DISCLAIMER: MUCH LIKE A WINNING LOTTERY TICKET, VICTORIOUS IS SOMETHING I WILL NEVER OWN. ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL THAT SMALL PART OF ME THAT HOPES I WILL. IT'S THE SAME PART THAT THINKS I'LL WIN THE LOTTERY. STUPID BRAIN. ALSO, I DON'T OWN THE SONG 'I'M YOURS' BY JASON MRAZ.
AGAIN, BEFORE WE GET INTO THIS CHAPTER, A HUGE SHOUTOUT AND MASSIVE THANKS TO Play Station Lover FOR YOUR REVIEW. I DO INDEED KNOW WHAT YOU'RE HINTING AT, Waitwhathuh's AMAZING STORY Dead to You. (WHICH BY THE WAY IF ANYONE READING THIS HASN'T READ, THEN GO AND READ IT.) AND ALSO SHOUTOUT TO metal rider FOR YOUR REVIEW. HOPEFULLY THIS STORY WILL BE AS INTERESTING AS YOU HOPE.
CHAPTER 3- KNOCK, KNOCK
I'm left standing just outside my front door, reflecting on what has just happened. Why would Cat just lash out like that? Was it something I did? I like to think not, but I was rather blunt in my approach of asking her what was wrong. Hopefully I can make it up to her.
Just then, my mom snaps me out of my thoughts.
"You alright Tori?" She asks me.
"Hhm? Oh, yeah I'm fine." I say absentmindedly whilst coming back in and closing the front door behind me. I don't think she was too convinced by my response.
"What was all that about?" Genuine concern in her voice. "Did you and Cat have an argument?"
"Of course not..." Although it probably did sound like that. "...she hasn't seemed herself sometimes over the past few days, so I asked her what was wrong and she lashed out." I tell my mom.
"Do you two mind? I'm trying to watch my programme over here! Keep it down." Trina loudly exclaims from the couch.
"Did you not just see Cat run out the door crying? Do you not have any compassion or sympathy at all." I reply quite angrily. After all, Cat isn't just my best friend, she sees Trina as a friend as well. Yet Trina doesn't seem to care at all about what just happened.
"Enough girls." My mom reprimands us both. Then she turns to look at me. "Give her some time dear. If something is on her mind and she wants to talk about it she will, but don't pressure her or else you will push her away. Talk to her the next chance you get to apologize." My mom always seems to know the right advice for every situation I go to her with.
"Okay, will do mom." I give her a smile to say thanks.
I head back up to my room, with that little episode with Cat still at the very forefront of my mind. Normally she is such a happy-go-lucky person, very bubbly, full of energy. Whenever something upsets her, she usually bounces right back the next day. I hope whatever is wrong isn't too serious.
I try calling her, but get no answer. All I get is her cheery voicemail message. "Heeyyyyyy, it's Cat. I can't take your call right not, but leave a message and I will get back to you if I remember. I'm always forgetting things, hehe."
I must have tried at least 7 or 8 times to get hold of her. Just remember what mom said, give her some time. But I have to at least let her know I'm sorry.
I ring again and predictably I get that same cheery message.
"Heeyyyyyy, it's Cat. I can't take your call right not, but leave a message and I will get back to you if I remember. I'm always forgetting things, hehe."
"Hi Cat, it's Tori. Just calling to see if your alright, and too apologize. I didn't mean to upset you, and I'm sorry. I'm here if you need someone to talk to, but if you don't want to talk about it that's fine. Okay, bye." I try not to sound too downbeat, but this is breaking me inside. Knowing that something is upsetting her and there's nothing I can do to help.
I've just got to try and get what happened of my mind. What was I doing before it occurred? Oh yeah, I was on my laptop.
I pick my laptop up and go and sit on my bed. When I open it up, it pops up with the page I was last on, which is the page of where me and Andre are going tomorrow to play Squash.
To be honest, I don't really know what I'm letting myself in for. I mean, what are the rules of Squash? Is there a certain way you should play? Hopefully I can find out, because if I don't, then I'm screwed.
