Shawn was halfway across the room on his mission to see Belle when a hand
clamped around his arm, stopping him in his tracks.
"Chloe, what's up?"
"Can we just get this show on the road? Please?"
"I don't even think Meems is here yet."
Rolling her pretty blue eyes in slight annoyance, Chloe remarked, "Is that my fault?"
Before Shawn could even ask what exactly was wrong with Chloe, Philip hurriedly approached them, a reddened area surrounding his left eye and a hint of blood in the corner of his mouth. Shawn humorously wondered if Chloe might possibly have decked him. Shawn knew that she looked mad enough.
"Chloe, please, let me explain," begged Philip as he softly placed a hand on Chloe's shoulder.
Instantly, Chloe pushed Philip away, refusing to even look at him. Through clenched teeth she stated, "Don't. Don't even speak to me."
"Chloe, I'm sorry. I am so sorry."
Turning to face Philip for the first time since she had left him upstairs following the fight, Chloe responded, "I don't care, Philip. I just want to hurry up and get this ridiculous night over with."
Shawn looked back and forth between his friends before hesitantly asking, "Anybody want to tell me what's going on or why Phil looks like he ran into the wall?"
"A wall? Nah, more like Brady's fist."
At that moment, Shawn wished he could have said he was surprised that Philip and Brady had gotten into a scuffle, but he wasn't. Though the rest of the gang seemed oblivious to the fact that Philip and Chloe were drifting apart and Brady and Chloe were getting closer, Shawn wasn't. Even if he had been, the flirtatious phone call he had overheard between Brady and Chloe would have certainly clued him in to the facts. Hoping to help his friends, Shawn remarked, "Look, Philip, it was just a phone call. It wasn't a big deal."
"Phone call, what phone call?"
Using her eyes to toss a few daggers Shawn's way, Chloe muttered, "Gee, thanks Shawn. You're a real big help."
"Hello?" Philip demanded, "What phone call?"
Laughing mirthlessly, Chloe snidely answered, "The one that's none of your business."
Chloe began to walk away from the boys, but Shawn's voice stopped her, "Looks like our guest of honor just arrived. Let's start this party."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Leading Jeremy to a booth in the corner of the pub opposite of the love machine, Belle asked, "So, what have you been doing since you got back to Salem?"
"Oh, nothing much. I mostly just wondered around town." With a grin, Jeremy added, "Of course, I did have a really interesting moment at Salem Place."
"Oh, really? What happened?"
"Picture this. Me, Salem Place's fountain, and a pile of ice cream."
Burying her head in her hands, Belle pleaded, "Please tell me that this equation didn't involve a pretty brunette."
Jeremy gave Belle a quizzical look before answering, "Yeah, it did. How did you know?"
Parting her fingers so she could look at Jeremy without removing her hands from her face, Belle conceded, "The brunette is one of my best friends. Shawn and I were actually waiting for her at her house when she got back from Salem Place that day. I have never seen her that embarrassed."
Sympathy for Belle's friend showing itself on his face, Jeremy quietly remarked, "I guess it didn't help things when she ran into me again today, only this time with grape soda."
Barely hearing Jeremy's statement, Belle quickly removed her hands from her face when she looked over his shoulder and saw Mimi walk in the front door of the pub. "Oh, boy."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When she entered the pub, Mimi had no way of knowing that six pairs of eyes were focused solely on her. From one corner, Jeremy and Belle were watching her, hoping that Mimi wouldn't be too mortified when she was finally introduced to Jeremy. Across the room, Philip, Chloe, and Shawn watched Mimi enter and took that as their cue to set their plan into action. From the counter, Jason equally divided his attention between watching Mimi and watching Jeremy watching Mimi. The latter of the two causing him more than a little displeasure.
Spotting Philip, Chloe, and Shawn first, Mimi began to approach them, but they darted off before she could get within ten feet of them. Glancing around for anyone that she could hang out with, Mimi's eyes fell on the counter where Jason Masters was openly staring at her.
Her insecurities afflicting her worst than usual, Mimi wondered if she had something on her face or if maybe she had her skirt on backwards. Mimi turned to walk away from Jason and his unwavering stare when she saw Belle across the room. Mimi's feet lost all ability to move when she realized just who her best friend was with. Her face instantly flushed a bright shade of red and, in order to escape being seen by Jeremy, Mimi rushed to the counter where Jason was sitting.
