I Wish I could Fight you, but I can't

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Tori's POV:

Sunlight streams through my window as I slowly open my eyes. Inhaling sharply, I raise my head to look around my room. Cat is curled up on the end of my bed, a blanket tucked tightly around her as she softly snores. Our science project (a mini satellite!) sits on the floor next to the paper mache earth and moon we made to go with it. The skittles and straws are still on my desk from last night. I swallow and look up at the clock on the wall. 7:12 am. We need to leave for school in an hour. Yawning, I stretch out my arms and swing my legs around and off the bed. I tiptoe over and gently shake Cat awake. "Hey...Cat...c'mon wakey wakey" I say. She scrunches her face and rolls over...and straight off the end of my bed. Her scream scares the living daylights out of me. I crawl onto my bed and look down to where she fell. She's laughing of course, not hurt at all. "Well that's one way to get out of bed" I smile. She giggles and looks up at me "hiii! I'm okay!" she says, untangling herself from the blanket. "You want first shower?" I ask, running my fingers through my brunette waves. "Kay kay" Cat picks up her duffel bag and runs to the bathroom.

I yawn again and grab my orange pear book. Pulling open the lid, I sit back on my bed and click on The Slap.com. I see that the stupid video Cat and I made has gotten over 200 views already! My heart skips a beat when I read what's under it:

❤ Liked by AndréH, Beck_Oliver and 102 others...

Beck liked our video? Great, so he saw me in my pyjamas at 2 in the morning being a crackhead with Cat. But then again it's my fault for posting it. I hear a tone and look around for my pear phone. Pulling it out from under my pillow, I look at the message

Beck:

You and Cat need a ride to school 🙂?

I blush and let out a little squeal. He's so sweet. I hesitate, remind myself not to sound to eager, then type back

Will there be a dozen stupid Northridge girls there to bite my elbow again?

I laugh and remember the time he drove me to school. His reply is quick

No Northridge Nutjobs, I promise 🙃

I smile.

Then yes, we would love a ride, thanks 😁

He types back.

I'll be at your house around 8:20?

Sounds good ❤

I start to overthink adding the little heart, but am relived when I replies with

See you then 💙

My heart flutters and I bite my lip. This quickly turns into a scowl when my phone starts ringing. It's my manager Rod. What does he want so early in the morning? I push accept and lift the phone to my ear.

"Yes Rod, what is it?" I sigh.

"Hey Marx, how are you?" I can hear the excitement in his voice, which worries me. "What have you gotten me into this time Rod?" I question skeptically. He scoffs. "Why do you think I've gotten you into something?" I can envision him raising his eyebrows. "You're only this chirpy when you've closed a deal or something" I reply. "Well, as a matter of fact, I have. I booked you in for a photoshoot with Pink Bull!" He says happily. I just groan. "The active wear company? Why?" I hate photoshoots, they're awkward and the photographers are annoying. "They want you to be the face if their new summer collection. Lot's of Tank tops and sports bras" I roll my eyes. "And you're already in a contract with them Shelby, so don't think about bailing" I huff. "First of all, it's Tori. Second, I'm not gonna bail, I'll do the stupid shoot" I can hear his grin through the phone. "Ayy, that's what I like to hear Tori, I'll pick you up Tomorrow after school and we can – "

"I can't tomorrow afternoon, I have to film a student movie for one of my assignments" I shoot back. I already know what he's going to say before he even begins. "Sorry Marx, but you're gonna have to cancel, this is an important deal for you and we can't change the date" I grit my teeth.

"And what am I supposed to tell my teacher and my friends?" I reply angrily. Rod exhales. "Make something up like you always do Tori!" he argues. I clench my fist. "So you just want me to keep lying to my friends AND my school Rod? That's not going to work forever! And –" I stop because I can hear Cat's footsteps coming down the hall. "I gotta go" I scowl and hang up before he can object.

Cat pushes open the door, her skin still damp, wrapped up in her fluffy purple bathrobe. "Who were you talking too?" She asks, running her fingers through her cherry red hair. "No one" I reply. "Beck's gonna give us a ride to school" She eyes me with a grin and I glare at her. "Cat, don't start" I warn. She squeals excietedly. "Maybe I was right!!" She does a little happy dance and I can't help but smile at her childish reaction. "Just get dressed kitten" I say and walk towards the bathroom. "Can I borrow your pink sweater?" Cat calls behind me. "The one with the tye die flower on it?" I yell back a yes, then close and lock the bathroom door.

After a quick shower, I change into black faded jeans, an American flag t-shirt, my red Hollywood arts bomber jacket and ankle height black converse. I help Cat quickly straighten her hair, then we make our way downstairs for breakfast.

My parents are already downstairs. Mom is at the stove cooking and Dad's sitting at the kitchen table drinking his coffee. "Hey guys" I say, walking into the kitchen with Cat trailing behind me. "Hey girls" Dad replies. Cat coming over on Sundays has become a regular thing; her parents have to take her brother to therapy and Cat doesn't like it so I told her she could sleepover. I turn to Cat "Apple Jacks, Lucky Charms or Cinnamon toast crunch?". She knits her eyebrows, thinking hard. "mmm...Lucky Charms" she decides, pulling out two bowls. "You girls don't want an omelette?" Mom asks, gesturing to the pan. "No thanks Mrs Tori's Mom" Cat replies as I pour our cereal. (My parents have also accepted that that is what Cat will forever call them). I add the milk and we join my Dad at the kitchen table. As we're eating, I hear my Dad clear his throat. He's eyeing my side, so I look down.

One of my bruises from training is just visible when I sit down as my shirt goes up. My eyes widen. "Um, I'll be right back" I say, shooting Cat a smile. She smiles back at me, completely oblivious. I dash upstairs to the bathroom, where Trina is doing her makeup. Me opening the door startled her, because she has a line of pink lipstick along the side of her face. "TORI!" She yells loudly, grabbing a makeup wipe and rubbing her face. "Sorry Treen" I say quickly. I grab a tube of concealer from her makeup bag and unscrew the cap. "Do you think you can help me cover this up?" I ask and lift my shirt so she can see the purple bruise. She quickly nods. As annoying as Trina can be, she has her moments. I hiss in pain as she presses too hard with the beauty blender. "Sorry!" She apologises, then blots the cream. "You've got to make Juan go easier on you, this looked like it hurt!" Trina sighs. I thought back to when Juan's side kick connecting with my rib. "It wasn't his fault, I should've been fast enough to dodge." I pause, then add. "Maya Feckner's not gonna give me a second to breathe"

Trina stops and looks me in the eye. "Are you sure you'll be ready to fight her?" She asks worriedly. "Yes Treen, I've beaten her before-"

"Only just! And you ended up in hospital after that fight, she fights dirty!" Trina puts away the concealer. I shoot her a smile "I'll be fine, no one can beat Shelby". Trina rolls her eyes and pushes me out the door.

I jog back downstairs and finish my cereal with Cat. "What time is it?" I ask her. She looks at her pink pear phone. "8:09" She takes my empty bowl and adds it to the dishwasher. "Beck'll be here soon" She adds with a wink. I groan and push her upstairs to the bathroom to brush our teeth.