The Friend's Tale

Prologue1

I am a friend, a friend to many. In fact, I often prefer platonic relationships with males over those of a romantic sort. However, no matter the number of times I try to explain this, this preference does not tend to be understood by suitors. Just because I am nice to you does not mean that I want to date you. Sure, you can have my number, we’ll hang out, but don’t try to make a move; stop calling me and texting me every spare moment you have. Stop changing your status to “it’s complicated” on facebook because it’s not! It should actually be very clear: I am not interested; if I was, I would have probably said yes to at least one of your 14 offers to go on a date…just saying. But to prove my annoyance, here is a tale to open your eyes to just how obsessive teenagers can be.2

The Friend’s Tale3

Tori Rogers made her way to her locker, looking over her shoulder as she did, doing her best to not be seen. She struggled with the combination, cursing her brain for not remembering but three numbers. She finally was able to open the door, trade third period’s books for fourth’s, and slam the door closed, but just as she turned to scurry away, a haunting, familiar voice filled her ears, “Tori! Tori wait!” Tom cried from across the hall. Tori gritted her teeth then let out a sigh.4

“Hi, Tom. What’s up?” she asked, hiding how uninterested she really was. This boy whom she had known for but a month, had convinced himself that he could not live without Tori. What she viewed as an acquaintance, he took much further.5

“I was just wondering what you were doing this weekend,” he replied with pleading eyes.6

“Oh, sorry, Tom, I’m going to be with Heidi all weekend for her birthday.”7

“That’s alright. I’ll try to have fun without you, but usually I can’t,” he said seriously.8

“Oh sure you can! I need to get to class, though, so I’ll catch you later.”9

“Okay, bye!” he said, his voice trailing off as Tori sped away.10

Plans for Tori’s weekends were conveniently always already set in place before Tom had a chance to ask her, a fact she did her best to keep true. Unfortunately for her, this weekend was going to be quite different. When Tori reached her friend’s house, she expected to find a dressed and ready-to-party Heidi, but all she saw were tissues scattered across the floor and a very ill Heidi. “Heidi, what’s wrong with you?” Tori asked.11

Then those two feared words came from Heidi’s mouth in response, “Swine flu.”12

“Oh dang girl I’m so sorry.”13

“Thank you, but you better go. I don’t want to give it to you.”14

“Well happy birthday,” Tori said, chuckling at the irony.15

“Yeah, whatever! I’ll see you later.”16

“Bye.”17

Tori drove back home, not intending to stay. For an entire hour she rummaged through her contact list, trying to make plans, but to no avail. Finally she made the call she hoped she never would. “Hey, Tom, are you still going to that party tonight? No, plans didn’t work out with Heidi. Okay, I’ll see you in ten.” Tori hung up the phone and consoled herself reasoning that either she could have decided to remain home and do nothing, or enjoy her evening some-what. She did intend to wander away from Tom as soon as she found a free moment, but she needed him so she would not go to the party uninvited. Tom was a cool guy, but an obsessed one.18

Tori slid into the passenger’s seat, and, to her surprise, she was not the only female. “Tori, this is Kate,” Tom said, introducing Tori to his cute friend.19

“Hi,” Tori said, and she was answered with the same greeting from Kate.20

“A new girl?” Tori thought, “This is exactly what Tom needs. Yes! Maybe I am finally free of him.” However, Tori was incorrect. You see, Tom had a few tricks of his own. Kate was merely a toy Tom intended to use to ignite a flame of jealousy within Tori. He loved her, or so he thought, and he was set in gaining her love.21

Upon arrival at the party, Tori disappeared into the crowd, and Tom could find her nowhere. She made conversation with those she knew, killing an hour or two, and continuously did her best to hide from her stalker. She accepted a few drinks, though, and was soon too discombobulated to keep focus. Tom spied her slumped in the bright over-stuffed chair in the living room and immediately pranced her way. Just as he stopped in front of her, Tori spewed vomit, and it clung to hi pants and shoes. “Sick!” he yelled, “I need to get you home.”22

The drive was quick, for the stench coming form both Tom and Tori’s clothes was unbearable. Tom carried the passed-out Tori into her home, placing her in the bathtub inside. He sauntered, ever so quietly, towards the front door to leave, not wanting to be caught, but of course he was. “Hello?” a tired voice called from the room over. “Who’s there?” Tori’s mother, Sandra, asked.23

Not wanting to scare her, Tom replied, “I’m a friend of Tori’s; I was just dropping her off.”24

“Oh,” Sandra scurried out from behind her door. “I just didn’t know who—” Sandra stopped dead in her tracks. She stared at Tom, eyes wide. “What is your name?” she asked, finally speaking.25

“Tom,” he replied, scared, “Tom Waterloo.”26

“Oh my!” she called, one hand grasping the wall beside her, the other clutching her chest.27

“Are—are you alright?”28

“I had to give you up years ago-you are my son.”29

Tom’s obsessing was over.