Disclaimer: I don't own a thing.

Chapter14

Have I ruined all you've given me?
I know I've been selfish,
I know I've been foolish,
But look through that and you will see,
That I'll do better.

Have lunch with me? I won't accept a no. That was the message she received mid-morning from Parker. Though she didn't get to check her phone until after her fourth period class ended. She knew she should decline the offer. The morning ride to work with Andre was an unpleasant one, he made no attempts to talk to her and she barely got an answer out of him for the simplest of questions. Andre's behavior towards had her rethinking her choices and letting Parker back in her life was definitely not a good one.

Just as she began to text Parker back a no, she had received another text from Andre. Made a call to your therapist, she'll fit you in at 4:30. Make sure you make it.

She looked around the English department office, thankful that the other two people in the room wouldn't mind her making a call. Although she could simply just respond to the text she wanted to make sure that her message would be well received and not misinterpreted.

"Tori, I'm very busy at the moment," Andre said the moment he answered the call. "What's going on?"

"This won't take long," she began before taking in a deep breath. "I'm just calling to let you know that I won't be there at four-thirty. You do not get to dictate what I do with my time."

"I don't have time for this," Andre responded. "Just go."

"You don't have time for this?" she hissed. "Well make time for it, you want to schedule things for me but then you won't even speak to me. Make up your mind. Are you in my life or are you out? Do you care?"

"I have a meeting that starts in five minutes Tori," he sighed. "I literally don't have time for your little fits. I am allowed to be mad at you and care for you at the same time. I just want you to go see your doctor. It's been a while since you saw her last. She said you cancelled your last two sessions. What's up with that?"

"Go to your meeting," she replied, not wanting to talk about her missed sessions. "I have to go as well. I have someone waiting for me."

"Okay," he said. "I'll pick you up from your session."

Before she could get another word in he ended the call. "I don't want to go," she muttered.

"Go to the therapy session," were the first words out of Parker's mouth the moment she finished telling him about the conversation she had with Andre.

"You aren't suppose to say that," Tori groaned before taking another bite of her sandwich.

"I guess not," he shrugged. "I could urge you not to go and tell you I can pick you up from work. We can go to Saks and just let you pick out whatever you want. You know for you I'll buy you anything. We can end the night with dinner at this great little up and coming place in Brooklyn. A place I know you'll love."

"Can we?" she eagerly asked. "Please?"

He shook his head. "Nope. Therapy first, I can pick you up after though."

"And if I don't go?" she responded. "I have free will you know."

"I'll make sure you go," he said. "I'll pick you up from school and drop you off."

"I just don't want to go," she dejectedly responded.

"Why not?" he asked. "What's so bad about your therapist?"

"Nothing, she's great. Really, it's just I just feel like I'm getting nowhere with the sessions," she explained. "I'm tired of the weekly sessions."

"Go," Parker encouraged. "It'll make Andre see that you aren't hiding anything. That you are fine."

"I have to hide you though," she said. "I can't tell Dr. Sommers about seeing you again."

"Finish your sandwich," he instructed, he held up his watch pointing to the time. "You have only fifteen minutes left before you have to go back into work."

"Okay," she answered before taking another bite of her sandwich.

The moment she stepped foot outside of the school building at the end of the day she was promptly stopped by one of her younger students.

"There is a guy waiting for you," her student, Danielle, said pointing to the black Audi that waited at the curb.

"And how did you know he was waiting for me?" Tori curiously asked.

"He paid me twenty bucks to wait here and make sure to tell you the moment you left the building that he was there like he promised he would. I really wanted to call security on him but he swore he was a friend of yours that he was taking you to an appointment. Are you okay Ms. Vega? You aren't sick right?" Danielle asked, exasperated. "You look well though."

Knowing Danielle could keep going on and on, she cut her off. "I'm fine. I just have a check up, don't worry. Okay Danielle? Not a big deal."

"Okay," Danielle exhaled happily. "I like your class Ms. Vega and you being out would suck."

