Tino left his house in a rush, almost running to the beach. His desire to find out what Lor had called him for and why she sounded so terrible had erased his depression. Now the only thing on his mind was the thought of helping his friend. He no longer cared about anything else, she wanted to talk and he was going to listen.
"This is no time to let my fears get in the way. I have a friend in need, and I'll be damned if I'm not gonna help out. I'll see you in hell, Fate," Tino thought with conviction.
When he got to the beach he looked around for Lor. Eventually he spotted her standing at the wall looking out towards the sun setting into the ocean.
Tino then began walking in her direction thinking, "Tonight, I am all ears for Lor."
As he approached her, Lor turned slightly to look at him.
When he was finally standing next to her she whispered, "Thanks for coming."
"Of course, you know I wouldn't let you down. We are friends and we stick together. I know something is wrong from your tone of voice and your behavior this past week so there is no way I could turn you away," Tino said seriously.
Lor smiled slightly for the first time that week, happy that he was there for her.
"Thanks, Tino. It really means a lot to me that you are such a good friend. You have always been there for me, helping me out when I needed it. I don't know where I would be without your advice and help."
Tino felt like a new man hearing these words.
"I'm your friend. It's only natural to do that. Friends don't refuse help or turn you away. Friends will be there for you in your darkest days, when it seems like there is no hope you can turn to them and they will be there. Over these years you have also helped me out by lending me money or helping me with sports despite my complete inability to play them. It is a two-way street you are there for me and I am there for you. Like two angels with only one wing, they must stick together to fly. So then what did you want to see me about?"
Lor's smile disappeared and she looked back out at the sun.
She took a deep breath before talking, "It's about my date with Thomson. It wasn't ... It wasn't what I had expected. I was fooled."
"I'm sorry, but I don't quite follow you. What do you mean you were fooled?" Tino asked.
"I guess I should start at the beginning. Noontime came around, Thomson pulled up and I got in his car to go to the movies. Things started off real nice, we talked about sports and things on the ride there. When we got to the theater he paid for my ticket and popcorn. At that time I felt so wonderful because things were going so well. During the theater he held my hand, which really had always been a dream of mine. However, he started to get a bit 'close'. Soon his hands were getting a little too busy. I didn't really mind at first, but when I felt his hand begin to grope my breast a little, I was angry to say the least. I got up and walked out of the movie. Soon after Thomson followed asking what was wrong. Of course I read him the riot act telling him to not treat me like that. Unfortunately, he just laughed it off and said I was bein' too sensitive."
"That damned bastard.." Tino muttered coldly.
Lor continued, "But he did say that he would be more careful, and I, like a fool, decided to believe him. We finished watching the movie and he only held my hand from that point on. After the movie was over he asked if I wanted to hang some more. I said yes so we got into his car and drove off. We went to some park I have never been to before. I didn't think much of it, but we drove off deeper into the park with fewer people as we continued on and then I started to get a little worried. When we finally came to a stop I didn't see anyone else around. He smiled at me, but it was so empty. He told me that he was goin to make my dreams come true because he knew how much I wanted to be with him. He leaned over and began kissing me, and I was so stunned that I didn't move at all. Soon things turned into what I feared. I felt him try to undo my jeans and then I pulled away. He may have been the guy that I have had a crush on for so long, but I barely knew him and there was no way I was gonna let him have me."
Tino was fuming with rage. He could barely believe his ears.
"What a disgusting pig. I can't believe this," Tino growled.
"I'm not done yet," Lor commented.
"After I pulled away, Thomson looked at me and asked me what the problem was. I told him that, like I had already said at the theaters, that he wasn't going to treat me like that. I told him that I wanted to be treated with decency and respect. He was taken aback and said that he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Apparently, he thought that since I have had a crush on him for so long that I would be an easy target. I wanted out right then and there, but he claimed that nobody ditched him. He tried one last time to get what he wanted but I kicked him away screaming. He told me to calm down, that he was no rapist, but he did kick me out of the car telling me to walk home. Honestly, though I was glad to get out of the car. Just before he pulled away he told me that he was going to tell all his fellow seniors at school and that I would be sorry because I was only a sophomore. Then he called me a bitch, while he drove off. It was horrible."
