Chapter 24
“I wanted to talk to you about something.” Kian said, pretending to look around the building as they walked. “What is it?” Mark asked. He could sense what it was, but he wasn’t quite sure. “About what you’re doing to Toni.” “What do you mean?” “Oh! Come on! That ‘I Don’t Want To Fight’ stunt? And then afterwards refusing to look at her, leaving without even saying goodbye to her. Then there’s the ‘everyone makes mistakes’ bit. What did you mean exactly by that? And you sat in front of her, and you know Anto was supposed to sit there so they could talk! Then you do nothing but constantly glance at her. Don’t tell me nothings going on ‘coz obviously you’re doing something here.” Kian said, looking at Mark. Mark remained silent, and they stopped walking when they reached the end of the hall. “Honestly Kian, I myself am confused.” Mark sighed, leaning against the wall. Kian continued to look at him, a smile slowly spreading across his face. “Don’t tell me you’re falling for her all over again…” “Ki! I don’t know what to do anymore! It’s driving me insane! I don’t want to fall for her again, ‘coz I’m going out with Alessia. It just isn’t right. I don’t want to hurt Alessia at all Kian.” Mark sighed again, much more exasperatedly this time. “Aha! I was right!” Surprised, Kian and Mark turned to look at the person who said it. Standing there was a smug-looking Shane and with him was a grinning Bryan. “Oh great… just what I need now! And Bryan had to come along here to find out so he could start blabbing about this as a joke!” Mark said, looking so helpless like a little lost puppy. “Look Mark, I’m really sorry for all the jokes I made earlier. I was just, you know, pushing you to the limit. I had no idea that you still had feelings for Toni, ‘til now that is.” Bryan said. “Just… shut up about all of this okay Bry?” “Mark, you know I will.” “Come on you guys, Anto sent us to go get you. He says your food is getting cold.” Shane said as he turned around to head for the cafeteria. “So what do you plan to do now?” Kian asked, shoving his hands into the pockets of his trousers as they walked. “I… I really am not sure. I don’t even know if what I’m going to do is right. How can I be so blind? I’ve been loving Toni all along for all this time. I’ve been denying it to myself. I let my pride get the best of me. I’ve been using Alessia all along to hurt Toni back the way she had hurt me. How could I have used Alessia? And why was I so foolish to ever believe that Toni slept with Nicky? They’re best friends for goodness sake!” Mark said, wishing he could kick himself. “Finally! He got some sense into himself!” Bryan said, laughing as Mark playfully hit him in the arm. “First off, I have to tell you Mark, you better apologize to Nicky. Next, as soon as possible, you have to tell Alessia how badly you’ve treated her. If I were you, don’t be surprised if she didn’t want to talk to you, let alone see you again, ever. It’s about time you broke up with her. We never liked the idea of the relationship in the first place. We just couldn’t tell you ‘coz you were going through a rough time. Let’s face it, she was Nicky’s girlfriend before she became yours. It’s so… inappropriate.” Shane said as they entered the cafeteria. “Yeah, you’re right.” Mark said, nodding. “So, what do you plan to do with Toni now?” Bryan asked. “Bryan! I just can’t suddenly tell her ‘Hi! I love you. Will you forgive me?’ These things take time you know!” Mark said, rolling his eyes. “Bryan, you can be so stupid sometimes.” Kian said, laughing at him. “Oh yeah?” Bryan said, grabbing Kian. A little wrestling match occurred between them as the four approached the table. Anne was quite surprised at the behavior Kian and Bryan were displaying. Toni saw her facial expression. “Believe me, you’ll get used to it.” Toni whispered. “Are they always like that?” Anne asked, looking amused. “Half the time, or more than.” Toni said, laughing as Anne looked more surprised.
