Tony was in his room listening to The Artic Monkeys.
"Ok. This is cool. I'm going back out with Michelle. This is exactly what I want." Suddenly he heard a knock at his bedroom door.
A tired looking Effy appeared "Tone, it's for you, it's Michelle." She smiled hesitantly, whilst handing the phone to him.
"Right thanks." He took the phone of Effy and prepared himself.
"Hey Tony! Michelle said from the other end of the phone. I was wondering if you maybe wanted to get together tonight, Maxxie, Anwar, Chris and Jal are all going out and invited us along. What do you think?"
Tony tried to sound as enthusiastic as she did. "Yeah sure sounds good, I'll meet you outside mine at 9:00pm, that alright?"
"Yeah sounds great see you later, I love you."
He hesitated. "Love you too."
Tony hung up. What was wrong with him? Going back out with Michelle is what he had wanted, at least it is what he thought he wanted, but now he just felt like she was smothering him.
Another knock at the door...Maxxie entered.
"Hey man, you ok?" Maxxie smiled as he sat down on the bed next to Tony.
"Yeah, I'm alright, going out tonight with Michelle." He said in a monotone voice without looking up from the floor.
Maxxie looking at him, raised his eyebrow.
"You two are ok aren't you?"
"Yeah we're ok, Tony said whilst shoving his hands in his pockets. I just don't know, things feel different, ever since the accident things have obviously been weird between us, with me not being able to remember stuff and then her and Sid fucking each other. I was happy to get back with her, but now it all just feels like a bit much, you know?"
Maxxie put his hand on Tonys shoulder.
"Tony, Tony, Tony, girls are far too much hassle. You should maybe consider trying guys out instead?" Maxxie playfully nudged Tony and winked at him. Tony laughed.
"Fuck off Maxxie! I'd rather get with fucking Sketch than a bloke."
"That is bad! Maxxie laughed whilst adjusting his already perfectly placed hair, I guess I'll see you tonight then!"
"Yeah, you will." Tony replied wondering whether he should just call Michelle and make up an excuse.
Just before leaving, Maxxie turned around as if reading Tony's mind "And Tone, don't even think about phoning her up and making an excuse-you're coming!"
Tony looked surprised, "But Maxxie, he joked, I'm a wanker to her. She'll probably be expecting me to phone and let her down."
Maxxie sighed "Yeah, maybe the old Tony was a wanker, but you've changed or at least she thinks you have. Just come out for a bit and if you really want to leave, then I'll make an excuse for you ok?" Both boys exchanged smiles.
"Whatever, Tony said whilst shaking his head, I'll see you later."
Maxxie let himself out.