TONY'S POV

Clambering into Mike's small car, I greeted Vic before checking the time. We had 20 minutes to get to Jaime's flat.

'Do I look okay?' I asked, fiddling with the black and red shirt that was hanging over my shoulders and partially covering my black top underneath. I looked down at my skinny black jeans and black Vans, trying to decide whether or not I dressed appropriately.

'You're fine,' laughed Mike, 'nervous about seeing the ex then? You should say you have some hot girlfriend or something.'

'Nah, you know I can't lie.'

'True,' said Vic, ajusting his snapback in the reflection of the rearview mirror.

Pulling up in a place outside the apartments, Mike turned off the ignition and we all got out. Heading up to Jaime's, I held back a little so the rest of the group were unable to see my nervous face.

'Hey, come in!'

Following Vic through to the dining room, I looked up and realised that due to my place in line, I was not going to get a choice in where I was sitting. Mike sniggered as he watched me take my place on Julie's left, Tom on her right. Jaime smiled politely at us all before hurrying off to the kitchen to attend to the first course.

Feeling as though the awkward silence needed to be filled, I continued Julie's lie and introduced the guys to her and him. 'This is Vic, this is Mike and guys, this is Julie and Tom.' The four began to converse and I sat back in relief.

'Pea and bacon soup!' exclaimed Jaime, rushing into the room with a few plates. Once placed on the table, he went back and got the rest, handing them out too. We waited until everyone was ready before digging in to the delicious meal.

Turning to Julie, I noticed she had barely eaten anything and seemed worried that Tom would notice. I descritely pulled out my phone and sent her a text to help her.

To: Julie
You're okay. Just say you're allergic to something in it. You're doing well.

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, she noticed that I was doing so. Seconds later, I heard the faint buzz of her phone. She excused herself, saying that she needed to go the the bathroom, and read my text.

'I'm really sorry, Jaime, but I'm allergic to peas...'

'Oh, I'm so sorry, Julie!'

Jaime then took her plate away, he glanced back at me as if to say 'her eating isn't okay now?' and I just shook my head as a reply.

---

'I know, it's crazy. Gay marriage should've been legalised years ago.' Said Vic, taking a sip of wine.

'You should be allowed to marry whoever you want. You should be allowed to love whoever you want. Fuck everyone else.' I added, glancing at Julie who's eyes were already on me. She whipped her head around as I finished my sentence, rubbing her neck with her left hand.

Jaime came trotting through with the main course - Burritos. Placing all the fillings on the table, we instantly began to fill our mouths with the tasty food. I turned to notice that Julie had a full one made on her table, untouched. I hopped up and scrambled through the the kitchen, grabbing a tupperware box. Hiding it behind my back, I sat back down and signalled for Julie to lower the Burrito under the table. Once out of sight, I took it off her and placed it in the container which I then sat on the floor. I gave her a brief smile before returning to my meal. I had 3 before sitting back and allowing them to slide down. Tom excused himself for the toilet, leaving just the five of us.

'The fuck is going on?' asked Vic.

'I've just met you guys, I only knew Jaime from high school.'

'Ohh,' chuckled Mike, 'he doesn't know about you and Tony?' Julie leaned in towards the table and glared at him with a look of hatred, it only made his smile widen. 'That you two use to,' he mouthed the word 'fuck' whilst making gestures with his hands.

'Shut up,' she growled, sitting back and folding my arms like a kid with a bad temper.

Tom doddled back in the room, a goofy grin plastered on his face. Taking his seat, Jaime stood up as if it was a reaction, and wandered through to the kitchen to prepare dessert. As the conversation on car insurance continued, I spotted Julie's fingers drumming furiously on her thigh. I moved my hand on top of hers, squeezing it to stop her from moving her fingers anymore. She didn't look at me, but didn't pull her hand away either.

'Promises are so weird,' said Julie, tracing circles around my bare chest as we lay next to each other in my bed. 'Like, a pinky promise, I don't think... I don't know.'

'Let's make one,' I said, tilting my head in her direction so I could place a gentle kiss on her forehead. 'I'll give you a pinky promise to ensure you that you'll be alright, m'kay?'

'Okay,' she said, turning slightly to strech up and kiss my lips for a moment before returning to her position, one leg over mine and an arm draped half way over my chest.

Jaime entered with a tray full of tall glasses full of ice cream. The drool was almost spilling out of Mike's mouth and Vic eyes were lit like a Christmas tree. I moved my hand and linked my pinky with Julie's. She tightened her grip on my finger as the dessert was placed on front of her. Jaime could see our linked fingers but refrained from saying anything.

'This looks great,' said Tom, 'you're a brilliant cook, Jaime.'

'Thanks, man. It's great to cook for good guests!'

Taking a bite, I allowed the mouthwatering food to slide down my food before looking at Julie's glass from the corner of my eye. Quickly, I shoveled down a great deal of it which resulted in a rather large brain freeze. 'Jaime,' I said loudly whilst pointing towards a painting with my spoon, 'Where's that from?'

Just as I hoped, everyone turned their attention to the painting as Jaime told them its origin. I switched me and Julie's cups just before everyone turned back around.


JULIE'S POV

The night was drawing to an end and we were all sprawled out on the couches. Feeling sick from eating what Tom demanded I share with him (a quarter of a Burrito, a bite of ice cream) I slipped away and went to the toilet. I stared at my reflection and began to swear at my self in disgust.

Suddenly, there were soft knocks on the door. I looked in the mirror and tried to wipe away the makeup that had slid down my face before answering. 'I'm fine, one minute,' I said, praying that my croaky voice wasn't giving anything away.

'Julie,' said Tony, 'come on.'

I wiped another tear away before unlocking the door and allowing him in. My hair was a mess and I had a cup of water and the toilet open in prepation. I watched Tony's eyes as he examined my set up.

'No,' he said under his breathe, hand covering his mouth. 'You need to go back to that group.' Striding towards me in the reasonably large bathroom he, without actually touching me, pushed me up against a wall. His face was so close that I could feel him warm breathe on the tip of my nose. I looked into his eyes to see tears, one of which spilled over as I grabbed one of his hands.

'That dance teacher, she was talking shit. You don't need to make yourself sick. You're absolutely beautiful just the way you are.'

I stared into his flawless brown eyes as they looked right back at me. 'Tony,' I murmered breathelessly, heart racing as I could feel his chest against mine. 'I can't, Tom will notice.'

'Then make an excuse, I'll come with you. I need you to do this for me, please.'

Without warning, loud kocking began at the door. Tony stepped back, allowing me to step aside, and I answered the door to find a worried Tom standing on front of me. Reassuring him that I was fine, I exited the toilet with my hand in his.

Minutes later, Tony came back through - smiling at me for a split second before averting his gaze to Vic who was telling a story in between sips of his drink.

Notes

hope you guys liked this chapter, I liked writing it!
I love you all.
I hope you are all doing well.
thank you, thank you, thank you!
<3