Far Behind

Chapter 8: The Small Things

Tori laid in her bed that night, still listening to Dustin's voice echoed in her head. She couldn't sleep, it was 1 in the morning and the crickets where chirping in the background. She pulled the cover over her body and starred at the moon light that shined through her window. She sighed deeply, upset how things had turned out. She wish she could have been there for him, but his pain was hurting her too much. She couldn't bare to see her friend in that situation. Hunter was right, she wished she listened. Thoughts raced through her mind as she turned over and looked at the dark ceiling above her. She wasn't sure how she felt for Dustin anymore. She loved him, as a friend and cared for him dearly but after everything that has happened, she was afraid to love him more then a friend. That something may happen, that would hurt both of them. She forced a smile, trying to think positive. All the good times that they. One of her favorite memories, always brought a smile on her face whenever she thought of it. The night where they all decided to play monopoly. 1 year ago, yesterday was when it happened.

flashback - 1 year ago: Ninja Ops.

Tori walked through the courtyard, humming a tune. The night had covered the sky as she made her way towards Ninja Ops. It had been a few days since Lothor had been defeated and things were going great. She held a bag full of food as she made her way down the steps. The boys had decided to celebrate the defeat of Lothor by playing Monopoly. She couldn't figure out why they wanted to do this, but she went along. She loved spending times with her friends. Making her way down, she found Dustin spinning around in Cam's chair. Setting the food on the table, she laughed. The brunette looked up to see her starring at her and smiled.

"Tori!" He exclaimed as he jumped up.

Tori just giggled as she pulled the 6 pack cans of soda out of the bag. Dustin made his way over to her and grabbed one, shaking it up. Tori glanced at him as she put the rest of the food out.

"Where is everyone else?" She asked.

"Finding the board game. I think they lost it." He examined his drink

He placed it back on the table and turned to the food. Tori smacked his hand away and gave him a no-no look.

"Not till everyone gets here." She scolded.

Dustin pouted and walked towards the middle of the room. Tori put everything down and turned to see the hyper brunette jump around and practice some martial arts move.

"What's gotten into you? You have so much energy and you didn't even have any soda.

He shrugged, "I don't know. I'm just all worked up ya know? Excited that we defeated Lothor. College is coming, I'm excited." He replied, throwing a few punches in the air.

Tori laughed as she made her way in the middle and got into a fighting stance, grinning at Dustin. Her best friend turned and grinned at her.

"Come on Dustin. Show me what you got." She teased.

"Now your asking for it!" He laughed as he ran forward.

Tori embraced herself as Dustin tackled her, and spun her around the room. Tori screamed as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder and began running around the room.

"Dustin!" She tried to scream through her laughter.

"Will he make it! The 30's, the 20's, the 10's.. Touch Down!" He howled.

He ran to the other side of the room and fell to the ground with her on top of him. They both bursted out laughing as Tori pulled herself off of him and helped him up. They both turned and saw Blake, Hunter, Cam and Shane blankly looking at them.

"Oh.. Hey guys." Tori tried to hold back more laughter.

"Did you guys find the game board?" Dustin asked.

Cam held up the box and set it on the table in front of him. The rangers gathered and sat down, waiting patiently as Cam began to set the place up. Shane walked over and grabbed one of the soda that was on the table. He made his way back over and opened it up, the soda sprayed all in his face. Everyone bursted out laughing, realizing that it was the soda that Dustin had shook up earlier. Shane shot a look at the two who were laughing the hardest.

"I'm so sorry dude." Dustin said in between breaths.

"I call the thimble!" Tori quickly grabbed her game peice.

"Dog!" The brunette shouted after.

Shane sighed as he cleaned himself up and sat down and grabbed the cannon. Blake, Hunter and Cam took there game piece and set it on the board.

"All right, I'll decide the order." Cam suggested, "Hunter. Dustin. Tori. Blake, then Shane. I'll go last."

"Sounds good to me." Hunter nodded.

The dirty blonde rolled the dice and moved around the board. He stopped and looked at all his options. He had landed on Mediterranean Avenue, and decided to buy it. An hour or two had past and everyone had bought properties and owned houses on each part of the board. They were having a good time, getting caught up in the game. Dustin moved his piece around and landed on Board Walk.

"Oh, I'm so buying this." He exclaimed.

Tori shook her head, "Noo Dustin. I need it with park place."

Dustin grinned as he grabbed the property card and waved it in her face before hitting it over her head. She rolled her eyes and grabbed some food. She took it and threw it at him. The greasy chips went all into his hair. Dustin's jaw drop as he grabbed some salsa and threw it into her face. She screamed, as the whole room went silent. She wiped the salsa off her face and gave Dustin the nastiest glare ever. She grabbed the board, knocking all the pieces off. She started hitting Dustin with the board.

