Not Just Another Boy

Chapter 12

"Happy 18th Babe!"


Tom's voice woke me up on the 15th of January, in our second year of Manchester life.


I turned over to face him, smiling back at him.


"Thanks Tom" I said, wiping my eyes.


He pulled back the covers, and i almost fell out of bed. I was finding it hard to adjust every morning to how much Tom had changed in the past year. He had gone from being a fairly slim, tall but sorta defined cutie to a chisled, toned, muscular hottie. I also had to adjust every morning to his new tattoo, which was on the side of his chest, written in cursive.


"Sana mens sana animam corpore sano" it read. It's latin for "Healthy mind, healthy soul, healthy body."


I wasn't mad about him getting a tattoo, but it suited his new, toned body I suppose. That was our first fight living together. Tom came home, a big bandage across the side of his chest, with pained, red and scratched skin underneath. I asked why he hadn't told me he even wanted one. He said "the guys were all getting them. Plus, It looks good." He had said. That was his defence! I forgave him of course. I got used to it a little bit. I love him, and when you love someone as much as I love Tom, you forgive them for all their faults.


He reached into his bedside table draw and pulled out a small jewellery box. I squealed with delight.


I'm not going to lie....now Tom was on the playing list of Manchester FC, and played every game, he wasn't too empty in the wallet. I knew every time he held out a jewellery box, it would be a moment that took my breath away.


He smiled. "Open IT!" he cried, giggling.


I took it, and examined the box.


I heard him giggle silently as I opened the box.


It was a ring, with a big sapphire in the middle.


"THANK YOU THANK YOU" I cried over and over, smiling my biggest smile.


I put it on immediatly, then paused whilst i stared at it.


"Wait..." I said, confused. "This isn't a....an....engagement ring, is it?" I finally choked out.


"NO!" he said, breathless. "I'm so sorry if it looked that way...It's just a...promise ring, if you like. It's just a ring to say "Happy 18th Birthday!" he laughed, then lifted my hand and inspected it.

It was Sunday. Tom had today off. I was so happy. I loved Sundays. I went to the kitchen and started planning our day together. Then, Tom emerged fully dressed, in jeans and a tee shirt.


"Shit, I'm late!" He cried, picking his keys up.


"For what?" I questioned, sighing. This was OUR Sunday. The only day we spent together....


"I'm catching up with the guys today." He said nonchalantly, running a hand through his hair.


"It's Sunday" I said softly. I was angry, but more sad he didn't even acknowledge it.


"Ohh, yeah, sorry. I spend every night with you! I want to go out with the guys today. You can just..."


He opened his wallet and handed me 500 dollars. Not even joking.


I scoffed, as he retreated like his money had fixed everything.


"I want you, not money!" I cried, wondering what on earth ran through his mind.


"You can go shopping or some shit like that. I'll see you tonight." He said, ignoring my outburst completely. He kissed me on the cheek, and then walked out the door.


This wasn't his normal character, I was a bit confused. That was the first Sunday I spent alone. My fairytale wasn't much of a fairytale anymore apparently.


I spent the day tidying the apartment. Wondering what I was doing with my life. Here I was, 18 years old, living alone with my boyfriend in Manchester....... Who wasn't even there half the time. I got dressed in the afternoon and left our apartment to get our mail from the lobby.


"Hello Diana" said the man who lived two apartments down from Tom and I. He was almost always there when I ventured outside! He always made conversation with me. He was about 35 or 40, with brown hair and green eyes. You'd think he'd creep me out, but I really liked talking to him. He was kind of my only friend apart from Tom!


"Hi" I said, smiling. I realised even though he knew my name I didn't know his.


"Sorry, what's your name sir? I feel terrible..... But I don't think I've ever asked!" I smiled, looking at this friendly man.


"My name is..." He stopped, deep in thought, then quickly continued "Mr Jones." He said, smiling.


"Oh, okay. Hi Mr Jones!" I said, jokingly.


He smiled.


