rated *

 

Emotions Running Wild

by Amber

 

When Honey got home from school on Friday afternoon, her mother was waiting. “Are you ready to go, Honey?”

“Yes, Mother. I just need to put my things away and grab my overnight bag.”

“Very well, dear. Do hurry, please.”

Honey went up to her room. After putting her things on her desk, she went into her bathroom to freshen up. When she was finished, she grabbed her bag and went back downstairs to meet her mother.

Soon they were on their way into the city. They stopped at the Wheelers’ apartment to unpack and get ready for dinner. Honey called Jim to let him know they were there and ask him to come over.

Honey went into the living room and saw her mother getting ready to leave. “Mother, I just called Jim to meet us here.”

“I know, Honey, and I’m sorry, but your father called on the other line. He has to take some clients and colleagues out to dinner and wants me to join him.”

“Mother,” Honey said, disappointed. “I thought you were going to have dinner with Jim and me.”

“I told you, Honey, your father needs me. You and Jim can get along fine without me, can’t you?”

“Yes, Mother,” Honey sighed.

 

Jim arrived at the apartment building, eager to see his sister and mother, introduce them to his date Alexia, and leave. He wanted to enjoy Alexia’s company fully. Letting the doorman know about Alexia, Jim went inside and got an elevator. He was soon standing at the door of the apartment.

He walked in only to have Honey grab him in a fierce hug. He hugged her back, wondering what was going on.

“Are you okay Honey?”

“Oh, Jim! Mother’s gone out for dinner with Dad, after she promised to have dinner with us,” Honey said. “At least we’ll have time to talk. That’s the only thing that makes it okay.”

Jim felt uncomfortable. “I only have about an hour to see you. I had other plans when Mother called, so I just postponed them a little while.”

Honey nodded dejectedly. “Okay. Did you finish your paper last weekend?”

“I didn’t really have a paper, Honey.”

“Then why didn’t you want to come home?”

“Honey, everyone was blaming me for the way Trixie was acting. Would you want to go home to that?”

“I guess not,” Honey admitted. “Trixie’s fine now though.”

“What are the rest of the Bob-Whites doing tonight?”

“Di and Mart are going out to celebrate the A minus Di got on a math test. Since I’m here, Trixie’s hanging out with Dan tonight. I’m not sure what they’re doing, probably just hanging out at Crabapple Farm.”

Jim nodded. “Too bad you’re here. She’d probably rather hang out with you.”

Honey shook her head. “No, Dan helped Trixie study for her math test because Mart was busy helping Di. She got an A minus also.”

“Trixie and Dan are hanging out together? Not in the group together?”

Honey nodded. “They are friends, you know. They just got closer after that party fiasco.”

“I thought Brian said Trixie kissed Dan when she was a bit drunk. Then Dan told her they were just friends; that he didn’t want to be a stand-in.”

“She did. He did.”

“I thought things would be awkward between them.”

Honey shook her head. “No. Better than ever.”

Jim walked over to the phone.

“What are you doing? Canceling your plans for the evening?” Honey asked hopefully.

Jim shook his head. “I’m calling Trixie.”

“Why? There’s no reason to worry anymore. Besides, she’s not alone.”

“I know,” Jim said. “That’s why I’m worried.”

Honey was confused. Then she shrugged, determined to enjoy the time they were going to spend together.

Jim had finished dialing the number and asked for Trixie. Two minutes later, he hung up the phone, his eyes narrowed.

Honey noticed his expression. “What’s up?”

Jim practically growled, “Trixie is going for a walk.”

“Um, okay…?” Honey was confused.

“I heard her in the background. She said for Mrs. Belden to tell me she was leaving, that she’d call me back later, maybe tomorrow.”

“Okay. She’ll call you back.”

“I also heard her tell Dan to ‘come on’.”

“Oh. She was going for a walk with Dan. How dare she?” Honey asked, a twinkle in her eye.

“Honey, they are going to have ‘alone’ time, and maybe she’ll call me back tomorrow.”

“Don’t be silly. Trixie doesn’t like Dan like that.” Honey was laughing.

Just then, the doorbell rang. “I wonder who that could be. The doorman didn’t call up first,” Honey commented.

