When I'm With You Chapter 11
	Rainey sat by the bay window, watching the rain as it drizzled on the window. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Toni standing by the passage of the living room. She looked over to Toni. Toni smiled weakly at her. “Hey.” she said softly. “Hey.” Rainey said, smiling back softly. She was still mad at Toni for what she was doing to Mark, but she knew Toni had the right for her side to be explained. And she couldn’t really stay angry with her best friend. Toni tentatively walked over to where Rainey was sitting and sat down in front of her. “Look, I’m really sorry. I know you love Mark but it was just such a horrible secret burden to keep and I couldn’t handle it all by myself. I needed to tell someone and I had no one to turn to but you… I’m really sorry.” Toni said to Rainey, looking down at her hands. She was so ashamed she couldn’t even look her in the eye. “I… well, I want to apologize as well for storming out on you like that a few minutes ago. It wasn’t right to leave you like that, especially when I know you needed me most. It wasn’t right as well for me to get angry with you for… well, you know. I mean, it’s not like I have the right to. Mark isn’t mine after all. I just got angry because… because I know how much he loves you and I really envy you for that coz I still like him after all this time. I’m trying to get him out of my heart but it isn’t easy.” “I know. I… I don’t know what to do Rainey. It’s so unfair for Mark. I know I’m totally in love with Nicky now. I can’t get him out of my mind!” Toni said, dejectedly placing her head in her hands. “So… it’s Nicky huh?” Rainey said, making fun of Toni. “Rainey! I can’t believe you! I’m totally serious and here you are, teasing me about this infatuation I have on Nicky Byrne!” she said, playfully hitting Rainey on the arm. They erupted into giggles. It was one of the best things that Toni loved in Rainey. Even if they did have fights and no matter how grave the situation, Rainey could still make light of it, and she seemed to have this unending patience with Toni that she always seemed to forgive her, and vice versa.      Finally calming down after some time, they proceeded to seriously talk about it. “What do you plan to do now?” Rainey asked. “I… I want to break up with Mark. I can’t stand feeling so sad because of the way I’m treating him.” “No! Don’t. Whatever you do, don’t break up with him.” “What?” Toni asked, surprised. “But Rainey, I’m hurting him! I don’t understand you! First, you scold me because I’m not treating him right and now you’re telling me to go on with the way I deal with him? You should be telling me to go on and break up with him!” Toni said. A bewildered expression was clearly seen on her face. “Don’t. If you do… you don’t know what you’ll do to him.” Rainey said. All Toni gave her was a puzzled expression. “Well, I know you can keep a secret, so I’ll let you in on one… I’m not supposed to do this, but it’s for Mark’s sake.” Rainey said, sighing before she continued, “Rowen told me once that Mark was actually afraid of falling in love… he has the tendency to… well, do stupid things.” “Stupid things, eh? What kind?” Toni asked, skeptical. “Stupid things you wouldn’t want to know. Stupid things that could and would ruin his life.” “No, I want to know! What is it?” said Toni, edging closer to Rainey. “Well… I dunno… but there’s a history of depression in Mark’s family. I dunno. I’m not sure. It’s some sort of manic depression or something and Rowen thinks Mark has a huge tendency of having it.” “Yeah right.” Toni said, rolling her eyes. “I’m serious! Do you know what it is? It’s a kind of depression where in…” “Yeah, yeah, I know. I know it’s a very serious mental illness, and blah, blah, blah…” Rainey looked at Toni, and Toni immediately saw that she was totally serious. She didn’t want to believe a thing Rainey was saying. Mark seemed very fine to her. “Toni, I’m serious… I wouldn’t make you stay with Mark if it weren’t for his own good.” Rainey said, praying that Toni would listen. She could be so hardheaded at times. Toni remained silent for a while, deep in thought. “I really don’t want to Rainey. But I guess I’ll have to take your word on this one.” Toni said softly. After all, Rainey did love Mark. She wouldn’t want anything to happen to him. Rainey gave a sigh of relief. She immediately changed the subject before Toni could change her mind. Aside from being hardheaded, she could also be very fickle. “So, what happened yesterday?” “Yesterday? Erm… we went to the beach after eating at this really swanky restaurant.” Toni said, twirling a few strands of her hair with her fingers. “And?” Rainey asked, a probing look on her face. “We played beach volleyball there.” “And?” Rainey asked. “Then we went home.” Toni said simply. “And?” “That was it.” “I don’t believe you Toni. I know you’re hiding something.” “Nothing!” Toni said, putting an innocent expression. “Toni!!!” Rainey said, smacking Toni with a fluffy cushion. “Alright! Alright! Well… Nicky… well… he…” Toni began, blushing furiously. “He what?” Rainey said, practically screaming. “He tried to kiss me okay?! There! You happy?” Toni shouted. Rainey sat there, dumbfounded. “Woah…” she whispered. “I know things between G and him aren’t good, but I’ve never expected anything like this.” she finally said. Toni fell back against the couch, sighing. “Is it just me, or do you think it’s a mutual thing?” Toni said, rolling to her side. “To tell you seriously, you better steer clear from Nicky. I know you love him, but you have to stay away.” Rainey said. “I know, coz it’s totally wrong and stuff…” Toni muttered. “Yeah, not only that, he just might be using you. I don’t want you to get hurt.” “Nicky? Use me?” Toni said, her right eyebrow arched up. “Well, G and Nicky are going through a rough patch right? He just might be using you to take the pain away. Do you get me?” “Yeah. I understand you.” Toni said softly. She knew Rainey had a point, but there was something in Nicky’s pale blue eyes that told her it wasn’t true.
			Chapter 12