Shopping With My BFF (god help me)

Ok so I forgot who it was that said this but your right Tori is a little to perfect so I added something in this chapter to at least satisfy it at the moment. Oh and guys.....I love you all. I really do but right now I'm about to burst out screaming so if you think I'm about to sound bitchy then please just move on. But seriously cut me some slack will ya! I'm not going to forget about this book, I've told you all that before and it just really ticks me off when you guys try to use things against me. I get that you love the book, but if your a writer like me then you'd understand its hard. It takes much longer to write a chapter than read it. And I'm trying to make the chapters longer to satisfy everyone. But I have school and projects and homework so everyone take a chill pill! O.O Wow I've never been pissed like that. My bad but I seriously needed to get that out of my system. So anyways I hope you guys like the chapter. Sorry if I made you feel bad or make you think I'm a real pain, but seriously. Chill......and enjoy the chapter.

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"Who's Austin?" I asked Cole as I walked through the backdoor of my house. I had to bike home, even though Cole offered a ride but I had my bike at the school.

"What?" Cole asked. Shawn was in the fridge looking for something. When he found it he came out with a six pack of coke and was balancing food in his arms.

"Yeah," I said holding up the copy of my new teammates. I read down the list, "Blake Paris, Cole Parris, Shawn Parris, Trent Micheals, Jack Jackson--dang the irony-Hayden Cleves, Dan McCasin, Tori Linean, here it is! Austin Shiner?" I asked.

Shawn snapped his fingers like he knew who it was, "It's pronounced Shin-er. Not Shine-er."

"Which was he?" I asked.

Blake walked into the kitchen and grabbed a handful of Shawn's cookies.

"Oye!" Shawn shouted.

"Suck it up." Blake stated.

"Dick head." Shawn muttered.

Blake laughed, "I was born first."

Whoa what is this? Blake laughed, and was smiling. He looks happy. I mean he actually doesn't look like he's about to squish me. He always seemed happy when I wasn't around.

"So who is he?" I asked again.

Blake walked over to the fridge and got a carton of milk. He ate a cookie and then chugged the milk down.

Mental Note: don't drink milk from that carton.

"Austin is the one with black hair," Cole said, "Buzz cut."

Like a switch it clicked.

"You mean Sunshine?" I blurted out.

"The one that grabbed your ass." Shawn said.

"Sunshine?" Cole said completly lost.

"Never mind," I added, "I know who he is."

I reached for one of Shawn's cookies and he slapped my hand.

"Girl you best not be touching MY cookies." He said with a move of his hips. We all burst out laughing. Blake accidentilly spit out all his milk and we all laughed harder.

Dad walked in with a raised eyebrow, "What's going on in here?"

"Nothing Dad we were just laughing at Shawn," Cole said munching on a cookie.

Everyone stopped and stared at Cole. He called him Dad. Out loud.

Cole noticed all of us looking at him and raised his shoulders, "What'd I say?"

Dad smiled, "Nothing. Shawn you keep making them laugh."

Just one look at my dad and I saw how thrilled and overjoyed he was. He walked back into the living room probably to tell Lilly about Cole.

Blake looked furious. Then again that's really the only way I see him.

He slapped Cole behind the head as he walked away to the stairs. I heard him mutter something that sounded like, "He's not your dad."

Cole rubbed his head as Blake stomped up the steps, "That hurt."

"Well guys," I said while hitting my hands on the counter, "I'm tired and tomorrow I need to go shopping with Cali. So I'm gonna shower and hit the sack."

I got up and as I walked upstairs Cole and Shawn said thier 'Goodnights.'

I did everything I said I would. I showered, got in my pajamas, and then crawled under my bed where I fell into a dark sleep.

The next morning everything went as a usual Saturday. I got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast.

It was dad behind the stove though. Dad doesn't cook. I have never seen him cook. I always had to cook after mom died. He always just bought pizza or some frozen microwave food whenever I was sick or not wanting to cook.

The guys watched him from the table. Blake kept shooting daggers at Cole. I kinda felt bad for Cole. Or maybe it was just the fact that Blake is a asshole. Yeah its definitely the second one.

"Um....Dad?" I asked, "What on earth are you doing?"

"Lilly isn't feeling well," Dad answered, "So I'll be cooking breakfast today."

Suzie bounced down the stairs and glanced at dad then sighed, "I'll get the fire extinguisher."

Dad frowned while I laughed.

"She's right. You'll need it." I said sitting at the table. Cole and Shawn chuckled and we all watched dad. After a good ten minutes watching him try to make scrambled eggs, I stood up.

"There's Poptarts and Oreos in the pantry. Let's just get milk and the toaster."

Dad nodded, "Fine but if your mother asks you say you had a nutritious breakfast."

He clanged all the pots together in the sink and got the milk from the fridge. Cole grabbed the toaster plugging it in, and Shawn helped me with the Poptarts while I got the Oreos.

We all got bowls or plates and each of us had a job. Blake grabbed the plates. Shawn grabbed the bowls. Cole toasted the Poptarts. Dad poured the milk. I got the cups. And Suzie got the orange juice. When we were all done we sat at the table either dunking Oreos, crunching on Poptarts, or both.

