Chapter 48 Fairies
Just ten more minutes and she was out of here, since today was Jan's late day. The fact delighted Mimi as she sat there on her hands and knees with a wet rag scrubbing down the last shower. She didn't know how much more she could take of Jan's constant whining.
"Oh no, I broke another nail!" Jan complained.
Just like clockwork, thought Mimi. One minute after that in came Gretchen (one of the top cheerleaders who also happened to be a vicious snob) and her entourage (in other words more vicious snobs). Mimi sighed. Hopefully, they would leave soon.
Their presence wasn't giving her a good feeling.
"Well if it isn't Cinderella and Little Orphan Annie!" Gretchen jokingly called out in greeting, causing her snobby friends to laugh.
Mimi groaned. Little Orphan Annie's hair was red. Her hair was auburn, A-U- B-U-R-N.
"Oh my, you poor dears!" Gretchen cooed, smirking at their predicament.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah.Gretchen!" Jan called out.
Mimi wasn't even sure if Gretchen and Jan were friends. Actually, right now, she could care less. She had less than seven minutes to go till she was free.
Gretchen walked over to Jan, who was cleaning out one of the sinks, though she seemed to be spending more time lamenting over her broken nail.
"I feel so sorry for you Jan, having to spend your afternoons working with The Homeless Bag lady here." Gretchen added with maliciousness, secretly hoping it would instigate a reaction from Mimi.
Mimi cringed, but said nothing. Just five more minutes. She could make it. All she had to do was ignore them.
The doors to the locker rooms opened again and in came Chloe, unnoticed. She headed over to her locker, needing to get something from it before she went home. She sat down on the long bench, hearing the muffled sound of voices, though she couldn't quite make out the occupants.
"Here, you poor little homeless girl, let me help you." Gretchen continued, set on rattling Mimi. After having known her for a long time, on a very unfriendly basis, she knew how weak she could be, and she enjoyed making her feel like dirt.
She was such an easy target!
Mimi spoke angrily without even thinking. "No thanks. I can handle it myself Gretch the Wretch!"
Oh no! She probably shouldn't have called her that. She had just wanted to find a way to shut her up. She could even hear Jan snickering a bit, though she quickly stopped.
Chloe closed her locker, finished with her business at hand, but curious about the unidentified voices she heard. She moved closer, but stayed hidden behind a group of lockers.
Gretchen was furious that for one small minute Mimi's words had made others laugh. It angered her that anything that stupid little brat could say would upset her. She thought just because she was Belle Black's best friend that she could get away with trying to make her look like a fool. She was wrong.
She was going to bury her.
"Well, well, well."
Gretchen walked back towards Mimi, her entourage following her. "How rude, but what should I expect from such riff raff, right girls? So tell me Beggar Mimi, where did you get those INTERESTING clothes from, the THRIFT STORE?"
The other girls and Jan started laughing.
Chloe continued to listen quietly, now able to hear what the voices were saying, especially since sometimes they grew louder. As the voices became clearer, the people speaking the words also became clearer. She listened, wondering what was going on.
Mimi spoke without looking up, concentrating on her work. "I got these clothes with Belle at Salem Place for your information!"
Gretchen smiled venomously. For years now Gretchen had had to play second fiddle to the too-nice-for-words Belle Black.
She secretly pretended to like her, because saying anything wrong about the illustrious Belle Black was like committing social suicide. Mimi Lockhart, though, now that was a whole different story. The only reason why she was even tolerated by some was because she was in that precious inner circle of Belle, Shawn and Philip. Without them, she was NOTHING, a total loser.
"Oh yeah, Belle probably had to buy them for you too, right, because everyone knows you're just a poor beggar girl who can't even afford decent clothes, who came to school for weeks reeking of filth and spent her mornings taking showers in the girls locker rooms. You were such a pitiful sight, coming to class with your hair soaking wet, barely combed and wearing the same skuzzy clothes for days!"
Mimi felt her hands starting to shake, but she stayed down on the ground, inwardly crossing her fingers that they would leave soon.
Jan joined in gleefully. "You're right of course Gretchen. Mimi's loser beggar family can't afford anything as everyone knows! All of those Lockharts are losers, just like their daughter! They're disheveled bums."
Time to let Mimi know that she was still just a stupid little weak puppet. How Jan loved to pull on her strings, manipulating her like she had with the whole last blast fiasco.
Mimi stood up, sick of listening to them, not wanting to hear anything bad about her family. "Just shut your mouth both of you!"
Gretchen smiled even more. She was finally getting the reaction she wanted.
"Of course they are all losers Jan. Any family that can't afford their own house.that have to have other people make it for them because they're so pitiful and so pathetic! Your sad excuse for a father even left his own family! What a deadbeat and los-"
"SHUT UP!" Mimi cut in, more upset than ever. "You don't know anything about my family!"
Chloe just sat there, frozen in place, still not believing half of what she was hearing.
"I know they have a loser for a daughter, something everyone's known for the longest time. Let's see, what was that name we used to call you in middle school? Hmmmm."
Jan gave Gretchen the answer with a malicious little smile.
"COW, remember Gretchen, we used to call her COW!"
Jan and the other girls started laughing.
Mimi stood there, clutching the rag tightly in her grasp, trying to be strong, but feeling her strength waning underneath the cruel barrage.
Chloe closed her eyes tightly. They were doing it to her too.they HAD done it to her, even before she had come to town; they had made Mimi their little target. She had always thought there had been the possibility, but she hadn't known for sure, until now. She wondered. did it have anything to do with why Mimi was more than willing to jump in on the bandwagon when they had called her Ghoul Girl?
Gretchen grinned, her look entirely wicked.
"That's right, COW."
She paused with meaning, waiting to see Mimi's reaction.
"You sure fit the name too, then and now. I think even more so recently because you certainly have come to school as slovenly and unkempt as one!"
The other girls broke out into hysterical laughter.
"But wait till you hear this Gretchen, Mimi actually has a crush on Philip Kiriakis!" Jan added with malice.
Gretchen looked at Jan with wide-eyed shock.
"Oh my gosh, you have to be kidding me!" She turned her attention back to Mimi, looking down upon her like she was yesterday's trash.
"PHILIP? LIKE YOU? Oh please! How pathetic! I'm sure Philip would get a good laugh out of that one!"
Chloe listened even closer. They were bringing Philip into this too.
Mimi protested vehemently. "You're wrong! Philip's my friend just like Belle and Shawn!"
"Oh please, they feel sorry for you! And as for Philip, he's just using you, making a joke out of you like he did with Ghoul Girl at first! But at least Vampira has her looks to offer! YOU---you have nothing--Cow! MOO! MOO!"
The other girls joined in, laughing at Mimi, making cow noises and calling her beggar girl, imitating her begging for money.
The noises absolutely disgusted Chloe, but a part of her was still unable to move. She had been on the receiving end of that cruel sickening chanting many times, quite a few times by Mimi herself. She had to learn how to take it. Mimi should be able to take it too, right? After all, SHE was one of the people who engaged in the horrendous plot to expose her to the whole school. If she had any decency in her she would have stopped it, right? The question was though, could she (Chloe) sit there and listen to this without doing anything about it?
Also, if she could, did it make her just as bad as her tormenters?
