Summer Breeze II: The End of Summer (Read 6,904 times)

[André DiMera]

Chapter 2

I think it has something to do with the girl I've met, my happiness, I mean. There's this one girl from Wales who's just the summer move out here with her dad and her sister. Apparently, her dad is Melanie Kiriakis' big brother, and he and Philip used to know each other when they were kids. But there's something about this girl. I don't know what it is. Every time I'm around her, I feel...happy.

SALEM PLACE
Sydney was sitting at a table, writing in her journal. After a few minutes, Ceri walked over.
CERI: Hi.
Sydney automatically closed her journal. She looked up and smiled.
SYDNEY: Hi.
CERI: Anyone sitting here?
SYDNEY: No. Please, sit down.
Ceri sat down across the table from Sydney. Both were smiling.
CERI: How are you?
SYDNEY: Good. How are you?
CERI: Good. What's goin' on?
SYDNEY: Nothing. Just writing in my notebook. You?
CERI: Looking around Salem. I was hoping I'd find you, actually.
SYDNEY: Yeah?
CERI: Yeah. I wanted to ask you something.
SYDNEY: What did you wanna ask me?
CERI: Well, there's this movie that I wanted to go see. The new X-Men movie. I was wondering if you'd be interested in seeing it with me.
SYDNEY: I love the X-Men! And, I'd totally love to go with you.
Sydney's smile broadened.
CERI: Great. When would you wanna see it?
SYDNEY: I'm open to see it anytime. Besides, you're the one that asked me out. When do you wanna see it?
CERI: How about Friday night?
SYDNEY: Yeah, Friday sounds good.
CERI: Great. Then, it's a date.

JAVA CAFE
Claire, Ciara, and Theo were sitting down at a table.
THEO: So, Claire, you're gonna graduate this year. Where are you goin' to college?
CLAIRE: I have no idea. And, that's actually part of why I wanted to talk to you guys. I need help deciding which college I should go to.
THEO: Well, there's always Salem U. That's where I go.
CIARA: And, that's where I'm going after graduation.
CLAIRE: Yeah, but everybody here goes to Salem U. And, as much as I love Salem, I don't wanna stay here forever. I wanna go out and explore the world.
CIARA: Maybe you should.
CLAIRE: What do you mean?
CIARA: Well, my mom and dad told me that when your dad was a kid, they took him sailing around the world.
CLAIRE: Well, yeah. And then that led him and my mom to take me sailing around the world. But, I don't even remember that. I was only, like, five.
THEO: I think I'm getting Ci's point now, Claire. It's been a while since you went out around the world. Maybe it's time for a bit of an adventure.
CLAIRE: Yeah, maybe.

[Kpatch]

It's really good to see Sydney smiling and taking a chance at being happy!

I applaud Claire's adventurous spirit. I wonder where she'll end up going to college.

Thanks for the chapter, Andre.

[fluffysmom]

I almost forgot that Ciara is Claire's aunt. How weird. I'm glad to see Sydney feeling happy for a change.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 3

SALEM PLACE
It is now a new day in Salem. As she was a few days ago, Sydney was sitting at a table, writing in her journal. She liked using Salem Place to write in her journal almost as much as she liked the park. Really, it all depended on what mood she was in. After a moment, someone came up behind her and put their hands over her eyes. At first she jumped, but then she heard the voice.
WILL: Guess who.
Will is revealed to be standing behind her. He took her hands off of her eyes. Sydney looked behind her and smiled.
Sydney jumped out of her seat and gave Will a hug.
SYDNEY: You're here! I'm so glad to see you!
WILL: I'm glad to see you too, kid. And, of course I'm here. When you called, you said that you needed to talk. And, I know it took me a little while, but I'm finally here. So, what's going on?
Sydney and Will sat back down. Sydney filled Will in on most of the important details of what had been happening to her lately.
WILL: Is it getting any better now that you're on the medications?
SYDNEY: Yeah. I haven't had a blackout since I started them. Plus, Grandma thought it would be god for me to write my thoughts down in this journal.
WILL: Yeah, that's a good idea. Syd, I'm so sorry that I haven't been here.
SYDNEY: It's okay. I don't blame you. You have a job and a life outside of Salem now. You can't come every time your baby sister gets hurt.
WILL: I know, but I could have watched out for you more when I was still in Salem. After all, you're my sister and I care about you.
SYDNEY: I know you do. At least, more than mom does. And I care about you, too.
WILL: Hey, mom does care about you. Now, I know she's not mother of the year, and she's finally starting to admit that, too. And, I know that she makes a lot of mistakes. It took me a long time to learn this, but if there's one thing I know about mom, it's that she loves all four of her children, you being one of them. She loves us all more than we could ever know. She just doesn't always know the right way to show it.
SYDNEY: Yeah, I guess.
WILL: So, you mentioned a girl earlier. You said that you like her. A lot. So, come on, let's have some details. What's her name? What's she like?
SYDNEY: Her name's Ceri. She's from Wales. She has a twin sister named Rhiannon. She's blonde. She's beautiful. And, she's really sweet. And, I get really happy whenever I'm around her.
WILL: Good. I'm glad to hear that.
SYDNEY: Will...I think I like her. As in “like her” like her.
WILL: You know what I think?
SYDNEY: What?
WILL: I think my baby sister's falling in love.

