Tori is an intelligent, kind, beautiful and capable young woman who prioritizes meeting and upholding the expectations of her loved ones even if it means sacrificing her own needs and wants. As her father experiences a health emergency, Tori's life...
I awoke to a soft but persistent alarm coming from Liv's phone. We had fallen asleep on the large couch in my living room. I looked over, half asleep to see Liv, sleeping on her side, still deeply in sleep with her head resting on one arm that was extended over the side of the couch. Her mouth was open allowing her slow, deep breathing undisturbed access to her lungs. Some strands of her hair had found their way over her face and would move with her breaths. She looked so peaceful, and as I looked at my best friend, my heart burst with appreciation and love for her and all that she had talked through with me last night.
I rose to a sitting position and leaned over to where she was. I began rubbing her arm gently and said, "Liv. We gotta get up." Liv opened her eyes, closed her mouth and raised her head from where it had been resting on her arm. She looked around the room and laid her head back down resuming its previous position. "Fuck..." she said in a whiney tone. Liv had never been a morning person. "I'm going to go make some coffee, and take a shower. We need to leave in 30 minutes, okay?" She nodded with understanding. "Remember, it's Friday. So we just need to make it through today, and then we have a break." I said trying to console her misery of the morning. She picked her head up once more to glare at me, and I tip toed away trying not to push anymore buttons.
Once we had showered and dressed, we met back at the kitchen counter where we both began preparing our cups of coffee to our preference. Liv grasped her mug with both hands as if holding the most delicate and important artifact in a museum to bring it to her lips and take a sip. "Okay. I think I can handle today," she said once she had drank her first few sips. I laughed and said, "we should leave before we're late." Considering the emotional vulnerability that I had last night, I felt strangely normal and comfortable today and so was our drive to school.
As I was shutting the door to my car, I heard someone yell out, "Yo, Tori! Wait up!" It was not a voice that I was used to hearing. Confused, I turned in both directions trying to determine where the voice was coming from. I ultimately saw Shane Crowe making a direct and intentional path towards me.
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Character Above: Shane Crowe (Generated w/ ChatGPT)
Liv turned towards me and whispered quietly, "What is up with the athletic Ken doll?" I shook my head and provided an expression that portrayed a similar level of confusion to her. Shane had reached myself and Liv at this time. As Liv said, he was, indeed, athletic. He towered over me by several inches. His muscles were surprisingly chiseled and carved for someone of our age, and the bright blue football jersey that he was wearing accentuated his frame. His facial expression was that of excitement as his eyes were a deep brown and shining brightly with energy. His mouth was managing a devastatingly, breath-taking smile. "Hey! I wasn't sure you'd heard me, but I'm glad you did." Shane said with a smile and not breaking eye contact with me. "Oh, um, yeah. I heard you." I said with ongoing confusion. "I have been meaning to talk to you, Tori. I know that we don't have any classes together so it's made it a bit difficult trying to track you down, but I wanted to see if you were coming to my game tonight?" He said waiting for my response with great anticipation. At this point, Liv nudged me and grinned. "Oh, umm..." I began to stumble through an answer. "I don't really know what we have planned -" I began, but Liv interrupted. "Oh, Tori is just joking. She has been looking forward to the football game all week." Liv said with a giggle and grabbed my arm with a squeeze to encourage me to agree with her. "Oh, uh, gotcha!" I said unconvincingly. Shane did not even acknowledge Liv having spoken but rather responded, "Really?! That's great! I was thinking that maybe we could get something to eat afterwards or something?" He said again awaiting my response. Liv quickly inserted herself again by stating, "Oh my gosh! What a great idea! Tori, you would LOVE that wouldn't you?!" Again, squeezing my arm. My lips pressed together and my eye brows shot up. I was sure that my facial expression appeared more fear-like than excitement, but I responded meekly, "I would." Shane smiled brilliantly following my answer and then pumped his fist with pride. "Awesome, Tori! It's a date!" He said as he walked away. Liv yelled back, "Yes, it is!" I turned and looked at Liv. "What in the hell was that?!" I said with surprise and confusion. "If I recall, we discussed you needing to make some mistakes, and Shane Crowe just threw himself at you. So, I think it was destiny if you ask me." I shook my head with disbelief. "Fine, but you're coming with me to the football game," I said frustrated. "I know." Liv responded pleased with herself.