"Thank you," she smiled. "I have to go. I'll see you Monday morning."

"Have a good weekend Ms. Vega." Danielle said waving at her before walking over to her group of friends.

As she neared the car the window rolled down. "Sweetheart don't look like your walking towards your death," Parker greeted her. "That girl looked like she wanted to call the cops on me can we look a little happy to see me."

She wanted to flick him off but knew many eyes were on her at the moment. "Tell me you are taking me to Saks and I'll smile like a kid in a candy store."

"Fake that smile," he said. "We are going to Dr. Sommer's office."

"Fuck," she muttered to herself as she walked around the car. "I don't like you," she said opening the passenger side door.

"You're the one getting into the car Tori," Parker responded after she sat down closing the door shut.

"Yeah," she sighed. "I know."

"I figured you'll need a little incentive to go willingly," he motioned towards the glove compartment.

She side-eyed him but he just smiled, dismissively waving his hand at her. "Trust me you'll enjoy this," he encouraged as he pulled out of the parking spot. "Um, I don't know where I am going."

"Good," she sighed but knew it was best to just tell him the right address added. "Ninety-second and park."

"Thanks," he replied. "I'm glad you know not to argue me. Now open and see your treat."

She scoffed but reached forward to open the small compartment. "I could say a lot of things but I'll just keep my mouth shut and take your little incentive," she told him.

"You talk a lot," he jokingly said as she pulled out a brown paper bag from in the compartment.

"Sweets?" she questioned placing the bag on her lap. "I'm not really hungry though."

He yield to a stop at a red light. "Can you just look in the bag at least?" he asked, closing the compartment door.

"Fine," she said taking her time to look into the bag.

"Tori," he drawled out her name and she snickered enjoying the moment, she liked bugging him.

She finally looked in the bag and gasped. "No," she said, scrunching up the bag in her hand not wanting to take the item out. "Seriously?" she asked looking over as he drove, he had the biggest and proudest smile on his face.

"I made a little quick stop on fifth ave, figured this would make your day," he said. "Tell me it didn't."

"This made my week," she admitted, astonished by her gift. "Though you've truly made this whole week so much more bearable for me."

"I'm glad," he responded looking over at her as he yield to a stop at a red light. "Open it though, you don't even know what exactly I got you."

"It's in a little blue box," she stated reaching into the bag and pulling it out. "Anything you get me from Tiffany's I'm happy with."

"Less talking and more opening of my gift," he gestured before starting to drive again. "Almost there. How long is your session?"

"Hour long," she responded as she opened the box. "I can't take this," she told him as her fingers lightly grazed the narrow sterling silver bangle in the box.

"You can and you will," he said. "Which one is the building?"

"I shouldn't," she said, as she pulled out the bangle from the box. "But I think I will. It's the second building right up ahead."

"Okay," he said. "Good, keep it. Save me from having to explain why I have to return it."

She slipped the bangle on. "I love it," she admitted, her right hand index finger slowly tracing looping infinity pattern. "I hope it wasn't too much."

"Don't worry," he said, coming to a stop in front of the building. "Money I would have just spent on a night out with friends."

"Oh no," she motioned to take it off. "You've had nights that you and a few friends spend thousands on a simple dinner."

He shook his head. "Okay so not that much," he said. "Trust me it's barely over half a grand."

"Still too much," she said taking off the bangle. "Just as a little gift to go to a stupid doctor's appointment. You really shouldn't have."

"Don't Vic," he reached over to keep her from placing the bracelet back into the box. "It's also a thank you for allowing me back into your life, for giving this friendship a shot. As much as I don't deserve it, I thank you for this chance."

She gave him a small smile before sliding the bangle back on. He motioned to his dashboard, his index finger-pointing towards the time. "I have ten minutes, I should get going," she said, picking up her bags from the car floor. "I wish I could leave my school bag with you."

"You can if you want. I'll stick around the area," he informed her. "We can go have dinner afterwards, if you'll like."

