A/N: Hello again! Thanks for reading my story.. Sorry for the monthly updates lately… I promise it wont be long between updates anymore.. You guys rock! Please review and tell me what you think so far… this story is about to get rreeaaalll good!

-

"Excuse me.."

A voice startles my concentration. I jump and spin around to see Hunter grinning at me with that crooked grin of his.

"Can you tell me where I can find the douche aisle?" He continues. What a dumbass…

"Duse, don't play yourself." I laugh, "First off, this isn't a supermarket. We're lacking aisles. But if you're looking for a douche, its right this way, sir…" I joke.

Hunter bursts into laughter, leaning over to pat me on the back. Wow.. its been a while since I've seen him laugh. For real, for real. I totally ditch the rad bike I was working on and sneak from behind the counter.

"Dude, are you ever not at work?" Hunter jokes.

"Bro, its only me and Kelly. And besides I need money now, you know?" I wipe my hands with a rag.

"Word. How's the fam doing?" Hunter asks. Fam? Oh… meaning Tori and Shane…

"Well… Shane's just pissed that he can't skate." I laugh, "And Tori called out of work today. She's vomiting everywhere. I wish I could've stayed with her."

"Oh man….that sucks dude.."

"Yeah.. I know.. so , wheres Blake?" I ask.

"Visiting with Sensei.. He wanted to have a talk with him. Ya know, clear his head a little." Hunter explains. Clear his head? Hmmm…

"That's cool." I nod. I smile at a customer as she brings her purchase to the counter. I rush to help her. Hunter stands to the side…

"Dude, you know… Blake thinks you guys just don't want to see him." Hunter blurts. I knew that was coming…

"Bro, you know that's not true." I say, "You know I had a funny feeling he would think that."

"I know its not true. I tried to tell him… he's just paranoid." Hunter sighs.

"Have a nice day." I say to the pretty blonde as I hand her her bag. She smiles at me as she turns to walk away. I turn to Hunter as he leans over the counter, "He needs to just relax."

"I know." Hunter agrees , "He's on meds. I'm not really liking that too much."

"Meds?" Oh, medication… ok….gotcha..

"Dude, meds….. prescription drugs."

"Oh.. well…. Do they work?" I ask.

"I don't know. I guess. I mean he swears they work. He swears by them. I just don't think he needs them. Whatever happened to his ninja training? A strong mind? He doesn't need those pills!"

"Yeah… but, dude… sometimes a dude's inner ninja needs some help." I attempt to make sense. Dude, if the meds are stabling him, then good. Keep his ass on them! No repeats! Please!

"You're right.." Hunter sighs.." I just hate all of this."

"We all do man." I put my hand on his shoulder. Hunter looks at me and smiles.

"Thanks D. You know, you really are my best friend. Aside from my brother." Hunter confesses. Wow.. really?…dude…

"Woah.. you're my best friend too." I say smiling at my crimson friend.

"Alright, no mushy shit!" Hunter winks at me and smacks my arm. Yeah…. Lets not forget the infamous party…..

"Word."

-

I open the door to the apartment. I sigh. Dude, I'm so worked. But when am I not?

"How was your day?" Tori asks. My day? Same old shit as usual. Bikes, customers, shipment….more bikes…

"Good. Worried about you." I say kissing my girl on her forehead.

"Oh…" Tori's ora seems off.

"You okay?" I ask, sitting next to her on the couch.

"yeah.. I'm totally fine!" Tori smiles.

Um…ok….

"Ok then… where's Shane?"

"Sleeping. Poor guy.." Tori nervously giggles, "He's buggin' out!"

I raise one eyebrow at Tori. I am totally confused. Somethings not right. "Hey.." I gently grab her shoulders facing her. I look into her eyes, "You would tell me if something was wrong, right?"

Tori's eyes don't seem right," Of course." She smiles. I sit, staring at her. Trying to read her mind. Maybe see something there. Or make her give in and tell me whats on her mind. I swear if Blake showed up here today…

"I'm feeling kinda tired myself. I think I'm gonna go to bed now." Tori yawns, stretching her arms.

"Um.. ok.. you want me to get you anything?" I ask. I just got home.. usually, she'd want to cuddle for a little while, watch a movie…. Talk…. Have sex…..play around… well, she is sick…uuugghhh once again I am ripping this whole situation apart for no reason….

"Nah, bumcake… I'm ok." Tori gets up off of the couch. She leans over and pecks me on the lips. "Goodnight."

"I'll be in there in a little bit. I wanna take a shower." I say as she walks into the bedroom.