Tears started to come from Mimi's eyes; she wiped them away quickly. She put her hands over her ears, but found herself unable to take any more, remembering being in middle school, without anyone to defend her, the name calling, the chanting.remembering just a couple of years ago, hurrying to school, sneaking into the locker rooms to take a shower, hoping no one would see her, only to be confronted with their vicious remarks about how dirty and smelly she was, the name calling starting out all over again.
"STOP IT!"
No longer grappling with which decision was right, Chloe started to get up from the bench, hearing Mimi's scream. She had to stop this before it got any worse, as laughable as that was! Like it could get any worse.
Mimi dropped the rag, pushing her way through the chanting girls, through the double doors, out into the hallway, running through it tearfully, blindingly.
Chloe, before she could reach the chanting girls, heard someone running the opposite way, catching just a glimpse of Mimi as she bolted out of the double doors of the locker rooms. Chloe ran to the entrance, calling out : "Mimi wait! MIMI!" She ran out the front doors to the school, but saw no sign of her. She had just disappeared.
Chloe headed back to the locker rooms, letting the doors slam behind her.
"YOU ARE SICKENING." She cut through their laughter angrily, watching as they turned around to face her in shock and surprise. "You are all a poor excuse for human beings because the only joy you get is from watching others in PAIN!"
Chloe went on, beyond upset, finally getting out everything she had wanted to get out so many times before. "You are the ones that are PATHETIC, total DEGENERATES!" Chloe laughed at their look of confusion.
"Oh my, that word must be too advanced for your feeble vocabulary! Well, you can look it up when you're in reform school. Since that will probably be the ONE thing you have to look forward to in your future. OH, and last of all, Philip is NOTHING like you said. He DETESTS your kind."
They just stared at her, speechless. Chloe turned and walked out of the locker rooms, feeling kind of good that she had let them have it, but also worried.
She had to find Philip.
****
"So Monster, ready for a little exercise and some fresh air?"
Philip asked Poseidon as he started to saddle him up for an afternoon ride. With just a couple of more days till baseball practice started, and a day off from work at Titan, he had come home straight from school.
Poseidon let out a sound and Philip laughed.
"Sounds like you're just as ready as me to get away for a bit.okay, we'll be off soon."
****
Upset, hurt and feeling lost, she continued running without direction, uncertain of where she was going to.just needing to get away from it .the chanting, the cruel vicious words.the memories.
****
Chloe walked into Dot Com, sitting down. She had looked all over school for Philip, finding no sign of him. He must have left right after school, she thought. Next, she had tried to find Shawn and Belle, coming up empty once again. Dot Com seemed like a good place to head to next, since it was such a popular hang-out for all of them, but once again, no one she was looking for was there.
She took out her cell phone.
****
Philip took his cell phone out of his jacket pocket, leaving it on the shelf in the stables. Then he walked back over to his horse, getting up on him.
"No distractions today Poseidon, just you, me, and the elements."
Horse and rider headed outside as the abandoned cell phone began to signal a call.
****
Chloe sighed. First, she tried the house, finding out that he was out for the day. Nice vague answer from the Kiriakis mansion. Next, she tried his cell phone, getting no answer.
She put her cell phone down, wondering why this was all so important to her anyway, considering the person she was attempting to help was one of her worst enemies, somebody who had done something to her so horrible and reprehensible..
She had no clear answers. She only knew she had to do something.
****
"Okay, Shawn, where are we going?"
"You'll see very soon. Just be patient.
Belle gave her boyfriend a look of annoyance. As soon as school had let out for the day he met her at her locker, saying he had somewhere he wanted them to go together. Then before she knew it, she was in his car with him, on the road to.well, who knows where.
Shawn pulled into a parking lot, stopping the car once he found a place to park. He turned to Belle with a grin.
"Now do you know where we are?"
Belle looked around with confusion. "No. Come on Shawn, tell me what's going on."
"Look around Belle."
Belle gave him another annoyed looked, but searched the old looking area with her eyes again, stopping on a familiar looking sign.
"Oh my gosh Shawn!" She exclaimed with excitement. "This is that old movie theatre we used to come to as kids, because we liked how big it was and the fact that it was kind of mysterious.."
"Finally you remember.You forgot though that it was haunted!"
Belle raised her eyebrows with worry, then frowned. "Oh don't you try to scare me!"
Shawn laughed. "Okay, okay! I thought it would be kind of fun for us to take in a movie here for the day, instead of at boring same-o same-o Salem Place. You know together, just us. What do you say?"
Belle reached over and hugged him, giving him a long, more than satisfactory kiss. "Oh Shawn, I can't believe this, how romantic of you! Whisking your girlfriend away to a place that holds precious memories! You wonderful sweetie!"
Shawn frowned a little, after smiling with contentment from her very pleasing kiss.
"Please don't call me that Belle!"
Belle laughed. "Oh, sorry, don't want to ruin your tough guy reputation!"
Shawn smiled. "Come on, let's get going so we can be in time for the movie." He got out of the car, opening her side for her. "And we won't need these." He was referring to their cell phones, which he started to put under the seat.
"You're right, we won't." Belle grinned, taking his hand that he offered, then walking with him towards the movie theatre, their arms around each other.
****
Chloe sighed, after failing in reaching Shawn and Belle. They were probably out together.
So.what next?
****
She kept running, the vicious words and name-calling ringing through her ears over and over again.
She found herself at a familiar place, but even there the chanting didn't stop, the sight of their spiteful faces, the sounds of their cruel voices. She ran away again, like a lost stray, her only awareness being that she had to go far, far, away.
Anything to make the horrible ringing stop.
****
The sun was peeking through the clouds on what could be called a mild, yet somewhat chilly day, as Philip and Poseidon rode through the peaceful Kiriakis grounds.
Enjoying the fresh air and tranquility, Philip turned Poseidon towards the hill, starting up it.
****
Chloe looked up to see a familiar face. She watched as he headed over.
Brady walked over to Chloe, his pleasant expression turning to one of concern as he noticed her distress. He sat down across from her. "Okay, what happened? I can tell by the look on your face that something's wrong."
"The Vipers of Salem High have struck again."
Brady reached out for her hand, holding it in his, his face showing even more worry. "What did they do to you this time?" He asked in a clipped, angry voice. He was tired of the shenanigans of some of those jealous vindictive people she went to school with. It was nothing new to him. Every high school went through the problem to some degree. It just seemed like at Salem High, Chloe was one of the favored targets.
Chloe shook her head. "It wasn't me they were picking on this time. It was Mimi."
She started to explain.
****
Philip fed Poseidon a carrot, giving him a pat on the head, taking in the surroundings with his blue eyes. In front of him was an incredible view of almost all of Salem. Surrounding him were tall and broad trees, just starting to show new forms of Spring life. In the middle of a formation of trees lay the tiny winding creek, the water in it flowing freely again, a small quaint bridge arching over it.
He gave Poseidon one more friendly pat, then sat down on the ground, noticing the dry grass back in view, and the wildflowers that were starting to blossom. He picked up one, taking in the scent, the subtle and natural fragrance reminding him of Mimi.
A lot of things made him think of her lately, like this place for one.
After the island, his physical health had been a little shaky. He was told by his doctor to not engage in any physical activity that was too strenuous. Football, what he was normally playing at that time of year, was out of the question. Horseback riding, thankfully, was an activity he could engage in that wasn't too strenuous and that got him out of the house, which was a major comfort. With his parents watching over him like a hawk after the island, anything to get away from their watchful eye was welcome.