Jim answered on his way to the door. “I told him about this visitor. It’s okay.”

Jim opened the door. “Alexia, I’d like you to come in and meet my sister.”

Alexia walked in and smiled at Honey. “Hey. You’re lucky to have such a great brother. I’m lucky he asked me out,” she said with a giggle.

“Jim, can I talk to you for a minute?” Honey asked.

“Sure, could you excuse us please, Alexia?”

“Of course,” Alexia gushed, incorrectly guessing that Honey wanted to compliment Jim on his date.

Honey led Jim to her room. “What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed.

“Going out and having fun.”

“I thought you liked Trixie,” Honey said, her voice shaking.

“I do,” Jim answered. “She’s still in high school, though.”

“She’s supposed to wait for you to decide when she’s old enough?”

“Honey, you know I like Trixie, but she’s not exactly sitting at home, now is she?” Jim was getting mad.

“She’s hanging out with Dan. Her friend. You’re going on a date. It’s not the same.”

“It’s close enough. She’s alone with another guy.”

“When did you plan this date? Alexia looks like the kind of girl that likes advanced warning. Like she needs a few days to get everything perfect.”

“I asked her four days ago. Trixie was already hanging out with Dan by then. Besides, Alexia’s really nice.”

Honey raised her voice slightly. “Trixie and Dan are just friends. They wouldn’t have been alone tonight if I was in Sleepyside. Mart wanted a group thing until I said I was coming with Mother.”

“Why are you so mad?” Jim was pleading with Honey.

“Because I want you and Trixie to be happy. Together, like Brian and me.” Honey was struggling to hold back tears.

“We will be together. Later. In a few years.”

“Will you ask her before or after she gets tired of waiting and finds someone else?”

“She won’t find anyone else.”

“How can you be sure?” Honey was crying now.

“I know Trixie. That’s how I can be sure.”

“Okay, if you’re sure,” Honey said, her tears easing.

“Yes, I’m sure. I just want to have a little fun while I wait for her.”

Honey nodded. She didn’t like it, but as long as Jim was sure, it would happen. Her best friend and her brother would be together.

Honey walked Jim back to the living room. She gave him a hug and said she’d see him next time he came home. She said bye to Alexia. She locked the door behind them. Then, she called her father’s cell phone.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Is everything okay, Honey?”

“Yes, Daddy. I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to catch a cab to the train station and go back to Sleepyside tonight.”

“Did you and Jim get in a fight? Is he there? Can I talk to him?”

“He was here, but left for a date. Mother’s with you. It’s okay,” she said quickly. “I just don’t want to be alone.”

“Okay, sweetheart. You may go. Call when you get there, I don’t care what time it is.”

“Okay, Daddy. I love you. Bye.”

“Love you, too, Honey. Bye.”

Honey hung up the phone, went to get her bag, and went downstairs. She asked the doorman to get her a cab.

It was an uneventful cab ride, as well as train ride. She was glad she’d called Manor House from the train. Tom was right on time to pick her up.

At Manor House, she went upstairs, called her father, and went to bed.

When she woke up the next morning, the first things she did were go brush her teeth and take a shower. Then she called Crabapple Farm. She wanted to tell Trixie about Jim’s date before anyone else found out. Mrs. Belden told Honey that Trixie was at Di’s house.

She called Di’s phone. She told Di that she needed to talk to Trixie as soon as possible. In person, she specified.

 

About twenty minutes later

Trixie knocked at Honey’s bedroom door. “Trixie, it’s a good thing you came over.”

“What’s wrong, Honey?”

“Jim had a date last night,” Honey said in a flat voice.

“Okay,” Trixie replied. “And?”

“Aren’t you hurt?” Honey asked.

“Truthfully? No, not really. I told you last week I was okay with Jim and me not being together. I thought you knew I was telling the truth.”

“Trixie, I thought you believed you were okay, but that this news would upset you.”

“I’m okay, really, Honey.”

“How can you be okay? I’m not okay with it! You and Jim were supposed to be like Brian and me! Together!!” Honey was very upset.

“Honey,” Trixie said, trying to calm her down. “We knew this would happen. I’m okay with it. You should be. I don’t think this is the right time to tell you this, but you know Dan and I hung out last night, right?”

