When I'm With You Chapter 10
	“Where have you both been? We were looking all over for you!” Mark said as he jogged over toward Nicky and Toni. “We just went for a walk over there that’s all.” Toni said. Mark placed his arm around her shoulder. “That’s all? You didn’t do anything else now did you?” he asked jokingly. Toni blushed as the others laughed. “Yeah that’s all. Oh! And I almost kissed your girlfriend Mark!” Nicky thought, laughing along. He was laughing at his own joke though. All of them started to get in their own cars, bidding each other farewell before leaving. Since Nicky came there with Mark and Toni, he had no choice but to leave with them as well. Nicky sat at the back while Toni sat with Mark at the front. The 20-minute drive was quiet, aside from the radio that was playing softly in the background. “Hey Mark, you can drop me off here since I’m out of the way.” Nicky said, leaning over to the front seats. He leaned too close though, he could practically smell Toni’s hair. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, breathing in. Her hair smelled of wild, sweet flowers in an open field during spring. Nicky opened his eyes before Mark spoke, going back into the harsh reality. “Nonsense! We’ll drop you off at your house.” “No, I do want to take a walk anyway. The night looks really lovely.” he said. “It would be lovelier though if I could spend it with her.” Nicky thought, looking over at Toni. She looked a bit troubled, gazing out of the window. “I really shouldn’t have leaned in to kiss her. She might tell Mark…” Nicky thought as Mark stopped the car. Mark turned around to look at Nicky. “Are you sure you want us to drop you off here? We really don’t mind taking you home Nicky.” Mark said. Nicky watched him as Mark reached for Toni’s hand. She pulled her hand away and turned a bit on her seat. “I’m definitely fine. I really want to take a long walk anyway.” he lied. “Okay, you take care now buddy.” Mark said. “Yeah, you too. Bye. Bye Toni.” he said, looking at her for the last time. “Yeah… bye.” she said softly without even turning to look at him. He felt his heart break as he got out of the car and slammed the door shut. Mark waved to him before speeding off. “Great going Nicholas Byrne.” he said out loud to himself as he turned around and started walking home in the dead of the night.               “Rainey?” Toni said as she knocked softly on the door. She heard a few muffled steps on the carpeted floor before the door opened. “Hey there! Come on in.” Rainey said as she went over to the bed and plopped herself on it. She turned the tv off as she gestured for Toni to sit next to her. Rainey reached over and turned the radio on. “So, how did your little ‘bonding’ go with Mark’s friends yesterday?” “Well… it was…” she trailed off, thinking of Nicky’s face as he leaned in to kiss her. “Cut out the suspense thing! I know you’re gonna tell me anyway.” Rainey said. “Well, before I tell you what happened, I need to confess something to you.” “What is it then?” Rainey asked. Toni sighed, not knowing where to begin. “It’s about Mark.” she began. Rainey listened intently. “Rain, are you over him yet? Please tell me the truth.” she asked hesitantly. It was Rainey’s turn to sigh. “No… I’m… well, I still like him… I dunno. I’m trying hard to forget him because he’s your man already.” Rainey said softly. “I should never have gone out with him.” Toni sighed, falling back on the bed. Rainey looked down at her. “Well, if you make him happy, why not? And you didn’t know that I like Mark in the first place. You only knew after the first few days that you guys were already seeing each other.” “Well, I wish you told me earlier…” Toni said, trailing off and staring at the ceiling. “What was that supposed to mean?” Rainey asked. “I… I’m… well… I… I can’t stop thinking of someone else.” she said sheepishly. Rainey looked at her, disbelief filling her face. “I know it’s wrong. I… I thought I was in love with Mark! I found out that I was only in love with the feeling and the thought of being in love with someone. As you know, Mark is my first boyfriend. It felt great. I really thought I was in love… until New Year’s Eve that is.” Toni stopped, looking at Rainey. There was a mixture of hurt and anger in Rainey’s face. “I can’t believe you! Why? Mark is such a sweet, nice guy. He never did anything bad to you to deserve this. Why?” “Rainey, I know you love him. I just… I just needed to tell you and I had no one else to talk to… I’m sorry.” “Don’t say sorry to me… gosh… if you only know how much Mark loves you. You should go and hear him rave on and on about you when he’s talking to me. You are so selfish! You have no idea of what you already have. I envy you so much, and you still don’t appreciate what you have. You are unbelievably selfish.” Rainey said, anguish filling her as she stormed out of the room. Toni looked at her hands, her eyes brimming with tears. “What have I done? Oh gosh… this really has to stop. I can’t keep on loving Nicky. I just have to push him aside…” Toni thought as the tears started to fall one at a time.
			Chapter 11