I spend the entire night loosing myself in learning about Squash. I never knew it was so technical. I looked at it and assumed it was just hitting a small rubber ball against a wall, but it is oh so much more than that. There are so many different shots and ways to play them. Straight drive, lob shot, drop shot, cross court, volley, and loads with boast at the end. And if you thought there was a large array of shots, the amount of rules is mind-boggling! I've learnt all the ones I need to know to play against Andre, like first to 11 points wins that 'round' and you can play either best of 3, 5 or 7 rounds.
After learning the basics, I decided to watch some YouTube videos of competitive Squash matches. OH. MY. GOD. It's so fast paced, you have to react like a deer being hunted by a cheetah and not getting caught. It's also relentless. There is very little rest time between points. I don't think I quite realised just how tough and physical Squash is. But I'm really looking forward to playing tomorrow now.
I must have spent a good 2 hours researching everything I need to know. At the moment, I'm currently relaxing, listening to a bit of 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz. Don't judge, I find his voice very calming alright.
I glance over to my clock and. Wow, since when was it 11:15pm. I best get some sleep, don't want to feel like shit for tomorrow.
"Uggggghhhhhhh" I groan as I stretch, waking up from my slumber. It's so nice not waking up to an annoying alarm clock. Speaking of, what is the time? Just gone 9? Plenty of time till Andre gets here.
First order of business for the day, have a shower. Or breakfast? I really should have a shower first, but fuck my stomach is growling at me. Food it is.
Funnily enough, I can't hear anyone about this morning. Trina is probably still in bed, but where are mom and dad?
I make my way to the kitchen to find a note on the table. It reads:
Morning Tori,
Me and your father have gone to visit your aunt. We will be back Sunday evening. The number for the pizza place is on the side with $30. Hopefully you find this before Trina. Have a good couple of days, see you tomorrow night.
Love
Mom
Well it's good to know where they've gone. And they left money for food. I honestly don't know what I would do without them. We all want to move out at some point for our own privacy, but I'm not quite sure how I'll survive without them. I'll cross that bridge when the time comes.
After doing myself and Trina some toast for breakfast (she came down just as I turned the grill on, and made me do her toast or I'd have to give her the $30 for her to go shopping. Typical. And since she does martial arts, I just agreed.) I went and had my shower.
I take my time in the shower. Bad idea, since when I get out and dry myself, it's already 10 to 12. Andre will be here soon.
I quickly get everything together I need. Squash racquet, spare set of clothes, towel, keys, phone. I think I've got everything. But there's a nagging in my head that I'm forgetting something. And right on cue, there's a knock at the door.
"TORI! There's someone at the door!" Trina yells to me upstairs. She can be so lazy sometimes.
"Just answer it!" I call back.
"No! I'm not attractive yet. I can't have people see me like that!" She exclaims, running upstairs. Then I hear her door slam.
I go down with my gym bag over my shoulder, dumping it on the couch as make my way over to answer the door.
"Uhhh... What was all the shouting about?" Andre asks.
"Just the usual, Trina not wanting to answer the door because she was worrying about how she looks." I reply
"Ah, okay. Well, you ready?" He questions.
"Ummm... I think so. Let me just double check I've got everything. Racquet, spare clothes, keys, towel, phone..." I list off, rummaging through my bag.
"So you're not bringing any money?" Andre enquires.
"Fuck it! Knew I forgot something. Just let me grab some from upstairs." I say, quickly going upstairs and grabbing my purse.
We stop off at the mall so that I can get some squash balls for us to use.
"Which ones should we get?" I ask Andre.
There is so much choice. Blue dot, Red dot, White dot, yellow dot or double yellow dot. I don't remember reading about this last night.
"Why not just get one of each, there only $2 per ball." Andre states.
"Okay, sounds good. You want to buy yourself a racquet?" I say whilst picking up one of each of the balls.
"Why would I need to do that? I've already got one." He proclaims.
