For Salem's next generation, the course of true love never runs smoothly! At the Last Blast Dance, former "ghoul girl" Chloe Lane was the victim of a cruel prank by teen troublemakers Jan and Mimi. Just when it seemed like things couldn't get any worse for Chloe, her boyfriend, Philip Kiriakis, walked out on her in her time of need. Philip came to his senses and asked for Chloe's forgiveness, but Chloe was unable to forgive him. While Philip was away on a school trip, Chloe began spending a lot of time with fellow "outcast," Brady Black. The two grew very close. Even though they remain "just friends," it is clear they have deep feelings for one another, much to Philip's chagrin. But Chloe has even more on her mind than these two suitors. Chloe has been feeling sick for months and her blood tests revealed that she has leukemia.

Brady's sister and Chloe's best friend, Belle Black, has had a rocky road with true-love Shawn Brady. Belle and Shawn declared their love for one another one romantic evening and believed they would be together forever. The young couple even survived a devastating secret. The two learned that while Belle's dad, John, and Shawn's mom, Hope, were under the mind-control of Stefano Dimera, they made love! The Bradys and Blacks believed that JT. was actually the son of Hope and John--which would make JT a half-brother to both Belle and Shawn! However, they have since learned that Hope really gave birth to Isaac, who was switched at birth with JT, and is being raised by Lexie Carver. A DNA test proved that John is not Isaac's father, so Belle and Shawn do not actually share a half-brother. But Belle and Shawn's relationship could not survive another obstacle.

During the school trip last summer, teen troublemaker Jan was brutally raped. She confided her secret to a supportive Shawn and made him promise not to tell anyone. Shawn kept his word and never even told Belle the secret. Jan later dropped a bombshell on Shawn when she revealed that she is pregnant! The young girl wanted to have an abortion, but Shawn pleaded with her not to. In order to convince her, Shawn promised that he would pretend to be the father of Jan's baby. Shawn came through on his promise and told everyone-including his parents and Belle-that Jan is carrying his baby! A devastated Belle told Shawn it was over between them for good. Now Shawn feels like he's lost everything. Not only did his family lose custody of JT, but Jan suffered a miscarriage and lost the baby. A manipulative Jan convinced Shawn that Belle was to blame for the miscarriage. Shawn lashed out at Belle and the distance between the two grew even wider. Shawn finally learned the truth about Jan's miscarriage, and is desperate to win Belle back.