouth shut. He would find out soon enough.
Philip watched Mimi with Allison coming out of the weight room, talking. His eyes stayed on Mimi though, dressed in black straight-legged sweat pants and a blue and white Salem High t-shirt with her hair up in a loose bun.
He was so lost in her appearance actually that it startled him when he heard Ramon call out.
"Ah senoritas! "Ramon called out in greeting , noticing how Philip and Mimi couldn't seem to keep their eyes off each other.
Allison winked at him as she made her way over with Mimi.
Ha-ha, she noticed it too. Now, let's see if the talk had helped at all.
Mimi gazed at Philip, noticing that he was wearing black shorts and a blue NIKE t-shirt, the sleeves cut off.
"Hey girls." Philip said with a cheerful smile, getting a friendly response.
Ramon nudged Philip in the side. "Philip we have time. How about we team with the ladies and play some?"
Philip laughed. "Are you serious?"
Ramon smiled. "Si. Mimi on your team and Allison on me, ay, mine. Okay?" Ramon looked to Allison for approval.
Allison smiled back. "Sounds great partner." She stood closer to Ramon, linking arms with him. They both stood, there looking at Philip and Mimi, waiting for a response. Allison smiled at Ramon. "Oh-oh Ramon. I think Philip might be worried that he won't be able to play as good as us."
Mimi smirked.
Philip looked at her as if to say 'thanks a lot.'
Mimi spoke up. "Philip's just thinking about what strategy we're going to use.Right Philip?"
She looked at him pointedly.
Philip looked back at her, then finally responded. "Right."
He started to wonder.Did Mimi even know how to play basketball?
Well, he'd soon find out. He started talking to Mimi, nearly breaking out into laughter as Ramon and Allison started strategizing in Spanish. Then Philip and Ramon met in the center and they started playing..
Philip had the ball first, excellently dribbling it down the section of the court they were using. He attempted a far away shot, the ball just missing going in the basket. Allison caught it as it came down, then made her own successful shot. Ramon slapped hands with her to celebrate. "Yes!" Allison called out.
"Ah si!" Ramon remarked. "Numero uno!" He chanted, Allison cheering him on.
"Ah, it was just a lucky shot!" Philip called out jokingly.
Next, Allison dribbled the ball down the court, intercepted by Phillip who passed the ball to Mimi.
"Shoot Meems!" He yelled out, not even conscious that he was once again referring to her by her childhood nickname.
Mimi was surprised to hear it from him, but she attempted the shot anyways from where she was positioned near the basket. She shot, but the ball came back out. Ramon caught it, but also missed. Philip caught it, making a clean shot.
"Yes!" He called out. "Point for Lockhart-Kiriakis!" He high-fived Mimi who was equally happy with the successful shot.
"Boo!" Ramon called out with a holler, giving a thumbs-down signal. Everyone laughed in response.
Mimi had the ball next, but then Allison quickly stole it from her, passing the ball to Ramon who made a basket. They cheered themselves as Philip yelled out "Ah, we'll get you guys next time!" rubbing Mimi's shoulders in encouragement.
Ramon was the next one to dribble the ball down the court. Mimi attempted to steal and actually got it away from him. She looked at Philip with surprise as he cheered her on from near the basket.
"Go Meems!" He yelled out.
Mimi was surprised she had been able to get it away from him, but she supposed sometimes that being short had its advantages. It made it easier to kind of sneak around people, which is what she had done.
Allison came after her and Mimi yelled out for help. "Ahhh!"
"Pass it Mimi!" Philip called out to her, ready to catch the ball. He watched as she haphazardly passed the ball over to him. Ramon caught it. He shot, but it didn't make it through. Philip caught it and made it. "All right! Good job Meems!" He shook hands with her, rubbing her back a little.
Mimi smiled widely in response. "You too Phil!" She gave him a hearty slap on the back, making him laugh.
Philip had the ball next, quickly getting cornered off by Ramon and Allison. He looked to Mimi who was standing near the basket.
"Get ready Meems!" He threw the ball over to her, knowing it was a long shot, making a basket from where he was.
She caught the ball as the substitute teacher started to blow the whistle.
"Shoot Mimi!" Philip yelled out to her, knowing it wouldn't be an easy shot for her because she was on the side of the basket.
Mimi looked at him with indecision.
"Do it Mimi! You can make it.just shoot!"
Mimi looked up at the basket, which seemed to be looming in front of her, noticing Ramon and Allison standing nearby waiting.
Philip looked back at the substitute teacher who was going to blow that whistle any second. She better shoot fast!
Mimi threw the ball in the air, closing her eyes, crossing her fingers, and just plain hoping that it would make it.
She heard the whistle blow and the ball come down, but she still didn't know if it.
"SWISH!"
Made it.
All of the sudden she felt strong familiar arms wrap around her waist from behind as Phillip swung her around, laughing. "Yes! Kiriakis-Lockhart, number one!"
"Hey, I thought it was Lockhart-Kiriakis!" Mimi protested, feeling his arms still around her.
After he set her back down on her feet, she felt his body shake in response as he started laughing.
Ramon and Allison watched them, grinning. Well, well, well.things were definitely looking up.
Mimi felt Philip let go of her. She looked up at him. "So did it make it? I still don't know. I had my eyes closed."
Philip grinned at her. "Your eyes closed?! Yes, it made it! It was a swish-- went right through the basket without even touching. You scored the winning point partner!"
Mimi grinned back. "Well what do you know!" She looked over at Ramon and Allison confidently. "Just let us know when you guys are ready for a re- match!" She jokingly flexed her muscles. "We can take you on again!" She added with gusto.
"Hey!" Allison called out.
"Next time, you not be so lucky!" Ramon added good-naturedly.
Philip contributed to Mimi's comments, standing by her, slinging an arm around her shoulder. "Yeah that's right! You tell them Meems!" He locked eyes with Mimi, grinning hugely, then hugged her, feeling her return his embrace cheerfully.
****
Philip walked over to the tall blonde at her locker getting ready for her last class. "Hey Allison."
Allison turned around in surprise. "Hi Philip. Ready for a rematch already?"
Philip laughed. "Yeah, ready to be beaten again by the best team?"
Allison booed him. "Show-off!" She joked.
Philip smiled, getting more serious. "Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for talking and listening to me Friday night."
"So, did it help any?" Allison asked hopefully. "I mean you guys looked like you were really getting along during that game."
"Yeah, it did and things are.they're better."
"Just better?"
"Yeah, well, for now. We'll just have to see."
****
Mimi walked out the front doors, heading towards the other side of school, seeing a friend. "Ramon, hold on a sec!"
Ramon turned around and smiled at the auburn haired girl. "Hi Miriam. Game we play, was fun yes?"
Mimi smiled warmly. "Yeah, it was. Ramon, I just wanted to say thank you so much, for being my friend and talking to me."
Ramon grinned. "Ah, me pleasure. You look more happy. You two talk?"
"Yeah, we did and we're..well, we're friends again, which makes me happy."
"Ah, I see that. I happy for you."
"Thanks Ramon."
****
The bonds of friendship had been put together again, but beyond those bonds lay much more.
Just waiting for the right time to be revealed.
Chapter 46: Friendship and Beyond
"That outfit was to die for, don't you think Meems? And it was on sale too.Oooohhh we did good today!"
Belle dropped her bags down onto the booth seat with relief.
They had just finished a long afternoon shopping spree and were now relaxing at Dot Com.
Mimi giggled, sitting down on the opposite side of Belle. "Yeah, we came, we shopped and."
Both responded excitedly together.
"We bought!"
"Oh Meems, this was so much fun, going out, just us girls, but now you have to tell me.I am dying to know! What happened Friday night with Philip?"
Mimi positioned her bags on the seat so they were on the far end side. "What do you mean Belle?" She asked innocently.
"Mimi, I am warning you."
Mimi laughed. "Okay, Philip and I did go off together."
Belle waited for her friend to say more, but realized after a bit she wasn't going to say anything else. "Mimi, what is going on with you guys? We went on that double date where you guys seemed to be getting along very well and then we're back in school and you guys aren't even speaking to each other.Now you tell me that you two went off together.ALONE. I mean.Mimi."
Mimi responded to her best friend's flustered look. "I'm sorry Belle. I didn't mean to keep everything from you. It's just.I guess I might as well start from that night when we went to the club. First of all though, were you and Shawn trying to set us up that night?"
Belle looked at her friend innocently. "What on earth would have given you that idea?"
Mimi shook her head with exasperation. "Belle." Then she continued. "Okay, we had a fun time that night. Then in the car."
Belle finished for her excitedly. "You almost kissed, but I ruined it! I'm so sorry Meems."
Mimi smiled. "It's okay. We also talked. I told him about this assignment I had for my photography class in which I had to take pictures somewhere that was out of town. He came up with this idea to go to Boston together to spend the day there on New Year's Eve."
Belle was grinning. "Oh how totally cool Meems! So you guys went to Boston then, together?"
"Yeah. We had a great time too, but then."
Mimi stopped talking, remembering waking up, seeing Philip so still, then trying to get through that blizzard with him at her side.holding her up.
Belle looked at Mimi with concern. "Meems, what? Did something happen?"
"Yeah. There was this really bad storm that night that we just weren't ready for."
"Oh my gosh, that's right. There was a blizzard. You guys were out in that?"
Mimi nodded her head. "Yeah. We got stuck in it. This tree branch came down hitting Philip's SUV, thankfully just the side window, but after, the SUV wouldn't move, and Philip was unconscious."
"Oh no."
"I was so scared Belle, especially after the island and everything. I was so relieved when he finally woke up, but then we realized we couldn't stay there. Philip saw a cabin earlier, so we walked down from the road to the woods, looking for it."
"I can't believe this happened Mimi! That storm was so scary. You guys must have been petrified!"
"I was.Philip was so brave though. He just kept focused on survival. I was afraid we were going to die, but then we found the cabin. No one was there so Philip broke a window to get us in. Then when we got in there he started a fire. He helped me get warm again and he found us some dry warm clothes to change into. I was so grateful that we found a refuge from the storm, but I also was a little nervous because."
"Oh my gosh Mimi, you guys had to spend the night together there, didn't you?"
"Yeah. I mean nothing happened, that is, except."
Belle's eyes opened wide. "Except what Meems?"
"He kissed me. We kissed."
Belle smiled. "Oh Meems, that's so great! I mean it made you happy right?"