Silently taking a seat on a bar stool, Mimi hoped that Jeremy's view of her would be blocked by Jason's athletic body, or at least blocked enough that he wouldn't immediately recognize her as the klutz that knocked him into a fountain.
Jason watched unhappily as Mimi practically ignored his presence while sneaking glances at the guy from Salem Place. Jason had always been burdened with a ferocious temper, often resulting in him getting in more than his fair share of trouble. Unfortunately for quite a few people, that temper was ready to erupt.
Jason wasn't sure if he was mad at Mimi for ignoring him to stare at the other guy or if he was just angry that the other guy might be hurting Mimi by ignoring her to put the moves on Belle.
"Gee, it's good to see you, too, Mimi," sardonically greeted Jason as he glared at Mimi.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Hi, Jason."
Jason sat stunned as Mimi once again fell silent and began looking around him to watch the mystery guy. There were a lot of things that Jason didn't like, but could handle - rejection was not one of them. Standing, Jason looked down at Mimi and callously remarked, "God, Mimi, if you want the guy that bad, why don't you just drag him upstairs to one of the bedrooms instead of drooling all over the counter while you stare at him?"
"Jason, wait! It's not like that!" Mimi exclaimed. Her statement did her no good as Jason continued to stalk across the pub to where a few of his football buddies were sitting. Left once more to be all by herself, Mimi softly whispered, "As if Jason Masters would ever want me to sit by him. He was probably just waiting for an excuse to get away from me."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Behind the curtains, things were far from going well for three of the other teens. Despite his best attempts to get Philip and Chloe to put aside their differences for Mimi's benefit, Shawn was having no luck. It seemed that his friends would rather tear each other apart than prepare for the plan to put everyone else's lives together better than ever.
"Look, would the two of you stop fighting long enough for us to just get this done?" Answered only with silence, Shawn continued, "Alright, we have to make sure that this looks realistic."
"Realistic? Shawn, man, do you even hear yourself? Come on, it's a freakin' love machine."
"Whatever, Philip. We just have to make sure that Mimi thinks that it's realistic."
Under her breath, Chloe muttered, "That shouldn't be too hard."
Glaring angrily at both Chloe and Philip, Shawn demanded, "Stop it, both of you. The sooner the two of you stop acting like five year olds, the sooner we can get this over with. Alright, back to the plan. First, Belle and I are going to get in the seats. That's when the two of you are going to send the light up to a nine."
"Nine? Shawn you really like Belle, don't you?" Chloe questioned, interrupting Shawn's tyrant once more.
Shawn wisely chose to ignore the question and continue his speech, "After Belle and I get out of the chairs, the two of you will emerge. Chloe, you distract Belle, and Philip, you help me sneak back here so I can control the lever. After that, I've arranged for Joey and Sandy, also known as two of the biggest bullies to ever attend Salem High, to get in the chairs. You guys will be after them."
"Out of curiosity, what are you going to set our compatibility to?"
Avoiding Philip's gaze, Shawn answered, "I don't know, like a five."
"Five?"
"Look, Phil, you know we want this to be realistic."
"Yeah, and Chloe and I are way more compatible than that. Give us a ten."
Willing to do almost anything to keep Philip from starting yet another argument, Shawn agreed, "Fine, you guys get a ten. Can we move on? After the two of you are done, Philip, you're going to use that Kiriakis charm of yours to convince Mimi to get in the chair and . . ."
"Mimi's about the only one his so-called charm will work on," remarked Chloe as she flashed Philip a smug grin.
"Whatever! I just want to do this so I can go home!" Shawn yelled as he felt any power he had over the situation slowly fade away with Philip and Chloe's relationship. "Look, Chloe, just grab some guy that you think is hot and put him in the chair beside Mimi."
"Oh, so I guess we should be expecting Brady in the chair," commented Philip as he sent Chloe his own smug grin.
Walking to the curtains, Shawn muttered, "That's it, I give up."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Yelling a few times to get the crowd's attention, Shawn said a silent prayer that Philip and Chloe hadn't killed each other after he left them alone behind the love machine. He couldn't recall seeing any sharp objects back there, but Chloe and Philip were very creative people, so who knew what they might think of using as a weapon. "Everyone, if I can have your attention, I'm getting ready to start up the love machine, with me as one of it's first victims. Of course, I do need someone to come with me."
