FROZEN IN BETWEEN

DISTRACTION

JUSTINE'S P.O.V

"But I can't do tomorrow, Justine..." Toby spoke.

"Yeah, but then what are you doing with calling me like this if there's nothing you can do about that? I should've just gone today by myself." I threw my cardigan on the bed.

"It's not... Okay what about next week?" He begged.

"It's tomorrow or I'll go by myself." I hung him up.

Tomorrow's a big day. It's my Mom's birthday so I planned to make a surprise party for her, together with my Dad. Everything's supposed to be perfect, and I should've gone to prepare the party today, but Toby called me that he wanted to involve. Not saying that Sheryl also gave another ton of problem when she said she can't help me today, tomorrow, or whenever it is. Sheryl and her endless trip with her parents, you never know. So practically, I got no hands to help. Dad tried to take Mom somewhere til tomorrow afternoon. So I'm home alone. Being 16 sucks.

I woke up this morning still with the dress that I wore last night, some horrible eyeliner, and messy hair. Bam! It's 10 already. I gotta go hurry because maybe I only have like 6 hours to prepare the whole thing. Dad texted me that they're doing great, and Mom didn't get suspicious about everything. Awesome. Tick tock.

"Why take so long?" I was about to fall off the stairs when a voice shocked me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Toby.

"Keep you company, if that's not obvious yet." He pointed outside. There's a car already parked.

"Shouldn't it be illegal or something?" I chuckled.

"Hey I'm 16, and Connor gives his car." He laughed. "Starla and I are hungry. Make us breakfast, Mom."

"Jeez you're a pain." I rolled my eyes.

I poured some cereals and milk to two bowls for our breakfast. Then I got Starla her food too. We ate like a happy family. Frankly, I'm a bit nervous. I might have not met Toby a lot lately, and it's been 3 years since Toby joined the band with his brothers which meant he did online school, so I didn't realize that...he's...that good looking.

"Where's the snapback?" I asked while we're eating.

"Wow my heart's broken. Girl, I haven't wore it anymore for a while." He chuckled.

"Really?" I was amazed looking at his profile.

"Something like that. Ouch you didn't care." Toby pouted.

"Don't blame me. You ditched me for that online school whatever. We practically live next door but you go on tour a lot." I put my dish to the washing machine. Barely breathe.

"Hey...I'm sorry...but I'm here now." He walked toward me.

"Which I hate that, because you'll be gone again." I chuckled in tears. I hate crying in front of Toby but dang, I've lost my best friend for a long time.

"No... Look. You're the first to know our schedule when it's out. I promise." Toby hugged me from behind.

I left the conversation unattended because no more I got to say. I wish there was a time, even once in a week, where I could spend with Toby. We've been friends since day one, can't you see? Joan and my Mom went to the same hospital when they delivered us. After 3 years, I'm tired of being the forgotten. Oh I wish it's that easy to tell Toby what I feel. But no. Don't.

"Shall we?" Toby took his phone and my purse.

"Come on. Hey Starla, let's go." I picked up Starla with me. Well she's a little puppy she went everywhere with me.