Simone's New Start ~Chapter 10 ~First Heartache~
by Mademoiselle Butterfly

Chapter Ten


It’s now October first in the spell-bounding town of Harmony. An early Saturday morning as we go in search of the developing and youthful Simone Russell. We soon appear back at the Harmony University dorms and to Keri Hall, to see her sitting in her room. Apparently, preoccupied with counting up her funds she’s saved over the past summer. She was counting up exactly how much money she had made to afford her own luxury item, a brand new car.

Looking over, her cash flow she saw that she still would have to work mighty hard to achieve that dream, and probably go to her parents for some help as well. She sat there pondering deep thoughts, wondering if she could pull this off through the Christmas Rush, she decided that she would definitely need to pay a visit to her parents. Just then, Kay entered the room wearing a pair of her favorite sweats with the local Harmony Police Academy logo printed on them. They were some of the most comfortable clothes she had ever worn next to her pajamas. She stood with her reddish brown hair pulled up into a short ponytail and with one hand holding onto a bag full of unwashed laundry and the other held a half eaten bear crawl. Kay’s face showed some maddening frustration. “Hey, Simone.” she said coming in with the bummed expression.

“Hey, Kay.” “What’s wrong?” Simone asked.
“Nothing, you can help me with sadly.” Kay responds putting down her bag.
“Really, what’s up?” Simone asked turning towards her.
Soon, pacing back and forth in frustration Kay went into a rant about how the student laundry quarters were out, every last dryer and washing machine. “It’s suppose to be some kind of electrical wiring problem.” She remarked.
“Really?” Simone asked looking over at all the dirty clothes, etc that were piling up in her hamper.
“Yep,” Kay replied turning on the television to watch Saturday’s morning cartoons. “So, what are you up to?” she asked flopping down in a chair.

Simone takes a deep breath. “Nothing much.” She replies putting away her saved funds. She then gets up and starts gathering up all her dirty clothes putting them into a laundry bag.
“Well, my morning’s ruined.” “I think I might as well just veg out for the rest of the day.” Kay says going towards the mini fridge for some cereal.
“Oh come on, Kay.” “I think you could spend your day better than that.”
“Oh really.” Kay remarks.
“Yeah.” “Look if you want clean clothes so bad how about going over to your parents.” Simone suggests.
Kay starts to laugh. “Please, Simone and suffer with them and some family bonding time.” “I don’t think so.”
“Alright, well I guess this would be one of the better excuses to talk with my parents.” “I’ll see you later, Kay!” Simone responds getting her jacket.
“Hey, where are you off to?” Kay asks distracted munching on some fruit loops.
“To beg for a miracle.” “I’ll let you know if it works.” Simone says with a smile.
*******************************************

Now let’s return to the Carrington house, to find a very sleepy John and Gabe awake. The whole house smelled of intoxicating aromas of fresh squeezed orange juice, eggs, bacon, freshly made hot cakes and much more delicious breakfast goodies. A very tired Gabe knocked on the guest room door where John was staying. Soon John opened the door and Gabe spoke, “Hey, I just wanted to give you these towels and toothbrush and all.” “For when you take your shower.” “There’s extra clothes in the closet that might fit and a bathroom on the right.” He informed.
“Oh, okay.” “Thanks Gabe.” John replied.
“See, you downstairs.” Gabe stated leaving the room dressed a pair of pajamas pants and an army t-shirt.

After a little while, both John and Gabe came down for morning breakfast. As they entered the breakfast nook, they heard a thrilled Blair get off the phone. Practically jumping up and down she was so happy. She explained how she was just accepted into Harmony’s newest training program for aspiring doctors to learn under some of Harmony’s medical finest. “Yes, I’m on my way!” she said elated. “First, fame then fortune and some new Manolo Blahniks!” Blair continued in a ecstatic tone.
Julia glanced at her daughter tickled by her news she bursts into a huge smile. “Blair, you’re funny you know that.” “You always go from one extreme to the next.” “I hope that you’re this excited about paying me some rent.” She says.
“Oh, Mother.” “This is more important than that okay.” “And I’m just so happy right now.” “Happy, happy, happy!” Blair said in a giddy tone, turning around.
Soon, she sees her brother and a huge smile comes across her face. “Hey, Gabe!” she exclaimed seeing him appear.
“Hi, sis.” “What’s got you so bubbly?” Gabe asks entering the room.