Shawn pretended to consider each girl at the pub, but he was really only considering one. Belle Black. Pointing in Belle's direction, Shawn said, "Hey, Isabella, what do you say?" Shawn was relieved to see that she was now alone, the blonde stranger from earlier no longer at her side.
Taking her place at Shawn's side, Belle answered, "I say, I would love to."
Shawn slowly led Belle to the machine, relishing the feel of her delicate hand in his. He was reluctant to release his grip on her when the were ready to sit down, but he somehow did.
Using his hand to now squeeze the hand grip while Belle did the same, Shawn said, "Well, here we go."
Belle sat in anticipation as she watched the light shoot from the bottom of the scale all the way to a nine. She never noticed the relief that covered Shawn's face when he realized that Philip and Chloe weren't so distracted that they entirely forgot about the plan or their parts in it.
Smiling widely at Belle, Shawn asked, "Was there ever any doubt?"
At a loss for words, Belle could only return Shawn's smile. She told herself that it didn't matter what some silly contraption said about her and Shawn's compatibility. Still, Belle couldn't deny the tingling feeling at the very bottom of her stomach just knowing that half the people she knew from school had seen that nine just as well as she had.
Rushing over to Belle, Chloe said, "Belle, that was some score!" Glancing over her shoulder to make sure Philip was sneaking Shawn toward the curtain, Chloe continued to distract Belle. "You know, I thought I saw you with some guy earlier. You haven't been holding out on me have you?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Over the course of life, a person makes many insignificant decisions that place them at a certain place at a certain time. However, if the wrong seemingly insignificant decision is made, an entire life, or in Shawn Brady's case, plan, can be thrown off its desired course. The simplest of actions or misunderstandings can make the difference between a smooth ride and a bumpy nightmare.
The "plan" had been revised repeatedly until Shawn felt that it was foolproof. However, a few last minute changes would change the direction of not only a simple plan to boost Mimi's ego, but also real lives and hearts. After Shawn and Belle finished in the love machine, two of the school's bullies were suppose to get in the chair, followed by Philip and Chloe. However, while Shawn was distracted by Belle and the machine, Philip and Chloe realized that the unkind couple had made an early exit from the party. Philip instructed Chloe to tape a note to the lever telling Shawn that they would be next in the chair. Chloe, in return, commanded Philip to save them all some trouble and just tell Shawn when he was helping him sneak away. Lost in their own thoughts and problems, Philip and Chloe both thought that the other would follow the instructions they were given. Unfortunately, both members of the couple were too stubborn to surrender to the other's orders. It would prove to be the insignificant decision that would tear the plan from its path.
As Shawn and Belle were leaving the love machine, Mimi decided it was time to apologize to Jason. He had looked more than a little angry when he'd stormed off earlier. Mimi breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Jason was standing a few feet away from the crowd - alone. She knew that she did not have anywhere close to enough courage to approach Jason while he sat with a large chunk of the football team.
Just when Mimi was within six feet of Jason, a well-toned body appeared before her, effectively blocking her path to Jason. All annoyance was erased from Mimi's face and mind when she looked up into the terribly familiar green eyes. In a voice that she felt certain made her sound like a preteen greeting her crush, Mimi squeaked nervously, "Hi."
Jeremy Horton was anything but bold. He was always the quiet one that never caused trouble and did his best to stay out of it. He never really chased after girls, but, thanks to his natural good looks and friendly personality, he never had trouble finding a date for an occasion. So, jumping in front of some girl he hardly knew was not the kind of thing he did on a regular basis. However, after speaking with Belle, Jeremy knew that the only way to keep from embarrassing Mimi even more was to politely introduce himself - immediately.
"Hello, I don't think we were ever really introduced. I'm Jeremy Horton," greeted Jeremy as he took a step back to offer Mimi a handshake.
Like a deer caught in the brightest of headlights, Mimi stood gawking at Jeremy's outstretched hand before feebly shaking it. Pushing down her uneasiness, Mimi softly returned, "I'm Mimi Lockhart."
"It's a pleasure to meet you - again."
As a response to the friendly smile on Jeremy's face, Mimi cracked a small one of her own. Completely lost in the attempt to not cause another embarrassing accident, Mimi failed to notice another pair of green eyes that were focused on her.
