Is This for Real

Chapter 27: Are You Sure You Want To Go?

TORI'S POV

I woke up in the morning remembering that I had to go to school. A knot immediately formed in stomach, making me feel like I was going vomit. I walked out of my room and out into the living room where I saw Pattie sitting on the couch drinking a steaming cup of coffee.

"Hi Pattie," I said I in in in non-enthusiastically while sitting down next to her.

"Hun, I know you don't want to go school but-"

"I know what you're going to say. I still need to go."

"No. You're skipping today so we can see if everything blows over. You'll go back tomorrow and Friday and we'll see what happens." She gave me a side hug. "I'm sorry honey. Do you want me to make chocolate chip pancakes? I know they're your favorite."

I slowly nodded. "Yes please."

Once the pancakes were finished, I sat at at the table with Pattie and ate. When I was halfway done with my stack, Justin walked into the kitchen. "Hey Tori," he said while ruffling my hair.

"Hey Justin," I said while putting more syrup on my pancakes.

"Don't look so upset. Chaz said he'd give everyone who talks crap about you at school, a knuckle sandwich. Christian, and Ryan are both in on this, too. If girls are spreading rumors about you, they'll call them out on Twitter and Facebook."

"Thanks Justin. But I don't think that's necessary."

"I guess you're right. I should let you handle it by yourself." He grabbed a stack of pancakes and began to eat. "But I'm not going to let you drown in your own ocean of tears all day either."

"What are you suggesting?" I asked.

"That's sweet of you to say Justin. What were you planning?" Pattie agreed.

"I remember Tori saying that she still wanted to learn how to play hockey. Do you still want to?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed happily.

"Okay then. Mom, can we hit the rink today?"

"Sure. Just make sure you're home by 7:00."

"Okay. We'll skate for a few hours and then go out to eat. Where do you want to go?"

"I don't know."

"We'll decide later."

***

I walked into the arena and sat down on a bench beside Justin. Justin rented me a pair of hockey skates. The girl who was working the counter must've been a big fan.

"Oh my gosh! You're Justin Bieber!" the girl squealed.

"Yes I am," Justin answered.

"Can I get a picture?" she asked.

Of course." She walked out from behind the counter and pulled out her phone. Justin gave her a big smooch on the cheek and she snapped the picture. He grabbed my skates. She started counting out change when Justin stopped her.

"Keep the change," he told her.

"But it's 10 dollars."

"You're the reason I do what I do. So it's least I can do."

"Wow. Thanks."

"Oh. And one more thing." He pulled a copy of his new album Mistletoe out of his jacket pocket. It doesn't even come out in stores until tomorrow.

"Wow. Thank you so, so much!"

"Like I said, it's the least I can do." He held up the skates. "Thanks for the skates."