"like sands through the hourglass... so are the...Days of our Lives"

Christyne's "The Teens"  
Fan Fiction Site

Chapter 8

Same day, Dot Com

"We’re going to have go deep on this one- beyond our capabilities," Kevin answered.
Mimi raised her eyebrow, "Tell me, tell me."
"I think we should hire a private investigator."
"Huh?" Mimi groaned. "Hire? Are you crazy? No, uh huh. That involves money, which I have none. And even if I did, I still wouldn’t spend any of it on Chloe Lane of all people. Sorry Kevin, but I have my limits. I don’t care how it affects my grade."

Kevin cracked his knuckles to gather his thoughts. "Ok, I understand this is really stretching it."
"Way stretching it," she assured him.
"I was merely thinking of solutions. I never really thought about whom could foot the expense. Maybe we could just bill her, or Mrs. Wesley. Or Mr. Woods, the school, I don’t know."
"I don’t think anyone is going to pay for this Kevin. You better think of something else."
"All right, all right. So it was a bad idea. I’ll think of something else."
"It wasn’t a bad idea. It was just one we can’t do," Mimi said.
"What about the other wishes?"
"Since you seem to be so interested in dealing with Chloe’s outrageous wishes, I’ll let you continue to pursue them. I’ll try to deal with Phil’s."
"How? What’s your plan Miss Lockhart?"
"Don’t worry about it Kevin. You just take care of Chloe, and I’ll deal with the K-man." Actually, Mimi had no clue how to deal with Phil’s wishes. But she wasn’t about to tell Kevin that, unless she became desperate. Which she wasn’t, at least not yet.

Kevin stared at her wide eyed with worry.
Mimi rolled her eyes, "Look, I’m going to see if I can meet with him tonight, or tomorrow for sure."
"And?"
"Kevin! Just stop it. Your paranoia is getting on my nerves. Have a little faith that I can pull this off."
Kevin held his breath and shook his head. "Sure Mimi, whatever you say." He stood up and gathered his books. Mimi looked him up and down admirably. "By the way, that new look does you a lot of justice."
Kevin locked his jaw and gave an indifferent sniff. "I’m going home now, to work on my project. I’ll see you tomorrow. Oh, and good luck with Philip."
Mimi gave him a smile, "Thanks."

Kevin made a quick exit from Dot Com, which didn’t go unnoticed by Jan. Nor the fact that he didn’t seem to know or care that it was SHE that had made the wish for him to be cooler.

***

Philip and Chloe lingered at the counter after ordering their drinks. They eyed the booth where Jason and Jan sat arguing.
"They’re both here. How do you want to deal with this? Do you want to talk to Jan?"
Chloe shook her head vehemently. "No way. I cannot deal with that girl."
"Chloe, come on. It’s our assignment."
"I know, but still."
"You want to deal with Jason?"
Chloe watched the two bickering. "Nope, not him either."
"Chloe! We talked about this."
"I know, but to each other. Dealing with them is a lot different."
"We can’t avoid them."
Chloe sighed in frustration, "I know."
"Just talk to Jan."
"Absolutely not. You talk to her. At least you guys were friends at one point. She’ll at least listen to you."
"Maybe."

She looked at the duo again. Jan caught her staring and shot her a deadly glare. "All right, I’ll deal with Jason, or try to at least. Not that he’s any better, but it’s better than the alternate."

Philip squeezed her hand gently. "We’ll get through this," he offered optimistically. He looked up when he noticed Jan in a bitter departure from Jason. He pointed in her direction. "Hey, I’m to try to catch up with her."

Chloe gave him a quick kiss goodbye. She made her way to Jason, who now sat alone. He flashed a toothy smile and gave her an exaggerated welcome. Chloe rolled her eyes and took a seat across from him. "No need to use the act on me. I know it’s all a lie."

Jason’s face fell and reddened with a hint of irritation. "Would you rather I be rude?"
"No, I’m just saying you don’t have to be fake around me."
Jason’s jaw clenched to hold back a retaliating comment. "What’s up?" he managed instead.
"I’d like to discuss your wishes."
Jason slumped back comfortably, "Bad timing. I’ve got some other things to take care of right now."
"Like what?"
"Stuff."

Chloe raised her eyebrow, "Okay then, I won’t ask. But I still need to talk to you. When is a good time for you?"
Jason shrugged and finished the last sip of his drink. "Later tonight I guess."
"Do you want to meet some where in particular?"
Jason stood up, "I don’t know. I call you."
Chloe looked up to him and nodded, "Fine."

