Brady and Chloe had spent nearly two hours amusing themselves at the
carnival. From rides to games, they did it all - and enjoyed themselves
while doing it. There were, of course, the usual minor arguments, but that
didn't stop the two from actually enjoying each other's company. By the
time Brady and Chloe had finished all the rides, the sky was beginning to
darken as night prepared to fall on the city of Salem.
"All right, Chloe, why did you really drag me here?"
Brady's question caught Chloe by surprise. For the past few hours, he had hardly questioned her motives or character. Now, all of a sudden, he was back to demanding answers. She couldn't very well tell him that she had been using the carnival as a way to escape her mother and the problems that plagued that and every other area of her life. Nor could she divulge the simple fact that she had brought him with her because she truly enjoyed his company. Like no other person in the world, Brady Black could challenge and understand her.
"What makes you think there's any special reason? Maybe I just thought that we would enjoy ourselves."
"Or, maybe, you have some hidden agenda that you don't want me to discover."
"The only person here with a hidden agenda is you Brady Black."
"Me?"
With a sarcasm that was all too common to her, Chloe replied, "No, I was actually talking about the other Brady Black here at the carnival."
Brady held back the urge to return with his own snide comment. He knew that it would be much easier to win Chloe over if he toned down his own attitude. For some reason, Brady's grandfather had asked him to be the one to take care of the Philip/Chloe situation. Brady refused to let his grandfather down the one time Victor trusted him to do something that could be considered a personal favor.
Waving her hand in front of Brady's face, Chloe asked, "Hello? Aren't you going to say anything?"
"Of course I am."
"Well?"
"I say it's time for you to follow me. I think I know something we can do before I walk you home."
Though she said nothing aloud, Chloe silently pondered over the words Brady had just spoken. He had stated, not suggested or asked, that he would walk her home. She felt certain it was probably just a slip of the tongue and that he would actually just abandon her once he was tired of her company.
"I'm glad we finally got here," angrily commented Mimi as she slammed shut the door of Philip's father's suburban.
Philip, giving Jason a menacing look, gruffly answered, "Well, we would have been here a lot sooner if SOMEONE hadn't forced me to stop for fast food."
"I was hungry!"
"You wouldn't have been hungry if you would have actually been at my birthday party because you could have eaten all the yummy food that was there!" shrieked Mimi as she continued to feel angry about Jason skipping her birthday party to play video games with her baby brother.
"Would you two just shut up? I am getting tired of listening to the two of you argue."
Jason and Mimi both turned to stare at Philip who, for the past few hours, had been grouchier than usual. Jason, knowing exactly what buttons to push to really get Philip mad, casually remarked, "Oh, what's wrong? Does Phil miss his Ghoul Girl?"
Philip took a step closer to Jason and cautioned, "I'm warning you, Masters, leave Chloe out of this. It's bad enough that she and I aren't spending the day together because I was hanging out with you guys. Chloe probably spent the entire day moping around her house all alone."
As usual, there was no way Mimi Lockhart was going to sit around and listen to someone defend Chloe. "Wake up, Philip. She wasn't moping around her house. Her stepfather is the Chief of Staff at University Hospital, if she gets bored she can just hit him up for some money and go shopping for more black ghoul clothing at Salem Place with whatever hot guy she wants. I honestly don't see what you guys see in her."
Now Philip looked ready to attack Mimi, a fact that even she couldn't overlook. Without thought to the action, Mimi stepped behind Jason, making him a barrier between Philip and herself.
While all of this was going on, Jan was watching with mild interest. She herself was quite curious what it was that Ghoul Girl did when she wasn't around Philip. Jan suspected she probably drank blood like any other vampire.
Standing several feet from the others were Shawn and Belle. Leaning in close to Belle, Shawn remarked, "Even though this whole thing was my idea, I'm beginning to wish I had just gone home after Mimi's party. Now, I'm stuck here with these guys until Philip decides it's time to leave."
"For once, Shawn, you're actually right. I'm getting a really weird feeling about all of this. I really wish I could just call my dad to pick me up. But, then, I would look like a baby in front of everyone."
Shawn was surprised by the actual despair in Belle's voice. It made absolutely no sense to Shawn for Belle to be that upset over attending a carnival with some friends. Usually Belle adored spending time with her friends. As for Shawn, he was just slightly annoyed that he had rode with Philip and couldn't leave whenever he wanted unless he decided to walk home and abandon the others. And, with the dark clouds that were beginning to take over the evening sky, Shawn really didn't want to take the chance of walking home and getting caught in the rain.
Philip, deciding that he would appoint himself as the group's leader, declared, "All right, let's go have some fun. I'm getting really tired of just standing in the parking lot.
Within twenty minutes, the group of six had become happily lost the carnival scene. The gang had just finished their cotton candy when Shawn saw something he definitely wished he hadn't seen. Less than twenty yards away, finishing an ice cream sundae, were Philip's girlfriend and, unfortunately for everyone involved, Philip's nephew.
"Oh, man," muttered Shawn in reaction to the seemingly happy couple standing such a short distance away.
Belle, the only member of the group to hear Shawn's quiet comment, walked closer to him and asked, "Shawn, what's wrong?"
Shawn gave Belle a weak smile and pointed in Brady and Chloe's direction, saying, "It looks like Chloe's not exactly moping around the house. I just hope that Philip doesn't see them together because he'll freak."
