(6) Homecoming

The Kiriakis limo pulled up to Jan’s mansion located in the same affluent neighborhood Jason resided in. Once the limo came to a stop, Chloe turned to Belle. “Why did Mimi cancel?” Belle shrugged, “ I guess she was doing a girl at work a favor by taking her shift. That’s what she says, but I know she’s got a HUGE crush on one of the bartenders. She’ll take any excuse she can to see him. Even if it means missing homecoming.” “She must have it really bad,” said Chloe. “Oh yeah. Slightly,” Belle kidded. Bummer, thought Chloe. She wasn’t Mimi’s biggest fan, but she served her purpose at times. At least Mimi and her date would have diluted the situation- somewhat.

Philip and Shawn took their dates hand as they helped them out of the limo. Shawn and Belle walked ahead of Philip and Chloe. Chloe admired her friends in awe. Belle looked radiant as always in a white gown and silver strapped stilettos. Her hair was now faded to a dark brown with subtle auburn hue. Shawn was handsome and comical as usual. His suit was black with a silver tie and cummerbund to match Belle’s shoes. His hair was still platinum blond, but flavored by the contrast of his dark roots. “They’re cute,” Chloe thought out loud. “Who,” Philip asked. Chloe pointed at Shawn and Belle. Philip agreed, “They’re different.”

Belle latched onto Shawn’s arm. “What do you think of my dress?”

“I like the way it makes your boobies look,” Shawn answered in the utmost honesty.

Belle smacked his arm and Shawn snickered, “They…ooops. I mean the dress looks great.”

“Watch it! I’ll call my daddy if you get out of line,” she kidded.

“Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh. No, don’t do that! I meant to say it’s a great fabric! What is that? Silk? I bet it’s silk.”

“Uh huh, that’s what I thought you meant….”

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

She was an only child…The first thing Chloe noticed when stood uncomfortably in Jan’s living room was the family photo. Her mother, who Jan obviously didn’t take after, was a blond. The man in the picture, a tall, scowling individual who appeared to find smiling a struggle, also did not resemble her. Was she adopted? Chloe pondered the possibility for a split second. But then it hit her. She remembered Belle mentioning that Jan’s “dad” was actually her “step-dad.”

Chloe continued to run her eyes over the living room’s content. The finest furnishing money could buy. Imported oriental rugs. Italian leather… Material possessions. Is this why Jan was the way she was? Is this what shaped her? Growing up with a silver spoon in her mouth. Everything beneath her. Chloe laced her fingers into Philip’s. “You all right?” he whispered.

Chloe nodded, “I’m fine.”

“I won’t let them harass you.”

“I know,” Chloe replied nervously.

Her heart fell when Jan come into the living room. Ironically, her dress was black. She smiled at Shawn, Belle and Philip. Jan glared at Chloe as Jason fastened his flower onto her dress. Chloe swallowed and tightened her grip on Philip’s hand. Chloe held Jan’s stare, although it was hard. Her eyes communicated pure hate….

Belle, the eternal sweetheart peacemaker. “Jan, your dress looks GREAT!!! Oh my God, your shoes! And your hair looks great!” Jan smiled as she patted her elegant loose bun. “Thanks Belle, you look beautiful too. You always do.” Jan gave Shawn a chin up, “Hey, you’re roots are showing!” she joked. Shawn grinned, running his fingers through his hair, “I kind of like this two-tone thing, you know. It’s not fair that only women should have tacky roots.” “HEY!” Belle yelled. Shawn grabbed her hands, “I’m kidding.”

Philip cleared his throat, perturbed by Jan’s exclusion of Chloe. Jan raised her eyebrow, “Hey Phil. That’s a nice suit. What is that, Armani?” “Yeah, it is actually. It matches Chloe’s dress. ” He looked at Chloe and smiled. He looked back at Jason and Jan. They ignored his cue to compliment Chloe. Instead, “So, we’re riding in your dad’s limo?” Philip sighed, frustrated. “Yeah. It’s parked right out front.”

Chloe tugged his arm, “Let’s not keep them waiting then Philip,” she mumbled under her breath. Philip followed her lead and nodded politely to Jan’s mother. Jason took Jan’s hand, “Come on.” He followed the couple in lead. He admired the view unconsciously. She was wearing midnight blue. Very flattering to her figure- and it was backless. Only to reveal tan skin, smooth and flawless…

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

The ride to Tuscany was rather cool and uneventful. Chloe mustered a smile as she watched Shawn and Belle whispering excitedly back and forth to each other. Jason and Jan’s exchanges were few. Jan spoke in a low voice, and Jason appeared either bored or irritated by her remarks. Philip put his arm around Chloe. She looked up at him. He smiled at her. And then she was lost in those amazing dimples. “You and that irresistible face,” she whispered into his ear. Philip gave a small laugh and whispered, “You’re irresistible! I want to lick you up and down.” Chloe laughed, and oh God, the snort. She blushed, covering her face.

