(5) Tension

The week after their first date, Shawn asked Belle out again. This time for a “group” date with Philip and Chloe followed by a party at Jason’s house. Jason, with the help of Jan, passed the word around school that Friday. Party at his house-his parents were out of town. They entrusted the household to Jason and his older brother, with supervision of his older sister when necessary. Jason wanted to keep the soiree within his own crowd. He didn’t want to risk a bust, not too mention of swarm of losers and wanna-bes coming. Besides, the idea of exclusivity appealed to him.

Chloe got permission to spend the night at Belle’s that night. They gossiped and prepped for several hours before the scheduled pick up. Belle pulled at her hair nervously when she heard her mother tap the door, “Belle, Shawn and Philip are here.” “We’ll be right there mom.” Chloe smiled at Belle. “Shawn can handle it Belle.” Belle shook her head, “Chloe, my Dad is SO protective of me. He’s going to terrify Shawn.”

“No he won’t Belle. He’s known Shawn for years. He already likes him.”

“But this is different Chloe, totally different.”

“He’s going to be fine. I’m sure your mother won’t let your Dad terrorize him completely.”

Belle let out a sigh as she grabbed her jean jacket, “Yeah, but Brady’s down there too.”

Chloe laughed at her. “Well then let’s go rescue him.”

It wasn’t the fact that her dad and her brother had him cornered at the door that got her. It was his hair!!!!! Platinum blond hair!! Belle gasped and stopped on the stairs at the sight of him. Chloe snorted behind her, and put her hands on her shoulder to guide her. “Step down…There you go, one at a time.” Chloe smiled at Philip and stood by his side. Belle stared at her date, the victim, with her mouth hung open. “Are you ready to go Blondie? I mean Shawn.”

Shawn nodded and met her eyes. Belle caught his vibe, “Get me the hell OUT of this.”

John interrupted, “Just a minute Belle. I’m not finished.”

Belle glared at Brady and mouthed, “Stop him.”

“I think I get the picture Mr. Black,” answered Shawn in all the confidence he could muster.

“Are you copping an attitude with me young man?”

“No, not at all…Sir.”

Brady pulled John away from Shawn, “Come on dad. Let these guys go on their date.”

John stared at Shawn with his eyebrow raised. “Don’t forget what I said, pal.”

“I won’t,” whispered Shawn.

Belle opened the door and yelled “I’ll be home by midnight!” John grabbed the door behind her, “More like 11:00, young lady.” “Dad, it’s a Friday night. Mom said I could stay out until midnight.” “11:30. That’s non-negotioable.” Shawn, Philip and Chloe said a polite goodbye to John and Brady before slipping out the door. Belle slammed the door shut behind her. “I can’t believe them!” Philip grabbed Shawn’s shoulder on the way to the elevator, “What the hell did they say to you?” Shawn shook his head and rubbed his forehead, “Oh I’m sure you can imagine Phil. First my hair, then ‘that’s my little girl’, yaddi yaddi yadda. To sum it up, I might as well cut off my hands and my dick.”

“Whaaaat?”

“It was great Phil. Please tell me what Craig put you through wasn’t even close to that.”

“I’ll take your word that it wasn’t.”

Belle wedged herself between Shawn and Philip, “Excuse me Philip. Shawn! Are you crazy?? Blond hair! Did you soak your head in a bottle of peroxide?”

Shawn reached over to hit the first floor button, “Pretty cool huh?”

Belle gave him a playful shove, “You are such a smart ass.”

“You guys are so cute,” cooed Chloe as Philip wrapped his arms around her.

Shawn hugged Belle, “Belle is the only brunette I know with blond roots. I figure she might miss it. So I want to serve as a reminder.”

“You’re like, almost platinum, Shawn.”

“Get out!”

“You are!”

“So do YOU like it.”

“I guess.”

Philip squeezed Chloe, “Gee honey, you think we should color our hair too?”

