Hello, again! This is the Fourth installment of Tory's Complication. Thanks again to reviewers and I apologize for the VERY incorrect statement about the update timing. Je suis desolee. Forgive me!
Note: I am still not Quick-sama, therefore, I still do not own Off*Beat.
Also, this chapter is in Colin POV.
Enjoy!
Chapter 3
The next day…
Eric…? That's his name, huh! Colin looked out his bedroom window. He didn't like this. That guy was in Tory's room! (Hey, if Tory could spy, then so could Colin!)
It was 10:30 a.m. Tory wouldn't mind if I was early, would he?
Colin headed into the hallway and looked into the decorative mirror on the wall. Let's see… My eyes aren't puffy. That's good. No skin blemishes. I combed my hair. I tried to study a few chapters last night. Anything to make me seem smarter, handsomer, just… better. Colin made his way out of the house and across the street.
Is Tory popular with guys? He really hasn't shown any interest in girls. What if this "Eric" steals Tory right from under me? Colin stopped in front of Tory's front door.
Damnit! I'm such a coward! Colin knocked. Why can't I just ask him myself?
"Wow, Colin! I know you live across the street, but you're an hour early!" Tory's voice sounded so carefree and happy. His eyes seemed to light up upon seeing the raven. But that could just be me seeing what I want, rather than what's actually there.
"I'm sorry I'm early, but-" Colin caught sight of a very unwelcome brunette on the couch. "Why's he here?" I may have put too much venom into that.
"Eric asked to join us." Tory looked nervous. Is he hiding something?
"My cousin Paul went to see a friend in the hospital. Plus, I'm new here and Tory is the only person I'm familiar with."
Colin stared at the brunette-Eric. What kind of teenager talks like that? Eric had shiny brown hair and eyes; smooth, creamy skin; glasses framing his face perfectly; a familiar, Paul-like smirk; and is it just me or is that book in freaking FRENCH?
There has to be a flaw.
"Your parents? Where are they?"
"Died a few years ago." No parents. Tory would fall for a sob story like that.
"Why're you here now?"
"COLIN!" Tory shouted in anger. "What's with the third degree? He is as much a guest in this house as you are, and should be treated as such!"
"!" Colin was shocked, to say the least. By the look on Eric's face, he wasn't the only one.
"Now," Tory calmed down and stated. "Let's study. Colin, Physics. Eric, homework."
A few hours later…
"Finally," Eric exclaimed. "We're done!"
Good. Eric can go home!
Of course, the phone rang and Tory just HAD to leave the room in order to answer it.
"Colin?" Eric's voice was even more annoying in person. "What's your relationship with Tory?"
"…" Not sure, yet.
"Colin?"
"We're friends." But I want to be so much more!
"…" I don't like him. He looks like he's plotting something.
"Why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
With that, Tory returned to the room.
"Looks like Paul can't come back tonight. He said that he wants you to stay here. He already told my mom."
What?
"Can I stay, too?" I can't let Eric be alone with Tory that long.
"Shouldn't you ask first?" Ah… It's so nice of him not to mention the doctor right now. He's always like that with me. But, again, that might be my imagination.
"Ask your mom first." Nonetheless, it's nice to have Tory's focus on me.
"Mom! Can Colin stay, too?" Tory shouted into the kitchen.
"That's fine as long as it's fine with his guardian," Mary shouted back.
Tory faced Colin again. "Call him."
As much as I hate to do it…
Colin grabbed the phone and left the room.
I just have to finish quickly.
"RING- Hello?" The doctor's voice was heard.
"It's me. I'm staying here tonight."
"Don't stay there. Come back."
"Fine. I'll be right there."
"Beep- Beep- Beep."
Great! Now I have to leave.
He walked into the living room. Though I really don't want to.
His best friend met Colin halfway. Tory…
"Sorry, Tory, but I have to go." Colin saw the disappointment in Tory's eyes.
"I'll walk you out."
Outside…
The boys were on Tory's stoop.
"Thanks for walking me out." It comforted me a little.
Colin paused as Tory looked his way.
"What's wrong?" Tory really did look and sound concerned.
"There's a presentation tomorrow." Tory wasn't fooled.
"Not that. What's wrong with you?"
"Right now?"
"Colin…" Tory was getting impatient.
"…" Colin looked away. "I don't like Eric."
"Why?"
"He…" might take you away. Colin couldn't bring himself to say it. "He just rubbed me the wrong way."
"What?" He tried not to laugh as he realized what went through Tory's mind.
"It's a saying. Nothing important."
He gazed at Tory.
The red head was beautiful. His hair shifted gracefully in the breeze. His lovely green eyes looked back at him sweetly. His perfect lips parted slightly as he was about to say something, but Colin interrupted.
"Just be careful, okay?"
"O…kay?" Tory blushed in the cutest way possible.
"Bye." Colin walked across the street and closed his door behind him.
Please, don't take him away from me!
TBC
Thanks for reading! I really appreciate it and reviews are welcome!
Next Chapter: Eric's idea, Tory's feelings, Colin expresses himself, and Paul gets more airtime!