A Glimpse of Us • Sodapop Curtis

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ｔｗｅｎｔｙ-ｆｏｕｒ

Tori

"I don't know where the hell you think it's okay to run off with some guy you barely know!"

I think Darry has been yelling at me for about 15 minutes now, I'm not too sure because I spaced off. He has a tendency to repeat himself over and over when he's upset.

And let me tell you, he's upset.

Darry was facing away from me, throwing his hands up in anger. I was sprawled out on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Are you even listening to me, Tori?" Darry spoke, now facing me, I swear I thought the vein in his head was about to pop.

"Yes, yes, very irresponsible of me, don't know the guy, he's not good company, and I can't make rash decisions in a fit of anger, I heard you." I exclaimed, letting out a sigh.

Darry started to rub his head, muttering something under his breath.

"So, you knew this whole time and didn't tell me?" I asked cutting the silence.

Darry dropped his hands from his face, staring at me with a straight face.

"Me and Dally both agreed that it should be kept from you for right now." He simply said.

I felt so annoyed, "I'm his sister!"

"I know, you both act the exact same. I know you Tori, you are going to try and fix everything by putting yourself in a dangerous situation." Darry seethed.

"I am not." I said rolling my eyes.

"You already have." Darry said.

My mind went back to the time I ventured off to the park myself and the earlier events.

They all just want to protect me. But I don't need protecting, I need to protect my brother.

"Just let me and Dally try and figure it out." Darry simply said.

I didn't say anything, because Darry was right, I couldn't just sit back and hope everything would be okay, and I was going to protect my brother no matter what.

"I need a glass of water." I said, getting up from the bed and heading towards the door.

Darry stopped me before I could leave, "Stay out of it Tori."

God, he sounded just like Dally.

I practically ran down the stairs just to get away from that conversation.

I noticed Soda, Toni, and Two-bit in the living room, they all stared at me and I returned it with a glare.

I continued my way to the kitchen, and I heard someone get up to follow me, I glanced over my shoulder to see Keith.

"What do you want?" I muttered.

"Tori, i'm sorry, I-"

"Yes, i know, you thought you were protecting me." I said, cutting him off.

I heard Keith sigh, and he gently grabbed my wrist to turn me towards him, "Tori, please understand I am already worried sick about Toni, and I don't want to have to worry about you too just because you think you're helping."

"I think I should have at least known." I said, staring at the floor.

"I know, but Toni begged me not to tell you."

"Why would he do that?"

"Probably because of guilt, he's ashamed, I don't know Tori."

"How'd you find out?" I asked.