Jason had seen her approaching him, and he had tried to act indifferent by not looking in her direction. However, when too much time had passed, Jason turned to see where Mimi had disappeared to. His fists instinctively clenched as he saw that she was yet again with her mystery man. One thought ran through Jason's mind. Please don't let her take my advice about going upstairs.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Philip and Chloe settled into the chairs, each still believing that the other had found a way to inform Shawn of the change in plans. All too soon would they both learn otherwise.
An entire crowd of teenagers watched as Salem High's version of Romeo and Juliet took their seats at the love machine. Philip and Chloe had been the topic of several recent gossip discussion due to their very public arguments and obvious exasperation with one another. Despite any and all rumors, the teen population had to believe that Philip and Chloe were still that . . . Philip and Chloe. Because, if they weren't, that would throw off the balance of everything taken as fact. With just over a week left until school started, everyone was expecting to see the supposedly happy couple walking arm and arm through the halls, Chloe's books firmly placed in Philip's arms. After all, if Philip and Chloe did separate, anything was possible. A rigged love machine would be honest. The school rebel and the head cheerleader would become a couple made in heaven. One of the best players on the football team and an intimidated lower-class girl would be able to share the dreamiest of loves. No Philip and Chloe meant one thing. No rules.
Seated confidently in his chair, Philip squeezed the hand grip, fully expecting the light to shoot all the way to the top. He and Chloe both watched as the light went to one, then two, then three, and then - nothing else.
A few chuckles floated through the crowd as it became apparent that Philip and Chloe had scored only a three. Philip was definitely not one of those chuckling. In fact, Chloe could practically see the steam brought forth by his anger.
Philip was halfway to the curtains to strangle Shawn when he happened to glance back and see someone taking the seat he had just vacated across from Chloe.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Is this seat taken?"
Chloe glared at Brady before asking, "What do you want?"
"Tsk, tsk, didn't your mother ever teach you that it's rude to answer a question with a question?" Brady reprimanded as he casually took the seat opposite of Chloe. "Tell you what, later, when you're not still angry with me for that little confrontation between me and Philip upstairs, I just might tell what I want. I think it might surprise you."
Chloe wasn't sure if Brady's cryptic nature irritated her or just gave her a slight thrill. There was something about the way his eyes would stare into hers as he spoke. It was as if the rest of the room, the world for that matter, disappeared. Every riddle he spoke dared her to get to know him and discover just what he meant.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Oblivious to the show being given across the room at the love machine, Jason approached Mimi and her new friend, determined to get the guy to stay away from her indefinitely.
Forcing a smile on his face, Jason appeared at Mimi's side and said in an overly cheerful tone, "Hey, Meems. I was just wondering if you wanted to join me up front by the love machine. It could prove to be a very interesting show."
Jason immediately caught the suspicious glare the Mimi sent his way. He knew that she was wondering just what he was up to. For that matter, he was wondering what he was up to.
"Hi, I don't believe we've met. I'm Jeremy Horton," greeted Mimi's newest friend as he extended a friendly hand to Jason.
Purposely ignoring the proffered handshake, Jason despondently muttered, "Jason Masters." Jason had just assumed the guy would immediately prove to be a jerk. He was unpleasantly surprised when the guy offered him a genuine smile and introduction.
Jason returned his attention to Mimi and questioned, "So, do you want to come with me, or not?"
"Actually, I was just talking to Jeremy."
"What's your point?" Even Jason knew that he'd done it with that question. Not only was it rude, but it was delivered with an egotistical tone that his mother had often warned him about. He was beginning to think that he should start listening to him mother.
Mimi wasn't necessarily the gutsiest person alive, but she refused to allow Jason to act in such a condescending manner. Glaring the taller, more muscular person down, Mimi quipped, "Don't you have a trashy girlfriend that should be hanging all over you?"
Jeremy took a step back from Jason and Mimi. There was obviously something he was missing, and he just didn't feel comfortable being a part of such a conversation between two near strangers.
"Actually, Jan and I called it quits. What do you have to say about that?"
Mimi opened her mouth to reply, but the words refused to flow. Her brain tried its hardest to think of some witty comeback, but it was useless. Jason Masters had put her at a loss for words.
"Listen, Mimi, I know you're busy trying to flirt with Belle's date. I don't know if you're trying to finally one-up her or whatever, but it doesn't matter. I want to talk to you."
Before Jeremy could interject and state that he was not Belle's date, Mimi had darted away toward the love machine. Seeing that Jason was far too angry, possibly at himself, to go after Mimi, Jeremy decided that it was up to him.