He had ridden quite a bit as a child, but after he had been sent to boarding school, his interest went away. He was too involved in the numerous sports he played at school. Then, when he came back home to attend high school in Salem, his increased social life, though he had never had trouble being popular, coupled with the team sports he played, took away most chances to go riding. He was just too busy. Then later, he met Chloe, who ended up occupying at first his mind, later his heart, constantly.
After the island, though, riding became a solution to his physical limitations. After riding Poseidon a bit, reestablishing the close relationship between horse and rider, they discovered together the hill that led to a secret hideaway, a sanctuary away from the rest of the world...a world that had become confusing, wonderful and frightening for him, all at the same time.
Death briefly knocking at your door could do that for a person.
Riding was the perfect remedy to his problems because it gave him time to think, to contemplate more on things that he had never bothered to think about before. He learned to be more appreciative of what he had, accept what he couldn't, yet fight for what would benefit him inwardly, no matter how hard the battle would be. His secret hideaway was where he came to reflect and process new things in his mind. The peaceful and beautiful setting was an added bonus. It was a special place that he could go to alone. The only one he shared it with was his beloved horse.
That is until he shared it with a special friend.
****
She finally stopped, gasping, her lungs burning from the continuous running. The tears streamed down her face, her body shaking as she looked around.
****
"This is bad." Brady said with feeling, after Chloe finished telling him what happened.
"Yeah, it is.it's just."
"What?"
Chloe laughed sardonically. "Why does it even bother me so much? I mean, after all the things she did to me.I had to go through that same type of name calling day after day and I ran away a couple of times, but most of the time I just took it quietly. As awful as this is too, it's not the same as being exposed to the whole school! That was just a complete nightmare and she was involved in it. She helped plan it all out. So why SHOULD I be so concerned about this? Why should it bother me?"
Brady could tell she hoped he had the answers to her questions. He massaged her hand with his, still holding it, giving her a small smile. "Because you're human Chloe and a good person that doesn't like seeing others get hurt."
"I don't know how true that second part is. I told you once before some of the things I did to her. I'm not proud of them, but at the time I did them with no remorse. I wanted to hurt her, the same way she hurt me. Today though, it was just terrible. They hit all her weak spots, bringing up anything that would cause upset or pain. She did so little to defend herself. She just took it and so they raked her over the coals. If that had happened the summer after the Last Blast, I probably would have thought she deserved it, but today it just left me feeling.it made me remember all the horrible things they did to me."
Brady could understand her not so friendly feelings towards Mimi. Mimi had done a lot to hurt Chloe in the past, but as Chloe had just said, she had also retaliated at times. He would never think she was wrong to not like Mimi. Her reasons for not wanting to be friends with her were completely understandable. But it didn't take away from Brady's feelings towards Mimi, either. He still remembered when she and Belle were just little girls playing together and Mimi coming over to the house many times. He would always think fondly of her, believing that some of the awful things she had done were due to low self esteem, fear and pain inflicted by others.
"And it made you feel bad for her, didn't it? And that surprises you?"
"Yes."
"Chloe there are always troublemakers in school, people who like to hurt others. The truth is, I don't honestly believe that Mimi LIKES hurting other people. I think she used to do it because it was a way to avoid getting hurt herself. It was the one thing she had to protect herself from being teased and being made fun of. I've always believed that Mimi's a good person and I think way down deep, you believe it too."
Chloe gave him a skeptical look. "I think it has to do more with Philip and Shawn and Belle. She's their friend and if anything ever happened to her it would affect them."
Brady nodded his head. "Well, you're right about that. You said you called them, but couldn't get in touch. Did you try Mimi's house?"
"No. I'm not exactly on first terms with her family."
Brady took his cell phone out.
"Then I'll call."
****
The first time he had taken her there had been after she had to identify her attacker. After such an emotionally draining day, he thought it would be good for them to do something fun together. He took her up to his special spot, where they enjoyed warm food, drinks, and companionable conversation. Then he took her up again on Christmas Eve, showing her the fantastic view of the Salem lights during the holidays. Once again, they simply enjoyed each other's company, talking honestly and easily with each other.
It was friendship, pure and simple.
Philip fingered the flower in his hand, turning it. He had never had that with Chloe: friendship.
If he had been asked before, he would have denied it, but now he knew it was true and he no longer felt like living in a world of falsehoods. What they had was definitely special and he would never regret it, but there had always been something not quite right. Chloe had seen it. Now, finally, he did. He had changed with her and yes, change could be a good thing, but not when it meant you were no longer true to yourself, not when it made you doubt yourself.
He turned to look at the creek, getting up to walk over toward it. He squatted down next to the small clear body of water, listening to the soft sounds it made. He took the flower in his hand, placing it into the shallow depths, watching the tiny currents start to move it away from where he was now sitting. Interesting, how time and reflection could make you feel differently about things. Never before had he understood friendship as much as he did now. His friendship with Mimi was just something so special, so special it even held him back at times.
If they became more what could it lead to?
As much as he had his fears though, he knew hers were even bigger. She was so strong, but.
If only she didn't doubt herself some times.
He knew he hadn't alleviated her fears when he said he wanted to take it slow. Obviously, that had just caused more doubt. He didn't want to rush something that meant so much and ruin it. Of course, he still wasn't sure if she saw it that way.
If only he could help her to see.
His hand touched something soft as he moved it a little. He looked down at the object, a stem with white fly-away particles around it. He flashbacked to being a child, surrounded by tall weeds, and strange looking flowers or weeds.
He had never been sure what to call them.
His friends were there with him too, on what had been one of those lazy days of summer they had shared together. Mimi and Belle had made up their own names for them, or maybe it was just a name they had heard before.
{Look Belle, fairies, let's make a wish on them!}
{Oooohh, okay Meems!}
That day he and Shawn had laughed at the vision of the two girls blowing on the stems, making the fuzzy part of the flower float away, but later they had gotten their own, making their own wishes, all of them laughing together.
Now with a smile, he remembered that day, watching her spin around and around, giggling, her ponytails flying through the air as she blew and watched the particles fly away with eyes of wonder..her summer dress moving with the motion.
He picked up the 'fairy' now, standing aways from the creek, then closed his eyes and started to blow.opening them again after a bit, watching as the fuzzy little pieces blew away.
****
She stopped at a tiny patch of dried grass.reaching down for a white fragile looking flower (weed). She smiled a bit, tears still coming from her eyes, remembering what they had called them. With shaky breaths, she closed her eyes, then blew, watching the tiny particles drift away.
****
"Oh Shawn, wasn't that movie just wonderful?" Belle gushed as her boyfriend opened the car door for her, then got in on his side.
"Actually, I thought it was going to have more action." He replied, not entirely impressed. He closed his door, putting on his seatbelt, then started the car, noticing Belle reaching for the hidden cell phones, turning them back on, but putting them back down on the floor.
"I thought it had plenty of action!" Belle said slyly.
Shawn laughed. "Yeah, well I meant."
Belle waved her hand quickly. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what you meant. More stunts and car chases, right?"
"Right!" Shawn added. "Nothing wrong with that."
Belle just shook her head, though a bit amused. Then she changed the subject. "Shawn, do you think it's going to take much longer for Philip and Mimi to become more than just friends? I mean, don't you think they make a cute couple?"
Shawn proceeded with caution. Oh-oh, if she was up to any more matchmaking.
"I think they may be getting there, but I think also if it happens, it happens."
