When I'm With You Chapter 9
	Toni looked in front of her, trying to keep her focus on the volleyball game instead of Nicky who was standing right by her side. They were already at the beach, and they borrowed a volleyball from a family who was having a picnic there. On Toni’s team were Nicky, Jannica and Bryan while on the other team were Shane, Camille, Kian and Anya. Mark was sitting on a beach blanket near them contently watching them play while scoring the game. It was Shane’s turn to serve the ball. He went over to the far side of the makeshift court, checking if he wasn’t stepping on the line, which was a long and thin piece of driftwood. He executed the serve smoothly, and the game went on for a few minutes. Mark smiled, watching Toni as she played. He knew he was falling badly for her, but he couldn’t help it. He loved the way she laughed, the way she smiled, the way she looked into his eyes, the way her touch feels on his skin, the way she always sang softly to herself… he loved her. He suddenly realized that everyone was staring at him. “Well?” Kian asked. “What?” Mark asked as everyone groaned. “Whose fault was it? Who gets a point?” Camille asked, her hands on her hips. “Oh, umm… why? What happened?” “Maaaaaaaaark!” Almost everyone exclaimed. “Weren’t you watching the game? You’re supposed to be scoring it!” Bryan said. Mark just laughed softly and apologized. Some rolled their eyes and the others laughed about it as they proceeded with the game. “Pay attention this time Mark!” Anya shouted as everyone laughed. Kian served the ball quite hard, and it was going to land in between Nicky and Toni. “Mine!” she and Nicky shouted at the same time as they both lunged for the ball. Both of them bumped into each other, missing the ball in the process. Toni fell to the ground and Nicky fell on top of her. She felt herself blushing as Nicky gazed into her eyes. She never wanted the moment to end. Toni resisted the urge and the longing to kiss Nicky. They were both brought back to reality as everyone started laughing. Nicky mumbled an apology as he stood up. Mark immediately came over, helping Toni get up to her feet before Nicky could even offer his hand to help her up. “Are you okay?” Mark asked. Toni just nodded as she just watched Nicky walk away.     Nicky felt his heart pound wildly against his chest as he sat down on the beach blanket. He had wanted to badly to kiss her as he looked into her eyes, and he knew she felt the same. He just saw it in Toni’s eyes. He knew there was no mistake in that. Nicky looked at the sand and started kicking it. “Hey! Watch it!” someone said, causing him to look up. It was Mark, who was helping Toni. She was limping a bit while walking. Mark helped her sit down beside Nicky. “You okay?” Nicky asked casually, trying to keep his cool. “Umm… I twisted my ankle when I fell…” “Oh sorry.” he mumbled, keeping his eyes on the others. Mark was about to sit beside Toni when the others called him. “Well, I’ll leave you two alone for now, I feel like playing. Do you mind?” “I don’t.” Toni said. “Well Nicky, keep an eye on her for me, eh?” he said, laughing. Nicky laughed slightly. “You bet.” he said. To Mark it was only a joke that Nicky was playing along to. To Nicky, his answer had a hidden meaning. Silence washed over Toni and Nicky as they watched Mark saunter off to join the others. After a few minutes of sneaking glances at each other, Nicky asked, “So, how’s your ankle?” “It’s okay now, I guess…” Toni said as she tried moving it. “You are so beautiful…” Nicky thought as he watched her. “Ummm… want to take a walk?” Toni asked. “But your ankle…” “It’s fine.” she said, avoiding eye contact. “Okay…” Nicky said as he helped her get up. She was still limping a bit. They walked over to the shore and they let the water touch their feet. Nicky and Toni kept walking silently, both watching the sun as it slowly crept down from the heavens. Toni looked back, but she had already lost sight of the others. “Hey! Look over there!” Nicky said, pointing at something. Toni let her eyes follow to where he was pointing. In the water rose a big rock, and it’s top was flat and kind of smooth. “Want to go and sit there?” Nicky asked. “Sure… but we’ll get wet if we go over there.” “Never mind that!” “Well, I don’t want to get wet!” “Hmm… there’s only one solution to that.” Nicky said as he took Toni’s hand. He led her deeper to the water and before the water could reach up to her trousers, Nicky suddenly carried her, as if he were carrying a baby, or better yet, a bride. “What are you doing? Put me down!” Toni exclaimed, blushing terribly. “Well, you said you didn’t want to get wet right? So why are you complaining? And if I put you down, you’ll surely get wet!” Nicky said as he trudged deeper into the water as she held on to him. She looked at him, his silky blond hair shining and his baby blue eyes sparkling as the sun touched him with its dying rays. Nicky helped Toni climb up the rock and she did the same to him. They sat there, silently watching the sun as it continued to sink further to give way to the night. The breeze blew gently as Toni closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling. Sensing that Nicky was staring at her, she opened her eyes and looked at him. She was right. Toni smiled at him and he smiled back. She looked at the sun once again, shading her eyes from the soft glare by using her right hand. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?” she asked, looking back at Nicky. “Yeah…” Nicky said, never taking his eyes off her. Nicky slowly closed his eyes and began leaning toward her. Alarmed, Toni didn’t know what to do. “Oh geez! Look at the time!” she said causing Nicky to open his eyes. “Yeah, we have to head back.” he said softly. “Umm… no need to carry me back. I don’t mind getting wet anymore.” she said, blushing like mad. “Okay.” Nicky said, his cheeks starting to turn crimson as well. They walked silently back together, both lost in their own personal thoughts.
			Chapter 10