The force of Tony

Chapter 6: Shock for breakfast with a side of insults

*8:30am*
"Shit!!! Tony wake up!"

I grab a pillow from behind my head and hit Tony on the back. He lifts up his head, propping himself up with his elbows:

"Alright, I'm up... What is it?"
"We've got half an hour before breakfast starts"
"WHAT!?"

He rolls off the bed, landing on his feet, and practically sprints to the bathroom. He's always been eager for breakfast. I am too, usually. But not today. Today, I'm too worried about..... Well, about how everyone will react to Tony's return. And how do we tell them; do I tell them first or do I just let Tony walk like the last three months never happened? And I know for a fact they'll want ask him questions, especially Aura and Tiffany. Aura will think he's a traitor and Javier sent him here as a spy or something. Tiffany will want to know where Javier is and what he's up to, regardless of what actually happened to Tony. As I sit on the edge of the bed, Tony walks out of the bathroom, rubbing his head with a green towel. It's got the Arrow logo on the corner (That was such a good show). Tony is wearing his old clothing; black cargo trousers and a long sleeved black top, except the top is a little tight due to his 'muscle growth':

"I think you may need some new t-shirts"
"Yeah, I think you might be right....... I can't believe you actually kept all of my stuff. Even my toothbrush"
"What can I say.... I guess I couldn't bare the thought of you not being here so.... I kept it all so that it still felt like you were here"
"Awww.... That's really sweet"

I stand off the bed and head to bathroom. As our paths cross, I kiss him on the cheek, before entering the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

*a shower and getting dressed later*

We're walking towards the food hall, hand in hand. We're 10 minutes late so everyone is already inside. We stand outside the doors:

"You know as soon as they see you, they won't stop with the questions"
"I know"
"Are you ready for all of that? You only arrived a few hours ago"
"Ettie..... I've been gone for three months. I think it's about time that I  tell everyone the truth."
"Okay..... Let's go"

We push the door open and walk in together. We head for the canteen. So far know one has noticed, they're all too busy eating. On today's menu: crumpets. Fricking love crumpets- with peanut and jam. Tony has marmalade on his. We walk to the head table. Aura is talking to Francesca and Tiffany is talking to Susan (She became third in command after Tony's...... Departure). No one notices me or Tony sitting down, so we sit in silence and eat our breakfast. I've nearly finished, when Tiffany finally looks at us:

"Morning Ettie... You seem happier this morning"
"Morning Tiffany... I am much happier"

She looks away, but still carries on the conversation:

"Good.... Oh and morning Callum. I almost didn't see you there"
"Well that's insulting! I think we can all agree I am way more attractive than that twat"

She looks back towards us. Her eyes have gone big in shock and her mouth is open. She just stares at him for a few seconds before finally speaking:

"Ettie.... Who is that?"
"Insulted again..... It's been three months and she's already forgotten me"
"Tony!?!?"
"Ahhh good..... I was starting to get worried"
"But, but, but....... How?!"
"He's going to tell us after breakfast"
"I think he should tell us now.... He seems perfectly capable of speaking"
"Have a little heart Aura! He's probably been through a lot"
"No Aura is right. Plus, I've finished anyway. I had forgotten how dry the crumpets are"

The four of us stand up and head for Tiffany's room......