Chapter 8: Keeping The Faith

2 Month later, Christmas Eve

Night had dawn upon the City of Blue Bay, but darkness was far from seen throughout the city. The place was lite up and dazzled by colorful Christmas lights and the city people were scrambling for their last minute shopping. Snow began to fall gracefully towards the ground, as the brunette looked out the window. 2 months without seeing his friends, Blake and Hunter were the last people he saw before he cut them out of his life. No more visits. No more run ins. It was like they had abandoned him, or maybe it was because he purposely avoided them when he sensed them close. Whatever the reason, he sure felt more alone then ever. Looking up at the half silver lite moon, he leaned his head against the glass and felt the coldness touch his forehead. Christmas Eve, a time to spend with your family and friends and he's rotting in the worst building that could fall apart at any minute. Turning, he rubbed his arms together, feeling a cold draft rush in. His room was dark, and messier then ever. He moved to the bed and sat at the edge, starring at the half-cracked mirror in front of him. His clothes were dirty and tattered, his hair was a mess. He was just plain awful.

"I need to go for a walk." He muttered to himself.

Standing up, he moved towards the dresser and pulled out a tattered grey and yellow sweatshirt. Pulling it over him, he put up the hood and walked towards the door. As he exits the building, he placed his hands in the pouch of the sweater, feeling the cold air embrace his skin. Shivering a bit, he trotted through the snow, the flakes began to fall a bit more. The clock struck 7, and Dustin wasn't sure how far he had walked. It had been an hour and half since he left the apartment, he wounded up in the better half of the city. In the residential neighborhood. Looking around, he recognized the place. Rubbing his hands to stay warm, he began walking down the side walk. A Blue house at the end of the street was spotted, Dustin had his eye on it as he got closer. Stopping in front of it, he noticed the Christmas tree in the living room. Colored lights wrapped around the branches, candles in each window. He stepped forward towards the stairs. Walking up, he turned and noticed a blonde enter the dining room. Tori had a smile on her face, she was dressed in a pretty light blue cashmere sweater. Sitting down at the end, her mom and dad appeared. The three of them were all laughing and smiling so happily. Then Tori's sister came into the picture and the 4 of them sat down. He crossed his arm together to keep warm, the scene in front of him made him envy of the good times he once had. He closed his eyes and shed a tear before turning to walk down the steps. Deciding it was best not to intrude at a time like this.

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"Would you like to give me a hand in taking out the turkey?" Mrs Hanson asked inside of the house, "It smells really good."

Tori looked up from her dinner plate, she just smiled and shook her head, "Actually, Lily wanted to help. Let her" She responded.

Tori looked back down at her empty plate. She heard creaking of the wood panel, she knew someone was on the foot step. Standing up, she put her napkin on the table and began walking out of the dining room and towards the front door. Opening it, the colds breeze pierced through taking away the heat of the room. She stepped outside and looked out to see Dustin just about to walk onto the lawn.

"Dustin?" She whispered, "Is that you?"

Dustin froze, he sighed deeply and slowly turned to see her standing at the edge of the porch, "Hey Tori.." He whispered back.

She bolted down the steps and through the snow, throwing herself at him. He caught her and the two embraced a hug that seamed to last forever. Dustin stood there, as if he had forgotten the good feeling. As if it was all new to him. She broke away and forced a smile.

"I.. I was just in the neighborhood." He cracked at each word.

Tori grabbed both of his hands and held them tightly, "Please. Come inside. Have dinner with us."

"I don't know." He tighten his grip on her, he didn't want to let go but he was unsure if he wanted to go in, "I just.."

"Please." She pleaded, "Just for dinner."

He sighed deeply, inhaling the cold air around him, "Okay.." He trailed off.

She pulled him inside, Dustin felt the warmth for the first time in the longest. The rest of the family appeared in the room as Tori pulled off Dustin sweater and hung it on the coat rack. She then grabbed his arm and turned towards her family.

"Mom. Dad. Lily. Dustin's here. You remember him, he use to come over all the time back in middle school."

Mrs. Hanson smiled and clasped her hand, "Ah Dustin." Her voice sounded soothing, "It's so good to see you again."

"Hey chap." Mr. Hanson added, "You joining us for dinner? The main meal just came out of the oven."

"Turkey!" 11 year old Lily exclaimed, "It's really good!"