“Did you just SNORT?” Jan asked in a snotty tone.

Shawn smiled, unable to resist “Ah, there she goes again. Oink oink.”

Jason fought his urge to laugh. He bit his lip and shouted, “We’re here!”

“I think she just snorted…”
”Whatever Jan,” Jason interrupted to Chloe’s surprise.

They were escorted to dimly lit circular booth. Jan and Jason on one end, Shawn and Belle in the middle, Philip and Chloe on the end. Jason looked across the candle lit table at Philip and Shawn, “You guys got a cigar? I feel like Al Capone.” Shawn opened his jacket playfully, “Oh hell yeah, I got a couple right here. Just for the occasion. You got a light?” Jason shook his head and opened his menu, “You wish Brady. You wish.” Shawn shrugged, “Phil? We’re counting on you here.” “Wise guys,” Philip breathed.

Belle rolled her eyes and smiled at Chloe. Chloe smiled at her friend. Shawn noticed their exchange. “Hey Chloe. I told Belle I wanted wear a white suit tonight. But she told me that was out of the question. What’s up with that? Tell me that isn’t a fashion faux pas.” Chloe looked up from her own menu. Shawn in a white suit topped with a platinum head of hair. With roots. Chloe cracked up at the vision she conjured in her head. The infamous snort. Jason, Shawn, and Belle roared with laughter. Jan wasn’t impressed.

“Are you gonna spend the rest of the night spouting off like some pig all night?”

Chloe caught her breath. This girl was really asking for it. A moment of innocent fun, broken. Chloe set her menu down and leaned towards her. “Yes Jan, I am. In fact, I’m going to make it my mission tonight to embarrass you ANY way I can. And I mean ANY way,” she replied firmly. She produced her most devilish smile. Jan gave her a dirty look.

“Uh Phil. I think you need to keep your woman in check,” breathed Jason as he sipped his drink.

Philip leaned forward, knocking over his drink, “WRONG Jason. You need to keep YOUR woman in check.”

“Guys, guys. Please!” Belle intervened. “Can we all just try to get along for ONE night. Please? We’re trying to have a good time.”

“No shit,” Shawn added irritably.

Jan shrugged, “I’m sorry Belle.”

“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to, Jan.” Belle nodded in Chloe’s direction.

Jan met her enemy’s eyes. Jason kicked her under the table, “Janice.” he uttered through gritted teeth.

Chloe held her stare, waiting.

Jan, obviously struggling, “Chloe, I’m….sorry.”

Chloe polished off her drink, “Apology accepted.”

Jan smirked at her.

Belle attempted to ease the tension, “So! I hear they have a really great salad here!”

Chloe turned to Philip, “I’ll be right back.”

“Where you going?”

“To powder my nose…Honey.”

Philip eyed her with concern as she got up.

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

Chloe threw the door to the bathroom open. There were two older ladies present near the vanity. Damn! Chloe mustered a smile for them, “Good evening.”

They smiled at her, approving. “Good evening to you too.”

The older one turned around, “That’s a beautiful dress you’re wearing.”

“Thanks, my mom picked it out for me.”

“Be sure to tell her she has very good taste.”

“Thank you, I’ll be sure to. Excuse me.”

Chloe proceeded to the wash area. She stared at her reflection in the mirror as she ran the water. Cool it Chloe, coooool it. You can handle this. She placed her hands in the ice cold jet. She held them there for a couple minutes, leaning her forearms on the sink. She kicked her right shoe off and stretched her toes on the cool marble. She repeated the gesture with her left foot. Heels were a bitch! Luckily she was alone. She turned off the faucet and dried her hands. She reached into her purse, searching for her lipstick. She reapplied her lipstick. Cool frost. Sexy mamma. She blotted then blew the mirror a kiss.

She exited the bathroom and went to a nearby pay phone. She had the perfect idea to relieve all her tension. She flipped through the yellow pages until she found the number she wanted. Chloe picked up the phone. The voice came from behind her.

‘That’s a good color on you. Very flattering.”

Chloe held the phone and turned around. Of all the people to make such a comment… Jason.

“The perfume thing, that’s cool too,” he continued.