Mimi's face lit up, remembering that night. "Yeah, definitely. I'd tell you about it too Belle but.I know now what you meant when you said it's personal. That's why I haven't said that much. It's just."
Belle's face showed understanding. "It's something that you want to keep just between the two of you. It's private."
"Thanks Belle for understanding. We talked a lot that night too and.we just got closer. The next day, we came home and we were going to go to the movies, but."
"What happened Mimi?"
"I told him I didn't want us to go out.ever."
Belle nearly choked on her mocha.
"What?! Why?"
"It's kind of a long story, but mainly I just got scared..What am I saying? I am scared Belle."
Belle looked at Mimi with concern and confusion. "Why Mimi?"
"I don't know. It partly has to do with Chloe and it also has to do with me.I never could have predicted this happening Belle. I mean, Philip Kiriakis and Mimi Lockhart.not what most people would call the ideal couple."
"Mimi Lockhart, how dare you put yourself down like that! You are a terrific person and any guy would be lucky to be with you! The times I saw Philip with you he looked so happy and relaxed. You shouldn't be worried."
"Belle, he was totally in love with Chloe."
"I know, but I really think he's over her. They're just friends now which I think is a big relief to both of them. Chloe spends so much of her time with Brady now and Philip has been spending time with you. So, did you guys talk at the party?"
"Yeah we did, but we talked even more the next day. Ramon gave me some advice too, similar to what you're giving me now."
"You told Philip what was bothering you?"
"Mm-hmm. He was great about it. We decided to go back to being friends."
"Just friends?"
"Yeah. For now."
"Do you think it will last.you guys just being friends?"
"I don't know. I guess we'll have to see."
Belle just smiled.
****
"Okay Phil, spill! What brought that smile back to your face?" Shawn quizzed his friend after one of their last basketball practices, since the season was coming to a close.
Philip finished combing his hair, taking one last look at himself, then sitting down on the long bench in the boy's locker rooms of Salem High. "Don't know what you're talking about Bro."
Shawn shook his head in response from where he was standing, drying his hair off with a towel. "Ah come on Phil. You were moping around for weeks after we came back from the break. Then you had that party which you and Mimi disappeared from and you come back to school, grinning from ear to ear. What's up?" Shawn started combing his own hair.
"Just been in a better mood lately I guess." Philip answered vaguely.
"Oh, come on Phil! I already know it had to do with Mimi. So what's going on with you two now?"
"I guess we're just back on speaking terms."
"So when did you guys stop speaking to each other and why?"
"All right. All right." Philip waved his hands in defeat, knowing Shawn wasn't going to give up on the subject. "I guess I better just tell you. We've gotten closer."
Shawn raised his eyebrows, putting his comb away, then sitting down on the bench across from Philip. "What do you mean by closer?"
Philip laughed wryly. "We spent some time together over the break, went to Boston together for the day, but we got stuck in that blizzard on New Year's eve and we ended up having to spend the night in this cabin together."
"You and Mimi? Now why can't that happen to me and Belle?"
"Get your mind out of the gutter Shawn. Nothing happened."
"Hey, Did I SAY anything happened? Belle wouldn't let anything happen anyway."
"Yeah, but you guys are nuts about each other. That's all that matters. Why rush?"
"Exactly how I feel. But a nice log cabin, burning fire, and being alone together .definitely has its advantages."
"Yeah, but actually at first we were fighting for our lives. It was pretty perilous Shawn. We didn't know if we were going to make it or not."
Shawn frowned in concern. "Sorry Philip. Didn't mean to make light of it. Mimi must have been going crazy."
"Actually, she dealt with it pretty well. I mean it was scary, but we got through."
"And you guys got closer."
"Yeah. We talked a lot and stuff."
"And."
Philip frowned. That's all I'm telling you Shawn."
Shawn laughed. "All right Philip! You're finally learning to not over dramatize things like you did with-"
Philip cut him off.
"Like you know that much about relationships anyway! How many dates have you been out on, not including Belle?"
"I had other things to occupy my mind." Shawn changed his expression, getting more serious. "So if all that happened, how come you guys.I mean correct me if I'm wrong, but you two weren't even talking to each other for a while, were you?"
"Yeah, that's true. We got in this big argument. We were going to go out after we came back home from the cabin, but then Mimi decided to just end it all without warning. She said she just wanted to be friends. I pretty much blew up, though I managed to keep some of my cool; I ended everything, even the friendship."
"Man."
"Yeah." Philip said with some sadness. "Well recently, she finally told me what it was about and it partly had to do with Chloe, who I finally talked to. I mean we really talked, and ended it for good."
Shawn looked at Philip with confusion. "So that should be a good thing, right?"
"You would think, especially since we even have managed to stay friends. It's just Mimi's got her hang-ups about it all, you know the stuff with Chloe.you know how they've never gotten along."
"Oh yeah. And I doubt that's going to change anytime soon Phil."
"I know. It's just."
"Philip, we've all been friends for the longest time and seriously I can't even imagine being with any girl other than Belle, but do you really care about Mimi?"
"Sure I do. I've always cared about her."
"Yeah, but."
Philip's tone got a little more edgy. "But what?"
"You really are over Chloe, right?. because it just.look I'm just going to say it. I know Mimi can be crazy and funny and all that, but she's really sensitive too."
"I know that Shawn. What are you trying to say?"
"Mimi gets very emotional and I just don't want to see her get hurt."
Philip shook his head in disbelief. "And you think I would do that.be a total jerk and hurt her?"
"I know you wouldn't do it intentionally Philip, but look.you were totally in love with Chloe, right?"
"Yeah, but.You're probably not going to believe I'm saying this, but I realize now there were a lot of problems that we had. It just wasn't meant to be. I mean we both tried and it's nobody's fault, but it just didn't work. It wasn't in the cards. But I'll tell you one thing about being with Mimi, it goes both ways, you know, we look out for each other. Look Shawn, after the big argument we had we decided to be friends only and see where it goes from there. I'm not going to rush this like I did with Chloe."
"That's good to hear. Look Philip, I wasn't trying to say that you're doing something like just using her."
"I know. It's all right. Just know something, okay Shawn. I care about Mimi.a lot."
****
Mimi and Belle were still at Dot Com, comparing their purchases, when Shawn and Philip walked in the doors.
"Ooooh, Mimi, look who's coming in!" Belle said excitedly.
Mimi looked over at the entrance to Dot Com, seeing Philip and Shawn walk in. Her eyes were mainly on Philip though, dressed in brown jeans, a rust colored sweater and his suede jacket. She watched as he talked to Shawn, laughing and smiling.
Shawn listened to Philip say something, then noticed his girlfriend sitting in one of the booths with Mimi.
"Well, what do you know? Look, who's over there with Belle!" Shawn grinned at his friend, waiting for his reaction.
Philip looked over and saw Mimi, watching him. He smiled at her, liking how she looked in a three quarter sleeved black rounded-neck top with dark blue slacks.
Shawn and Philip headed over to their booth, Shawn sliding in next to his girlfriend, Philip sitting next to Mimi. Shawn sat close to his girlfriend and they both engaged in a kiss of greeting. Philip and Mimi quietly, almost shyly, sat there saying nothing, until Philip remarked.
"Uh, just let us know if you guys want us to leave. We don't want to interrupt the two lovebirds!"
Shawn pulled away from Belle reluctantly. Belle let go of him slowly, taking a drink of her mocha.
"Jealous Phil?" Shawn asked his friend good-naturedly.
Philip smirked. "And you used to say I was bad!"
Mimi giggled, liking how Philip looked, his hair obviously just washed.
Philip looked behind her at the bags. "You two been shopping today?"
Belle responded. "Yes, we went after school. Almost all the stores were having a sale. We couldn't resist!"
"Oh no! What did you buy now?" Shawn asked in horror.
Now he didn't like getting too futuristic about their relationship. The here and now.that's what he believed in. But what if.just what if.if they ended up together-together. he was going to go broke!
Belle hit him on the arm. "Now, stop it! We didn't buy that much and everything was on sale!"
"Wait till you see one of the dresses she bought Shawn! I don't think you'll be complaining too much then." Mimi remarked with a grin.
"Oh really?" Shawn asked with interest.
"So what did you get?" Philip turned his attention to Mimi.
Mimi looked over at him. "I just got some stuff for school." She said vaguely.
"Mimi got this really cute outfit for summer! The guys are going to go crazy over her in it!" Belle responded, wanting to see Philip's reaction.
Philip answered without thinking.
"Hey! Those guys'll just have to look elsewhere!"
Three pairs of eyes just stared at him.
Philip sighed. "Just kidding you guys!"
Shawn spoke skeptically. "Yeah.right."
Mimi looked at Philip, a bit annoyed he took back his earlier remark like it meant nothing. She really wouldn't have minded that much if he was just a bit jealous.or protective.
"Oh yeah you guys, come on. Phil and I are just friends, buddies, pals!" She said with some anger.
"Excuse me." She suddenly said to Philip, barely waiting for him to move out of her way. Then she headed over for one of the comfortable chairs in Dot Com, sitting there alone.
Philip looked at his friends, then got up and followed Mimi, sitting in a chair across from her. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No. It's like you said. We're just friends." She avoided looking at him.
Philip reached for her face with his fingertips, getting her to look at him again. "I'm just trying to do the right thing.to not be that jealous guy again.out of control."
"I'm not HER Philip. I'm Mimi, remember? I know I blew it that night when I said those things to you, but I thought.I thought we were getting closer again."
"We are Meems. Sometimes I just don't think. I say what I feel and I don't hold back. It's just the way I am."
"I know that Philip and it doesn't bother me. What bothers me more is when you DO hold back because you're afraid of saying the wrong things. I mean.this is what you wanted, right? For me to be honest with you?"
Philip stroked her cheek a little, then moved his hand away. "Yeah, it's what I want. We've always been honest with each other before. Why stop now, right?"
Mimi smiled, though she missed his touch too. "Right. So honestly, I wouldn't mind you being just a bit jealous of other guys, because I'm not too crazy about the thought of other girls looking at you."
Philip smiled back. "Same here. I don't like thinking about other guys looking at you." He reached over, holding her hand. "How about we go back and join our friends?"
Mimi smiled. "Sounds good."
Philip and Mimi walked back over to Shawn and Belle, Mimi sitting down first, then Philip once again sitting down next to her.
Belle asked: "Everything okay?"
Mimi smiled. "Yeah, everything's fine."