Jason left Chloe and wandered outside to find Jan. He stopped in his tracks when he noticed her sitting at a bench down the street with Philip. They appeared to be in deep conversation. This piqued his curiosity, and he was half tempted to interrupt. Were they talking about the wishes, or something else?

Maybe she was trying to get revenge by making him jealous for breaking up with her to date Mimi. It was definitely Jan’s style to do something like that-especially with someone like Kiriakis. Jan never let someone get the best of her without some form of revenge.

He watched stood off to the side and watched them closer. Interestingly, they appeared too serious to be flirting. Maybe they were talking about the stupid wish assignment. Which reminded him- he still didn’t know what her wishes were, nor had he done anything to help grant Mr. Woods and Susan’s.

Jason’s train of thought broke when he noticed Belle and Mimi running across the street together to get into Belle’s car. Jason walked briskly in their direction, hoping to catch them before they drove off. "Hey Mimi, wait up!" he yelled out.

***

Later that afternoon, after school

Susan found Brady working out at the Penthouse fitness center. She bit her lip nervously when she found him on the floor hammering out a set of push-ups, shirtless and sweating. When he didn’t seem to notice her presence, she cleared her throat. Brady stopped and looked up to her. "It’s you again. Susan, right?"

"We were cut off before. I told you about our Good Will Project, and my assignment. You know, about your sister’s wish for you to… stop being so angry and make peace possibly. Brady stood up and scoffed at her. "Yes, I remember. Unfortunately, my problems go far beyond some petty little homework assignment."

Susan gave him a frown of disgust. Not good-especially when she was PMS-ing. "You know what, everyone’s got problems, but for some reason you seem to think yours are more profound and a reason to be bitter at the world no matter what, even if it hurts people. Obviously you have serious issues, and way beyond what anybody else could fix."

Brady stared at her in astonishment as Susan continued her tirade. "You know what’s sad? Your sister is like the sweetest person I know. How she could be related to you is beyond me. Not to mention the fact she obviously deserves better. But hey, at least she doesn’t allow you to influence the way SHE acts."

"Tell me how you really feel," he quipped.
Susan glared at him, "No problem. Basically, I’m done trying. I’m out of here."

Brady watched her go with curiosity. "Hey!" he yelled after her.
Susan turned around and looked at him. "You just going to give up that easily?"
"Just like that," she assured him. "Trust me, I can already tell this is a lost cause."

She pushed the door open and left without allowing him to respond. Susan was halfway through the Penthouse lobby when she heard Brady calling her name out. He scanned the lobby until he caught eye with her familiar braids. She ignored him and proceeded to the exit. Brady jogged up next to her.

Susan turned to him, "What?"
"Ok, you got me."
"Got what? What is there to get Brady? You’ve got a major attitude problem, and you want to hold onto it no matter what. I’m not going to let you waste my time."
"Can you just shut up and let me talk for a second?"
"Don’t tell me to shut up. I’ve been more than patient with you."
"Fine, I’m sorry."
"Really?" she asked sarcastically with her hand now on her hip.
"Yes, really."
"What did you have to say?"
"That I get your point, sorta. That this ‘thing’ of mine really affects my sister- so much that a complete stranger has to get involved and confront me about it."
"How noble of you to acknowledge that."
"Just let me finish. Can you do that?"

Susan gave a slight nod and lifted her chin in curiosity. She met his eyes reluctantly.

"Look, I’m not going to make any promises. I’ll talk to Belle about this, and I’ll keep an open mind when I listen to her. But I assure you, my ‘issues’ are not trivial, nor something I will indulge to you about. It’s something between my immediate family and I, and I want to leave it at that. Comprende?"

Susan gave a nod of acceptance. "Works for me. As long as you try, just as I have."
"That I will do, for Belle."
"From the sound of it, you need to do it for yourself as well."
"Hmmm," Brady grunted in reply.

Susan withdrew from his gaze to move out of the way for a passerby.

"You have really nice cheek bones," Brady said suddenly, out of the blue.

Susan blushed and looked away in embarrassment. She covered her cheeks with her hand and mumbled, "I got to go." She walked off abruptly. She felt him watching her as she exited the circular doorway.

She walked down the stairs and rounded the street corner. She stopped and leaned against the wall, touching her cheekbones as if suddenly aware of them for the first time.

Her face broke into a helpless smile at the compliment.

***

Same night, Belle’s bedroom

Mimi lay on her back staring at the ceiling while Belle organized her make-up compartment. She was still in a daze from this whole Jason mess- whatever it was, real or fake. Either way, he was so outrageously good looking that it was definitely starting to interfere with any clear thinking she may have had. It was accelerating and growing like a snowball.