They were all finally seated, and Anto started talking to Toni about the show, which of course, was occasionally interrupted by the constant friendly bantering of the other boys. Anne was looking like she was getting quite used to it, sometimes joining in their mock quarrels. Toni glanced over to Anne from time to time, happy that her friend was eventually enjoying herself. She would also catch Mark off-guard, looking at her. Instead of looking away when she caught him, Mark would just give her a weak, small smile, and she would do the same in return. She looked over to Anto. “We really want you to do this one Toni. Well, not me really, but it’s more of the lads who want you to host the show. So what do you think? It’s just for a week.” “I don’t know… I really don’t want to. And I’m busy with school and my work at the radio station.” “Oh come on Toni! You have to do this one. Please! You have to!” Bryan said, looking at Toni then slyly glancing over at Mark. Mark gave him a warning look. “Yeah, it’s just for one week.” Shane added. “You just have to say yes, we haven’t seen you in months. The last time we saw you were a few months ago, and it was only for a few hours. It’s more like we haven’t seen you in years.” Kian said before taking a bite on his sandwich. “Please say yes Toni. I haven’t asked you for any favors in such a long time and this is the only thing that I’m asking of you. Please do it Toni.” Nicky pleaded, putting on his best pleading voice. He knew Toni couldn’t resist that. Bryan, Kian and Shane looked at Mark, expecting him to say something. “Yeah, and they guy who’s gonna host the show if you don’t is a complete jerk.” Mark added, his voice failing him as he finished the sentence. He could hardly breathe, he didn’t know why. Talking to her made him so nervous. If he had to sing right now, he knew he wouldn’t be able to carry on a single tune, not as much as hum along to a song. Toni looked at them, a blank expression on her face. “Guys, I…” “Please!” They chorused, putting their own hands together as if they were praying. All of them except Mark that is. Toni laughed. It wasn’t as if she needed more convincing. “Okay, okay! I’ll do it.” Toni said. They guys cheered, and they resumed chatting while eating their lunches after the excitement died down a bit. Someone’s mobile phone rang, and everyone checked their phones. “Mine!” Anto said as he excused himself from the table to take the call. Bryan, Kian, Shane, Nicky and Anne were arguing over something, and Mark was just listening to them. Toni played with her mobile phone, making it spin around the table, as if she was spinning a bottle in a game of truth or dare. She spun it around again, but this time she spun it too hard. It went skidding across the table and she tried to catch it, but so did Mark. Mark’s hand landed on top of Toni’s hand. Toni looked at Mark, expecting him to let go, but he didn’t. He just left his hand on top of hers, his fingers slightly curved as if he was holding her hand. She blushed, she couldn’t take her eyes off him, and it was totally the same for him. They suddenly pulled their hands apart as they became aware that the others were looking at them, some with amused expressions and others with their mouths hanging open. Anto came back. “I know I was supposed to tell you something else Toni but I seem to have forgotten what it was. Well, since you’ll be staying with us for one week, maybe I could tell you what it is once I remember.” “What?” Toni screamed. Everyone looked so surprised. “You didn’t tell me I am supposed to spend a whole week with you! You just said I had to do the show with Westlife for one week. You never mentioned spending 24 hours for 7 days with them!” she said. “Oh dear, I thought it was already clear to you. ” Anto said. “May I remind you I have work to do at the station and I still have school?” “Toni! Who are you kidding? It’s almost Christmas season, and I know you have two weeks off. And I’ve already talked to our boss about this remember? He said yes already.” Anne said matter-of-factly. Toni looked at her as if she could strangle her on the spot. “Well, looks like you’ve got no excuse then!” Bryan laughed as he said this to Toni. “I happened to have plans. I was supposed to go home for Christmas. I haven’t seen my family for a very long time. You know what it’s like so you should understand me. I’ve already bought the airplane tickets too…” Toni said helplessly. “Well, since the lads want you so badly to present it, I’m sure they could refund the tickets for you or something.” Anto said. “Yeah, and the show will end just in time for you to get home for Christmas for at least one week.” Anne said. Toni sighed. This was one battle she was quickly losing. “Fine. You guys win. You always do.” Toni said. “Filming starts tomorrow, so I guess you better go home early to rest and pack your things.” Anto said, checking his planner to see if he was correct. Toni groaned. “How much time do we have left Anto?” Shane asked. “Thirty minutes… why?” “Well, I’m pretty sure these ladies here live just around the area, so why don’t we drop them off before we head off to the tv stations?” Shane said, giving a sly wink at Mark. Mark looked puzzled. “Oh! I’d love that but I can’t coz I need to run a few errands for me mam so, I better get going now. It was nice to meet you all.” Anne said as she got up to leave. “Wait! I’ll come with you.” Toni said. “Toni, I thought you said earlier you wanted to go home after lunch coz you have a splitting headache?” Anne reminded her. “Yes, I did but I’m…” “Well, let them take you home. What if something happens to you? And I’m running late so… I’ll see you after the holidays Toni!” Anne said. Toni looked so annoyed and helpless. Mark laughed a bit. She looked so cute with that expression on her face that he just wanted to pick her up in his arms and cuddle her like he used to way back then. "Let’s go!” Anto said as they all got up to leave.