Honey nodded.

“Well,” Trixie continued, “we had dinner at my house and then we went for a walk.”

“So what? You and Dan hang out a lot now.”

“Honey, we had a long talk during our walk. We decided to see where it goes.”

“Where what goes? I’m confused, Trixie.”

“We decided to see if we could be more than friends,” Trixie said gently.

“You decided not to, right? That’s what you meant to say.”

“No, Honey,” Trixie said softly. “We decided to try.”

“I can’t believe this!” Honey yelled. “How could you? You were supposed to wait for Jim!”

“What?” Trixie exclaimed. “You think I should sit at home and be miserable because Jim had a date? After I discovered I really liked Dan? That’s totally selfish, Honey.” Trixie was trying to get Honey to see reason.

“You think I’m selfish because I want my brother to be happy?”

“No, I think it’s selfish of you to want me to not go out and have fun with a guy I like because you want me to be with your brother. Because you think I should sit at home waiting for him to call when he’s going out with other girls.”

“I think I want you to leave,” Honey said, in a voice devoid of all emotion.

“Honey,” Trixie pleaded. “Don’t let this mess up our friendship.”

“I didn’t say that. I said I you wanted to leave. I need to think about this.”

Trixie’s eyes welled up with tears. “Okay, Honey. If that’s what you want.”

Trixie turned and ran out of Manor House.

Honey sat on her bed, staring into space. Jim was wrong. Trixie wasn’t going to wait for him. She lay on her bed and cried. She had dreamed of her and Brian and Trixie and Jim all going on double dates together.

After a few more minutes of crying and a few hours of thinking, she realized she had been awful to Trixie. She got up, washed her face, and told Mrs. Trask she was going to Crabapple Farm.

At Crabapple Farm, Mrs.Belden told Honey Trixie wasn’t there, but should be back shortly. “She called from Mr. Maypenny’s and said she was on her way.”

“Was she talking to Dan?”

“Yes, she was. She said she was upset and Dan was the person who would understand the best.”

Honey nodded.

“You’re welcome to wait,” Mrs. Belden assured Honey.

Honey nodded. “Thank you.”

Trixie walked in about five minutes later. She was laughing, but she wasn’t alone. Dan was with her. Honey blushed. How was she supposed to apologize to Trixie with Dan right there? She didn’t need to worry; as usual, Dan just knew. He excused himself on the pretense of getting a drink. He decided it would take awhile, so he went outside to see what Bobby was doing.

Honey looked gratefully at Dan’s retreating back.

Trixie looked warily at Honey. “Hi.”

Honey was confused about what to say. Finally, she jumped up, hugged Trixie, and started crying. “Trix, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean a word I said. I was so upset with Jim, and then you had to tell me what you did, and I wanted everything to be like it was.”

“Honey, everything can’t stay the same. You wouldn’t be here if it did.”

“I know, Trixie. Are you still mad at me?”

“Honey, I wasn’t ever mad at you. I was upset because I thought you were mad at me.”

The girls hugged again. Then Trixie called Dan back inside. Honey wanted to apologize to Dan.

“Dan?” Honey started. “I’m sorry I got Trixie so upset and you had to deal with it.”

“Honey,” Dan replied. “If her crying means I get to hold her, I can’t get mad about it then, can I?”

Trixie blushed.

Honey went to hug Dan, stopped, and looked at Trixie. “May I?” she asked with a genuine smile.

Trixie nodded. “But not too long,” she teased Honey.

All three teens laughed.

Dan slung an arm around each girl’s shoulder. “We should have a party to celebrate you two being friends again.”

“We can have it at my house tonight,” Honey said, excitedly.

“Great!” Trixie and Dan exclaimed, sending the three of them into peals of laughter again.

Honey went home and called Brian right away. He promised to be there. Unfortunately, Brian had Honey on speakerphone and Jim came in. Jim also promised to be there, and he was bringing Alexia.

Honey called Di and Trixie and gave them the news. Honey had to fill Di in on all the details. They promised to come right over and help Honey set up.

The girls spent the rest of the day setting up with Dan and Mart’s help.

