Christyne's "The Teens" Fan Fiction Site
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Chapter 3
"Hello? Chloe, is that you?" She let out a sob, "P-Philip…" Instantly awake, he switched on his bedside lamp. "Baby, what’s wrong?" "I-I’m so scared." Chloe hiccupped from the tears. "Of what? What happened? You want me to come over? I’m coming over—" "No, Philip, I-I just need you to talk to me. Please…" "Ok, ok, it’s going to be ok," he soothed, as he rubbed a hand over his face, frantically thinking of what to say. "I’m here, baby. Whatever it is, I’ll kick its ass." Chloe choked up a laugh. He let out a grateful breath. "Yeah, no one messes with my girl and gets away with it." Her heavy heart lightened with each ridiculous word. Philip heard her sigh and hoped the crisis had passed. "Chloe, please tell me what happened." If only she knew, so she could explain it to him. It all seemed so silly now that his voice so lovingly cradled her. "I just overreacted to something. I’m fine now. Thanks to you." His shoulders relaxed finally against the headboard. "You, overreact? Never!" He was rewarded with a giggle. "So, um… what are you wearing?" Chloe laughed, settling against her pillows, as her eyelids gratefully drooped. ***** "Whoa, K-Man. Heavy night?" Jason gave his old buddy a look of pity, while he pulled on his socks and cleats. Philip yawned hugely and ran his knuckles over his exhausted eyes. "Yeah, whatever, man. Too bad you missed the party. There were girls with legs up to their necks." Jason let out a snort. "Aw, did the girlfriend keep you up? Up, being the operative word." That comment earned some hearty male chuckles throughout the locker room. Philip counted to ten and let out a breath. After a month of random arguments and punches, he’d finally gotten Jason to quit the "Ghoul Girl" and "Vampira" thing. The breakup with Jan definitely helped. Instead, Chloe was now dubbed "the girlfriend" or something to that effect. Philip figured, given another month or so, Jason might actually upgrade Chloe to her real name, accompanied with some respect. But he was trying, Philip reminded himself. Like his girlfriend, his old buddy needed transition time. Philip pulled on his scarred practice gear and thought about the early morning phone call. Something serious was going on with her. He could feel it. But she wasn’t ready to tell him and he’d have to accept that. Or he’d seduce it out of her. Deciding the latter sure had his vote, he grabbed his helmet and ran out to the field with his teammates. After a briefing on next week’s opponents and the day’s drills, the huddle broke and Philip hustled into position. Nearby, several cheerleaders shook their wares in routine, hoping to catch his eye. He didn’t notice. He started the count, shuffling up and down the line of players. Just then, he caught sight of a knockout with a waterfall of tresses waving in the wind, blowing him a shy kiss from the bleachers. Suddenly, a ball shot into his chest, as a giant slammed him to the ground. The red-faced coach angrily blew his whistle, threw down his cap, and shouted for his starting quarterback to get his head out of the clouds. Meanwhile, his teammates chuckled, knowing exactly why ole Phil was distracted. Accepting a helping hand, Philip rose to see Chloe covering her mouth in worry. He flashed her a reassuring smile and waved his helmet. He hustled back to starting and set out to give the practice of his life. ***** "Damn, Belle, are you trying to kill me?" Shawn comically hopped around on his good foot. "I said, I was sorry. Who knew a hammer was so heavy? And greasy," disgusted, Belle wiped her hands on her work jeans, "Next time, get it yourself." "Belle, I asked you for a normal hammer, not a sledgehammer. Lucky for me, I didn’t ask for a power-saw or something. Jesus, I think, you crushed my big toe." Shawn sat on an old tree stump and gingerly pulled off his work-boot. This little piggy was throbbing, but could still move. "Thank God. Note to self: Belle, hammer, no-no." She gave an unladylike snort, hiding her grin. The sun was setting and three sections still needed drywall. Mimi’s central plumbing, roof, and siding were done. Now, the carpentry team concentrated their efforts on the interior. Electricians handled wiring, heating/cooling, and lighting. The volunteers were left in charge of less fatal responsibilities, or so Shawn had thought, rubbing his abused toe. After putting his boot back on, he and another boy carried the measured drywall into the house and fitted it into a slot on the ceiling. "Oh, shit!" exclaimed the sweaty pair in terror, as Belle approached with a power drill. "Now, Belle…" warned Shawn. "Chill, tough boy, this is the fun part," she answered with a wicked gleam in her eyes. Shawn yelped, when the drill tip came within millimeters to his pinky. After the ceiling was in place, he had to admit, Belle had finally found her specialty on the worksite. "Not bad for a girl," said Shawn, taking the sharp jab to his ribs in stride, "At this pace, Mimi’s family will move in within the month. Chloe should be ecstatic with that news." "I dunno, they were getting along alright last night. Maybe they might even miss each other, when Mimi moves out…" His doubtful brown eyes met her hopeful blue. "Nahhh," resounded the pair, laughing. They heard a door slam in another part of the house and realized how quiet it had become. They were alone. After a quick glance at his dusty watch, Shawn gaped, "Crap, it’s almost seven o’clock. We’d better clean up and get out of here." He hurriedly picked up random items off the floor and threw them in the toolbox. As he leaned down, his jeans pulled taunt across his butt. Belle caught herself sighing and shook herself out of her trance. Embarrassed, she quickly grabbed the broom and swept, until the room was enveloped in a dust storm. Coughing, Shawn shielded his nose and mouth. "Belle! Chill, we can hardly breathe in here!" He opened a couple of windows, then pulled Belle out of the house to escape. Still coughing, Shawn