“Fire engine red,” she retorted.

“Oh yeah, we can start a new trend with all this.”

Belle stared at them wide-eyed, “You guys are kidding, right?”

They laughed at her comment, “Yes Belle, we’re kidding!”

Philip looked at Chloe nervously, “Right honey?”

Chloe shrugged and swayed, “Hmmmmm, we’ll see. You don’t think I’d look good with red hair?”

“Of course, honey, it’s just that….”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it.”

************************************

After eating at the Brady pub, the Philip drove the gang to Jason’s affluent neighborhood. They arrived fashionably late, but found only fifteen to twenty other people there. Jason’s older brother Matt, a sophomore at Salem University, answered the door. He stood sipping his forty, greeting Shawn and Philip in the classic Wells handshake. “Hey Belle, long time no see.” “Hi Matt,” Belle answered, smiling. Matt was hella fine.

Matt smiled in approval at Chloe, “Hi, I’m Matt, Jason’s older brother, and you are?” Philip placed his arm possessively around Chloe, interrupting. “I’m sorry Matt, how rude of me. This is my GIRLFRIEND Chloe.” Chloe blushed, flattered to be claimed in public. She gave a friendly fake smile to Matt. He was related to Jason after all. Even if he was good looking, she was leery. The whole relation thing blew it- but she didn’t show her judgement. She didn’t want to ruin her friends’ rep by being an icy bitch. God knows there were enough of them around, like Jan…

Matt gave the girls a small tour of the house. Shawn and Philip broke from their dates to find Jason. Jason regarded Shawn’s hair, clearly appalled. “I do not get you two! Did Belle talk you into that?”

“No Jason, I did this on my own.”

“That’s even worse!” said Jason.

Jan came up to them and stopped, “Who is this….Shawn???!!! Oh my God!”

Shawn waved her off, “Don’t even say it.”

“Ok, fine…” she murmured defensively as she latched onto Jason’s arm.

Philip looked around as if disappointed. He turned to Jason, “I thought you were having a real party Jason, not a tea party. What the hell is this?”

“I didn’t want to invite the whole world Kiriakis. I’m not having a bunch of nobodies running around my house.”

“Whatever Welles, it’s your gig.”

**************************************

Later on that night, Chloe ventured upstairs to find a bathroom when the one downstairs was occupied. She opened the door to the bathroom and shut the light. She bumped into Jason who was standing by the door in the dark. “Oh, sorry,” she mumbled, not meeting his eyes. She stepped away from him to pass.

“I’d like to know what the hell made you think you’re invited.” Jason asked rudely,

Chloe stopped and turned around, “Excuse me?”

“What, you think that just because you’re Kiriakis’ girlfriend, and friends with Shawn and Belle that you can show up here?”

Chloe stared up him with her mouth gaped open. She walked back to him so she was inches away from his face. She folded her arms and smirked at him, “You know, I don’t get it Jason. What is your malfunction? Why do you treat people, namely me, like shit?”

“Why not?”

“Fuck you.”

“Bitch,” he replied firmly.

Chloe stuck her hands in her back pockets, she lowered her voice again, “ I think you and your little imbecile girlfriend are going to have to get used to me being around…Cuz this “bitch” isn’t going anywhere. What you and Jan think has no bearing on me and Philip’s relationship…You got that?” She smiled at him sarcastically and gave a small laugh.

Jason nodded, running his tongue over his teeth. God, he could smell her perfume. It was almost distracting. He regarded her black framed glasses. He pulled them off her, “You’re real hit and miss with these. Sometimes you wear them, sometimes you don’t. Can’t seem to make your mind about them can you?”

Chloe tried to take them back from him, but to her shock, he snapped them in half. “You’re such a fake. Get the fuck out of my face,” he said. He smiled as he waiting for her response.

