A Glimpse of Us • Sodapop Curtis

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ｔｈｉｒｔｙ-ｅｉｇｈｔ

Tori

The week that I had between mine and Toni's birthday and school had rolled by so fast that it made my head spin.

     I've had an unsettling feeling in my stomach since that day with Chris, not only because I didn't know what his next move was but because of the way i've had to lie to everyone, including Soda. I have come up with so many 'what if' scenarios in my head that I think I could write a whole novel about them.

     I felt downright guilty. Guilty about everything, but then I had to make myself remember that this was all for Toni and if it comes down to it they will understand.

They will have to understand.

     There was one thing I was thankful for and that was that my brother was getting better.

     There were the moments where he had mood swings or looked irritable. There were also the moments where he would just stare off to nothing, but nonetheless I could tell that he was getting better, this was just a stage that he had to go through, no matter how much it sucked. And I know if it sucked watching him it sucked even more experiencing it.

     "All three of you better go to sleep early tonight, your first day of school is tomorrow," my mother lectured, walking into the living room, getting all her things together for her shift at work.

     All three of us were watching whatever Two had put on the TV, though I think Toni was stuck in his own mind rather that focusing his attention on the screen and as for me I was stuck wondering what was going on in Toni's mind, luckily for me though, this was a distraction from my own worried thoughts.

     I mumbled an okay but my brothers obviously didn't hear my mother so she had to stand in front of the screen to get their attention.

     "Are you boys listening to me?" My mother asked, crossing her arms.

     "Yes, mom." Two-bit mumbled out still trying to view the screen around my mother's legs.

      "Keith none of this should be new to you, you should have your head in the game at least this time, come on."

     Toni's attention was finally caught and he giggled at my mother making a slight jab to Two.

     Keith smirked, "Yeah yeah, I got it."

     "You kids need your rest for tomorrow and I won't be here to send you off, so Keith please take a leading role okay?"

      I honestly think the world leadership was a very distant word to Keith, even for how long he's been stuck in the 12th grade.

      "Okay, mom," Two groaned.

     "Don't you start your job tomorrow?" Toni chirped up.

     "How'd you know about that?" I questioned.

     "Dallas said something about it," Toni shrugged.

     "You're getting a job?" Keith asked, eyeing me.

    My mother was giving me a questionable look as well because this was all new news to them.

     I hesitated while letting out a breath, "yeah, I start at the diner tomorrow."

     My mother's focus then turned to Two's, "When are you going to get a job? Hm?"

     Toni snickered, "Probably when he finally manages to graduate high school. So maybe in like two-three years mom."

     Keith grabbed a pillow and chucked it at Toni and I had to dodge to avoid it from hitting me as well, "Very funny, kid."

     My mother rolled her eyes at the boys but I think it was more so directed to Keith and how irresponsible he was, but to be fair, Toni wasn't any better.