A/N: Hey guys. Again, thanks for reviewing. You guys are so awesome!! Keep in mind the stuff in italics are events that happened in the past between Tori & Hunter. Nonetheless, enjoy reading and don't forget to review! The story is halfway finished I think, so hang in there!
"The Other Sibling"
"Dude, I think she's having a complete meltdown."
"SHH!" Shane slightly nudges Dustin's shoulder for him to shush up. "Keep it down. She'll hear you." The two turn their heads towards Tori's direction as they watch her sit in the back of Storm Chargers, working on a major assignment for school. They turn back around before she even look up at them. "Bummer. School must be getting to her." Shane thought.
"Nah, man. I think it's more than just school."
"Like what?"
"That's the thing, I don't know. She's been acting real weird lately. Not to mention, quieter than usual."
Shane fiddled with a set of keys that opened a few door in the store and shrugged halfheartedly to his response. "It's probably a girl thing."
Tori paused on her writing and listens intently to the guys, who weren't aware of the fact that they were whispering quite loudly. She set her pen aside and exaggeratedly grunted so she could be heard from across the room. "I'm not exactly deaf you know." She shot an evil glance at the guys before resuming back to her work. Dustin and Shane exchange surprise looks as they look away in mere embarrassment.
"Good going, dude." The goofball abruptly slaps the back of Shane's head out of nowhere.
"Ow. Hey!" He grunted after taking the hit. "You're the one that's going paranoid here."
Dustin scoffs. "I don't know, man. You think maybe Tori needs some down time?"
Before he could answer, Kelly walks in from the back of the store and noticed the guys surrounding the counter and doing nothing. She narrows her eyes at them while setting the clipboard down. "Aren't you guys supposed to be working?" Their boss questions with her hands on her hips.
They turned to her nervously and straighten their posture. "Yes, ma'am." Shane and Dustin stated in unison and immediately went back to work.
While they were at it, Hunter entered Storm Chargers after being called to work that day. While walking inside, he spotted Tori sitting at the back and doing schoolwork it seemed. It's been nearly four days since the kissing incident and the two haven't spoken a word since. There were times when they crossed paths and everything would be so awkward. Hunter found himself staring at her from across the room in wonder and thinking about the first thing he should do. Hesitating a bit, he took a deep breath and started walking towards her way. Shane and Dustin brought boxes in from the back and slowly stacked them on the floor as they noticed Hunter and Tori interacting with one another from afar.
"Hey there." The dirty blonde greeted nervously as she slowly looks up at him and forces a weak smile. She sets the blue pen down and closes the book she was reading.
"Hey..." She responds rather tentatively. Tori bit her lip and looks around to make sure no one was listening. She turns back to Hunter and noticed how difficult it was to look at him in the eye, but she managed to do so. "What are you doing here?" Tori asks for the sake of saying something.
Hunter could feel his heart ache due to the resonating tone in her voice that sounded as if she didn't want him around. "Kelly just called me to work today."
She nods. "Oh..."
"Yeah," he breathes heavily out of nervousness, "I hope I'm not interrupting--"
"Oh no. It's just some stupid chemistry project."
"How fun." He grunted sarcastically.
Tori chuckles. "Yeah..."
The conversation died down after awhile in cold silence. There were more things Hunter wanted to say, but for some reason he couldn't get it all out. On the other hand, Tori felt extremely uncomfortable being around his presence. As much as she wanted things to be back to normal, It just didn't seem right to her anymore. "I guess I should get to work now." Hunter motioned himself to leave, but before his back was turn to her, he stopped and continued to speak his mind. "Actually, I want to talk."
She sighs deeply, knowing where this was going. "Hunter,--"
"No, just hear me out first." He pauses for a brief moment until he got her full attention. "I'm sorry about what happened, and I just want you to know that what I did was clearly an impulse and I hope you can forgive me for that." Hunter stated all in one breath.
Tori looks at him and smiles in relief. "No worries. However I'm sorry for hitting you. I totally overreacted."