DIMERA MANSION
JOHNNY: Of course I've put bugs around the apartment. That's why I need her so badly. She needs to get here before the party.
Pause.
JOHNNY: She'll be here by the end of the week? Excellent.

[sportsgirl]

Who or what is Johnny talking about???

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad Will is here for Sydney. Still wondering what Johnny is up to.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 4

Will says I'm in love. Maybe I am. I don't know. I don't think I really know what love is. All I know is that, when I'm around Ceri, I feel different. I feel happy. I feel good. So, maybe Will's right. Maybe I am in love.

PHILIP & MELANIE'S APARTMENT
Philip, Melanie, and Nicholas were all sitting in the kitchen of the apartment.
MELANIE: How's the planning for the party coming?
PHILIP: Excellent. Shawn and Belle are definitely gonna be there.
NICHOLAS: As will Bo and Hope. We've got a venue, a caterer.
MELANIE: Really? Who's catering?
PHILIP: Well, I did say Shawn and Belle were coming. And, Shawn owns the Brady Pub.
MELANIE: Makes sense. So, what else do we need?
PHILIP: Fliers. We need to make sure that everybody in Salem knows about this party.
MELANIE: Well, if you need anybody with a bit of technical knowledge...
PHILIP: I was hoping you'd volunteer.
Philip and Melanie kiss.
MELANIE: What else?
NICHOLAS: This party needs music. We need a D.J. And, it's gotta be a good D.J.
PHILIP: When I lived in Chicago, I made friends with a kid who was a D.J. He's not a kid anymore, but he's still working.
NICHOLAS: Is he good?
PHILIP: He's great. I'll call him now.
Philip got out his cell phone and dialed a number.
PHILIP: T.Y., how's it goin'?
Pause.
PHILIP: Great, thanks. How's the radio business?
Pause.
PHILIP: Good, good. So, listen, I got a request for you.
Pause.
PHILIP: No, not for the show. I have a request for you to make an appearance at the end of the month.
Pause.
PHILIP: Yeah, I need you to come down to Salem for a few days. Mel and I are hosting an end of summer party. We need music, and you're one of the best D.J.s I know. How about it?
Pause.
PHILIP: All right. I'll e-mail you the details.
Pause.
PHILIP: Yeah, sounds good. Thanks a lot for doing this. Oh, and when you get a chance, play “Misty” for me and Mel, okay?
Philip laughs.
PHILIP: All right, dude, thanks.
Philip hung up the phone.
PHILIP: Well, we have music.
NICHOLAS: Great. This is shaping up to be one heck of a party.

[Kpatch]

I love reading Sydney's journal entries. I'm glad she's getting in touch with herself and finding a little happiness.

I can hardly wait for the beach party, especially with TY serving as DJ. Calling him was a stroke of genius on Philip's part. TY is the perfect choice! I'm glad to know he's still in the biz after all these years.

[MrsM]

Just got caught up. Great start Andre!!

[fluffysmom]

I'm enjoying Sydney's journal writing. I wonder what will happen at the party.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 5

I'm nervous. Why am I nervous? I've been in this exact same situation a handful of times. It's just me and Ceri. But, this time is different. This time, it's a date. I've never been on a date before. I've never even thought about dating until I met Ceri. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that Ceri asked me out. But, I don't know what to do. I've never done anything like this. I asked Grandma Marlena about it, and she says to just be myself and go with the flow. So, I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens.

SAMI & LUCAS' APARTMENT
There was a knock at the door. Lucas opened it.
LUCAS: Can I help you?
CERI: Hi. I'm Ceri Alamain. I'm here to see Sydney.
LUCAS: Oh, so you're Ceri. I've heard a lot about you. Lucas Horton.
Ceri and Lucas shook hands. Just then, Sydney came down the stairs.
CERI: Wow!
SYDNEY: What?
CERI: You look beautiful.
Sydney blushed.
SYDNEY: I don't. Not really. But, thanks.
CERI: Well, I think you do.
SYDNEY: Thanks. I think you're really really pretty.
CERI: Thanks.
Sydney walked over to Ceri. The two held hands.
LUCAS: So, where are you two off to tonight?
CERI: We're gonna go see a movie.
LUCAS: Great. Well, have fun.
SYDNEY: Thanks, Lucas.
LUCAS: I'll be seeing you next week, since you're spending this week with your grandparents.
SYDNEY: Okay. Sounds good.
LUCAS: And Ceri, have her home by midnight.
Ceri chuckled
CERI: I will, Mr. Horton.
Ceri and Sydney left.