"K…" She speaks in a low, emotionless voice. She sounds sad. Maybe Shane's moping around rubbed off on her. Maybe the both of them were sad together all day today. Maybe she still feels like shit on a stick. Oh dude… I feel like I should go in there and talk to her, but, I don't think she wants to talk. Maybe there really is nothing to talk about. A part of me wants to check the incoming calls on her cell phone to see if Blake called her. Then that would explain her mood. But, I can never forgive myself for going through her phone … that's stalker-ish. Way over protective psycho boyfriend stalker-ish…

But I cant stop thinking about how Tori didn't seem like she wanted me around at all. She seemed like she didn't even want to be in the same room. What happened I'm such aloser if I cant figure this one out. But I don't remember doing anything wrong. No way. Our relationship is so perfect. Nothings wrong at all. At least not to me.

I sit and stare at the wall. The TV is on but its drowned out completely by my loud thoughts. Finally, I force myself out of this and get up to take a shower. Maybe I'll feel better fresh and clean. And not to mention laying next to the woman I love. That is, if she doesn't get up and walk away..

-

The dimly litted parking lot smells like this soap I used to use when I was a little kid. Brings back lots of memories. Way creepy. Well that, and the mixture of the gasoline smell. Blah! The mall parking lot… here I am waiting for Tori. But where the fuck is my car? Usually I park in front of the mall. And she knows this. Oh man.. I hope she's not out there, now… suddenly, the piercing screams of a woman echo throughout the empty lot. Oh my God… that's Tori!

"Dustin! Help me! Dustin, please, don't let him hurt me!"

"Tori! Tori! I'm coming baby! Just hold on!" I scream to her at the top of my lungs. Where are her screams coming from? Where is she? Oh my God…

"Help! Dustin!" Her screams get further away. They're coming from every direction. I'm trying to run and my legs wont move. WHAT THE FUCK?

"Tori! Where are you? Oh God, Tori! I'm coming! I'm coming for you!" I scream, trying desperately to run… I need to find her… why cant I move? UUUGGGGHHHHH! Move, dammit! This is some Freddy Krueger shit! Whats going on here? Finally, I lift my left leg …. My feet are so heavy….. suddenly I lose balance and fall to the ground.. its like something pulled me down.. I cant feel my legs at all! Dude… oh shit…..

"Tori! Hold on! I'm coming for you!"

"Dustin….Dustin! Wake up.. you're dreaming again!"

"What?" I jump up. Wait… this is not the parking lot. My heart is racing. I'm sweating like I just raced 20 laps. "Oh my God, Tori! You're okay!" I grab her and hold her, "I'll never let anything happen to you, I promise!"

"Well, that's good to know babe..seriously. but, you gotta get up now. I gotta go to work." Tori giggles.

I let my eyes gain focus and notice Tori fully dressed. She's wearing kakis and a blue button down shirt. Her hair is in two braids.

"You feel better?" I ask, still startled as all hell.. was that really just a dream? It was way too real… damn…

Tori looks into the mirror and rumbles through her body sprays, "Yeah…. Yep…. Well… you gotta go to work too, so, you gotta get up."

"Ok..ok.." I pull the covers off of my still sleeping body and throw some clothes on. I can't help it if yellow is so my color… I throw on some jeans, a gray long sleeve and a yellow hurley tee over it. The shirts kinda wrinkled but that's ok.. no time for ironing.. I throw my sneakers on and run into the bathroom to piss and wash up.

"You are so backwards!" Tori shakes her head,"C'mon! I'm gonna be late!" She hollers.

"I'm ready.. all done.." I roll out of the bathroom and grab my yellow and brown track jacket.

I drive Tori to work and insist that I walk her into the store. Make sure she gets in ok.

"What did you dream about that's got you all freaked out?" Tori asks as we go up the escalator.

"You we're being hurt. And I couldn't get to you." I confess. I feel guilty just saying it, "and it was more like a nightmare."

"Really?" Tori's face grows eerie, "That's kinda scary."

"Yeah… especially 'cuz we were in the mall." I say. Me and Tori hold hands as we walk into Pac Sun.

"Dustin.. I don't like when you have those dreams. They make me sad." Tori pouts "Dream us some good stuff. Like a big house or something." She giggles.

"Yeah.. I'll try next time." I laugh with her. Aaahhhh.. I feel a little better.

"Well, I gotta punch in…. so I'll see ya at 6, huh?"

"Yep." I lean over and we kiss, "I love you."

"I love you too." Tori says smiling. She bites her bottom lip, still holding onto my hand as she walks away. Our hands finally part and I wave her off once more before heading back to my car.

Oh man, I think I'm so gonna be late for work… starting off the day with that nightmare isn't my idea of starting the day right. I know it was just a dream but… dude… it was just way too real..her screaming was too real… the pain in her voice… dude…. The smell…I don't know, but I'm way creeped out….too fucking real.. and not good at all…