"And you say you like action?" Belle responded dryly. "How can you be so casual about it?"
"I just don't think we should interfere."
Let's see how she'd react to that.
"ME?" Belle asked innocently. "Interfere?"
Shawn rolled his eyes, smiling afterwards as Belle giggled.
"Okay, okay, I promise to stay out of it." Belle said resignedly, when suddenly her cell phone began to ring.
She picked it up. "Hello."
****
Everything was so familiar, yet different in ways too. She made her way through.turning a corner, then sitting down. She reached for the red cord, taking the plastic shaped heart out of her blouse. She placed it against the side of her cheek, remembering that day with him in the rain, how he had tasted the skin of her neck with his lips, then found the necklace, his eyes full of wonder as he looked at her.
She closed her eyes, taking in her surroundings, just starting to feel the cold that she had been numb to earlier.
****
As the afternoon sun started to fade away, Philip and Poseidon made their way down the hill.
****
Shawn and Belle ran into Dot Com. Shawn pointed out Brady and Chloe.
"There they are Belle!"
Belle followed her boyfriend over to the booth, frantic about her missing friend. Chloe's explanation about what happened in the locker rooms had just sounded so awful. She hoped Mimi was alright.
"So, have you guys heard anything?" Shawn asked as he and Belle slid into the seat opposite of Brady and Chloe.
"Not a thing." Brady answered.
"You said you tried her home too?" Belle asked.
"Yeah, but her mom didn't know where she was." Chloe replied.
Brady added something that he hoped would help. "We still haven't been able to reach Philip. Maybe we're worrying for nothing. There is the possibility she's with him."
Belle moved closer to Shawn, feeling him hold her tightly and securely. "I hope so.I really hope so."
****
Philip put Poseidon back in his stall, after rubbing him down and feeding him a carrot. He petted his horse, thinking about someone.
"You know what Monster, I think I'm going to call her."
Poseidon neighed in response.
Philip chuckled. "Oh, you like that idea, do you?"
He walked over to get his cell phone as it began to signal a call. He hurried a little more, picking it up.
"Hello."
****
All those words they had said to her, those awful things about her and her family, especially how they had talked about her family.
Why?
They didn't know anything about them! You idiot, she thought. They said it because they knew it would affect you.they WANTED to hurt you.
If only she could be someone strong like.like Chloe. At first she had always remained silent, but later she had even added a little of her own. But you.Mimi thought.you were so weak that you stooped down to their level. When you saw that they were going to leave you alone because they found a new target you jumped right on in, doing to HER what they did to you..How PATHETIC!.and weak.
Fresh tears fell from her eyes, landing onto the plastic necklace that she still held against her face.
She felt so lost.so cold.
****
"WHAT?" Philip ran over to his friends, letting the door to Dot Com close on its own. He turned to Chloe, remaining standing. "Tell me! You barely said anything on the phone. You just asked if Mimi was with me and when I said no, you told me to come over here!" He looked at her frantically, his forehead wrinkled with worry.
"I was in the locker rooms and I heard all this noise, so I moved closer to hear what it was about. After a while I recognized the voices." Chloe started out.
"Yeah?" Philip asked pensively.
"It was those girls, you know some of the ones that used to pick on me. Belle knows one of them pretty well from cheerleading, Gretchen."
Philip cut in. "Yeah, I know her too. So?"
"They were picking on Mimi, all of them, including Jan. They were calling her things like poor beggar girl, bringing up everything that happened when she was homeless, even calling her father a deadbeat."
Philip closed his eyes, wishing he had been there for her, so he could give them a piece of his mind. "DAMN!"
"It gets worse." Chloe continued. "They totally let her have it, even bringing up something about how they used to call her COW?"
Philip opened his eyes, looking confused and angry. "What? When did that ever happen?" He looked to Shawn and Belle for an answer, but they looked just as confused.
"They said it was something they used to call her in middle school."
Philip looked to Belle. "That was when Shawn and I were at boarding school. Do you remember anything Belle?"
Belle shook her head. "No. But Mimi and I barely saw each other during that time. We had no classes together and I had cheerleading and dance. They probably kept it hush-hush, since Mimi and I are so close."
Philip was getting impatient. This wasn't going to solve anything. He wanted to know where she was NOW.
"So where is she? Where's Mimi NOW?"
Brady and Chloe looked at each other.
"Come on you guys, tell me!"
Chloe spoke again. "She ran out Philip. She screamed at them to stop and then she left in such a hurry. I tried to stop her. I probably should have done something to stop IT, but I.it was like reliving all the name calling that happened to me and then I saw that screen go up at the Last Blast again, everyone's faces.."
Chloe's voice dropped off a little unsteadily. Brady reached for her hand. "I did go back and tell them what I thought of their cruelty, but I.you have to understand, I just can't totally forget what Mimi did to ME."
Philip nodded his head, understanding, but still worried about the person he now felt so close to. "Okay. You guys called her house and everything?"
"Yeah." Brady answered. "Belle even tried some of her friends and Chloe and I looked around Salem Place a bit before Shawn and Belle came."
"What about the center?"
"OH my gosh Philip, I forgot all about the center!" Belle added excitedly as Philip took out his cell phone and started to call.
"What is he talking about?" Chloe asked with curiosity.
Shawn answered her. "Mimi volunteers part time at a homeless center."
Chloe reacted a bit surprised. But she said nothing as Philip finished his call.
"She's not there." He raised his hand to his forehead in frustration. "Oh man." He closed his eyes, trying to think of where she might have gone.
"Maybe the pier." Shawn put in. "It's not completely dark yet."
Philip suddenly opened his eyes, a thought running through his mind.
"Maybe, but.I think I have another place."
He looked at Shawn. "Shawn, can you and Belle go over to the pier while I check out another spot.I think she might be there.."
****
Mimi looked up at the sky, now that the sun had passed away from sight. It would be night soon. She should leave.
****
Philip sat down on the cold swing, closing his eyes as he rested his head against the chains. She wasn't there. He had been so sure she would be. But there was no sign of her.
"Oh Meems, where are you?"
He whispered desperately out to the non-responsive night.
****
"Philly, I wish you were with me." She whispered in quiet plea, shivering.
****
His cell phone rang. He opened his eyes suddenly, taking it out of his pocket briskly.
"Did you find her?" He asked excitedly, the hopefulness on his face draining away as he heard the negative response. He sighed, wishing.
Wait a minute!
****
Chloe turned to Brady. "That was Shawn and Belle. They didn't find her and neither did Philip, but they said that he thought of another place."
"I wonder what place."
****
Philip closed the door to his Mazda Tribute, then started to make his way through.
He stopped, noticing a fairy, sitting, right there, on the ground, the particles most likely blown away. He studied it for a minute, then started to get up, looking around.
"Please let this be a sign" He sighed.
"Mimi.you have to be here."
Okay, this didn't totally come out of left field. I don't know how many people remember, but when Mimi was staying with Nancy she had a talk with her once about how she had been teased before Chloe. She told her how the kids had called her 'stick girl' then later called her 'Cow.' She also told her how the teasing started up again when she was homeless. She admitted to Nancy too, that one of the reasons why she had teased Chloe was so that she wouldn't be teased anymore. So, the Cow idea is actually from the show. Thank you Days of our Lives.
I thought it would be interesting too, for Chloe to be there when Mimi was being taunted, to show her reaction and have her actually trying to help Mimi in her own way, despite their dislike for each other.
