"Um, I'll have waffles with ice cream and chocolate sauce", I said to the waitress, handing her my menu.
Listening to the rest of the guys argue about food I relaxed back into the diner booth seat.
"Ice cream and chocolate sauce?" Tony asked, taking one of my hands in his.
"Yeah. I couldn't decide so I chose both", I grinned.
Tony grinned back at me, "That's what I like about you."
I shrugged, "I'm impulsive."
He grinned, lowering his head and kissing me on the cheek. I smiled, what was up with him today? He seemed so touchy feely. I mean I wasn't complaining, hell, how could I complain when the cutest boy I'd probably ever met was tenderly kissing my cheek? I heard Jaime groan and chose to ignore it. Looking up as Tony pulled away I noticed the waitress placing our food on the table, thanking her I pulled my legs up and crossed them under me. Grabbing the syrup bottle off the table I poured syrup on my already chocolate covered waffles.
"Finally", Vic sighed and I looked up at him, "I'm not the only one who has a love for maple syrup."
"What?" I asked before looking down at my syrup soaked waffles and smiled, "Oh. Yeah. I do love my syrup."
"You should see Vic", Mike said, in between mouthfuls of food, "He eats so much syrup he's practically Canadian."
"I'm Canadian on the inside", Vic said.
I laughed nodded before going back to my food. Feeling Tony wrap his arm around my waist I looked up at him, he grinned down at me. Suddenly my phone vibrated in my pocket, making me jump. Wriggling the phone from my pocket, I turned unlocked it and frowned.
"What's wrong?" Tony asked, quietly in my ear.
"I have seven new messages", I muttered opening my inbox and wondering when they had all came through.
"Is that a problem?" He asked.
"Ah", I mumbled, opening the first message "I'm not sure."
It was Katy, a long winded apology. Closing it I opened the next six which all seemed to be from the same blocked number. Hearing my phone clatter to the table I felt Tony's arm tighten around my waist. My body had gone numb, glancing down at my phone six horribly abusive text messages stared up at me.
"What's-" Tony asked picking up my phone and reading the messages, "Oh Tori."
Burying my head into his chest I felt him wrap both arms around my shoulders, one of his hands stroking my back reassuringly. I had always been a strong person, thick skinned but even abusive anonymous text messages got to me. I could hear the boys talking around me but I didn't care. Who had the right to abuse me? I mean if your going to be horrible at least have the guts to put your name to it. Their words sounded like just that, words, they held no meaning to me. Who was sending me these messages? I squeezed my eyes closed, but no tears would come. Thank god. I don't know how long Tony and I sat together, ignoring the boys, ignoring the world.
"Tor?" Tony whispered finally.
Pulling my head away from his chest I looked up at him through my lashes, "Yeah?"
"You're gonna be ok", He murmured.
I nodded sadly, "Let's hope so."
He smiled and I rested my head against his shoulder, looking around at the guys. I could feel his hand rubbing my back reassuringly.
"What's everyone doing today?" I asked, pushing the messages to the back of my mind and trying to focus on the positive.
"What do you want to do today?" Tony mumbled, he'd picked up my phone and was focused on it.
"Something fun", I answered with a definite nod.
"Let's go to the Pier", Jaime cried, revising his idea from the day before.
Glancing up at Tony, our eyes seeking the others approval I nodded "Sounds good. I might need to get changed first."
"Yay!" Jaime exclaimed.
Finishing our food we paid the bill and filed from the restaurant. Walking out to the car Tony's hand found mine.
Slowing down so that we were trailing behind the guys I looked up at him, "What's up?"
"What? Nothing", he shook his head but I wasn't convinced.
"Tony what's up? You've seemed off all morning", I demanded which was met with a small smile from him.
"Nothing, Tor. Seriously", He said, dismissing my concerns.
"Ok", I nodded not wanting to press the issue. If something was up he'd tell me in his own time.
"Oh Tori?" Tony asked quietly and I looked up at him, a mischievous grin was growing on his face, "Your sitting on my lap this time."