"I'll like that," she said opening the car door. "But Andre will be picking me up afterwards. I can't tell him thanks for coming but I'm leaving with my ex."

"You could," he said. "But I don't want to end up in the hospital tonight. I also kind of value my life."

She nodded, suppressing her laughter. "He'll probably put you in a coma, to put it nicely."

"Go ahead," he said. "I'll wait around if he isn't here to pick you up by the time you get out you'll be fair game."

"Okay," she responded, getting out of the car. "I'll see you later."

"Later Tor," he said, as she closed the car door.

After the hour-long session she didn't feel a sense of relief like she usually would have. She felt guilty knowingly omitting the fact that Parker was back in her life. Also Dr. Sommers had that look on her face as if she knew she was hiding something from her. That woman knew her well, a little too well.

As she waited for the elevator to arrive she felt her phone vibrate in her jacket pocket. She shifted her bags to one hand as she fished out her phone. She groaned as she saw the name on the screen.

She inwardly debated if she wanted to pick it up but just as her finger hovered the talk button the elevator doors opened. Knowing the call would drop in the elevator she decided to just let it go to voicemail.

The moment she walked out to the street she noticed Parker's car waiting right in front of the building. She looked up and down the street to see if she saw Andre's car but it was nowhere to be found. Truly the choice was clear and yet she felt that sense of guilt knowing her decision wasn't the best one.

The passenger window of Parker's car rolled down. Parker smiling widely at her. "I believe this means I won," he shouted out to her and she nodded in agreement. "No Andre in sight," he added.

She held her index finger up towards Parker, wanting just a moment to call Andre and verify his whereabouts. Andre didn't respond right away and she wondered if his phone was on silent. Once the call went to voicemail, she decided to try once more before leaving with Parker.

After the fourth ring the phone was finally answered. "I'm sorry Tor," were the first words to greet her. "I'm running late."

"It's okay, how far out are you?" she asked wondering if she had enough time to walk up the block to Starbucks before he arrived.

"Half an hour," he responded.

She sighed. "I can just take a cab home," she said.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Positive," she responded, looking up towards Parker who stared at her questioningly. "I'm just going to head into Starbucks and then head home."

"That's a good idea. I'll see you at home. Bye," before she could even respond with her own goodbye he had hung up. His fast dismissal stung a bit but she shook it off.

Just as she took the first step towards Parker she heard her name being called from behind her. Tori turned to see Dr. Sommers walking towards her. "Are you waiting for a ride?" Dr. Sommers questioned.

"No," she responded. "Well I was waiting for Andre but he was too far away for me to want to wait for him. I told him I'll take a cab home."

"Very well," Dr. Sommers nodded. "I'm just heading to grab a quick bite to eat before my next appointment. I do hope to see you next week."

"I'll do my best to make it," she responded.

Dr. Sommers reached forward placing her hands on Tori's shoulder. "Do us both the favor and don't miss the next appointment," she suggested, the concerned look didn't go unnoticed by Tori. "You are far from better my dear Tori. What have I always said?"

"I am in control of my life," Tori muttered. "Only I can better myself."

"I just wished you remembered that more often," Dr. Sommers said looking at her wristwatch. "I've got to go, take care Tori until next time."

And with that Dr. Sommers walked off down the block. She watched her turn the corner before walking towards Parker's car.

"Andre's coming late or are we in the clear to ride off into Brooklyn?" Parker asked.

She sighed before shaking her head. "Sorry, he is actually coming to get me," she gave him a small smile, uncertain of his reaction. "Raincheck?"

His gorgeous smile quickly turned to a frown. "Okay," he replied. "I'll text you sometime this weekend and see if you are up for anything."

"That sounds good," she smiled before backing away. "Thank you for everything you've done today for me and this gorgeous bracelet," she raised her left arm to show off the silver bangle.

"Til next time beautiful," Parker said before reving up his engine.

"Later," Tori responded with a wave of her hand. She felt proud of herself for deciding to walk away from Parker even if it's just for this one evening.