How was he to know that Mimi was leading them right into the trap set by Shawn?
"Chloe, what's up?"
"Can we just get this show on the road? Please?"
"I don't even think Meems is here yet."
Rolling her pretty blue eyes in slight annoyance, Chloe remarked, "Is that my fault?"
Before Shawn could even ask what exactly was wrong with Chloe, Philip hurriedly approached them, a reddened area surrounding his left eye and a hint of blood in the corner of his mouth. Shawn humorously wondered if Chloe might possibly have decked him. Shawn knew that she looked mad enough.
"Chloe, please, let me explain," begged Philip as he softly placed a hand on Chloe's shoulder.
Instantly, Chloe pushed Philip away, refusing to even look at him. Through clenched teeth she stated, "Don't. Don't even speak to me."
"Chloe, I'm sorry. I am so sorry."
Turning to face Philip for the first time since she had left him upstairs following the fight, Chloe responded, "I don't care, Philip. I just want to hurry up and get this ridiculous night over with."
Shawn looked back and forth between his friends before hesitantly asking, "Anybody want to tell me what's going on or why Phil looks like he ran into the wall?"
"A wall? Nah, more like Brady's fist."
At that moment, Shawn wished he could have said he was surprised that Philip and Brady had gotten into a scuffle, but he wasn't. Though the rest of the gang seemed oblivious to the fact that Philip and Chloe were drifting apart and Brady and Chloe were getting closer, Shawn wasn't. Even if he had been, the flirtatious phone call he had overheard between Brady and Chloe would have certainly clued him in to the facts. Hoping to help his friends, Shawn remarked, "Look, Philip, it was just a phone call. It wasn't a big deal."
"Phone call, what phone call?"
Using her eyes to toss a few daggers Shawn's way, Chloe muttered, "Gee, thanks Shawn. You're a real big help."
"Hello?" Philip demanded, "What phone call?"
Laughing mirthlessly, Chloe snidely answered, "The one that's none of your business."
Chloe began to walk away from the boys, but Shawn's voice stopped her, "Looks like our guest of honor just arrived. Let's start this party."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Leading Jeremy to a booth in the corner of the pub opposite of the love machine, Belle asked, "So, what have you been doing since you got back to Salem?"
"Oh, nothing much. I mostly just wondered around town." With a grin, Jeremy added, "Of course, I did have a really interesting moment at Salem Place."
"Oh, really? What happened?"
"Picture this. Me, Salem Place's fountain, and a pile of ice cream."
Burying her head in her hands, Belle pleaded, "Please tell me that this equation didn't involve a pretty brunette."
Jeremy gave Belle a quizzical look before answering, "Yeah, it did. How did you know?"
Parting her fingers so she could look at Jeremy without removing her hands from her face, Belle conceded, "The brunette is one of my best friends. Shawn and I were actually waiting for her at her house when she got back from Salem Place that day. I have never seen her that embarrassed."
Sympathy for Belle's friend showing itself on his face, Jeremy quietly remarked, "I guess it didn't help things when she ran into me again today, only this time with grape soda."
Barely hearing Jeremy's statement, Belle quickly removed her hands from her face when she looked over his shoulder and saw Mimi walk in the front door of the pub. "Oh, boy."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When she entered the pub, Mimi had no way of knowing that six pairs of eyes were focused solely on her. From one corner, Jeremy and Belle were watching her, hoping that Mimi wouldn't be too mortified when she was finally introduced to Jeremy. Across the room, Philip, Chloe, and Shawn watched Mimi enter and took that as their cue to set their plan into action. From the counter, Jason equally divided his attention between watching Mimi and watching Jeremy watching Mimi. The latter of the two causing him more than a little displeasure.
Spotting Philip, Chloe, and Shawn first, Mimi began to approach them, but they darted off before she could get within ten feet of them. Glancing around for anyone that she could hang out with, Mimi's eyes fell on the counter where Jason Masters was openly staring at her.
Her insecurities afflicting her worst than usual, Mimi wondered if she had something on her face or if maybe she had her skirt on backwards. Mimi turned to walk away from Jason and his unwavering stare when she saw Belle across the room. Mimi's feet lost all ability to move when she realized just who her best friend was with. Her face instantly flushed a bright shade of red and, in order to escape being seen by Jeremy, Mimi rushed to the counter where Jason was sitting.
