Friends and Lovers
By Misha

Author's Notes- Sorry that it's been so long between chapters, I've been busy with school, a social life, and my other stories. But now that school is almost over, the chapters should be closer together. Also, for anyone who asked, I know that the last few chapters have been totally devoid of any Phloe and this chapter isn't much better, but don't worry, the next chapter will contain some Phloe. I promise. I just wanted to focus on the other characters for a while and they'll still be a big part of the story, after all this isn't just a Phloe fic, but Phloe will have more scenes. I promises. That's all for now, enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Tuesday, January 2nd 2001

"What?!" Chloe asked in shock. "Shawn asked you out?!"

"Yeah." Belle told her quietly. "But I told him I needed more time."

"To digest things, right?" Chloe asked. "I can understand. After all, things were certainly interesting on New Year's Eve."

"That's true." Belle said. "Thanks for not reading me the riot asked about that, by the way?"

"Why would I?" Chloe asked, looking surprised. "Belle, you're old enough to make your own decisions. If you don't regret it, then good for you. It's your life, you have to live it."

"I wish someone would tell my brother that." Belle said dryly. "He's already told me that he thinks I'm an idiot."

"Don't listen to him." Chloe advised. "After all, it's not his life, is it? It's yours and your the one who has to make your own decisions. He doesn't get a say."

Belle smiled at her friend. "Thank you." She said quietly. "Thank you for so much for not saying anything, for just being my friend. Your the best friend I could have asked for."

"Ditto." Chloe told her.

The two girls laughed and hugged.

"You staying the night?" Belle asked when they pulled away.

"Sure." Chloe told her. "We can stay up late and gossip."

"Yeah you can tell me all the details about you and Phillip!" Belle said with a laugh.

Chloe blushed, but smiled. "I guess."

Belle smiled. "This'll be so much fun!"

"Definitely." Chloe agreed with another smile.
* * * * *

"Mimi told you she wanted another try and you told her that you needed time?" Phillip asked in disbelief.

"Phillip, she was only doing it cause of the Belle thing." Jason told him seriously. "You know as well as I do, that there were serious problems with that relationship that it will take time to fix. I'm totally into doing that. If Mimi and I give it another try, I don't want it to have the same problems as the last time. I don't want to go there again."

"I guess I understand that." Phillip told him. "It just sounds crazy."

"I know." Jason said with a laugh. "But how about this, Shawn finally opened his eyes and realized how great Belle was and asked her out, but she said that she needed to think about it."

Phillip stared at him. "What?! Are you sure?"

"Positive. She told me herself." Jason told him. "We talked yesterday morning."

"Ah, about what happened." Phillip said with a nod. "What did you guys decide to do?"

"Nothing." Jason said. "We decided to postpone serious discussion until a later time. But I'm pretty sure that Belle feels the same way I do that it was a one time thing. But if she doesn't... Well, it's an option I've never thought about and if it's available then I have some serious thinking to do."

"I'd say." Phillip said dryly.

"Yeah." Jason agreed, then he changed the subject. "What are your plans for tonight?"

"Nothing. Chloe is at Belle's and I'm pretty sure she'll be spending the night, so I'm all alone. Want to hang out, watch the game?"

"Sure." Jason said with a grin.

Phillip grabbed the remote and flipped on the big screen TV.
* * * * *