The moment she stepped foot into the apartment there was silence. Which was strange seeing as both Andre and Jade sat in the living room watching a familiar reality tv show. They didn't turn to greet her or acknowledge her presence.

"Hi," she greeted the duo as she placed her bags on the hooks by the entrance.

"Vega," was Jade's short greeting while Andre just turned briefly giving her a quick nod of acknowledgement before turning back around to face the tv.

"Any plans for tonight?" she asked as she walked towards her bedroom.

She got no answer but she heard some shuffling going on behind her as she walked through the doorway. Just as she went to grab hold of the door to shut it close a hand shot out to keep it open. "So Andre and I have plans tonight," Jade told her but made no attempt to fully step into the bedroom. She had no idea of how to respond to that.

"What will you guys be doing tonight?" she asked. She turned towards her dresser fully intending to find a comfy pair of pajamas to wear.

Jade let out a shaky breath and Tori looked up curiously as her friend gave her a small doubtful smile. "Andre and I are going to hang out with Mark tonight," she explained.

"Alright," she responded before she reached into the drawer and pulled out a pink silk nightgown. "Have fun."

"Thanks," Jade warily responded. "Do you want to go with us?"

"Really?" Tori questioned at the same time she heard Andre yell out Jade's name. "Thank you but I would rather stay home."

"Are you sure?" At this point she knew Jade was just being polite inviting her along. Honestly she could only guess that Jade had purposely omitted Alana out of the evening plans to get her to go out. She didn't think she had the energy to try to attempt to fake happiness and politeness throughout the evening.

"Positive," she responded giving Jade the most honest smile she could muster but she could tell that it wasn't all that convincing. She tossed her nightgown on her bed. "I'm going to take a shower," she said pointing towards the bathroom door. "I'll see you in a few."

"Hurry up Vega," she was startled out of her thoughts with Jade's loud banging on the bathroom door. She had prolonged getting out of the shower for several minutes now just standing underneath the shower head getting lost in her thoughts.

"I'm getting out," she announced, turning the water knob to shut off.

"Oh good you didn't die in there," was the honeyed response she got from Jade.

She rolled her eyes. "If only," she muttered to herself. "Do you need to get in here?" she spoke up.

"No, the guys just wanted me to make sure you were alive in there before we left," Jade answered.

"Coming out now," she stated as she wrapped her towel around her body. "Can't even take a long shower in peace, someone always has to come on knocking," she opened the door to reveal Jade awaiting by the bathroom door.

"Don't give us reasons to have to check up on you and you can take your long peaceful showers," Jade advised before turning to leave the bedroom and shutting the door behind her.

"Well," she mumbled to herself before reaching for her discarded nightgown on the bed.

So she knew that the nightgown was too short and the material left little to the imagination but she figured that her friends would be gone by the time she exited her bedroom. Of course she was mistaken seeing as the second she stepped out of the bedroom all conversation came to a halt. All three set of eyes were staring at her intently.

"I thought you guys would be gone by now," she told them as she sauntered her way over to sit down next to Mark.

"I'll be right back I have to call Sara," Mark declared, quickly getting up from his spot on the couch and making a beeline to Andre's bedroom before Tori could even sit down.

"Whose Sara?" Tori questioned turning to face Andre who was intently staring at her but more to say at her body.

"No bra? Really Vega?" Jade amusedly asked. Tori looked over at Jade who eyes were wandering over her body as well before finally settling on her face, waiting for an answer.

"You've seen me in less," Tori responded with a wink before turning to face Andre once again. "Whose Sara?" she asked once again, getting Andre's attention.

He glowered at her before he cleared his throat. "Go put on a robe," he commanded.

She snorted in response, waving her hand at him dismissively. "You enjoy the view," she told him before looking at Jade. "Do you know who Sara is?"

Jade shrugged. "First I've heard of her," she responded.

"Hmm," Tori looked back over to Andre who just wore a scowl on his face. "Girlfriend?"