PARK
Still holding hands, Ceri and Sydney were making their way to the movie theater.
CERI: Lucas seems nice.
SYDNEY: He is. I guess I never really thought about it, but other than Grandpa John, Lucas is the closest thing I have to a dad.
CERI: What happened to your real dad?
SYDNEY: He's dead.
CERI: I'm sorry.
SYDNEY: It's okay. He was...
CERI: He was what, Syd?
Sydney sighed.
CERI: If you're not ready to talk, you don't have to. But, when you are ready, I'll be here for you.
SYDNEY: I don't know much about my father. I was ten when he died. But, I do know one thing: my father was a very bad man. He used to hurt my mother before she married Lucas. And then, once she and Lucas married he...my father...he...
Sydney stopped walking. Ceri noticed a tear in her eye.
CERI: Sydney, what is it?
SYDNEY (whispering): I'm scared.

[MrsM]

Poor Sydney. She has just been through so much.

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad that Lucas takes good care of Sydney. I wonder if Sydney will open up to Ceri.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 6

Flashbacks. I'm not sure why I get them. I know that I get them whenever I start thinking about daddy. And, when I get them, it's like I start spacing out and end up in my own little world. They're different than when I switch personalities. I haven't switched personalities since Dr. Adamson told me to start taking these meds. But, flashbacks, that's a different story.

PARK
Sydney is now sitting on a park bench. She's crying, breathing heavily, and rocking back and forth. Ceri is knelt down in front of her, trying to talk to her.
CERI: Syd? Sydney, what's wrong?
SYDNEY (crying): I'm scared. I'm really really scared. Please, please don't hurt me.
CERI: Sydney, why would I hurt you? I'm not gonna hurt you, it's okay.
Ceri saw Sydney's purse sitting on the bench next to her. She wouldn't normally do this, but she didn't know what else to do. She went into Sydney's purse and got out her cell phone. She had heard Sydney talk about her Grandma Marlena who was a psychiatrist. So, she looked up the number and dialed.
MARLENA (VO, over phone): Hello, this is Dr. Evans.
CERI: Dr. Evans, my name's Ceri Alamain. I'm hanging out with your granddaughter, Sydney.
MARLENA (VO, over phone): Oh, so you're Ceri. Sydney's told me about you. What can I do for you, dear?
CERI: Like I said, I'm hanging out with Sydney and she's kind of freaking out a bit.
MARLENA (VO, over phone): Can you expand on that?
CERI: She's crying, her breathing's heavy, she's rocking back and forth, and she keeps saying that she's scared.
MARLENA (VO, over phone): She's having a flashback.
CERI: A what?
MARLENA (VO, over phone): A flashback. It's a name that she and I use for panic attacks. Along with a few other...issues that Sydney has, one of her issues is a form of Anxiety Disorder. There's really no way to predict when it comes on, but at times, Sydney will get panic attacks.
CERI: She keeps saying she's scared. What's she scared of?
MARLENA (VO, over phone): Her father.
CERI: She told me her father was dead.
MARLENA (VO, over phone): He is. Look, there are some things you should know about Sydney. But, if she is having a panic attack, then I don't wish to tell you them all right now. For the moment, all you need to know is that her father was a very evil man.
CERI: So, what am I supposed to do?
MARLENA (VO, over phone): Just talk to her. Try to comfort her. Talk her through the panic attack.
CERI: Okay, thanks.
Ceri hung up. She got up and sat down next to Sydney, who was still crying and breathing heavily. She started rubbing Sydney's back and put her arm around her.
CERI: Ssh. It's okay. It's all right. You're okay.
SYDNEY (crying): I'm scared.
CERI: I know. I know you're scared. But, it's okay. Your daddy's gone. He's never gonna hurt you ever again. And, even if he wasn't gone, I wouldn't let him hurt you again. I'll protect you.
Sydney's breathing, slowly, went back to normal. After a few minutes, she stopped crying.
SYDNEY: Ceri?
CERI: Yeah, Syd. It's me. I'm here. It's okay.
SYDNEY: I'm sorry.
CERI: It's okay. It's not your fault.
SYDNEY: Thanks for helping me through the flashback.
CERI: No problem. Like I said, I'll protect you. I'll be here for anything that you need. So, is there anything you need right now?
SYDNEY: I don't know. Could you hold me?
CERI: Yeah, sure. Come here.
Ceri put her arms around Sydney, and Sydney laid her head on Ceri's shoulder.

[MrsM]

Wow. Poor Sydney. Glad Ceri was there to help her.