“Well, I was just accepted into Harmony’s training program at the hospital.” Blair explained.
“Wow.” “Congrats then.” Gabe replied embracing her.
He then turned to John and introduced him to his mother and others he hadn’t met like the Carrington’s family staff that at the moment were the ones preparing the delicious meal, that had awaken them.
“Morning, sweetie.” Julia said pushing back Gabriel’s wild curls from his forehead.
“Mom.” Gabe smiled kissing her on the cheek after grabbing a plate.
“Come on, boys sit down and eat.” Julia commanded flickering one of her ebony tresses from her shoulder. Her eyes were soft and welcoming, as she wore a light satin grey robe and matching satin colored pants.

Soon, the boys sat down and fed their bellies until they were absolutely full. As Julia sat reading the paper commenting on the world trade while Blair continued on with her bragging. After a while Lane showed up, dressed in causal attire whistling to himself a little tune. He sat down poured, himself a large cup of coffee and played with his thick brown beard while reading the Arts section of the paper. After saying “Good morning,” to everyone he expressed to Gabe that since it was a beautiful day that perhaps the both of them could go out for a sail on the family’s longtime boat “Ever After,” after his last minute dealing with the Gallery of course. “Son, you know it really needs some fixing.” he states.

A slightly reluctant Gabe glanced over at his father. “You know, Dad.” “That really would be great but I kind of wanted to check out this photo exhibit John told me about today.” he admitted.
John sat quietly taking all of the action in, like a child would his favorite cartoon.
“Really.” Lane says drinking a sip of his morning coffee.
“Yeah.” Gabe said quietly.
“Well, son you can do whatever it is that you wish.” “But I just thought maybe this could be something we do together before my schedule gets all hectic with the gallery opening.” “And anyway, you love boating.” Lane says.
“I know, but. .” Gabe starts to say. “See, Dad its just that today is suppose to be the last day for the exhibit and. .”
“Oh and you know you haven’t been on the boat for years now.” “I just thought that it probably needs some father and son elbow grease, you know.” “Yet it’s up to you, son.” Lane continued to say.

The room got quiet. Till Julia spoke up, “Lane, baby don’t pressure him.” She said.
“Who’s pressuring him?” Lane asked innocently.
“Well, it seems like you are to me.” Julia says.
“Mom, it’s alright.” Gabe replied.
“Really.” Julia said eyeing him.
“Yeah, really.”
“Look, Lane if Gabe has plans already then he has plans.” Julia told him.
Lane looked up from his paper, glancing at his wife and then Gabe. Clearing his throat, he asks, “So, Gabriel what’s it going to be.” “Are you going to spend some time with your dear old Dad or not?” he questioned.
“Okay, Dad.” “I’ll go.” Gabe said hating the guilt he felt at the moment.
“Good, good.” “I’ll be ready around two.” Lane said leaving the kitchen.
Gabe then turned and began to stare out the window, feeling like a kid in front of company.

Soon Julia leaves the room. “Um, Blair I’m going to changed if were going to make our Pilates class at twelve.”
“Alright, Mom.” Blair states as she turns looking towards her brother.
Julia and Blair made it a point to bond through working out together to infuse some quality mother-daughter bonding. Julia then turns to the cook and says, “Thank you, very much the meal was lovely.” Handing them their weekly paychecks. The cook and the rest of the staff smiled back and packed up. They would be off for the rest of the day.