I then continued down the hall to the elevator.


I reached the lobby and went to find our mail.


I was shocked at who I saw in the lobby.


Michael.


I thought Michael was Tom's best friend.... Why wasn't he out with him?


I went up to Michael.


"Hey Diana!" He said, smiling.


Poor Michael. He had been through so much these past couple years. His wife had a miscarriage last year and the pressure got too much and they ended up divorcing.


Michael was in a real funk for a long time. I invited him over for dinner almost every night. I would cook for him, because he wasn't eating very well... And I offered someone to talk to.


He had told me he was very thankful I was there for him. He said he might not be here today if it wasn't for myself.


"Hi Mike" I said, smiling.


"Why aren't you out with the guys and Tom?" I asked, trying not to let my curiosity show too much.


"What?" He asked, confused.


I nodded. "Tom... he's out with the guys..." I began.


"Sundays are rest days. None of us organise anything on these days. In fact, most of team have gone home this weekend to see their families. I don't know who he is out with... But it's none of the Manchester boys." He said honestly.


I let this sink in. I realised then the clothes Tom had worn when he left the couch. His nicest watch... His nice polo shirt and slim fit jeans. He didn't wear this unless he was trying to impress someone.


"Thanks Mike.." I said, almost robotically. I didn't even end up getting the mail. I just walked out of the lobby, into the street, and got my phone out. I called Tom.


It rang and and rang, but he didn't pick up.


Okay, maybe I was being irrational. He was probably out with boys. Maybe he was wearing nice clothes because he needed to impress a work colleague or manager or something.


All these things sounded silly in my mind.


Tom wouldn't cheat on me. He loved me. I loved him.


I went back up to our apartment. All I remember doing that afternoon was wondering what he was doing.


He finally arrived home at 7pm.


He came through the door smiling. I could tell straight away he was drunk. He hadn't drunk in ages.... He tried not to rely on it anymore, like he once did. This was the drunkest I have ever seen him. Even drunker than my first function with him in Lancaster.


"Who were you with?" I asked him straight out.


"Friends" he said gruffly.


"Which friends?" I asked, not able to look at him.


"Couple of nice girls from Victoria Secret." He said nonchalantly.


"What?" I said, realising my eyes were welling up with tears.


"Tom... Are you cheating on me?" I asked, feeling like he took an eternity to answer.


"Cheating on you?" He said, smiling. He stumbled to a couch.


"Yes." I said.


"I had some fun with some girls. Aren't I allowed to that?" He said, getting slightly angry.


A tear fell down my face.


"Why you crying? Tell me you haven't been with Michael. You're wonderful... Sensitive... Handsome little Michael." He said, mockingly.


Was he kidding?


I couldn't decide if I was more angry or sad.


"Don't you dare!" I got out, realising the sound was muffled by my tears.


"I've never done anything or even had any feelings for anyone else apart from you!" I cried. I was getting angry now.


He chuckled.


"I HATE YOU WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK!" I cried. Tears were streaming now, my eyes red.


"YOU CHEATED ON ME!?" I cried. This couldn't be true. It couldn't be...


He simply nodded.


I saw his brand new soccer boots on the ground near his training bag. He loved these boots. I bet he wouldn't cheat on them with another pair of boots.


Angrily, I snatched up his boots, opened the window, and threw them as far as I could. They landed on a roof top, as far as my eye could see.


"HEY!??" He said angrily standing up.


"What are you doing?" He asked.


"HURTING YOU AS MUCH AS YOU HURT ME!" I yelled.


I took ring that he gave me this morning, and threw it at him. Then, angrily, I decided to throw back the necklace that he gave me as well.


Leaving Tom in disarray, just as I was, I left the apartment.


Where would I go? I had never been more angry, sad and confused.


I simply sat in the corridor of our floor, crying my eyes out.


After two hours of that, I decided to go to the only person who would take me in.


"Hello?" Michael said as he answered his door.


I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Just another burst of tears.


He ushered me inside, and shut the door.