Just ten more minutes and she was out of here, since today was Jan's late day. The fact delighted Mimi as she sat there on her hands and knees with a wet rag scrubbing down the last shower. She didn't know how much more she could take of Jan's constant whining.
"Oh no, I broke another nail!" Jan complained.
Just like clockwork, thought Mimi. One minute after that in came Gretchen (one of the top cheerleaders who also happened to be a vicious snob) and her entourage (in other words more vicious snobs). Mimi sighed. Hopefully, they would leave soon.
Their presence wasn't giving her a good feeling.
"Well if it isn't Cinderella and Little Orphan Annie!" Gretchen jokingly called out in greeting, causing her snobby friends to laugh.
Mimi groaned. Little Orphan Annie's hair was red. Her hair was auburn, A-U- B-U-R-N.
"Oh my, you poor dears!" Gretchen cooed, smirking at their predicament.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah.Gretchen!" Jan called out.
Mimi wasn't even sure if Gretchen and Jan were friends. Actually, right now, she could care less. She had less than seven minutes to go till she was free.
Gretchen walked over to Jan, who was cleaning out one of the sinks, though she seemed to be spending more time lamenting over her broken nail.
"I feel so sorry for you Jan, having to spend your afternoons working with The Homeless Bag lady here." Gretchen added with maliciousness, secretly hoping it would instigate a reaction from Mimi.
Mimi cringed, but said nothing. Just five more minutes. She could make it. All she had to do was ignore them.
The doors to the locker rooms opened again and in came Chloe, unnoticed. She headed over to her locker, needing to get something from it before she went home. She sat down on the long bench, hearing the muffled sound of voices, though she couldn't quite make out the occupants.
"Here, you poor little homeless girl, let me help you." Gretchen continued, set on rattling Mimi. After having known her for a long time, on a very unfriendly basis, she knew how weak she could be, and she enjoyed making her feel like dirt.
She was such an easy target!
Mimi spoke angrily without even thinking. "No thanks. I can handle it myself Gretch the Wretch!"
Oh no! She probably shouldn't have called her that. She had just wanted to find a way to shut her up. She could even hear Jan snickering a bit, though she quickly stopped.
Chloe closed her locker, finished with her business at hand, but curious about the unidentified voices she heard. She moved closer, but stayed hidden behind a group of lockers.
Gretchen was furious that for one small minute Mimi's words had made others laugh. It angered her that anything that stupid little brat could say would upset her. She thought just because she was Belle Black's best friend that she could get away with trying to make her look like a fool. She was wrong.
She was going to bury her.
"Well, well, well."
Gretchen walked back towards Mimi, her entourage following her. "How rude, but what should I expect from such riff raff, right girls? So tell me Beggar Mimi, where did you get those INTERESTING clothes from, the THRIFT STORE?"
The other girls and Jan started laughing.
Chloe continued to listen quietly, now able to hear what the voices were saying, especially since sometimes they grew louder. As the voices became clearer, the people speaking the words also became clearer. She listened, wondering what was going on.
Mimi spoke without looking up, concentrating on her work. "I got these clothes with Belle at Salem Place for your information!"
Gretchen smiled venomously. For years now Gretchen had had to play second fiddle to the too-nice-for-words Belle Black.
She secretly pretended to like her, because saying anything wrong about the illustrious Belle Black was like committing social suicide. Mimi Lockhart, though, now that was a whole different story. The only reason why she was even tolerated by some was because she was in that precious inner circle of Belle, Shawn and Philip. Without them, she was NOTHING, a total loser.
"Oh yeah, Belle probably had to buy them for you too, right, because everyone knows you're just a poor beggar girl who can't even afford decent clothes, who came to school for weeks reeking of filth and spent her mornings taking showers in the girls locker rooms. You were such a pitiful sight, coming to class with your hair soaking wet, barely combed and wearing the same skuzzy clothes for days!"
Mimi felt her hands starting to shake, but she stayed down on the ground, inwardly crossing her fingers that they would leave soon.
Jan joined in gleefully. "You're right of course Gretchen. Mimi's loser beggar family can't afford anything as everyone knows! All of those Lockharts are losers, just like their daughter! They're disheveled bums."
Time to let Mimi know that she was still just a stupid little weak puppet. How Jan loved to pull on her strings, manipulating her like she had with the whole last blast fiasco.
Mimi stood up, sick of listening to them, not wanting to hear anything bad about her family. "Just shut your mouth both of you!"
Gretchen smiled even more. She was finally getting the reaction she wanted.
"Of course they are all losers Jan. Any family that can't afford their own house.that have to have other people make it for them because they're so pitiful and so pathetic! Your sad excuse for a father even left his own family! What a deadbeat and los-"
"SHUT UP!" Mimi cut in, more upset than ever. "You don't know anything about my family!"
Chloe just sat there, frozen in place, still not believing half of what she was hearing.
"I know they have a loser for a daughter, something everyone's known for the longest time. Let's see, what was that name we used to call you in middle school? Hmmmm."
Jan gave Gretchen the answer with a malicious little smile.
"COW, remember Gretchen, we used to call her COW!"
Jan and the other girls started laughing.
Mimi stood there, clutching the rag tightly in her grasp, trying to be strong, but feeling her strength waning underneath the cruel barrage.
Chloe closed her eyes tightly. They were doing it to her too.they HAD done it to her, even before she had come to town; they had made Mimi their little target. She had always thought there had been the possibility, but she hadn't known for sure, until now. She wondered. did it have anything to do with why Mimi was more than willing to jump in on the bandwagon when they had called her Ghoul Girl?
Gretchen grinned, her look entirely wicked.
"That's right, COW."
She paused with meaning, waiting to see Mimi's reaction.
"You sure fit the name too, then and now. I think even more so recently because you certainly have come to school as slovenly and unkempt as one!"
The other girls broke out into hysterical laughter.
"But wait till you hear this Gretchen, Mimi actually has a crush on Philip Kiriakis!" Jan added with malice.
Gretchen looked at Jan with wide-eyed shock.
"Oh my gosh, you have to be kidding me!" She turned her attention back to Mimi, looking down upon her like she was yesterday's trash.
"PHILIP? LIKE YOU? Oh please! How pathetic! I'm sure Philip would get a good laugh out of that one!"
Chloe listened even closer. They were bringing Philip into this too.
Mimi protested vehemently. "You're wrong! Philip's my friend just like Belle and Shawn!"
"Oh please, they feel sorry for you! And as for Philip, he's just using you, making a joke out of you like he did with Ghoul Girl at first! But at least Vampira has her looks to offer! YOU---you have nothing--Cow! MOO! MOO!"
The other girls joined in, laughing at Mimi, making cow noises and calling her beggar girl, imitating her begging for money.
The noises absolutely disgusted Chloe, but a part of her was still unable to move. She had been on the receiving end of that cruel sickening chanting many times, quite a few times by Mimi herself. She had to learn how to take it. Mimi should be able to take it too, right? After all, SHE was one of the people who engaged in the horrendous plot to expose her to the whole school. If she had any decency in her she would have stopped it, right? The question was though, could she (Chloe) sit there and listen to this without doing anything about it?
Also, if she could, did it make her just as bad as her tormenters?
