Hearts, Scars & Horseshoes

Chapter 58 - Faith

I pulled a yellow blouse off a rack, holding it out in front of me as I studied it. I couldn't tell if I liked it or not. The old Faith probably would have bought it. What, with its ruffled 3/4 length sleeve, high neck line and pale color. I wasn't entirely sure what I was supposed to like as the new Faith.

"Uh no." Tori said, snatching the hanger from my hand. "Let me save you from yourself on that one."

"Was it that bad?" I asked, my eyebrows pinched together as I stared at the now rehung blouse.

Tori laughed, wrapping her slender arm around my shoulders and pulling me away from the rack.

"I'm pretty sure you already own that shirt in every pastel color. It's time to step away from the sad church girl clothes. Especially now that you got some good looking arm candy." She said.

I wasn't sure how I felt about Tori referring to Tobias as arm candy, even if he technically was, but I let it slide.

"When are you hanging out with him again?" She asked, stopping at a rack of shirts and sifting through them one hanger at a time.

"Tomorrow." I also started sliding shirts across, glancing at them disinterestedly.

I was meeting the rest of his friends and his parents. I probably should have been beyond nervous but I couldn't stop thinking about Simon the night before. Actually I couldn't stop thinking about the entire night.

Simon had actually done exactly what I thought he would. He pretended everything was fine. That there wasn't a person missing from our family. It was stupid of me to even think that he'd turn to me. That he'd tell me it effected him. That he missed him.

"Here." Tori's voice broke me from my thoughts. She handed me a gray top. "You could wear it tomorrow."

A smile pulled at my face as I thought about tomorrow. Toby specifically. My heart started to fluttered in my chest, the little bubble of excitement wanting to rush out of me.

I held the shirt out, it wasn't anything crazy just a gray fitted scoop neck t shirt but I also had a pair of black skinny jeans in my hand and I could already see the outfit coming together in my head. Maybe pair it with my jean jacket and my floral canvas shoes and I might look like I almost fit in with Toby. A girl could try at least.

"Yeah, maybe I will." I finally agreed.

I watched Tori for a minute as she sifted through clothes with her free hand, her other loaded up with try ons. Her hair was down as usual, one long brown wave of perfect hair. She had a decent tan happening already, something I was always a little jealous of.

"So have you seen Chase?" I asked.

Her brown eyes flicked up to me, disappointment evident.

"I saw him the other day." She said.

I couldn't help but notice the lack of smile that came to her face.

"What happened?"

She let out a sigh, losing interest in the clothes before her. "I mean I could already tell it wasn't going to last. But he said he was too busy with college and work and I deserved better, blah, blah, blah." She rolled her eyes, blowing it off even though I knew she was hurt. "Probably for the best though you know?"

I nodded my head, agreeing. She had been talking about the same decision. Calling it off before she got more attached to him. I felt bad anyway, he seemed like a sweet guy. 

"Why didn't you say anything?" I asked after a minute.

Usually Tori called me immediately after a guy broke up with her, the typical sobbing into the phone, boys suck rant. She'd either come over and we'd watch movies and eat snacks or I'd go to her house and we'd do the exact same. This time, I hadn't heard a word about, not even a blip until days later.

She shrugged her shoulder, some of her hair sweeping down across her shoulder. "I don't know. It just didn't seem worth mentioning."

"I would have came over. Pig out, watch Sixteen Candles."

She smiled. "I know. Honestly, I didn't even cry."

"Well then he definitely wasn't the right guy. So good." I gave her the world's most awkward side hug. Both of us holding onto our unpurchased merchandise. "And ya never know, maybe Toby's friends will be hot. I'll scope them out for you."

She laughed, happiness rushing back into her brown eyes. "You really are the best friend ever."

I bumped my hip into hers, looking up at her. "I know."

Her eyes rolled as she shifted the clothes in her hand.  "Come on, my arms dying. Let's go try this stuff on."

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I think this chapter came together a couple sentences at a time over a course of several days. Also unfortunately for you I got some inspiration on another story I had slightly started and well it stole my focus for a minute. I'm officially done typing my grandpa's letters so now the real fun begins in a week or two when I get his old photos he sent my grandma. Basically what I'm getting at is updates may be slow while I try and balance my time across three stories as well as try and survive daily life. So bear (bare? I'm conflicted on which one to use and too lazy to google it because I can't remember, bear or bare?) with me. I will update.