She sat up on her elbows. "Belle?"
"Yeah Meems?" Belle said over her shoulder.
"When did you notice that you had a big crush on Shawn? I mean, what were the symptoms you had?"

Belle whipped around, "Mimi! What are you talking about?"
"I’m serious! When did you stop thinking of him as just a friend?"
"We are just friends."
"Belle, don’t pull that right now. I need you to be straight with me."

Belle sighed and set down her blush. She stood up and crossed the room to sit next to Mimi. She looked at her thoughtfully. "I guess it just happened one day. I just saw him in a completely different light. And ever since then, I keep getting these like intense bursts. It’s kind of hard to describe…"

"Ughh!" Mimi grunted.
"What? I’m sorry, I did the best I could. It’s not easy to put into words," Belle insisted.
Mimi stood up and paced the room, "No, it’s not that. I understand, trust me. It’s just weird, that’s all."

Belle examined her best friend. "It’s Jason isn’t it? Your really starting to fall for him, aren’t you?"
Mimi rolled her eyes and fumbled with her hair. "No…yes… I guess… I don’t know. I feel like I’m starting to lose my mind."
"Why?" Belle wailed.
"Because, it’s just very complicated Belle. It’s like it’s real, but it’s not. And then there is the whole Jan thing. Part of me is afraid, and another is happy and intrigued."

Belle’s face curled into a smile. "Oh Mimi. Mimi, Mimi, Mimi."

Mimi rubbed her neck. "This sucks!"
Belle gave a knowing laugh, "Don’t I know it. Welcome to the club."
Mimi waved her hands in the air, "Ok, I can’t I can’t be thinking about this too much. It’s scary."
"Have fun stopping," Belle said with a sly grin.

Mimi reached for the phone. "Screw this. Right now, I’m going to work on my homework assignment. I’m going to call Phil." She dialed his number and forced herself to clear her head.

Henderson answered and put her on hold for what seemed like an eternity before Phil finally picked up. "Phil, it’s Mimi," she said glumly.
"Hey Lockhart, what’s up?"
"As you know, I’m your personal genie. Kevin is too of course, but he’s working on Chloe’s cuz, well, you know, he’s just more cut out for her wishes."
Phil frowned, "Yeah?"
"So anyway, I was wondering if you could meet me tomorrow night at the library to discuss your wishes."
"Why the library?"
"Because that’s where your solution lies?"
"What? My solution is a bunch of books."
"Not a bunch, just a couple. A couple of very good ones I might add, and specifically tailored to your problems."
"I’m not going to read a bunch of books Meems."
"Oh yes you will Phil. If you care what’s best for you and Chloe, and your parents, then you’ll read as much as you have to."
"Whatever," Phil grumbled.
"Is 8 o’clock a good time?"
"Eight is fine," he replied.
"Adios my amigo," she concluded.
"Adios," he said, and hung up the phone.

Philip slumped down into the couch frowning. He was really starting to hate this assignment. He thought about his discussion earlier that day with Jan. The girl was beyond uncomfortable talking about her parent’s marital woes. He actually felt bad for her, not just because of her discomfort, but because he could relate- and he didn’t have the slightest idea how to help her.

They did the best they could to brainstorm together. They came up with one idea that had a temporary effect, but it was still worth it. A romantic evening for both parents; treated to a private dinner at Tuscany or the Penthouse Grill, with their parent’s favorite love songs. It was a long shot, and although Jan had a glum premonition that her parent’s would still find a way to argue even if anything did go perfectly, they agreed to give it a shot.

At least it was a start.

***

Wesley home, late evening

Chloe answered the door, surprised to find Jason. "You know I gave up on hearing from you an hour ago. Thanks for calling before you showed up, by the way."

He stood outside, refusing to go inside. "I had some stuff to do. Come on, I’m hungry. I haven’t ate different yet."
"What makes you think I’m going to go with you now?"
"Whatever. I’ll be out in the car. I’ll give you two minutes. After that, I’m leaving with or without you."

Chloe watched him as he returned to his truck parked out on the street. She went into the living room and grabbed her backpack. Craig and Nancy were completely absorbed in the movie they were watching. "I’m going out with another student to work on a homework assignment."

"At this hour?" Nancy asked with a hint of disapproval.
"Hey, I’m not crazy about it either," Chloe answered. "But it’s pretty important."
"Be home by ten," Craig said sternly without taking his eyes off the screen.