Dustin felt so out of place. It was so hard to force a smile, he just showed a bit of teeth, still scared of this ancient territory he was walking through. Tori pushed him into the dining room and grabbed a chair for him to sit on the end. Mr and Mrs Hanson entered the kitchen to grab the Turkey they had been eagerly waiting for. Sitting down, Dustin looked around at the beautiful decorations in the room. He hadn't been here for so long, many things have been moved around. He turned his attention to the door of the kitchen, he could hear the voices from inside.

"He doesn't talk much now does he?" Mr. Hanson's voice echoed, "Last time we saw him, he was bouncing off the walls."

"Oh hush." Mrs. Hanson responded, "He's still the same boy I remember."

"Come on! He must be starving!" Lily's voice echoed afterwards, "Let's get the food out!"

Dustin leaned on the table, as the door swung open and Mr Hanson came out with a giant turkey. Tori and Lily moved the mash potatoes and other things for the Turkey. The family then sat down and looked at each other. Dustin remained silent, glancing at Tori's family before looking down at his lap.

"So who wants to say grace?" Mrs. Hanson folded a napkin on her lap, "Dustin? Do you want to?"

Dustin looked up, he tried to say no but the words wouldn't come out. He just glanced at them all, feeling really out of place. Tori could tell, she coughed a bit and looked towards her mother.

"I want to." Tori insisted, "I wasn't able to last year."

"All right." Mr. Hanson responded, "Take it away."

Tori folded her hand and looked down at the table, "Today I am thankful for this meal for this is a special day for all of us. As I glance around this room, I realize how happy I am with the people I have around. My family, who I love to death and my friends. Especially a particular friend, who I care for so much. I wish good health and fortune to everyone in the future."

"That was wonderful." Mrs. Hanson looked up, "Let's begin."

Dustin had zoned out, the words Tori spoke, hit him with each blow. He wished he was able to say those words, only if they were so true. He began to regret coming, he breathed heavily, trying to fight back his tears. Realizing how much he missed his family, even if they weren't perfect, he swallowed his tears and just looked as Tori placed food on his plate. Reaching for some bread, he cut it and began to chew on it. There was complete silence, as everyone grabbed the food they wanted and began eating. The brunette couldn't help but shed a tear, as he began to eat. Sniffling a bit, Lily looked over.

"What's the matter?" Her voice was so sincere and sweet for a 11 year old, "Why are you crying?"

"Hush Lillian." Tori scolded.

Dustin swallowed what he had in his mouth and started to laugh. He had no idea why he was laughing, there was nothing funny. It was that kind of laughter that you do for no reason. Just to feel good, to remind you that maybe everything will be all right. A burst of laughter, for joy had overloaded his system that he couldn't hold it in. At first, Tori couldn't tell if he was laughing or crying, but after seeing his huge smile, she started to laugh to. Laughing is contagious, the whole family began to laugh for no reason. Lily tried to laugh the loudest. Dustin had never laughed so hard, it felt so good. Dinner had past, Mr. and Mrs. Hanson were cleaning up in the kitchen while Tori, Lillian and Dustin were playing monopoly. Mrs Hanson moved towards the door, and listened in on them. Smiling, she turned to her husband.

"I'm so glad he's smiling again."

He nodded, "He's been through a lot. Perhaps we should let him stay the night."

"That's an excellent idea. I will run out and buy some presents for him. No boy should be left out in the celebration of Christmas."

She turned back and watched through the crack of the door.

"1.. 2.. 3" Dustin counted, "I landed on water works. I'll buy it."

"No!" Lily exclaimed, "I was going to buy it!"

Dustin snickered a bit as he handed Tori the money. She gave him the property and rolled the dice.

"Remember that time we played this in Ninja Ops?" She moved her piece, "That whole food fight?"

"You mean when you took the board and hit me with it?" He could never forget, "That was an awesome night."

She nodded, "Oh Park Place!" She exclaimed, "Excellent!"

"No fair." Lily pouted, "I wanted to win."

Tori rolled her eyes and glanced back at Dustin. He just laughed as he crawled over, "I don't know Lily. I think you may already be a winner."

"No I'm not." She muttered.

Dustin picked her up and began spinning her around in the room. Lily screamed through each breath of laughter, flailing her legs.

"No! Put me down!" She exclaimed.

"What!?" Dustin yelled, "I can't hear you!" He moved around the room with her, "Oh no, I think were going to crash!"

"No!" She screamed, "Don't crash! We need to have a safe landing! Land on the couch! The couch!"