"So how's school?" Dad asked, "Anything interesting?"

I shrugged and the guys did the same.

"My friend Macy invited me over some day." Suzie said, "She said I could go over sometime."

Dad took his napkin and cleaned his mouth, "Is this the girl that asks you questions?"

Suzie nodded, "Yeah. But she said its because she mostly lives with her big brother. Her parents are always on business trips."

"You can go as long as Tori stays with you," Dad added.

I looked up from my Oreo. Keeping half of the cookie in the bowl of milk, "Wait why do I have to stay?"

"Because I'm not leaving Suzie with that girl by herself," Dad said through clenched teeth.

I frowned but didn't say anything. When I pulled my Oreo out, it was so soggy it fell off. "Awwwwww....." I muttered under my breath.

"So Bill where will you, mom, and Suzie go when we have our Halloween party?" Blake asked.

"Movies, ice cream, I dont know maybe shopping." Dad shrugged.

I forgot about the Halloween party. Every year the Trips would have a Halloween party. It's been one of their yearly parties since their freshman year. I remember walking around the halls and hearing people talk about how amazing it was. Then in sophomore year, all the seniors wanted to come because of how awesome they heard it was the year before. I've never been to one. Actually I didn't really care about going to one. I just knew that people practically bowed down to the king. Aka Blake. And they'd also bow down to his trusty Prince's. Aka Cole and Shawn.

Or maybe they weren't like kings? They were probably Gods amongst us. Blake the god of the School and Students. Cole the god of the School Media and Gossip. And Shawn the god of Getting in Trouble for Being Funny. Then the other gods that aren't as big and strong, yet big. Melissa, the god of Populars. Trent the god of Bullying. Then there's Jack, Dan, even Sunshine. They're all gods. And their Olympus is our school.

For the Halloween party I wouldn't have to hide in my room. Actually it didn't really matter. I was going to go Trick or Treating with Mark. But even if he cancelled I could still be at the party in broad daylight. Now that I'm a part of the soccer team the guys could use that as a cover up of why I'm at their house.

"So what's the plan for today?" Cole asked.

"A friend called me. Sh--he. He needs help with a project," Blake said with a shrug.

"I'm free all day except tonight. Em invited me for dinner," Shawn said with a smile.

"I have to go shopping." I muttered. Suzie dropped her Oreo and dad stopped chewing his Poptart.

"Oh my god," Suzie said in disbelief.

"Did those words just come out of your mouth?" Dad asked.

I sighed leaning back in my chair. The guys stared from me to dad to Suzie.

"I promised Cali," I added.

"Ohhhhhhhhh," Suzie said as she started eating her Oreo.

"That makes more sense now," dad added as he continued eating his Poptart.

They know me so well, I thought.

"So I'm going to be all alone?" Cole asked.

"Actually I need to go buy more clothes too." Shawn said.

"Yeah and I don't have to leave till around four." Blake said.

"Well me and Cali are headed to the mall. And I'd prefer not taking you with me." I stated looking directly at Blake.

"Sounds great," Blake said, "Then me and my brothers will head out in my car and then you could borrow your dad's car."

I decided to play mean for once and mimicked Blake, "Sounds great. But I don't need to leave till four either. I'm picking Cali up at five."

"Good you can keep me company," Suzie said.

I smirked, "Wanna call Conlan and ask about a Nerf war?"

Suzie jumped up, "Oh my god yes!"

I laughed, "Go get get dressed."

Suzie ran back up the stairs without saying another word.

"She has an obsession," Cole muttered.

Dad laughed, "Nah. Conlan has been there all her life. Literally. I wouldn't be surprised."

"So are you guys going to leave now?" I asked.

"Yeah apparently," Shawn said.

"Ok well I'm gonna get ready before Suzie pressures me." I got up putting my bowl in the sink and bounced my way upstairs. When I reached my room I quickly grabbed a different set of clothes and put them on. I then grabbed my phone and jumped on my bed pulling Mr. Cuddles to my chest. I dialled Mark's phone number and it rang. And rang. And rang.

"Hello?" A voice finally said on the other line.

"Mark?" I asked.

"Tori! Hey what's up?" Mark asked.

"Suzie and I were just wondering if you wanted to have a Nerf war?"

Mark laughed, "Come on over. We'd love to. Wait....before you hang up let's prank my brother."

I laughed, "What kind of prank?"

"Just don't hang up and listen in," Mark said.

I rolled my eyes and listened to what was happening on the other end. I heard steps so I figured Mark was walking. Then a door open and some rock music blared out. Conlan's room. Definitely. He loves listening to that stuff.

The music became lower and I heard Mark talk, "Hey Conlan. So Tori just called and wanted to know if you wanted to have a Nerf war with Suzie. I said you were busy."

"What!? No call back! I'm bored!" Conlan yelled.

Mark laughed and talked into the phone, "He says yes Tori."

"Your so mean," I muttered, "Alright we'll be there in thirty minutes."

Before hanging up I could already hear Conlan shouting at Mark about how annoying and stupid he was. After hanging up I just lay on my bed for a second and stared at the ceiling. I frowned when I realized something was missing. Then it clicked.