Silently taking a seat on a bar stool, Mimi hoped that Jeremy's view of her would be blocked by Jason's athletic body, or at least blocked enough that he wouldn't immediately recognize her as the klutz that knocked him into a fountain.
Jason watched unhappily as Mimi practically ignored his presence while sneaking glances at the guy from Salem Place. Jason had always been burdened with a ferocious temper, often resulting in him getting in more than his fair share of trouble. Unfortunately for quite a few people, that temper was ready to erupt.
Jason wasn't sure if he was mad at Mimi for ignoring him to stare at the other guy or if he was just angry that the other guy might be hurting Mimi by ignoring her to put the moves on Belle.
"Gee, it's good to see you, too, Mimi," sardonically greeted Jason as he glared at Mimi.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Hi, Jason."
Jason sat stunned as Mimi once again fell silent and began looking around him to watch the mystery guy. There were a lot of things that Jason didn't like, but could handle - rejection was not one of them. Standing, Jason looked down at Mimi and callously remarked, "God, Mimi, if you want the guy that bad, why don't you just drag him upstairs to one of the bedrooms instead of drooling all over the counter while you stare at him?"
"Jason, wait! It's not like that!" Mimi exclaimed. Her statement did her no good as Jason continued to stalk across the pub to where a few of his football buddies were sitting. Left once more to be all by herself, Mimi softly whispered, "As if Jason Masters would ever want me to sit by him. He was probably just waiting for an excuse to get away from me."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Behind the curtains, things were far from going well for three of the other teens. Despite his best attempts to get Philip and Chloe to put aside their differences for Mimi's benefit, Shawn was having no luck. It seemed that his friends would rather tear each other apart than prepare for the plan to put everyone else's lives together better than ever.
"Look, would the two of you stop fighting long enough for us to just get this done?" Answered only with silence, Shawn continued, "Alright, we have to make sure that this looks realistic."
"Realistic? Shawn, man, do you even hear yourself? Come on, it's a freakin' love machine."
"Whatever, Philip. We just have to make sure that Mimi thinks that it's realistic."
Under her breath, Chloe muttered, "That shouldn't be too hard."
Glaring angrily at both Chloe and Philip, Shawn demanded, "Stop it, both of you. The sooner the two of you stop acting like five year olds, the sooner we can get this over with. Alright, back to the plan. First, Belle and I are going to get in the seats. That's when the two of you are going to send the light up to a nine."
"Nine? Shawn you really like Belle, don't you?" Chloe questioned, interrupting Shawn's tyrant once more.
Shawn wisely chose to ignore the question and continue his speech, "After Belle and I get out of the chairs, the two of you will emerge. Chloe, you distract Belle, and Philip, you help me sneak back here so I can control the lever. After that, I've arranged for Joey and Sandy, also known as two of the biggest bullies to ever attend Salem High, to get in the chairs. You guys will be after them."
"Out of curiosity, what are you going to set our compatibility to?"
Avoiding Philip's gaze, Shawn answered, "I don't know, like a five."
"Five?"
"Look, Phil, you know we want this to be realistic."
"Yeah, and Chloe and I are way more compatible than that. Give us a ten."
Willing to do almost anything to keep Philip from starting yet another argument, Shawn agreed, "Fine, you guys get a ten. Can we move on? After the two of you are done, Philip, you're going to use that Kiriakis charm of yours to convince Mimi to get in the chair and . . ."
"Mimi's about the only one his so-called charm will work on," remarked Chloe as she flashed Philip a smug grin.
"Whatever! I just want to do this so I can go home!" Shawn yelled as he felt any power he had over the situation slowly fade away with Philip and Chloe's relationship. "Look, Chloe, just grab some guy that you think is hot and put him in the chair beside Mimi."
"Oh, so I guess we should be expecting Brady in the chair," commented Philip as he sent Chloe his own smug grin.
Walking to the curtains, Shawn muttered, "That's it, I give up."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Yelling a few times to get the crowd's attention, Shawn said a silent prayer that Philip and Chloe hadn't killed each other after he left them alone behind the love machine. He couldn't recall seeing any sharp objects back there, but Chloe and Philip were very creative people, so who knew what they might think of using as a weapon. "Everyone, if I can have your attention, I'm getting ready to start up the love machine, with me as one of it's first victims. Of course, I do need someone to come with me."
