Chapter 45 - What's my age again?

"In dream I see her, eyes smolder pools of fire, lips glisten dews of rose, and hair cascades waves of dawn…"

"Oh… my… God…" she whispered. He was the one…

"Katie, hurry it up!" he called out, before he rushed into his room. And stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes wide and his complexion paling. "What… what're you doing?"

Her mouth opened and closed, yet unable to produce a single sound. All this time… He'd been the one… Her mouth still agape, cheeks aflush, she remained weakly seated on the floor, looking up at him. Her mind wiped clean from shock.

In two strides, he crossed to her and snatched the journal from her hands. But it was too late. She'd already seen the contents. He turned away to scan exactly what she'd read.

After moving the snoring puppy to the floor, Mimi carefully gained her feet, her hands trembling. "Jason… I-I'm sorry…" Although she wasn't entirely sure that she was. "I just… I'm sorry."

He closed the cover and stroked the binding. There he was. Completely exposed. Within the leather-bound covers held the feelings, hopes, and dreams that he hadn't dared voice. Whether it was because he was a guy and wasn't supposed to have any of the things that made one vulnerable or weak. Human. Or because only through ink and paper was he really able to come even close to that elusive thing called truth. All the same, he was at a loss. After all, what did one do, when one's soul was involuntarily bare for another to see? For that was what his journal held. The innermost secrets of his soul.

"Jason," she said, wringing her hands, "I'm really sorry. I know… I know it's got to be really private-"

"Forget it," he croaked. Then cleared his throat to speak softly, "Some of it I wrote for you anyway."

She swore her knees buckled. "You… You put those notes in my locker."

Embarrassed to an indescribable degree, his jaw clenched. He said nothing.

She didn't know how long they stood there, him staring down at his journal and her staring at him. Finally, after closing her eyes and taking a fortifying breath, she looked back at him and forced her legs to move. She slowly made her way, until she was beside him and could reach up to his cheek.

His eyes widened in surprise, and before he had even a chance to recover, she rose on her tippy-toes and brought her lips to his. He stood there immobile. In complete and utter shock.

Then, she drew back and said softly, "Thank you."

He was speechless. The soft light that trickled from the window made her hair, her skin look so soft and silky. And her big brown eyes took his breath away.

Her mouth twitched at his reaction. Or lack of it. But she knew now. And it made her bold. "Are you always this articulate?" she smiled.

His face reddened even more, if that were possible. "Mimi, I…" I have no idea what to say to you. Once again. For the nth time.

"So…" she began, her smile widening at his endearing attempt to speak. She took his wide hands in her dainty ones. "I was wondering…" Soaring with newfound bravado, she looked up, so that brown eyes met green. "Do you have a date yet for the Last Blast?"

His jaw simply dropped to the floor. In that moment, he honestly felt lightheaded. "Uh…"

She bit down on her bottom lip, displaying her first outward sign of nervousness, since this moment began. After all, this was the first time she'd ever asked a guy out. "Jason, would you go with me to the dance?"

The pitter-patter of little footsteps approached. "Oh, Floppy's asleep," Katie said, disappointed, from the doorway and only had eyes for the little ball of fur curled up on the floor.

"Uh, Katie," said Jason, before his sister could walk further into the room, "Could you, uh, give us a sec?"

His little sister tilted her head in slight confusion. Then, her mouth formed a big round "O," before she smiled knowingly, as she looked from Jason and the girl, who'd brought Floppy. "Ok." Since the big kids seemed preoccupied in mushy matters, they wouldn't mind, if she took the puppy with her, so she picked up groggy Floppy and headed for her own room.

"She's sweet," Mimi said, not really knowing what else to say, since he hadn't given much of an answer.

"Yeah," he replied absently, "Listen, Mimi…"

"It's okay, Jason," she babbled, her heart sinking, "If you're already going with someone else. No biggie. I mean, I should've known. I mean, it's only like a week away and all and-"

Flummoxed under this barrage of Mimi-talk, he threw up his hands and did what he'd been wanting to do for a long time. He pulled her against him and kissed her. And kissed her. And kissed her. Heck, it worked for Mimi, didn't it? After the initial bone-melting surprise, she relaxed in his arms. He pulled back with a slow Cheshire grin. "What I was trying to say was, you beat me to it… I kinda wish I could've had the balls to ask you first." He tucked a long silky tress of chestnut brown behind her ear and smiled. She was amazing. "But this works."

"Philip… Philip…"

Gradually, his drowsy eyes opened, his vision cleared. Her eyes glowed, enchanting, as her hair rained all about him.