Chloe ran her eyes slowly over him-head to toe. Jason blushed at the gesture, feeling a rush of exposure. She rolled her eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh. She dialed the number she just committed to memory.

“Who you calling, your mother?”

“No Jason, my parole officer.”

“Aren’t you witty.”

Chloe refused to answer his remark.

“Is it like impossible to have a conversation with you?”

Chloe waited while the number rang, “Mind your own business. K?”

Jason stared at her, shaking his head. “With pleasure,” he mumbled as he stepped into the men’s room.

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

Later on at the dance. Shawn excused himself from Belle. “I’m going to get us something to drink.”

“Get me a Sprite if you can!”

“You know I will. Cuz I like the Sprite in you!” he sang.

Belle smiled as she let go of his hand. “I’ll join you in a minute.”

“Please do.”

“I look forward to it.”

“You have no IDEA, girl.”

“I can imagine.”

“I doubt it.”

“We’ll see.”

Shawn went to the refreshment counter and ordered two Sprites. He held the two drinks and found an empty table. He nodded in Belle’s direction. She waved to him, then quickly resumed her conversation with fellow cheerleaders. Shawn sat down. He took a sip of his drink and crunched on an ice cube. It was huge, and cold! It slipped out of his mouth and fell on the floor. “Shit!” he bent down to pick it up. It fell beneath the table. He reached underneath the table cloth, fumbling around for it. He smiled to himself. Another idea in his head. He laughed to himself. He was so brilliant!

He stood up, gesturing for Belle. She nodded and broke away from her girlfriends. The dancefloor was dark and crowded. Shawn took advantage of the low visibility and crawled under the table before she could see him. He smiled, waiting for her. He pulled the tablecloth up slightly so he could see her shoes. “Shawn???” She called out. “Shawn! Where the hell are you?” Shawn lifted the table cloth slightly, “Ppppssst. Belle” Belle looked around, totally cluless, “Shawn?”

“Belle, I’m down here.”

Belle followed the sound of his voice. “WHAT are you doing?”

“Come here! I got a little surprise for you.”

“Under the TABLE?”
”Sssssh. Don’t make a scene Belle. Just come down here. Make sure no one notices.”

“What are you up to?”

“Hurry!”

Belle groaned and sat down in the empty chair. She looked around, ensuring the coast was clear. Once sure it was, she dropped to her knees and crawled under the table. Shawn pushed the table cloth away from her.

“Shawn! This is SO STUPID. I’m going to ruin my dress. I’m wearing white!”
”Oh hush. You’ll be fine.”

“I will not! Do you have any idea…”

Shawn silenced her by running an ice cube over her lips. He licked the Sprite from his fingers.

Belle slouched down to her hip, “Huhhhhh?”

“Tastes good huh?”

“It’s cold.”

“Let me warm them up then.” Shawn leaned into to kiss her.

Belle whimpered, “Shawwwwwn.”

“How about this?” He dipped his finger into the cup, soaking his fingers in the Sprite. He traced her lips, carefully inserting his fingertips into her mouth.

“Sweet,” she whimpered again.

“You like that even better don’t you?”

Belle nodded, speechless. She leaned forward and dipped her fingers into the Sprite. She copied his play. Shawn’s eyes fluttered, “Ok, only I can do that. Not you. At least not in public.”

“Why not” Belle cooed.

“I have certain reactions…You know.”

Belle smiled, “What kind of reactions Shawn?”

They were cut short by the sound of two familiar voices; Mr. Foster, their vice-principal and Mrs. Kurdy, their English teacher. Shawn and Belle scurried away form the legs that appeared next to them. They sat still, straining to listen…”Your place, or mine?” “It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care. We can do it in my office if you want to again.” “Don’t tempt me” the voice purred….Shawn and Belle stared at each other in shock. “They’re fucking” Shawn mouthed. Belle nodded, wide eyed. “I know. Oh My GOD” she mouthed back. Shawn held her mouth as she struggled to contain her laughter. Her eyes watered and he shook his head, fighting his own urge. “Sssssh.”

After a few juicy details, Shawn and Belle were able to escape. The broke into a fit of laughter. Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis’ “Cruisin” pumped from the speakers. “Shawn! We have to dance to this song.”

Shawn grabbed her hand, allowing her to twirl to his chest. She glasped his shoulders. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. They smiled, listening to the lyrics. Shawn mocking the “oooooohs”. Belle grabbed his butt playfully. “Oh baby,” he yelled. He leaned back, “Do you love it when we’re cruising together?” Belle reached up on her toes to kiss him, singing along with Gwyneth. “I love it, I love it.”