Trixie and Dan had taken Mart aside to tell him of their decision to try a relationship. Mart wasn’t happy about it, but he didn’t let them know. After all, his sister looked happier than he’d seen her in the last few months, and Dan looked the happiest anyone had ever seen him. He just didn’t trust his best friend with his younger sister.

When they were finished, Dan called Regan and invited him and Lindsay to the party that night. Regan promised they’d be there. Everything was set.

Mart and Dan went to their respective homes to get ready. The girls went to Honey’s room as was prearranged.

The party started when the five Sleepyside Bob-Whites answered the door and found Regan and Lindsay. Lindsay smiled at Dan while hugging Trixie, then turned to meet Honey, Diana and Mart. Everyone was happy to see that Regan had found a woman worthy of him.

Trixie was standing in a corner talking to Lindsay. Dan and Regan were talking not far away. Mart and Di were already dancing. Honey was waiting anxiously for Brian to arrive.

Unfortunately, Brian and Jim arrived together, which meant Honey had to see Alexia before even giving Brian a hug. Everyone looked up as the newcomers entered the room. Lindsay nudged Trixie. “Watch out for her. I don’t like her. She wants to cause trouble, and she will find a way to do it.” Trixie listened closely to Lindsay’s warning; she knew Lindsay was right.

Alexia glided into the room. She looked at everyone with disdain. Jim invited her to this? This wasn’t a party in her mind.

Trixie hated her on sight. Dan noticed Trixie tense. He casually walked her away from Lindsay and Regan, who had followed him. “Trix,” he whispered, “you need to switch to thongs.”

That startled Trixie. “What? Why?”

“They wouldn’t always ride up if they were already up.”

Trixie laughed. “You’re a good one to talk about rising, Danny-boy.”

Trixie relaxed from the laughter that ensued.

Dan realized that maybe he distracted Trixie too soon. Alexia was approaching.

“I guess you’re the girl who couldn’t keep a hold of Jim?” she asked Trixie.

“Excuse me? Do you see me worried?” Trixie retorted. “He’s not mine; he never was. If he ever had been, you can be sure you wouldn’t have him now.”

Alexia hissed. She wasn’t used to high school kids standing up to her. “You think you’re good enough to keep me from going after what I want?”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “If you want Jim, take him. Keep him. I don’t care. I’ve got the guy I want.”

Dan felt his heart swell when Trixie said those words.

Alexia was not so easy to put off. “You think I couldn’t have him if I wanted?”

Dan spoke up then. “You couldn’t have me. I wouldn’t want you.” That was enough to send her flouncing off to Jim.

“I hope she won’t cause any more trouble,” Trixie whispered.

Trixie’s hope was in vain. Not five minutes later, she heard Alexia yelling at Di. “You think you can get your way because you’re rich and think you’re pretty?”

Trixie and Dan looked at each other.

Di said calmly, “If that’s what it takes for you to feel good about yourself, keep giving everyone a bad impression.”

Alexia saw red. “You won’t be very pretty when I get a hold of you,” she hissed at Di, pulling her fist back.

Alexia never had a chance. As soon as Di saw her intention, Di let her own fist fly into Alexia’s right eye. Alexia stumbled back, tripped, and fell. Di leaned over her. “If you want to hit someone, don’t let them know. Then they can’t get you first,” Di told her in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

Everyone who witnessed the entire altercation laughed.

Alexia got up as fast as she could and ran to the door yelling for Jim to take her home to the city right then. Jim shrugged. “If she wants to go, she wants to go,” he said following her out the door.

Di walked calmly back to Mart. She didn’t appear to notice anything out of the ordinary. Honey’s face was red in embarrassment. Brian touched her shoulder, “Honey, let’s go outside.”

Honey silently followed Brian out to the porch. She looked at the floor. Brian gently lifted her face to his. He kissed her until she forgot about Alexia. He led her over to the porch swing and kissed her until she forgot everything else.

They were found a few hours later, both asleep, Honey’s head on Brian’s shoulder and his head leaning against her.

The End

 

Author’s Notes: Not my characters. Thanks to Kaye, El, and Chelsea for editing. Thanks to the ‘real’ Lindsay for the title.

TBH Main