FROZEN IN BETWEEN

WRONG TURN

TOBY'S P.O.V

Just one wrong move, I think, regarding Justine's weird confusing attitude.  I hate not knowing anything about that.  Been trying so hard to ask.  Yeah okay she can tell about so many Austin guys in this world but I don't buy it.  I can't.  She would've let me know who that guy was.

"Honey, where are you?"  Sheryl called when I was driving back home.

"Uhm...just on my way back.  What is it?"  I sighed.  Suddenly not interested to talk.

"Wow, you forgot."  Her voice showed disappointment.

"Do we have plan for today?"  I parked the car.  "Anything, I don't think I can go."

"Okay."  She was about to hang up.  "You're distracted."

"Band schedule.  And you should've understood."  I deepened my voice.

"I'm...  Just talk to me when you're ready." 

Sheryl seriously hung me up.  I was shocked a second, but wasn't willing to call back.  Not now.  This is what I don't like about my girlfriend.  A nightmare, actually.  Although this time it was just a lie, the band schedule reason, but she would never understand even if it's true.  She thought I could be there all the time when the fact is I'm not even in Florida 50 weeks out of a year.  Funny.

"Why so bothered?"  Connor checked on my expression as he walked to the kitchen.

"Oh nothing actually.  Bad traffic."  I lied.

"Traffic after Valentines day?  Never heard one."  He drank some water.  "Where's Justine, have you driven her home?"

"She's safe and sound."  I threw myself on the couch and took off my snapback.  "So tired..."

"Dude, we need to talk."  Connor brought probably a ton of snacks on his lap.

"About?"

"Your new girlfriend."  He looked at me in a serious way.  "What the heck?"

"Wait what?  What the heck kind of question is that?"  I raised my voice.

"Unless you know she's been calling home for 25 times already when you drove Justine back, you'll see my concern.  It's unpolite.  This is early morning.  Always too early to bother human."  He explained.

"No...  Oh my gosh where did she get our home number."  I cursed inside.  "Phone.  My phone.  So tricky."

"And intolerant.  You're lucky Mom and Dad aren't home.  And I seriously have come up with a thousand ways to tell her you're not home, yet she was still calling til probably 10 minutes ago.  The guys were still sleeping.  I can't let that happen." 

"I'm sorry."  I bit my nails.  Oh Sheryl, you're so wrong.

"And brief me again, please.  Who is she, and how did you end up with her?"

"Some friends from high school.  I have told you guys.  She's been around for the last 3 years."  I said unsure.  Already felt unsure about everything.

"But you didn't tell us til recently."  Connor was really disturbed.  "I'm sure there's still this line between brothers even though privacy is high too."

"I know..."  I sighed.  "Sounds like already wrong to me."

"No, don't conclude too fast.  This is where went wrong.  You're too fast.  We wouldn't expect you asking a girl out on Valentine's day.  There wasn't any clear picture of it."

"Indescribable...  I'm afraid she'd long gone when we're back from tour."  I murmured.

"See?  You were in rush.  Knowing the situation now, I don't think she would handle you when you're out of sight.  And oh cmon, we spend only a week at home out of a year."

"I'm afraid so."  I noted at Connor's every point.  He's right.

"Think about it bro.  You're wise enough for that."  End of discussion, Connor ate a half of the snack at the same time.  "But why not Justine?"

"Eh what?"  I lifted up my head when he's saying that.  "Justine?"

"Yeah Justine.  She's the most dedicated person to you, out of everybody in this world.  We thought it was obvious enough that you like her."

"Whoa...uhm...tough question.  I thought the same thing.  But Sheryl..."

"But she likes you dude."  He left me.

What?  Justine, the one who was even born next to me, likes me? Isn't it too hard to take?  We've been friends since I don't know when.  We got along like twins.  Thing One and Thing Two.  How could he conclude that the girl fall in love with me, her own twin?

"Hey Connor!  What do you mean?"  I ran after him.

"She unexpectedly, surprisingly, came to us last night with eyes full of tears.  I think she's jealous.  Yeah, I'm old enough to know it from the eyes.  Probably you have hurt her or something.  But maybe, you should check it out by yourself."

He closed he door before my face.  No.  No way.  But Connor never tells lies.  Possibly.