By some sick twist of fate, Philip chose that very moment to turn around and look in the Brady and Chloe's direction. Instantly his eyes hardened, causing him to look much more like his father. As he began to march over to Brady and Chloe, Belle heard him swearing under his breath, a clear sign that what control he had over his temper, he had just lost.
Quickly reaching Chloe's side, Philip harshly used her arm to pull her closer to him - and farther from Brady.
"Philip, what are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here?"
Brady, taking a stance at Chloe's side, roughly said, "That's what she asked, now isn't it?"
"Stay out of this, Brady," growled Philip before he began to interrogate Chloe. "What are you doing here with HIM? You swore to me that there was nothing going on between the two of you. You swore, Chloe!"
"I was telling the truth! There is absolutely nothing going on between me and Brady. You and I both know that you're the one that does the lying, Philip. First, you told me that your father was dead, and he was really alive. Then, you told me just this morning that you couldn't come to the carnival with me because you had to go to Mimi's party. A party that you knew I wasn't invited to! Funny how you ended up here, now isn't it, Philip?"
"Chloe, you don't understand. It wasn't like that!"
Deciding that this might be an opportunity to drive the wedge even farther between Philip and Chloe, Brady pulled Chloe from Philip's grasp and stated, "I'm sure Chloe understands just fine, Uncle Phil. So, why don't you stop harassing her? Huh?"
"I've already warned you to stay out of this, Brady. Chloe is MY girlfriend, and I want you to keep away from her!"
Having trailed not far behind Philip, Belle interjected, "Can't we let it go? I'm positive this is all some misunderstanding. Right, Chloe?"
Chloe, giving Philip a smug look, responded, "Right, Belle. Philip must be delusional, because he keeps seeing things that aren't there."
"You know, Belle's right. We should all just let this little misunderstanding go. Maybe we can all have fun - together," said Shawn in an attempt to avoid the impending war between Brady and Philip.
"I doubt that," muttered Mimi under her breath from several feet away. Not only did she have to spend her 17th birthday with Jason, but now she had to endure Ghoul Girl and Belle's brother who was obviously making a play for Chloe. What a way to end the day.
To worsen Mimi's birthday, the evening sky which had steadily been darkening, now unleashed a steady rain upon the teens. Despite the fact that they would no doubt be soaked, no one moved. With tensions this high, no one dared.
Walking over to her boyfriend, Chloe laid a hand on his arm and reprimanded, "Philip, just stop fighting with Brady. Come on, it's starting to rain. Why don't you just drop me off at Belle's house then go home and relax."
Laughing humorlessly, Philip looked only at Chloe as he questioned, "I want to protect you from Brady, and you tell me to just leave you at his house and go home and chill?"
Barely controlling her temper, Chloe remarked, "It's not like that. I can't help it if my best friend's brother is Brady. That's not my fault so just stop trying to blame me for everything! You're starting to sound just like Nancy!"
Softly caressing Chloe's cheek with his hand, Philip softly said, "I'm not blaming you for anything. It's just that I love you and don't want you to ever be hurt again. I'm sorry for yelling at you."
Part of Chloe just wanted to forgive Philip and let him pull her into a tight, comforting embrace. But, there was another part of her that couldn't let that happen. In some ways her relationship with him was just too much like the one she shared with her mother. He kept secrets but expected her to be honest. He always wanted her to be close to him, but usually ended up suffocating her. He would do or say something hurtful and immediately apologize and expect her to be whatever he needed. Chloe might not be able to do anything about her mother, but she could handle Philip.
"Philip, sorry doesn't always makes things right. You should know that."
"I don't expect it to make everything all right! I just thought that it would mean something."
Interjecting, Brady snidely remarked, "Typical Philip. Throws a tantrum and when he sees that he still won't get his way, he starts begging for forgiveness."
Turning her fiery glare to Brady, Chloe ordered, "Would you just mind your own business? What happens between me and my boyfriend doesn't concern you!"
By this point the teens were all drenched from the rain that was beginning to come down even heavier. Turning to Jason, Jan said, "My aunt lives like two blocks from here. Let's just go because I'm sick of waiting for these guys to shut their mouths."
Dismissing Jan with nothing more than slight wave of his hand, Jason casually remarked, "Go ahead, I think I'll stay and see what happens. Besides, Philip might need some back up."
Jan, in return, angrily asked, "What? Jason, what is wrong with you? Why would you want to help Philip? I hope you realize that if Philip does get into with Brady, it'll be over Chloe. If you help him, that would be just as bad as defending Chloe herself."
Jason was beginning to become slightly irritated by Jan's attitude. Clenching his jaw in frustration, he took a moment to calm his nerves before saying, "I know what I'm doing, so if you're afraid that you'll melt in the rain then just go to your aunt's house. I'll get a ride home with Philip."
"Did you just imply that I am a witch?" Jan questioned, livid with Jason's reluctance to follow her orders. "I so should have known that you would act this way. You are becoming a wimp, Jase. It's really kinda sad to think that you've finally stooped as low as someone like Mimi. Do you have any idea how pathetic that is? I, mean, just look at her."
Standing less than three feet away, Mimi indignantly retorted, "Hello, I'm standing right here."