Shawn pretended to consider each girl at the pub, but he was really only considering one. Belle Black. Pointing in Belle's direction, Shawn said, "Hey, Isabella, what do you say?" Shawn was relieved to see that she was now alone, the blonde stranger from earlier no longer at her side.
Taking her place at Shawn's side, Belle answered, "I say, I would love to."
Shawn slowly led Belle to the machine, relishing the feel of her delicate hand in his. He was reluctant to release his grip on her when the were ready to sit down, but he somehow did.
Using his hand to now squeeze the hand grip while Belle did the same, Shawn said, "Well, here we go."
Belle sat in anticipation as she watched the light shoot from the bottom of the scale all the way to a nine. She never noticed the relief that covered Shawn's face when he realized that Philip and Chloe weren't so distracted that they entirely forgot about the plan or their parts in it.
Smiling widely at Belle, Shawn asked, "Was there ever any doubt?"
At a loss for words, Belle could only return Shawn's smile. She told herself that it didn't matter what some silly contraption said about her and Shawn's compatibility. Still, Belle couldn't deny the tingling feeling at the very bottom of her stomach just knowing that half the people she knew from school had seen that nine just as well as she had.
Rushing over to Belle, Chloe said, "Belle, that was some score!" Glancing over her shoulder to make sure Philip was sneaking Shawn toward the curtain, Chloe continued to distract Belle. "You know, I thought I saw you with some guy earlier. You haven't been holding out on me have you?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Over the course of life, a person makes many insignificant decisions that place them at a certain place at a certain time. However, if the wrong seemingly insignificant decision is made, an entire life, or in Shawn Brady's case, plan, can be thrown off its desired course. The simplest of actions or misunderstandings can make the difference between a smooth ride and a bumpy nightmare.
The "plan" had been revised repeatedly until Shawn felt that it was foolproof. However, a few last minute changes would change the direction of not only a simple plan to boost Mimi's ego, but also real lives and hearts. After Shawn and Belle finished in the love machine, two of the school's bullies were suppose to get in the chair, followed by Philip and Chloe. However, while Shawn was distracted by Belle and the machine, Philip and Chloe realized that the unkind couple had made an early exit from the party. Philip instructed Chloe to tape a note to the lever telling Shawn that they would be next in the chair. Chloe, in return, commanded Philip to save them all some trouble and just tell Shawn when he was helping him sneak away. Lost in their own thoughts and problems, Philip and Chloe both thought that the other would follow the instructions they were given. Unfortunately, both members of the couple were too stubborn to surrender to the other's orders. It would prove to be the insignificant decision that would tear the plan from its path.
As Shawn and Belle were leaving the love machine, Mimi decided it was time to apologize to Jason. He had looked more than a little angry when he'd stormed off earlier. Mimi breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Jason was standing a few feet away from the crowd - alone. She knew that she did not have anywhere close to enough courage to approach Jason while he sat with a large chunk of the football team.
Just when Mimi was within six feet of Jason, a well-toned body appeared before her, effectively blocking her path to Jason. All annoyance was erased from Mimi's face and mind when she looked up into the terribly familiar green eyes. In a voice that she felt certain made her sound like a preteen greeting her crush, Mimi squeaked nervously, "Hi."
Jeremy Horton was anything but bold. He was always the quiet one that never caused trouble and did his best to stay out of it. He never really chased after girls, but, thanks to his natural good looks and friendly personality, he never had trouble finding a date for an occasion. So, jumping in front of some girl he hardly knew was not the kind of thing he did on a regular basis. However, after speaking with Belle, Jeremy knew that the only way to keep from embarrassing Mimi even more was to politely introduce himself - immediately.
"Hello, I don't think we were ever really introduced. I'm Jeremy Horton," greeted Jeremy as he took a step back to offer Mimi a handshake.
Like a deer caught in the brightest of headlights, Mimi stood gawking at Jeremy's outstretched hand before feebly shaking it. Pushing down her uneasiness, Mimi softly returned, "I'm Mimi Lockhart."
"It's a pleasure to meet you - again."
As a response to the friendly smile on Jeremy's face, Mimi cracked a small one of her own. Completely lost in the attempt to not cause another embarrassing accident, Mimi failed to notice another pair of green eyes that were focused on her.
Jason had seen her approaching him, and he had tried to act indifferent by not looking in her direction. However, when too much time had passed, Jason turned to see where Mimi had disappeared to. His fists instinctively clenched as he saw that she was yet again with her mystery man. One thought ran through Jason's mind. Please don't let her take my advice about going upstairs.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Philip and Chloe settled into the chairs, each still believing that the other had found a way to inform Shawn of the change in plans. All too soon would they both learn otherwise.