While in the next room, Julia calmly followed Lane into the foyer.
“Lane, baby.” She says walking behind him.
“Hmm.” Lane responds turning around.
“Honey, look I think you may have embarrassed Gabriel a moment ago.” She told him.
“What?”
“Not intentionally of course.” “I understand you’re just wanting to spend time with him but baby.” “Come on, cleaning ‘Ever After’ all day.” “That sure doesn’t sound like fun especially to a nineteen year old wanting to spend time with his new friends in a new town.”
“Oh, I didn’t think about like that Jules.” Lane admits. “I’ll cancel.” He says turning to leave.
Julia reaches out to him. “Wait.” “No, what’s done is done sweetie.” “But please think about Gabriel next time okay.” “We don’t need another Edward walking around here.” She remarks.

Lane ponders her comments. “Anything else.”
“Well, yes there was something else I wanted to ask you about.” “Last night, the thing with Edward, what do you plan to do?” Julia asks.
“Well, nothing right now.” “Not until I have all the facts, I think that that’s the best thing to do for now.” Lane says sipping his now lukewarm coffee.
“I think that’s best.” Julia told him.
“But, I’m not giving up.” He quickly responds. “Instead, I’m going to pay my dear old Dad a visit in his chambers.” “You know, make it an official Carrington family business matter that he won’t be able to worm out of it.”
“Really?” Julia said surprised.
“Yes.” “But, until then my love, my darling affectionate wife.” “Who can never say no to me.” Lane replies kissing the palm of her hand.
“What is it?” Julia says with a giggle.
“Well, how about you and me go on a sight seeing tour of Harmony tonight?” “You know, just us.” “No work, kids, no worries, just you and me and the stars.” “What do you say?” Lane asks.
Julia smiled, “That sounds really tempting, but I can’t.” “I’m swamped with clients this week.” “Sorry, sweetie.” she says looking at him.
“Well, some other time then, we’ll make a night of it.” He says lowly.
“I’ll show you all of Harmony the works, the tour and dinner okay.” “It will be perfect.” Lane replies.
“I can’t wait.” Julia expresses sealing the deal with a sweet kiss.

Back in the kitchen, everyone sat in silence finishing up his or her meals.
Blair smiled at her brother and his friend. “Hey, I’m sorry about your plans, little brother.”
“Yeah, Gabe.” John chimes in. “But we can go to the exhibit some other time.”
“Hmm.” Gabe responds sipping some juice.
“Well, Gabe look don’t take it personally okay you know how Dad gets.” “He always gets the sudden need to do some one on one family bonding from time to time.” “He did it with me too when I was your age, I think its probably old age just catching up with him.” Blair says eating some fruit.
“Well, I am his only son, right.” “It’s my duty to be his sailing buddy!” Gabe said sorely.
~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~

Now, we go back to Simone as she arrives home at the Russell Household. With bags of unwashed laundry in her hands and a request in mind she hoped everything would go well with her parents. She opened the front door with her keys as she did the door suddenly swung open. She surprisely looked up only to see her father standing before her.
“Oh, Sugar Bear?!” he states turning stunned to see her.
“Daddy!” Simone says reaching out to embrace him.
“Hi honey, how have you been?” TC asked dressed in a rich red sweater and a pair of blue jeans.
“I’m fine.” Simone replies.
“So, what are you doing here?” TC questioned with a smile.
“Nothing really, I. .” Simone begins to say as Eve walks into the room.
“Oh, honey you forgot your. .” she says stopping in mid sentence. “Simone!”“Sweetheart, what a surprise!” Eve said going over to embrace her daughter.
“Hi, Mom.” Simone said hugging her.
“Honey, what are you doing here?” Eve asked pleasantly surprised.
Simone smiled, “Well, I just came by to see you guys and do laundry.” she admits.

