Her.

• TWENTY TWO •

| B R Y C E |

Tori had been staying at my place for a week or two. Her and Jordan. I had an extra room so why not? She had been quiet and she was a very clean roommate . I ain't try to make a move on her yet because I know she still tryna' get her head together. I don't blame her. I can see it's hard for women now . I feel like I could step in they shoes to understand how they feelin' you know? I could tell she was really distant and she'd been freaking out.

I seen her crying in the shower. Well , I wasn't looking at her on no stalker type shit. I just was walking past the bathroom door and I could hear her wincing in pain and sobbing . I felt more bad. But every time I think about his bitch ass , That same image pops up in my head. Me stomping his head out. I didn't regret not one stomp. He deserved it. What type of nigga beat on his girl? His high school sweetheart? DUMMY. That was worse than a rookie move , playing football. Like c'mon , man. DO better.

It was like 9:00 and I was up getting ready for work. I had heard a couple pots move around so before I put on my shirt , I went into the kitchen , to see Jordan playing around in the cabinets. I laughed and picked him up , "Heeeey Big Fella. " He smiled at me "Good-- Goo-Morning" Just then Tori had woke up wearing:

She grabbed Jordan & took him into her arms and sighed , " Sorry about that-I --"
"It's cool , T. Lil Man was just having fun ." I went into the living room , sat down & turned on the tv and Jordan ran over to me and laid on the couch so I turned to Chuggington & laid back . "Uhm , are you hungry ? I can make something to eat , " Tori said , scratching her head . "Nah , Come here. " I said . She walked over slowly and sat down next to me . " You good ?" I asked her .

She just stared at the wall and curled her lips . " I don't know, Bryce . I really don't know . " I just stared at her . Looking at her thoughts , deep inside her head . " You wanna talk about it ? " I asked . She just laid still and her eyes watered a bit . "I'm hurt . " She said simply , " And ... I feel so stupid . I'm so stupid , Bryce . " She cried . I pulled her into a hug & let her head rest on my chest . " I shouldn't have treated you like that , I shouldn't have treated myself like that . This is all my fault . I put myself I this situation . " She said .

"Tori , you can't blame , yoself' you thought you was doing the right thing , How could you tell yo' own conscious , no ? " I questioned .

"I did you wrong . & You didn't deserve that , " She cried . "I'm sorry , Bryce. Me staying here only makes me feel 30 times worse . I'm staying with you , and I'm not sure if you forgave me . Hell, have I even forgiven myself ? " She sniffed .

" I just need some time... To get my shit together . "