Friends and Lovers
By Misha

Author's Notes- I made a slight change. I know I said in the prologue they were Sophomores, but I decided to make them Juniors instead. Mimi and Jason are introduced in this chapter. I considered making Mimi Belle's nemesis, but I decided against it. She's just a friend of Chloe's and she's dating Jason. Jan doesn't show up at all, at least I don't think so. Jason's Phillip's best friend and he's really nice.

Chapter Three

Thursday, November 9th

Belle made her way through the cafeteria, unable to believe how successful her first month at Salem High had been.

She had been dreading it, after all who transfers in the middle at the beginning of October? She had been expecting the worst, but everything was going great so far.

Thanks to Chloe. She had been wonderful. Showing Belle around and introducing her to everyone.

Belle smiled, spotting her friend and going to sit with her.

"Hey Belle." Chloe said, when Belle sat down at the across from her.

"Hi." Belle said looking at the people crowded around the table.

There was Chloe's friend Mimi Lockhart and Mimi's boyfriend Jason Welles, Phillip, Chloe, and Shawn.

Shawn, Belle noted, looked incredibly unhappy.

"So, what's up?" Belle asked.

"We're talking about the costume party." Mimi told her.

Mimi, Belle had learned, was the best source for any gossip. And she was really nice, although she did tend to be a little bitchy at times.

The costume party was a big bash that Phillip was throwing at his place that weekend.

"So do you guys have your costumes picked out?" Belle asked.

"Yeah. What about you?" Chloe asked, pushing her tray away and leaning comfortably against Phillip, which caused Shawn's face to fall even more.

"Yeah." Belle answered. "I'd better, the party's tomorrow night!" Then she looked at Chloe. "Are we still on for me spending the night afterwards?"

"Yes and Shawn's going to be our escort to the party."

Shawn seemed to perk up at the news, but looked like he was trying not to show it.

"I wish I could be taking you." Phillip told Chloe softly.

"I know." Chloe told him. "You're going to be needed as the host. It's alright."

Shawn's face dropped again and Belle touched his arm gently. He smiled slightly at her then stood up.

"I have to go talk to my math teacher." He excused before leaving the cafeteria.

"I wonder what's wrong with him?" Chloe said, glancing after Shawn with concern.

Belle met Phillip's gaze and saw that while Chloe was oblivious to Shawn's feelings, Phillip wasn't and he didn't like it one bit.
* * * * *

Shawn stood in front of his locker and sighed with frustration.

Why didn't she just rip his heart out and stomp on it? It would certainly be better than having to watch her be all lovey-dovey with Kiriakis. The very thought made him feel sick.

The costume party was going to be unbearable.

You could always not go. A voice in his head told him, but he knew that he couldn't do him. Chloe was counting on him to be there and he didn't want to let her down.

"You ran out of there awfully fast." Someone said from behind him.

Shawn turned around to see Belle standing there.

"Hey." He said glumly.

Belle closed her eyes for a second. "Shawn..."

"I know it's hopeless." Shawn whispered. "But..."

"Shawn do you need someone to talk to?" Belle asked.

" 'Cause I'm here. I mean Chloe's your best friend and you can't talk to her, so..."

"That'd be nice." Shawn said, smiling at Belle.

Just then the bell rang.

"How about after school?" Shawn suggested, grabbing his books.

"Alright." Belle agreed with a smile, rushing off to her class.

Shawn watched her go and smiled.

She was pretty. But, she still wasn't Chloe and she was the one that he wanted.
* * * * * *

Shawn waited for Belle in the parking lot.

"Sorry, I took so long." Belle told him as she opened up the passenger door of his black SUV and climbed in.

Shawn smiled. "It's okay. Where too?"

"The park?" Belle suggested. "We can talk there, right?"

Shawn nodded. "Yeah. We can."

They drove in silence and when they got to a private area of the park Belle turned to Shawn.

"So..."

"Yeah. Belle, this means a lot to me. I really need someone to talk to." Shawn said sincerely.

Belle smiled. "No problem."

Shawn sat down on the ground and Belle sank down beside him.

"Chloe and I have been inseparable since we were kids." Shawn began. "Since we were five we've been best friends. Then, last year I began to think of her differently, I just couldn't get up the nerve to ask her. I finally did, but..."

"She rejected you?" Belle asked in disbelief, Chloe had seemed honestly clueless about Shawn's feelings.

Shawn sighed. "No. The morning I was going to ask her she came to school all excited and told me that Kiriakis had asked her out." He clenched his fist remembering that morning.

"Oh, Shawn." Belle whispered with sympathy.

"Everywhere I go I see them together and even when they're not... He's all she talks about." He sighed. "I could stand if it was anyone other than Kiriakis. He's such a pompous jerk, what does she see in him?"

Belle looked at him comfortingly. "Maybe he's a pompous jerk to you, but to Chloe's he Prince Charming. You have to admit that he honestly seems to care about her."

Shawn looked up at Belle. "I wish I could believe that. But... I know Kiriakis and his type doesn't change."

Belle stated at Shawn wondering why he was so stubborn.

"I think you're wrong." She stated softly. "I think you just don't want to accept the fact that Chloe is honestly happy with someone other than you."

Belle stood up and walked away, wondering why Shawn was so blind. Didn't he see how much she cared about him and how good they be together?

She bit back tears as she walked home.
* * * * *