Tears started to come from Mimi's eyes; she wiped them away quickly. She put her hands over her ears, but found herself unable to take any more, remembering being in middle school, without anyone to defend her, the name calling, the chanting.remembering just a couple of years ago, hurrying to school, sneaking into the locker rooms to take a shower, hoping no one would see her, only to be confronted with their vicious remarks about how dirty and smelly she was, the name calling starting out all over again.
"STOP IT!"
No longer grappling with which decision was right, Chloe started to get up from the bench, hearing Mimi's scream. She had to stop this before it got any worse, as laughable as that was! Like it could get any worse.
Mimi dropped the rag, pushing her way through the chanting girls, through the double doors, out into the hallway, running through it tearfully, blindingly.
Chloe, before she could reach the chanting girls, heard someone running the opposite way, catching just a glimpse of Mimi as she bolted out of the double doors of the locker rooms. Chloe ran to the entrance, calling out : "Mimi wait! MIMI!" She ran out the front doors to the school, but saw no sign of her. She had just disappeared.
Chloe headed back to the locker rooms, letting the doors slam behind her.
"YOU ARE SICKENING." She cut through their laughter angrily, watching as they turned around to face her in shock and surprise. "You are all a poor excuse for human beings because the only joy you get is from watching others in PAIN!"
Chloe went on, beyond upset, finally getting out everything she had wanted to get out so many times before. "You are the ones that are PATHETIC, total DEGENERATES!" Chloe laughed at their look of confusion.
"Oh my, that word must be too advanced for your feeble vocabulary! Well, you can look it up when you're in reform school. Since that will probably be the ONE thing you have to look forward to in your future. OH, and last of all, Philip is NOTHING like you said. He DETESTS your kind."
They just stared at her, speechless. Chloe turned and walked out of the locker rooms, feeling kind of good that she had let them have it, but also worried.
She had to find Philip.
****
"So Monster, ready for a little exercise and some fresh air?"
Philip asked Poseidon as he started to saddle him up for an afternoon ride. With just a couple of more days till baseball practice started, and a day off from work at Titan, he had come home straight from school.
Poseidon let out a sound and Philip laughed.
"Sounds like you're just as ready as me to get away for a bit.okay, we'll be off soon."
****
Upset, hurt and feeling lost, she continued running without direction, uncertain of where she was going to.just needing to get away from it .the chanting, the cruel vicious words.the memories.
****
Chloe walked into Dot Com, sitting down. She had looked all over school for Philip, finding no sign of him. He must have left right after school, she thought. Next, she had tried to find Shawn and Belle, coming up empty once again. Dot Com seemed like a good place to head to next, since it was such a popular hang-out for all of them, but once again, no one she was looking for was there.
She took out her cell phone.
****
Philip took his cell phone out of his jacket pocket, leaving it on the shelf in the stables. Then he walked back over to his horse, getting up on him.
"No distractions today Poseidon, just you, me, and the elements."
Horse and rider headed outside as the abandoned cell phone began to signal a call.
****
Chloe sighed. First, she tried the house, finding out that he was out for the day. Nice vague answer from the Kiriakis mansion. Next, she tried his cell phone, getting no answer.
She put her cell phone down, wondering why this was all so important to her anyway, considering the person she was attempting to help was one of her worst enemies, somebody who had done something to her so horrible and reprehensible..
She had no clear answers. She only knew she had to do something.
****
"Okay, Shawn, where are we going?"
"You'll see very soon. Just be patient.
Belle gave her boyfriend a look of annoyance. As soon as school had let out for the day he met her at her locker, saying he had somewhere he wanted them to go together. Then before she knew it, she was in his car with him, on the road to.well, who knows where.
Shawn pulled into a parking lot, stopping the car once he found a place to park. He turned to Belle with a grin.
"Now do you know where we are?"
Belle looked around with confusion. "No. Come on Shawn, tell me what's going on."
"Look around Belle."
Belle gave him another annoyed looked, but searched the old looking area with her eyes again, stopping on a familiar looking sign.
"Oh my gosh Shawn!" She exclaimed with excitement. "This is that old movie theatre we used to come to as kids, because we liked how big it was and the fact that it was kind of mysterious.."
"Finally you remember.You forgot though that it was haunted!"
Belle raised her eyebrows with worry, then frowned. "Oh don't you try to scare me!"
Shawn laughed. "Okay, okay! I thought it would be kind of fun for us to take in a movie here for the day, instead of at boring same-o same-o Salem Place. You know together, just us. What do you say?"
Belle reached over and hugged him, giving him a long, more than satisfactory kiss. "Oh Shawn, I can't believe this, how romantic of you! Whisking your girlfriend away to a place that holds precious memories! You wonderful sweetie!"
Shawn frowned a little, after smiling with contentment from her very pleasing kiss.
"Please don't call me that Belle!"
Belle laughed. "Oh, sorry, don't want to ruin your tough guy reputation!"
Shawn smiled. "Come on, let's get going so we can be in time for the movie." He got out of the car, opening her side for her. "And we won't need these." He was referring to their cell phones, which he started to put under the seat.
"You're right, we won't." Belle grinned, taking his hand that he offered, then walking with him towards the movie theatre, their arms around each other.
****
Chloe sighed, after failing in reaching Shawn and Belle. They were probably out together.
So.what next?
****
She kept running, the vicious words and name-calling ringing through her ears over and over again.
She found herself at a familiar place, but even there the chanting didn't stop, the sight of their spiteful faces, the sounds of their cruel voices. She ran away again, like a lost stray, her only awareness being that she had to go far, far, away.
Anything to make the horrible ringing stop.
****
The sun was peeking through the clouds on what could be called a mild, yet somewhat chilly day, as Philip and Poseidon rode through the peaceful Kiriakis grounds.
Enjoying the fresh air and tranquility, Philip turned Poseidon towards the hill, starting up it.
****
Chloe looked up to see a familiar face. She watched as he headed over.
Brady walked over to Chloe, his pleasant expression turning to one of concern as he noticed her distress. He sat down across from her. "Okay, what happened? I can tell by the look on your face that something's wrong."
"The Vipers of Salem High have struck again."
Brady reached out for her hand, holding it in his, his face showing even more worry. "What did they do to you this time?" He asked in a clipped, angry voice. He was tired of the shenanigans of some of those jealous vindictive people she went to school with. It was nothing new to him. Every high school went through the problem to some degree. It just seemed like at Salem High, Chloe was one of the favored targets.
Chloe shook her head. "It wasn't me they were picking on this time. It was Mimi."
She started to explain.
****
Philip fed Poseidon a carrot, giving him a pat on the head, taking in the surroundings with his blue eyes. In front of him was an incredible view of almost all of Salem. Surrounding him were tall and broad trees, just starting to show new forms of Spring life. In the middle of a formation of trees lay the tiny winding creek, the water in it flowing freely again, a small quaint bridge arching over it.
He gave Poseidon one more friendly pat, then sat down on the ground, noticing the dry grass back in view, and the wildflowers that were starting to blossom. He picked up one, taking in the scent, the subtle and natural fragrance reminding him of Mimi.
A lot of things made him think of her lately, like this place for one.
After the island, his physical health had been a little shaky. He was told by his doctor to not engage in any physical activity that was too strenuous. Football, what he was normally playing at that time of year, was out of the question. Horseback riding, thankfully, was an activity he could engage in that wasn't too strenuous and that got him out of the house, which was a major comfort. With his parents watching over him like a hawk after the island, anything to get away from their watchful eye was welcome.