She stood dressed in her favorite long demin jean jacket with matching demin jeans, and a royal blue colored sweater. Together paired with some chocolate brown ankle boots on and an extra long checkered pattern blue and brown skinny scarf. While her hair was done super straight half up in a bow with the rest laying down on her shoulders.
“Oh, well were happy to see you Sugar Bear.” TC replied tickled.
“Really?” Simone asked quietly.
“Of course we are, sweetheart.” Eve responds with a bright smile.
“So, you’re here to do laundry huh?” TC questions.
“Yeah, the dorms machines are broken.” Simone told them.
“Well, were glad you’re here anyhow.” Eve exclaimed. “Come on, take off your jacket and put down your bags, honey.”
“Yeah, sweetie.” “Stay a while.” TC said. “Man, now I wish I didn’t have to leave.” he remarks.
“Where are you going Daddy?” Simone asked bringing her bags in.
“Oh, your Father has an emergency meeting with the school faculty about athletic cuts in the budget right, TC.” Eve replied handing him the forms he needed.
“Yes, honey and I better get going.” “Thank you.” TC said kissing Eve on the cheek.
“Well, bye Sugar Bear.” “I hope you stay a while I would really like to see you more.”
“Oh, Dad!” Simone said blushing as he hugs her tight and plants sweet kisses her on the forehead.
“Bye.” TC said leaving with a wave.

“Well, Mom how have you been?” Simone asks entering the kitchen/laundry room.
“I’ve been well sweetheart.” Eve states.
“Oh, Mom is Whitney here by the way?” Simone asks glancing around.
“No, sweetie.” “What, did you want to speak with her?” Eve asked with the sound of hope in her voice.
“No, not really.” “Just checking.” Simone replies putting her clothes down and beginning to sort them.
“Oh.” “Honey would you like some tea, I’m just making a cup?” Eve asked.
“Okay,” Simone replied. They got quiet, as Simone began putting her clothes in the wash. And Eve began to prepare the tea; she was dressed in a warming teal colored sweater set and black slacks that accented her warm smile.

“So, sweetheart when was the last time you had a talk with your sister?” Eve asks getting out two mugs from the cupboard.
“Not for a while.” Simone replies plainly folding towels that were already in the dryer.
“Well, honey I really think that you should try and talk with her.” Eve states.
“Mom. .” Simone moans. “Please, don’t start.”
“I’m not Simone.” Eve says softly. “I just thought that it’s time you forgave your sister for her mistakes.” “Sweetie everyone, makes mistakes!”
“Mom, they were majorly, big mistakes.”
“Simone, honey I truly wish you would reconsider.” “Sweetheart, you’ve only got one sister.” Eve told her.
“Yeah, one that I wish I could get rid of.” Simone states in a muffled tone not looking in her mother’s direction.
“Simone.” Eve said calmly motioning her to sit down at the kitchen table.
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Simone starts sitting down.

“But you just don’t understand okay.” “I mean, you were so lucky to be born an only child.” “There’s no one, well family-wise that’s going to come out of your past and betray you without a second thought, like Whitney did me.” She explains.
“Sweetie, Whitney didn’t betray you.” “She made a mistake getting involved with Chad and honey she’s your only sister.” Eve says softly.
“I know, I know it’s just that.” “Mom, still when I think about her and what she did.” “It makes me, hate her so much!”
“Simone!” Eve scolds getting up to tend to the tea kettle that was up too high.
“No, Mom she lied to me for I don’t know how long.” “And when I confronted her about the truth.” “She continued to lie to my face!”
“Simone, first of all I never want to hear again that you hate your sister.” “We don’t hate one another in this family, young lady.” Eve said sternly. “Now, despite your feelings towards your sister right now, you once loved Whitney unconditionally, what happened to that?” she questioned.
“I don’t know Mom, I guess I just finally wised up to the real her.” Simone replies with a slight shrug.

“Simone, your sister was scared.” “She was afraid to hurt you, in anyway.” “Don’t you understand that?” Eve asks.
“Scare of what, Mom?” “Getting caught or just having to finally face the truth.”
“No, Mom I don’t buy her being scare as much as I do her being just plain selfish.” “That’s Whitney’s biggest problem is that she wants it all, me, Chad and everything.” Simone stated in a resentful tone.
“Simone, look I know that your sister’s actions hurt you but.” “Honey, you have to get past this.” Eve said sitting back down.