She smiled. "Philip," she whispered again. Then, her eyes drifted closed, her neck arched back, as he reached out to caress that silken skin. His lips sought hers, even as he pressed her back against the fragrant sheets. Lavender. Sweet lavender. His mouth journeyed downward, tasting, consuming. She moaned. The throaty timbre arousing him to no end.

"I love you, Philip," she said.

Thunderous applause.

"Bravi! Bravi! Bravissimi!"

"Well done!"

"Encore!"

Looking up at her, he smiled with tears of pride.

Radiant under the bright lights of center stage, she curtsied and beamed out into the audience. In her arms were endless bouquets of roses and trinkets. How they adored her. How he loved her.

She curtsied and curtsied. The applause was deafening. Slowly, she stepped backward, as the curtains drew.

"Chloe!" he called out, "Wait!" He approached the base of the stage and handed out his own bouquet of long-stemmed velvet red roses.

She continued to back away, taking no notice of him. Soon all he could see was her silhouette, as the lights winked out. The curtains closed nearly shut, just as he saw another tall figure walk up to her, bringing her hand to his lips. Then, the figure turned in his direction and flashed his cold blue eyes and victorious sneer.

"You lose, pretty boy."

"No!" Philip reared out of bed, his heart racing. His eyes darted this way and that. "Chloe?" Fragile dawn streamed in through his bedroom windows. "Oh, God." He buried his face in his hands.

"Oh, this is going to be so perfect!" chirped Belle.

Although Mimi had now an irrepressible smile of glee plastered across her face, she kept the squeals to a minimum. One could've called her superstitious, but these past months taught her to take nothing for granted. So, she'd simply bask in her latest - oh, who was she kidding - her first romance, privately so as not to tempt the fates. "Well, I'll feel better thinking about the dance - after tonight."

"Oh, you'll be fine," assured the head spokesperson for insurmountable optimism. "Better than fine. You'll bring down the house!"

Mimi giggled. Only Belle.

"Ladies," greeted Chloe with her morning books cradled against her chest, "How are we this morning, or do I really need to ask?" She shot Mimi a feminine smirk. "Have we seen your leading man this morning?"

"Chloe!" blushed Mimi. "Let's keep this thing with me and Jason on the down-low for now…"

"Hey," teased her friend, "Who said anything about Jason? I was talking about Brian."

"Morning, ladies." With his favorite baseball cap on backwards, Shawn sauntered over with a quiet Philip not far behind. Shawn cocked a dark Irish brow. "Ok, what're you giggling about now?"

"Oh, nothing," giggled his girlfriend and gave his scruffy cheek a kiss.

Stifling her own giggle, Mimi took sudden interest in the Velcro of her notebook.

Chloe shook her head at her giggling comrades and then looked to Philip to share a secret smile. But after one glance at his face, she was by his side, interlacing her fingers with his. "Um, Philip, would you walk me to class?"

He did his best to work up a smile. "Sure. See you guys later."

Their friends exchanged looks. The first bell hadn't even rung yet. But Philip and Chloe were already gone.

With his hand in hers, she led him out to the small school courtyard. Where a year ago he'd asked her forgiveness for the bet and her belief in his genuine feelings for her. Where later she'd told him how he'd changed her life by inspiring her faith in herself and others.

So, they sat down on an old wooden bench, circling a thick tree trunk. She took both his hands in hers. "Tell me?"

He sighed, looking down at their joined hands. "I-I'm ok. Just a little tired, that's all."

But she'd seen that look in his eye. She'd recognized it. "Trouble sleeping?"

He closed his weary eyes. "I'll be ok."

Aching for him, she drew her arms around him and just held on. Offering comfort.

His eyes burned, as he buried his face in her hair. Lavender. Sweet lavender.

She stroked his back and began to hum - hum the first song they'd ever danced to. When his arms tightened around her, she sighed. Her sweet Philip. He'd always been the one to chase away her demons. "You know… Nancy and Craig are going to Chicago Friday and won't be back until Saturday night. A girl gets awfully lonely in that big house all by herself."

He pulled back and gave a weak smile. "Secret slumber party?"

"Yeah," she replied, pressing a reassuring kiss to his lips, "For two."

"So, who you taking to the Last Blast, man?" asked the shortstop, guzzling down his water in the middle of the hazy baseball diamond.

Dusting off his practice cleats, his teammate coolly expectorated to the side. "Kelsey Simpson."

"Damn, she is hot."

"Don't I know it," smirked the boasting boy, "Can you say Salem Inn, Room 306?"

His teammates chuckled. "You mean, the backseat of your stupid Chevy?"

"So, who you taking, Jase?"