Chloe looked behind her to ensure no one could see or hear her, “I think you’re in need of a little attitude adjustment. Yeah, and the sooner the better. You have nothing to gain by openly hating me. Nothing.” She pushed him out of the way and headed down the stairs.

“You’re a loser.”

She looked over her shoulder at him unfazed, “Uh huh. Keep telling yourself that Jason.”

**********

While Jason and Chloe we’re having their friendly exchange, Shawn and Belle ventured into the kitchen. Jan entered and immediately began to lay it into them for inviting Chloe. Belle jumped to Chloe’s defensive. Shawn sipped his beer, pissed. He gritted his teeth, not saying a word. Then an idea struck him to shut her up. It was crazy, but it had to work. Without thinking about it much further, he set his beer on the counter and leaned in to kiss Jan.

Jan stood in stunned silence, jaw hung open. Shawn picked up his beer and resumed drinking. It worked.

Belle was amused by Jan’s expression, but her mood immediately fell when she realized what just happened. Shawn winked at Belle. Jan stared at the floor, completely speechless. Belle glared angrily at Shawn. He stared back at her, attempting to relay a “I’ll explain this later.” Jan shook her head as if trying to pass off what just happened. “Like I was saying. Chloe, she…” Shawn sighed and reached behind her to grab some peanuts. He made sure to “accidently” lean up against her. “Sorry,” he whispered seductively. A few others came into the kitchen to talk to Jan.

Shawn walked up to Belle, who was red-faced. He pulled her into the hallway. She snatched her arm from his grip, “What the hell was that, Shawn?!”

“I just wanted to throw her for a loop, that’s all. I’m so sick of hearing her rant about Chloe, so I just did what I could the quickest way I could to shut her up.”

“By KISSING her?”

“I know it was stupid, but it worked. Belle, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kiss, kiss her. And no, I didn’t enjoy it. But it was kind of funny seeing her expression.”

Philip walked up to them, “Hey, have you guys seen Chloe?”

Belle shook her head, “I think she went to the bathroom.”

“Oh.”

Shawn gave Philip a chin up, “Jan’s talking shit about Chloe. Already.”

Philip peered over Shawn’s shoulder to Jan inside the kitchen. “What is she saying?”

“The usual, nothing good of course. But I found a way to shut her up.”

Philip stared at him in wonder, “You did? How?”

Shawn shrugged, trying to conceal his smile, “Fucking with her head.”

“Be a little more specific.”

Shawn looked at Belle, blushed, then mumbled, “I kissed her.”

Philip stared at Belle, who was looking away, “You kissed her? You’re kidding, right?”

“Well no, I really did. But I was just playing around. I just wanted to throw her for a loop, you know. It popped in my head, so I did it. I was crazy, but it worked. You should have seen her face.”

“Shawn….I can’t believe you did that.”

“Like I said, it worked. It’s worth it just to see the look on her face.”

Philip laughed at him, “You’re crazy!”

“You should try it,”

“No way.”

Philip went to the fridge to retrieve a beer. He looked up to Jan, who did appear a little spacey while she listened to her friends. When she spotted him, she spoke up. “Hey Philip, I see you brought your girlfriend Chloe-Lamo to the party.” Philip glared at her. She was showing off in front of their friends. She thought she was being cool. Philip leaned against the counter and looked over to his platinum headed friend. Shawn gave him a chin up and Philip shook his head. Jan started going on and on again, causing her friends to giggle. Philip gestured for Jan, “Come here for a second.”

“What do you have to say Philip,” she replied arrogantly.

“Just come here,” he said, then polished off the rest of his beer.

Jan approached him, “You turning into a lush now Phil. Can’t cope with the embarrassment of your loser girlfriend on the social scene…”

Philip cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

Jan waved her arms around madly then pulled away from him biting her lip. Her friends watched the scene unfold, breathing “Oh my GOD,” in unison. She touched her heart and let out a gasp, “All right, I don’t know what the hell you and Shawn are up to. But whatever it is, it’s fucked up.”

