FROZEN IN BETWEEN

TAKEN AWAY

JUSTINE'S P.O.V

The rest of the night we spent beautifully. My parents didn't come home last night so I slept at their house. Joan and Mark welcomed me warmly as usual. But I refused to sleep at Toby's room, and instead, I lied myself all night in the basement studio as well as watching the brothers work. He asked me to go upstairs couple times but I said no. I wasn't in the mood.
"Morning, sleepyhead." Toby came up to the basement.
"No..." I groaned. Hey I've woken up but really, not now.
"Breakfast's ready, princess. Come on." He pulled my hands.
"One more hour." I rolled myself inside the blanket. I looked over. Riley was still there sleeping too.
"What on earth is happening with these human." Toby sighed. "Mom, they don't want to wake up."
"Okay let's just come back few minutes later." I heard Joan's whispering.
"Thank goodness." I chuckled to myself inside the blanket.
"Jeez, you're awake." Riley suddenly shocked me. I opened my blanket. He's talking still with eyes shut.
"Oh jeez you too." I rolled my eyes.
"It's Saturday anyway." Riley turned his face on me, even though we're kinda separated from each other.
"True that." I closed my eyes.
I think I fell asleep again until some hour this morning. Finally Joan used her superpower to wake us. Riley gave up. He was the one who stood up and folded his blanket. Then he carried me half alive until I opened my eyes perfectly.
"Eat your breakfast, kids." Mark smiled to us.
"Oh good morning, Mr. McDonough." I rubbed my eyes repeatedly.
"Wonderful." Connor messed my hair.
"I'm not Tank." I shook my head, but it just made them laugh louder.
"So your Mom and I will have a weekend for both of us. You kids can do anything you want. Except drive safely Connor, and take care of your brothers." Mark gave his morning speech then looked at me. "And sister."
"Nah, don't worry. I'm gonna come home after this." I drank my milk.
"Why so?" Riley glanced.
"I think Mom and Dad will be back anytime soon." I raised my eyebrows. Uninterested in discussion.
"Oh okay. But until they come, you stay here." Joan winked.
"Meh..." I was about to complain but Joan already turned her back on me. "Alright."
"Where you're going, Pops?" Connor asked before the parents leave.
"Somewhere secret." Mark whispered.
"Oh shoot." I laughed loudly.
"So funny." Joan rolled her eyes. "Bye bye kids, til tomorrow!"
"Bye bye Mom, Dad." We said in unison.
"Soooo what you're gonna do?" Riley washed his dishes with me.
"I don't know. What you think?" I replied.
"Thomas and Braiden will come over, I guess with Tayler too. We want to play again." Connor added. "You're coming, Justine?"
"Ah, uhm...that, I don't think so. Can I like go home now? I want to shower and stuff." I grabbed my school bag.
"Hey, don't you tell Toby first?" Connor pointed to upstairs because Toby's in his room.
I didn't say anything but nod, then ran to his room. I sneaked in my head. Yeah, he's busy with her phone. Lately, his brother's fame has also impacted to him because I heard the fans were trying to find out if Connor and Riley have another sibling. And both of them also liked to include Toby in virtual conversation. I saw him having fun a lot with that, which is cool. But for the past hour, he seemed forget I was here.
"Tobes, I'm going back alright." I said in short and ran again downstairs.
"That's that?" Riley glanced.
"Yeah, what should I do? Sing?" I chuckled.
One thing. Toby didn't even put attention to me. I bet he didn't hear what I said. So what to say anymore. Be it.
I ran fast to my house, opened the front door and locked it back, then burst into my room. I hate this Toby right now. I should've seen that. He's a good friend but maybe, either his fame or Sheryl has taken him away from me. I wish it wasn't that odd to say. I miss my best friend.