The glow in the dark stars! The ones me and mom put up when I was five. Then after a couple of years we took them down. But we had them up there so long, it left a shadow of the shapes of the stars. That's what was missing. The outline of those stars.

I sat up trying not to think to hard about it. Instead I pulled Mr. Cuddles closer to me. I didn't actally mean to do it, but as if I was programmed I got on my knees and pulled out the shoe box I had under my bed. When I opened it all it was were a lot of pictures of me and mom. Sometimes Suzie was in one but she would be a infant or toddler. Then there were some of the whole family. Or just me, mom, and dad. She looked so happy. So carefree. I wonder if she would have been the same happy and carefree if she had survived the accident. As I flipped through the pictures in the corner of my eye I saw something move.

When I turned I saw the biggest cockroach ever. I dropped the pictures and the stack slid down. The thing moved it's antennas and I screamed at the top of my lungs. I just sat there screaming for a whole three seconds before I got up and ran to the door. As I stepped out the door I collided with Blake who was standing at the doorway with a cofused face. I hid behind him just as Cole and Shawn burst from their rooms.

I guess they were getting changed because Shawn didn't even have his pants zipped or buttoned and Cole was shirtless. Suzie came out of her room and saw my terrified face. She probably already knew what it was.

"What happened?!" Cole asked.

"Bi-big ro-ro-ro-" I tried to say roach but it just wasn't coming out.

"Robot?" Shawn asked.

"Is everything ok?" I heard dad yell from downstairs.

"No!" I yelled back, "Call the freaking navy! There's a giant cockroach in my room!"

Suzie took off her shoe and walked in the room, "I got it."

We heard a bang voice and then the toilet flush. Suzie walked out slipping her shoe back on.

"There," She said, "That's like the tenth one you make me kill."

"I'm not going back in there," I said still hiding behind Blake. There was no way. No way I'd go in there. Cockroaches are scary and gross. The reason I hate them so much is because when I went to the zoo with my parents they had a show on bugs. When they pulled the roach out I raised my hand to hold it. I was selected and when they put it on my hand it crawled its way up my arm and in my shirt. I was six. And since then I've hated roaches.

"Your scared of cockroaches?" Blake laughed but I didn't care. I shoved him in my room and closed the door behind him, "Hey!" He shouted.

"Inspect the room and tell me if has anymore roaches!" I yelled back. Cole and Shawn smirked and I leaned on the door to make sure Blake would remain in there, "A little help?"

Cole and Shawn laughed and sat at the door with me. When I glanced at Shawn I covered my eyes, "Please zip up your pants I don't need you scarring my little sister."

Suzie laughed, "I accidently caught him in the shower. I'm ok with him like that."

Shawn turned a bright red and me and Cole stared at him in disbelief.

"Remind me to keep the door locked when I shower," Cole said to me.

"So Tori where am I suppose to look?" Blake called from my bedroom.

"Everywhere," I said back.

"Ok," Blake said, "You have some nice panties that definitely match your black bra."

My face heated up and I jumped up and opened the door pushing Cole and Shawn off, "You little per-"

I stopped in mid-sentence. Not because Blake was looking through my drawer, no I think I would have prefered that. Instead he was on my bed, holding the pictures of me and mom above his head. He flipped through them and once he examined the picture closely he'd just set it down making a new pile. The anger flared up in me.

"Get. Out." I said though clenched teeth. Blake took a deep breath and grabbed all the pictures. Tapping them on my nightstand to make them a perfect rectangle where the edges or corners don't stick out.

As he walked out he stopped in front of me, shoving the pictures in my hands.

A question popped into my mind and before I could do anything I whispered so only he would hear, "How the hell did you know I had a black bra?"

Blake smirked, "I didn't."

He walked away closing the door behind him. I put my hands in my hair and bit my tongue so I wouldn't scream. I grabbed the pillow on my bed and threw it to the ground trying to get some frustration out.

It took me a good ten minutes to calm down. By then it was time to go to Mark's house. I was still pretty mad but not at Blake. It was my fault for shoving him in my room.

Suzie was already waiting for me downstairs. She was sitting in the living room with Cole and Shawn. They were all laughing about something but I wasn't paying attention to what they were saying.

"Ready Sue?" I asked.

She nodded and grabbed her backpack, "Bye guys. Have fun man shopping."

I had no response for that and neither did the guys. So I just waved a goodbye and my little sister and I hopped into dad's car. It didn't take long to reach Mark's house. But before I could get out onto the driveway Suzie stopped me.

"Tori can we talk for a sec?"

I nodded taking off my seatbelt and turning towards the back to face her, "Yeah?"

"You haven't told Mark about Blake, Cole, or Shawn have you?" Suzie narrowed her eyes and I felt the color drain from my face.

"Why do you ask?" I muttered.

"Because Conlan told me Mark is stressed out thinking your dating one of them." Suzie answered.

I didn't know what to say. Mark was stressed out thinking I was dating one of he Trips. Definitely not Shawn so it's either Blake or Cole. But either one just grossed me out. I could never go out with one of them. That'd be way to weird and gross.

"And I know that isn't true," Suzie continued, "Because they're our brothers now and you can't date a brother."

"I know you can't. Sue what I'm about to tell you is confidential. So secret you can't even tell dad ok?" I asked.