He nods. "It's okay. I'll umm... see you later then." Hunter turns around, and this time, walks off without feeling an ounce of satisfaction. 'What was I thinking?' He thought, feeling quite stupid for walking off they way he did. 'I have to stop feeling this way.'
"TORI HANSON!" Professor Kemp slapped the yardstick against Tori's desk as the blonde raise her head up after falling asleep in class. She rubs her fatigue eyes and yawns. "Do you mind telling the class how to find the components of a vector and the direction angle of that vector?" The middle aged man with glasses and dark brown hair tested Tori's knowledge of the material as she sat there, puzzled.
"Oh umm...well...you're umm...basically given two points of that vector, and uhh...you add those up I guess...and..."
Professor Kemp sighs and stopped her from going on. "Next time, stay awake in class if you know what's good for you." He faces the rest of his students once he noticed there was only a minute left of class. Tori sinks down on her chair in embarrassment as her fellow classmates give her amusing looks. "Tonight I want you all to read and take notes on section 6. There will be a quiz tomorrow." Everyone grunted as they pack their things and headed out the door. "Not so fast, Ms. Hanson." Professor Kemp stopped Tori from leaving. She rolls her eyes from behind before facing him.
"Look, I'm doing the best I can."
"Are you really? You could hardly stay awake in my class."
"I know. I know. I'll try harder. I promise. Just give me a chance." She pleaded.
Professor Kemp fixed his reading glasses and sighs. "Lucky enough, I consider you as one of my brightest students. Graduation is just around the corner. I wouldn't want you to jeopardize your chances in graduating this year." Tori nods. "You may leave now, and please...get some sleep tonight."
"Yes, Professor."
Tori walked across campus to the parking lot where she found Hunter standing next to her blue van. He had the cutest grin on his face and despite having a bad day in school; it definitely turned her frown into a smile. "Hey beautiful." Hunter greeted as he plants a small kiss on her lips. She steps back and sighs deeply. He noticed the gloomy look on the pretty face and pouts on her behalf. "What's wrong?"
She pulls away from Hunters hold, cautiously making sure no one was around. "Not too close. Someone might see us."
He rolls his eyes. "Relax. It's just you and me. So what happened in class today?"
"I fell asleep."
"Again?"
Tori nods as she brushes her hair back in frustration. "I'm scared to fall asleep at night, Hunter. I've tried not to think about it too much, but I can't help it. He always appear in my dreams. Always!" He held her close to him for comfort once she was on the verge of tears.
"Shh. They are only dreams, Tori. Don't worry too much. I won't let anyone hurt you." Hunter says reassuringly as he attempts to kiss her.
"WAIT!" She snaps before their lips met.
Hunter jerks his head back and groans. "What is it?"
"I almost forgot. Hazel's family invited me over to lunch. Kind of strange huh?"
He wrinkles his forehead. "Hazel?"
"Yeah. She's the girl I've been giving surf lessons to."
"Oh. That Hazel. When do I get to meet her?"
"I don't know, but I'll call you later. Bye." Tori gives him a quick peck on the cheek and leaves the saddened Hunter behind.
"Wait! I forgot. There's something I have to tell you!"
"Can it wait till later? I really have to go. Call me!" The blonde went inside her van and drove off to the distant horizon.
Hunter's gaze lingers off to her direction and sighed deeply once the vehicle disappeared out in the opening. He looks down, knowing he failed to tell Tori that Blake was now back in town.
"There you are." Tori found Hunter sitting alone on the bench outside the movie complex. The night was still and cool as she took a seat next to him and wrapped the blue scarf around her neck and slightly shivered. Shane, Dustin, Cam, Hunter, Tori, Kapri, and Marah all decided to go to the movies and watch The Grudge before Halloween night. During the movie, Tori found herself clutching onto Hunter's arm in fear and jumping out from her seat, which secretly bothered him. Not because he couldn't really watch the movie, but being close to her was making him feel weak that Hunter had to excuse himself from the movie theatre. He felt confused, lost and he wanted answers. For the past month, Hunter grew strong feelings for Tori and tried so hard to get rid of them, but somehow he couldn't. "Are you okay?" She asks worriedly to break the long, awkward silence.