Jan, giving her snobbiest smirk, casually remarked, "Gee, you're so unimportant that I didn't even notice you. Of course, with a face like that, I'm glad I didn't notice you. Really, Mimi, hasn't anyone ever told how much you look like some Halloween monster? Ooh, I bet you and Ghoul Girl are secretly best friends, huh?"
Unsuccessfully attempting to hide her emotions, Mimi pleaded, "Please, stop."
"What's wrong, Meems? Can't handle the truth? Well's here some more of it to swallow. You are a nobody." Pointing to the rest of the teens, Jan commented, "Face it, they are all over there and none of them even miss you. That is so sad. The poor homeless girl doesn't have any friends. Gee, I wonder why. Could it be because we all know how poor your family really is? Or, maybe, it's because everyone, even Belle, realizes that you're just not cool. Or, may-"
Cutting Jan off in the middle of a word, Jason said, "I thought you were leaving."
Tossing her very wet hair over her shoulder, Jan dryly answered, "I am."
As she was walking away, an unexpected object, known as Mimi's foot, came from seemingly nowhere and caused Jan to trip. If that weren't bad enough, landing face down in a newly formed mud puddle surely was. Leaning over her bully with newfound courage, Mimi seriously said, "I asked you nicely to stop. Maybe next time you will listen."
Watching Mimi walk away to rejoin the others who were still arguing with great passion, Jan coldly said to herself, "There won't be a next time, because you're going down, Meems. I'll teach you a lesson that you won't ever forget. First, though, I'll use you just a little more to ruin Ghoul Girl. Then, I'll ruin you."
When Mimi, followed closely by Jason, reached the rest of the gang, the battle was heating up. Though Mimi wasn't sure exactly what had happened while she had been preoccupied with Jan, she could tell that the guys definitely hadn't cooled down. From the looks of things, Belle looked more frustrated than anyone else. Mimi supposed that was because she cared so much for everyone there.
Belle had taken all she could handle of her friend and her big brother tearing each other down with cruel and unfair insults. "Have you forgotten that once upon a time you actually got along? I want you guys to stop this right now!" Belle screamed as she forcefully stomped her foot. Unfortunately, the rain, which still plagued them, had already done it's damage, leaving puddles everywhere - including where Belle stomped her foot. If things couldn't get worse, the mud not only got even thicker on her shoes, but flew up to land in a large splat on the leg of Philip's designer pants.
Normally, Philip wouldn't have thought it was a big deal. However, he was so stressed from the day and all it's extenuating circumstances, that he simply lost his temper. In a tone harsher than he intended, Philip yelled, "Would you watch it? You just splashed mud all over my pants! Isn't it enough that I'm getting all wet because of your brother? I swear, sometimes I think you're as stupid as he is!"
Belle could only nervously bite her lip as she watched the scene unfold before her. Before she knew what was happening, Brady, also more easily provoked than usual, grabbed the collar of Philip's shirt and swung him in a semi-circle. Thanks to not only his height, but his athletic build, Philip was able to keep his balance well enough to not trip in the mud.
Wiping her wet hair away from her face, Chloe watched as Philip and Brady were engulfed by not only the rain, by their own fierce tempers. She could do little more than let out an unhappy sigh as she watched an equally unhappy Shawn approach Philip. She should have known that he wouldn't let Philip get away with insulting Belle.
"Brady, why don't you just let him go, huh?" requested Shawn with an eerily calm smile. Reluctantly, Brady agreed and let go of Philip's collar. Immediately Chloe rushed to Philip's side, sending optical daggers at Brady.
Keeping his seemingly calm attitude, Shawn stared through the increasingly heavy rain at Philip and asked, "Um, what exactly was it you said to Belle?"
Under normal circumstances, Philip would have taken that opportunity to apologize to his friends. At the moment, however, he was still far too angry at not only Brady, but the world in general, to walk away from any kind of fight. Casting a defiant glare to his friend, Philip answered, "You know exactly what I said to your ditzy little girlfriend!"
Turning his head away from Philip and smiling, Shawn quietly responded, "Yeah, I know what you said." In one swift movement, Shawn turned and used his right fist to harshly punch Philip, accidentally knocking him into Chloe. Though Philip was once again barely able to keep from falling, Chloe was not quite so fortunate. Losing her balance, she fell backwards and roughly hit the back of head on the muddy ground. Her pastel pink shirt and matching Capri pants were now covered in dark mud, as was a great deal of the rest of Chloe.
Brady gave Chloe a concerned glance before advancing upon Shawn, who he blamed since he had thrown the first punch. Waving his hand in Chloe's direction, Brady demanded, "What were you thinking? You could have caused her to really get hurt!"
Slightly intimidated by having Brady's anger suddenly directed at him, Shawn answered, "I was just trying to defend your sister!"
Appearing at Shawn's side, Belle declared, "Shawn Douglas Brady! I can take care of myself!"
While Belle defended her questionable independence, Chloe, with the help of Philip, got back to her feet. Looking down at her muddy, disheveled state, she almost laughed. Instead, she decided to get even. Once she was soundly standing, she turned to Philip and, with a sugary sweet grin, pushed him as hard as she could. He wasn't able to keep his balance this time, and landed on his backside with a thud.
