So I'm trying to update this story as at least once a week. Again don't forget to thank MaybeWolf for his amazing contributions to this story while still maintaining all of his current stories. Checkout his story Lovebites & Razorlines. It's without doubt, the best Rade story I've ever read, especially the latest chapter.
It's Friday, the day Robbie has been dreading. Heaving a sigh from deep within himself, Robbie heads in the opposite direction as his friends. He's heading to a darkened house to place whatever meager belongings he has into a couple of boxes. As he walks towards his car, Robbie's well aware that each item that he packs is another moment that he's closer to losing Rex.
As he trudges away, two chocolate orbs follow Robbie. Tori wonders how he's even holding himself together at this point. She's not sure that she's ever seen one person look more broken. With each step that she takes in the direction of the Asphalt Cafe, Tori's resolve only strengthens. She's certain that something has to be done. Robbie's too close to totally falling apart for her to just stand by.
"And so, in the final scene, when Rex finally leaves, we have a tearful goodbye from Robbie and cue the curtains! So... what do you guys think?" Tori asked hopefully. Having finally pitched her idea to everybody, her gaze flies across the table as she tries to gauge their reactions. Seeing several questioning faces peering back at her, the smile slides off Tori Vega's lips.
"I don't know. It seems like a lot of work for a puppet." Andre states uneasily. It's not that he's got anything against Rex. It's just that he's got plans with Keeko during most of his free time. Tori bites the inside of her cheek, as irritation swirls within her eyes at his reaction. She wonders if he's even paused to consider that this goes way beyond a simple wooden boy.
"Plus, the last time Robbie was in a play, you kinda killed Rex." Beck adds in quickly, trying to douse the flames that are building in the way Tori is looking at them. There are so many things that could fall apart with Tori attempting to put on her first production in such a high pressure situation. He's not sure if she's stopped to consider the consequences of something like this going wrong.
"C'mon guys! This is Rex we're talking about, who knows what will happen to Robbie without him." Desperation colors Tori's words as she throws her arms into the air and leans forward. Her eyebrows hurtle into the air as she pleads with her friends to see why this play needs to happen. Tension hangs in the air as silence stretches between the usually jovial group of friends and each of them become lost in their own thoughts.
"Well, what if we just threw him a surprise goodbye party instead? That'd be just as good right?" Beck tosses his words into the air uncertainly. He wonders if his suggestion will fan the flames of discontent or just make things even worse. He swallows thickly as Tori's eyebrows crash over her nose. Clenching her fists, Tori sets her jaw and tries to hold her emotions in check. She can't believe that her friends are just refusing to help, but also recognizes when she's been beaten. Lifting her sandwich to her lips, Tori begins to eat in silence, the stench of defeat hanging over her head.
"Wait…we're gonna have a party?" Cat's effervescent voice sails through Tori's melancholy and drags her back into the present. Looking up from her lunch, Tori sees Cat hurtling across the table and locking her in a tight hug. In spite of the girl's enthusiasm, Tori finds herself sitting limply within Cat's embrace.
"I'm so excited!" Cat shrieks. In spite of the piercing nature of Cat's voice, the bubbly redhead's enthusiasm slowly begins to seep into Tori's skin and infects her bad mood. After a few short moments, the ghost of a smile finds its way onto her lips. Maybe this party could be a good thing. Robbie could talk to girls and meet new people. Maybe this could be a new beginning for him. Leave it to Beck to come up with a good reason for a party.
"Ok. Fine, we'll do it your way guys. I guess we can have the party tomorrow at my house since my parents are away again…" Tori's words drift through her lips, with the weight of the world no longer weighing them down. Even with thoughts of her absentee parents and Robbie's face flittering through her mind, Tori's finding it ever harder to maintain her bad mood. When Cat Valentine has you trapped in a hug, it's impossible for your mood not to lighten at least a little.
I know this chapter was a little short, but fear not, we've got a lot coming your way in the next few chapters. And to SuperNeos2, fear not. All will be explained in due time. Thanks again for all the reviews and feel free to drop another one.