"You mean, how many?" added another boy. His teammates broke out in macho chuckles.

Jason merely smoothed back his hair and pulled on his cap. And shrugged. Damn, it was muggy today, he thought vaguely. But playoffs were next week, and they'd be coming off the weekend for the first game. So, they'd better get in some serious practice today. He wasn't into the intricacies of strategy or thrill of leadership like Phil was, but he understood diligence, when the goal was clear and worthwhile.

"Hey, dudes," indicated a teammate with his chin. "Check this out."

Reflexively, Jason followed the gazes of his teammates. And felt his palms break in sweat.

Mimi Lockhart, who was obviously out of her element, nevertheless stepped out onto the field and headed as casually as she could toward the boys. She didn't have a lot of time, as the drama club was completing the final preparations for tonight's opening performance. She'd decided after some nervous deliberation that it just wouldn't do to shout his name from the fence to get his attention. Along with that of the rest of Salem High. Such a scene would spark gossip, which would spread like wildfire. She of all people should know. So, she thought the more subtle and classy route would be to approach him, as if it were as commonplace as leftover fruitcake in January.

Jason unconsciously wiped his palms against the front of his practice uniform and took off his cap. Then, he walked to meet her halfway - well, more like three-quarters, since his strides were significantly longer than hers. "Hey."

"Hey," she replied, telling herself the warmth in her cheeks was due to the humidity.

Jason's eyes shifted a bit, when she didn't say anything more. "Uh, what's up?"

"Um…" she struggled. Damn, this liberated woman stuff was tough. "Tonight's opening night, you know, for the play?"

He nodded and smiled a bit, imagining her in her simple thin white costume. He'd snuck a few peeks in the auditorium during the week.

"Um, with you being my tutor and all… and probably one of the few people in the audience that really understands it… well… you're coming, right?" There. She said it.

His lips widened into a grin. "Yeah." This girl was amazing. "Wouldn't miss it."

Flattered, she gave a relieved smile.

"Mimi!" called the girl, who would play her cousin Hero, from behind the chain link fence. "Mr. Branagh needs you to get back here! And we've gotta get Larry down again! Come on!"

"Ok!" shouted Mimi, before she turned back to Jason. "Well… I guess I'd better go."

"Yeah," responded the six-foot tall jock, who felt an odd curl within his chest, "I gotta get back to practice."

"Well… See ya." Mimi took an uncertain step backward.

"Yeah. See ya." He gave an awkward wave, since he had absolutely no idea what else to do. The softening glow of the late afternoon sun made her features almost ethereal.

"Mimi!" Hero called out again.

Mimi chewed on her lip. Then, she mentally shut off that incessant voice of self-doubt and forced herself those two steps forward, before she lost all nerve. And she reached up and pulled him down for a kiss on the cheek. "See ya." Blushing to her roots, she quickly retreated off the field.

With a dazed Jason watching after her.

Then, he was jolted by the sweaty arm of a teammate slung across his shoulders. Soon, the rest of the rowdy bunch joined him. "Uh, Jase, buddy, you dropped something there," chuckled his teammate, holding out Jason's cap.

Still unable to find his voice, Jason took back the cap, which he must've dropped, when she… when she kissed him. In front of everyone.

"Damn, dude," said one boy, "You sure know how to pick 'em."

"Yeah, talk about prime piece of ass."

Snapped out of his reverie, Jase's brows furrowed, his fist unknowingly clenched. "Alright, guys, we need to get back to practice."

"Mimi Lockhart," drooled another boy, "Check out the rack on her."

"I said," barked Jason, grabbing the front of the boy's uniform, "Knock it off!" Infuriated, he shoved the shocked boy backward and stalked off for some Gatorade and a personal time out.

Leaving his teammates collectively gaping. Then, shortstop Webster let out one long whistle. "Uh oh…"

"Aw, shit," echoed the third baseman.

The shaken boy tried to smooth out the front of his uniform. "What happened?"

The other boys shook their heads in pity. "Jase's got the K-Man bug."

Eyes shifted automatically to the base of the stands, where their venerated captain, Philip Kiriakis, was taking his own personal break to flirt with his girlfriend. Bombshell Chloe Lane sat with her legs dangling over the edge of the first tier and, with one long graceful finger, twirled the hair behind his ear. She laughed, as he leaned in and whispered something to her in her ear. Completely oblivious of his surroundings, much less the stares of his spying teammates, Phil raised her knuckles to his lips.

His teammates could've hurled, although more than one secretly looked on with some envy. They diverted their attention back to where Jason had disappeared. And once again, shook their bachelor heads.

It would seem another one of their ranks was about to fall. And fall hard.