Chloe entered Jason truck. They drove silently until they pulled up to feeding hole of choice, Lady Vi’s. "I’m craving ribs. You ever had theirs? They’re really good. My dad gave me some money and told me to bring him back some."
Chloe shook her head, "No, I’ve never ate here. I’m a vegetarian."
"Oh," Jason answered, rolling his eyes.

They were seated immediately. Chloe ordered an ice tea while Jason ordered a plate of baby backs and double fries. She looked around the place curiously, noticing business was rather slow that night.

Chloe took out her notebook and clicked her pen. "So, Jason, you want to be as rich as Philip."
"Boy you just get right to the point, don’t you?"
"This is a scholastic meeting Jason, not a social call."
"You are so annoying with your little academic talk. Are you ever going to talk normal?"
Chloe felt her blood boil. She gave a sarcastic sigh and ignored him. "A millionaire. You want to be millionaire. Do you have any rich relatives on their death bed? Or the winning lottery ticket floating around your house somewhere. Several thousands of dollars to throw into a high-risk investment?"

Jason gave her a dirty look. "You think this is funny, don’t you?"
"No, I don’t," she answered quickly.
"That’s why Phil sent you. Cuz he knew he would embarrass the crap out of me for wishing I’d be as loaded as him," Jason said bitterly.
"Not exactly. We made a deal. He deals with Jan, I deal with you."
"Gee, I wonder why."
"As I was saying…"
"Look, you know this assignment is a bunch of crap. It’s too unrealistic. We’re set up to fail, and you know it."
"Maybe not. Maybe it’s not about granting wishes. Maybe it’s about something deeper."
"Lovely," he retorted.

They were interrupted by the waitress with Jason’s order. "That was quick," Chloe commented. The waitress smiled and explained that their service was always quick this time of night. "Is it even fresh?" Jason asked, a bit disbelieving. The waitress gave him a look that he should no better than to even ask.

Jason plunged into his ribs ravenously. Chloe allowed him to eat in peace. When he turned to look away for a minute at the restaurant’s newest entrants, Chloe snuck a fry off his plate. "Hey!" he yelled, catching her. "Get your own!" He licked his fingers. "Don’t steal my fries."

Chloe rolled her eyes, "You have plenty."
"I don’t care. They’re mine, and I’m hungry." He gestured for the waitress, "Can you get her an order of fries please?" The waitress nodded.
"On a separate bill," Chloe requested.
Jason looked at her curiously.
"I don’t want to tap into your fortune," Chloe said sarcastically.
"Whatever Chloe Lane, whatever. Anyway, I’m serious about this though. You would not believe the freaking wishes Mr. Woods and Susan want," he added with no regard for their privacy. "They’re impossible."

"Have you had any luck working on them?" Chloe inquired.
"Nope, haven’t even tried," he explained bluntly.
"Then what have you been doing this whole time?"
"Dealing with my own wish," he said, licking his fingers again.
"How selfless of you."
Jason shrugged and muttered, "Oh well."

Chloe scribbled in her notebook again. "You said that you only wanted ‘attractive’ girls to fall all over you. Any specific names so we can ensure your wish is granted completely?" She had to hold back a smile for that one, it was so ridiculous.

Jason noted her dark humor. "Don’t worry about. It’s being taken care of, thanks to Phil."
"Great."
Jason wiped his fingers. "What about Jan? What are her wishes?"
"I’m not a liberty to say."
Jason mocked her, but Chloe stood her ground. "Come on Chloe. She’s my partner.
I’m bound to find out eventually."
"Not by me you wont," ensuring her safety.

Chloe’s cell phone rang suddenly. She reached into her bag and answered the phone. "Kevin? Hey…"

***

Kevin paced his bedroom barefoot as he relayed his research efforts for her wishes to Chloe. He told her about his idea to go ahead with a private investigator, and the prices he was quoted. "Do it," Chloe encouraged him. "Send the final bill to my mother. That will be the price of refusing to tell me herself."

Kevin was amazed by her passion for this particular wish. He thanked her for allowing him to choose this method given its expense. He also informed her that he had sent emails to the top recruiters at Julliard and forwarded Chloe’s contact information. He could hear Chloe smile of approval all the way through the phone.

He heard a familiar voice in the background. "Who’s with you?" Kevin gaped when she told him it was Jason Welles of all people, and that they were at a restaurant, alone. "Wow," Kevin repeated. "I would hate to be his wish grantor."

There was a sudden knock on the door. "I’m on the phone," Kevin relayed curtly. The door opened slowly and an even bigger surprise stuck him that evening as Jan walked in. "Uhh, Chloe. I got to go. I’ve got… company." He hung up the phone and set it down on his computer desk.