She nodded, "What?"

"No one knows we're brothers. Like no one at our school knows that I have three stepbrothers. No one. Including Mark. Suzie you can't tell anyone." I said strictly.

She nodded, "Ok Tori. I won't say anything. But please tell Mark when you can. I don't want you to get hurt."

Suzie got out of the car and started walking towards the front door. I sighed and got out of the car walking up the steps and after Suzie. In the middle of walking up the steps I looked to my side and stared at the ramp for a minute. What snapped me back to reality was because Suzie rang the doorbell. I jumped up the rest of the steps and stood beside my sister. We waited a couple seconds and then we heard yelling.

"You said I could open the door!" Conlan yelled.

"You opened it last time!" Mark shouted back.

"Boys stop screaming for Christ sake!" Mrs. Bennett yelled.

We heard a thump and then Conlan yelled, "Mom! Mark won't get off me! Help!"

The door clicked and there was Mr. Bennett. I had to look down at him but he gave me and Suzie a warm smile, "How much I have missed this family." He said. The three of us laughed softly. I looked over Mr. Bennett and saw Mark pinning Conlan to the ground.

"You can't tell me I can get the door and then change your mind!" Conlan shouted.

"Because you got it last time!" Mark shouted back.

I rolled my eyes and then made them wide for show. "Hey I wonder how long they're going to keep going knowing we're already in!" I shouted sarcastically.

"Yeah what Tori said." After Mark said that he had a confused face and then looked up at me, "Tori!"

"That would me." I said crossing my arms. Suzie did the same and Mark scrambled off of Conlan.

"What do you two have to say for yourselves?" Suzie said cocking her eyebrows.

Conlan rubbed the back of his neck and Mark moved his fingers through his hair.

"Well?" Suzie repeated. Mark and Conlan made eye contact. At the same time they pointed thier fingers at each other and said, "He started it!"

I shook my head, "I don't give a pickle of who started it. Say your sorry."

"Now." Suzie added at the end.

"Sorry...." Both of the boys grumbled.

Mr. Bennett laughed and wheeled back to the kitchen muttering things under his breath. I caught one of the things he muttered and it sounded like, "Girls having control over guys. Damn."

Suzie glanced at Conlan before breaking in a smile, "Catch me if you can slow poke." She raced up the stairs soon followed by Conlan.

I looked towards Mark who was smirking, "Kids."

My eyebrows knitted, "What about them?"

"Well I mean chasing after someone is so childish." Mark added leaning against a wall.

We had always chased each other when we were kids. That was something we always did. I smiled as a plan started forming in my mind. I walked towards Mark, flattening the collar of his shirt. When I looked up at him I felt like I got lost in his eyes. They were a simple green, but I felt like there was just so much more behind them.

I broke the silence first and talked just above a whisper. "You know what?"

"What?" Mark said in the same tone.

I smiled. "I loved being a kid."

Without warning I pushed Mark and he fell on his rear. I then blew on my tongue and ran upstairs. I heard Mark shout behind me and then I heard his footsteps following me. I ran down the hall and when I reached the door I closed it behind me and locked it. Just as I did so there was a thud at the door. Mark had obviously collided with the it. The doorknob jumbled around but it wouldn't turn.

"Tori!" Mark shouted banging his hands against the door, "Wait till I get my hands on you! Open the door!"

I slowly walked backwards until I reached Mark's bed. I layed down on my back smiling widely, "Now why would I do that?"

Mark slammed his hand one more time and then there was silence. A minute passed by. Then two. On the third minute I saw the doorknob jumble around. By the time I figured out why it was doing that, it was too late. The door opened and Mark stood there holding up a paper clip. He slowly crept his way towards me, kicking the door shut.

I backed up in his bed until my back hit the wall. "You know what I miss the most about being kids?" Mark asked. I didn't say anything. A bit afraid to answer. Mark smiled, "Being the tickle monster."

I tried jumping off the bed but Mark beat me to it. He pinned me on his bed and started to tickle my sides. I broke into a fit of giggles and laughter. With every ounce of strength I could conjure, which wasn't much at this point, I would try to push his hands off. He grabbed both of my hands in his and tickled me with his free one.

"Mark! Stop! I! Can't! Breathe!" I managed to get out. My sides started to hurt because of all the tickling. And after another minute his hands slowed down. I was finally able to breathe, but Mark and I were breathing hard. I looked up at him and he looked down at me. We didn't say anything. Just stared in each others eyes. The moment he started to lean in was the moment I decided I wanted to lean in too. We were probably two inches away from each other when the door burst open. Mark sat right up and jumped to the other side of the bed, just as Suzie and Conlan shot foam Nerf bullets at us.

"Whoa!" Suzie shouted pointing her plastic gun downwards. "What the hello kitty is going on here?!"

"Shoot him!" I jumped off the bed and ran behind Suzie and Conlan. "He was tickling me to death! Shoot him!"

Without hesitation Suzie and Conlan started to shoot Mark. Mark deflected all the bullets coming at him by raising his arms around his face. He made his way to his closet where he pulled out a Nerf gun and started shooting. I took the chance to escape and I ran to Conlan's room.