He looks down and nods his head in dismay. "Nope."
She sighs aggravatingly. "What's wrong?"
Hunter stalled a bit as he slowly meets her gaze. "I can't take it anymore, Tor." He replies in a hush whisper. "I don't want to fake it."
She wrinkles her forehead in utter confusion. "What are you talking about, Hunter?"
"About us. I take back everything I said. I'm not sorry for kissing you that day. I meant to to do it, and I did it because--" He stopped dead in his tracks--deciding how to put it all in words. "Because I'm falling for you. And I still am." Hunter admitted seriously. Tori parted her lips as if she was going to say something, but no words came out. She stood there, baffled as Hunter waits for a reply. However, much more was needed to be said. "Look, I know what you're gonna say but hear me out first. You and Blake share something so special; a history. I can't even compete with that. I don't have what you and Blake have and it sucks! This arrangement sucks and you know why?! I could lose everything I have here as a result of feeling the way I feel about you, even our friends. They strongly have fate that you and Blake will somhow get back together one day. Believe me, everyday I wake up and try to get you out of my head but for some reason I just can't get rid of these feelings, Tor!" She averts from his gaze as tears began formulating in her eyes. "I don't want to be the one always making the move here. I kissed you once already and I need answers! You're giving me mixed signals here, Tori and I can't take it anymore! Now it's your turn. How do you feel?"
"How do I feel?!" She sniffs out of anger. "I'll tell you how I feel. I feel awful!"
He jerked his head back and scoffs shockingly. "Awful?"
"Yes, Awful!" She cried out loud through relentless sobs. "I hate this, Hunter. I hate what this is doing to us! And I won't lie. I felt it too." He looks up at her in bewilderment. Tori paused and heaved another sigh. "When your lips brushed mine, my heart skipped a beat and I didn't know what to feel...or even--"
"What do you mean you don't know what to feel? About me?"
She just shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, Hunter."
"Tori, just answer the question. Is that a yes or no?"
"I don't know!"
He rolls his eyes. "Oh my God. I need a straight answer here! Saying I don't know doesn't cut it."
"What do you want me to say huh?! I don't have all the answers right now!"
"That's because you're not asking yourself the right question!! Better yet, you're scared in finding out the truth!"
"What?"
Hunter threw his hands up in the air impatiently. "I don't want to talk anymore."
"Well I do!" She turned him over to the front before his back was facing her. "We can't keep doing this!"
Their argument was certainly getting to him. "Where do we go from here then, Tori? I can't just walk away and pretend we never had this conversation. You know damn straight how I feel about you, and I can't stand here and wait forever. Until I know that you need me as much as I need you, I'm gonna walk away, and leave you to that." Once everything was said, Hunter turned around and began walking off. Tori soothed her tears as she held back and thought it through for a moment.
"Hunter, wait." She calls out to him once she made up her mind. He turns around in slow motion and faces her. "Please don't go."
"Thanks for joining us for lunch." Hazel's Aunt Cruela greeted Tori at the door as she stepped aside and invited her in. Tori shyly enters the livingroom and observes the place. The front of the house was fairly small, but when inside, it was much larger than she would ever expect it to be. However, it was a nice and comfortable place to live.
"Well, thanks for having me...Mrs. Cruela." She quietly chuckles at the name.
The middle-aged woman shot a glance at her. "You know, I despise my husband for giving me that last name. Silly aint it?"
Tori felt bad. "Oh I didn't mean to--"
"Say no more. Come and sit." She took a seat on the couch and left room for Tori--signaling her to come over. "My husband is giving Hazel a bath, and lunch will be served shortly. I thought we could talk for just a bit."
Tori nods. "So why did you invite me over?" She asks curiously. "Not that I'm ungrateful or anything, it's just that I'm a complete stranger to you."
