Michelle packed the last box of nic nacs that had sat on her mantel and handed the box to Jeff. She was moving, and almost the same people that helped her move in, helped her move out. She had bought the house that was near Rachel and Adam. Two deaths in the house unsettled her. She looked around for a last look, when the phone rang.
Rachel answered the phone, and could hear breathing on the other end. "Hello?" She asks. A few seconds of breathing, and then the person hangs up. She stares at the receiver and then at Michelle.
"Who was it?" Michelle asks.
"I don't know. The person never spoke up, they only breathed." Rachel said, as she hung up the phone.
"You think it was Keith?" Jeff asks, walking back into the room to gather the two women to leave.
"Let's sure hope not." Michelle says, as she pulls the phone cord out of the wall, to take the phone with them.
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Sarah sat by her phone staring at the picture that her cousin had taken of herself and Chris. She really liked Chris. She closed her eyes and thought about the last time she had seen Michelle. She had wanted to talk to her so bad. The only thing that stopped her was a phone call from Kurt. Maybe they were together, but was Michelle happy?
If Michelle was with Kurt, could she possibly be with Chris, she wondered. She shook her head and looked at the picture again. Even if they were together, there would be something missing. That one special something, that Michelle would always have. She put the phone down, and then the picture on top of it.
Sarah had hung up on whoever it was that had answered the phone. It wasn't Michelle, it was probably one of her friends. Maybe it was for the best. Was it a mistake that she wanted to play match maker, she thought? Chris was a very sweet man.
Picking up the phone again, and putting the picture in a drawer, she dials Chris. For some reason she needed to hear his voice.
"Hey Sarah, what's up?" Chris asks, as he hears her voice on the phone.
"What is that echo? Are you in the shower?" She asks laughing.
"Fozzy rehearsals." Chris said laughing, as he turns on one of the faucets to take a shower.
"Moongoose!" She squeals, and starts to laugh.
It was so nice to hear his voice. It was sweet, not like her last boyfriend who yelled at her all the time. She didn't want to fall for him, but in her heart she knew that she was.
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Beth lay on her bed staring at the ultrasound picture the doctor had given her. He had pointed out everything, even the heartbeat. How could she have even thought about killing such a life? She was seven weeks pregnant, how could she not have known sooner? Maybe it was because there were so many things that were going on at the moment she thought. Paying attention to her body had been the last thing on her mind.
"Are you OK in there?" Trendi asks, as she walks into Beth's bedroom.
"Here, look at this picture." Beth says, and hands her the ultrasound picture.
"Is this a joke?" Trendi asks, as her eyes widen."Does Jeff know? How far along are you? Are you going to keep it?"
"No, No, seven weeks and yes I am going to keep the baby. I probably should tell Jeff, but I am so not ready yet. I don't want him to think I want anything from him. I don't want him to think I trapped him either. I am so through with him, Trendi." Beth says, as Trendi hands her back the picture.
"Are you really sure you are through with him?" Trendi asks, as she leaves the room to answer the ringing phone.
Beth lay in her bed listening to Trendi on the phone. It must be Jeff, she thought. Trendi was becoming a pro at telling Jeff she was either asleep or not home.
Trendi walks into Beth's bedroom still talking on the phone. "She's doing OK. You love her too much to cheat on her. You should, yes. Later then." She says, and hangs up the phone. "Beth, you really need to tell him. He deserves to be in the babies life. Just hear him out. Have you ever really heard what he had to say?" Trendi asks.
"No, come to think of it. I can't do it over the phone though. Maybe if I ever go visit Michelle again, I will see him." Beth says, as she puts the picture on her pillow.
"Better make it soon."Trendi says, as she leaves Beth laying on her bed thinking.
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It was a Saturday and Lily lay in bed at her brothers house listening to the voices in the next room. Matt, Chuck, Sean and Scott were discussing work at the breakfast table. She sure hoped Chuck didn't let anything slip about the other day, she thought. Maybe she should go make sure he didn't slip up, she thought, as she got out of bed.
"Teresita is doing another interview on me again. This one magazine didn't want the same interview as the other magazine." Matt said, as he forked eggs into his mouth.
"What is Lily doing today?" Chuck asks Matt.
"I don't know. Developing pictures I guess." Matt says with a shrug. "I did ask her to go though, and she said no."