Chloe turned away from Philip and scooped up a large amount of mud in each hand. Walking as gracefully as the mud covering her would allow, Chloe made her way to where Brady and Shawn were still arguing. Though both had their backs to her, Belle didn't and only smiled when she realized what her friend was planning.
Chloe loudly cleared her throat to get the attention of the guys. As they turned simultaneously to face her, she smiled deviously as she took a fistful of mud and threw it in each of their faces. She couldn't abstain from laughing at the astonished looks on their mud-covered faces. Smugly she asked, "Doesn't feel so nice, does it?"
Deciding that someone needed to help Philip out of the mud, Jason hesitantly approached his friend and extended a helpful hand, silently vowing that this was the last time he was helping the K-Man after a disagreement over Chloe. Her only other option being to stand in the rain by herself, Mimi followed Jason.
Grabbing hold of Jason's hand, Philip gave an all-too-happy smile before he unexpectedly gave a hard yank on Jason's arm, pulling him into the mud.
Trying to be angry, Jason questioned, "What did you that for? I was actually trying to help you."
With a relaxed smile, Philip answered, "And, I was just trying to share the wealth."
Looking at the laughing guys as though they were crazy, Mimi rambled, "You guys have lost your minds. Today is my birthday and you guys have nothing better to do than sit in a huge mud puddle during a rain storm? I swear, I wish I never would have agreed to Shawn's stupid idea of coming here. I should have just stayed home and watched a rented movie."
As Mimi continued her rant, Philip and Jason exchanged a knowing glance. Mimi, waving her arms toward the sky as she cursed the weather, did not notice Philip mouthing to the count of three. Before she even knew what was happening, the guys each took hold of one of her ankles and yanked her into the mud.
Shawn, using his hand to wipe a lump of mud off his face, directed his attention to Belle. Motioning to their three friends sitting in the mud, Shawn remarked almost innocently, "Gee, Belle, it looks like you're the only one who hasn't been attacked with mud. You know what that means."
Waving her index finer back and forth in Shawn's face, Belle said, "You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?" Shawn questioned as he carefully rubbed the mud across Belle's forehead and then onto her cheeks. He only laughed harder as she began to squeal and wave both hands at him.
Belle decided that Chloe had the right idea when she splattered the guys with mud. Reaching down, Belle scooped a nice, large amount of mud into her hand. Giving Shawn her most mischievous smile, she said, "You really should have better manners." That said Belle slung the mud in Shawn's direction. Ducking, Shawn was able to miss being hit - Brady wasn't so lucky.
Feigning anger though he was actually in a rather good mood, Brady screamed, "Tink! Learn to throw!"
Belle barely registered what her brother said as she was tackled by Shawn. She landed in the soft mud with Shawn on top of her. Even the mud seeping into her clothing couldn't keep her from smiling at having Shawn's body pressed against hers.
Throwing herself at Brady, Chloe screamed, "Girls against guys!"
Having just gotten to their feet, Philip and Jason grabbed Mimi. Before sending her back into the mud, Jason said, "You heard what she said, "Girls versus guys! Let the war begin!"
With Mimi safely deposited in the mud, Philip turned his attention to Chloe, who after tackling Brady, tried to make an escape. Her plans were halted by Philip, who's chest she ran into. "Hello, beautiful."
"Hello, Philip," carefully returned Chloe as she watched his every move.
Flashing a smile, Philip asked, "You know I love you, right?"
"Right," answered Chloe as she moved even closer to Philip.
Giving her soft kiss, Philip replied, "Good. So, you'll understand when I do this."
"Do what?"
Chloe's question was answered by Philip grabbing both her hands and pulling her around in a dizzying circle. As she spun around she could see Shawn was still hovering over Belle. Now, however, Mimi had attached herself to his back and was slinging mud at the back of his head. She was also slinging the mud at Jason who was trying to get his arms around her waist so he could pull her off Shawn.
Chloe gasped when she felt someone grab her feet, forcing Philip, who still held her arms, to stop spinning her.
"Brady, thank you so much. I'm glad someone decided to help me."
Giving his uncle a truly genuine smile, the first in months, Brady said, "Tsk, tsk. You said it yourself, Chloe. Girls against guys." Smiling, Brady added, "That makes you, my little diva, the enemy. You ready, Philip?"
Philip returned Brady's smile and proceeded to help him. Happily, the two used Chloe's arms and legs to swing her body dangerously close to the mud. Being swung back and forth through the air, Chloe laughed harder than she had in months. If only for a few minutes, her problems were erased and she was free to laugh and smile.
Finally succeeding in pulling Mimi off Shawn, Jason quickly threw her over his shoulder. Mischievously, he asked, "So, Meems, just how much do you enjoy becoming dizzy?"
"Jason Masters, you better put me down this instant!"
Ignoring Mimi's order, Jason began spinning in a circle while standing in place. The more Mimi playfully screamed, the more he laughed.
Neither paid attention to Shawn and Belle who had yet to move from their dangerously close position on the ground. Without thought to the action, Shawn used his muddy hand to carefully push Belle's wet hair away from her face. If she minded the extra mud, she didn't say anything. Instead, she opted to continue her comfortable stay under Shawn's body.
