For once, Dustin had nothing to say. Instead, allowing his eyes to follow Shane. Watching his friend disappear, hurrying into the cover of the shadows.
The crowd had now parted. The sound of silverware clanking with glass plates. Both intermingling with the noisy chatter grown from hushed whispers. Breaking the silence that was only moments before so still.
As if it never happened.
"I told you something was wrong."
"Leave it alone, Dustin." Tori sagged against the wall. Not wanting to admit that her friend had touched upon something she tried to avoid. She turned he head in the direction of the table they had previously occupied. Before Blake dragged Shane away.
It had already been close to half an hour since Blake and Shane left. Hunter, excusing himself to the bathroom, had left the table, as well. Ten minutes before she, Dustin, and Cam stood from their own seats.
But it wasn't until they saw people standing from their chairs, moving to the front of the restaurant that they became worried and left their seats to follow the crowd.
They weren't necessarily concerned about Blake, but rather the fact that Hunter and Shane were both accountable at the same time.
Even Cam noticed the growing tension between two. Much worse than their initial encounters and what Cam once called a rocky but somewhat relationship.
But he had yet to understand what caused this new spark between them. Especially when they were getting along much better than before.
As they rushed to the entrance of the restaurant, barely audible voices could be heard outside. The sounds only discernable because the voices were raised. Yet, muffled by the large glass window. Upon which was the name Freidman's painted from the inside. Bold and black lettering outlined by a crimson colour.
Reaching the glass pane, Tori could distinguish two figures. One shorter than the other. They were standing rather close with bodies almost touching. However, their identities concealed in the night. The lighting outside the restaurant poor.
From the gestures one figure made, Tori could tell he or she was frustrated and angered. Hands in constant motion, moving up and down. Until pushing away from the taller figure, hands shoving against a chest.
She watched as the shorter figure walked away. Quickly moving away from the other into the muted spotlight. The figure exposed as Blake.
Tori shook her head at the revelation, turning it to the other figure that had now begun to follow Blake. At first, her mind jumped to Hunter, but she dismissed the idea. There was no reason why Blake would walk away from Hunter. If anything Blake would run to his brother.
But if it wasn't Hunter, then that only left-
"Shane!?" Tori winced at Cam's loud voice. Nearly forgetting that he and Dustin were beside her.
And as if he heard Cam's voice, Shane paused. His figure no longer concealed as he stood underneath the light. Turning around to see an array of people staring at him from the inside. Tori could see the faint motion as Shane blinked.
She knew he saw them. His friends among the crowd, Dustin's hands positioned on the glass. Not able to look at them, caught in the ignominy of the situation. She watched as he turned quickly, walking away trying to muster what little dignity he had left.
And that was only five minutes ago.
"Some birthday…" Tori faced her other two friends, all three had not returned to their seats. A plethora of food still on the table. "As if we weren't already drifting apart. Now this..."
"Would someone clue me in?" Cam picked at his salad. Now soggy and wilted. "If it's not too much trouble." His tone was biting; upset that he had allowed himself to miss something.
"Shane and Blake had a fight."
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Dustin." Tori was irritated, though she didn't mean to take out her sentiments on her friend. "Sorry, Dustin. I just…"
Dustin shrugged, not bothered by her comment. "I wasn't expecting it, either."
"But what were they fighting over? Shane and Blake have never had problems before."
Tori looked away. Not quite knowing how to answer Cam's question.
Seeing her discomfort and not knowing the answer himself, Dustin sighed. Puffing his cheeks after taking a sip of his water. "Are you going to try your cake?" He nodded at Tori.
She glanced at the small plate, turning it around to see the frosted side of the cake. The white layer bare and trapped between blue borders on the top and bottom.
She took a fork into her hands, pressing it softly against the cake. Testing its fluffiness and density. Separating a small piece and placing it in her mouth. She chewed slowly, methodically. Tasting nothing as it melted upon her tongue.
"It's good."
It's been a while, but I've been otherwise preoccupied. Short on purpose. And a Tori, Dustin, and Cam chapter because I needed a break from all the drama.
But thank you to those who have read and jonoave and FreakySpook for reviewing.