Belle smiled back and let the subject go. She smiled over at her friends sentimentally. "This is so nice, the four of us hanging out together again. We haven't done this in such a long time."
Shawn rolled his eyes. "Oh-oh everyone.Belle's getting nostalgic again!"
Belle gave him a dirty look. "Oh now you just stop Shawn Douglas Brady!"
Philip laughed, sitting closer to Mimi and putting his arm around her. "Lay off her Shawn. She's right. It is nice being together again." He smiled down at Mimi who smiled back at him, moving her head more into his arm, as he held her a little closer.
Shawn and Belle smiled at each other in response. It looked like another Salem couple was on the horizon, even if those two didn't realize it yet.
The Start of Something More Valentine Special
This is a special chapter, just for Valentine's day. It is part of my story, but it's also a little bit a story of it's own. Hope you like it.
The bell rang to mark the end of the final period as Mimi Lockhart headed for her locker. It was Valentine's day and unfortunately now she was going to celebrate it by staying late after school, cleaning out the locker rooms. How romantic!
All day long, she had watched various couples kissing in the hallways, walking around school holding hands, off in their own little worlds. Then there were the gifts and cards too. Some girls were walking around with roses they had gotten in the morning. Various classmates were showing off what their boyfriend or girlfriend got them. There were phrases like: 'look at my chocolate heart, look he gave me a single rose, I got balloons!' It went on and on like that all day.
Unfortunately, Valentine's Day could be kind of lonely when you were unattached, when there was no significant other. Sure, she had gotten some cards and candy from friends and her Mom had given her a teddy bear holding her favorite types of chocolates, but it just would be nice to have someone.
To have a Valentine.
She wondered what she should do with one Valentine she hadn't given away yet. She had been planning on giving it to the person all day, but she had lost the nerve. Now she wondered.
Was it too late or should she still.
She opened her locker, nearly making a box fall out of it. Hmmm, that was strange. That wasn't anything she had put in her locker. She looked at it carefully, hoping it wasn't some kind of prank or something. The box was small with a Valentine design all over it.did somebody give this to her? But how did they get it in there? Did they know her combination? Were they around now?
She looked out at the rapidly disappearing crowd of students coming into and leaving the hallway. More and more were on their way home or somewhere else, probably looking forward to some special Valentine day plans. In that crowd though, she saw no one she knew that would do such a thing.none of her good friends. She took the box, closed her locker and headed outside.
Once outside, she sat on a bench. She wanted to find out what this was before she started her afternoon cleaning. She opened the box carefully, slowly.
No horrible surprises yet!
She lifted the tissue that was inside, revealing something that made her gasp. Attached to it was a one-word note:
It read: "Remember."
****
"Meems, want to put some of my stickers on your Valentine card holder?" Belle, wearing red and pink, asked her best friend who sat by her.
"Thanks Belle. These are so pretty. Look, I used colored markers in Valentine day colors to make hearts with!" Mimi, dressed in almost all red, told Belle excitedly.
"I did that too, but I also used tissue paper. I just love Valentine's day."
"I just love Valentine's day." Shawn mimicked, coming over to the girls' desks.
Mimi stuck her tongue out at the boy and Belle complained. "Oh Shawn, all you do is tease me! Leave us alone! I bet you barely even decorated your holder!"
"I decorated it.with pictures of race cars, right Philly?" Shawn hated all those hearts and Valentine things. Yuck, all that red and pink.girl stuff! Who needed it?
"Yep." Philip grinned, his dimples showing as the girls smirked.
"And what did you decorate yours with Philly, dollar signs?" Mimi joked.
"Ha Meems, very funny!" Philip remarked, shaking his head, making his somewhat long golden-blonde hair move back and forth. Philip actually didn't mind Valentine's Day too much. He was only a kid, but getting cards from cute little girls wasn't too bad, until they started getting all cutesy and all that. Then he wished that they would just give him the candy and leave him alone. Girls were nice and all. He definitely liked them better than Shawn did, but football, now that was his thing!
"I put Valentine stickers on, but I also drew some footballs!"
"Oh you boys always do things like that! Shawn Douglas stop it!" Belle remarked to Shawn who was now flicking the hearts at the ends of her heart antennae headband. Philip and Mimi started giggling as Shawn annoyingly kept on flicking the hearts. Belle finally hit him on the arm.
"Ow!" Shawn protested.
Mrs. Russell stood at the front of the room, addressing her second grade class. "Okay boys and girls, I need you all to return to your seats and listen now. Shawn, please leave Belle's headband alone."
Belle smirked at Shawn.
He frowned and went back to his seat.
Philip followed, laughing under his breath, smirking.
"You too Philip. I don't need you to entertain the class right now."
Philip, even at such a tender young age, knew how to be polite and lay on the charm.
"Yes Mrs. Russell." He said with a courteous smile. Mrs. Russell smiled back while Shawn, Belle and Mimi rolled their eyes in response to Philip.
"Okay, we're going to start our party now. You may all get your valentines and start putting them in each other's folders. Now, I hope you remembered to get a valentine for everyone in the class. You must not leave anyone out."
A boy named Tyler raised his hand.
"Yes Tyler?" Mrs. Russell responded.
"What if we haven't signed them yet?"
Mrs. Russell looked at Tyler pointedly. Oh dear not again.For the Christmas party he had bought ice cream. That day it had been freezing and snowing outside! Now this.
"You haven't signed them yet Tyler?"
"No and they're batman ones!"
"Hey I got batman ones too! Maybe we got them at the same place Tyler!" Another male student called out.
Poor Mrs. Russell reminded herself that in only two more hours she would be home, ready to have a romantic dinner with her husband.
"Michael, please don't call out. Remember to raise your hand. Tyler, you can have a seat at my table to finish your Valentine's Day cards. When you're done you may join the party."
"But I don't got a pencil."
"You mean I don't have a pencil, Tyler."
"Yeah, that's what I said."
Mrs. Russell shook her head in frustration. Patience, patience, she reminded herself.
"Tyler, you may borrow one of mine. Now go ahead class, start passing out your Valentines while I pass out the treats."
"Belle, want a candy?" Mimi asked her best friend, opening up a heart necklace she had been wearing around her neck.
"Sure. Thanks Meems. That necklace is so pretty that your Mom gave you and you got candy too!" Belle added excitedly, taking some of the candy in her hand now and popping it in her mouth.
"I know. I was so surprised this morning when she gave it to me. I'm going to wear it all day long and then I'm going to keep wearing it only on special days, filling it with more candy!" Mimi responded, her auburn hair adorned with a shiny red heart shaped barrette. "So Belle, what kinds of Valentines are you giving? I'm giving out sparkly Disney ones."
"Oooohhh, those are so great! I'm giving out ones with Barbie on them and they have stickers too!"
On the other side of the room:
"Shawn, look what I got Mrs. Russell."
"Wow, that's one big heart shaped box of candy Phil." Shawn was talking about the huge box of chocolates Philip was holding for his teacher.
"Yeah, but the better gift you give your teacher, the nicer she is!"
"Philly, all you ever think about is money! And you're also crazy. She's not going to be nicer to you just because you give her some big box of chocolates."
"Wanna bet?"
Shawn just laughed.
After a while.
"What's that Meems?" Philip looked sideways over at the auburn haired girl, wearing a red and white dress.
"It's my valentine for Belle." Mimi replied, slipping the special valentine (surrounded by a pretty lace heart, stickers and glitter) into her best friend's card-holder.
Philip gave her a confused look. "I thought you were giving out those dum..
(Oops! He almost said they were dumb, which he thought they were, but he was trying to find something out now, couldn't be insulting.)
uh, those shiny Disney ones.How come Belle's looks different?"
"Cause she gets a special one."
Philip frowned in response. "Why does she get a special one?"
"Because she's my bestest friend!"
"But you're only supposed to give the special ones to Mrs. Russell, not to anyone else."
Mimi laughed. "That's not true. We can give anything to each other, as long as we have enough for everyone."
"Do I get a special one?" Philip asked with curiosity.
Mimi looked at him with distaste. "No way! You're a boy!"
Philip smirked. "I bet you gave Shawn a special one since you like him!"
"I do not!"
"Do too!" Philip liked teasing her, but he was also just the least bit annoyed. He didn't like missing out on anything and even though Belle's card was kind of girly looking, he wanted a special card too.
Mimi balled up her fists, standing there angrily. "Ooooohhh, I only gave the special one to Belle."
"That's not fair."
"Too bad."
Philip laughed, all of the sudden acting like it was no big deal. He lifted his hands in a non-chalant way. "Ahh.who cares! I bet I got more candy than you."
Mimi got angry again, but gave up, turning her head and haughtily walking away from him.
Philip just laughed more.
****
"Look Shawn, look at all the candy I got!"
"Don't you hate it though Phil, all those girls acting all silly because they like you?"
Philip grinned. "Hey, I get more chocolate so why should I care? Here, want this Hershey container? It's got lots of chocolates in it." Philip was referring to one of the many Valentine containers he had just gotten, filled with candy, from girls in his class. Their Valentine's Day party was over and Shawn and Philip were waiting for their rides home.
A horn sounded and Shawn got up at the sight of his Mom's car. "See ya Phil." He waved back to his friend as he headed to the car.
"See ya Shawn." Philip waved back, looking across the yard, seeing something interesting. He walked over, watching as Tyler stood there, holding onto something that Mimi was angrily trying to get back from him.
"Give it back Tyler!"
"Let me have some candy."
"No way! It's mine! Give it back!"
"Hey, what's going on?" Philip asked, looking from one of them to the other.
"Tyler won't give me back my heart necklace." Mimi responded, only glancing at Philip, then returning her attention to Tyler. "Give me it!"
"Here Tyler. Let me see it." Philip said, taking the necklace from the boy.
"Okay Phil, give it to me now." Mimi put out her hand for her necklace.
"Say please." Philip answered with a grin, looking at the necklace. He had seen her wearing it earlier that day. It was a plastic clear heart on a red cord, filled with candy, though not quite as full as it had been earlier.
"I don't have to say please. It's mine. Give it back." Mimi grabbed Philip's arm, which raised in the air, as he tossed the necklace to Tyler. "Here Tyler, catch!"
Tyler laughed, catching it, then tossed it back to Philip. They tossed it back and forth a couple more times, but when Mimi threatened to go get a teacher.(there were many standing around, making sure the children got safely home) Philip decided it was time to end the game. He didn't really want to upset her anyway. He was just playing around, but he could tell now, by how red her face was getting, that she wasn't enjoying the game and was starting to get very upset about it.