So, as the rain fell upon Salem, seven of its most troubled teens escaped their daily problems by doing nothing more than playing in the mud with one another. Of course, none of them were even considering what their parental units would have to say when they arrived home wet and muddy. Then again, at the moment, it didn't matter. They may be soaked, and they may be dirty, but they were all happy. And, that was far more important.
"All right, Chloe, why did you really drag me here?"
Brady's question caught Chloe by surprise. For the past few hours, he had hardly questioned her motives or character. Now, all of a sudden, he was back to demanding answers. She couldn't very well tell him that she had been using the carnival as a way to escape her mother and the problems that plagued that and every other area of her life. Nor could she divulge the simple fact that she had brought him with her because she truly enjoyed his company. Like no other person in the world, Brady Black could challenge and understand her.
"What makes you think there's any special reason? Maybe I just thought that we would enjoy ourselves."
"Or, maybe, you have some hidden agenda that you don't want me to discover."
"The only person here with a hidden agenda is you Brady Black."
"Me?"
With a sarcasm that was all too common to her, Chloe replied, "No, I was actually talking about the other Brady Black here at the carnival."
Brady held back the urge to return with his own snide comment. He knew that it would be much easier to win Chloe over if he toned down his own attitude. For some reason, Brady's grandfather had asked him to be the one to take care of the Philip/Chloe situation. Brady refused to let his grandfather down the one time Victor trusted him to do something that could be considered a personal favor.
Waving her hand in front of Brady's face, Chloe asked, "Hello? Aren't you going to say anything?"
"Of course I am."
"Well?"
"I say it's time for you to follow me. I think I know something we can do before I walk you home."
Though she said nothing aloud, Chloe silently pondered over the words Brady had just spoken. He had stated, not suggested or asked, that he would walk her home. She felt certain it was probably just a slip of the tongue and that he would actually just abandon her once he was tired of her company.
"I'm glad we finally got here," angrily commented Mimi as she slammed shut the door of Philip's father's suburban.
Philip, giving Jason a menacing look, gruffly answered, "Well, we would have been here a lot sooner if SOMEONE hadn't forced me to stop for fast food."
"I was hungry!"
"You wouldn't have been hungry if you would have actually been at my birthday party because you could have eaten all the yummy food that was there!" shrieked Mimi as she continued to feel angry about Jason skipping her birthday party to play video games with her baby brother.
"Would you two just shut up? I am getting tired of listening to the two of you argue."
Jason and Mimi both turned to stare at Philip who, for the past few hours, had been grouchier than usual. Jason, knowing exactly what buttons to push to really get Philip mad, casually remarked, "Oh, what's wrong? Does Phil miss his Ghoul Girl?"
Philip took a step closer to Jason and cautioned, "I'm warning you, Masters, leave Chloe out of this. It's bad enough that she and I aren't spending the day together because I was hanging out with you guys. Chloe probably spent the entire day moping around her house all alone."
As usual, there was no way Mimi Lockhart was going to sit around and listen to someone defend Chloe. "Wake up, Philip. She wasn't moping around her house. Her stepfather is the Chief of Staff at University Hospital, if she gets bored she can just hit him up for some money and go shopping for more black ghoul clothing at Salem Place with whatever hot guy she wants. I honestly don't see what you guys see in her."
Now Philip looked ready to attack Mimi, a fact that even she couldn't overlook. Without thought to the action, Mimi stepped behind Jason, making him a barrier between Philip and herself.
While all of this was going on, Jan was watching with mild interest. She herself was quite curious what it was that Ghoul Girl did when she wasn't around Philip. Jan suspected she probably drank blood like any other vampire.
Standing several feet from the others were Shawn and Belle. Leaning in close to Belle, Shawn remarked, "Even though this whole thing was my idea, I'm beginning to wish I had just gone home after Mimi's party. Now, I'm stuck here with these guys until Philip decides it's time to leave."
"For once, Shawn, you're actually right. I'm getting a really weird feeling about all of this. I really wish I could just call my dad to pick me up. But, then, I would look like a baby in front of everyone."
Shawn was surprised by the actual despair in Belle's voice. It made absolutely no sense to Shawn for Belle to be that upset over attending a carnival with some friends. Usually Belle adored spending time with her friends. As for Shawn, he was just slightly annoyed that he had rode with Philip and couldn't leave whenever he wanted unless he decided to walk home and abandon the others. And, with the dark clouds that were beginning to take over the evening sky, Shawn really didn't want to take the chance of walking home and getting caught in the rain.
Philip, deciding that he would appoint himself as the group's leader, declared, "All right, let's go have some fun. I'm getting really tired of just standing in the parking lot.
Within twenty minutes, the group of six had become happily lost the carnival scene. The gang had just finished their cotton candy when Shawn saw something he definitely wished he hadn't seen. Less than twenty yards away, finishing an ice cream sundae, were Philip's girlfriend and, unfortunately for everyone involved, Philip's nephew.
"Oh, man," muttered Shawn in reaction to the seemingly happy couple standing such a short distance away.
Belle, the only member of the group to hear Shawn's quiet comment, walked closer to him and asked, "Shawn, what's wrong?"
Shawn gave Belle a weak smile and pointed in Brady and Chloe's direction, saying, "It looks like Chloe's not exactly moping around the house. I just hope that Philip doesn't see them together because he'll freak."