He stared at his guest in stunned silence. She appeared tired and a bit irritable. She eyed Kevin and his room décor curiously. It looked as if Kevin just stepped out of the shower. He was wearing black athletic shorts, a navy blue t-shirt, and his hair was still wet. Sans glasses. And lord help her, he had beautiful feet.

It wasn’t even his desirable image that shocked her as much as his bedroom walls did. Every inch was covered with posters of beautiful women- models, singers, actresses, foreign and domestic. Jennifer Lopez stood at the helm of his shrine right above his bed. Present, although less eye-catching was his computer station and an enormous bookshelf loaded with references.

Jan gulped in disbelief. This was something she never expected. Kevin’s room was twenty times worse than Jason’s- which consisted more of athletes than beauties. Kevin was a true male pig, a walking hormone. The nerd image was a façade. It had to be.

"I suppose you know already," she said in a croaked voice. She felt herself blush. She touched her throat curiously- was she getting sick?

"Know what?" he asked, still stunned that Jan Spears was in his room. She met his eyes coldly, "Don’t play dumb on me." She stepped past him to regard a black and white poster of a beautiful woman she didn’t recognize- another brunette. Seemed to be the predominating trend on display.

Kevin stood behind her, watching her curiously. He relished the simple fact that he stood much taller than her. On a good day, he pushed 5’8. Girls were either eye level or hovered over him. She whipped around, "Well? What do you have to say?"

Kevin hunched his shoulders in confusion, "I still don’t know what you’re talking about."
Jan sneered at him, "If you want to play it that way. Fine. Looks like I’m not the only one with secrets."
Kevin looked around, "What? The posters? I have nothing to hide. I like to look at beautiful women. So what? It’s normal."

"THIS isn’t normal," she snapped.
"Okay, so it isn’t. I’m not going to take them down, if that’s what you’re getting at."

Jan put her hands defensively on her hip and changed the subject. "Are you going to continue with this new look?"
"No."
"Why not?" Jan asked in exasperation.
"Because it’s not me."
"So! You look good like this."
"I don’t care."
"What is WRONG with you?"
"Nothing is wrong with me. I just don’t want people to start treating me different because of the way I look," he argued.
"Who cares?"
"I do. I think it’s shallow and stupid. And I won’t play it anymore. I want something more substantial. I want a girl that likes Kevin for Kevin."
"Part of Kevin is what you look like."

Kevin shakes his head in frustration, "You don’t get it."
"Yes I do. You have the ability to be so hot. You could have girls falling all over you, but you chose not to. And why? Because you’d rather be an outcast loser? For what?"

Kevin glared at her. "It’s a shame how ugly you are on the inside given how beautiful you are on the outside."

Jan stared at him. She couldn’t believe they were having this rather impassioned conversation.

Nor could he.

"Why, cuz I say what I want and I’m in control."
"You’re fooling yourself. Control is just an illusion. You’re unhappy, and a bitch, plain and simple," he fired back.

Jan suddenly had tears forming in her eyes. "Don’t you dare insult me," she choked in a horse voice.
"How could I? You’re the one without feelings. You’re the one who’s ‘in control’, right?" He shook his head in irritation.

"I hate you," she blubbered.

Kevin watched her as she lost her composure. And it was then that he realized what this was all about. SHE was the one that wished that he was cooler.

He reached out for gently. "No you don’t, and that’s what’s killing you, " he whispered as he reached down to kiss her. Jan melted instantly into his arms, opening her mouth to his eager, yet tender tongue. He stopped and held her face in his hands. He traced his lips over her tears, savoring the salty flavor.

Jan stared at him vulnerably. "Kevin," she murmured. "This isn’t happening. This can’t happen."
"Ssshhhh," he insisted, silencing her with another kiss.

Jan started blubbering again. "I can’t, I can’t. I’m tired of everything. I’m getting sick. Jason’s seeing that bitch Mimi. I can’t stand Chloe Lane. My mom is cheating on my dad, and I, I…"

"Want me," he said, finishing her sentence.
"No," she said, trying to resist the reality.

Kevin took her hand and led her to the bed. She lay in his embrace, crying in frustration. He said nothing, just holding her- a small pocket of heaven. For a moment, amongst all the other beautiful women surrounding her, although none as beautiful as her in his mind, she was able to forget all about her worries and the ugly world she shamefully created and lived in.

He gave her complete euphoria. One she never experienced before in life.

An hour later, she looked back at him and his adorable feet as she stood at his bedroom door. She blew him a kiss, having no idea what came next.

Was she strong enough to face it?

What really just happened? And why, she asked herself…

to be continued...