When the dance died down and they searched for Philip, Chloe, Jan and Jason. The big party was at a senior’s house- Kevin, the mayor’s son. “Come on, we have to go Chloe.” Chloe smiled, “I know.” Belle grabbed her hand and Jan’s, leading to them to the lobby. She looked back at Shawn and winked. She glanced down at the floor briefly and met his eye again. Shawn gave her a look of confusion. He looked where she gestured…Her lone silver slipper. Sassy little Belle. He threw his hands in the air and reached down to retrieve her hint. Jason and Philip watched him, “What the hell has she got you doing now?” Shawn shook his head, flipping the shoe before catching it. “Belle and I like to play games,” he explained.

He broke into a slight run with Jason and Philip in tow. Belle was near the end of the lobby with Chloe and Jan. He stopped and yelled, “CINDERELLA! YOOO HOOO. CINDERELLA. EXCUSE ME CINDERELLA. YOU LEFT YOUR SHOE BEHIND.” Everyone turned to stare at the crazy platinum headed fella yelling at the top of his lungs.

“Oh my God,” Belle murmered, completely embarrassed. “I didn’t think he do this here?” She broke away and stomped in his direction. “SHAWN DOUGLAS BRADY!!!!”

“Come to me CINDERELLA. Isn’t his what you want?” he sang.

“SHAWN! YOU DON’T HAVE TO MAKE SUCH A SCENE!”

They met in the middle of the lobby, all eyes on them. Shawn smiled and scanned his audience. He stroked the bottom of his chin, “You happy now?”

Belle rolled her eyes and smiled at the crowd, “Hi. Sorry, he’s so loud and EMBARRASING” she explained through gritted teeth.

“Show time Belle. You set the stage, so follow through with it.”

Shawn dropped to his knee and looked up to her smiling, “I’m going to need a little help here.” Belle blushed to a deep scarlet. “Ok,” she said nervously. She lifted her dress slightly and bent her knee. Shawn grabbed her foot tenderly, kissed her ankle, then slipped on her slipper. Belle closed her eyes when everyone started to whistle at the couple. Shawn raised her skirt slightly, playing to the crowd. Belle smacked his hand, “That’s GOOD Shawn, Thank you.” He stood up and the crowd clapped. He gave them a modest bow.

Now that’s romantic, everyone thought.

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

“Why?” Belle begged to Chloe at the valet parking.

Chloe flinched , “Belle! It’s no big deal. We’ll meet you there. Philip and I are just taking a slight detour.” “You promise you’re not trying to ditch us?”

“I promise Belle. Cross my heart.”

“You guys better show up.”

Chloe nodded at the limo driver she hired for the hour. “We will Belle.”

Philip tipped Henderson, “Take them wherever they want to go, for as long as they want. I’ll see you later at the party.”

“Very well Sir,” Henderson bumbled.

Philip joined Chloe at their private limo. He waved to the other couples, “We’ll see you in a few.” Jason looked at Shawn, “Someone’s getting lucky tonight.” Shawn smiled at him, “You think?” Jason rolled his eyes at him, “Let’s go Blondie.”

“Sure thing Al Capone.”

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

(Later, alone in the limo…)

Chloe pushed Philip’s hand away from between her legs. “Just wait a second. I don’t think I can go any further. I’m not ready.”

“Chloe, this was your idea. Do you want to do this or not?”

She smoothed her dress and exhaled. “I do Philip. It’s just not as easy as you think.”

Philip ran his hands through his hair, panting in frustration. “Ok, ok! I’m not pressuring you… But Chloe, I’m a guy. I mean, I have no reservations at all about doing this. Hell everytime I look at you I want to. I know you’re nervous. But I need you to trust me. I promise I won’t hurt you. I just want to show you how I feel. I love kissing you, but it doesn’t even show a fraction of what I feel.”

Chloe remained quiet, considering his words. “Philip, I don’t mean to tease you. I really don’t. And I do understand what I’m saying. But this is a very big deal. And I don’t want to do it until I’m completely comfortable. We’re in a limo for God sake. I’d like think my loss of virginity doesn’t fall into a “back of a seat” statistic. Is that so bad?”

Philip leaned back in his chair, “Is it the location? I s that what’s bothering you?”

Chloe rubbed her temples, “No. Yes. No. Ugggh. Philip, let’s just go to the party.”

He brushed her hair back behind her ear, “Are you sure?”

She looked up to him and nodded, “Yes, I’m positive”

Philip kissed her forehead, then rested his on hers. “Chloe…”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

It was the first time he ever said it.

Chloe met his eyes again. She hesitated for a moment. “I love you too,” her voice quivered.