By some sick twist of fate, Philip chose that very moment to turn around and look in the Brady and Chloe's direction. Instantly his eyes hardened, causing him to look much more like his father. As he began to march over to Brady and Chloe, Belle heard him swearing under his breath, a clear sign that what control he had over his temper, he had just lost.
Quickly reaching Chloe's side, Philip harshly used her arm to pull her closer to him - and farther from Brady.
"Philip, what are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here?"
Brady, taking a stance at Chloe's side, roughly said, "That's what she asked, now isn't it?"
"Stay out of this, Brady," growled Philip before he began to interrogate Chloe. "What are you doing here with HIM? You swore to me that there was nothing going on between the two of you. You swore, Chloe!"
"I was telling the truth! There is absolutely nothing going on between me and Brady. You and I both know that you're the one that does the lying, Philip. First, you told me that your father was dead, and he was really alive. Then, you told me just this morning that you couldn't come to the carnival with me because you had to go to Mimi's party. A party that you knew I wasn't invited to! Funny how you ended up here, now isn't it, Philip?"
"Chloe, you don't understand. It wasn't like that!"
Deciding that this might be an opportunity to drive the wedge even farther between Philip and Chloe, Brady pulled Chloe from Philip's grasp and stated, "I'm sure Chloe understands just fine, Uncle Phil. So, why don't you stop harassing her? Huh?"
"I've already warned you to stay out of this, Brady. Chloe is MY girlfriend, and I want you to keep away from her!"
Having trailed not far behind Philip, Belle interjected, "Can't we let it go? I'm positive this is all some misunderstanding. Right, Chloe?"
Chloe, giving Philip a smug look, responded, "Right, Belle. Philip must be delusional, because he keeps seeing things that aren't there."
"You know, Belle's right. We should all just let this little misunderstanding go. Maybe we can all have fun - together," said Shawn in an attempt to avoid the impending war between Brady and Philip.
"I doubt that," muttered Mimi under her breath from several feet away. Not only did she have to spend her 17th birthday with Jason, but now she had to endure Ghoul Girl and Belle's brother who was obviously making a play for Chloe. What a way to end the day.
To worsen Mimi's birthday, the evening sky which had steadily been darkening, now unleashed a steady rain upon the teens. Despite the fact that they would no doubt be soaked, no one moved. With tensions this high, no one dared.
Walking over to her boyfriend, Chloe laid a hand on his arm and reprimanded, "Philip, just stop fighting with Brady. Come on, it's starting to rain. Why don't you just drop me off at Belle's house then go home and relax."
Laughing humorlessly, Philip looked only at Chloe as he questioned, "I want to protect you from Brady, and you tell me to just leave you at his house and go home and chill?"
Barely controlling her temper, Chloe remarked, "It's not like that. I can't help it if my best friend's brother is Brady. That's not my fault so just stop trying to blame me for everything! You're starting to sound just like Nancy!"
Softly caressing Chloe's cheek with his hand, Philip softly said, "I'm not blaming you for anything. It's just that I love you and don't want you to ever be hurt again. I'm sorry for yelling at you."
Part of Chloe just wanted to forgive Philip and let him pull her into a tight, comforting embrace. But, there was another part of her that couldn't let that happen. In some ways her relationship with him was just too much like the one she shared with her mother. He kept secrets but expected her to be honest. He always wanted her to be close to him, but usually ended up suffocating her. He would do or say something hurtful and immediately apologize and expect her to be whatever he needed. Chloe might not be able to do anything about her mother, but she could handle Philip.
"Philip, sorry doesn't always makes things right. You should know that."
"I don't expect it to make everything all right! I just thought that it would mean something."
Interjecting, Brady snidely remarked, "Typical Philip. Throws a tantrum and when he sees that he still won't get his way, he starts begging for forgiveness."
Turning her fiery glare to Brady, Chloe ordered, "Would you just mind your own business? What happens between me and my boyfriend doesn't concern you!"
By this point the teens were all drenched from the rain that was beginning to come down even heavier. Turning to Jason, Jan said, "My aunt lives like two blocks from here. Let's just go because I'm sick of waiting for these guys to shut their mouths."
Dismissing Jan with nothing more than slight wave of his hand, Jason casually remarked, "Go ahead, I think I'll stay and see what happens. Besides, Philip might need some back up."
Jan, in return, angrily asked, "What? Jason, what is wrong with you? Why would you want to help Philip? I hope you realize that if Philip does get into with Brady, it'll be over Chloe. If you help him, that would be just as bad as defending Chloe herself."
Jason was beginning to become slightly irritated by Jan's attitude. Clenching his jaw in frustration, he took a moment to calm his nerves before saying, "I know what I'm doing, so if you're afraid that you'll melt in the rain then just go to your aunt's house. I'll get a ride home with Philip."
"Did you just imply that I am a witch?" Jan questioned, livid with Jason's reluctance to follow her orders. "I so should have known that you would act this way. You are becoming a wimp, Jase. It's really kinda sad to think that you've finally stooped as low as someone like Mimi. Do you have any idea how pathetic that is? I, mean, just look at her."
Standing less than three feet away, Mimi indignantly retorted, "Hello, I'm standing right here."
Jan, giving her snobbiest smirk, casually remarked, "Gee, you're so unimportant that I didn't even notice you. Of course, with a face like that, I'm glad I didn't notice you. Really, Mimi, hasn't anyone ever told how much you look like some Halloween monster? Ooh, I bet you and Ghoul Girl are secretly best friends, huh?"