"Yes, I am developing pictures." Lily said, as she entered the room, and put an arm around Matt and kissed him on the cheek. She looked at Chuck and smiled. "Sean, did you put together that room for me like I asked?"
"No, I thought I would leave it up to you." Sean says, as he receives a dirty look.
"Sean, I needed your help." Lily whines.
"I'll help you." Chuck says, as he brushes past her to put his dishes in the sink.
"Ummm."Lily says, as Sean interrupts her.
"See, you have help. Thanks Chuck. While I take my wife out, you guys can be working on that. Matt has his interview, and no one will bother you. You can get it done in a second." Sean said, and snapped his fingers.
"And I have a signing." Scott said, and stood up to leave.
Lily played with her eggs. Could she stand being alone in Sean's house with Chuck? Especially if they were cooped up in a small dark room together. She was so lost in thought, she didn't hear Matt speaking to her.
"Are you OK?" Matt asks her.
"I...I am fine." Lily says and smiles. If only he knew, she thought.
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Adam sat resting on Michelle's couch in her new house. Rachel lay with her head in his lap, trying to catch a quick nap. She was already uncomfortable laying down at just over five months pregnant. She wondered what it would be like when she was almost full term. Adam's hand lay on Rachel's swollen stomach, as the baby play soccer with her insides.
Jeff lay shirtless and sweaty on the floor. He rested his head on an arm and closed his eyes.
"Hey sexy." Michelle says laughing when he jumps at the sound of her voice. "Did I scare you?" She asks, as she sits on the floor next to him.
Jeff looks at her and roles over mumbling to himself.
Michelle looked at Adam with a look as if to ask what was wrong with Jeff. Rachel opened her eyes, unable to sleep.
"Jeff, have you heard from Beth?" Rachel asks her younger brother.
"No." He says, and rolls over to look at Rachel. "I feel like giving up. I did absolutely nothing wrong, and she still pushes me away. I call and call, and she's either asleep or not home."
"Don't give up!!" Michelle says, almost yelling at him. She covers her mouth, as she almost blurts out Beth is pregnant. "Jeff, just give her a little more time. She'll come around."
"Have you given up Michelle?" Jeff asks, as he puts his back to the couch.
Michelle thinks for a moment, and decided to tell him how she really feels. "I miss Chris, but he is with Sarah. I have seen them together almost everytime Chris has to be somewhere. I don't talk to him, I am afraid of what stupid things will come out of my mouth. Sarah came walking towards me, and I played like I was on the phone. The nerve of her. Why would she want to talk to me? Adam, have you met her?" Michelle asks. "Chris needed his space from all women. What is she, dog meat?" Michelle asks laughing.
"I didn't cheat on Beth." Jeff says, as he pulls his knees up to his chin. "I love her too much to ever hurt her." He says, as a tear rolls down his cheek.
"Don't cry! Rachel will cry and I don't want to hear her cry." Adam laughs, making Jeff laugh with him.
Rachel starts to laugh as Jeff reaches over and kisses her on her cheek.
"OK, maybe we should make a small bet." Adam says to Jeff and Michelle.
"A bet?" Rachel asks.
"Yeah, to see who can do the right thing to get the love of their life back." Adam says as he rubs Rachel's stomach.
"Money bet?" Michelle asks.
"No, a bet for Love and Happiness, that would be the only thing we should win." Jeff says with a smile.
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Chris sat in Michelle's driveway and looked at the sold sign. He had not even known that she was even going to move out. He had really lost touch with his friends lately, he thought. Michelle was on his mind half the time, and he really needed to talk to her.
Backing out, he almost hits a black Nova that was parked on the opposite side of the street. He only noticed it when the man in the car started to honk violently, and he was only inches from hitting it. He shook his head as if to clear it, and drove home.
He made it home and fell onto the couch. The silence was loud, until the phone started to ring.
"Chris?" A female voice said.
"Cindy?" Chris said, as his heartbeat went back to normal.
"When are you coming back out to the ranch?" Tommy asks.
"What's the scoop on you and Sarah?" Cindy asked after Tommy finished his question.
They had to be on speaker phone Chris thought. He wondered if Sarah was there with them.
"I'm not sure when I will make it out there next. I have so many things going on right now."Chris said, ignoring Cindy's question.