“Oh, I will Mom I. .I just can’t forgive her!” “Not right now anyway and why should I because were sisters.” “Whitney sure wasn’t thinking of that when she was busy sneaking around with Chad.” “No, Mom I can’t let go of this anger, I feel.” “Right now, that’s all I feel for Whitney is anger and disgust!” Simone remarks folding up her arms.
“Oh, honey. .” Eve said lowly.
“Mom, please I mean don’t I have that right, to feel this way.” Simone said in an annoyed tone.
“Sure, you do Simone.” “You’re hurt and angry I know, but I just want you to listen sometimes before you react okay.” “And please try to hear your sister out.” “For me?” Eve said looking at her intently.
Simone sighs deeply, “Fine, Mom.” “For you.”
“Good, sweetheart.” Eve says kissing her forehead.

“So, honey I heard from your sister that there’s going to be some 1920’s dance going on at the school soon.” Eve states getting up for some honey and sugar.
“Uh, huh.” “It’s around Homecoming Week sometime.”
“So, are you going?” Eve questioned pouring the tea.
“Maybe, I haven’t found a dress yet or date?” Simone admits shyly.
“Well, I can help with that sweetie.” Eve said. “Actually, just the other day I saw the most beautiful dress, you’d look lovely in.” “Why don’t we go shopping this weekend and check it out?” “And there’s this little shop by the. .”
“That’s okay, Mom.” Simone injects. “I don’t think that I’m going to be attending the dance anyway.” “So, there’s no need to go through any trouble.”
“And, why not?” “Oh honey, is this about Chad again?” Eve asks softly.
“No, well maybe.” She says with a shrug. “Mom, I just don’t feel right about dating right now, that’s all.”
“Oh, honey you. .”
“I know it’s dumb, but. .” Simone starts.
“You’re afraid of getting hurt again, aren’t you?” Eve questioned sitting back at the table.

Simone didn’t look at her. “I guess.” She said staring down at the bottom of her cup of tea.
“Oh, honey.” “Simone, look just because your sister and Chad have decided to keep seeing one another doesn’t mean that you’re not worthy of love.” “No sweetie, don’t ever think that.” “You are worthy of love but just make sure that the person you chose to love feels the same way.” Eve tells her.
“Mom.” Simone says softly.
No, honey listen to me okay.” “I don’t know maybe I failed you someway down the line; I didn’t teach you that real love is genuine and true.” “It’s the best feeling, when someone cares for you despite your faults.” “And they don’t need to put you up on a pedestal of perfection, they just. .just love you for you okay.”
“Yeah, kind of like the relationship you have with Daddy right.” Simone said trying to understand.

Eve got quiet, her mind wondered. “Yes, your Father.” she soon replies.
“So, honey do you understand?” she asked looking intently at Simone.
“Yeah, I think I do.” Simone answered.
“Oh, sweetie I know that your sister and Chad hurt you but I want you to realize that real love is stronger than infatuation.” “And that Chad just isn’t right you, maybe he never was.” “But honey, always remember you’re worthy of love because you’re a sweet, loving, smart, beautiful girl.” “And I love you, we all love you Simone.” “You’re whole family and that’s what counts in the end.” “A loving family to remind you, how special you are for any reason good or bad.” Eve says reaching over to hug her.
“Thanks, Mom.” “I think that I really needed to hear that.” Simone states as a lone tear began to fall from her eyes.
“Oh, sweetie.” Eve states wiping Simone’s tears from her face and kissing her on the cheek. “So, will you think about going to the dance after all?”
Simone hesitated to answer. “Mom, it’s still not that simple.” She says standing up from the table.

She goes over to a cabinet and pulls out a jar of cookies. Turning towards Eve she says, “Mom, I can deal with school and life, even Whitney.” “But. .”
“What?” “Simone, if your scared to get into involved with someone that’s understandable you’ve been through a lot these past months but you have to know that you’re still young, and I think that love will find it’s way.” “Just give yourself a chance to be open to new things, new experiences and maybe in the end someone will come along that truly cares for you, and only you.” Eve says softly.

