Mmmm… Snickers are sooooo good, Tori thought as she munched in one during her Pre-Calculus class. They taste even better when you didn't have to buy them. "Tori! Are you eating in my classroom?" The annoying voice of her teacher, Ms. Adams, said. Tori looked at the candy in her hand and replied in a cool, calm voice, "Why yes, yes I am." "Throw it away," Ms. Adam ordered. Tori proceeded to take a large bite to finish it off, then threw the wrapper in the trash, "Wha' ever you say," she said with a mouthful of candy. Ms. Adams glared at her but continued her boring lecture.
"You should really limit yourself to pissing her off once a week, anymore and you'll risk getting thrown out of here." She licked the remaining chocolate off her fingers and smirked at the handsome guy, who spoke to her, "I'll keep that in mind. Have you had her before?" He grimaced, "Had her for geometry. She's a real witch, boring as a dictionary too." Tori muttered, "Does she throw out kids often?" "Only those who piss her off." He brushed some blonde hair out of his ocean blue eyes, "By the way, my name's Tobias." "Tori." "I've seen you play before, you know, the drums; you're good." She blushed and mumbled an embarrassed "Thank you." "No I mean it. Are you the only girl on drumline?" She shook her head, "No, there is another girl, Lauren, she plays bass drum. She is sitting over there; see the really dark one with glasses?" The bell rang, signaling the end of class. "Well I'll see you around Tori," Tobias grinned.
Lauren met up with her in the hall, "So" she said, "Who was the hottie you were talking to earlier? Have you finally moved on from Ron?" "Jeez Lauren I was just talking, and his name is Tobias." Lauren stopped walking, "Tobias, as in hot star quarterback Tobias?" Tori shrugged, "I guess." Lauren squealed, "Ooh… wait till Ron hears about this. He still has the hots for you." Tori stared, "Are you kidding me? He has a girlfriend. Remember, my best friend Sara?" "Things can change," Lauren said mysteriously. "Whatever, I have Music Theory; I'll see you at lunch," Tori said as she descended the stairs that took her to the band hall.
Tori walked into the band hall and deposited her books on some tables that were positioned in front of a chalkboard. The tardy bell wouldn't ring for another five minutes so she went into the locker room to see if Randy was there. "Randy? You in here?" Tori looked around but the room seemed to be empty. She grabbed her Music Theory book and turned around, only to be confronted by a smug looking Ron. "Hey Tori, how was your morning?" He backed her up against the lockers and leaned in close, "Mine? Well I had a great morning, really spectacular," he was almost touching her lips, "I know it was you earlier; I can even smell chocolate on your breath. Hmmm…maybe I want to taste some of that chocolate." Tori shivered at his closeness, "Ron, you have a girlfriend." A sense of deja vu passed through her as Ron whispered, "Things can change." He leaned in closer but Tori ducked under his arms and left the locker room flustered and thoroughly confused. Ron stormed out seconds later, shaking his head and muttering, "stupid, stupid," over again.
Face as red as a tomato, Tori plopped herself into an empty seat. She immediately regretted the action as it jarred her broken ribs. Oww…she thought, I should wrap my ribs after class. Her director, Mr. Rubes, started the class and Tori became engrossed in the interesting subject. An hour later, which felt less to Tori, passed and class ended for lunch. She lost her appetite because of the encounter with Ron, so she decided to hang out in the band hall. Noting that the band directors left to the confines of their office she slid over to the piano that they used in her class.
Tori began playing a tune she had written and didn't notice the figure that came from behind. "Boo," Patrick whispered in her ear. Surprised, Tori let out a small shriek, "Patrick, you scared me!" He sat on the bench beside her, "That was the point," he chuckled, "So, what you playing? It sounds nice." Tori blushed, "Thanks. It's just something I wrote when I was bored. Can you play?" Patrick pretended to be offended, "Can I play? Watch and learn, watch and learn." He scooted down a little bit more; pushing Tori back a little. "This is something I came up with in college during Music Theory; it was 20 of my final grade." Tori listened to him play a beautiful piece, "Wow, that's good. I really like it." Patrick finished it and replied, "Thanks, it's been a while since I've played it. I got a 98 for it, my professor liked the descending bass line." "Yes it is a cool bass line, but I like the melody better." "Me too." Tori smiled, "Are you coming to afternoon practice?" "Yes but I will only stay till five thirty; I have to go." "Oh," Tori said, slightly disappointed. Pat grinned, "Well don't act all sad, I'll be here tomorrow." Tori blushed, "Me sad? I'm glad you're leaving, you and your bad fashion sense." "Hey," he said, "I don't have bad fashion sense! Just because I don't wear Abercrappy like the rest of this school doesn't mean I have bad fashion sense!" He elbowed her lightly, unfortunately in her bad rib. Tori groaned in pain and grabbed the piano for support. Patrick jumped up in surprise. "Oh I'm so sorry, did I hurt you? I didn't think I hit you that hard." Tori took in a big breath, then plastered a fake smile upon her face, "Ha!" she said, trying not to think about the pain, "Got you!" Patrick looked skeptical but didn't say anything.
"Patrick!" Lauren shouted, running over to them. Tori took her chance when Patrick turned around to flee into the locker room. She went to the back of the locker rooms and slowly sat down. That was close, what if he found out? Well I have some used bandages in my locker; I could put them on before it gets worse. Tori knew that bandages alone would not work but she saw no other alternative. She grabbed the bandages from her locker and, making sure nobody was around, took off her shirt. Gently, she wrapped her broken rib. A gasp echoed from behind her. "Tori, what happened?" Turning around sharply she came face to face with her best friend Randy. "Uh…" she sputtered, "Umm…" Randy cut her off, "Was it your dad?" "What?" Tori squeaked, while putting on her shirt, "I-I don't know what you're talking about." She pushed through Randy and scurried into the band hall. Randy ran to catch up, "Tori answer me!" She kept on walking until Randy grabbed her arm. She flinched violently and fell down on the hard band hall tiles. Randy looked at her in alarm; "It's true. Dammit. I knew it; he was always such a bastard whenever I came over. I'll kill him!" Tori shook her head, hot tears spilling down her face, "Randy please, don't! Just leave me alone!" She grabbed her books and ran out of the band hall. Randy went after her but soon lost her with all the people going to class. He stormed back into the band hall, and in his anger punched the wall. "Oww," he cradled his hand. Muttering to himself he snatched up his sticks and was about to go to the practice room when Patrick stopped him
Lauren confronted Patrick. "There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere! Listen I'm sorry but I can't go to practice today. I have a dentist appointment." "Okay that's fine, is that all?" "Yeah, well got to go to Physics, see you tomorrow!" Patrick turned around to find Tori gone. Seconds later he saw her rush out of the locker room, closely followed by Randy. He heard them arguing and saw Tori crying. Then Tori tripped and fell on the floor. He was about to step in when she grabbed her books and fled the band hall. What is going on? He saw Randy follow her out, but then came back in a little later; Patrick assumed that he could not find her. Patrick was shocked when he saw Randy punch the wall near him; Randy was such an easygoing guy. He walked over to Randy, who had grabbed his sticks and was intending to go practice. "Randy, what's going on?" "Stay out of it Patrick," Randy growled. He then walked off towards the practice rooms. Patrick stood there, confused and somewhat angry that he didn't know what was happening.