Tori did not go to class; instead after she lost Randy she made a beeline for the practice rooms. She found a dark practice room at the end of the hall and threw her stuff in it. Tori did not bother to turn on the lights and instead sat in the dark crying. Huddling up into a little ball, she tried to silence the sobs escaping her. Suddenly light washed over her and the familiar form of her best friend stood in the doorway. "Tor…," Randy cried. Tori backed away like caged animal. "Let me help you," he pleaded. She shook her head vigorously, "No, I can't, if he found out…" "Tori, I won't tell anyone, I swear, but if you keep these feelings inside it'll eat you up inside. Talk to me." He scooted closer and gently lifted up her head, "You can tell me anything Tor, I won't judge you, and I'll always be here for you." "Okay." She took in a large gasp of air, "Yeah, it was my dad, but it was only this one time." "Don't lie to me Tor," Randy said, "I want you to tell me everything, how long has this been going on?" She avoided his eyes, "Since my mom left." He gasped, "You're mom left three years ago! Why didn't you say anything?" She gave a bitter laugh, "What was I supposed to say? Hey my dad beats me because I can't defend myself; I'm nothing but a weak little girl. Want me to say something like that, Randy?" He pulled her into a tentative hug; she resisted at first but then fell into his embrace. "You are anything but weak, Victoria." She started to cry harder, "I am! I am weak, and worthless. The world would be better off if I died!" Randy pulled away and looked straight into her eyes, "Don't ever say that again. The world is a better place because you're in it. Is your dad home right now?" He asked. Tori looked at him in surprise, "No, why?" He picked her up, "Well come on then, let's get your stuff, you are moving into my house. I have an extra bedroom; my mom wouldn't mind, she adores you." Tori grinned, "Really? Can I?" Randy gave an enthusiastic nod, "You bet!" They sneaked out of the practice rooms and drove off in his car.
"We better hurry," Tori exclaimed, "practice is in an hour." "Screw practice! This is way more important." Tori gasped, "I'd never thought I'd see the day when something was more important to you than drums." He laughed, "Well here we are. Let me help you with your stuff." They raced up to her room and began picking through her stuff. "Do you have a suitcase we can put it all in?" He asked. She grabbed one from under her bed and started jamming things in it. 20 minutes later all the stuff they packed everything that Tori thought was essential. "Well let's get going, we still have to drop this stuff off at my house." She hesitated, "Randy, are you sure about this?" He swept her into a big hug, careful of her broken ribs. "I've never been surer of anything in my entire life. Tor, you're practically family."
After dropping off her stuff at his house Randy took her to the Med Clinic. "Randy, not that I'm complaining, but don't we have practice?" Randy shook his head, "We're not going to practice today, you need medical attention, then we are going to go back to the house and celebrate with our favorite movie." "Lord of the Rings Marathon?" Tori asked. "You bet, with lemon pepper popcorn and all."
"How did you say you got these injuries?" The doctor asked for the millionth time. "I-I fell down the stairs." Tori stammered, uncomfortable at where the conversation was heading. "What is this? Twenty questions?" Randy said, annoyed. The doctor, a middle age man with brown hair and a large bald spot, glared at Randy, "Young man, are you family? If not, I'm going to have to ask you to step outside." Tori smiled, "He's family." The doctor nodded, "Well, we got the X-Rays back. You have three broken ribs." Tori grimaced but stayed quiet. "We can't do much but wrap you up; you have to stay bed ridden for a couple of days though. I'll have the nurse give you some pain killers. Come back in a two weeks, and we'll give you another check up." Randy stepped out of the room while the nurse bandaged Tori up.
"$75 Dollars!?!" Tori spluttered, "B-But all you did was give me a few bandages! And pain-killers, but that's it!" The receptionist gave her a bored look, "Ma'am that's because you don't have insurance." Tori grumbled and grudgingly pulled out her wallet. Randy put a wad of cash on the table before Tori could open her wallet. "There, that should be enough." "Randy, don't I can pay for it." Randy shook his head, "No, I insist, after all, we are family."
Back at Randy's house Tori curled up on the couch with Randy and watched The Lord of The Rings while munching on lemon-pepper popcorn. As she drifted to sleep she dreamed of a warm, comforting family, which she was a part of.