"Here Tyler, let me have it."
"Okay." Tyler said with a grin, throwing the heart necklace high up in the air. Mimi screamed, trying to catch it, but missed. Philip too, tried to get it, but it landed before he could, breaking the moment it touched the ground, the thin plastic shattering into pieces, the candy scattering all over the place.
Hearing the scream, a teacher came right over. "What is going on here?"
Philip looked down at the ground, at Mimi who was crying, trying to pick up the pieces. He felt terrible. He turned back to the teacher, who looked very stern, waiting for an answer.
Tyler responded. "Me and Philip accidentally dropped Mimi's necklace." The smirk that had been there just minutes before was off his face now, replaced by an innocent and very conciliatory look.
Philip gave Tyler a dirty look. That wasn't what happened! They had been playing with it and then Tyler broke it on purpose. He saw him smile the moment that necklace hit the ground. He wanted it to break. Philip started to protest.
But the teacher spoke first. "Is that what happened Mimi?"
Mimi looked from Philip to Tyler, frowning, then back to Philip again. Finally, she responded, with a sob. "Yes, that's what happened."
Philip looked at her incredulously. Why was she lying?
Tyler grinned for a second, then turned serious again. The teacher looked skeptical, but saw Tyler's father coming. "Tyler, there's your father. You better go." Tyler left with a small grin and the teacher, after comforting Mimi a little, returned to where she had been standing before.
Mimi continued to sit on the ground, trying to pick up the pieces of her necklace that had hit the pavement. Philip crouched down, looking at her. "Meems, why didn't you tell the truth?"
"Just go away!" She responded angrily, not looking at him.
"I just want to know why you lied." Philip said in his gentlest voice.
"Because if I said something Tyler would lie anyway. He always does. And because you might have gotten in trouble.I didn't want that. I should have, because you were part of it.you broke my heart!"
She meant the necklace of course.
Philip felt bad. She had been protecting him, not wanting him to get in trouble. "Meems, I swear, I didn't want it to break. Thanks for not getting me in trouble though."
Mimi looked up at him angrily. "I should have gotten you in trouble. The only reason why I didn't was because we're friends!"
"I know. Thanks Meems. Here, you want some help?" Philip started to help her pick up the broken pieces of plastic.
Mimi sobbed. "It doesn't matter anyway. It's ruined. Just go away and leave me alone."
"Ah Meems, I was only teasing. I didn't want to break it. I'm sorry. I should have known Tyler would do something stupid like that."
Mimi sat up, having given up on trying to recover her necklace. "You were probably trying to just get back at me because I gave Belle a special valentine."
Philip sat across from her, looking bit annoyed. "Ah, that's not true."
Then his face got softer.
"Meems, don't be mad at me, okay? Hey, I'll give you one of my boxes of candies." He took out a box of candies with a plastic snoopy on it. "See, it even has Snoopy! Cool, huh?"
Mimi wiped her face with her hand, removing the last of her tears and looked at Philip questioningly, still upset, though not as much. "You're giving me one of your Valentine treats you got?"
"Yeah, here go ahead, take it." He handed it to her.
Mimi finally reached for the box, saying nothing, but smiled a little.
Philip smiled back.
****
"Remember."
Mimi smiled, reading the word, the memory of that day back when they were so young slowly going away. She reached inside the box, taking out the plastic heart shaped necklace, filled with candy, a red cord on the end. She couldn't believe he had remembered that day. She looked into the box again, seeing another note. She took it out and read it.
"That day you told me I broke your heart (your necklace). I felt so bad, but I was just a little bratty kid then, so I thought giving you another box of candies would make it okay. Then I forgot all about it. For some reason though, this year, it came back to me, that day, so this Valentine's Day, I give you a new heart, one that's not broken and just know Mimi, I am sorry. I never meant to break your heart.
Happy Valentine's Day Meems,
Love Philly"
Mimi smiled again, her jade eyes full of joy as she slipped the necklace around her neck.
****
Philip sat down on the bench of the boys locker room and opened his locker, stopping at what he saw. There was an envelope, a strange unmarked envelope.
How did that get in here, he wondered? Did someone put it in there while he was at basketball practice?
He opened up the envelope, grinning at what he saw inside. Behind it was a folded note. He opened it and read it.
"Yes, I do remember. I remember that day, though for a while I had kind of forgotten it, but this year it came back to me too. I remember you wondering why I gave Belle a special card and no one else. Hopefully, this will make up for it.
I know you didn't want my heart (my necklace) to break. We were just kids then and you boys could be so ridiculous some times, but I always knew, you were never mean about it. You were always my friend. I was mad with you that day, but I got over it and it was nice that you gave me some of your candy from one of your admirers..Hee-hee.
I planned on giving you this Valentine today, before I even saw what you gave me. Amazing, huh? That we were thinking of the same thing. Thank you Philip.thank you for the new heart.when I wear it I'll always think of you.my dear friend.
Happy Valentines Day Philly,
Love Meems"
Her words had made him laugh a little, then smile, filling him with happiness. He took out the special Valentine she had given him, again. It was a picture of them at the cabin, together, the one he had asked the bemused law enforcement official to take of them, both of them smiling happily and sitting close to each other. It was attached to a fancy lace heart that had been decorated with stickers and glitter.
His blue eyes filled with happiness as his heart was filled with warmth.
****
This year, they were each other's special Valentines.
Philip rushed through the crowded halls of Salem High. If he was late, he was going to have to spend his afternoon in detention and he couldn't afford that, considering he had basketball practice that afternoon.
It wasn't easy though, making your way through the crowded corridors in a rush when you were six feet tall, at least without knocking some poor soul over. He turned the corner.
Mimi raced to class, not wanting to be late. She couldn't be! She had her daily job of cleaning the locker rooms out. If she was late to class she would end up going to detention which would make her late in cleaning out the locker rooms. Today was her day she got off early. She didn't want to have to end up staying any later. She turned the corner.
Philip barely had time to ascertain who it was before he came to a skidding halt. They almost ran right into each other.
Again!
"MIMI!"
"PHILIP!"
They both spoke at the same time:
"What are you doing running down the hallway?!"
Then realization also hit for both of them at the same time.
"CARTER'S CLASS.Detention!"
Philip laughed. Never a dull moment with her around.
She gave him an annoyed look.
He decided their one second of rest was over. He grabbed her arm, so they could start their mad dash down the final corridor to class.
They rushed through the door, nearly knocking someone over accidentally as they sped into class.
Less than a minute after they made it through, in came their teacher with a bewildered look. "My goodness what is this school coming to? Somebody nearly knocked me over in the hallway."
Philip and Mimi looked at each other sheepishly. Oh-oh, they nearly knocked their own teacher down! Mimi bit down on her lip to keep from laughing. Philip gave her a humorous look, but quickly got serious again, frowning.
Meanwhile,Mr. Carter stood in the front of the room, tapping his foot with displeasure. "Excuse me Mr. Kiriakis and Miss Lockhart, do you intend on taking your seats or were you planning on giving a speech to the class on the fundamentals of the American Constitution?"
The whole class broke out into laughter as Philip and Mimi gave their teacher a conciliatory look, then finally took their seats.
"Thank you so kindly. Now, if only we could get some kind of hallway patrol to keep overly zealous students from knocking over their teachers." Mr. Carter mumbled under his breath, then began to lecture the class on the Constitution.
Allison nearly laughed at how Philip and Mimi said a quick "hi" to her almost simultaneously, then hurried to get out pen and paper to take down notes. Hmmm. They had come through the door together. They had both smiled at each other for the tiniest second. They looked to be getting along... Maybe everything was finally okay.
****
Mimi stopped at her locker to get her books for her next class.
"Meems, there you are! I've been looking for you all over the place!"
Mimi, dressed in a long black skirt, boots, and a fur lined red sweater with her hair hanging down loose, grabbed her books, then directed her attention to her best friend.
"Hi Belle." She greeted with a smile.
Belle gave her a perturbed look. "Oh don't you 'hi' me Miriam Lockhart. What happened to you Friday night? Where did you disappear off too?"
Belle quickly changed her perturbed expression to one of excitement. "Were you with Philip?"
Mimi thought of how she and Philip had danced in the stables, so close, his breath against her forehead, his lips against her skin, his kiss intoxicating her..Whoa! They were going to take baby steps, remember? Just friends.
"Uh, yes and no."
Belle rolled her eyes and stood there with her hands on her hips. "Yes and no? What is that supposed to mean? You know Meems, I've been patient, but that's it, I've had it. We need to get together soon to have some good girl talk! And I'm not accepting no for an answer. We'll set a date and then---"
She looked at her watch. "Ooooh, I have to go to class! Just one quick thing, is it just me or do you really look just the tiniest bit happy again for the first time in a long time?"
Mimi smiled at her friend, reaching out to give her a big hug. "It's not just you Belle. I'll tell you more later. Thanks for being my best friend!"
Belle pulled back from her, seeing once again the glimmer back in her eyes. Yep, Mimi was getting back to her old self again and Belle was delighted about the fact.
"Okay, we are going to get together Mimi--SOON! Belle called out as she rushed to class.
Mimi smiled and laughed.
****
Philip walked to his locker, starting to dial his combination as somebody came alongside.
"Philip.just the guy I wanted to see."
Philip grinned. Shawn was digging for information. Must be Belle's influence.
"Really?"
"Oh now, don't you get closed-mouthed all of the sudden. This is the first day I've seen you actually look."
Shawn looked at his friend with amazement. "My gosh, you're actually smiling again! Does this have to do with uh."
Shawn smiled slyly.
Philip laughed, opening his locker, taking out a book from it. "Sorry Bro, going to be late to class."
He slammed his locker shut, then started heading down the hallway.
"No way!"
Shawn ran after him.
"Just tell me one thing."
Philip stopped to face his friend. "Yeah."
"Is it Mimi?"
Philip grinned even more.
Shawn's face took on a knowing look. "Oh yeah.it's Mimi..Okay, I'll let you off the hook for now, but I'm not giving up. You're going to have to 'fess up soon Phil."
Shawn started to head down the hallway in the opposite direction, calling out. "I want to know what happened with the two of you at that party!"
Philip laughed, then shook his head. No question about it, his best friend wasn't going to leave him alone until he knew the truth.