Unsuccessfully attempting to hide her emotions, Mimi pleaded, "Please, stop."
"What's wrong, Meems? Can't handle the truth? Well's here some more of it to swallow. You are a nobody." Pointing to the rest of the teens, Jan commented, "Face it, they are all over there and none of them even miss you. That is so sad. The poor homeless girl doesn't have any friends. Gee, I wonder why. Could it be because we all know how poor your family really is? Or, maybe, it's because everyone, even Belle, realizes that you're just not cool. Or, may-"
Cutting Jan off in the middle of a word, Jason said, "I thought you were leaving."
Tossing her very wet hair over her shoulder, Jan dryly answered, "I am."
As she was walking away, an unexpected object, known as Mimi's foot, came from seemingly nowhere and caused Jan to trip. If that weren't bad enough, landing face down in a newly formed mud puddle surely was. Leaning over her bully with newfound courage, Mimi seriously said, "I asked you nicely to stop. Maybe next time you will listen."
Watching Mimi walk away to rejoin the others who were still arguing with great passion, Jan coldly said to herself, "There won't be a next time, because you're going down, Meems. I'll teach you a lesson that you won't ever forget. First, though, I'll use you just a little more to ruin Ghoul Girl. Then, I'll ruin you."
When Mimi, followed closely by Jason, reached the rest of the gang, the battle was heating up. Though Mimi wasn't sure exactly what had happened while she had been preoccupied with Jan, she could tell that the guys definitely hadn't cooled down. From the looks of things, Belle looked more frustrated than anyone else. Mimi supposed that was because she cared so much for everyone there.
Belle had taken all she could handle of her friend and her big brother tearing each other down with cruel and unfair insults. "Have you forgotten that once upon a time you actually got along? I want you guys to stop this right now!" Belle screamed as she forcefully stomped her foot. Unfortunately, the rain, which still plagued them, had already done it's damage, leaving puddles everywhere - including where Belle stomped her foot. If things couldn't get worse, the mud not only got even thicker on her shoes, but flew up to land in a large splat on the leg of Philip's designer pants.
Normally, Philip wouldn't have thought it was a big deal. However, he was so stressed from the day and all it's extenuating circumstances, that he simply lost his temper. In a tone harsher than he intended, Philip yelled, "Would you watch it? You just splashed mud all over my pants! Isn't it enough that I'm getting all wet because of your brother? I swear, sometimes I think you're as stupid as he is!"
Belle could only nervously bite her lip as she watched the scene unfold before her. Before she knew what was happening, Brady, also more easily provoked than usual, grabbed the collar of Philip's shirt and swung him in a semi-circle. Thanks to not only his height, but his athletic build, Philip was able to keep his balance well enough to not trip in the mud.
Wiping her wet hair away from her face, Chloe watched as Philip and Brady were engulfed by not only the rain, by their own fierce tempers. She could do little more than let out an unhappy sigh as she watched an equally unhappy Shawn approach Philip. She should have known that he wouldn't let Philip get away with insulting Belle.
"Brady, why don't you just let him go, huh?" requested Shawn with an eerily calm smile. Reluctantly, Brady agreed and let go of Philip's collar. Immediately Chloe rushed to Philip's side, sending optical daggers at Brady.
Keeping his seemingly calm attitude, Shawn stared through the increasingly heavy rain at Philip and asked, "Um, what exactly was it you said to Belle?"
Under normal circumstances, Philip would have taken that opportunity to apologize to his friends. At the moment, however, he was still far too angry at not only Brady, but the world in general, to walk away from any kind of fight. Casting a defiant glare to his friend, Philip answered, "You know exactly what I said to your ditzy little girlfriend!"
Turning his head away from Philip and smiling, Shawn quietly responded, "Yeah, I know what you said." In one swift movement, Shawn turned and used his right fist to harshly punch Philip, accidentally knocking him into Chloe. Though Philip was once again barely able to keep from falling, Chloe was not quite so fortunate. Losing her balance, she fell backwards and roughly hit the back of head on the muddy ground. Her pastel pink shirt and matching Capri pants were now covered in dark mud, as was a great deal of the rest of Chloe.
Brady gave Chloe a concerned glance before advancing upon Shawn, who he blamed since he had thrown the first punch. Waving his hand in Chloe's direction, Brady demanded, "What were you thinking? You could have caused her to really get hurt!"
Slightly intimidated by having Brady's anger suddenly directed at him, Shawn answered, "I was just trying to defend your sister!"
Appearing at Shawn's side, Belle declared, "Shawn Douglas Brady! I can take care of myself!"
While Belle defended her questionable independence, Chloe, with the help of Philip, got back to her feet. Looking down at her muddy, disheveled state, she almost laughed. Instead, she decided to get even. Once she was soundly standing, she turned to Philip and, with a sugary sweet grin, pushed him as hard as she could. He wasn't able to keep his balance this time, and landed on his backside with a thud.
Chloe turned away from Philip and scooped up a large amount of mud in each hand. Walking as gracefully as the mud covering her would allow, Chloe made her way to where Brady and Shawn were still arguing. Though both had their backs to her, Belle didn't and only smiled when she realized what her friend was planning.
