A/N: Hola, everyone!!! My computer is up and running again. I've been pretty busy lately with school and dance practice, so I hope you enjoy the next 2 chapters. Don't forget to leave a review or two on your way out and I'll try to update as soon as possible to ensure your enjoyment. THANKS!
"Changed"
"Bro, you seriously need to relax." Blake chuckles as he and Hunter continued to make conversation at the lounge room of Storm Chargers. "I'm sure their relationship is only between a patient and a doctor. He's just trying to help her."
"No." Hunter interrupts while brushing his dirty blonde locks back in frustration. "Tori is trying to get rid of me, and by doing that--she brings in this other guy! She wants me to stop loving her! Don't you get it?!"
Blake sighs as he watches Hunter rise up from the couch and walk off. Moments later, Dustin and Shane arrive--strutting pass him. "Hey, man--" The goofball wrinkles his forehead as they watch him exit the store without a hello or even a simple wave from their dirty blonde friend. The two exchanges looks in confusion as Blake approach them from behind. "Okay...am I missing something here?" Dustin asks, puzzled at Hunter's awkward behavior.
Blake heaves another sigh. "Hunter is getting all iffy about this Doctor Evans checking up on Tori as his patient."
Dustin nods. "Oh yeah! I saw that dude once. He's pretty good looking." Blake and Shane rolled their eyes. "But You know..." The dirty blonde adds on. "I don't see what the big deal is. He's just doing his job."
"Yeah, but who could blame my brother for thinking something is going on between them? She wants him to stop loving her, and one way for him to stop is if Tori falls for someone else." Blake exclaims. "You just never know the possibilities."
Shane pursed his lips. "Could be...but I don't know, man." He groans while rubbing the back of his neck. "I can never imagine Tori being like that. She's--different. No one can replace Hunter. She just wouldn't..."
"True that." Dustin adds in agreement. "Tori is truly devoted to Hunter."
"Oh?" Blake crosses his arms in disbelief. "Sure doesn't seem like it to me. She's playing him from what I'm seeing."
Shane and Dustin were surprised with a sudden turn around Blake has with Tori. All of a sudden he was bitter and acting as if he was against her with their semi-argument between the couple. Well, it was more of a debate than an argument. It never occurred to the both of them that Blake might still have feelings for Tori. Was it possible? It's been nearly a year since they were caught making out at the beach--the same day and place where the accident occurred. Ever since that horrid moment, Blake knew it was his time to give up and move on. And now, seeing his only brother separated from Tori was secretly killing him as well. He just couldn't bear watching the same thing happening to Hunter--losing a girl to someone else.
"She's not playing him." Shane argues back after a sudden pause. "I'm sure she has a logical reason--"
He splutters out in laughter. "Oh yeah. And what would that be?"
The skaterboy shrugs. "For one thing, the baby." He replies reassuringly. "You can't expect Tori and Hunter to finally be together again after all that's happening. They just lost their baby, Blake. You can't blame her for wanting some space." Shane finishes with a sigh.
"Yeah. He's right." Dustin continues on. "Now that we all know Hunter is the father of Natalie's baby, Tori just want what's best and the last thing she wants right now is him worrying so much about her than the baby."
Blake averts from their gaze in disapproval. "Whatever. If Tori loves my brother so much, she would have not given up on him anyway, whether or not they're in a crappy situation. Isn't that what love supposed to be? Overcoming hardships in life?"
"Well yeah, but love could also be giving up something for what you truly believe is right and what is more important." Shane replies back. "And in this case, Tori cares so much about Hunter to the point where she decides to let him go and live, perhaps, a different life. Having a baby changes you drastically and Tori is aware of that."
Blake groans. "Look, I understand where you're going with this...but I love my brother and I'm gonna try to help him get through this.
Shane and Dustin nods. "We know. And the same goes to Tori."
At Ninja Ops...
Sensei stops and faces him. "I understand how concern you are, son. Believe me, we're all are. But what they are going through takes some time for the healing process to sink in. In the meantime, leave it between them. I guarantee you they'll work something out."
Cam nods his head and sighs. "I'm glad I haven't fallen love...yet."
His father chuckles, "Ah, the time will come, son. The time will come. Just wait till you have kids."
He chuckles. "Don't even go there."
The two walked farther into the forest until they reached the waterfall that led to the academy. As soon as they stepped foot towards it, Cam immediately spotted Tori getting out from her blue van. He tapped his father's shoulders to inform him. "Hey Dad, it's Tori." The blonde looks up and smiled as she began walking towards them. "You know, Dad." Cam leans closer to him in a whisper. "Is it just me or does Tori look a bit different to you?" He asks curiously, noticing her baggy eyes, fatigue, pale face, and a much slimmer figure from afar. This definitely worried him.
"I don't know, son." He replies with a shrug. "It's been months since we've last seen her. Perhaps it's the medication she's taking. You know that causes drowsiness and ."
Cam sighs while looking up at her. Hmm…I wonder what she's doing here, he thought as he greeted her just moments after. "Hey, Tori. What brings you here?"
She presses her lips together before speaking. "Hey, Cam. And Sensei." Tori bows her head as usually. "I came here to talk about my schedule."
"Schedule?" The computer wiz lifts his brow up.
"Yeah, for teaching at the academy. I would love to continue where I left off with my students." Tori answers with great interest.
Cam wrinkles his forehead. "That's great, but you should be getting some rest, Tori. You've been receiving special medical treatment. I don't think you're ready."
She pouts her lips. "Sensei?" The blonde shifts her gaze to him and plasters a persuading look. "Please? I'm doing much better. I don't see why I can't go on with this..."
Sensei looks at her and sighs. "I'm afraid Cameron is right. I can't let you take this responsibility until you're in good health. That's more important to us and the academy."
Tori crosses her arms and groans. "Oh fine. Forget it. Why did I even bother to come here? Everyone is so totally uptight about my health. It's like I'm not allowed to do anything after what happened. And Argh! Just--ugh. Never mind. I'm out of here." She turns around and angrily marches towards her van in aggravation. Cam and Sensei exchange looks, surprised with Tori's abrupt response. They watched on worriedly as the blonde drives off from the distance. From that moment, Cam felt in his gut that Tori was hiding something--which was changing her physically and emotionally. But what? Could it be her split with Hunter? Their lost child? Or perhaps Nathan? For the answer to come, all they have to do is wait and hope for a possible conclusion to end the misery.