Dustin steered and the two of them crashed into the couch laughing. Lily moved and jumped on Dustin, landing on his lap and looking up at him.

"That was fun!"

"That was exhausting." He tried to catch his breath, "But yes, it was fun."

Tori stood up and sat next to them on the couch. Mrs Hanson opened the door of the kitchen and headed towards the coat rack. She grabbed a coat and turned to them.

"I have to go out of a sec." She informed them, "Dustin. You will be staying the night."

"Actually." He sat up from the couch, "I don't think.."

"No buts." She smiled, "You're staying." She turned and exit.

"Uh-oh." Lily snickered, still sitting on his lap, "You're stuck here with us!"

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Dustin laid on the couch, the lights in the whole house was finally off and tomorrow was Christmas. He wasn't even sure why he was still there, he had nothing to give to them. He laid there on the couch, looking up at the window and the sky. It was still snowing, it didn't seam like it would end anytime soon. He wish the night had never ended, it was the only thing that kept his mind off on everything. He forgot the pain, and had nothing but happiness inside him as he hung with the Hanson. Now that it is over, every time he thinks about it, he wishes that it was his family he was sharing the joy with. A hand ran across his chest as he turned to see Tori creeping over and climbing onto the couch with him. Moving a bit, Dustin let Tori lay on the edge of the couch and place her head and hand on his chest.

"I'm so glad you're here." She whispered to him, "I really am."

He remain silent, looking back at the night sky. She moved her head and looked up at him.

"Dustin." She said with concern in her voice, "Come on. Don't tell me you didn't have fun tonight?"

"I did." He finally responded, "I never had that much fun in a long time. I never felt so good about myself till last night. It was a night I can never forget."

"You see." She exclaimed, "Why should you push yourself away from us? You can have more nights like those if you just open up and let us in."

"Tori." He begged, "Don't start."

"No Dustin. I need to know." She replied, "I can't keep worrying like this. Not seeing you for all these months. I barely know you anymore, yet I still care for you so much."

"I'm sorry for worrying you." He didn't feel like arguing.

Tori tighten her hold on him and closed her eyes, "Good. I still love you. Merry Christmas." She trailed off and started to drift off to sleep.

Dustin just laid there, letting her fall asleep on him. He too started to drift off to sleep, letting his mind wonder to wherever. The sun began to rise in the morning and Tori groaned a bit. She moved her hand and realized that she was touching the couch. Opening her eyes open, she noticed she was alone on the couch. Turning to sit up, she cleared her blonde hair out of the way and stood up.

"Dustin?" She called out.

She looked down at the coffee table and noticed a folded note. Opening it up, she sat back down and began reading it.

Dear Tori,

Please thank your family for so much they have done last night. And of course, I thank you for everything. I'm sorry I can't stick around to celebrate Christmas, but it is not my Christmas, it is yours. And your family. I do not belong there. You have asked me an important question that night. Why must I keep doing this? All these years, I have lost who I was, and my faith in everything. All the questions I have, and no one to answer them anymore. I never knew the lost of my father would send such a chain reaction, but through each event I suffered through, I begin to question more and more on my values and opinion on life. And for once, I am confused and crazy at each thought that runs through my head. I don't know what to believe anymore, I drowned my self in sorrow to many times that my very identity slipped through my fingers without me noticing. Tell your family Merry Christmas for me.

Tori looked up, she closed the paper and saw her family coming down the stairs, each holding a present.

"Where's Dustin?" Lily asked, "I have his present!"

"He's gone." She whispered, "He couldn't stay..."

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Dustin walked back to his apartment, the streets were pretty much empty. Everyone was opening presents or still sleeping. He rushed into the building and opened the door to his room. Closing the door, he turned, his eyes went wide eyed. Taking a step forward, he noticed colored presents everywhere. Stationed all over his room and a giant sign hanging from the ceiling saying 'Merry Christmas.'

"What the.." He whispered to himself.

He walked over to each present reading the tags. There were presents from Cam, Shane Hunter and Blake. Another one was from Marah and Ryan. He turned and noticed one from Kapri, and even Sensei had sent him a present. Kelly also. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, they weren't giving up so easily. He walked towards a present and ripped it open, seeing a brand new helmet incased in a box. He laughed as he put the helmet on the bed and grabbed another one. Finally, after a few hours had past, he had wrapping sprawled out everywhere. New clothes, items and magazines. There was so much stuff, he loved them all.