She smiles. "Well, first of all, Hazel enjoys your company and is delighted to have you around. I noticed that you've been giving her free surfing lessons, and I thought it was benevolent of you to give up some of your precious time just to spend time with her. Hazel had a pretty tough childhood, and it's nice to see her have a friend like you."
"A tough childhood?" Tori questions. "Why is that?"
Mrs. Cruela took off her glasses and sighs deeply. "During high school, my brother got himself involved with a woman the same age as he was. They loved each other, or so they say, and at one point, he got her pregnant. Unfortunately, both of their parents didn't approve of them having a child at such a young age so they were forced to give up their first baby boy to an adoption agency. After that Edward would just run off, feeling sorry for himself. God knows what he would be doing wandering off in the middle of the night. But anyway, once he and Katherine were old enough to live on their own, they eventually got married. They tried several times to get to their son, but somehow he got transferred and were heartbroken when they found out that he was adopted."
Tori frowns. "Sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, but believe me, it gets worst. Their marriage starts to fall apart when Katherine accuses him of cheating?"
"Why is that?"
Mrs. Cruela sighs. "Well, he wouldn't come home till the next day proclaiming that he had to work overtime. But when Katherine called the office, they told her that he was fired and striped from his job weeks ago. When Edward broke the news to her, she was obviously devastated and that's when she wanted a divorce. However, she has yet to tell him that she was pregnant with their second child, Hazel."
Tori raises her eyebrows in astonishment. "Wow."
"Yup. The sad thing is, her mother passed away when she was just born." Mrs. Cruela added despondently. "After her death, Edward was on his own in raising her. But then he did very bad things. Not to his very own daughter, but to other girls. He did horrible things."
Tori was curious to know more. "Like what things?"
She looks away and nodded her head disapprovingly. "Sexual molestation." The blonde gulps. "He eventually got caught harassing some nine year old and was sentenced to prison for ten years. Once I heard news that he was released, I would expect him to be looking for his daughter. So I had to be overprotective, which explains why I'm a bit strict when it comes to strangers. I don't even want to come to terms with him. He's not the same Edward that I once knew."
"Does Hazel know about having a brother?" She asks curiously.
Her eyes shift towards the blonde. "No. That's the thing; she doesn't want to believe she has a brother. We've told her about it, but she wanted us to pretend that she doesn't know."
Tori pursed her lips. "Poor kid." Just then a thought came into mind. "Umm, Mrs. Cruela--"
"Call me Elaine."
She chuckles. "Okay, Elaine. I was wondering...if Hazel's brother had a name."
"Ah, yes. I believe it's little Hunter Jr." Tori's eyes widen. "But who knows, his foster parents must've changed his name. He should be around your age."
"Oh my God..." Tori gasps in disbelief as Elaine stares at her weirdly. She could feel her heart beat in quick intervals and the world crumbling down in front of her. The assumption Tori was making from the top of her head fit perfectly with her story. She refused not to believe it, for everything suddenly made sense. Mrs. Cruela noticed how ill at ease she was and begins to worry. "Are you alright, hun?"
She buries her face in hand while rising up from the couch. "Yeah umm...I just remembered I have to be somewhere." Tori quickly wipes away her tears and heads out towards the door in a rush.
"Was it something I said?" Elaine wondered. Tori looked away from her gaze to prevent the woman from looking at her face.
"No. I just have to go. Sorry about lunch. Maybe we can do it some other time." She tried to hold her emotions in.
"Of course."
"Bye now." Mrs. Cruela watches on as Tori runs down the narrow path towards the blue van. She went inside, buckled her seatbelt, and struggled to insert the key in the hole. "Damn it. Come on!" Tears continued to stream down her cheeks as her hand begins to shake nervously. Once Tori got the vehicle running, she rested her head on the steering wheel and weeps alone in silence. At this point, she knew too much--from finding out Hunter's father was the person who sexually molested her as a child to learning that Hazel is his long lost sister all these years. Tori knew deep in her heart that she must break the news to him somehow. Even if it would mean the end for them.