"Huh?" I'm confused now. "I didn't think you had one."
"Oh right, I didn't tell you. I've been playing squash now for a while. I'm even part of a league." He explains.
"No way! Are you any good?" I ask.
"Yeah, I'm not too bad, 2nd overall in the league." He's such a modest guy.
"Not too bad? That's incredible!" I playfully punch him on the arm.
"I'm just happy that someone else likes it as well. Hopefully we can do this more often if you find out you like playing squash."
"Yeah, I would be up for that." I tell him.
I go and pay for the squash balls, then we head to where the court is.
When we arrive, I give the woman behind the desk my name, pay for the court and me and Andre go in.
As soon as I walk into the court I started sweating. There is no air-con in here. I'm sweating out of places I didn't even know could sweat. It's worse than the time we got stuck in Beck's RV. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but it's still hot in here.
Whilst we warm up, I ask Andre about the basic rules I looked up last night just to make sure I understood them, which I'm happy to say I did.
"That was really hard, but great fun. I think I could get used to playing squash." I tell Andre. We are on the way back to his car after playing for just over an hour. I won't bore you by going through everything that happened, however I lost 3 rounds to 1, but it was well worth it. Although I'm totally shattered now.
"I'm glad you like Squash Tori, you're actually really good." Andre smiles at me.
"Really?" I gasp with shock at him.
"Yeah." He exclaims.
"Stop bullshitting me." I say to him
"No, I'm serious. In fact, are you busy on Wednesday evenings?" He asks.
"Not really no. Why?" I question him back.
"I was wondering if you wanted to join the squash league. I think you're good enough." Andre states.
"Mind if I come and watch next Wednesday and then make my mind up?" I ask whilst getting into his car.
"Yeah that's fine. The league has 2 more weeks to run, then it gets reset, like a new season in the NFL. You will have to decide by then if you want to join." Andre explains.
"Okay." I reply, putting my bag on the back seat.
We spent the entire journey home belting along to whatever song came on the radio. It's fair to say that today has been a good day.
Andre dropped me off and when I got in I could have quite easily gone to bed there and then. But then my stomach decided it needed food. I drop my bag on the couch and head towards the kitchen where mom had left me the number to order a pizza.
After I've ordered the pizza, I'm head upstairs and just as I'm about to go into my room, Trina opens her door.
"Oh Tori, you're home. What's for dinner?" You know sometimes I feel like the older sister.
"I've just ordered pizza, it should be here in 20 minutes." I say to her.
"Thanks Tori, knew I could count on you not to let me go hungry." Whoa, did my ears just deceive me. Did Trina just say thanks? Today must be a good day.
I go into my room and my bed looks so inviting right now. But I need a shower and food. Two showers in one day. At least I won't smell.
The warm water is so nice and relaxing, I've lost track of how long I've been in here. Shit. The pizza.
Just as I'm getting out the shower I hear the doorbell go. I quickly dry myself and run... Okay, running was a bad move, legs are way too sore. After nearly falling down the stairs because my legs nearly gave way, I decide to walk to the door.
I open the door and the pizza guy just looks me up and down. I think he's interested in me.
"Uh.. that's $16.50. I can I just say you have lovely eyes." He tries to smooth talk me.
"Before you waste your time, I'm already dating someone." I lie to him rather than flat out reject him.
"So, just because soccer has a goalie doesn't mean you can't score." Good pick-up line I'll give him that, but I'm still not interested in him.
"Sorry, but I'm dating someone. How would you feel if I was dating you and then cheated on you with someone else?" I try reasoning with him.
"Fair point. But if it doesn't work out, give me a call." He says giving me his number on a bit of paper.
"I'll think about it." No I won't. "In the meantime, can we have our pizza?" I ask.
"Sorry, yes. That'll be $16.50." He claims.
I search my pockets. What did I do with that $30 mom left us. It's upstairs isn't it.
"Trina, can you quickly run up and grab $30 out of my trouser pocket." I call over to her.
