Chapter 17
Toni went up the stairs. She was so happy. She loved it when Nicky had plans, and he was always so full of surprises. She couldn’t imagine how Nicky would get her and Mark back together, but she was certain it would be nice. He had just left and she went up to her room. For once in a few days, she felt her spirits starting to lift. She took a long warm bath, pampering herself. She knew she looked like someone who just came back from hell, so she wanted to look her best when Mark sees her again. “Just to remind him of what he’s been missing.” Toni thought as she giggled softly to herself. She was starting to feel relaxed in the sudsy bathtub. She reached for a magazine that was lying around, wondering what she would be wearing. She could hardly wait. She thought of Mark, the way he made her laugh, the way he said her name, the way he held her in his arms. She smiled. How ironic it was, when a few days ago the very same thoughts made her break down and cry.
She went out of the bathroom after sometime. Suddenly feeling hungry, she went down the stairs and into the kitchen after dressing up. She raided the fridge, but there wasn’t anything that she liked. “I’ll just by something to eat.” she thought. She went out of the kitchen and was about to go up the stairs to go to her room and get her wallet when someone called her. It was Sandra. She went into the living room and saw all of the girls there. Alessia had her back turned away from Toni, and Helen was beside her. Across them were Sandra and Patricia. “We have to talk. Well, you and Alessia do anyway.” Patricia said. She and Sandra looked quite uneasy, and Toni wondered why. Toni sat down next to Sandra and she saw that Alessia was crying. “Hey, what’s wrong?” she asked as she stood up and went over to Alessia. She was about to place her hand on Alessia’s shoulder when Alessia looked angrily at her. “Don’t you dare touch me!” Alessia said, her eyes piercing through Toni. If looks could kill, Toni would have died a thousand deaths. Astounded, Toni backed off, returning to hear seat. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to help.” she said. “Help? You want to help? There’s no way you can help! You’re the one who ruined my life!” Alessia shouted, tears flowing down her cheeks. “Hey! I never did anything to you!” Toni retorted, her voice getting louder. She just hated it when people ruined her good mood. Alessia laughed. You couldn’t even distinguish it. It was somewhere between an evil laugh and a very hurt and pain-filled shriek. “Didn’t do anything huh? Are you sure? Or do I need to refresh your memory?” “What are you talking about?” They were both shouting, and the other girls remained silent. They knew it was pretty useless to try and calm both of them down. Alessia was very hurt, and she wanted to release the pain. Toni, on the other hand, had become stronger over the past few months of living in Ireland. She learned to fight back and not take things lying down. She learned to be tough because of all the horrible things she had gone through because of Magda. “Oh yeah, you don’t remember! You don’t remember the way MY boyfriend kissed you this morning and the way you spent the night together? You don’t remember taking away the man I only and truly ever loved? You don’t remember stealing from the only man who ever loved me the way that I loved him? You don’t remember all that?! Some friend you are! You are the worst person I have ever met before and I wish you were never born! You have no idea how much you’ve taken away from me… all my dreams… all my hopes… my life… the only thing I live for…” Alessia broke down, unable to speak anymore. She had so much to say, but she couldn’t find the strength. And words couldn’t express how much pain she was feeling. She sank to the floor, sobbing. Helen knelt beside her and held her, rocking her back and forth. Toni looked at Sandra and Patricia. They looked so disappointed at her. Toni sat on the floor, a few inches away from Alessia. She didn’t care if Alessia would suddenly jump and scratch her or rip her hair out. She just didn’t want to see her like this. “Alessia…” she said a bit hesitantly. Alessia was still crying, and she didn’t even look at Toni. “… I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but you have to… for our friendship’s sake or whatever’s left of it if there’s any.” Alessia rolled her eyes. Toni took a deep breath. She knew it would be hard to convince her. “I never took anything away from you. If you only know how much Nicky really loves you, you wouldn’t act this way. Last night, I called him because I felt so lonely… he’s always been a shoulder to cry on and he’s been so nice and all. I went in the kitchen to get and get something but when I came back, I saw him in your room.” Toni paused, looking at Alessia for any sigh at all. And there was none. She continued, fighting back the tears. “He was sitting beside you, and he kissed you, and made sure you were okay, and that everything was alright. He made sure that you weren’t cold and that you were comfortable enough. You couldn’t believe how envious I was of you. You had him, and I had nobody… I wanted Mark to be there for me so much. But that doesn’t mean I’d take him away from you, Alessia. I don’t know if you believe in even a single word that I’m saying but it’s true. And I know only one thing. You’re the only one Nicky loves and nothing, absolutely nothing, could ever come between that. I mean it.” Alessia looked at her. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re actually a very good actress? You’re very convincing, you actually had me there for a second. Bravo! You’re superb!” Alessia said cruelly, clapping her hands quite exaggeratedly, walking away, never wanting to see Toni ever again.