Philip tossed his empty bottle into the trash and wiped his mouth. “I don’t want to hear another word about Chloe. Not one, you got that?”

Jan crinkled her face at him, “Whatever!”

Philip rejoined Shawn and Belle feeling a mixture of amusement and disgust. He covered his face, “I can’t believe I just did that.”

Belle glared at the two of them, furious. “You two are so STUPID! Did you think that was funny? Because it wasn’t! Not at all.”

“Belle, I’m sorry…” said Shawn.

“SHUT UP!” snapped Belle. “How would you like it if I kissed someone else.”

“I wouldn’t like it at all.”

“Oh really. So what made you think I would? How dumb can you get Shawn. And RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!”

“Belle…”

Belle noticed Chloe coming down the stairs. She went up to her, “I need to talk to you Chloe.”

“Why, what’s up?” she asked innocently.

Belle pulled her away, glaring at Philip, “And you’re even stupider to go along with it Philip!”

Chloe regarded her three friends, obviously confused. “What happened?” Belle pulled her away, “Come with me, I’ll explain…What happened to your glasses?”

Chloe struggled to come up with an explanation, “There gone, they broke. Forget about it.”

“Belle NO! Don’t tell her!!!” yelled Philip.

Belle pushed him away, “Get away Philip. You should have thought first before you…”

“Belle!”

“Screw both of you!” she yelled back and led Chloe towards the bathroom. She pushed the guy trying to go into the bathroom. “Excuse me! This is an emergency.” “Sorry, there’s one up stairs…” Chloe offered apologetically before Belle slammed the door behind them.

Philip shook his head at Shawn, “Way to go Brady. No we’re done. Chloe’s going to be so pissed. Shawn ran his hands through his hair and let out a growl, “FUCK. I didn’t mean for it to turn out like that.” “Well it did.” “Hey YOU didn’t have to kiss her either.” “Oh don’t blame this on me.” Philip returned to the kitchen to grab another beer. He tossed one to Shawn, “Better start nursing, it’s going to be a long night.”

***************************************************

Shawn and Philip went into the living room to join the game of spades. Jason and his brother broke away from the game of quarters to wrestle on the floor. Shawn looked up from his hand, doing a double take when he caught a glimpse of Jason’s butt crack. Shawn nudged Philip, “Check out Jason.” Philip followed his gaze, and cracked up. “Jason’s FREE BALLING it.” Everyone turned to look as Jason and Matt resumed. Jason let out a little laugh as he managed to reposition his brother, “What can I say, Jan likes the easy access on Friday nights.” He held his brother into a seven second pin, then smacked the floor, “Boo yeah!”

Jason stood up, catching his breath. “What? You like looking at my ass?” he said to the girls giggling at him. He turned around, unbuttoned his jeans and mooned his audience. The girls screamed and the guys howled. Jason pulled up his pants and turned around again. He smiled at the girls, “Oh wait, that’s not what you want to see, You really want to see this, huh?” He lifted up his shirt and pulled the front of his jeans down, teasing as he gave the girls a quick peek of his pubic hair. The girls screamed again and covered their faces. Jan stood up and yelled, “Asshole!” before smacking him across the face. He mocked her by screaming at her then picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder….

After nearly half an hour in the bathroom venting, Chloe and Belle decided to rejoin the party. With a plan. Chloe was looking straight ahead while Belle continued to chatter excitedly next to her. Chloe tuned her out for she was fixed on the image before her. Jason pulling down his jeans…Was that his…?

“Oh my God, Belle! Did you see that?” she exclaimed.

Belle looked at her, “See what?”

Chloe froze when she saw Jan slap Jason and he threw her over his shoulder. “Nothing, nothing.”