"Chris, what about Sarah?" Cindy asks him again.
"It's a nice gesture. Wait that really doesn't sound right. Sarah is sweet, but if I can't put my heart into it like I want.....we are just friends." He says and sighs.
"Does she know that?" Cindy asks.
"Yes, I think so." Chris says, as he puts a pillow under his head.
"Enough about Sarah. Chris, are you almost finished with the CD yet?? " Tommy asks.
"Almost through. Bass parts aren't finished yet. Ever since Dan left, we haven't been able to find anyone that could replace him. I hear Metallica wants him." Chris replies. "I have another phone call coming through, I will talk to you guys later." He says and clicks over find his father on the other line.
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Lily sat on the couch and looked at pictures that she and Chuck had developed together. He had actually been a very big help to her, and hadn't even breathed a word about what had happened on the beach. It was almost as if it had never happened.
Chuck was in the kitchen preparing dinner, as she put all her pictures in a safe place. Matt had called and said he was going on the rest of Teresita's interviews with her. Sean was still off with his family, so it was them two alone for dinner. She hoped Chuck was a good cook.
She sat at the table as he placed a plate of food in front of her. "Wow, this is really great." She said, as she tasted the mystery meat in front of her.
"Did you think I couldn't cook?" He asks.
"What is it?" She asks, of the food on her plate.
"Crab, carrots and sausage." He says, as he takes a bite of the sausage on his plate.
"Delish." She says smiling.
He reaches across the table and takes her hand. He turns it over, and kisses her palm.
Lily starts to laugh, he had found one of her ticklish spots. One spot that Matt had not found yet.
"What are you laughing at, the food isn't that bad." Chuck asks with a chuckle.
"It tickles." She says, pointing to her palm. He kisses her again on the palm and then starts to travel up her arm with kisses.
The kisses sent shivers up her spine. It was never this way with Matt, she thought. "Chuck.." She said, as he interrupted her.
"Shhh, don't say anything." He stood up and pulled her to her feet. He pulled her close to him, as his lips searched her body.
Their eyes met, and that was the last thing she remembered.
Chuck pushed a few of the dishes aside, and lifted her onto the table. He wrapped her legs around him and pulled her even closer. He knew she could feel him, feel the need he had for her. They were alone, why not do what adults do, he thought.
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Matt had finally arrived back at Sean's house. He was tired, and all he wanted to really do was take a nice hot shower. He had had so much fun with Teresita, even if it was just doing interviews with her. He got to meet so many new and interesting people. He even promised he would go out on a few other interviews with her.
He entered the house, and could hear groaning coming from another room. He started to chuckle, as he thought of Lily watching porn. He stepped into the family room, and the TV was on news. As he followed the noise to the kitchen, he stood in the doorway open mouthed unable to move.
"Lily?" He said hoarsely, backing out of the room.
"FUCK!" Lily yells, as she sees him. She tries to button her shirt with shaky hands.
"Matt." Chuck says, as he pulls away from Lily. He zips his pants, and walks into the other room to talk to Matt. "Matt we need to talk."
"What could you possibly say?" Matt asks through gritted teeth. "You're fucking my girl."
"I don't want to clear it up, you saw what you saw. There's just something you gotta know." Chuck says, as Lily walks up behind him.
Matt shakes his head and starts to laugh. He looks at Lily and without word he walks out the door.
Lily runs after him, almost falling in the yard. "Matty, come back!!" She yells, as he drives away. She walks back into the house, and looks at Chuck. "Well, do you want to finish what we started or what." She asks, as he pulls her to him.
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Keith sat outside of the abandoned house, almost wishing he hadn't come to town. He had thought about staying with the nice family, but he always finished what he started. He looked at his gun, and opened it. He sighed, and remembered he had taken out the bullets, and left them at the house. The gun was useless.
He looked at himself in the rearview mirror. He wondered if Michelle would even recognize him since he had gotten all his hair cut off.
"Can I help you?" A woman relator asks as she walks up. "Did you want to look at the house?"
He thinks for a moment, and nods his head. He needed this, he thought. Maybe it would give him some kind of closure. They enter the house, and she leaves him alone to go through it. This was where Shawn was killed, he thought. This was where he attacked her. With that thought, he began to weep like a lost child.