TONY'S POV

Entering the dorm at around 6pm, I was immediately being questioned by the boys.

'Where have you been?' asked Mike.

'I was out a walk,' I replied.

'Bullshit,' scoffed Vic. 'We seen you with Christie. Y'know, you could've at least spoken to Rachel first.'

'Dude, you've got the wrong idea,' I sighed, plopping myself down on the couch. 'I was talking to her about Rachel, there's nothing between me and Christie. I just- I'm scared.'

'Of what?'

'It's stupid,' I said.

'Don't care, Tony. Say it.'

'I think I'm falling in love with her-'

'That was fast,' interjected Jaime. At that, I felt my world crumble. He's right, you know he is. You're an idiot. She won't love you back. Just forget her, Tony. You can't fall this fast. 'Tony? Dude?'

'Exactly!' I exclaimed, running my fingers through my hair. 'I'm fucking it all up and I can't face her because of it.'

'Calm down,' said Jaime, taking a seat next to me. 'You ignoring her is tearing her apart. You need to tell her. It'll be better for both of you.'

'She won't feel the same way,' I murmured.

'Oh, you might be surprised,' grinned Vic, taking to his feet and exiting the room. I exhaled deeply as I thought it all out.

---

Later that evening, I decided to call Rachel.

'Hello?' I said.

'Hi,' she replied.

'Um, I was wondering if you'd meet up with me?'

'Why? Why should I talk to you? Isn't Christie free?'

'That's what I want to talk to you about. Please.'

'Bar in 15 minutes. If you're not there, I'm done. Whatever we had, it's done.'

Hanging up, I shoved my phone in my pocket and put on some cologne before leaving the dorm.

RACHEL'S POV

Sitting at the bar, I watched the door as I waited for Tony. I wasn't sure what he was going to say, but I was terrified. I was really falling for him - the way he smiles, his laugh, his soft eyes, the way he speaks softly - and I wasn't prepared to loose it. Despite that, there was a part of me that felt as though I already had, the picture of Christie and him still burning in my eyes. Noticing him enter, I averted my gaze to my coke and sipped as if I hadn't seen him.

'Hey' he said, sliding on to the adjacent stool. 'How's the ankle?'

'It's alright,' I said, 'crutches are a pain though.'

He nodded. 'I guess I should explain myself.'

'Yeah, that'd be nice.' I didn't intend to sound mean, but I was scared and had become defensive all of a sudden.

'First off, there's nothing between me and Christie. You can't tell anyone this - but she said I could tell you to fix all this - anyway, she's not into guys. She has a girlfriend. Secondly, I'm sorry for avoiding you.'

I looked up at him and our eyes met, I could feel my heart pounding. A dance song began and the loud bass filled the busy bar. Getting up off my seat, I grabbed my crutches and signaled for him to follow me on to the dance floor. He looked terribly uncomfortable as sweaty bodies moved to the beat around him. I gestured for him to keep going with his explanation.

'Uh...was scared to see... I was,' he coughed a little, 'I'm really into... and that scares...'

'What?' I shouted, barely able to hear him.

'I really... falling... me.'

'Speak up!' I shouted.

'I think... love... scared.. fast.'

'Tony, I can't hear you!'

'I think I'm falling in love with you and that terrifies me!' The music stopped. Everyone in the club looked at us, and both our faces went a deep shade of red. His eyes filled with tears and he looked away from me, pushing through the staring people as he burst out the doors and took off down the hall.

Looking down at my feet, I exhaled deeply before exiting through the path he had made. I slammed my crutches against the floor as I made my way out of the bar. Storming down the halls, I began to swing on my crutches and was becoming rather reckless in the process. I could feel my ankle pulsing with pain, but I didn't care. I had to get to Tony's dorm. Taking a left, I was stopped in my track by him sitting against the wall, face in his palms as he cried.

'Tony,' I choked, grabbing his attention.

'I'm sorry, Rae. I know it's too fast, I know I'm an idiot. I wish I didn't embarrass you like that, I'm sorry.'

'You are an idiot,' I agreed, throwing my crutches aside and sliding down the wall next to him. 'You're an idiot for thinking that I was embarrassed I couldn't be happier that you told me, Tony. I swear, I was close to trembling because I thought you were ending what we had.' Resting my head on his shoulder, I laced our fingers together. 'At least I don't have to go to casualty for this fall,' I joked, lightening the mood.

'Fuck it,' he said, turning and cupping my face in his hands. 'I love you, Rae.' He kissed my lips tenderly as his thumbs stroked my rosy cheeks. Pulling away, I bit my lip.

'I love you too.'

Notes

this is so short, but I like it short for this chapter!
thank you so much for reading.
much love.
<3