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"You sure this is a good idea?"
Tory sighed, her hand tightly clutching the sleeve of her green sweatshirt. "It's the only way I can get back into school. I need to become the person that Brandon needs."
Emmy smiled in sympathy, rubbing her friend's shoulder. "Then are you sure you want me to go in with you? This seems like a private matter."
"Yes," Tory immediately said, turning to Emmy. "I'm not going in there by myself. I need you here."
"Okay," Emmy grabbed her handing, interlocking their fingers. "I'll stay right here with you."
Tory took a deep breath, swallowing thickly and nodded. She then turned back to the door, and rang the door bell.
"Hold on, I'm coming!" they heard from inside. And a few seconds later, the door opened, Amanda's face falling at the sight of them. Her eyes lingered on Emmy, knowing what she had done. "Oh. So you're knocking this time."
Tory looked like a kicked puppy, her usual snarky demeanor gone. "Mrs. LaRusso, I... I need your help."
Amanda stared at her for a moment, before turning to her daughter. "What are you here for?"
"Just here to support a friend," Emmy shrugged.
Amanda thought for a moment, figuring that Emmy wouldn't try anything and screw things up for whatever Tory wanted. "Okay. Come on in. You remember the way?"
Tory glanced at Emmy, who looked at her encouragingly, and the two walked into the house. This was their first time since the house fight.
"I'm scared," Tory admitted in a whisper as they headed for the kitchen table.
"Don't be scared," Emmy whispered back, glancing at her mom. "She's more understanding than my dad."
They took a seat next to each other, Amanda sitting across from Tory and diagonal from Emmy. Tory took a deep breath before talking. "So the principal said he'd consider letting me back into school because of my situation at home, bu your family would have to sign off. Emmy not included."
"Well," Amanda sighed. "I'm gladd you wanna get your life back on track. Going back to school is a big step. But I need you promise me something."
"I'll stay away from Sam," Tory quickly interjected. "I swear."
"That's great. But, um... I want you to get support. Talk to someone. You've been dealing with a lot."
"I have Emmy," Tory breathed out. "She's the only friend I got."
Emmy held her hand tighter, her thumb gently stroking her knuckles.
"That's good. It's good to have friends you can talk to. But, you should... talk to a therapist, a guidance counselor, the Dalai Lama, it doesn't matter. Just someone who isn't karate related."
