Chapter 4: Fury

(3 days later)

Chloe sighed heavily, wishing only to pry her hand loose from Philip's grasp as they walked down the school hallway together. This was his first day back since his father was killed, and he just wouldn't stop talking. Talking about missed games, major make up work, anything but his father, Jan, or Jason. Chloe figured it was his way of coping, so she tried to look as interested as possible while Philip

"So, Chloe do you plan to go to the dance Friday?" Philip asked suddenly. The dance, some meaningless little thing the AV Club and FCCLA had been planning for weeks, just for the sake of throwing a dance, had originally been scheduled for last weekend, but was pushed back. Everyone thought it should be cancelled, but the school board kept it going after the Brady brothers promised extra security watch.

"I don't know Philip, it just doesn't seem right to even be having this dance," Chloe answered.

"Yeah, I know what you mean, but there's no reason why we should let all this stop us from living our lives as normal," Philip stated.

"Philip, why... why are you so calm about all this?" Chloe asked hesitantly. After the coronation incident, Philip had been visibly torn to pieces when he believed his father to be dead. This time was, as far as everyone knew, for real and he seemed so calm, going on as if nothing was a miss.

"I... well, I've been through this before, remember? I totally lost it then, and I won't let that happen again," Philip replied. Chloe nodded understanding, actually rather proud of Philip's progress over the past few months. She began to feel bad for abandoning him, hell all her friends, over the past few weeks just to avoid confrontation with him.

"Let's not talk about this then. You're right. I'm really proud of you Philip. You're handling this so much better then I would," Chloe commented. Philip beamed from the compliment, flashing his dimples.

"Thank you Chloe. You know, I'm really glad to see you. Being with you definitely does help," Philip remarked. Chloe smiled, taking her hand away to reach for her locker. "So, um, anyway, do you think you'll go to the dance?" Chloe's smile faltered slightly, as she began to wonder if perhaps he hadn't changed all that much since the coronation.

"I don't know Philip, maybe. We'll see. Oh, I gotta run now, I promised Belle I'd help her with her Lit homework," Chloe said, quickly grabbing her Lit book and closing her locker. She turned to make a quick retreat.

"Okay, we'll I'll call you later," Philip called to her as she walked away.

"You so don't get it do you?" Mimi's voice caught Philip by surprise. He turned to glare at her.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Philip demanded. Mimi rolled her eyes, pulling her little backpack out of her locker so she could change in preparation for the hell Ghoul Girl had bestowed on her.

"Not the sharpest tack in the drawer, are we Phil?" Mimi muttered. "Chloe, that's what I'm talking about. She and you are so over. Probably the only reason she's being nice to you is because of what happened to your father. Once she finds out you're just using the situation to get her back, she will drop you like a sack of flour," Mimi spat.

"You're just angry because you're stuck cleaning the bathrooms all by yourself now, not to mention the only guy you can get to date you is the school nerd," Philip scoffed.

"Hey!" It was Kevin, coming up to ask Mimi something about the dance.

"No offense, man."

"None taken... rich boy," Kevin muttered. Mimi smiled slightly despite still being pissed off at Philip's outburst.

"Seriously Philip, you have got to stop stalking Chloe," Mimi stated.

"Yeah, don't mean to be rude, but the whole lost puppy thing, is pretty pathetic. And coming from me, that's just sad," Kevin piped in. Philip's jaw clenched tightly and he glared daggers at the both of them with his cold blue eyes.

"Where do you get off calling me pathetic?! Have you looked in a mirror lately? You two are the reason I'm not with Chloe right now!"

"News flash, Phil. I'm not the one to blame for your actions. I know what I did to her was wrong, and I'm sorry, but you're the one that lost Chloe," Mimi replied.

"Come on Meems, no use talking to him. He's heard it all before," Kevin stated.

"Yeah, Meems, best run along and get to cleaning those toilets," Philip sneered. Mimi glared at him as Kevin took her arm to lead her away. Philip watched them walk down the hall.

"Oh, Mimi, I need you to give me a ride to the dance, and a lift home," Kevin asked.

"Kev, you know I can't go to school activities," Mimi whined.

"I know, but I'm re-vamping my car's engine, and I have to help the committee with the dance, so I need a ride. Please Meems? I've got something special planned, just for us afterwards," Kevin promised. Mimi brightened, an impish grin on her face.

"Oh, alright. I don't have to sit for Connor, so I'm free. As long as you promise you'll protect me from 'the Salem Psycho,'" Mimi joked. Kevin grinned, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"No worries, M'lady. You are safe with the school nerd. I'm sure to over-power him with my extensive brain-power," Kevin joked. Philip glared at them as they disappeared around the corner, laughing about something nerd boy said. How Belle could stand that bitch and her boyfriend, Philip would never know...

Chloe smiled brightly when she spotted Brady's black jeep. Belle had somehow scammed him into giving her and Chloe a ride home. Chloe hadn't seen him since Victor was murdered. According to Belle, Brady hadn't gone back to work either, though she didn't know why. Belle didn't notice Chloe's approach, but Brady, for the first time since Saturday, flashed a true smile when he caught sight of her.

"Hey Diva," Brady greeted, though without his usual spark. Upon getting closer, it was evident to Chloe that Brady hadn't slept much, if at all, in days.

"Hey Black," Chloe greeted, generally happy to see him, even though he looked so miserable.

"Yo, Tink, come on, or Chloe and I will leave you behind," Brady called to his sister.

"She's the one that took so long," Belle complained, but complied, retreating to the back of Brady's jeep. Belle immediately started rambling as soon as they pulled away, not noticing the little plastic box which she accidentally kicked underneath Chloe's seat. The mood around town had been so strained, but Belle always seemed to keep her cheerful mood.

"So, Chloe, are you going to the dance Friday?" Belle asked curiously.

"I don't know, Belle. It's not like this dance is really important. No one will show," Chloe replied.

"Brady'll be there," Belle stated knowingly. Chloe turned to give him a questioning look.

"Nicole and my grandfather were going to be chaperons. Nicole didn't want to go alone, but she didn't want to break her promise, so I offered to go along," Brady said, never taking his eyes off the road. Chloe nodded.

"So, you gonna go?" Belle repeated.

"Philip asked me to," Chloe answered mildly. Brady involuntarily gripped the wheel tighter, and Belle suddenly wished she hadn't brought up the dance.

"Did you say yes?" Brady questioned.

"I told him I'd think about it," Chloe answered.

"Do you plan to say yes?"

"I don't know, maybe. It's not like it's a big deal."

"Not a big deal? Chloe, of course it's a big deal! Philip is just trying to take advantage of you, again."

"His father just died!"

"Yes Chloe, his father died. His father, my grandfather. I don't know about him, Chloe, but if my father had been killed, I sure as hell wouldn't be going to any stupid dance. Hell, I'm probably having a harder time dealing with this then he is, and he's Philip's father!"

"Guys..." Belle started, trying to stop the inevitable fight, but her efforts would go in vain.

"Brady, just stop it, okay. People grieve in different ways. At least he isn't in a violent rage like he was the last time!"

"That doesn't make it alright that he's using your sympathy to get what he wants," Brady snapped. "But fine, we'll drop this conversation. Like I said the other night, I won't bother giving advice if you're too stubborn to listen to it." Chloe folded her arms, glaring out the window. The rest of the ride to the Black Penthouse was spent in a state of uncomfortable silence...