That didn't just happen. I thought over and over in my head as I walked to Conlan's closet. I pulled out the biggest Nerf gun he had and filled it up with the foam bullets. Since Conlan was seven this was all he ever asked for.

'Conlan what would you like for your birthday?' Dad would ask.

'A new Nerf gun!' Conlan would answer.

To say he had a lot, was an understatement.

Me and Mark.........we.........

I stopped myself from thinking that. I blocked it out and made a self promise to never think about it.

When I walked out of the room and into the hall I saw Suzie and Conlan retreating because they were low on ammo. Mark kept shooting and I pumped the gun letting the foam bullets fly out.

"Oh it's on!" I shouted.

"It's been on since you locked me out!" Mark shot back.

SOME HOURS LATER

It was almost time for me to leave and go to pick up Cali. Wonderful.......not.

We were sitting around the dinning table eating a snack. So far the Nerf war had been a success. We had had to stop for a while to eat lunch but then we continued to play.

"Well that was fun," Conlan repeated for the hundredth time.

"We know Conlan. You've said it already." Suzie chuckled.

Conlan turned a light shade of pink and looked down at his plate.

"Would you two like to sleep over?" Mr. Bennett asked from the couch. He was sitting there with his wife. And whenever I saw them together it made me smile. Mrs. Bennett was laying her head against Mike's chest while they held hands. I remember them telling Mark and I stories about them. Whenever I'd sleep over that's how we'd fall asleep. Mike and Mary told us about them being high school sweethearts. I also remember that when they graduated they almost broke up because Mike wanted to go into the armed forces. But in the end, everything worked out. They got married and had two great children.

What's better than that?

"Yes!" Me and Suzie shouted.

Everyone laughed at our reactions.

"But we can't. I need to go shopping with Cali." I said.

Mr. Bennett groaned, "That girl and shopping. I guarantee whenever her father opens that wallet of his, little moths fly out."

We all laughed except for Mary who slapped Mike's chest. "Don't be mean. She's like the other three fourths of girls around the world. She likes to shop."

I raised my hand to make a point, "I'm the rare one third!"

Th laughing died down after a minute.

"Tori you can go, but can I please stay?" Suzie whined.

"Yeah Tori please." Conlan said giving me a puppy face. I shook my head and everyone started to whine. After a couple minutes I gave up. "Alright! She can stay tonight."

"Whoo!"

"Yeah!"

"Snap, crackle, and POP!" Mr. Bennett yelled. We all stared at him for second. In complete silence and then we broke into laughter. Mark put his forehead on the table banging his fist, and I leaned back in the chair. "What'd I say?" Mike asked as if he was completely clueless.

"Nevermind." Mark muttered.

I pulled out my phone and checked the time, "I better get going or I'll be late." I stood up slipping the phone into my back pocket. "What about your clothes Suzie?"

"She can borrow one of my shirts and some of mom's old shorts," The moment that left Conlan's lips he turned a shade of red, "I mean.....uh....it's just a...uh.....a...suggestion."

I smiled at Conlan. He was adorable whenever he wanted to be.

"Ok," I went over and kissed the top of Suzie's head, "Bye everyone. I'll come pick you up tomorrow in the afternoon."

Mark stood up, "I'll walk you out."

I nodded my head once and waved my goodbyes to everyone else. Then me and Mark walked outside. We didn't say anything, we just walked beside each other.

"So what are you doing tomorrow?" Mark asked.

"Hayden wants me to help him look for a Halloween costume." I answered as I got into my car.

Mark smirked, "Is Tori going on a date?"

I shrugged, "I don't even know."

Mark kept the door open as he leaned against the cars frame. A small frown took over his expression and he sighed, "Your my best friend Tori."

I smiled, "I know. Your my best friend too."

"I don't want to see you get hurt," Mark looked down and continued, "I really don't want to see you get hurt."

"Your worried about me? I should be worrying about you. You're the one that wants to join the army." I was trying to lighten the mood. Everything just seemed tense at the moment.

"I haven't told anyone but you. I'm still trying to figure how to tell mom and dad." He sighed. The subject looked like it was giving him a headache.

"If you do go, you better not forget about me." I smiled because I knew he could never forget about me. "But I'll miss you. So you better call."

Mark chuckled, "I will."

"Ok," I said pulling out my pinky, "For old times sake."

He laughed but wrapped his finger around mine, "Best friends for life."

I smiled and reached out to close the door. Mark stepped back as I did so and I waved goodbye when I started the car. He walked back towards the house and stood at the doorway watching me drive away.

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"Cali slow down." I muttered as I followed her to ANOTHER store.

"Or you could hurry up," Cali suggested.

"Your not the one carrying all the bags." I pointed out as I raised both of my arms, each having about five different bags in each hand. I had already bought everything I needed and now Cali was going around looking for other stuff that she wants.

"Where are we even going now?" I asked. All the bags were starting to make my fingers numb. Like when you walk around with some paint cans and the metal starts bothering your hand, yeah just like that.

"Food court. I'm hungry and I want a smoothie." Cali whined. I sighed in relief muttering a 'finally' under my breath. Cali slowed down so she was beside me, "So did you have fun?"

No! Was what I wanted to scream but I didn't.

"I always have fun shopping with you Cali." I said gritting my teeth.