"Ah!" The brunette screamed.

"You are so dead Waldo!" She screamed.

He blocked her hits and knocked the board away, tackling into her. She bursted out laughing as she smeared a handful of chips in his face. He gasped for breath as he cleared his face. They both looked at each other and grinned before throwing food at their teammates. The guys all took cover and fired back. Food was flying everywhere, laughing echoed the room. A half hour had past and all of them settled down. Deciding that it was getting really late, they decided to clean up the room. Tori picked up some garage and threw them in a bag. She sighed, looking around and noticing that Dustin wasn't around. She dropped the black bag and walked up the steps and outside. The cool air embraced her as she walked through the dark courtyard. She found the brunette sitting a bench, looking up at the skies. She made her way towards him and sat down next to him, smiling.

"Hey, watcha doing?" She asked.

The brunette beamed a smile at her before looking at the stars. Tori looked up also, admiring the individual light that created a picture to the world below. Dustin leaned over and nudged her.

"I had fun. How bout you?" He asked.

Tori nodded with a smile, "Loads. That was a crazy night."

Dustin laughed, "Yeah. Too bad we wont anymore of those."

"What do you mean?" She retorted.

"College. Were all breaking away."

"Not forever." She reassured him, "Besides. You, Me and Shane got into the same one. We'll still be together. Just like we promised."

"I know.. I wouldn't leave your side anyways.." He snickered.

Tori blushed, hearing the sweet words from her best friend. The awkward silence fell upon them as Dustin leaned a bit closer. Tori hesitated, but started to move forward also.

"Hey guys!" A voice shouted.

Dustin and Tori broke away quickly and looked up to see Blake waving to them. Tori forced a smile and stood up.

"Well. I better help finish up. Then go home. I'll see you later Dustin." She replied.

Present

Tori sighed as she turned over, that night was an interesting night. She closed her eyes and attempted to sleep, trying to forget it all. It was getting late and she had to get up early to go shopping and then lunch with Hunter. The question was, could she really go through with it without Dustin on her mind.

The sun rose early and Dustin was laying in the empty room on a large cot. It had been the second day he had been confined from the world. Locked away like some kind of freak, or insane person. He hated the lonely feeling, being isolated from everyone out side. He sat up and leaned against the edge of the bed and sighed. The craving was killing him, he was twitching and couldn't sit still. The pain was too much, he was worried. Paranoid and lost in his own thoughts. Being alone, gave him too much time on his hand. He hated to be alone. Thinking of how the conversation with Tori went made him so made. He was furious at Hunter, how could he do this to him? He heard a door open and noticed Shane walking through from the corner of his eyes. Shane stopped and crossed his arms, looking through the glass at him. Dustin remain silent, not moving. Shane took a step forward and continue to stare at him.

"Hey." He spoke.

Dustin ignored him, he didn't want to talk to anyone, at the same time he wanted to talk to someone. He was so angry that they sent him in here. He blamed them. He blamed his mother. He just blamed the whole goddamn world.

"Dustin. Recognized me? You mad or something?" He asked.

"Mad? Yeah you can say that." Dustin thought to himself.

"Look, come on man. You knew you had a problem. Where just trying to be a good friend."

"Good friend? Right. Why are you leaving me here to rot?"

"We had no choice. Besides, your mom was the one who signed the paper. Tori and everyone misses you. They say hi."

"Hi? Did Tori also say that she is screwing another guy besides me? Everyone is moving on.. There leaving me behind. This isn't fair. Why should I be here to rot while everyone is having fun. Am I really going down hill like this?"

"Dustin. You got to under..-"

Dustin bolted upwards and slammed into the glass with such angry in his eyes. Shane took a step back, a bit startled.

"Don't tell me to understand Shane. You need to understand. You have no idea what I do. What I'm thinking. Don't assume for me. You may have been the leader in the past ranger days, but this is now. I don't need to listen to you. The world isn't going to fall if I don't. Stop acting like you understand. You don't."

The brunette sighed deeply and broke away from the glass to sit down. Shane took a step back forward and sighed.

"Would you listen to yourself. You make things bad Dustin. Why can't you just move on. Let's forget about this."

"How do you forget losing a father. How do you forget friends that break a promise. Another one taking your girl away. A drug addiction. The pressure and the fear of being left behind in the world. Tell me. How do you forget? I'd like to know." He glanced at Shane then back at the wall.

"Everything happens for a reason Dustin. I'm sure this will all have meaning sooner or later. Just get through the hard part. I'm sure things will get better."

Dustin sighed and remain silent. Shane stood there for a few seconds before heading to the door. He exited out, leaving Dustin alone to think on everything. He had a lot of thinking to do. A lot of sorting. It was going to be a long night.

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