He kissed her tenderly then tapped on the driver’s window. “The Mayor’s house.”

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

The party was jumping. The mayor and his wife allowed the party with little interference. But only one condition- no alcohol. Naturally, everyone got drunk before reaching the party. Philip and Chloe waved through the crowd. “Where are his parents?” Chloe shouted.

“I guess they’re staying in the guest house tonight.”

“I can’t believe they’re allowing this!”

“Kevin is their only child. He’s a senior. They wanted to make them happy.”

“I can see that,” Chloe shouted back to him smiling.

They spotted Shawn and Belle on a loveseat. “Hey Cinderella,” Philip mocked. Belle waved his comment off. “Glad you could make it!”

“I told you we would,” smiled Chloe.

Shawn wiggled his eyebrow at Philip, “Did you two have a nice…drive?”

Philip gave him the dimples as Chloe wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Are you kidding, like a rodeo” Chloe quipped.

Shawn’s eyes bulged open, “Chloeeeeeeeeeee”

“Shawnnnnnnnnn”

“Come on, I’ll take you for a tour,” Philip whispered into her ear.

“See you guys later,” he shouted.

Shawn saluted, “You the man Kiriakis.”

“Yes I am, Brady. You’re smarter than you look.”

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

Philip led her down the hall to the library. They entered in the dark. He sat on the leather chair and pulled Chloe onto his lap. She lay back against his chest as he held her in his arms. Chloe stared out the window at the full moon. “What a night...” she said softly.

“Hmmmm” Phililp agreed.

Chloe laughed, “Shawn and his ‘CINDERELLA, CINDERELLA!’ I can’t believe them.”

Philip smiled, “Those kids are crazy. They’re great for each other.”

“Yeah, they are.”

Suddenly the door flew open and the lights turned on. Chloe gasped and sat up. It was Kevin, the mayor’s son. “Hey Kevin,” Philip hummed confidently. Chloe stood up and crossed over to the antique love seat. While Kevin and Philip were doing their little handshake greeting, Chloe glanced into the hallway. There were a group of guys standing near the doorway talking. Jason was one of them. He glanced over to her quickly then did a double take. Chloe noticed he had taken his tuxedo jacket off…His tie was loosened. And he had on a gold chain. But most of all, he was staring at her…Chloe looked away uncomfortably.

She turned onto her hip and leaned her elbow onto the chair. She looked over her shoulder to Philip. He was engrossed in conversation now. Small talk. Chloe stood up, “Kevin? Can I have a moment alone with Philip for a second?”

Kevin shrugged, “Sure.”

She followed him to the door, “It’s kind of private.”

Kevin turned to her, “Be cool all right. My mom spends a lot of time in here.”

Chloe batted her eyes at him and rested her head on the door, “Don’t worry. We’re not going to do anything.”

“Yeah right.”

Chloe offered a devilish smile, turning on the charm, “Take my word for it.”

“I don’t know about that,” he torted as he walked away.

Chloe met eyes with Jason. She tilted her head back slightly, displaying confidence. Jason winked at her. Chloe gave him one last dirty look and shut the door.

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

Philip and Chloe emerged from the library thirty minutes later. She allowed him to go a little bit further this time. She let him “touch” her. Chloe shivered at the recollection. While Philip ran his fingers inside and out, she felt mixture of pleasure, guilt, and confusion. Mostly pleasure! Ha! She reached up to kiss the dimple on his right cheek. Poor guy. It took fifteen minutes just for him to calm down. Chloe promised him the next round of exploration was on her. That seemed to only make the situation worse. But Philip took it like a gentleman anyway.

“HEY THAT’S OUR SONG!!!” Jason yelled when someone tried to change the song. He pulled Jan away from her discussion and lifted her up. Shawn and Belle joined Philip and Chloe. Chloe froze, oblivious to the reality around her.

Except for one little pocket of reality…

Limp Biskit’s “The One.”

Jan was smiling as she held onto his shoulders. His tie wrapped around her hands. It was like they were the only two people in the world. He was kissing her neck and Jan was smiling. Jason whispered something into her ear. He picked her up and carried her through the living room.

“Awwwww sheeeeeyitttt” a male voice yelled in envy.

Chloe avoided his stare as he passed by.

“How many people can look back and say they got laid in the mayor’s house?” She heard Shawn say to Philip.

“Not many,” Philip answered under his breath. Chloe blinked, pretending not to hear his comment. Chloe turned to Belle and smiled. “Hey.”

She could see them out of the corner of her eye…He was carrying her up the stairs. And for some VERY annoying reason, it bothered her…