Cali rolled her eyes, "Yeah right. You obviously hate it, but your a great friend for putting up with me."

She swung her arm around my shoulders. "Can you do me a favor now?" I asked.

"Sure." She said happily. I shoved all her shopping bags in her chest and she grabbed them. Then I sighed in relief when I realized that the two left in my hand were my shopping bags. Cali strugged for a second as she moved her hands to balence her bags. Once she had them situated we started walking back towards the food court.

We found a empty table and I literally plopped down on the chair. Cali put the shopping bags under the table and pulled out a ten dollar bill, "Want anything?"

"A strawberry raspberry smoothie please." I said. Cali grinned and walked off to the smoothie stand. I sighed and looked down at Cali's bags. I hadn't really been paying attention to what she had bought. I would just be in my own world and looking at the racks of clothes. I quickly glanced at Cali, who was distracted in line, then I moved over and looked inside one of her bags.

I frowned when I saw a pair of shorts that weren't exactly shorts, more like girl boxers made out of jean material. When I kept looking around I saw more short shorts and a couple of low shirts. Or shirts that would come just above your belly button. To top it off I saw a Victoria Secret bag hidden inside a Hollister bag. I was going to look but then when I glanded at Cali I saw she was being handed the smoothies. I sat back up and pulled out my phone pretending like I was playing a game as she walked over.

"Here's a strawberry raspberry for you," Cali said setting my cup in front of me while sitting down across from me, "And a pineapple coconut for me."

I smiled up at Cali taking a sip of my drink, "Thanks Cal."

"Anytime Tor." Cali said with a laugh.

I frowned, "We never hang out anymore."

"I know. It's sad. I miss my best girlfriend." Cali sighed.

"I miss you too Cali." I admitted truthfully. I mean yeah we have classes together, and in Home Ec we talk. But I haven't hung out with her for a long time. Mostly because I always invited her over, but now.....now everything had changed.

"We need to keep hanging out. Just come to mall and stuff. And we need to gossip! Tori we haven't gossiped in forever." Cali added. I couldn't help but laugh but I knew she was right. We haven't talked in ages. We used to always talk about school with the teachers and students. The usual things girls gossip about. We would make fun of some guys or feel bad for some girls. All while we did it, we'd be munching on popcorn and snacks.

"I know Cali." I sipped my smoothie and then looked back at her, "We have time now."

A huge grin spread across Cali's lips. "What do you think about Shawn and Em? Everyone thinks they're adorable. But some of us just think he's going to do the regular hump and dump."

I shook my head, "No he really likes her. Or he would have already dumped her."

"Well I think all three of the Trips are hot and sexy. Don't you think so Tori?"

Wow. It was this moment when I was moving in my seat awkwardly because I had no response to that. No I didn't think they were hot and sexy. It disgusted me just thinking that.

"No. Shawn is funny but he's annoying sometimes. Cole is nice but he's to obnoxious at times. And Blake. Blake is a asshole with no heart." I muttered sipping more of my smoothie.

"What are you talking about? Blake is the sexyist!" Cali practically shouted.

"Cali I'm going to say this once. I have no interest in the Parris brothers." I really didn't. Just thinking about it nearly made me throw up. It would just be so wrong and gross. Besides, I never liked them. I wasn't like the other girls that constantly dreamed of being the girlfriend of Blake, Cole, or Shawn Parris. I was one of the few that just saw them as being stuck up guys that liked to break girls hearts.

Wait.....Cali always thought the same as me. Not now she didn't. She thought they were sexy.

Ew.

"Well I would have thought that you liked one of them. They seem to pay attention to you." Cali muttered. Did everyone think that? Then Cali said something that incredibly disgusted me and caught me off guard. "You haven't like slept with one have you?" She asked.

"God Cali no! That's gross! I wouldn't sleep with one. I don't even like them. Much less want to do that with them." I couldn't help but wonder if the whole school thought I was turning into something I wasn't.

"Ok. I believe you. Only because your my best friend and I know that's not like you." Then she smiled. One of those really devious smiles like she was about to do something bad. "So are you going to Homecoming?"

I full out laughed. Homecoming was the first Friday in November. "I think we both know I'm going to be in my room playing 'Apocalypse of the Zombies.'"

She rolled her eyes and then gave a strict look. "This is your last year in high school. You are going to Homecoming."

"No I'm not." I played around with the straw in my smoothie. "You know dances aren't my thing. And plus, I don't have a dress."

Cali started to grin. It looked like she was practically glowing. My eyes widened and I sat back in my chair shaking my head frantically, "No. No. No."

"Yes. Yes. Yes." Cali was already getting up and tugging on my arm.

I kept myself glued to the seat, "I'm not going dress shopping. Leave me alone."

She kept tugging, "We are going to look for a dress. I'll pay for it. You don't have to. Come on Tori!"

I shook my head adamantly and Cali sighed. She moved away and came behind my chair, she tilted it up and I slid down the chair falling on my bottom.

"Cali!" I shouted as I stood up.

She smiled, "Your ready. Lets go."