“Yeah,” Simone said quietly. “Its just that. .I don’t know Mom, I thought I had that with Chad, you know.” “That love, but I guess I wrong.” she says lowering her head.
“Simone, baby you’ve been burned lately by blind love. “And I’m sorry.” “I never want you to feel hurt.” “But I see I couldn’t protect you from this.” “Yet there’s something you need to know, sweetheart.” Eve states reaching out for her daughter’s hand.

“You know, as you grow up, you’re going to have to deal with a lot of things.” “A lot of heartbreaks and let downs, but the important thing is that you keep going.” “That’s what I find helps me when I get down.” “I don’t know it’s just something inside of me just says keep going.” “That’s when I met your father during my years at medical school.” “So, don’t let minor setbacks like feeling neglected or betrayed by your sister.” “Stop you from achieving what you want in life, Simone.” “Because in the end, if you do you’re only going to be letting yourself down.” Eve told her.

Simone listened intently to her mother’s words. Soaking in the wisdom of a woman who had reformed herself from emotional despair and heartache. Unknown to Simone of her Mother’s weary past, Eve’s soul was telling her that her daughter needed this revelation of love, pain and the different aspects of adulthood, to grow from the pain which she has endured in her young life her, first heartache.

“Honey, I see pain everyday, it’s apart of life, like death is.” “What matters is what you do while, you’re here.” “So, don’t let someone take your dreams away from you.” “Because, if you do than that’s all your left with is dreams and lots of disappointments about how you could have done things differently.” Eve continued to say.
“I know.” “ I just wish that I would go back in time and change my future, you know stop this pain.” Simone tells her.
“Well, there are so many things, that you can’t change, no matter how much you may want to.” “But just be aware of yourself and others because one bad judgment, or mistake can change your entire life.” “And all that I want for you sweetheart is good things.” “So, just take this heartache over Chad and your sister as a learning lesson about life.” Eve replied.

“Okay.”
“So, speaking of life and love.” “Simone, your father and I have been talking about your troubles dealing with your sister and Chad and we feel that maybe it’s time for you to branch out.” “And start seeing a young man that’s responsible for his actions.” “A nice, safe young man with a good future ahead of him.” Eve states.
“Okay,” Simone replies not knowing what her mother was getting at as she munched on a cookie.
“So, I think that I’ve found someone for you to start seeing.” Eve announces.
Simone just stared at her, not knowing what to say. “You what?” she finally muttered.

“Now there’s no pressure, I just want you to get your feet wet in the right direction.” “To help you move on, past this thing with Whitney.” “Now, the young man is in the hospital’s training program and his name is Andrew Beckham.” “So, would you possibly think about going on a couple dates with him?” Eve questioned.
Simone sighed deeply, biting her bottom lip. “Mom.” she starts.
“Yes, sweetheart.” Eve responds sipping her tea.
“I understand that you and Daddy are trying to look out for me but I don’t know this guy.” “And going on a blind date with him is. .”
“Oh, honey you’ll get to know him.” Eve replied interrupting her statement as she stirred her tea.

“But. .” Simone hesitates.
“Simone, didn’t we just finish talking about you taking chances, and being open.” Eve says putting her foot down firmly, in her usual calm manner and tone.
“Yes, ma’am.” Simone said sitting back at the table.
“Well, then be open to this.” “Your father and I wouldn’t steer you wrong by any means.” “Simone just try and get to know him, okay.”
Simone rolls her eyes and takes a deep breath. “Fine, Mom when should I meet him?” She said giving up.
“How about this coming Friday?” Eve says. “You could meet him here at the house that way your father and I can get to know him as well.”
“Okay.” Simone said sorely feeling like she was just tricked into some evil plan to overturn for life or at least her freedom to make her own decisions.

“Ding!” the washing machine buzzer went on, her first load of laundry was done . . .




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