An entire crowd of teenagers watched as Salem High's version of Romeo and Juliet took their seats at the love machine. Philip and Chloe had been the topic of several recent gossip discussion due to their very public arguments and obvious exasperation with one another. Despite any and all rumors, the teen population had to believe that Philip and Chloe were still that . . . Philip and Chloe. Because, if they weren't, that would throw off the balance of everything taken as fact. With just over a week left until school started, everyone was expecting to see the supposedly happy couple walking arm and arm through the halls, Chloe's books firmly placed in Philip's arms. After all, if Philip and Chloe did separate, anything was possible. A rigged love machine would be honest. The school rebel and the head cheerleader would become a couple made in heaven. One of the best players on the football team and an intimidated lower-class girl would be able to share the dreamiest of loves. No Philip and Chloe meant one thing. No rules.
Seated confidently in his chair, Philip squeezed the hand grip, fully expecting the light to shoot all the way to the top. He and Chloe both watched as the light went to one, then two, then three, and then - nothing else.
A few chuckles floated through the crowd as it became apparent that Philip and Chloe had scored only a three. Philip was definitely not one of those chuckling. In fact, Chloe could practically see the steam brought forth by his anger.
Philip was halfway to the curtains to strangle Shawn when he happened to glance back and see someone taking the seat he had just vacated across from Chloe.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Is this seat taken?"
Chloe glared at Brady before asking, "What do you want?"
"Tsk, tsk, didn't your mother ever teach you that it's rude to answer a question with a question?" Brady reprimanded as he casually took the seat opposite of Chloe. "Tell you what, later, when you're not still angry with me for that little confrontation between me and Philip upstairs, I just might tell what I want. I think it might surprise you."
Chloe wasn't sure if Brady's cryptic nature irritated her or just gave her a slight thrill. There was something about the way his eyes would stare into hers as he spoke. It was as if the rest of the room, the world for that matter, disappeared. Every riddle he spoke dared her to get to know him and discover just what he meant.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Oblivious to the show being given across the room at the love machine, Jason approached Mimi and her new friend, determined to get the guy to stay away from her indefinitely.
Forcing a smile on his face, Jason appeared at Mimi's side and said in an overly cheerful tone, "Hey, Meems. I was just wondering if you wanted to join me up front by the love machine. It could prove to be a very interesting show."
Jason immediately caught the suspicious glare the Mimi sent his way. He knew that she was wondering just what he was up to. For that matter, he was wondering what he was up to.
"Hi, I don't believe we've met. I'm Jeremy Horton," greeted Mimi's newest friend as he extended a friendly hand to Jason.
Purposely ignoring the proffered handshake, Jason despondently muttered, "Jason Masters." Jason had just assumed the guy would immediately prove to be a jerk. He was unpleasantly surprised when the guy offered him a genuine smile and introduction.
Jason returned his attention to Mimi and questioned, "So, do you want to come with me, or not?"
"Actually, I was just talking to Jeremy."
"What's your point?" Even Jason knew that he'd done it with that question. Not only was it rude, but it was delivered with an egotistical tone that his mother had often warned him about. He was beginning to think that he should start listening to him mother.
Mimi wasn't necessarily the gutsiest person alive, but she refused to allow Jason to act in such a condescending manner. Glaring the taller, more muscular person down, Mimi quipped, "Don't you have a trashy girlfriend that should be hanging all over you?"
Jeremy took a step back from Jason and Mimi. There was obviously something he was missing, and he just didn't feel comfortable being a part of such a conversation between two near strangers.
"Actually, Jan and I called it quits. What do you have to say about that?"
Mimi opened her mouth to reply, but the words refused to flow. Her brain tried its hardest to think of some witty comeback, but it was useless. Jason Masters had put her at a loss for words.
"Listen, Mimi, I know you're busy trying to flirt with Belle's date. I don't know if you're trying to finally one-up her or whatever, but it doesn't matter. I want to talk to you."
Before Jeremy could interject and state that he was not Belle's date, Mimi had darted away toward the love machine. Seeing that Jason was far too angry, possibly at himself, to go after Mimi, Jeremy decided that it was up to him.
How was he to know that Mimi was leading them right into the trap set by Shawn?