****
"Ramon, wait up!" Allison called out to the tall dark haired young man heading to class.
Ramon turned around with a smile, waiting for Allison to catch up to him. "Hi Allison."
"So, how ya doing?"
"I doing good. You?"
"Great.great." Allison said distractedly. She started talking to him in Spanish. "Did you get to talk to Mimi?"
Ramon moved closer to her, also speaking in Spanish. "Yeah. Did you talk to Philip?"
"Mmmhmm, and I don't know if you've seen them today, but it looks like they're on friendlier terms. Maybe it worked!"
Ramon laughed. "Maybe it did! We'll just have to wait and see, huh?"
"Yep."
****
Philip ran down the court, throwing the ball through the hoop, grinning as it sailed through the basket. Yeah!, he thought.
He caught the ball, thinking about Friday night. She had looked so great and had smelled so good, like wildflowers, as he held her close and they danced. Kissing her again had been so wondrous, feeling her soft skin.
He shook away his thoughts, throwing the ball again, watching as it swished through the hoop. He was just glad they were starting over again, that they were talking to each other again. He looked back, hearing the sound of someone clapping.
"Great shot Philip, that how you say, yes?" Ramon asked, coming behind Philip.
Philip smiled good-naturedly at Ramon's response. He was getting really good at learning the teenage lingo of Salem High students. He shook hands with him in the traditional way he and Shawn usually did, something he had taught him a while ago. "Yeah, that's how you do it Ramon. Hey, wanna play a little one on one?"
"Okay!" Ramon responded with enthusiasm.
After awhile of playing during their open P.E. period for that day, since they had a substitute teacher, they sat down on the bleachers in the gym, taking a time out.
Philip opened his water bottle, taking a drink from it as Ramon did the same with his own. "So you must be quite the dancer in Spain, huh, after the way you danced with Mimi at my party."
Ramon chuckled. "I okay. I have a friend who much better. Miriam just fun to dance with."
Philip smiled. "Yeah she is. So be straight with me Ramon."
Philip got more serious, though he tried to look casual about it. One thing Philip and Mimi still hadn't really talked about was Ramon and Allison. He didn't suspect anymore that she was more than friends with Ramon, after their dance in the stables and talk in the park, but Philip was still interested in how Ramon felt. DID he like her as more than just a friend? "How do you feel about Mimi?"
"I like her. She very nice." Ramon smiled. Philip was fishing.
Philip tried to stay patient. What a vague answer. "Care to elaborate?"
"Que?" Ramon looked at Philip with confusion. E-labor-ate? What did that mean? Probably didn't matter since he knew exactly what Philip was trying to find out. Time to turn the tables on him and have a little fun.
"How do you feel about Mimi?" He asked with a sly smile.
Philip had to laugh. Good comeback! "We're friends.again."
"Again?"
"Yeah. Some stuff happened before, but I think we're okay now. All right, come clean, do you like her Ramon?"
Ramon could see Philip's seriousness. "Si. I like her.as friend. You like her as more?"
Philip just smiled.
Ramon spoke up again. "I have something I want you to see.I think it be ready soon."
Philip looked at him with interest. "What?"
"I show you soon."
Ramon got up to go to the other end of the gym, calling out as he walked."It have to do with Miriam!"
Philip was barely listening till he heard Ramon say Mimi's name. After that, his curiosity was piqued. What was Ramon talking about?
He got up suddenly, running after him.
Ramon walked ahead, laughing at the sound of footsteps behind him, getting closer and closer.
****
Mimi sat down at a weight machine strengthening her leg muscles as Allison sat across from her flexing her arm muscles.
"Mimi, you and Philip had the whole class cracking up this morning!" Allison exclaimed.
Mimi laughed. "But you guys didn't even know the half of it! We almost knocked down Carter!"
Allison gasped. "No way, that was you guys he was talking about!"
"Yep. We were racing to class trying to avoid detention."
Allison sat up and glanced over at Mimi. "You guys were coming to class together?"
"Well, we just kind of met in the hallway."
It was true. Mimi had been racing to class like so many other times, though this time Philip had been too. She had been surprised, but happy to see him. It was such a relief to be back on speaking terms with him. The day they had walked home from the park together they had spoken only a little on the way to her house, but it had been so nice, holding hands, just being close with each other again. Mimi still wondered though, was Allison interested in him as more than just a friend? Only one way to find out.
"I'm just going to ask Allison. What's your interest in Philip?"
Allison answered nonchalantly. "We're friends."
"And that's it?"
"Why so interested Mimi? You really care about him? Don't you?"
Mimi sat up. "Sure I do. We've been friends for a long time."
Allison smiled. "Uh-huh."
****
Allison and Mimi got out of their P.E. class early. They crossed through the gym, seeing Ramon and Philip playing basketball together.
Ramon threw the ball through the hoop, then looked over at the other side of the gym, noticing Allison and Mimi. He good-naturedly hit Philip on the back, pointing to them. Philip had been trying to get him to open up about what he had said earlier, but Ramon was keeping his mouth shut. He would find out soon enough.
Philip watched Mimi with Allison coming out of the weight room, talking. His eyes stayed on Mimi though, dressed in black straight-legged sweat pants and a blue and white Salem High t-shirt with her hair up in a loose bun.
He was so lost in her appearance actually that it startled him when he heard Ramon call out.
"Ah senoritas! "Ramon called out in greeting , noticing how Philip and Mimi couldn't seem to keep their eyes off each other.
Allison winked at him as she made her way over with Mimi.
Ha-ha, she noticed it too. Now, let's see if the talk had helped at all.
Mimi gazed at Philip, noticing that he was wearing black shorts and a blue NIKE t-shirt, the sleeves cut off.
"Hey girls." Philip said with a cheerful smile, getting a friendly response.
Ramon nudged Philip in the side. "Philip we have time. How about we team with the ladies and play some?"
Philip laughed. "Are you serious?"
Ramon smiled. "Si. Mimi on your team and Allison on me, ay, mine. Okay?" Ramon looked to Allison for approval.
Allison smiled back. "Sounds great partner." She stood closer to Ramon, linking arms with him. They both stood, there looking at Philip and Mimi, waiting for a response. Allison smiled at Ramon. "Oh-oh Ramon. I think Philip might be worried that he won't be able to play as good as us."
Mimi smirked.
Philip looked at her as if to say 'thanks a lot.'
Mimi spoke up. "Philip's just thinking about what strategy we're going to use.Right Philip?"
She looked at him pointedly.
Philip looked back at her, then finally responded. "Right."
He started to wonder.Did Mimi even know how to play basketball?
Well, he'd soon find out. He started talking to Mimi, nearly breaking out into laughter as Ramon and Allison started strategizing in Spanish. Then Philip and Ramon met in the center and they started playing..
Philip had the ball first, excellently dribbling it down the section of the court they were using. He attempted a far away shot, the ball just missing going in the basket. Allison caught it as it came down, then made her own successful shot. Ramon slapped hands with her to celebrate. "Yes!" Allison called out.
"Ah si!" Ramon remarked. "Numero uno!" He chanted, Allison cheering him on.
"Ah, it was just a lucky shot!" Philip called out jokingly.
Next, Allison dribbled the ball down the court, intercepted by Phillip who passed the ball to Mimi.
"Shoot Meems!" He yelled out, not even conscious that he was once again referring to her by her childhood nickname.
Mimi was surprised to hear it from him, but she attempted the shot anyways from where she was positioned near the basket. She shot, but the ball came back out. Ramon caught it, but also missed. Philip caught it, making a clean shot.
"Yes!" He called out. "Point for Lockhart-Kiriakis!" He high-fived Mimi who was equally happy with the successful shot.
"Boo!" Ramon called out with a holler, giving a thumbs-down signal. Everyone laughed in response.
Mimi had the ball next, but then Allison quickly stole it from her, passing the ball to Ramon who made a basket. They cheered themselves as Philip yelled out "Ah, we'll get you guys next time!" rubbing Mimi's shoulders in encouragement.
Ramon was the next one to dribble the ball down the court. Mimi attempted to steal and actually got it away from him. She looked at Philip with surprise as he cheered her on from near the basket.
"Go Meems!" He yelled out.
Mimi was surprised she had been able to get it away from him, but she supposed sometimes that being short had its advantages. It made it easier to kind of sneak around people, which is what she had done.
Allison came after her and Mimi yelled out for help. "Ahhh!"
"Pass it Mimi!" Philip called out to her, ready to catch the ball. He watched as she haphazardly passed the ball over to him. Ramon caught it. He shot, but it didn't make it through. Philip caught it and made it. "All right! Good job Meems!" He shook hands with her, rubbing her back a little.
Mimi smiled widely in response. "You too Phil!" She gave him a hearty slap on the back, making him laugh.
Philip had the ball next, quickly getting cornered off by Ramon and Allison. He looked to Mimi who was standing near the basket.
"Get ready Meems!" He threw the ball over to her, knowing it was a long shot, making a basket from where he was.
She caught the ball as the substitute teacher started to blow the whistle.
"Shoot Mimi!" Philip yelled out to her, knowing it wouldn't be an easy shot for her because she was on the side of the basket.
Mimi looked at him with indecision.
"Do it Mimi! You can make it.just shoot!"
Mimi looked up at the basket, which seemed to be looming in front of her, noticing Ramon and Allison standing nearby waiting.
Philip looked back at the substitute teacher who was going to blow that whistle any second. She better shoot fast!
Mimi threw the ball in the air, closing her eyes, crossing her fingers, and just plain hoping that it would make it.
She heard the whistle blow and the ball come down, but she still didn't know if it.
"SWISH!"
Made it.
All of the sudden she felt strong familiar arms wrap around her waist from behind as Phillip swung her around, laughing. "Yes! Kiriakis-Lockhart, number one!"
"Hey, I thought it was Lockhart-Kiriakis!" Mimi protested, feeling his arms still around her.
After he set her back down on her feet, she felt his body shake in response as he started laughing.
Ramon and Allison watched them, grinning. Well, well, well.things were definitely looking up.
Mimi felt Philip let go of her. She looked up at him. "So did it make it? I still don't know. I had my eyes closed."
Philip grinned at her. "Your eyes closed?! Yes, it made it! It was a swish-- went right through the basket without even touching. You scored the winning point partner!"
Mimi grinned back. "Well what do you know!" She looked over at Ramon and Allison confidently. "Just let us know when you guys are ready for a re- match!" She jokingly flexed her muscles. "We can take you on again!" She added with gusto.