I smiled at him, but somewhere inside I felt sort of empty. Piling into the car I crawled onto Tony's lap, I could feel him resting his head forward onto my shoulder, and for the short drive home we sat in silence. I watched Tony's hands drum a gentle rhythm on my thighs. I admired the skulls tattooed onto the back of his gentle hands. Pulling into the driveway we piled from the car.
"I'll be ten minutes", I said before unlocking the door and running up to my bedroom.
Jogging into my walk in wardrobe I swapped my crew neck for an oversized Metallica tank and pulled on a pair of monochrome black converse. Glancing in the mirror I sighed, I something needed to be done about my hair. Pulling it from the ponytail I braided it across the back of my head and over one shoulder. Brushing my teeth I ran downstairs and out the front door for the second time that day. Everyone minus Kellin was standing around the cars in my driveway. Locking the door they all turned to look at me.
"What's wrong?" I asked quietly.
"Nothing. You look great", Tony replied turning back to the guys and flashing them a look I couldn't quiet read.
"Well, um, I'm gonna drive there 'cause I have work tonight and might need to leave or whatever", I shrugged, walking around the drivers side of my car.
Climbing in, I noticed Tony climbing into the passenger side.
"The guys are gonna drive in Mike's car", he shrugged.
"Ok", I nodded in response, reversing from the driveway and following Mike's car down the road.
We were halfway to the Pier when Tony spoke, breaking the silence, "Are you sure you're ok Tori?"
"Yes I'm fine. Ok?" I said but it came out snappier than I thought.
I hadn't meant to be rude but I was so tired of people asking if I was ok. I know Tony only meant well so when we stopped at the lights I looked over at him.
"I'm sorry. But I'm fine", I apologized and he nodded, reaching over to rest his hand on my thigh reassuringly.
It was a lie but I wasn't going to tell him how I felt. It was my problem and I would deal with it. In all honestly I felt sick. I felt like my whole stomach was in knots. I had never been bullied before and had grossly underestimated how much it hurt. Pulling onto a parking space next to Mike I got out of the car and walked with the boys towards the Pier. Lacing my fingers with Tony's I tried to convince myself that I was going to have a good day, mind over matter. Walking under the arches that marked the entrance I looked around. The Pier was a long boardwalk that extended out over the ocean. It was lined with market stalls, food carts and all sorts of fair games. At the end of the boardwalk a rollercoaster looked out over the ocean.
"God", I breathed, "This place hasn't changed since I was sixteen."
Tony chuckled quietly. The Pier had been a regular hang out when Katy and I were teenagers.
"Rollercoaster!" Jaime cried with excitement, taking off towards it.
With a chuckle, Vic and Mike began to walk after him, leaving Tony and I to follow slowly. People were staring at us as we walked down the boardwalk. I knew they recognised Tony and the guys.
"People are staring", I murmured to Tony as we walked.
Leaning down to kiss my cheek I felt him smile, "Let them stare."
I felt myself blush and nibbled on my bottom lip. Reaching the rollercoaster, Jaime turned to us.
"You guys coming?" Jaime asked, he was bouncing on his toes excitedly.
Tony looked down at me, and I shook my head sadly, "Go. I'm not feeling great so I might just hang here."
Tony looked at me, "You sure?"
I nodded, "Yeah go ahead. I'll just wait here."
Watching Tony join the line with Vic, Mike and Jaime, I made my way over to one of the tables by a small café. Sitting down I noticed Tony watching me from his place in line. He murmured something to Vic before jogging over to me. Grabbing waist he pulled me up and kissed me passionately. Wrapping his arms around my waist I pressed my body against his and wound my arms around his neck. His lips moved against mine and I parted my lips. He ran is tongue along my bottom lip, sending shivers down my spine. I felt butterflies flutter in my stomach. Pulling away finally he pecked me once on the lips before murmuring a quiet "Love you" and jogging back over to the line. Sitting back down, I smiled to myself. He was too nice to me.
"Hello", A sickly sweet voice pulled me from my thoughts.
Looking up, a dark haired girl sat on the chair across from me, makeup caked onto her face. She was wearing a top that showed way too much cleavage and shorts that showed way too much leg. I thought the rule was boobs or leg? I guess this girl hadn't heard of it or chose to ignore it.
"Uh hey?" I replied quietly, what would this girl want with me.
"We need to have a little chat."