Belle witnessed the last few seconds of the event as Jason threw Jan down in her seat. “You need to chill,” he commanded to her. Jan threw her drink at him, soaking his shirt. Jason stared at her, visibly irate. He ripped his shirt off and threw it at her, “You’re acting like a crazy BITCH tonight.” Jason picked his hat off the floor and put it on. He grabbed his beer and sat down in the chaise lounge. He and Jan argued quietly through gritted teeth to each other, much to the curiosity of nearby listeners.

Belle and Chloe stopped at the living room entrance when they spotted their dates. Shawn and Philip looked up at them apologetically. Belle rolled her eyes, “Watch, they’re going to try to kiss ass now.”

“Are you sure you want to do this Belle?” “Yes Chloe, I do. It’s the only way to show them what a mistake they made.” “Fine with me,” replied Chloe. They smiled as Matt towards them heading to the kitchen. “Hi Belle, hi Chloe.” Belle and Chloe smiled back to him, “Hi Matt.” He went into the kitchen and Chloe shrugged nervously.

“So where do you want to do this?”

Belle was gazing off into the distance, “Wait, change of game plan. This one is even better.”

“What do you mean?”

“Jason. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it in the first place. He’s perfect for this.”

“JASON??!!” Chloe hissed.

Belle grabbed Chloe’s hand, “Yeah Jason. Come on, this is the perfect moment too. EVERYONE is watching.”

“Belle….”
”Come on CHLOE.”

Chloe followed Belle to the chaise lounge where Jason sat shirtless. Belle kept her eyes on Shawn as she took a seat next to Jason. Chloe, now full of adrenalin and amazement at Belle’s daring behavior. Feeling a bit awkward, Chloe reassured herself it was an act. An act with intentions to teach a lesson to Shawn and Philip. Belle met Chloe’s eyes and channeled her confidence. Chloe took her place on the armrest of the chaise. Belle slumped down so she was hip to hip Jason. She placed her arm around Jason’s shoulder. She took one last glance in Shawn’s direction to ensure he was watching. Belle kissed him on the lips. She smiled when Jason pulled back with his jaw hung open. “Boy you’re really taking that brunette shit to heart aren’t you?” Chloe grabbed his chin and turned his face towards hers. She reached down to kiss him, adding to the effect as planned.

Their kiss went on slightly longer than the one between him and Belle. Chloe felt rush when he touched her face and introduced his tongue. She broke his kiss, touching her lips in surprise. Jason caught his breath and regarded both girls. He smiled at them and breathed, “Ladies! What a surprise. We can go into the bedroom and continue this if you’d like. I’m all up for a threesome.” Belle and Chloe jumped when they heard the loud crash. They scrambled off the chaise. Philip knocked the card table over completely as he stomped in their direction. “I’m gonna KICK YOUR ASS,” he bellowed. Shawn was right behind him yelling, “What the hell are you doing to Belle.”

Suddenly it was three on one. Philip, Shawn, and Jan pounding away at the defenseless Jason. Chloe, Belle, and everyone else watched in horror. Matt ran up to them and pulled Philip off his brother. He punched Philip in the face. Shawn jumped into to defend Philip. Things got out of hand and Belle screamed “STOP!!!!” She tried to pull Shawn away but he threw his hands up, “Don’t touch me Belle. Don’t touch me.” “Shawn…” Shawn walked off went outside to the back patio. Ignoring Chloe, Philip followed him.

Limp Biskit’s “Livin It Up” faded into “The One.” Chloe stood in a trance, drowning in the lyrics. Fred Durst “ I believe that you and me, we could be, so, happy and free inside a world of misery…And I believe that you and me, we could be, so, inside of you, inside of me. Cuz this could be the one. This could be the one.” Jason was grabbing at Jan’s arms swinging wildly. “I hate YOU!” she yelled to Chloe. Jason picked her up and carried her away to his bedroom down the hall. Chloe blinked at the set of eyes staring at her, “Hi,” she smiled fakely.

