**Mike's POV**

I jogged over to Smurfy and Tony, prepared to give her a long apology speech. As I approached, Smurf shoved herself into his side, and he wrapped his arms around her protectively. "Man, don't make me fuck you up. Just leave the poor girl alone, she's done nothing wrong. Now fuck off."

"I deserved that," I mumbled with one hand on the back of my neck, "but that's not why I came over here." They both gave me questioning stares.

"Mike, I only have twenty minutes until I have to be at work…" she looked like she desperately wanted to be away from me.

"Smurfy, I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I was wrong. I was really jealous that you'd moved on, but I did too, so that really wasn't fair. I know that I fucked things up that summer, but we were fifteen then, and I'm seventeen, and you will be in…" I was thinking really hard to remember her birthday, but I knew it was soon.

"Nine days…" she mumbled, not understanding where I was going.

"You didn't tell me it's almost your birthday!" Tony laughed happily, hugging her tighter to his chest as she stood awkwardly in front of him.

"You still don't let people celebrate your birthday? You know Vic's not going to let that slide. Big party just like last year!" I tried to make her smile by bringing up happy old memories, and it worked a little, but she tried very hard to fight the grin cracking the edges of her solemn expression.

"I'm with Mike on this! You're having a party, and I'm getting you a present! Aaaaaand… you're going to show me if you can drink as much whiskey as you say you can!!" Tony went on and on, finally making her laugh when he mentioned the whiskey. I thought back to the last time she was at a party and began to chuckle myself.

"Are you thinking about the time Jaime mad us-"

"YUP!" I said, busting out laughing at the memory. Tony just sort of stood there awkwardly, yet he seemed happy that she was happy again. "As I was saying… I didn't mean any of what I said the last few days, I was just mad that I lost you." I looked down because I was really ashamed of the way I treated her. "But I'm glad you found this guy to take care of you," I gave her a small half-smile, "you really do deserve better than some pothead. I sleep around a lot, and I know it. I'm not a good guy for you to be with, and I really do want you to be happy. I owe you that much – to not interfere."

"Fuck, Mike…" I looked up to see if she was angry, but she was looking up at the sky, "can't you see I'm wearing WAY too much makeup to cry!" She whispered something to Tony, and he released her from his loving arms. As much as I wished I was the one holding her, but I knew she was much better off this way. While I was caught up in my thoughts, she bounced her way over to me and wrapped her arms around my waist and put her head against my lower rib cage.

"Damn, girly, I forgot how tiny you are!" I chuckled as I awkwardly wrapped my arms around her shoulders, resisting the urge to lift her up like I used to...

"Are you still my best friend, Mikey?" she whispered sadly.

"Always, Smurfy." I kissed the top of her head and she hugged me tighter. Tony glared at me, but he was obviously trying very hard to keep his cool.

"Get back to your new lady friend now!" She laughed as she pulled away from me. "Tone's gonna head over to jam with Vic and Hime, and I'll be over later, but I gotta get to work. See ya later, WhiskeyHands." I patted her back quickly softly, then she walked back over to Tony and shoved herself into his again, walking off toward Hot Topic.

---

**Tony's POV**

I'd be lying of I said seeing the way Ali hugged and laughed with Mike didn't hurt a bit, but I understood that they were together first, and she didn't like him that way anymore. "You know I love you, right, Tone?" I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard her weak voice as she peered into my face.

I released her hand and put my arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to me. "I'm not sure what love is, but I know that I feel something for you I've honestly never felt before. I know we already talked about this, but… I don't know. She turned her eyes to the floor and I stopped walking. As I stepped in front of her, I put my hand user her chin forcing her beautiful blue eyes to meet with mine. "You have to let me finish before you get all sad. They say when you're in love, you'll know it the minute you see the person – well when I saw you, I couldn't stop thinking about you. You were on my mind all morning, then when you had to be my partner in class, I was so thrilled because I just wanted to spend all the time in the world with you. Aleah Harris, I fucking love you," I told her, bringing her lips to mine, still hiding her chin with my hand. I kissed her softly and gently, as if she would break. I just wanted to protect her. "Nothing makes me happier than knowing that you are mine."

"You'll never lose me, Tone. No matter how much I start to annoy you!" we both giggled before kissing again, then continuing on toward Hot Topic.

Notes

what do you guys think of this?!? idk i just feel like u guys r getting bored of it because you don't comment a lot :/

QOTD: Do you think Aleah and Tony are truly in love?

{Title Credit To: Papa Roach}