She quickly picked up our bags and then grabbed my arm dragging me to a random store she selected. I had my heels down so it took some effort for her to get me into the changing room. When the door closed behind me I started banging on it. "Cali open the door." When I looked under the door I saw Cali's combat boots. She was leaning on the door keeping me in this changing room. I sighed and sat down on the small board bench they had.

A dress flew over the top of the door and I heard Cali on the other side, "Try it on. And let me see how it looks on you."

I examined the dress carefully. After looking at it for some time I slipped it on. It came to mid-thigh and hugged me around the hips and chest. It was a perfect black and one side had a long sleeve while the other side was strapless. It wasn't that it looked bad. It actually looked nice. I just wasn't a dress person.

When I opened the door Cali was waiting there looking into her phone. I coughed to get her attention and she looked up. She looked from my head to toe and a huge smile spread through her face, "Oh my god Tori. You look amazing."

"I don't feel amazing." I muttered under my breath.

"Tori trust me on this. You look beautiful." Cali walked over and hugged me. "We're taking it. Everyone will be so shocked when they see your so pretty."

I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath, "Can I get in my jeans now?"

After I was done changing into my way more comfortable clothes I walked out and handed Cali my dress while I got the bags. I didn't care that Cali was going to buy the dress. It would just collect dust in my closet. I was not going to Homecoming. And Prom was a whole different story. So many girls see Prom as a magical night. I see it as, 'Oh dear lord please help me.'

Cali finished paying and hooked her arm with mine. "Wait till Mark sees you. He'll drop dead."

"I'm more worried about me dropping dead." Her comment bothered me and I turned my head so I was looking at her. "Cali me and Mark are just friends."

Cali chuckled, "I know. What I mean is he'll drop dead with shock of you wearing a dress."

I made my mouth into a 'O' shape and nodded my head. Then smiled softly, "I think dad would have a heart attack too."

We both laughed and when I looked at my phone I realized it was getting late. We made our way to my car and put all the bags in the back. Cali took shotgun and when I started the car she put in one of dad's CDs.

"Why did you put Lady Gaga?" I asked.

"Because she's loud like me!" Cali shouted singing along. I laughed and started singing with her. I knew almost every word and what order the songs came in. The reason dad had these CDs in the car is because when he's working late he'd put them in his police car and turn the volume to High. Lady Gaga would keep him awake on night shifts. Sometimes he would just play them for fun whenever we were driving.

"Boys, boys, boys! We love them! We love them!" Me and Cali sang along. When 'Poker Face' came on we went ballistic. This was by far our favorite song my Lady Gaga. We even had a little dance to it, but I couldn't do it since I was driving. We made the volume go higher and we both sang at the top of our lungs.

Song after song until the CD was done. But by then I was only about ten minutes away from Cali's house. When I pulled up onto her driveway she gave me a hug and I hugged her back.

"I'll see you Monday Tori." She grabbed her bags from the backseat and started opening the door. She got out but before closing the door she gave me a smile, "We need to do this again some time."

I laughed, "Yeah but don't push me."

Cali grinned, "I won't. Bye Tori."

She closed the door and I waved goodbye while she balanced all the shopping bags in her hands as she walked up to her house. When she slipped inside she waved one more time. I waved back and started pulling out of the driveway.

The sun was almost done setting, and in a couple minutes it would be dark. I looked at the time. Eight o'clock. Well it shocked me that we had only been shopping about three hours and I was exhausted. Maybe its just the fact that when I shop with Cali she tends to be more hyper and giddy.

I thought about Suzie. Wondering how much fun she must be having with Conlan and Mark. Plus Mr. Bennett. Damn now I wish I had stayed. My thoughts switched over to the guys. Blake was long gone at that girls house. Doing who knows what. Wait I do know, I just don't want to say it. Cole is probably home and I wasn't sure if Shawn had left yet or if he was still home.

I pulled up into my driveway and parked the car next to the others. Once I had the shopping bags in my hands I got out of the car and entered through the garage.

"Anyone home?" I echoed through the house as I placed the keys on the counter.

"Tori!" I was crushed in a hug and I couldn't breathe. "Finally! I was so freaking bored!"

"Cole....let go....can't...breathe." I breathed out.

Cole laughed but let me go. He then grabbed the shopping bags I had accidently dropped when he crushed me.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"Blake left. Shawn just left about an hour ago to Em's house. Suzie called to ask dad about staying over at Mark's house. And then dad and mom said they were going out to have a nice dinner, mom was feeling better after some pills. I've been home alone a whole hour and I'm dying of boredom." He sounded like a little kid. And he seemed really happy about something.

I smiled, "Let me put my bags in my room and you can order a pizza."

"Barbecue!" Cole said happily. "I'm so glad you bought it that time. Me and Shawn admitted we loved it. We know Blake loves it too, he just doesn't want to admit that you were right."

I rolled my eyes, "Classic Blake. A pain in the ass."

I grabbed the bags from Cole's hands and walked upstairs. When I reached my room I turned on the radio and started putting the clothes on the racks in my closet. While I was doing so I heard something incredibly interesting go on the radio. I scrambled to my radio and listened closely. Then I went in search for a pen and piece of paper. When the announcer gave the information I quickly wrote it down. And then looked at my door making sure Cole wasn't paying attention or listening in. I smiled to myself and stood up quickly finishing putting all my clothes in the closet.

