FROZEN IN BETWEEN

I MISS YOU, REGRET

TOBY'S P.O.V

"What are you doing!?"  I ranted Sheryl at her house.  I immediately went up to her after talking with Connor.

"What, baby..."  She opened the door for me and already shocked.

"You're not allowed to call my house in that early morning, repeatedly like that!"  I threw my phone on her couch.  "You made everybody awake."

"I was looking for you.  You're not answering my phone."  She looked piss.

"Hey it's me who supposed to be upset at you.  You broke the rule I've told you.  I was about to slowly bring you into my family but now, not even Connor likes you."  I looked away. 

She just sit and cried.  Girls first weapon.  She's trying to make me look bad with this.  When actually the only one to blame was her.  I told Sheryl to just sit and wait, because it's a bit harder to accept a stranger to our family since this whole band get bigger.  We have learned from Riley's last crush.  She was just using him for modelling career.  The whole family cursed her for that because he's been taking care of her so well.  I don't want them to think that Sheryl was just one of them.  She's a good girl.  Been 3 years around, I can tell Sheryl is the girl I'm looking for.  But now what, at our first official day, she did a fatal move.

"I'm sorry baby..."  She tried to hold my hands.

"You know what?  Let's just freeze this for a moment.  I have to gain their trust back.  My brothers are very selective since Riley's accidential crush.  I need time."  I stood up and left.

"But does this mean we break up?!"  Sheryl screamed and cried.

"Hopefully not."  I smiled.  "But you also have to learn to understand my condition.  Some things we've been talking about when we're officially dating."

"I..."  She bowed her head.

"I'll be our for a while okay?  Bye bye."  I kissed her forehead and seriously drove away.

This is awful.  I wish it was Justine so all family would've not been worried about distraction.  Probably if it was Justine, I would've been more composed.  Because she has known my family since day one.  Nothing would go wrong.  Considering it now, I don't even know why comparing Justine and Sheryl.

"Justine,"  I knocked her door.  "Open up."

"Who's there?"

"Toby."  I spoke slowly.  I don't know why I ended up here but I felt like meeting her is a must.

"Wait.  What are you doing here?  You're just from here like 5 minutes ago."  She rubbed her eyes, probably from second power nap of the day.

"Are Mom and Dad here?"  I burst out came inside her room.

"No, working.  What is it about?" 

"Okay.  I admit.  I miss you."

"Wh...oa.  You're not Toby."  She sit on her bed.  "Where's Sheryl, what happened?"

I said nothing but hugging her tightly.  I rested my head on her shoulder.  Comforting as usual.  I can always be the fragile me whenever I'm around her.  It's supposed to be like that with Sheryl, but never actually happened.  At the end of the day, I always look for Justine.

"Should you tell me what is happening."  She whispered.

"I don't want to.  Just want to be here and release."  I covered my body with her blanket.

"And you take my spot, dude."  Justine rolled her eyes.  So cute.

"Hahaha.  Join me."  I left a space.

She climbed up and sit by my side, still looking confused.  I just chuckled.  Justine was always worry about me.  She wanted me to be happy.  But it's my fault.  I never thought a second of her own happiness.  I only came to her house, asked her out for shopping, Starbucks treat, then left for tour again.  Been happening for years.  But one thing about her; she never leaves.

"Girl, are you seriously dating Austin?"  I murmured.

"Hmm..."  She groaned.  "Why?"

"Can you not?"  I looked up at the ceiling.

"What?"

"I don't want you to date.  I'd be your second man in life."

"I have been your second girl in life since 3 years ago.  And never complaining."  She said slowly.

"I'm so sorry..."  I stroked her hair.  "I forgot you don't really need those Starbucks hangs.  I should've been here for you more."

"Touche, mister."  She chuckled but holding her breath.  Talking in this position, she rested her head on my chest, makes me can tell if she's nervous or even sad.

"Will you make me your only man again?" 

"What?"  She sit and looked up into my eyes.  "Do I have to know what that means?"

"I don't want to be with Sheryl."  My voice was cracked.  "It doesn't feel right."

"Toby, you're joking.  It's not for a game."  She walked to the bathroom.

"I didn't realize how much I wanted to come back to you.  How fun our Valentines was before.  How much my family likes you.  How comfortable it is around you."  I begged.

"I...'m with Austin."  Her voice was shaky.

"There is no Austin."  I walked to her.  "I know."

"No, you don't know.  You wish he didn't exist.  He does."

I was stuttered.  Was I too late?  This Austin won her heart, for real?