For The Second Time {Tony Perry}

2.7

{Song for this chapter; Another You - Of Mice & Men}

• Emilia's pov •

"Is this seat taken?" I heard a voice ask in front of me. I looked up from my book to see the boy I met at the park just a few days ago, and smiled, shaking my head no.

Tony sat down, a coffee in his hand. He set it down onto the table that sat between us, grinning down at me happily. I smiled back, turning back to my book. "You're reading that book again," he stated, making me look up from my book yet once again. Instead of staring back at me, he was staring at one of my many Sarah Dessen books. "Is it really that good?"

I squinted my eyes at him, just waiting for him to look at me. Finally he did, but only because I didn't reply soon enough. I smiled back at him. "It's better than you'd think. You should give it a try."

He nodded slowly, sitting back in his seat, grinning even more now, if it was even possible. "On one condition," he said, crossing his arms.

"And what would that be?" I asked, dragging the be a bit.

"You go out with me tonight. Just the two of us," he answered, a slight smirk on his face.

Something about that smile on his face made me say yes to his offer, and let him borrow my book to read. But I definitely know now that if I would have never met Tony at North Wood Park, I'd probably be lonely and feel worse than I feel right now.

I jolted awake and sat up a bit, beads of sweat falling from my forehead. My heart was beating loudly in my ears. I couldn't hear anything. For a second, I forgot where I was, but remembered once I heard Mandy's muffled voice from outside my closed bedroom door. She was either talking to herself, or on the phone. I'm hoping the latter.

Lying back in my bed, I tried to settle my heart beat by taking deep breaths. Just like my dad taught me to do after a bad dream. He was the one who always came into my room and held me, telling me things would be all right and it was only a bad dream. He taught me to be the person I am today. And to be honest, I'm proud of myself that I didn't let Tony just cheat on me. Who knows, the old me might've just let it slide, but not this me.

"--Don't know what to say about that, Vic," I heard Mandy's voice say quite loudly outside of my door. There was a reply from the living room but I couldn't make it out. It was Vic's voice, though. I could tell. "You have to give her a break. She's been through a lot lately and I'm sure she didn't mean it like that . . ." Her voice started to get softer and softer as she walked away from my door.

I looked over at the clock to see 6 o'clock. I wasn't quite sure if it meant am or pm, all I know is that I'm not exactly tired anymore. The last thing I remember from last night is passing out on the couch. Mandy must have lead me to my room or something.

The conversation that Mandy was having with Vic made me wonder if Tony told Vic what happened. I mean, I wouldn't know. I don't exactly know Tony anymore. He's a person of the past that found a way back into my life.

Standing up out of bed, I looked down at my feet, seeing I had only a big t-shirt on. No pants, no socks, just a shirt. Blushing slightly at the thought of Mandy changing me, I put on some yoga pants and fluffy slippers. I opened my door slowly, hoping it wouldn't creek and ruin their conversation.

Their voices were a bit hushed as I opened the door even more. Then my door made a creek, making my eyes go wide. Their talking stopped abruptly, not a sound heard throughout the house. "Em?" Mandy asked, her voice making me snap out of shock. "Is that you? Are you awake?"

I mumbled yes and walked toward the living room, Vic and Mandy siting down on the couch, the muted tv flashing in their faces. The blinds were open and the sun was just starting to set. I walked past them and into the kitchen, my slippers dragging from behind me. "Good morning, Emilia," Vic said, his voice sounding happier than usual.

"There's some bacon in the microwave," Mandy chimed in, smiling my way. "Vic and I made some this morning."

I nodded, opening the microwave, the smell of bacon hitting my senses. "Why are you up so early?" I asked, my voice still a little groggy. I took the bacon out of the microwave and slammed the door shut.

"Well, Vic came knocking on our door just an hour after we got home. I let him in and we've been sitting here and talking since then."

"Mhm," I mumbled, smiling slightly. I was only teasing, but I know for a fact that they did more than talk.

I took the whole bowl of bacon and started to make my way back to my bedroom. "Wait, where are you going with all that? Maybe we want some too."

I put my hand up in the air as I walked away from them. "Looks like you're SOL."

~x~x~x~x~

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"But, Emilia. Like your mom use to always say--"

I interrupted her, already knowing the famous quote that I now regret telling Mandy about. "--It's better to let out all of your feelings than to hold them in. I know. I've lived with the women for twenty years for Gods sake."

"Yet, you don't even live up to it," Mandy said, waving her hands back and forth. "I mean, if my mother would have taught me quotes, I would have lived by each and every single one of them."

I backed down, knowing she's right. Yet again, Mandy wins. I'm still waiting for the day that I'm right for once. I'd like to know how it feels, to be honest.

She sent a devilish smile my way as I didn't reply, just chomping down on my McDonald's fries. We were inside the fast food place, excited kids running around everywhere. It wasn't very quiet in here, either. Mothers yelling at the kids to sit down and eat, the kids sassing back to them, it was all too loud. And I'm more of quiet person who likes silence.

Mandy was trying to get me to tell her absolutely everything that happened between Tony and I since we met at San Diego, for the second time. She says it all doesn't add up. But it does to me. I met Tony, tried to give him a second chance, I had to go back, and now he's here, begging for forgiveness. I've already forgave him, but I know deep inside I haven't. Not yet. And something else tells me he knows I don't too. Or else I wouldn't have said no to getting back together.

The fact that Vic was staring at me all the way from Mandy's booth made me even more uncomfortable. He wasn't smiling or anything. Just a blank stare right at me. "Can we please just leave here, Mand. I don't--"

"Emilia, or Halley, I don't know which one you prefer, but listen to me. Okay?" I nodded, waiting for Vic to continue. "You may think you understand this, but you don't. Tony left last night, and didn't return. We've searched everywhere, but he's not anywhere here. There has got to be a reason he left. And maybe, just maybe, you know where he is." Vic put his head down, playing with something under the table.

I was quiet for a moment, a little scared to talk. But I was shocked that Tony would do such a thing. Again, I don't exactly know him anymore, so why would I know where he went. I swallowed. "Did he leave his suitcase?"

Vic looked up, smiling. "No. He didn't."

"I think I know where he is, but it will take a bit of a travel to get there."

Author's Note;

omg where do you think tony is, man? tell me what you thinkkk

sorry this update took so long ilu

peace matey

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