gave her a dry look, "Let me guess. You get weekly maid service." She struck out for a playful shove, but smacked his chin instead. "Hey!" he exclaimed, falling backward onto the ground. "Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, Shawn," dropping beside him, cradling his dark head on her lap, "I didn’t mean to, honest." She stopped short, when he broke out in laughter. "Well, I guess, that teaches me to mess with you, Broomhilda." Irritated, she smacked a hand to his chest, making another dust cloud. They both coughed and laughed. "Just look at you, Shawn Douglas Brady. Not so tough now," joked Belle. "Me? Look at you…" And he did. Under layers of plaster dust and smudges of spackle, her bright blue eyes shimmered in humor. Before he could think, his hand caught her cheek, as those eyes blinked in confusion. "Shawn—" "Yeah, look at you," he murmured, as he cupped her neck until her lips hovered over his. "Hey, guys! Where’d you go?" They instantly scrambled apart, just as an exhausted Mimi came from behind the house. "There you are. I’m starved. Wanna go for burgers?" His lips still tingling, Shawn watched, as Belle looked anywhere but him. Finally, he drummed up a smile. "You read my mind, Mimi." ***** Chloe sat patiently, watching the players, one-by-one, walk out from the school’s double-doors. More than a few sent a lascivious ogle and wink her way, but none dared to trespass on Kiriakis territory. Chloe rolled her eyes behind her new glasses. What made boys such morons after a primitive and pointless activity? But then there were highpoints to football, admitted Chloe, remembering Philip in tights. As if on cue, he appeared from behind those double-doors. Hair still dripping from a hasty shower, Philip ran a hand through it, before he zipped up his letterman jacket to ward off the evening chill. When he spotted her, waiting across the street, his dimples flashed. He quickly crossed to her and pulled her into a hot kiss. Gripping his arms for balance, Chloe reevaluated her thoughts on football. "Hi," murmured a breathless Chloe. "Hi, beautiful. Thanks for waiting. Hungry?" "I know you must be, putting in the practice you did today." "Well," he said, his arms circling her waist, "Let’s just say, I was really pumped today, since a particular brunette was in the audience." "Hmm, I wonder who that could be…" Chloe felt his lips curve against hers. "So, no choir practice today?" They settled into a comfortable walk toward the Brady Pub. "Rehearsal, Monsieur Jock," corrected Chloe, "No. The director has the flu and has quarantined herself for the sake of our young voice boxes." "Well, that’s very considerate of her. In the meantime, does that mean I have a captive audience at practice tomorrow?" grinned Philip. "No," laughed Chloe, when his face dropped into a puppy dog pout, "Don’t give me that look. Merlin is much more convincing." "I can’t believe it. I’m being upstaged by a mutt." She gave him a reassuring peck on the cheek. "I should help with the Lockhart house tomorrow, but you never know. I just might drop by to say hello to Salem’s all-county quarterback." "Hey, Phil! Wait up!" Philip and Chloe turned toward the sound of steps running up behind them. Jason and Chloe exchanged acknowledging nods. Finally, they reached the Pub to find Shawn, Belle, and Mimi, recently showered and scrubbed, there. "Hey, you guys!" Belle waved them over. "Come sit." A thoughtful waitress brought extra chairs. After they all ordered, they settled in to chat about the day. Conveniently, Philip and Chloe monopolized one side of the booth, while Shawn and Belle sat on the other side. This left Mimi and Jason together in the extra chairs. The girls looked over the situation and grinned to each other. "What’s the secret?" Philip whispered in Chloe’s ear. She simply smiled and linked her fingers with his under the table. "Mimi’s house looks better and better everyday. We’ll probably be done before the month’s out," estimated Shawn, guzzling down his soda. Belle still kept her distance on the other side of the seat. Considering what happened or almost happened, he should say, at the worksite, Shawn wondered what she was thinking. I wonder what he’s thinking, Belle thought. She plastered a smile to her face, while she turned the night’s events over in her mind. She’d had a crush on Shawn Brady since mid-sophomore year, but he’d never treated her more than like a sisterly nuisance. Until tonight. Did it all really happen? Belle watched, as Philip occasionally whispered something to Chloe, making her laugh. Then, they exchanged a look that could have said a thousand words. How she envied Chloe. It was easier for Philip and Chloe, Belle figured, since they had really gotten to know each other only a couple of months ago. Belle took a glance at Shawn, who was raving about some baseball series to Jason. His smile blazing and eyes sparkling. She inwardly sighed. She had known Shawn D. all her life and was completely lost on how to turn friendship into something more. "…I’m lucky to be alive. Belle here came at me with a sledgehammer." Belle snapped out of her thoughts. "It was a total accident! Is it my fault your foot happened to be in the way?" She smacked his shoulder. Their companions only rolled their eyes and exchanged confirming looks. Denial. In the dictionary, Shawn Brady and Belle Black’s mug shots were printed next to that word’s definition. "So, is everyone going to the big party Friday?" Jason asked. "What party?" Mimi kept her eyes to her glass, pushing ice around with a straw. "We met some hot-looking chicks Sunday and they invited us to a party." Jason didn’t notice, as Mimi’s shoulders drooped a bit. Chloe and Belle wanted to give Jason a good swift kick under the table, but he continued. "Yeah, those awesome legs said, they’ve got an indoor heated pool. Gonna be great! Bikinis in November. Ow!" Chloe and Belle angelically peered at the ceiling. They would’ve whistled, if it were prudent. Mimi sighed into her drink.
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