"Yeah, two seconds." Not the response I was expecting. Today must go down in history as Trina's nicest day.
"Here you go." She hands me the 30 bucks, smile wide on her face.
I pay the pizza guy and set the pizza down on the table. Me and Trina both have 2 slices each.
"You can have the last slice if you want Tori." Trina tells me. Okay, she's gone too far now. She's only normally nice when she wants something.
"Thanks Trina. And what do you want?" I mumble because I'm shoving pizza in my face.
"What, I can't be nice unless I want something, is that what you think?" She takes offence to my comment, but we both know it's true.
"Yes actually." I state bluntly.
"Well, if that's what you think of me..." She turns away folding her arms, before turning back to me. "...there is something actually." What did I tell you.
"I knew it. Go on, what is it?" I ask.
"Well, I'm going to a party tonight with some really hot seniors. Just don't tell mom or dad. Please Tori." She begs me.
"Fine, I won't tell them, but you owe me." I tell her as she gets up and heads towards the door.
"Thanks baby sis. Maybe one day you'll get to have a little fun if you know what I mean." She winks at me. The last thing I want to be thinking about is Trina 'having fun' as she puts it with some guy.
"Okayyyy. too much information, now I'm mentally scarred. See you later Trina." I say as I head towards the kitchen to put the empty pizza box in the bin.
I hear the front door close and her get into a car. Regardless of what I said she was going to go anyway so better to just tell her what she wants to hear to keep my life easy.
After having dinner, I go upstairs and grab the TV remote and my laptop before flopping onto my bed. Oh that feels so nice. I flick some random music channel on and open up my laptop. All that's running through my mind is what Andre said earlier. I can't believe what he said to me earlier, I know he wouldn't lie to me. I find myself going over replaying our game over and over again in my head and it makes me really happy to do something that I really enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I love singing and performing, but playing Squash gives me a buzz that singing doesn't. It's hard to describe.
I spend the next hour and a bit downloading some new songs off iTunes and putting them on my iPod.
I go over and put my laptop back on my dresser, turn the TV off and then get back in bed. After 10 minutes or so of tossing and turning trying to get comfortable, I eventually drift off to sleep with a smile on my face because what Andre said is still passing through my mind.
Ow. FUCKING OW. I literally ache all over. Okay, there is a downside to playing squash, and that's the aches and soreness the next day. I struggle to get out of bed, making all sorts of moaning and groaning noises (not in that way). Surely we must have something to ease the aching.
I grab my phone and text Andre.
I fucking ache all over.
I head towards the bathroom to see if there is any muscle rub or deep heat in the medicine cabinet. Nothing. Really.
Haha. Yeah, it gets you like that. You'll be fine after playing more regularly. *hint, hint* :)
We'll see. :P
The best thing to take my mind off of my aching body. Food of course. Let's see, no bacon, no eggs, nothing. So mom and dad left me $30 but no food in the fridge for breakfast. Well there's milk so cereal it is.
After breakfast, I make my way back upstairs (quite slowly might I add) and have a shower. The hot water soothes my muscles a bit, but not as much as I would like.
The rest of the day is just a lazy day really. Sitting around not doing a lot, but I don't mind. It's nice to have a day where you don't have to do a lot.
Trina got back at just after 12:30 and is trying to sleep off the massive hangover she oh so clearly has. I told her mom and dad were coming back at some point this evening, so she better sort herself out before then or else she'll have to explain to them why she feels like shit. Although I'm not too sure she was paying that much attention to me. Oh well, her problem, she was the one who wanted to go party and what not.
Oh, hold on a sec, got a text. It's from mom
Hey Tori, we're about half hour away. We're going to pick up dinner on the way back. See you when we get home. Love Mom xxx
Okay, see you soon xxx
I think I better go and let Trina know they're on their way.
"Trina!" I call as I walk up the stairs. "Mom and dad are on their way home. They'll be back in about half hour." I say as I open her door. She looks better than she did earlier, but still looks worse for wear.
