FROZEN IN BETWEEN

VALENTINE

JUSTINE'S P.O.V

I wish I could scream out loud because this situation isn't cool at all.  I walked back to my house last night with devastation.  I should've not walked out and followed Toby.  I should've not loved him.

This morning I woke up with very heavy head.  Mom and Dad already left the house to I don't know where.  I didn't wake up yet when they locked me inside the house.  And I'm not feeling it to go to school today.  So let's just skip that.

"Justine?  Hey, where are you?"  Toby called me this morning with a happy voice.  I hate him.

"I'm home."  I lazily answered.  "What's up?"

"Why don't you go to school though?"  He kept asking me.

"Because I don't feel like going?"  I sighed.  "Alright, what do you want?"

"I think I should meet you.  Be there in 10!"  

Then Toby hung up the phone.  Yeah you can never actually answer him because he likes to act like a storm.  Too fast, too uncontrollable.  So I, with some power left, combed my hair and changed into some shirt and jeans, then went downstairs where Toby has rung the bell.  He's faster than me.  Always.

"Come on in."  I raised my eyebrows as I opened the door for him.

"Whoa, you're so not ready."

"For what?"

"Everything.  Earth to Justine, it's already 9!"  Toby waved his hand on me.

"Which means...?"  I sighed.  "What is it?"

"Hey hey.  Look at me.  Why so hurry about everything?  You and your 'what is it' questions, what about it?  You're so different girl, so different."

"Nothing's different.  I'm tired from yesterday's party."  I rubbed my eyes.

"No you're not.  Justine that I know would never ditch a school just because a party.  Justine that I know wouldn't be so tired like this."  He tried to be kind by hugging me from behind.

"Or maybe you don't really know Justine."  I turned around.

"Wait what?  What is it...  Oh, some guy?"

"What's some guy?  I don't understand."  

"You, liking some guy?  Got overthink about it?  Hey, you can always rant on me."

Toby just made me stuck in silence again.  I wish he knew it wasn't that easy.  I wish he knew it's always about him.  But you can't just rant to him about your feeling with the fact that you're just one best friend from the past.  Sheryl got his attention.  Who am I to interrupt that.

"Not really.  I'm not liking anyone."  I shook my head.

"It's up to you then, you want to lie to me all the time or what."

"Just let's say we leave the topic behind.  What's your aim?"  I sit on the couch.

"I really want to go shopping with you.  For my next tour, and..."  He stopped.  "And yeah, for tour."

"For tour, and...?"

"No, just for tour."  Toby stared at me.  "Will you?"

"Like now?"  I widened my eyes.  "Oh gosh, where to go shopping at 9."

"I know the place.  Come on!  Shower, shower!" 

I ran upstairs to shower and get ready.  There's this feeling inside me telling that he tried to do something more than just tour shopping.  Because first, tour shopping is the brothers tradition.  I will never get involved in that.  Second, Toby's being all weird and stuff.  Tried to not think about it has made me even worried than before.  

"Ready."  I walked downstairs with Starla.

"Oh hey baby girl!"  Toby took Starla from me.  "But maybe we have to leave her alone for today."

"Yeah that's fine, I'm about to keep her inside."  I brought Starla to her bunk and fed her.  "Done."

"Alright let's go."  Toby helped me to lock the door as I sit in his car.

"Oh yeah!" 

"Why so pumped."  I rolled my eyes.

"Why not?  The question is, why not."  Toby smirked.

"Does this only relate to tour?"  I tried to dig information from him.

"Actually not."  He giggled.  "But I'll show you later."

So that's it.  I was drowned myself in silence again.  Toby didn't even bother to check on me.  We drove for 15 minutes to this new mall that I just saw yesterday.  It's been a while, but I didn't go anywhere lately, so I just figured out.  This mall is nearby Danny's restaurant.

"Come with me."  He smiled genuinely.  I hate how his smile looks so good on him.

"Where we going?  Hey!"  I shouted but he didn't listen.

"Just trust me...  This."  Toby suddenly stop at the middle of a store.

I looked around.  It has all pink stuff in it, literally nothing but pink.  I smiled.  Toby took a bear from the rack and gave it to me.  Yeah I gotta say, my heart's pounding, not knowing what to expect.  But isn't it too smooth, that your best friend likes you back?

"Uhm...Justine, do you think...Sheryl likes me?"

That's like a storm in a bright sunny day.  That's...not for me.  Unfortunately, it's not for me.  Unfortunately, it's still always about Sheryl.  

"Justine?  Hey, you hear me?  Do you think Sheryl will love this?  Will she say yes?"  Toby's blushing, just being all happy.

"That...  Of course she likes you.  You guys have been around for 3 years now.  Just one more touch to make it official."  I nodded.

"You think so?  Haha.  Yeah it's not only about tour.  It's my early surprise before tour.  I want to make it worth the wait for her."  He smiled to the teddy bear.

"Yeah."  I smiled to him.  In between this fake smile, I'm already crying inside.

"You think this bear is enough?  Or should I get another one?"  Toby pulled my hand to another rack of flowers.

"Flowers would be great."  I took one and gave it to him.  "Here."

"Oh thank you Justine, you're so kind!  I love you!"  Toby took everything to the cashier.

That hurts.  So bad.  So deep.  You're welcome, Valentine.