He didn't respond and just stood up from his spot. She assumed he would go to his bedroom but he walked towards her bedroom. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"Probably to find something to cover you up with," Jade grumbled.

She couldn't help the sly smirk that instantly appeared as she heard Jade's disapproving voice. "Where is your robe?" Andre questioned from inside the bedroom.

"I don't know," she answered back, getting up from her spot. "I guess I should go help him find it."

"Yeah you go do that," Jade responded. "The sooner you are covered up the faster we will be out of here and I need a drink."

"I can make you a drink, while you wait," she offered, walking towards the small bar area in the corner of the living room.

"No," Jade protested. "I'm fine Vega."

"Well I need a drink," she confessed reaching for the bottle of Grey Goose.

"Heard you had enough of those last night," Mark taunted as he entered the room.

"You want one?" Tori inquired holding up the bottle for him to see.

"My answer should be a no," Mark began as he looked around for his best friend. "But I need a drink."

"Good boy," she praised him as she walked into the kitchen for two cups and ice. "You don't even have to tell me, I know just the way y-."

"Don't bother," Andre interrupted her as he walked out of her bedroom, her robe in his right hand. "We are leaving," he informed her as he made his way towards her.

"Let him have the one drink with me," she objected opening the refrigerator door. "Better yet you three should have a drink with me," she happily suggested grabbing the cranberry juice out of the fridge.

"No," Andre protested grabbing the juice bottle from her and placing the robe in her hand. "You shouldn't be drinking."

"You shouldn't tell me what to do," she retorted. "I can make my own decisions."

"Not wise ones apparently," he gestured to her body.

She scoffed at his words. "Go fuck yourself," she told him before grabbing the Grey Goose bottle from the counter.

"Have a great time tonight you guys," she sneered as she stormed past the duo watching from the living room area.

"Give me the bottle," Jade commanded.

"Ha!" Tori stopped mid-step to face Jade. "You think you can control me too."

"Seems you need a little guidance in your life," Andre stated walking towards her. "Thought your therapy session would do you good. To at least let you get out whatever the hell is bothering you."

"What did you think? That somehow Dr. Sommers was going to be able to help me in one measly fucking hour. That woman has tried to help me for years now. Do yourself a favor and just concern yourself with your new girlfriend. You do with your life what you please and I'll do with mine what I want," she stated before quickly walking into her bedroom and slamming the door shut behind her. She locked it knowing that Jade was soon to follow but she didn't care to have anyone's company this evening.

She sat down on her bed, contemplating if she should even drink tonight. All she wanted was to forget everything she felt, the decision being an easy one to make, she opened the bottle of Grey Goose and gulped down a few pulls before the burning sensation was a bit too much to handle. "Lovely, drinking alone on a Friday night," she said looking down at the bottle. "The life I was destined to have."

Minutes passed and to her surprise no one came knocking on her door. "Well of course, no one cares," she stated out loud, taking another drink from the bottle. "I know someone who does," she reached over to her nightstand to grab her forgotten phone.

1 missed call. 1 voicemail. 5 texts.

The missed call was her mother who decided to try once again to call her. Even though clearly she didn't care to respond to the earlier call this evening. She listened to the voicemail for a few seconds before deciding that she really could careless about hearing her mother's voice.

Four of her texts were from Trina who was ranting about their mother so she can safely assume that her mother had tried to communicate with Trina as well. The other text was from Parker, asking if she arrived home okay. She knew texting him would be the safer way to start the conversation but calling him would be nice gesture. Just as she was about to press the call option next to his name, she heard the jingling of keys outside her door.

"No!" she said tossing her phone on the bed. "Stay out!"

"With have rules in this house," Andre responded through the shut door.

"Leave me alone," she yelled, getting up from the bed.

"Never," he answered back as he opened the door. "What's our rule about our bedroom doors?"

"They should never be locked," she grumbled before taking a seat on her bed. "Get out now. I won't lock the door."

They had made a promise to each other to never lock their bedroom doors after one evening that Andre had to almost tear down Tori's door when she didn't respond. Though she couldn't blame him, around that time she was placed on suicide watch.