"Uggghhhh..." She groans in response.
"So you better get your hung-over arse out of bed and make yourself presentable. Oh and they're bringing dinner." I tell her.
"Uggghhhh..." She groans again. "...fine, I'll be ready by the time they get here, now get out." She yells whilst throwing a pillow at me. I just laugh as I shut her door. She's suffering the consequences or her antics now. She'll never learn.
I have a quick clean up round the house and then about 10 minutes later, there's a knock at the door.
"Hi mom, hi dad!" I exclaim giving them both a hug.
"Hi Tori" They both say joyfully as they come in. "Hope you're hungry, we've got Chinese."
"Smells good." I state as the three of us head to the kitchen just as Trina comes down the stairs.
"Hi mom, hi dad." She says as she strolls towards the kitchen.
"Hey Trina." My mom replies.
"How was your weekend girls?" My dad asks us just as Trina gets to the kitchen. But before I get the chance to answer, Trina is running out the kitchen and back up the stairs. We hear the bathroom door slam, and the unmistakable sound of her throwing her guts down the toilet. The smell of food must have upset her stomach because of how much she had to drink.
"What was all that about?" My mom questions. I don't like lying to my parents, but Trina is going to have to get herself out of this one.
"I...I'm not sure." I stutter. I would make the worst criminal because I have guilty written all over my face. Not literally, but... Oh you know what I mean. Anyway, my parents seem to believe it, which is all the matters.
"I'll go and see if she's alright." My dad sighs.
"How much of this do you want Tori?" My mom asks, putting a bit extra on my plate since Trina won't be joining us anytime soon.
"That's plenty." I reply.
We take all 3 plates over to the table, then my dad comes back down the stairs.
"Dinner's ready hun." My mom calls over to my dad as he makes his way towards us in the kitchen. "How is she?"
"She's in bed. She'll be fine." He reassures my mom. I should really tell them, but I'm not going to break my word.
"Anyway, where were we? Oh yes, how was your weekend Tori?" My mom curiously asks me.
"It was really good thanks. Yesterday I went and played squash with Andre and..." I begin.
"You went and did what?" My mom interrupts.
"Went and played squash. Which bit didn't you understand?" I sarcastically comment.
"I just didn't think you were into that sort of thing. Did you enjoy it?" She questions
"Oh yeah, I'm even considering doing it every week in the local squash league." I tell my parents.
"Well, good for you Tori. I'm glad you are doing something that you enjoy." My dad smiles at me just before eating another mouthful.
"Thanks, its really good fun, although I am a bit sore still." They both chuckle at that. "How is Aunt Sonia?"
"She's alright. You know she got a new puppy, well she's talking about getting another one as well." My mom tells me.
We're about halfway through dinner when there's knocking on the door.
"Ignore it. It's dinner time." My dad states.
More knocking...
"For god sake, don't people know what time it is." My dad is starting to get irritated by it.
Even more knocking...
My dad looks like he's about to explode.
"It's okay dad, I'll go and answer it." I say, trying to calm him down.
I walk over and just before I reach the door, more knocking.
"Alright, alright. I'm coming." I call out.
And too my surprise, when I open the door, it's Cat. Her eyes are all red and puffy.
"Cat?" I try and look into her eyes but she's looking down and sniffling.
"Are you alright?" I ask. You idiot Tori, of course she's not, alright look at her. Think of a better question. "What's the matter Cat?" There we go, that's better.
Then she throws herself into a hug and starts crying her eyes out...
A/N: So that's Chapter 3 for you. I know this isn't a very good chapter, mainly fillers and what not. The general idea for this chapter was to give people who don't know about Squash a basic insight into it.
Whilst writing this chapter, I came up with a few other ideas for future stories. I'm not going to give anything anyway, and I will make sure I finish this story before I start a new one, but there are things planned :)
As always, I am really grateful for the reviews. I don't want to say you have to review because it's your choice and I want to leave it up to you to choose if you want to.
Hope you all enjoyed and have a good day/night wherever you are.