Belle rubbed her hands in her face, “Ohhhh, Chloe.” Matt came up to them. “I’ll take you guys home.” Belle nodded, “Um yeah, fine. Don’t let Philip and Shawn leave. They’ve been drinking. Make sure they stay here.” “I will,” he answered. Belle and Chloe followed Matt to the door. “I’ll be there in a second,” said Chloe. Belle looked at her, “What are you doing?”

“I’m just going to tell them we’re leaving.”

“Good luck.”

Chloe ran to the patio door. She opened it and looked around, unable to see in the dark. She spotted Shawn’s blond hair glowing in the moonlight. He and Philip were sitting on the steps in the midst of a heated discussion. “Hey,” she interrupted. They turned around to look at her. “Matt is taking us home,” she explained. Shawn and Philip glared at her and said nothing. Chloe couldn’t believe how they were acting. They were the ones that started this whole mess! “Bye,” she offered sarcastically, then slid the door shut. She got in the back seat of Matt’s car. “What did they say?” asked Belle from the front seat. “Nothing. Not a word,” mumbled Chloe. “Jerks!” shouted Belle.

*******************************************

Chloe and Belle sat on the floor with their backs against Belle’s bed. They spent over an hour venting their frustration at the evening’s events. They debated whether or not they were ones that overreacted, or if Philip and Shawn were the guilty party. Chloe sighed, “We’re all guilty. But they were the ones that started it, and then they made it worse. I don’t know. It was just crazy.”

Belle climbed on top of her bed and hung her head over the edge. She stared at the ceiling, “I wonder what’s going to happen now.”

Chloe shrugged, “I don’t know Belle. They were pretty mad.”

“We’ll so were we Chloe. More hurt than angry.”

Chloe pulled her knees to her chest, “The thought of Philip kissing Jan, of all people. It wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t her. At least I don’t think so.” She let out a groan. “Belle!”

Belle flipped over onto her belly and smiled mischieviously at Chloe.

Chloe smiled at her, “Whaaaaat. You’re looking kind of funny Belle. What’s going on in that brunette head of yours?”

Belle giggled uncontrollably. “It was kind of funny actually.”

“Funny?”

“Yeah, Jason, his whole reaction. Shawn’s reaction. He just froze. Oh my GOD Chloe. You should have seen Philip’s face when you kissed Jason. I thought he was going to explode. I have NEVER seen him that mad.”

Chloe let out a small laugh, “Belle, you are terrible.”

“I know. I’m usually not one to take pleasure in someone else’s pain. That’s not my style at all. But there’s a part of me that thinks what we did was clever.”

“Isabella!”

Belle giggled, “And the kiss thing with Jason. It was…”

“What?” Chloe raised her eyebrow and sat up higher.

Belle smiled at rested her chin on the bed. “It was weird. Really weird. I’ve only been kissed twice in my life before, both times Shawn.”

“Philip is the only guy I’ve ever kissed.”

“With Jason, I didn’t feel anything. Nothing like I feel when Shawn kisses me. When Shawn kisses me, it’s like I can feel it in every cell of my body. Like I can barely breathe.”

Chloe sat on the bed next to Belle. “I feel the same way about Philip too.”

Belle grabbed her pillow and hugged it, “Oh Chloe, I can’t believe this.”

Chloe hesitated a moment before asking, “Belle, when you kissed Jason, there wasn’t any…tongue involved was there?”

Belle’s eyes flew wide open, “NO! That would be sick. Why, he didn’t stick his tongue in you did he?”

Chloe paused slightly and shook her head, “Oh, no. Of course not,” she lied nervously. She slid towards her side of the bed, “It’s been a long night Belle. I’m pretty tired.”

“Yeah, me too I guess.”

“You don’t mind if I go to sleep do you?”

“No, not at all. In fact I’m pretty sleepy too. Not mentally, but physically.”

“I know exactly what you’re saying. My mind is still racing too.”

Belle crawled under the covers next to Chloe and turned out the lights.

