Tuesday - 12/14
HORTON TOWN SQUARE
Claire and Chase had both finished work, met for dinner, and were now walking around the Square looking at decorations. Claire sighed.
CHASE: Everything okay over there?
Claire nodded.
CLAIRE: I just love this time of the year! The snow, the decorations, getting together with friends and family.
CHASE: I love it, too. Christmas, New Years, and right after, our anniversary. It’s a great time of the year.
CLAIRE: Yeah! It’s crazy to think that in about two and a half weeks, it’ll be a whole year that we’ve been married!
CHASE: It is! And I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, my Songbird. It’s been the best year of my life.
CLAIRE: Mine too.
Claire and Chase kissed.
CHASE: And of course, after our anniversary in the new year is that trip to Europe.
CLAIRE: Yep! That’s gonna be awesome!
They walked hand in hand through the Square, eventually coming upon the pond, which due to the cold had frozen over and become a skating rink, as it did most years.
CHASE: Shall we?
CLAIRE: It’s practically a tradition by now. Let’s do it.
Claire and Chase walked into a nearby skate shop, each rented a pair of ice skates, and after putting them on, skated on the ice.
SAMI & LUCAS’ APARTMENT
Johnny had finally finished unpacking. There was a knock at his bedroom door. He opened it to find Allie, holding Tabitha in her arms.
ALLIE: Tabitha wanted to say good night.
JOHNNY: You’re going to bed already? It’s super early.
ALLIE: Yeah, I’m kinda tired from all the stress over finals week and the excitement of the party.
JOHNNY: Gotcha.
ALLIE: Though, there is something I wanted to talk to you about before I turn in for the night.
JOHNNY: What’s up?
Allie shut the door.
ALLIE: It’s about what we discussed earlier.
JOHNNY: What about it? I thought we agreed that the best thing to do was to stay away from the guy.
ALLIE: Yeah, I know, and I agree, I should stay away from him. I was wondering, do you think he might have anything to do with the disappearances at Salem U lately?
JOHNNY: I don’t know. Why would you think that?
ALLIE: I don’t know, maybe I’m just letting my imagination run wild, but after everything you told me, I have to wonder if there’s more to him just being kinda weird and making inappropriate comments about me.
JOHNNY: There could be. But, like I said, if I find out that there is, I’ll deal with it. You don’t have to worry, Al, I’ll take care of you.
ALLIE: No, I know. I was just thinking, maybe you don’t need to swap roommates.
JOHNNY: Uh, did you miss the part where my roommate’s a creep who’s perving on my sister?
ALLIE: Yeah, I get all that. That’s why I think you shouldn’t swap roommates. I don’t know what it is, but something tells me he has some connection to the disappearances. Call it intuition or something like that. And if he does and he tries something, wouldn’t it make sense to be his roommate so you can try and figure out what he’s up to? I overheard your dad, or maybe it was André, say something once. Something like “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” And, much as I hate to agree with either of them, no offense, I know they’re your family, I think they might be right about this.
JOHNNY: You’re really freaked out about this, huh?
Allie looked down and petted Tabitha.
ALLIE: I’m trying not to be. I’m glad you told me, it’s better that I know than not. Anyway, I’ll be fine. Alanis and my therapist have both taught me ways to calm myself down, and holding Tabby helps, also.
JOHNNY: Okay. Well, I will at least consider what you said.
ALLIE: Thanks.
JOHNNY: And for the record, your cat’s kinda cute.
ALLIE: Aw! You love her!
JOHNNY: I didn’t say that.
ALLIE: You do, though! I knew you would! See, Tabitha? Your Uncle Johnny loves you!
JOHNNY: Shut up!
Allie giggled and Tabitha meowed.
JOHNNY: I will think about what you said, okay?
ALLIE: That’s all I ask. Well, I’m off to bed. Good night.
JOHNNY: Good night. Good night, Tabitha.
Tabitha meowed again, and Allie left the room. Johnny pulled out his phone.
JOHNNY: It’s me. I just started break this afternoon. We need to talk. There’s something that I might need your assistance with. Tomorrow? Sounds great.