Lor broke into tears as she finished. Tino instinctively put his arm around her to comfort her.
"It's just that I wanted to be with him for so long and I've talked to him before, but I never thought he was capable of something like this. I never should have trusted him."
"There was no way you could have known that it would turn out that way. Don't beat yourself up over this. He was bein' a complete pig, it's all his fault. You can't drag yourself down over this."
"I know, but I liked him for so long. All of those years are gone now. It's like I wasted all that time pining over him. I really wanted to have a relationship with him, but I didn't want to be taken advantage of."
"Lor, a relationship should be two people on equal terms with their feelings equally shared between the two of them. You can't focus on this mess and let it take over. You must move on and find someone who wants to talk with you, to be with you, not just use you for your body."
Lor looked up at Tino her eyes clearing up a bit. She hugged him and thanked him for listening.
"This whole week I avoided everyone because I just felt so terrible and I wanted to be alone with my feelings. Today, however, I knew I had to talk with someone or else it would drive me mad. That is why I called you because I know that I can talk to you about anything. I just wanted to let you know that I trust your advice and, more importantly, you very much."
Tino smiled at her and said, "You know, that is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. It means a lot to me to know that you feel that way. I just want you to know that if you ever need to talk at all I will be right there for you. No matter what, I will not turn my back on you."
"Thanks, Tino. I'm glad I called you because I knew that you would be the right person to talk to. It's nice to know there is someone always watching out for me. I don't know what I would do without you, Tino."
"Thanks, but from now on let me or Carver or Tish know about a problem, we will be glad to help."
"Yeah about that. I don't mean to be mean to Carver or Tish, but you are the only one I feel comfortable talking to about something serious like this. When I am talking with you I feel at ease and that I know you won't blab this stuff around. I don't want you to think that I don't trust Carver and Tish, I just trust you most."
"I understand. So, you feeling better now?"
"Yeah, I feel better now. I can't thank you enough for bein' here for me."
"Anytime, Lor." Tino answered.
The two embraced and Lor said, "You know I could stay like this forever, feeling someone holding me not only physically, but emotionally as well."
Tino felt brave in that instant and said, "Then why don't you stay like this forever?"
Lor looked at Tino not being able to find the words for what she felt. His sudden courage completely overcame him and he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.
As sudden as his courage came it left again and Tino broke the embrace apologizing profusely, "I am so sorry. I don't know what overcame me. I just, just.. I don't know. I'm sorry I'll go now."
He turned to leave, but Lor grabbed his arm and turned him around.
"You have nothing to apologize for. In fact, I would like to thank you."
With that Lor resumed the kiss bringing him back into the embrace. Tino felt time and the world slow to a halt as he felt her lips press against his. The feeling of joy and love that Tino felt flowing through his veins was indescribable. This is what he had wanted all along, to know this feeling.
Once the kiss broke and time resumed its duties Lor asked with a smile, "Are you still willing to hold me forever?"
Tino smiled back, "Gladly."
The two hugged tightly enjoying the warm feeling of being held by someone else. All of their depression and sadness washed away then as they looked out towards the setting sun enjoying their first moment 'together'. This is what they had both been looking for, this feeling, the feeling of love.
End of Chapter Five
Well, they are finally together, but don't get the idea that the story is over now. This show is just startin'. You may have noticed that I mentioned Thomson is older than Lor and the others and let's face it he has to be. Look, at the guy in the episodes he is a giant next to Lor. I never really liked the idea of them together anyway. I mean Thomson looks so damn old. I swear it makes him look like a child molester or something. Oh sorry I got a little carried away. Anyway the main point here is that I invoked the story's title in this chapter so that's four points for me. Keep readin' and reviewin'. Stay tuned for more.