Friends and Lovers
By Misha

Author's Notes- Okay, in this one there is a Phloe scene, though it is short. Don't worry, I promise that Phloe will once again play a big part in the next several chapters, I have something major planned for them. I also intend to resolve the problems between one of the couples (Shelle and Mason) soon, you'll just have to wait and see which. Things are going to get more complicated for the other couple as things start to happen. You'll just have to wait and see what I mean. Anyway, that's all for now, enjoy!

Chapter Thirty

Monday, January 8th 2001

"Hi beautiful, ready to go back to the torture chamber?" Phillip asked with a grin as he picked Chloe up for the first day back to school.

She smiled at him and gave him a quick kiss as she climbed into the passenger's seat. "I'm ready, but I'm not sure about everyone else. Have you realized that no one in our little group is talking to anyone else, exempting us of course."

Phillip sighed. "The New Year's thing, right?"

Chloe nodded. "Yeah. Belle and Mimi won't talk, Belle and Shawn aren't talking, Mimi and Jason aren't talking, and Belle and Jason are talking, except neither one wants to say what has to be said."

"It's complicated." Phillip told her. "And I thought you were going to stay out of it?"

"I am, it's just... I wish everyone would get along."

Phillip smiled and squeezed her hand for a moment. "Of course you do, that's one of the reasons I love you so much."

Chloe smiled. "But I should mind my own business, right?"

"It would probably be best." Phillip agreed, as he parked the car at the school parking lot and they headed towards the front door.

"I know. It's just I'm so happy and I want everyone else to be to." Chloe told him.

Phillip stopped and gave her a quick kiss. "Don't worry, it'll happen. Just give it time."

Chloe smiled at Phillip and grabbed his hand as they continued walking towards the school.
* * * * *

Belle grabbed her books and closed her locker, before turning towards her first class. But on her way, she accidentally ran into someone.

"I'm so sorry..." She began, then she realized who it was she had bumped into. "Mimi."

"Belle." Mimi said in a frosty voice. "Can't you watch where you're going?"

Belle rolled her eyes. This was only the third time she had seen Mimi since party and on both occasions it had gotten nasty.

Mimi obviously blamed her for what happened with Jason. Though, in Belle's opinion, she didn't have the right to lay blame and Belle let her know it.

Belle ignored Mimi's comment and picked up the book she had dropped. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get to class." She said coldly and she continued on her way.

Once she got to the empty class room, she sighed.

Since New Year's Eve, everything had been so difficult. Things were barely civil at home with Brady, she had been avoiding Shawn like crazy, and with the thing with Mimi... Well, it wasn't fun.

I just hope that something gets cleared up soon. Belle thought. Because until it does, I don't think anyone will want to be around any of us.
* * * * *

Shawn saw Mimi and Belle's alteration and considered going after Belle, but then thought better of since she had been avoiding him like the plague since New Year's Day. He didn't really blame her. After all, it was an awkward situation.

He just wished there was some way he could let her know that he really did care for and it wasn't just because he was jealous. Yes, the thing with Jason had awakened his feelings for her, but Shawn was realising that they had been there for a while. He had just never noticed.

Just like he hadn't noticed that his feelings for Chloe were fading. Oh, they were still there, but they were no longer as powerful as they once were. Shawn was actually succeeding in getting over her much to his relief.

Chloe would always be his best friend, but he had realized that they'd never be anything more and that as long as he had romantic feelings for her things would always be a little awkward between them and he didn't want that. He wanted things to be normal between them and slowly that was happening, much too relief.

But now that things with Chloe were working out, he wanted the same to happen with Belle, he just didn't know if that was possible.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see. He thought with a sigh, the only problem was, he wasn't sure how much patience he had.
* * * * *