Chapter 586
SALEM UNIVERSITY
CLAIRE: Apparently, our boyfriends are roommates.
ALANIS: Really?
CLAIRE: Yeah. At least, I assume they are. Chase was telling me over break that he’s rooming with this guy named Maddox and, since Maddox isn’t a really common name, I kinda figured it was the same Maddox you’ve told me about.
ALANIS: No way! That’s so awesome!
CLAIRE: Yeah.
ALANIS: I mean, what are the odds that we’d get paired up, and so did our boyfriends? It’s like fate, or something!
CLAIRE: It’s pretty crazy, yeah.
ALANIS: I wonder why Mads didn’t say anything about that. I mean, I’ve told him about you and how sweet and gorgeous you are, and that you have a boyfriend named Chase.
CLAIRE: Well, who knows? Maybe he just had other things on his mind.
ALANIS: I guess. Anyway, it is so awesome! Now I’m so glad that we’re doing this Queen tribute tomorrow night at Harrison’s! I mean, I was always excited about it, but even moreso knowing that we all kind of know each other. I can’t wait for you to meet Mads, and I can’t wait to meet Chase.
CLAIRE: It should be a good night. Anyway, I should be getting to my first class. I’ll see you later.
ALANIS: Okay. Bye, rommie!
CLAIRE: Bye.
Claire picked up her backpack and left. She sighed as she walked to her class.
CLAIRE (thinking): Okay, maybe Chase was right. Maybe we should find out more about the situation before we tell Alanis what’s going on.
BRADY PUB
Jennifer and Abby were having breakfast together.
JENNIFER: Well, this is nice. I mean, I know we got to spend some time together at the party last week, but it’s nice to be able to catch up like this.
ABBY: Yeah. So, Mom, when are you gonna tell me what’s going on?
JENNIFER: What do you mean?
ABBY: Mom, don’t do that. Don’t try to act like everything’s fine when we all know that it’s not. What did you mean by what you said about Hope on Thanksgiving?
Jennifer sighed. She looked around to make sure nobody was listening in.
JENNIFER: Don’t you think Hope was acting just a little strange on Thanksgiving?
Abby shrugged.
ABBY: I mean, I guess. I didn’t really get much of a chance to talk to her or anything. Why?
JENNIFER: She just didn’t seem at all like herself when I talked to her.
ABBY: Well, it was a busy day. Plus, Caroline just died, and I know they were close. It was a tough holiday for everyone.
Jennifer shook her head.
JENNIFER: It wasn’t just that. I can understand being sad about Caroline, we all are, but there was more to it than that. I’ve known Hope almost my entire life, and we’ve always been close. If it was just that she was sad about Caroline, she would have told me. No, this was different. I mean, Hope wasn’t even acting like herself at all. It was almost like she was a different person entirely.
ABBY: Okay. Well, what do you think that was all about?
JENNIFER: I have no idea. But I intend to find out.
HORTON CENTER
Jade was folding some clothes. Her phone buzzed, she had put it on vibrate since Emmy was taking a nap in the other room. Jade picked up the phone.
JADE: Hello? Yes, this is Jade Michaels. Hi, Dr. Horton. Did you get the results back? Okay.
There was a knock on the door. Jade went to open it. Eric was on the other side, holding a box in one hand. Jade let him in and mouthed “One second”. Eric nodded and took a seat, as did Jade.
JADE: Okay. Right. You’re sure? Okay. Thank you. You too. Bye.
Jade hung up the phone.
ERIC: Everything okay?
JADE: That was Dr. Horton. She called back with the results of the tests she ran on Emmy after Kristen stole her.
CHLOE’S CAR
KINSEY: It’s not that I don’t want to do the right thing, it’s just…
Kinsey sighed.
CHLOE: What?
KINSEY: I’m nervous.
Chloe pulled into the parking lot of the Hudson Street Diner and turned the car off. She turned to look at Kinsey.
CHLOE: I understand that. It makes sense that you’re nervous. I totally get that. But, like I said, you were defending yourself. And if you tell the police, I’m sure they’ll see that, too.
Kinsey sighed again. Chloe took her hand.
CHLOE: Look, I know this is scary. But I’m with you through all of this, okay? I’ll be right by your side the whole time, and if you need anything, I’ll be here. Besides, I’ve met Green before, I can testify to what he was like. You’re not gonna be alone in this, Kinsey, I promise.
KINSEY: Really? You’d do that for me?
CHLOE: Of course I would. You’re one of my closest friends. I wouldn’t make the drive from Chicago up here if I wasn’t gonna stick around to help you through all of this.
Kinsey leaned in and let Chloe hold her.
KINSEY: Thank you so much, Chloe!
CHLOE: Of course.
KINSEY: And you’re sure your lawyer friend will believe me?
CHLOE: I know she will. And even if she doesn’t at first, I’ll make her believe you. Like I said, Kinsey, I am not gonna let you go through this alone. I’ll be here every step of the way.
Kinsey wiped her eyes and took a deep breath.
KINSEY: Okay, let’s do it.
CHLOE: Okay.
KINSEY: Um, can we eat first? And then, once we’re done, I’ll talk to your lawyer friend.
CHLOE: Sounds good. Give me a sec to call her and then we can go in.
Kinsey nodded. Chloe pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
CHLOE: Hey. Have you got any openings late this morning or early this afternoon? Something has come up and I wanted to talk to you about it, see if you can help. No, it’s not with me, it’s with a friend, but I’ll be with her. Okay, we’ll see you in a couple hours, then.