"Hey!" Allison called out.
"Next time, you not be so lucky!" Ramon added good-naturedly.
Philip contributed to Mimi's comments, standing by her, slinging an arm around her shoulder. "Yeah that's right! You tell them Meems!" He locked eyes with Mimi, grinning hugely, then hugged her, feeling her return his embrace cheerfully.
****
Philip walked over to the tall blonde at her locker getting ready for her last class. "Hey Allison."
Allison turned around in surprise. "Hi Philip. Ready for a rematch already?"
Philip laughed. "Yeah, ready to be beaten again by the best team?"
Allison booed him. "Show-off!" She joked.
Philip smiled, getting more serious. "Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for talking and listening to me Friday night."
"So, did it help any?" Allison asked hopefully. "I mean you guys looked like you were really getting along during that game."
"Yeah, it did and things are.they're better."
"Just better?"
"Yeah, well, for now. We'll just have to see."
****
Mimi walked out the front doors, heading towards the other side of school, seeing a friend. "Ramon, hold on a sec!"
Ramon turned around and smiled at the auburn haired girl. "Hi Miriam. Game we play, was fun yes?"
Mimi smiled warmly. "Yeah, it was. Ramon, I just wanted to say thank you so much, for being my friend and talking to me."
Ramon grinned. "Ah, me pleasure. You look more happy. You two talk?"
"Yeah, we did and we're..well, we're friends again, which makes me happy."
"Ah, I see that. I happy for you."
"Thanks Ramon."
****
The bonds of friendship had been put together again, but beyond those bonds lay much more.
Just waiting for the right time to be revealed.
Chapter 46: Friendship and Beyond
"That outfit was to die for, don't you think Meems? And it was on sale too.Oooohhh we did good today!"
Belle dropped her bags down onto the booth seat with relief.
They had just finished a long afternoon shopping spree and were now relaxing at Dot Com.
Mimi giggled, sitting down on the opposite side of Belle. "Yeah, we came, we shopped and."
Both responded excitedly together.
"We bought!"
"Oh Meems, this was so much fun, going out, just us girls, but now you have to tell me.I am dying to know! What happened Friday night with Philip?"
Mimi positioned her bags on the seat so they were on the far end side. "What do you mean Belle?" She asked innocently.
"Mimi, I am warning you."
Mimi laughed. "Okay, Philip and I did go off together."
Belle waited for her friend to say more, but realized after a bit she wasn't going to say anything else. "Mimi, what is going on with you guys? We went on that double date where you guys seemed to be getting along very well and then we're back in school and you guys aren't even speaking to each other.Now you tell me that you two went off together.ALONE. I mean.Mimi."
Mimi responded to her best friend's flustered look. "I'm sorry Belle. I didn't mean to keep everything from you. It's just.I guess I might as well start from that night when we went to the club. First of all though, were you and Shawn trying to set us up that night?"
Belle looked at her friend innocently. "What on earth would have given you that idea?"
Mimi shook her head with exasperation. "Belle." Then she continued. "Okay, we had a fun time that night. Then in the car."
Belle finished for her excitedly. "You almost kissed, but I ruined it! I'm so sorry Meems."
Mimi smiled. "It's okay. We also talked. I told him about this assignment I had for my photography class in which I had to take pictures somewhere that was out of town. He came up with this idea to go to Boston together to spend the day there on New Year's Eve."
Belle was grinning. "Oh how totally cool Meems! So you guys went to Boston then, together?"
"Yeah. We had a great time too, but then."
Mimi stopped talking, remembering waking up, seeing Philip so still, then trying to get through that blizzard with him at her side.holding her up.
Belle looked at Mimi with concern. "Meems, what? Did something happen?"
"Yeah. There was this really bad storm that night that we just weren't ready for."
"Oh my gosh, that's right. There was a blizzard. You guys were out in that?"
Mimi nodded her head. "Yeah. We got stuck in it. This tree branch came down hitting Philip's SUV, thankfully just the side window, but after, the SUV wouldn't move, and Philip was unconscious."
"Oh no."
"I was so scared Belle, especially after the island and everything. I was so relieved when he finally woke up, but then we realized we couldn't stay there. Philip saw a cabin earlier, so we walked down from the road to the woods, looking for it."
"I can't believe this happened Mimi! That storm was so scary. You guys must have been petrified!"
"I was.Philip was so brave though. He just kept focused on survival. I was afraid we were going to die, but then we found the cabin. No one was there so Philip broke a window to get us in. Then when we got in there he started a fire. He helped me get warm again and he found us some dry warm clothes to change into. I was so grateful that we found a refuge from the storm, but I also was a little nervous because."
"Oh my gosh Mimi, you guys had to spend the night together there, didn't you?"
"Yeah. I mean nothing happened, that is, except."
Belle's eyes opened wide. "Except what Meems?"
"He kissed me. We kissed."
Belle smiled. "Oh Meems, that's so great! I mean it made you happy right?"
Mimi's face lit up, remembering that night. "Yeah, definitely. I'd tell you about it too Belle but.I know now what you meant when you said it's personal. That's why I haven't said that much. It's just."
Belle's face showed understanding. "It's something that you want to keep just between the two of you. It's private."
"Thanks Belle for understanding. We talked a lot that night too and.we just got closer. The next day, we came home and we were going to go to the movies, but."
"What happened Mimi?"
"I told him I didn't want us to go out.ever."
Belle nearly choked on her mocha.
"What?! Why?"
"It's kind of a long story, but mainly I just got scared..What am I saying? I am scared Belle."
Belle looked at Mimi with concern and confusion. "Why Mimi?"
"I don't know. It partly has to do with Chloe and it also has to do with me.I never could have predicted this happening Belle. I mean, Philip Kiriakis and Mimi Lockhart.not what most people would call the ideal couple."
"Mimi Lockhart, how dare you put yourself down like that! You are a terrific person and any guy would be lucky to be with you! The times I saw Philip with you he looked so happy and relaxed. You shouldn't be worried."
"Belle, he was totally in love with Chloe."
"I know, but I really think he's over her. They're just friends now which I think is a big relief to both of them. Chloe spends so much of her time with Brady now and Philip has been spending time with you. So, did you guys talk at the party?"
"Yeah we did, but we talked even more the next day. Ramon gave me some advice too, similar to what you're giving me now."
"You told Philip what was bothering you?"
"Mm-hmm. He was great about it. We decided to go back to being friends."
"Just friends?"
"Yeah. For now."
"Do you think it will last.you guys just being friends?"
"I don't know. I guess we'll have to see."
Belle just smiled.
****
"Okay Phil, spill! What brought that smile back to your face?" Shawn quizzed his friend after one of their last basketball practices, since the season was coming to a close.
Philip finished combing his hair, taking one last look at himself, then sitting down on the long bench in the boy's locker rooms of Salem High. "Don't know what you're talking about Bro."
Shawn shook his head in response from where he was standing, drying his hair off with a towel. "Ah come on Phil. You were moping around for weeks after we came back from the break. Then you had that party which you and Mimi disappeared from and you come back to school, grinning from ear to ear. What's up?" Shawn started combing his own hair.
"Just been in a better mood lately I guess." Philip answered vaguely.
"Oh, come on Phil! I already know it had to do with Mimi. So what's going on with you two now?"
"I guess we're just back on speaking terms."
"So when did you guys stop speaking to each other and why?"
"All right. All right." Philip waved his hands in defeat, knowing Shawn wasn't going to give up on the subject. "I guess I better just tell you. We've gotten closer."
Shawn raised his eyebrows, putting his comb away, then sitting down on the bench across from Philip. "What do you mean by closer?"
Philip laughed wryly. "We spent some time together over the break, went to Boston together for the day, but we got stuck in that blizzard on New Year's eve and we ended up having to spend the night in this cabin together."
"You and Mimi? Now why can't that happen to me and Belle?"
"Get your mind out of the gutter Shawn. Nothing happened."
"Hey, Did I SAY anything happened? Belle wouldn't let anything happen anyway."
"Yeah, but you guys are nuts about each other. That's all that matters. Why rush?"
"Exactly how I feel. But a nice log cabin, burning fire, and being alone together .definitely has its advantages."
"Yeah, but actually at first we were fighting for our lives. It was pretty perilous Shawn. We didn't know if we were going to make it or not."
Shawn frowned in concern. "Sorry Philip. Didn't mean to make light of it. Mimi must have been going crazy."
"Actually, she dealt with it pretty well. I mean it was scary, but we got through."
"And you guys got closer."
"Yeah. We talked a lot and stuff."
"And."
Philip frowned. That's all I'm telling you Shawn."
Shawn laughed. "All right Philip! You're finally learning to not over dramatize things like you did with-"
Philip cut him off.
"Like you know that much about relationships anyway! How many dates have you been out on, not including Belle?"
"I had other things to occupy my mind." Shawn changed his expression, getting more serious. "So if all that happened, how come you guys.I mean correct me if I'm wrong, but you two weren't even talking to each other for a while, were you?"
"Yeah, that's true. We got in this big argument. We were going to go out after we came back home from the cabin, but then Mimi decided to just end it all without warning. She said she just wanted to be friends. I pretty much blew up, though I managed to keep some of my cool; I ended everything, even the friendship."
"Man."
"Yeah." Philip said with some sadness. "Well recently, she finally told me what it was about and it partly had to do with Chloe, who I finally talked to. I mean we really talked, and ended it for good."
Shawn looked at Philip with confusion. "So that should be a good thing, right?"
"You would think, especially since we even have managed to stay friends. It's just Mimi's got her hang-ups about it all, you know the stuff with Chloe.you know how they've never gotten along."
"Oh yeah. And I doubt that's going to change anytime soon Phil."
"I know. It's just."
"Philip, we've all been friends for the longest time and seriously I can't even imagine being with any girl other than Belle, but do you really care about Mimi?"
"Sure I do. I've always cared about her."
"Yeah, but."
Philip's tone got a little more edgy. "But what?"
"You really are over Chloe, right?. because it just.look I'm just going to say it. I know Mimi can be crazy and funny and all that, but she's really sensitive too."
"I know that Shawn. What are you trying to say?"
"Mimi gets very emotional and I just don't want to see her get hurt."
Philip shook his head in disbelief. "And you think I would do that.be a total jerk and hurt her?"
