Almost Joined

Tori left the diner late that night, afraid of what was out in the night. Rhonda watched her from the back window, making sure no one was going to get her. Tori hopped the fence and was in her back yard a few minutes later. She logged on and began to talk to her pal.

Permanent State: Hey, is you're soul unbroken yet?

Broken Soul: It's in a Permanent State:)

Permanent State: Cute, maybe you can win my heart with dorky catch phrases

Broken Soul: It was worth a try

Permanent State: Tomorrow night, can't wait.

Broken Soul: I want to touch you, just to see if you're for real, you don't know how long I've wanted to know what you look like for do you?

Permanent State: No but what's one more night?

Tori continued to talk and work at the same time but eventually logged off and fell into her bed. She closed her eyes and instantly fell asleep. She was up on time the next morning but she was still in a rush. None of the project was organized and she was setting her limit.

"I have to be home by eleven to finish this thing." Tori muttered as she grabbed her toast and whipped out the door to her car.

She pulled into Dustin's driveway and his dad waved from the front window. Tori smiled and waved back. Dustin jumped into the car and they sped away down the road and parked right near the front doors.

Tori walked to her locker, finding a white piece of paper taped to the front. She slipped it off and opened it, it did have her name on it. She read the letter and leaned against her locker with a huge smile.

"What?" Dustin asked, walking to his locker.

"Shane wants to join us for lunch, to talk about becoming friends again." Tori smiled with the answer.

"Didn't know we weren't friends." Dustin joked.

"Just go to shop already." Tori laughed as she headed for the gym.

She pulled on her gym shirt and rolled the sleeves up so she looked tough. Hailey laughed at her and the two girls ran out into the gym, watching for Melanie in the process. She was there and she was glaring at the two as she walked closer.

"Morning Ladies, heard about the mysterious person my ex has been talking to?" Melanie asked seriously.

"What?" Tori retorted with a slight smile.

"I overheard him talking to...Shane and he's meeting this girl at the dance tonight, met her on the Internet, Permanent Stay or something like that." Melanie said.

"Permanent State." Tori muttered and no one heard her. She spoke up, "Um...no, haven't heard anything about it until now. What creative name did he use?"

"Broken Soul, maybe it had to do with him breaking up with me, he must be heartbroken." Melanie sneered.

"So, what are you going to do about it?" Hailey asked.

"I was going to sneak around and find out when this girl is supposed to be meeting him then go as Permanent Stay."

"Oh." Tori sighed.

"Catch you later." Melanie sneered and her girls joined her in the laps.

"Okay, I guess I'll have more time for this project in English." Tori joked.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't listening." Hailey turned her attention to Tori.

"Don't worry, let's get running."