Disclaimer: last time I checked it's still not mine. Trust me it was like two minutes ago.

Arguments

"A million copies sold? You're kidding." Sarah could hear Marc's astonishment.

"I'm looking at the numbers right here. I'm surprised Your publicist hasn't told you yet." She replied into her phone.

"That's unbelievable Sar! I wanna take you out tonight to celebrate. Wear something nice."

"I don't know Marc. Toby's just getting used to things and I don't think going out is such a good idea."

"I won't hear it, Sarah. It's been four months. You need to do something for yourself every once in a while and stop worrying about your brother all the time. I even talked to Mrs. Evans across the street. She said she'd love to have him over to play with Breanna. You see? No harm no foul. Meet me at my place at 7. I'll see you then." She heard the phone click on the other line.

Sarah let out a sigh. Marc was right. She needed to stop being so protective of her brother. She packed up her stuff from her desk and left for the day. Once arriving home, She kept herself entertained by flipping through some channels and finishing up on some work when she heard the door open and Toby walked in. He let out a huff, tossed his bag on the floor, and plopped on the sofa. Sarah raised her eyebrows.

"Rough day?" She asked

"I hate Tuesdays." He grumbled.

Sarah nearly laughed but the expression on his face warned her otherwise. God when he scowled like that he almost looked like-nope. Not thinking that right now. She went to the fridge and pulled out fresh lemonade with two glasses and sat them on the table. She then grabbed two Nutty Bars off of the top of the fridge. She gestured towards the afternoon snack and Toby shuffled over. She poured the lemonade as she asked: "Care to elaborate?"

"It's this girl." Sarah's face shot up. "She kept bugging me when I don't like her. I told her I only wanted to be friends and.." He paused as he took a sip from his glass.

"And...?" Sarah pushed.

"I made her cry." his face fell. He looked down at his hands in his lap. "I don't want anyone to cry because of me." He whispered. Tears were glistening in his wide blue eyes.

"Oh, Toby." Sarah moved to hug him, hoping he wouldn't push her away. He only pulled her closer. "You did what you had to do. She might be sad now but later on, she'll thank you for it." Toby let out a sigh as Sarah pulled back. "So who's this girl?"

"Breanna Evans. She lives across the street."

Uh oh. He's not going to like what I have to say. Reaching a resolve to change the subject, Sarah started: "So Toby, Marc and I are going out tonight."

"Cool! Are we going to Johnny Brusco's again?" His face lit up.

"That's the thing...it's kinda just Marc and I. You'll be eating with the Evans's."

"What?" Toby snapped.

"I said-"

"I can't go there! Breanna hates me! And her mom smells like rotten eggs!" Toby exploded. He jumped from the table chair and glared at his sister. "You have to take me with you."

"Toby, you can't come with us. Marc made it clear that it would be just him and I. As much as I'd like to-"

He gripped. "You're always going out with your stupid boyfriend and leaving me behind!" His face was red with anger. "It's not fair!"

I wonder what your basis for comparison is.

Toby stormed off and up the stairs, slamming his bedroom door. Where did that all come from? One moment he was fine and the next he was acting like...well, her fifteen-year-old self. Not to mention that the three of them always went places together. She never wanted Toby to feel left out like she as. She was up the stairs in an instant, knocking on Toby's door.

"Toby." She started, her voice cracking. "I'm really sorry about-"

"No, you're not!" He shouted through the door. "You want to make me miserable!"

Sarah was growing irritated now.

"Toby where is this coming from? You know I care about you. "

She could here his snort. "Yea. You sure care. Practically knocking down the damn door!" A memory played in her head. This was way too familiar. "Go with your stupid boyfriend. Leave me alone." She pushed open the door. The eleven-year-old was face down on his bed. She walked over to him and passed her fingers through his hair. There was something more that was bugging him and it was more than some little school crush.

"Toby, please talk to me." She begged. "What else is going on?"

Toby looked up from his pillow and stared at his sister, tears streaming down his face. "You wished me away."

Sarah paled. Toby pulled out a small red book from under his pillow. "where did you get that?"

"Marc gave it to me. He found it in the attic after mom's funeral." He fumbled through the pages as Sarah remained frozen. He continued. "I thought it was just a dream. But when I read it I knew they were memories. The Goblin King was scary but fun." He looked up at Sarah, tears filling his eyes. "Why, Sarah? Don't you love me?" Her heart seemed to break.

"Oh Toby," she pulled him into her arms and held him close. "Of course I love you! I wouldn't have gotten you back if I didn't. I fought my way to get you, and I would do it over again." He seemed to understand as he clutched her tighter. "Could you ever forgive me?" She whispered, not trusting her own voice. Toby pulled away, wiped his eyes, and gave her a small smile.

"Yea." He seemed to ponder a moment before adding: "And I'll even go to the Evans house, on one condition." Sarah raised her eyebrows in question before he continued, "Tell me about your adventure in the Labyrinth. I read the book, but I wanna know from you."

Taking a deep breath, Sarah told Toby about her running the Labyrinth, her friends, and the enchanted peach dream. She even relayed what the Goblin King had asked of her.

"So do you love him?" Toby asked suddenly.

"What?" her eyes widened in shock

"Well, he obviously loves you. From what you say." He answered enthusiastically. "So do you love him?"

"Toby I don't think you understand. That was all a distraction to keep me from getting to you." Toby was about to answer when the grandfather clock downstairs began to chime. Sarah looked at her watch. 7 o'clock. She cursed under her breath.

"Damn, we're late! And I'm not even ready! C'mon Tobes, we've gotta go." Sarah was rushing to her room looking for something to wear as Toby threw his shoes on. She settled for a black cocktail dress and small heels. She could only manage to take out her French braid from earlier to have dark chocolate curls come over her shoulders. God Marc's gonna kill me. She took Toby's hand and hurried out the door.

A/N: thank you guys so much for reading! No, I'm not done with Between the Stars. If anything, it's only beginning. Who doesn't love brother/sister bonding time? And don't kill me yet, Mister J will make an appearance in the next chapter. Anyone else still excited for Suicide Squad like I am? Please fav, follow, or review! It always inspires me to write faster!