He had ridden quite a bit as a child, but after he had been sent to boarding school, his interest went away. He was too involved in the numerous sports he played at school. Then, when he came back home to attend high school in Salem, his increased social life, though he had never had trouble being popular, coupled with the team sports he played, took away most chances to go riding. He was just too busy. Then later, he met Chloe, who ended up occupying at first his mind, later his heart, constantly.
After the island, though, riding became a solution to his physical limitations. After riding Poseidon a bit, reestablishing the close relationship between horse and rider, they discovered together the hill that led to a secret hideaway, a sanctuary away from the rest of the world...a world that had become confusing, wonderful and frightening for him, all at the same time.
Death briefly knocking at your door could do that for a person.
Riding was the perfect remedy to his problems because it gave him time to think, to contemplate more on things that he had never bothered to think about before. He learned to be more appreciative of what he had, accept what he couldn't, yet fight for what would benefit him inwardly, no matter how hard the battle would be. His secret hideaway was where he came to reflect and process new things in his mind. The peaceful and beautiful setting was an added bonus. It was a special place that he could go to alone. The only one he shared it with was his beloved horse.
That is until he shared it with a special friend.
****
She finally stopped, gasping, her lungs burning from the continuous running. The tears streamed down her face, her body shaking as she looked around.
****
"This is bad." Brady said with feeling, after Chloe finished telling him what happened.
"Yeah, it is.it's just."
"What?"
Chloe laughed sardonically. "Why does it even bother me so much? I mean, after all the things she did to me.I had to go through that same type of name calling day after day and I ran away a couple of times, but most of the time I just took it quietly. As awful as this is too, it's not the same as being exposed to the whole school! That was just a complete nightmare and she was involved in it. She helped plan it all out. So why SHOULD I be so concerned about this? Why should it bother me?"
Brady could tell she hoped he had the answers to her questions. He massaged her hand with his, still holding it, giving her a small smile. "Because you're human Chloe and a good person that doesn't like seeing others get hurt."
"I don't know how true that second part is. I told you once before some of the things I did to her. I'm not proud of them, but at the time I did them with no remorse. I wanted to hurt her, the same way she hurt me. Today though, it was just terrible. They hit all her weak spots, bringing up anything that would cause upset or pain. She did so little to defend herself. She just took it and so they raked her over the coals. If that had happened the summer after the Last Blast, I probably would have thought she deserved it, but today it just left me feeling.it made me remember all the horrible things they did to me."
Brady could understand her not so friendly feelings towards Mimi. Mimi had done a lot to hurt Chloe in the past, but as Chloe had just said, she had also retaliated at times. He would never think she was wrong to not like Mimi. Her reasons for not wanting to be friends with her were completely understandable. But it didn't take away from Brady's feelings towards Mimi, either. He still remembered when she and Belle were just little girls playing together and Mimi coming over to the house many times. He would always think fondly of her, believing that some of the awful things she had done were due to low self esteem, fear and pain inflicted by others.
"And it made you feel bad for her, didn't it? And that surprises you?"
"Yes."
"Chloe there are always troublemakers in school, people who like to hurt others. The truth is, I don't honestly believe that Mimi LIKES hurting other people. I think she used to do it because it was a way to avoid getting hurt herself. It was the one thing she had to protect herself from being teased and being made fun of. I've always believed that Mimi's a good person and I think way down deep, you believe it too."
Chloe gave him a skeptical look. "I think it has to do more with Philip and Shawn and Belle. She's their friend and if anything ever happened to her it would affect them."
Brady nodded his head. "Well, you're right about that. You said you called them, but couldn't get in touch. Did you try Mimi's house?"
"No. I'm not exactly on first terms with her family."
Brady took his cell phone out.
"Then I'll call."
****
The first time he had taken her there had been after she had to identify her attacker. After such an emotionally draining day, he thought it would be good for them to do something fun together. He took her up to his special spot, where they enjoyed warm food, drinks, and companionable conversation. Then he took her up again on Christmas Eve, showing her the fantastic view of the Salem lights during the holidays. Once again, they simply enjoyed each other's company, talking honestly and easily with each other.
It was friendship, pure and simple.
Philip fingered the flower in his hand, turning it. He had never had that with Chloe: friendship.
If he had been asked before, he would have denied it, but now he knew it was true and he no longer felt like living in a world of falsehoods. What they had was definitely special and he would never regret it, but there had always been something not quite right. Chloe had seen it. Now, finally, he did. He had changed with her and yes, change could be a good thing, but not when it meant you were no longer true to yourself, not when it made you doubt yourself.
He turned to look at the creek, getting up to walk over toward it. He squatted down next to the small clear body of water, listening to the soft sounds it made. He took the flower in his hand, placing it into the shallow depths, watching the tiny currents start to move it away from where he was now sitting. Interesting, how time and reflection could make you feel differently about things. Never before had he understood friendship as much as he did now. His friendship with Mimi was just something so special, so special it even held him back at times.
If they became more what could it lead to?
As much as he had his fears though, he knew hers were even bigger. She was so strong, but.
If only she didn't doubt herself some times.
He knew he hadn't alleviated her fears when he said he wanted to take it slow. Obviously, that had just caused more doubt. He didn't want to rush something that meant so much and ruin it. Of course, he still wasn't sure if she saw it that way.
If only he could help her to see.
His hand touched something soft as he moved it a little. He looked down at the object, a stem with white fly-away particles around it. He flashbacked to being a child, surrounded by tall weeds, and strange looking flowers or weeds.
He had never been sure what to call them.
His friends were there with him too, on what had been one of those lazy days of summer they had shared together. Mimi and Belle had made up their own names for them, or maybe it was just a name they had heard before.
{Look Belle, fairies, let's make a wish on them!}
{Oooohh, okay Meems!}
That day he and Shawn had laughed at the vision of the two girls blowing on the stems, making the fuzzy part of the flower float away, but later they had gotten their own, making their own wishes, all of them laughing together.
Now with a smile, he remembered that day, watching her spin around and around, giggling, her ponytails flying through the air as she blew and watched the particles fly away with eyes of wonder..her summer dress moving with the motion.
He picked up the 'fairy' now, standing aways from the creek, then closed his eyes and started to blow.opening them again after a bit, watching as the fuzzy little pieces blew away.
****
She stopped at a tiny patch of dried grass.reaching down for a white fragile looking flower (weed). She smiled a bit, tears still coming from her eyes, remembering what they had called them. With shaky breaths, she closed her eyes, then blew, watching the tiny particles drift away.
****
"Oh Shawn, wasn't that movie just wonderful?" Belle gushed as her boyfriend opened the car door for her, then got in on his side.
"Actually, I thought it was going to have more action." He replied, not entirely impressed. He closed his door, putting on his seatbelt, then started the car, noticing Belle reaching for the hidden cell phones, turning them back on, but putting them back down on the floor.
"I thought it had plenty of action!" Belle said slyly.
Shawn laughed. "Yeah, well I meant."
Belle waved her hand quickly. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what you meant. More stunts and car chases, right?"
"Right!" Shawn added. "Nothing wrong with that."
Belle just shook her head, though a bit amused. Then she changed the subject. "Shawn, do you think it's going to take much longer for Philip and Mimi to become more than just friends? I mean, don't you think they make a cute couple?"
Shawn proceeded with caution. Oh-oh, if she was up to any more matchmaking.
"I think they may be getting there, but I think also if it happens, it happens."
