Chapter Text
Tory’s world had shifted on its axis. Somehow, in only a few hours.
She wasn’t sure how she had gotten to this point—drunk enough to trip over her own two feet. She laid in the sand for a moment, disoriented and glaring at the ground like it personally offended her. The woman used all the strength she could muster to pull herself up in a seated position and plucked another bottle from the case she had been dragging along with her, grumbling under her breath about almost being out. She cleared half of it alone, just to chase away the feeling. Or that's what she told herself at first because now, that's all she could think about. It probably wasn’t a good idea to be here in the first place, but then again, when has Tory ever had a good idea as of late—especially after getting laid off from yet another job.
She took a large swig from the fresh bottle, chasing down the lump in her throat. Tory stared into the dark sky, watching the push and pull of the ocean at the shoreline. Salty tears mixed into the taste of the alcohol, though Tory wasn’t all there to care enough. Plagued with the things she tried so desperately to escape, it was hard to hold it all in.
Memories. So many memories. This beach was where she and Miguel shared their first kiss. Where she had spent countless nights having late night talks with Robby when things got all too much. Where it had all started.
Watching the party from her bike at the hill, watching the boy she still loved kiss another girl. Someone she hadn’t recognized but would never forget.
Samantha LaRusso.
The girl who ruined the life she had spent years building. The girl who got everything she was supposed to have. The one who caused all of this. With an illegal kick, on top of it all
Last time she was told, Miguel and her were getting married—though that was years ago. God, just thinking about it left a bad taste in her mouth. Wholly uncoordinated, she rises to her feet, miraculously without mishap. She lets go of everything she’s been holding in, staring out into nothing but a blank sea. Years of self hatred, disappointment and loathing unloaded into one frustrated scream. Damn, now her throat is all sore. She’s about to take another sip of her drink when-
Smack
She goes down face first into the coarse sand when something solid slams into her head at full force. The last thing she hears before passing out are approaching footsteps and shouts.
-
“Shit shit shit-” Daniel begins to run once he sees where the ball landed, not once stopping for his group.
Once he comes closer his eyes dart over the woman’s unconscious form, panic settling in worse by the second.“Oh my god, did I just kill somebody?” he mumbles, turning her over on her back.
For a supposed dead woman, she just looked like she was sleeping. Though, that didn’t do much to ease Daniel’s worries. He shook her by the shoulders, trying to wake her up. Nothing. His brain went into overdrive trying to think of something he could do.
“Guys we need to call someone for help,” Daniel said. But when he turned around, he was met with blowing wind. He was abandoned. So much for his so-called “friends.” He stumbles backward into the sand, heart hammering against his ribs. In the midst of his panic, the woman’s chest rose slowly, then back down. Daniel removed his head from his hands, watching cautiously.
He waited three breaths to make sure she was really breathing. Shallow breaths, yes, but she was alive nonetheless. The boy lets out a deep sigh of relief, a hand clutched over his red hoodie. He peers over her unconscious form wearily, guilt bubbling in his chest. He couldn’t just leave her here, what if something were to happen?
He was too scared to go to the police. Plus, he wasn’t sure that was entirely necessary anyway. So he did the only thing he could think of.
Call his mother.
He really didn’t want to, but he felt like he had no other options. Fumbling with the pocket of his jeans, he pulls out his phone. His fingers tremble as he pulls up his mom’s contact. Preparing for the intense lecture he knew he’d receive, he listened to the phone ring.
-
Pain spread throughout Tory’s body like wildfire. Every slight movement causes discomfort in some capacity. She clutches the bridge of her nose when recollecting the memories of last night, or more realistically, a few hours ago. Sunlight streamed through the window above her, directly in her eyes. She rolled over to her side to get away from it and that’s when she realized something was off. She never opens the curtains in her bedroom…Her window isn’t even near her bed. Taking in her surroundings only made things clearer. This wasn’t even her room. What the fuck?
She sat up and her joints ached terribly. Wherever she was, this room was pristine. Almost..untouched. Like no one has ever set foot in it until now. Whoever’s house she’s in must keep it real clean. Tory was about to go inspect more when there was a knock at the door.
“Yeah, I’m awake.” She runs a hand through her hair, finding it to be taken out of its usual style.
Tory’s blood runs cold as she’s greeted with the person on the other side of the door
The last person she’d ever expect. Samantha LaRusso.
They stare at each other for a moment, like neither of them can believe what they’re seeing. Tory definitely couldn’t. It’s not like she ever pictured seeing her high school rival again at 50 years old, standing in her matching pajama set. 34 years and she had barely changed. She still had that curly hair, and that piercing gaze that Tory has seen in too many nightmares. The only thing that seems to differ are those lines etched below her eyes and around her mouth.
She looks great, and Tory couldn’t be more angry about it.
“Well isn’t this just a blast from the past,” Sam says. It’s not clear to Tory if Sam is actually trying to be cheerful or if it’s just a facade. Regardless, Tory would do anything to get out of this situation. She just hums in response, hoping Sam takes the hint. But of course she doesn’t.
“I’m really sorry about my son. Trust me, he got an earful from me.” Tory doesn’t understand a lick of what she was saying. “Your son?” she repeats, giving Sam a confused look. Then the brunette returns a confused look of her own, before realizing her mistake. “My son Daniel is the one who hit you with that ball last night. He called me at 2am explaining it all.” Tory lets out a small ‘oh’. Now that she’s thinking about it, she did hear running and shouting in the distance but she obviously wasn’t paying much attention.
“Look, it’s not a big deal. I appreciate all this but it wasn’t necessary. I’m sure I caused you and your family enough trouble so now I’ll get out of your hair.” Tory was quick to dismiss any attempts at conversation, because all she really wants to do is just get out of here. “No please, I insist. Stay for breakfast at least, it'd be fun to catch up.” Sam gives her this warm smile that makes no sense to Tory whatsoever. Catch up? Last time she checked, they weren’t exactly fond of each other. So why was she suddenly acting like they’ve been friends for years?
“I really shouldn’t-” She cuts herself off as Sam comes closer, noticing a distinct lack of a wedding ring on her finger. She swallows around nothing, her throat feeling awfully dry. At least Sam doesn’t notice the way her eyes fell to her hand. “I’d feel awful if you left on an empty stomach,” she assured. Tory caved at another mention of food, feeling hunger gnaw at her gut. She gave a final nod, bringing a soft smile to Sam’s face.
“Take a minute to wash up, this room has an en suite. I’ll be in the kitchen.” She barely waited for a response before leaving Tory by herself again. She let out a sigh once she was alone, taking all of this in.
She had a feeling this was only the beginning.