When I'm With You Chapter 12
	From a distance it sounded as if the phone was ringing. Toni gradually woke up from a hazy dream, realizing that the phone was indeed ringing. She carefully reached over to the other side of the bed, suddenly remembering that Rainey was sleeping beside her. They had spent most of the night, as well as the early morning, talking about Toni’s dilemma, which consisted of Nicky and Mark. “Hello?” she said, her voice breaking. No doubt about it, she sounded very sleepy. “Hi… may I speak with Toni please?” Toni lied back on the bed. “May I please know who is calling?” she asked, her heart doubling it’s beat. It definitely wasn’t Mark, but she somehow had an inkling on who the caller was. “It’s Nicky… Toni? Is that you?” “Yeah, it’s me.” she said, barely able to get the words out. “Umm… were you uh, sleeping? I could just call you later.” he said shyly. “No, I’m already up.” Toni said softly. She could feel herself blushing. There was a brief silence from the other end of the line. “Toni… I… I just want to apologize for what I did a few days ago. It wasn’t right at all. I just couldn’t…” he trailed off, stopping himself just in time. “Couldn’t what?” Toni said, curiosity filling her. “Nothing.” Nicky said. Toni could practically feel him squirming. Another brief silence fell upon them. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s something that I need to tell you in person. Are you free today?” “Umm…” Toni muttered, reaching over to the table where her mobile phone was placed. It was ringing. She looked at the caller id display. It was Mark. She pressed the cancel button and turned the phone off. “Yeah! I’m free today.” “Great!” Nicky said happily, unable to contain his excitement. Toni grinned, trying to calm her heart that was beating triple time. They talked for a few more minutes on where they would meet. Toni placed the phone down, a smile lingering on her lips.      Toni walked into the secluded café, feeling as if her heart would burst out from her chest at any moment. There in a dim corner of the room she saw him, just the way he had described earlier. He still looked gorgeous even if he was all covered up in a denim jacket, a baseball cap and dark tinted shades, as well as a book that was half covering his face. Toni smiled to herself, knowing that even if he looked so engrossed at the book he was holding, it was all an act. What made it seem totally obvious was that he was holding the book upside down. “Hi.” Toni said. Nicky smiled at her, placing the book down. He got up immediately and pulled out the seat in front of him, holding it out for her. “Thanks.” she said, sitting down. Nicky returned to his own seat. “Umm… does anyone know you’re here?” he asked. Toni looked at him as if he were going mental. “No. Why?” “Well, I just… never mind.” he said, placing his hands on the table. “Nicky, to tell you the truth, I really have no idea why we have to keep this ‘meeting’ of ours a secret. We aren’t doing anything wrong, right? You’re just here to see your friend’s girlfriend, and I’m just here to see my boyfriend’s friend.” Toni said. “My boyfriend’s friend who I’m unfortunately, in love with.” she thought to herself. “I know.” said Nicky as he played with the cuffs of his denim jacket. “What did you want to talk about anyway?” she asked, making it clear to Nicky that she was in a hurry. The truth was, she would have given anything to just to spend even a single, entire day with him. The thing is, she did make a promise to Rainey that she would stay away from Nicky. But she couldn’t. He was simply far too irresistible. “I wanted to tell you something.” he said uncomfortably. “You could have told me over the phone.” Toni said, her eyes darting from any point of the room to another. She just couldn’t look at Nicky, who had now taken off his baseball cap and shades. One look at him, and she knew her heart would start racing wildly again. It’s not that it wasn’t already beating so fast already though. “As I’ve said earlier, it’s too personal. I had to say it to you face to face.” Nicky said. He was about to reach for her hand when she suddenly looked at him. Her cheeks turned quite red, and Nicky thought she must’ve seen what he was about to do. “What is it then?” she asked softly. Nicky couldn’t decipher whether there was a trace of gentleness, fear or nervousness in her voice. “I… I wanted to tell you that I… uh…” Nicky began, having no clue at all what it was that he was supposed to say. In the first place, he didn’t really have anything important to tell her. Nicky just wanted to see her again so badly. Toni looked at him, as if she were encouraging him to go on. “Do you want to take a walk?” he suddenly asked. “I’d love to.” she said, smiling. Nicky wore his baseball cap and shades once again as they left. Nicky suddenly reached for her hand. Toni nearly took her hand away, slightly surprised at the clamminess of Nicky’s hand, just like hers. “So, I’m not the only one who’s nervous.” she thought. “Do you want to go to the park?” he asked. “It’s only a few blocks away.” Nicky added. “Sure.” Toni said. Silently, they walked hand in hand. Outside, they made it seem as if they were merely friends. Deep inside, every touch, every glance, every smile, had a special meaning.      After a few minutes they finally reached their destination. They went to a sequestered area of the park for some privacy.      “What was it really that you wanted to tell me? Frankly, I’m starting to get annoyed!” Toni said, petting a little dog that looked quite lost. It ran away eventually, after hearing it’s owner calling him. “What will I say now?” Nicky thought, trying to come up with the perfect excuse. He looked at Toni. “I can’t… I can’t lie to someone that I love.” he thought. Nicky took both of her hands and faced her toward him. “Toni, you must think I’m crazy but I can’t hide it anymore. You might think I’m a jerk after I say this but I don’t care. I just have to tell you that… that I’ve liked you so much since New Year’s Eve and I couldn’t stop thinking of you. You’re all that I see, eyes opened or closed. You have no idea how much you make me feel when I’m with you. I think… no… I know and feel that I love you.” Nicky said, pouring his heart and soul out. He looked meaningfully into her eyes, letting her know he was true to every single word. He waited breathlessly for Toni’s reaction…
			Chapter 13