"I know you wouldn't do it intentionally Philip, but look.you were totally in love with Chloe, right?"
"Yeah, but.You're probably not going to believe I'm saying this, but I realize now there were a lot of problems that we had. It just wasn't meant to be. I mean we both tried and it's nobody's fault, but it just didn't work. It wasn't in the cards. But I'll tell you one thing about being with Mimi, it goes both ways, you know, we look out for each other. Look Shawn, after the big argument we had we decided to be friends only and see where it goes from there. I'm not going to rush this like I did with Chloe."
"That's good to hear. Look Philip, I wasn't trying to say that you're doing something like just using her."
"I know. It's all right. Just know something, okay Shawn. I care about Mimi.a lot."
****
Mimi and Belle were still at Dot Com, comparing their purchases, when Shawn and Philip walked in the doors.
"Ooooh, Mimi, look who's coming in!" Belle said excitedly.
Mimi looked over at the entrance to Dot Com, seeing Philip and Shawn walk in. Her eyes were mainly on Philip though, dressed in brown jeans, a rust colored sweater and his suede jacket. She watched as he talked to Shawn, laughing and smiling.
Shawn listened to Philip say something, then noticed his girlfriend sitting in one of the booths with Mimi.
"Well, what do you know? Look, who's over there with Belle!" Shawn grinned at his friend, waiting for his reaction.
Philip looked over and saw Mimi, watching him. He smiled at her, liking how she looked in a three quarter sleeved black rounded-neck top with dark blue slacks.
Shawn and Philip headed over to their booth, Shawn sliding in next to his girlfriend, Philip sitting next to Mimi. Shawn sat close to his girlfriend and they both engaged in a kiss of greeting. Philip and Mimi quietly, almost shyly, sat there saying nothing, until Philip remarked.
"Uh, just let us know if you guys want us to leave. We don't want to interrupt the two lovebirds!"
Shawn pulled away from Belle reluctantly. Belle let go of him slowly, taking a drink of her mocha.
"Jealous Phil?" Shawn asked his friend good-naturedly.
Philip smirked. "And you used to say I was bad!"
Mimi giggled, liking how Philip looked, his hair obviously just washed.
Philip looked behind her at the bags. "You two been shopping today?"
Belle responded. "Yes, we went after school. Almost all the stores were having a sale. We couldn't resist!"
"Oh no! What did you buy now?" Shawn asked in horror.
Now he didn't like getting too futuristic about their relationship. The here and now.that's what he believed in. But what if.just what if.if they ended up together-together. he was going to go broke!
Belle hit him on the arm. "Now, stop it! We didn't buy that much and everything was on sale!"
"Wait till you see one of the dresses she bought Shawn! I don't think you'll be complaining too much then." Mimi remarked with a grin.
"Oh really?" Shawn asked with interest.
"So what did you get?" Philip turned his attention to Mimi.
Mimi looked over at him. "I just got some stuff for school." She said vaguely.
"Mimi got this really cute outfit for summer! The guys are going to go crazy over her in it!" Belle responded, wanting to see Philip's reaction.
Philip answered without thinking.
"Hey! Those guys'll just have to look elsewhere!"
Three pairs of eyes just stared at him.
Philip sighed. "Just kidding you guys!"
Shawn spoke skeptically. "Yeah.right."
Mimi looked at Philip, a bit annoyed he took back his earlier remark like it meant nothing. She really wouldn't have minded that much if he was just a bit jealous.or protective.
"Oh yeah you guys, come on. Phil and I are just friends, buddies, pals!" She said with some anger.
"Excuse me." She suddenly said to Philip, barely waiting for him to move out of her way. Then she headed over for one of the comfortable chairs in Dot Com, sitting there alone.
Philip looked at his friends, then got up and followed Mimi, sitting in a chair across from her. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No. It's like you said. We're just friends." She avoided looking at him.
Philip reached for her face with his fingertips, getting her to look at him again. "I'm just trying to do the right thing.to not be that jealous guy again.out of control."
"I'm not HER Philip. I'm Mimi, remember? I know I blew it that night when I said those things to you, but I thought.I thought we were getting closer again."
"We are Meems. Sometimes I just don't think. I say what I feel and I don't hold back. It's just the way I am."
"I know that Philip and it doesn't bother me. What bothers me more is when you DO hold back because you're afraid of saying the wrong things. I mean.this is what you wanted, right? For me to be honest with you?"
Philip stroked her cheek a little, then moved his hand away. "Yeah, it's what I want. We've always been honest with each other before. Why stop now, right?"
Mimi smiled, though she missed his touch too. "Right. So honestly, I wouldn't mind you being just a bit jealous of other guys, because I'm not too crazy about the thought of other girls looking at you."
Philip smiled back. "Same here. I don't like thinking about other guys looking at you." He reached over, holding her hand. "How about we go back and join our friends?"
Mimi smiled. "Sounds good."
Philip and Mimi walked back over to Shawn and Belle, Mimi sitting down first, then Philip once again sitting down next to her.
Belle asked: "Everything okay?"
Mimi smiled. "Yeah, everything's fine."
Belle smiled back and let the subject go. She smiled over at her friends sentimentally. "This is so nice, the four of us hanging out together again. We haven't done this in such a long time."
Shawn rolled his eyes. "Oh-oh everyone.Belle's getting nostalgic again!"
Belle gave him a dirty look. "Oh now you just stop Shawn Douglas Brady!"
Philip laughed, sitting closer to Mimi and putting his arm around her. "Lay off her Shawn. She's right. It is nice being together again." He smiled down at Mimi who smiled back at him, moving her head more into his arm, as he held her a little closer.
Shawn and Belle smiled at each other in response. It looked like another Salem couple was on the horizon, even if those two didn't realize it yet.
The Start of Something More Valentine Special
This is a special chapter, just for Valentine's day. It is part of my story, but it's also a little bit a story of it's own. Hope you like it.
The bell rang to mark the end of the final period as Mimi Lockhart headed for her locker. It was Valentine's day and unfortunately now she was going to celebrate it by staying late after school, cleaning out the locker rooms. How romantic!
All day long, she had watched various couples kissing in the hallways, walking around school holding hands, off in their own little worlds. Then there were the gifts and cards too. Some girls were walking around with roses they had gotten in the morning. Various classmates were showing off what their boyfriend or girlfriend got them. There were phrases like: 'look at my chocolate heart, look he gave me a single rose, I got balloons!' It went on and on like that all day.
Unfortunately, Valentine's Day could be kind of lonely when you were unattached, when there was no significant other. Sure, she had gotten some cards and candy from friends and her Mom had given her a teddy bear holding her favorite types of chocolates, but it just would be nice to have someone.
To have a Valentine.
She wondered what she should do with one Valentine she hadn't given away yet. She had been planning on giving it to the person all day, but she had lost the nerve. Now she wondered.
Was it too late or should she still.
She opened her locker, nearly making a box fall out of it. Hmmm, that was strange. That wasn't anything she had put in her locker. She looked at it carefully, hoping it wasn't some kind of prank or something. The box was small with a Valentine design all over it.did somebody give this to her? But how did they get it in there? Did they know her combination? Were they around now?
She looked out at the rapidly disappearing crowd of students coming into and leaving the hallway. More and more were on their way home or somewhere else, probably looking forward to some special Valentine day plans. In that crowd though, she saw no one she knew that would do such a thing.none of her good friends. She took the box, closed her locker and headed outside.
Once outside, she sat on a bench. She wanted to find out what this was before she started her afternoon cleaning. She opened the box carefully, slowly.
No horrible surprises yet!
She lifted the tissue that was inside, revealing something that made her gasp. Attached to it was a one-word note:
It read: "Remember."
****
"Meems, want to put some of my stickers on your Valentine card holder?" Belle, wearing red and pink, asked her best friend who sat by her.
"Thanks Belle. These are so pretty. Look, I used colored markers in Valentine day colors to make hearts with!" Mimi, dressed in almost all red, told Belle excitedly.
"I did that too, but I also used tissue paper. I just love Valentine's day."
"I just love Valentine's day." Shawn mimicked, coming over to the girls' desks.
Mimi stuck her tongue out at the boy and Belle complained. "Oh Shawn, all you do is tease me! Leave us alone! I bet you barely even decorated your holder!"
"I decorated it.with pictures of race cars, right Philly?" Shawn hated all those hearts and Valentine things. Yuck, all that red and pink.girl stuff! Who needed it?
"Yep." Philip grinned, his dimples showing as the girls smirked.
"And what did you decorate yours with Philly, dollar signs?" Mimi joked.
"Ha Meems, very funny!" Philip remarked, shaking his head, making his somewhat long golden-blonde hair move back and forth. Philip actually didn't mind Valentine's Day too much. He was only a kid, but getting cards from cute little girls wasn't too bad, until they started getting all cutesy and all that. Then he wished that they would just give him the candy and leave him alone. Girls were nice and all. He definitely liked them better than Shawn did, but football, now that was his thing!
"I put Valentine stickers on, but I also drew some footballs!"
"Oh you boys always do things like that! Shawn Douglas stop it!" Belle remarked to Shawn who was now flicking the hearts at the ends of her heart antennae headband. Philip and Mimi started giggling as Shawn annoyingly kept on flicking the hearts. Belle finally hit him on the arm.
"Ow!" Shawn protested.
Mrs. Russell stood at the front of the room, addressing her second grade class. "Okay boys and girls, I need you all to return to your seats and listen now. Shawn, please leave Belle's headband alone."
Belle smirked at Shawn.
He frowned and went back to his seat.
Philip followed, laughing under his breath, smirking.
"You too Philip. I don't need you to entertain the class right now."
Philip, even at such a tender young age, knew how to be polite and lay on the charm.
"Yes Mrs. Russell." He said with a courteous smile. Mrs. Russell smiled back while Shawn, Belle and Mimi rolled their eyes in response to Philip.
"Okay, we're going to start our party now. You may all get your valentines and start putting them in each other's folders. Now, I hope you remembered to get a valentine for everyone in the class. You must not leave anyone out."
A boy named Tyler raised his hand.
"Yes Tyler?" Mrs. Russell responded.
"What if we haven't signed them yet?"
Mrs. Russell looked at Tyler pointedly. Oh dear not again.For the Christmas party he had bought ice cream. That day it had been freezing and snowing outside! Now this.
"You haven't signed them yet Tyler?"
"No and they're batman ones!"
"Hey I got batman ones too! Maybe we got them at the same place Tyler!" Another male student called out.
