Toby wasn't always around them, just sticking beside Amanda. Toby has always watched the rest of the group from the sidelines; admiring and despising them at the same time.
Toby Eve is the varsity nerd and jock. No one believes it when they hear that but once they see him on the field, they become mesmerized by the way he moves. His father has always loved football, played throughout his youthful years. Mack Eve had a dream of being a professional football player but due to an incident that happened in '93, he had to stop.
He continued his dream through his youngest son, teaching him all the tricks and tips on how to be a great player. Toby never once complained and he enjoyed sitting with his father, talking about how to be great. He sees the spark and the joy of leaving his legacy to his youngest son. The rest decided to follow their mother or did their own thing.
Toby has known Amanda since junior high school, sharing classes and doing projects together. Over the years, his seen her change and come back to her senses, becoming who she really wants to be. His seen her grow and that just makes him love her even more. From an outsiders point of view, this could be seen as an unrequited love.
Amanda and Toby have had this on and off situation. They flirt then the next day they are friends. It does complicate things sometimes but they find their way back.
"Amanda, I need you. It's kind of urgent." He hangs up and hopes she answers her phone; lately she's been off.
Toby sits in his grey chair, matching the rest of the room, and continues his work. They have been assigned to read a book by Shakespeare and to come back with a full report on the language and style. Full blown English. He may enjoy football but it does get in the way of his studies–currently that's the situation.
Buzzing from the table distracts him momentarily. It only clicks that it could be Amanda and he rushes to see if it is.
Hi, I'm currently busy. What's so urgent?
He ponders over what she could be busy with and he remembers the time she had told him about what happens in her house.
The wind was howling that night, making the cottage home grow cold. Toby and his brothers had thought of watching a horror movie, just to scare the third born of the boys, Axel. His terrified of horror movies.
Amanda had rushed out of her house and began the trek to her best friends slash boyfriends house. Complicated situations. She only had a shawl to keep her warm– her clothes were battered from recent events.
Two blocks and a mile away, Amanda reaches the Eve home and knocks gently at first, her energy running low. The Eve boys are silent and the knock does nothing to help Axel. She knocks on the door again and that's when Axel whispers, "I think there's someone at the door." Toby only chuckles and mocks him.
Amanda knocks for the third time and that's when she collapses on the porch, body banging loud enough for the Eve brothers to hear.
Toby rushes to get a bat and moves towards the door, seeing as his brothers are too afraid to do so. Upon seeing Amanda on the porch, Toby drops the bat and rushes to take her in. He sees the bruises on her neck and immediately, Toby is filled with rage.
He takes her in and thirty minutes after taking her in, she wakes up in his room and she only whimpers.
"What happened?" Toby asks softly and she only shakes her head.
"Tell me tomorrow then." She agrees and they sleep in each others arms.
What are you busy with?
He asks that instead, knowing the answer to the question.
Can I come sleep there? It's kind of crowded here.
He replies with a yes and waits for her arrival.
°•°•°
Sabrina had been released from the hospital a week ago but she hadn't been at her home during that time. Remembering that Hendrik lost his mother just a week ago, she stayed with him and brought comfort to the whole family. His sister, Donna, had been a little reserved but it's understandable.
Nathan hasn't come back and there is no telling as to whether he will be there for the funeral. Family members came and gave their condolences but their smiles seemed forced. The Dawson, however, did get a suprise visit during that week. Ken Dawson, the father of the three lost kids. His visitation was not expected and the two remaining kids threw a fit. Sabrina remembers it like it was hours ago.
"Hendrik. There's someone here to see you."
"If it's one of my uncles or aunt's, just tell them thanks for coming." His voice was hoarse and deep than Sabrina remembered. She moved to Donna's room and told her the same.
"Pft, tell them to go away." Her attitude changed drastically and she's trying to hide behind the pain but Sabrina could tell she was really hurting.
"I'll bring you your Oreo cake." Sabrina had become useful around the house and has cooked and baked, cleaned and rearranged things. She's stored away any memory of their mother and she hopes they don't lash out on her.
With a heavy sigh, she goes down the stairs and comes face to face with their father.
"You were gone for so long. Why do you decide to come now?" Sabrina had told herself that she wouldn't step out of line. Guess she couldn't do that.
"I'm here for my kids. My wife just died, why else would I come back?" She couldn't believe the man. She started laughing, tears falling down her cheeks. Hendrik must've heard her youthful laugh. He came down and was filled with so much anger he didn't realise that he moved in front of Sabrina and pushed her behind him.
"What are you doing here? You're not welcomed." Hendrik's voice had never sounded so good in Sabrina's ears but at that moment, it wasn't the time.
"This is my home, son. Of course I'll come in as I please." Hendrik turned toward Sabrina and told her to go to his sister's room.
"Stay there, please."
She could only nod, seeing that he was livid. She entered Donna's dark room and switched the lights one. Donna, hearing feet shuffling, got out from her blanket cocoon.
"What are you doing in here?" Donna adores Sabrina but she doesn't show it often.
"Your father is here." Donna sprung up from her sleeping position, took her slipper and marched down the stairs to where he was. Sabrina wanted to pull her back but the moment she saw Donna throw that slipper precisely on Ken's forehead she stayed and watched the two siblings scream and yell at him.
"You called us useless!"
"You hit mother every night and fucked her! You pig!"
"You slapped Donna!"
"You hit Hendrik with the many beer bottles you came in with!"
They were both enraged and there was no way of stopping them. Ken took it, his head hanging low. Sabrina could only watch, being the unnecessary crowd.
The Dawson hasn't been the same. The groans and moans that carry throughout the entire night kept Sabrina up. The sound of glass and the wall breaking has gotten her to worry for the two.
She's no therapist but she knows that different people have different ways of expressing their grief. These are one of those moments.