Truth's Third Act

Dustin remained silent until Brooke flopped down beside him, bringing him back to reality. She smiled and put her arm around his shoulders. Tori carried out a bowl with her apple. She set it on the coffee table and witnessed it get devoured.

"Gee thanks." She rolled her eyes and headed back out into the kitchen.

Dustin spaced out again. He couldn't get his mind off that book. The book that sat in his kitchen, waiting to be written in. He was the only one who didn't know about it and it was bugging him. Tori snapped her fingers in front of his face and then sat on the floor in front of Hunter.

"Sorry, got a lot on my mind." He stated.

"Like me?" Brooke asked.

"Kind of, I mean, don't be mad at me but, what's up with that book thing in the kitchen?" Dustin asked outright.

"It's my self conscious book, to make me feel better." Brooke answered.

"You mean you didn't know bro?" Shane asked.

"Not until last night."

"Dude, I knew about that when I left like a year ago." Shane laughed. "Where were you?"

"I didn't tell you because..."

"Because she knew that no matter what you'd always be there for her." Tori finished off the stumped friend.

"Yeah, what she said." Brooke smiled.

"So why do you write in it?" Dustin questioned.

Brooke looked at Tori, waiting for her to say something. It was Brooke's turn but she was stopped.

"It's so that we can write in it and say stuff about Brooke to make her feel better or at least not depressed." Hunter explained.

Tori sniffed the air. She let out a sneeze before Dustin could speak again then wiped her hands on her pants. Brooke held back a laugh.

"You didn't hit my forehead." Tori stated.

"I know." Brooke joked.

"What?" Shane asked.

"If you hit someone's forehead right before they sneeze, it's stops them from sneezing (this actually works)." Brooke explained.

"Yeah, do you honestly think I'd let someone hit me if it didn't work?" Tori joked.

"It would explain some things." Hunter teased.

"Burn." Dustin added.

"You know what, it's okay. Just remember, you go to sleep before me."

"Okay, burn for Tor." Dustin corrected himself.

"So I can go to work." Hunter retorted jokingly.

"I took a beating for you." Tori replied with a look of confidence. "By some girl I don't even know."

"Actually, that was Janie, you remember that surfer girl who used to be like 'Oh, I'm so much better than you' and 'I'm going to marry a rich old guy and inherit all his money when he dies 'cause I'm a slut'." Shane joked.

"Her, yeah, doesn't ring a bell, I'm sorry."

"Obviously she wasn't a very good fighter." Brooke teased.

"No, I'm just really good." Tori grinned.

Shane looked out the window and glanced around the front yard. He waited for the mysterious person to come into view but the doorbell rang and Tori ran for it, beating Shane out by a long shot. He still stood up and peered around the corner looking at Janie.

"I just wanted to apologize for today." She said.

"Okay." Tori replied.

"Sorry for not finishing you."

She threw a punch at the defenseless girl. Tori stumbled backward and tipped off Shane who immediately ran forward, knocking Janie to the ground at the bottom of the steps. Tori dashed out the door and ripped Shane off of the girl. He gave her a look and while the two were debating, Janie grabbed Tori's ankle and knocked her on her back, beating her from the ground.

"Shane?" Dustin called from the house and he barely heard it.

"Call..." Punch. "Police."

He listened to Tori and darted for the house, replying to Dustin while he picked up the phone.

Tori continued to fight for control, so far Tori had it. She fought with Janie and finally, when her opponent wasn't moving anymore, gave up and ran into the house, slamming and locking the door behind her. She was catching her breath as she walked into the living room and sat down, unaware of the red splotches on her shirt.

"Who was that?" Brooke questioned.

"A problem and I solved it." She replied with a smirk.