"And you say you like action?" Belle responded dryly. "How can you be so casual about it?"
"I just don't think we should interfere."
Let's see how she'd react to that.
"ME?" Belle asked innocently. "Interfere?"
Shawn rolled his eyes, smiling afterwards as Belle giggled.
"Okay, okay, I promise to stay out of it." Belle said resignedly, when suddenly her cell phone began to ring.
She picked it up. "Hello."
****
Everything was so familiar, yet different in ways too. She made her way through.turning a corner, then sitting down. She reached for the red cord, taking the plastic shaped heart out of her blouse. She placed it against the side of her cheek, remembering that day with him in the rain, how he had tasted the skin of her neck with his lips, then found the necklace, his eyes full of wonder as he looked at her.
She closed her eyes, taking in her surroundings, just starting to feel the cold that she had been numb to earlier.
****
As the afternoon sun started to fade away, Philip and Poseidon made their way down the hill.
****
Shawn and Belle ran into Dot Com. Shawn pointed out Brady and Chloe.
"There they are Belle!"
Belle followed her boyfriend over to the booth, frantic about her missing friend. Chloe's explanation about what happened in the locker rooms had just sounded so awful. She hoped Mimi was alright.
"So, have you guys heard anything?" Shawn asked as he and Belle slid into the seat opposite of Brady and Chloe.
"Not a thing." Brady answered.
"You said you tried her home too?" Belle asked.
"Yeah, but her mom didn't know where she was." Chloe replied.
Brady added something that he hoped would help. "We still haven't been able to reach Philip. Maybe we're worrying for nothing. There is the possibility she's with him."
Belle moved closer to Shawn, feeling him hold her tightly and securely. "I hope so.I really hope so."
****
Philip put Poseidon back in his stall, after rubbing him down and feeding him a carrot. He petted his horse, thinking about someone.
"You know what Monster, I think I'm going to call her."
Poseidon neighed in response.
Philip chuckled. "Oh, you like that idea, do you?"
He walked over to get his cell phone as it began to signal a call. He hurried a little more, picking it up.
"Hello."
****
All those words they had said to her, those awful things about her and her family, especially how they had talked about her family.
Why?
They didn't know anything about them! You idiot, she thought. They said it because they knew it would affect you.they WANTED to hurt you.
If only she could be someone strong like.like Chloe. At first she had always remained silent, but later she had even added a little of her own. But you.Mimi thought.you were so weak that you stooped down to their level. When you saw that they were going to leave you alone because they found a new target you jumped right on in, doing to HER what they did to you..How PATHETIC!.and weak.
Fresh tears fell from her eyes, landing onto the plastic necklace that she still held against her face.
She felt so lost.so cold.
****
"WHAT?" Philip ran over to his friends, letting the door to Dot Com close on its own. He turned to Chloe, remaining standing. "Tell me! You barely said anything on the phone. You just asked if Mimi was with me and when I said no, you told me to come over here!" He looked at her frantically, his forehead wrinkled with worry.
"I was in the locker rooms and I heard all this noise, so I moved closer to hear what it was about. After a while I recognized the voices." Chloe started out.
"Yeah?" Philip asked pensively.
"It was those girls, you know some of the ones that used to pick on me. Belle knows one of them pretty well from cheerleading, Gretchen."
Philip cut in. "Yeah, I know her too. So?"
"They were picking on Mimi, all of them, including Jan. They were calling her things like poor beggar girl, bringing up everything that happened when she was homeless, even calling her father a deadbeat."
Philip closed his eyes, wishing he had been there for her, so he could give them a piece of his mind. "DAMN!"
"It gets worse." Chloe continued. "They totally let her have it, even bringing up something about how they used to call her COW?"
Philip opened his eyes, looking confused and angry. "What? When did that ever happen?" He looked to Shawn and Belle for an answer, but they looked just as confused.
"They said it was something they used to call her in middle school."
Philip looked to Belle. "That was when Shawn and I were at boarding school. Do you remember anything Belle?"
Belle shook her head. "No. But Mimi and I barely saw each other during that time. We had no classes together and I had cheerleading and dance. They probably kept it hush-hush, since Mimi and I are so close."
Philip was getting impatient. This wasn't going to solve anything. He wanted to know where she was NOW.
"So where is she? Where's Mimi NOW?"
Brady and Chloe looked at each other.
"Come on you guys, tell me!"
Chloe spoke again. "She ran out Philip. She screamed at them to stop and then she left in such a hurry. I tried to stop her. I probably should have done something to stop IT, but I.it was like reliving all the name calling that happened to me and then I saw that screen go up at the Last Blast again, everyone's faces.."
Chloe's voice dropped off a little unsteadily. Brady reached for her hand. "I did go back and tell them what I thought of their cruelty, but I.you have to understand, I just can't totally forget what Mimi did to ME."
Philip nodded his head, understanding, but still worried about the person he now felt so close to. "Okay. You guys called her house and everything?"
"Yeah." Brady answered. "Belle even tried some of her friends and Chloe and I looked around Salem Place a bit before Shawn and Belle came."
"What about the center?"
"OH my gosh Philip, I forgot all about the center!" Belle added excitedly as Philip took out his cell phone and started to call.
"What is he talking about?" Chloe asked with curiosity.
Shawn answered her. "Mimi volunteers part time at a homeless center."
Chloe reacted a bit surprised. But she said nothing as Philip finished his call.
"She's not there." He raised his hand to his forehead in frustration. "Oh man." He closed his eyes, trying to think of where she might have gone.
"Maybe the pier." Shawn put in. "It's not completely dark yet."
Philip suddenly opened his eyes, a thought running through his mind.
"Maybe, but.I think I have another place."
He looked at Shawn. "Shawn, can you and Belle go over to the pier while I check out another spot.I think she might be there.."
****
Mimi looked up at the sky, now that the sun had passed away from sight. It would be night soon. She should leave.
****
Philip sat down on the cold swing, closing his eyes as he rested his head against the chains. She wasn't there. He had been so sure she would be. But there was no sign of her.
"Oh Meems, where are you?"
He whispered desperately out to the non-responsive night.
****
"Philly, I wish you were with me." She whispered in quiet plea, shivering.
****
His cell phone rang. He opened his eyes suddenly, taking it out of his pocket briskly.
"Did you find her?" He asked excitedly, the hopefulness on his face draining away as he heard the negative response. He sighed, wishing.
Wait a minute!
****
Chloe turned to Brady. "That was Shawn and Belle. They didn't find her and neither did Philip, but they said that he thought of another place."
"I wonder what place."
****
Philip closed the door to his Mazda Tribute, then started to make his way through.
He stopped, noticing a fairy, sitting, right there, on the ground, the particles most likely blown away. He studied it for a minute, then started to get up, looking around.
"Please let this be a sign" He sighed.
"Mimi.you have to be here."
Okay, this didn't totally come out of left field. I don't know how many people remember, but when Mimi was staying with Nancy she had a talk with her once about how she had been teased before Chloe. She told her how the kids had called her 'stick girl' then later called her 'Cow.' She also told her how the teasing started up again when she was homeless. She admitted to Nancy too, that one of the reasons why she had teased Chloe was so that she wouldn't be teased anymore. So, the Cow idea is actually from the show. Thank you Days of our Lives.
I thought it would be interesting too, for Chloe to be there when Mimi was being taunted, to show her reaction and have her actually trying to help Mimi in her own way, despite their dislike for each other.