Poor Mrs. Russell reminded herself that in only two more hours she would be home, ready to have a romantic dinner with her husband.
"Michael, please don't call out. Remember to raise your hand. Tyler, you can have a seat at my table to finish your Valentine's Day cards. When you're done you may join the party."
"But I don't got a pencil."
"You mean I don't have a pencil, Tyler."
"Yeah, that's what I said."
Mrs. Russell shook her head in frustration. Patience, patience, she reminded herself.
"Tyler, you may borrow one of mine. Now go ahead class, start passing out your Valentines while I pass out the treats."
"Belle, want a candy?" Mimi asked her best friend, opening up a heart necklace she had been wearing around her neck.
"Sure. Thanks Meems. That necklace is so pretty that your Mom gave you and you got candy too!" Belle added excitedly, taking some of the candy in her hand now and popping it in her mouth.
"I know. I was so surprised this morning when she gave it to me. I'm going to wear it all day long and then I'm going to keep wearing it only on special days, filling it with more candy!" Mimi responded, her auburn hair adorned with a shiny red heart shaped barrette. "So Belle, what kinds of Valentines are you giving? I'm giving out sparkly Disney ones."
"Oooohhh, those are so great! I'm giving out ones with Barbie on them and they have stickers too!"
On the other side of the room:
"Shawn, look what I got Mrs. Russell."
"Wow, that's one big heart shaped box of candy Phil." Shawn was talking about the huge box of chocolates Philip was holding for his teacher.
"Yeah, but the better gift you give your teacher, the nicer she is!"
"Philly, all you ever think about is money! And you're also crazy. She's not going to be nicer to you just because you give her some big box of chocolates."
"Wanna bet?"
Shawn just laughed.
After a while.
"What's that Meems?" Philip looked sideways over at the auburn haired girl, wearing a red and white dress.
"It's my valentine for Belle." Mimi replied, slipping the special valentine (surrounded by a pretty lace heart, stickers and glitter) into her best friend's card-holder.
Philip gave her a confused look. "I thought you were giving out those dum..
(Oops! He almost said they were dumb, which he thought they were, but he was trying to find something out now, couldn't be insulting.)
uh, those shiny Disney ones.How come Belle's looks different?"
"Cause she gets a special one."
Philip frowned in response. "Why does she get a special one?"
"Because she's my bestest friend!"
"But you're only supposed to give the special ones to Mrs. Russell, not to anyone else."
Mimi laughed. "That's not true. We can give anything to each other, as long as we have enough for everyone."
"Do I get a special one?" Philip asked with curiosity.
Mimi looked at him with distaste. "No way! You're a boy!"
Philip smirked. "I bet you gave Shawn a special one since you like him!"
"I do not!"
"Do too!" Philip liked teasing her, but he was also just the least bit annoyed. He didn't like missing out on anything and even though Belle's card was kind of girly looking, he wanted a special card too.
Mimi balled up her fists, standing there angrily. "Ooooohhh, I only gave the special one to Belle."
"That's not fair."
"Too bad."
Philip laughed, all of the sudden acting like it was no big deal. He lifted his hands in a non-chalant way. "Ahh.who cares! I bet I got more candy than you."
Mimi got angry again, but gave up, turning her head and haughtily walking away from him.
Philip just laughed more.
****
"Look Shawn, look at all the candy I got!"
"Don't you hate it though Phil, all those girls acting all silly because they like you?"
Philip grinned. "Hey, I get more chocolate so why should I care? Here, want this Hershey container? It's got lots of chocolates in it." Philip was referring to one of the many Valentine containers he had just gotten, filled with candy, from girls in his class. Their Valentine's Day party was over and Shawn and Philip were waiting for their rides home.
A horn sounded and Shawn got up at the sight of his Mom's car. "See ya Phil." He waved back to his friend as he headed to the car.
"See ya Shawn." Philip waved back, looking across the yard, seeing something interesting. He walked over, watching as Tyler stood there, holding onto something that Mimi was angrily trying to get back from him.
"Give it back Tyler!"
"Let me have some candy."
"No way! It's mine! Give it back!"
"Hey, what's going on?" Philip asked, looking from one of them to the other.
"Tyler won't give me back my heart necklace." Mimi responded, only glancing at Philip, then returning her attention to Tyler. "Give me it!"
"Here Tyler. Let me see it." Philip said, taking the necklace from the boy.
"Okay Phil, give it to me now." Mimi put out her hand for her necklace.
"Say please." Philip answered with a grin, looking at the necklace. He had seen her wearing it earlier that day. It was a plastic clear heart on a red cord, filled with candy, though not quite as full as it had been earlier.
"I don't have to say please. It's mine. Give it back." Mimi grabbed Philip's arm, which raised in the air, as he tossed the necklace to Tyler. "Here Tyler, catch!"
Tyler laughed, catching it, then tossed it back to Philip. They tossed it back and forth a couple more times, but when Mimi threatened to go get a teacher.(there were many standing around, making sure the children got safely home) Philip decided it was time to end the game. He didn't really want to upset her anyway. He was just playing around, but he could tell now, by how red her face was getting, that she wasn't enjoying the game and was starting to get very upset about it.
"Here Tyler, let me have it."
"Okay." Tyler said with a grin, throwing the heart necklace high up in the air. Mimi screamed, trying to catch it, but missed. Philip too, tried to get it, but it landed before he could, breaking the moment it touched the ground, the thin plastic shattering into pieces, the candy scattering all over the place.
Hearing the scream, a teacher came right over. "What is going on here?"
Philip looked down at the ground, at Mimi who was crying, trying to pick up the pieces. He felt terrible. He turned back to the teacher, who looked very stern, waiting for an answer.
Tyler responded. "Me and Philip accidentally dropped Mimi's necklace." The smirk that had been there just minutes before was off his face now, replaced by an innocent and very conciliatory look.
Philip gave Tyler a dirty look. That wasn't what happened! They had been playing with it and then Tyler broke it on purpose. He saw him smile the moment that necklace hit the ground. He wanted it to break. Philip started to protest.
But the teacher spoke first. "Is that what happened Mimi?"
Mimi looked from Philip to Tyler, frowning, then back to Philip again. Finally, she responded, with a sob. "Yes, that's what happened."
Philip looked at her incredulously. Why was she lying?
Tyler grinned for a second, then turned serious again. The teacher looked skeptical, but saw Tyler's father coming. "Tyler, there's your father. You better go." Tyler left with a small grin and the teacher, after comforting Mimi a little, returned to where she had been standing before.
Mimi continued to sit on the ground, trying to pick up the pieces of her necklace that had hit the pavement. Philip crouched down, looking at her. "Meems, why didn't you tell the truth?"
"Just go away!" She responded angrily, not looking at him.
"I just want to know why you lied." Philip said in his gentlest voice.
"Because if I said something Tyler would lie anyway. He always does. And because you might have gotten in trouble.I didn't want that. I should have, because you were part of it.you broke my heart!"
She meant the necklace of course.
Philip felt bad. She had been protecting him, not wanting him to get in trouble. "Meems, I swear, I didn't want it to break. Thanks for not getting me in trouble though."
Mimi looked up at him angrily. "I should have gotten you in trouble. The only reason why I didn't was because we're friends!"
"I know. Thanks Meems. Here, you want some help?" Philip started to help her pick up the broken pieces of plastic.
Mimi sobbed. "It doesn't matter anyway. It's ruined. Just go away and leave me alone."
"Ah Meems, I was only teasing. I didn't want to break it. I'm sorry. I should have known Tyler would do something stupid like that."
Mimi sat up, having given up on trying to recover her necklace. "You were probably trying to just get back at me because I gave Belle a special valentine."
Philip sat across from her, looking bit annoyed. "Ah, that's not true."
Then his face got softer.
"Meems, don't be mad at me, okay? Hey, I'll give you one of my boxes of candies." He took out a box of candies with a plastic snoopy on it. "See, it even has Snoopy! Cool, huh?"
Mimi wiped her face with her hand, removing the last of her tears and looked at Philip questioningly, still upset, though not as much. "You're giving me one of your Valentine treats you got?"
"Yeah, here go ahead, take it." He handed it to her.
Mimi finally reached for the box, saying nothing, but smiled a little.
Philip smiled back.
****
"Remember."
Mimi smiled, reading the word, the memory of that day back when they were so young slowly going away. She reached inside the box, taking out the plastic heart shaped necklace, filled with candy, a red cord on the end. She couldn't believe he had remembered that day. She looked into the box again, seeing another note. She took it out and read it.
"That day you told me I broke your heart (your necklace). I felt so bad, but I was just a little bratty kid then, so I thought giving you another box of candies would make it okay. Then I forgot all about it. For some reason though, this year, it came back to me, that day, so this Valentine's Day, I give you a new heart, one that's not broken and just know Mimi, I am sorry. I never meant to break your heart.
Happy Valentine's Day Meems,
Love Philly"
Mimi smiled again, her jade eyes full of joy as she slipped the necklace around her neck.
****
Philip sat down on the bench of the boys locker room and opened his locker, stopping at what he saw. There was an envelope, a strange unmarked envelope.
How did that get in here, he wondered? Did someone put it in there while he was at basketball practice?
He opened up the envelope, grinning at what he saw inside. Behind it was a folded note. He opened it and read it.
"Yes, I do remember. I remember that day, though for a while I had kind of forgotten it, but this year it came back to me too. I remember you wondering why I gave Belle a special card and no one else. Hopefully, this will make up for it.
I know you didn't want my heart (my necklace) to break. We were just kids then and you boys could be so ridiculous some times, but I always knew, you were never mean about it. You were always my friend. I was mad with you that day, but I got over it and it was nice that you gave me some of your candy from one of your admirers..Hee-hee.
I planned on giving you this Valentine today, before I even saw what you gave me. Amazing, huh? That we were thinking of the same thing. Thank you Philip.thank you for the new heart.when I wear it I'll always think of you.my dear friend.
Happy Valentines Day Philly,
Love Meems"
Her words had made him laugh a little, then smile, filling him with happiness. He took out the special Valentine she had given him, again. It was a picture of them at the cabin, together, the one he had asked the bemused law enforcement official to take of them, both of them smiling happily and sitting close to each other. It was attached to a fancy lace heart that had been decorated with stickers and glitter.
His blue eyes filled with happiness as his heart was filled with warmth.
****
This year, they were each other's special Valentines.