Chloe loudly cleared her throat to get the attention of the guys. As they turned simultaneously to face her, she smiled deviously as she took a fistful of mud and threw it in each of their faces. She couldn't abstain from laughing at the astonished looks on their mud-covered faces. Smugly she asked, "Doesn't feel so nice, does it?"
Deciding that someone needed to help Philip out of the mud, Jason hesitantly approached his friend and extended a helpful hand, silently vowing that this was the last time he was helping the K-Man after a disagreement over Chloe. Her only other option being to stand in the rain by herself, Mimi followed Jason.
Grabbing hold of Jason's hand, Philip gave an all-too-happy smile before he unexpectedly gave a hard yank on Jason's arm, pulling him into the mud.
Trying to be angry, Jason questioned, "What did you that for? I was actually trying to help you."
With a relaxed smile, Philip answered, "And, I was just trying to share the wealth."
Looking at the laughing guys as though they were crazy, Mimi rambled, "You guys have lost your minds. Today is my birthday and you guys have nothing better to do than sit in a huge mud puddle during a rain storm? I swear, I wish I never would have agreed to Shawn's stupid idea of coming here. I should have just stayed home and watched a rented movie."
As Mimi continued her rant, Philip and Jason exchanged a knowing glance. Mimi, waving her arms toward the sky as she cursed the weather, did not notice Philip mouthing to the count of three. Before she even knew what was happening, the guys each took hold of one of her ankles and yanked her into the mud.
Shawn, using his hand to wipe a lump of mud off his face, directed his attention to Belle. Motioning to their three friends sitting in the mud, Shawn remarked almost innocently, "Gee, Belle, it looks like you're the only one who hasn't been attacked with mud. You know what that means."
Waving her index finer back and forth in Shawn's face, Belle said, "You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?" Shawn questioned as he carefully rubbed the mud across Belle's forehead and then onto her cheeks. He only laughed harder as she began to squeal and wave both hands at him.
Belle decided that Chloe had the right idea when she splattered the guys with mud. Reaching down, Belle scooped a nice, large amount of mud into her hand. Giving Shawn her most mischievous smile, she said, "You really should have better manners." That said Belle slung the mud in Shawn's direction. Ducking, Shawn was able to miss being hit - Brady wasn't so lucky.
Feigning anger though he was actually in a rather good mood, Brady screamed, "Tink! Learn to throw!"
Belle barely registered what her brother said as she was tackled by Shawn. She landed in the soft mud with Shawn on top of her. Even the mud seeping into her clothing couldn't keep her from smiling at having Shawn's body pressed against hers.
Throwing herself at Brady, Chloe screamed, "Girls against guys!"
Having just gotten to their feet, Philip and Jason grabbed Mimi. Before sending her back into the mud, Jason said, "You heard what she said, "Girls versus guys! Let the war begin!"
With Mimi safely deposited in the mud, Philip turned his attention to Chloe, who after tackling Brady, tried to make an escape. Her plans were halted by Philip, who's chest she ran into. "Hello, beautiful."
"Hello, Philip," carefully returned Chloe as she watched his every move.
Flashing a smile, Philip asked, "You know I love you, right?"
"Right," answered Chloe as she moved even closer to Philip.
Giving her soft kiss, Philip replied, "Good. So, you'll understand when I do this."
"Do what?"
Chloe's question was answered by Philip grabbing both her hands and pulling her around in a dizzying circle. As she spun around she could see Shawn was still hovering over Belle. Now, however, Mimi had attached herself to his back and was slinging mud at the back of his head. She was also slinging the mud at Jason who was trying to get his arms around her waist so he could pull her off Shawn.
Chloe gasped when she felt someone grab her feet, forcing Philip, who still held her arms, to stop spinning her.
"Brady, thank you so much. I'm glad someone decided to help me."
Giving his uncle a truly genuine smile, the first in months, Brady said, "Tsk, tsk. You said it yourself, Chloe. Girls against guys." Smiling, Brady added, "That makes you, my little diva, the enemy. You ready, Philip?"
Philip returned Brady's smile and proceeded to help him. Happily, the two used Chloe's arms and legs to swing her body dangerously close to the mud. Being swung back and forth through the air, Chloe laughed harder than she had in months. If only for a few minutes, her problems were erased and she was free to laugh and smile.
Finally succeeding in pulling Mimi off Shawn, Jason quickly threw her over his shoulder. Mischievously, he asked, "So, Meems, just how much do you enjoy becoming dizzy?"
"Jason Masters, you better put me down this instant!"
Ignoring Mimi's order, Jason began spinning in a circle while standing in place. The more Mimi playfully screamed, the more he laughed.
Neither paid attention to Shawn and Belle who had yet to move from their dangerously close position on the ground. Without thought to the action, Shawn used his muddy hand to carefully push Belle's wet hair away from her face. If she minded the extra mud, she didn't say anything. Instead, she opted to continue her comfortable stay under Shawn's body.
So, as the rain fell upon Salem, seven of its most troubled teens escaped their daily problems by doing nothing more than playing in the mud with one another. Of course, none of them were even considering what their parental units would have to say when they arrived home wet and muddy. Then again, at the moment, it didn't matter. They may be soaked, and they may be dirty, but they were all happy. And, that was far more important.