"We decided to stay in for tonight," Andre informed her.

"I don't need a babysitter," she raised her voice, making sure that Mark and Jade were able to hear. "Nonetheless three."

"We didn't do it for you," he said, grabbing a hold of the forgotten bottle on her bed. "Like you suggested drinking here we thought it over and we just decided to just stay in and drink here."

"Great for you three," she said, laying down on her bed. "Are you inviting your little girlfriend over?" she questioned.

"Why would I?" he asked. "She's out with her friends. Just like I decided I would hang out with mine tonight."

"Not all your friends," she added on and he groaned.

"Of course not, who would want to hang out with you. You angry all the time, everything makes you upset and you need to get over yourself. God forbid I have fun for once and it doesn't include you," he snapped back.

She gasped. "Get out!" she yelled, sitting back up.

"Truth hurts doesn't it," he sneered before exiting the room, not caring to close the door behind him.

"Not true," she told herself as she hugged her knees to her chest. "Not true," she whimpered, pressing her face down on her legs.

"Vega," she faintly heard but paid no mind to it as she repeated the words once more. "Not true," she reassured herself.

Once more she heard her name being said once again but it was so far away, to low for her to care. "Not true," she repeated as a set of hands guided her head to look up.

She saw the blurred outline of who she assumed was Jade as a few tears rolled down her cheeks. "Hey," Jade said. "Don't let his words get to you."

"How can I not?" she asked, as Jade reached forward wiping at her cheeks. "He's angry and resentful of my actions, past and present, it's as if he has grown tired of me."

"He could never be tired of you," she knew Jade was just trying to pacify the situation but she knew better. "Trust me. He is just worried, just like I am."

"And me too," she looked up to see Mark standing by the doorway. "He locked himself in his room. You have him worried Tor and he wants to be able to help you, like he has done countless of times. But now he is at a lost seeing as he is the reason that you are in pain."

"He shouldn't blame himself," she countered. "I was the one that didn't care for his feelings or my own. I always pushed him away. I've loved him for many years now and didn't care to do anything about it."

"Well you idiots are both to be blamed," Jade said getting up from the bed. "Get yourself into some decent pajamas and meet Mark and me in the living room. Small movie marathon?"

Mark nodded. "Good idea," he said. "You know you want to join us, we can each choose one of our favorites to watch."

She gasped turning to Jade. "No, I don't want to watch The Scissoring," she said.

Jade gave her a smug look before shrugging. "You heard the man," she began as she walked towards the door. "We each get to pick a favorite."

She groaned. "Fine," she wiped at her cheeks, wanting to erase all traces of her tears. "I'll be right out," she assured her two friends walking over to her dresser.

"You better," Mark stated before closing the door behind him.

It didn't take her long to find something that was comfortable and less revealing to wear. She quickly changed out of her nightgown and into a pair of paw print pajama pants with a gray tank top. "Ready," she announced stepping out of the bedroom.

"Well this is the most covered up you've been all week," Jade remarked eyeing her briefly before she continued to scroll through the movie list.

"Shut up," she responded walking over to join them on the couch.

Jade snorted but made no other comment. "Here," Mark said, handing her a bottle of water.

She thanked him as she made herself comfy on the couch. "Whose first to pick?" she questioned.

"I am," Jade said grinning at the two before getting up from the couch. "And you both know what that means."

Of course both knew what Jade's choice would be. They've watched the movie countless of times because of the raven-haired beauty. "Don't you get tired of it?" Mark asked.

"Never!" Jade hissed at him before shutting off the lights. "Now silence, we are going to watch a classic."

Tori smiled at Mark as he sighed in defeat, they both knew it would be useless to battle with Jade. "I'll let you pick next," she told him as the opening scene of the movie began.

A/N: Took me too long to get this update done. I apologize for the wait. Thank you to those that are still reading this story. I finally got my muse back and I just hope it'll continue to be with me til the end. Please leave a review, telling me what you like or don't.