Chapter 7
They were at the park, in their usual spot. It was the only place that they could be left alone, and none of their friends knew about that place. Mark just held her, for he couldn’t do anything at all. The school that Toni has been going to back home had been notified and she will be sent back home immediately. They both had no choice, because the evidence was there. Not wanting to lose each other, they just held on to each other for as long as they could.
Toni didn’t want to go to school the next day, but there was no point in not going. Magda kept calling her “thief” all day. She even wrote it using a permanent marker all over Toni’s locker. Upon finding this, Toni ran to the bathroom crying. Mark looked for Magda and told her off in front of everybody at the cafeteria. He talked to her loudly, and the whole place went quiet. Everyone applauded when Mark turned to leave, leaving Magda silent and dumbfounded. He even reported her to the principal’s office after that incident.
Later on in the evening, Mark took Toni to a disco and then dinner afterwards. She had so much fun being with him but she would occasionally frown at the thought that she would be leaving Ireland soon. She couldn’t imagine a day without Mark. He took away so much of the emptiness inside her. And she couldn’t tolerate to be without that source of light and happiness that fills her. But she would eventually smile once more when she sees him smiling back at her, as he whispers in her ear that no matter what happens he’ll be there and that he loves her so.
They were about to go home but they made a detour toward the park. “Toni, I have something to tell you…” Mark said as they sat down on a bench. He was worried on what her reaction will be, and it was evident on his face. “What is it? Is something wrong?” Toni asked, concern filling her voice. “I don’t know what you’ll say after I admit this to you, I don’t know if you’ll be angry or what but I just feel that you have a right to know…” Mark said. He paused, breathing deeply. “I know why Magda is really tormenting you. Well…” he trailed off, blushing. “…as much as I hate to admit it, I used to go out with her.” He half-whispered. Toni just sat there, her head spinning. Mark looked at her. He knew she was going to be angry. But much to his surprise, Toni started laughing so hard she nearly fell off her seat. “You… you went out with Magda?!” Toni said, gasping for air. She calmed down after a few minutes, but she was still chuckling softly. Mark didn’t know if he was going to laugh along with her, or get angry at Toni for laughing at him! Toni stopped. “Oh, I’m sorry Mark. I’m so sorry.” Toni said, taking his hand and looking deeply into his eyes. “I didn’t mean to make fun of you, it’s just that I can’t imagine you being with her. Can you tell me about it?” “Well, to make a long story short, we went out together for a couple of months, and I never ever knew what I found in her. I broke it off with her, just two to three months before I met you. She was totally conceited and so full of herself. We didn’t have anything at all in common. She liked talking about herself and she wanted praises all the time and I was getting fed up of it. I told her I wasn’t happy anymore and she didn’t want me to go but I told her she couldn’t do anything about it anymore. It didn’t hurt that much when I ended it with her, I even felt like a burden was taken off my shoulders. Then you literally came crashing into my life that day when you were running away from Magda. So I should probably be thankful to Magda. If it weren’t for her, I would have never met you.” he ssaid, smiling as he remembered the day he first saw Toni. There was a hint of sadness in Mark’s eyes, for he knew that time was running short for the both of them. They just sat there in silence. They didn’t need words to tell each other what they wanted to say. Looking deeply into each other’s eyes, it was more than words could ever say for the both of them.
The next day, there was a dance party in the school gym later on in the afternoon and everybody was talking about it. Everyone would be there but Toni didn’t feel like coming. Her imagination was running away with her again, as she was thinking of all the horrible things that Magda could do to her there. Mark said it was okay for him if she wanted him to stay with her at the dorm but she didn’t want Mark to miss the party because it was the last one they would be having before the exams. They were talking about it when someone approached them. “Hi Toni! Hi Mark!” It was Lauren. She was a friend of Magda’s, but she was the nicest in the whole group. She was very beautiful, and many admired her not only for her looks but for her personality as well. “Hi Lauren!” “Well Toni, I just wanted to ask if you’ll be going to the party later.” “I really don’t want to but Mark and I were just talking about it.” “I see. Well, bad news for you girl! You can’t not come.” “Why not?” Mark asked. Lauren didn’t say anything, but she handed Toni a piece of paper. “I’ll be seeing you guys later.” She said as she turned to leave. “Don’t count on it.” Toni said. “What does it say?” Mark asked, reading the note over her shoulder. It was a note from the school choir moderator. She was chosen along with the other choir members to do a performance later on in the dance. “Hmm… looks like Lauren will be seeing you later then!” Mark said. Toni groaned.
The band was playing all the hit songs at that time. All of the students were having a great time. And so was Toni. She was dancing the night away with Mark and the others. Then the time came for her performance. She sang “Angel of Mine” by Eternal, looking at Mark almost through the whole song. Mark stood and watched Toni, completely mesmerized. Magda rolled her eyes and kept yelling “thief” and “robber” over and over. But nobody cared. Someone even yelled at her to shut up. Toni was completely nervous but she carried on well. There was a thunderous applause when she finished. Just then, Lauren went up the stage and sang “Forever” by Mariah Carey, which was met by a more thunderous applause. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make. We’ve all heard about the issue that happened two days ago. About Magda accusing Toni of stealing and finding the wallet in Toni’s locker…” Toni blushed. She felt so embarrassed. All eyes were on her and there were hushed whispers all over the gym. Magda smiled smugly. Mark put an arm around Toni for support. “… I just want to tell everyone that Magda is a liar. Toni never took her wallet. Magda paid someone off to know Toni’s locker combination and she put the wallet there. She’s just so jealous of Toni because Mark is going out with Toni and not with her anymore. And she’s such a racist! I am just so sick and tired of her and her cruelty that I decided to clear this up. She had no right to tear Mark and Toni apart, and bring down Toni’s dignity in the process.” By this time all eyes were on Magda as she fled from the gym, totally embarrassed while loads of people were laughing at her, looking at her disdainfully and calling her “liar”.