“Good night Chloe.”

“Good night, Belle.”

************************************

Two hours later, Belle was woken up by Brady. She looked at the clock and squinted, “Brady?” she whispered. He squatted down next to her, “Hey. Shawn called me at the restaurant about an hour ago. He says he’s been trying to call you on your cell phone but you have it turned off.” Belle sat up, “Whaaat?”

“He said it was really important that he talked to you. He wants you to call him at Jason’s house. Did something happen tonight?” Belle shook her head and rubbed her eyes, “Yeah, but don’t worry about it Brady. It’s nothing big. It’s between me and Shawn. I can handle it.” “He didn’t do anything stupid did he?” Belle reached for her phone on her night stand and turned it on, “Brady I got it. I can take care of this situation on my own. Thanks for giving me the message. I need to talk to him though, k?”

“All right, I’ll leave it alone.”

“How was Mimi’s first night as a hostess?”

“She did good, real good.”

“Thanks for putting in a good word for her and helping out.”

Belle shooed him away and said goodnight. She dialed Jason’s number. Shawn answered, “Belle?”

“Shawn…”

“I’ve been trying to call you. I called Chili’s and got ahold of your brother. I told him to have you call me.”

“I know, he was just here.”

“Cool.”
”So what’s up Shawn?”

“Belle, I know you don’t believe me. But I am SO sorry. You have no idea. I can’t take back what I did. And you got me, you got me real good. I don’t know whose idea that was to kiss Jason. I don’t really care, but it worked. It killed me. So will you please forgive me.”

Belle smiled, “I’ll think about it,” she teased.

Shawn sighed, clearly frustrated. “Belle, I got so much shit from my dad tonight for coloring my hair. You have no idea. But I didn’t care, I really didn’t. The whole time I was pouring that shit on my head, all I could think of was you.”

Belle melted, “Shawn…”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m sending you a kiss right now.”

“Oh shit. Ok, that’s just what I need. Send it.”

Belle smootched the receiver noisily. Chloe stirred next to her. Belle covered her mouth, feeling guilty. “I think I just woke Chloe up.”

“That reminds me. Philip wants to talk to her too.”

“She’s asleep Shawn.”

“Please Belle, he’s desperate.”

“All right, hold on.”

Belle nudged Chloe, “Hey, it’s Philip. He wants to talk to you.”

“Philip” she murmured sleepily. She grabbed the phone. “Hello? Oh, Hi Shawn. Yeah, I’ll hold on.”

She waited as he yelled out for Philip. She heard a rattling, then a muffled sound.

“Hey,” he said in his seductive voice.

“Hey yourself.”

“Sooo.”

“You got something to say Philip?”
”Yes Chloe. First of all, I’m sorry,” he slurred.

“Are you drunk?”

“Yes, but I’m still thinking straight.”

“If you say so…”

“We all talked. Me, Shawn, Jason and Jan. We’re cool now. I mean they’re pissed that we brought them into this, but they’re willing to let it go. It’s not like any of us has the right to be more mad at the other. You guys kissed him, and we kissed Jan. They just want to forget it ever happened.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Well we got to try at least. I also talked them not saying stupid things about you anymore.”

“I find that even harder to believe.”

“Chloe..”

“Philip…Alright, I’ll let it go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Hey!”

“What Philip?”

“I…(Chloe could hear Jason in the background)…I’m crazy about you,” he said softly.

“I know,” whispered Chloe. “I feel the same way Philip. Goodnight.”

She hung up the phone and handed to over her shoulder to Belle.

“That was pretty cool, huh?”

“Yeah, it was,” Chloe answered softly.

Chloe sighed and closed her eyes. She opened them again, looking around the room. Her mind drifted….Jason’s hands on her face, his tongue in a slow dance with hers. All in a matter of a few seconds. But it seemed much longer. Much longer…Chloe closed her eyes, hoping the recollection would quickly fade away.