When I was done I bounced down the stairs where I found Cole sitting on the couch in the living room.

"So what do you want to do?" Cole asked.

"Wanna watch Full House?" I asked taking a seat beside him.

"Sure." He turned on the t.v. and we both relaxed and watched the episode where Stephanie feels left out because she's the middle child.

'But Stephanie just because your in the middle doesn't mean your not special.' Danny explained.

'No. I'm not. DJ is the oldest and your always so proud of her. And Michelle is just so adorable because she's the youngest.' Stephanie complained.

'Stephanie,' Joey said kneeling down to be eye level, 'Just because your the middle doesn't make you less special. In an Oreo whats the best part Steph?'

'The milk in the....' Stephanie said.

Joey finished her sentence, 'In the middle.'

'Yeah or in a burger,' Jesse said, 'What's the best part? The buns or the nice juicy piece of meat in the middle?'

The show kept going and I glanced at Cole. His eyebrows were knitted like he was thinking long and hard on this.

"Um...Cole?" I asked softly poking his bicep. "You ok?"

"I can relate to her. 'Blake look how big and strong your getting! Oh Shawn your just so adorable! Cole.....wonderful seeing you darling. You look nice and you've grown.' That's what happened to me when I was a little kid. It sucks being the middle." Cole said sulking back in the couch.

"Were you not paying attention?" I asked muting the t.v. "The middle is always the best part. Like in a Oreo or in a burger. Besides being the oldest is stressful. You get blamed for everything if something happens to the little ones. And when your the little brother or sister, everyone sees you as a little kid. Being middle is better."

Cole put a small smile and chuckled softly, "Well when you put it like that. Then I'm glad I'm a middle."

"Good." I smiled back. "So what did you do today?"

Cole took a deep breath, "Well we left this morning to go get some clothes and then we just walked around the pavilion."

"Wow how exciting!" I said sarcastically. But Cole seemed in his own world because he was grinning from ear to ear.

I was about to ask but then the doorbell rang and he got up to get the pizza. He came back a minute later, carrying the smell of barbecue and pizza. I got off the couch and we sat around the table eating the pizza right out of the box.

"So how do you think it's going with Shawn and Em?" Cole asked with a smirk.

I laughed, "I don't know. I'm gonna go with, very well."

Cole grinned, "Yeah we'll go with that."

"And Blake?" I said using my teeth to rip a piece of pizza off.

"He probably reached thrid base a couple hours ago." It somewhat shocked me how turthful Cole looked.

"I thought you still did that? You know go over to a girls house and.....that." I looked down at my pizza awkwardly.

"Not as much as Blake. But yeah I do. I'm trying to change that too. If my little brother can, maybe I should too."

"That's good." I didn't know what else to say so I just ate my pizza silently. Cole did the same and we both seemed to be thinking of different things. I was just thinking of my day. I wasn't really sure what Cole was thinking about, so then I started thinking about what he was thinking of. From there it got confusing.

After dinner I felt tired and was ready to go to sleep. Cole glanced at me, raised an eyebrow and smirked, "What you doing tomorrow? Going to Mark's house?"

"Well I have to pick up Suzie don't I?"

"True." Cole said closing the box that had some slices of pizza left over.

"Oh but tomorrow Hayden is picking me up."

"Here!" Cole shouted, "What?! Tori I thought we agreed not to tell anyone!"

"Relax I told him I was training with you guys for soccer." Once I said that Cole relaxed. Was it really a big deal to him if people knew we were brothers?

"So your scared of roaches?" Cole asked.

I shuddered involuntarily, "Yeah. What are you scared of?"

"I'll tell you when I figure it out." Cole winked and I frowned. He wasn't scared of anything. Nothing. That couldn't be right. Everyone was scared of something. Something.

The longer I sat there just chatting with Cole, the heavier my eye lids started to feel. "Cole I'm tired." I muttered sleepily.

Cole chuckled, "What do you want me to do about it?"

I put my arms out in front of me, "Carry me to bed."

Cole laughed but walked over picking me up bridal style. Cole smirked and playfully rolled his eyes, "God Tori your just so heavy."

I could hear the sarcasm in his voice as he walked towards the steps, "You don't say that to a girl Cole."

He grinned and didn't say anything until we reached my room. He put me in my bed and and pulled the covers over me. Before leaving the room I heard him whisper something that made me smile. "But your not just a girl Tori. Your my sister."

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I feel kinda bad for my outburst in the beginning of the chapter. Sorry guys, I'm just stressed out. But other than that I hope you liked the chapter! I think the ending was just sweet. For the next chapter I was going to do the guys all together. To show they're brother love for each other. And then I was going to do a chapter on Shawn's date. Just trying to give a heads up.

Oh and here's a note to my bestie, LOVE YOU JODEE!!!!!

Ok pretty please vote and pretty please comment on what you think. A lot happened in this chapter so heres a short recap: Sunshine's name is Austin; Cole called Bill dad; Tori's mom was in some sort of and accident; Tori is scared of cockroaches; Blake looked through the pictures; Suzie knows about the guys; Tori's moment with Mark; Homecoming dress; and the very last with the moment with Cole!

Ok please vote and comment. Love you guys!!!!!!!

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