JULIE'S POV

Days after the meeting, I had came to the conclusion that it would be best if I told Tom. Perhaps I was wrong, perhaps he'd be okay. I couldn't go on sneaking around him, it was tearing me apart.

'There's something I need to tell you,' I began, sitting next to him on the couch as he read the latest Dan Brown book. Averting his gaze from the page, he smiled up at me. 'For a long time I've struggled with food, and I find it hard to eat. I'm going to start going to a support group. I just want you to know, I don't like hiding my uneaten meals from you.'

'Shut up,' he chuckled, hitting me lightly on the leg with the book, 'very funny, Julie.'

'What? I'm being serious.'

'Yeah, because I'd date an anorexic. Don't be an idiot, you're starting to insult me.' He put the now closed book aside and placed on hand on my thigh. 'Stop jocking,' he leaned in and suddenly, I couldn't breathe. The night with Mike (who had apologised a thousand times over once sober) came back to me. My chest became heavy and I jumped off the couch, panting and sobbing into my hands.

'That's it,' I said under my breathe, hands dropping to my side. 'Out!'

'The fuck, Julie?'

'Get out of my apartment, we're over! Come and pick up your stuff another day, just get out!'

Standing up with a look of wild fury in his eyes, he pushed passed me and went to the bedroom. He filled his backpack before passing me once again and storming out of the door, slamming it carelessly behind him. I ran up to the door and fell against it, slidiing down as the tears rolled down my face.

My shaky hand dived into my hoodie pocket, pulling out my phone. Trembling, I clicked on Tony's number and put the device to my ear as the ringing began.

'Hello?'

'I- I ended it. I told him, he mocked me. H- He's an arse. You know, the other night, h-he made fun of gays too? I shou-should've ended it th-there. Jaime should h-hate me.' I choked on the heavy flow of tears as I tried to talk to him. Once I stopped blubbering and ranting, I listened to the crackles of the quiet line.

'15 minutes,' he said bluntly, hanging up afterwards.

I let my head hit the back of the door and the tears stream down my face. 15 minutes? What is that suppose to mean? Stomping my foot on the floor, I tossed my head as the thought of not dumping Tom when he brought up gays came into mind. You're a terrible friend. Jaime has every right to hate you.

Pulling myself up off the floor, I stumbled through to the bathroom and allowed my weak body to crumble on front of the toilet. Curling my body over, I put my fingers down my throat. Throwin up into the bowl, I cried even harder as the horrid feeling took over me. I repeated my actions, you deserve this.

Lying on the floor, my eyes fluttered open at the sound of the front door banging shut. Fast foot steps grew louder and soon I could see two black high tops entering the bathroom.

'Shit,' said Tony. The sight of the shoes were replaced by knees, then by hands and a chest. His arms wrapped around me and propped me up, sitting me up against the bath.

TONY'S POV

Taking a towel off the rack, I wiped Julie's face clean. I stood up and grabbed her toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash before sitting back down on front of her. I put a pea of paste on her brush and handed it to her - she brushed whilst I prepared the mouthwash. She knelt up and spat out the paste, wiping the bead of sweat off her forehead as he tumbled back to the floor in defeat. I handed her the mouthwash and she rinsed for a few seconds before spitting it out too, going for the toilet as it seemed like the sink required too much effort.

I cupped her face in my hands and shuffled closer - my bent knees in between her straight legs - and let my nose brush hers.

'I can't do it,' she mumbled, 'I can't carry on. I can't rely on you from stopping me every time, I'm a burden.'

My grasp on her beautiful face tightened slightly, 'You can, and you're no burden. I don't want to leave you alone,' I admitted.

'You have to though, I can't hold you back.'

'Don't you get it? These panic attacks are because I'm not with you. I've been going crazy because I've not been with you. You're my rock. Without you, I have no idea what to do.' My words came out rushed, but I didn't regret saying them.

'Ton-' I cut her short, crashing my lips with hers. I caressed her soft cheeks with my thumb as the kiss deepened, tilting my head slightly in the process. I pulled away and slid back on the floor. I took to my feet and then signalled for her to take my hands, which she did. Lifting her off the ground, she wobbled once on her own two feet. I wrapped my arm around her and began to guide her out of the bathroom and through to the bedroom.

Sitting her down on the bed, I lifted her pillow to find her pajamas where she always kept them (underneath, in a neat pile). I gestured with my finger for her to take her top off, and she complied. I put the top over her head ans slid it down her tired body, tugging it into place. She then removed her joggers and I decided that there was no need going through the hastle of fighting to get the bottoms on.

'Tony,' she breathed, 'don't go.'

I turned back and looked at her - body buried beneath the covers and only her head, which lay on top of a pile of brown curls, visible.

'Please,' she said softly.

Feeling a little guilty (as though I was taking advantage because her and Tom had just broken up) I sighed as I wandered round to what was his side of the bed. I removed my top, jeans and socks before realizing that I couldn't sleep the way I liked - naked.

'I forgot about that,' she smiled, watching as my finger traced the elastic of my boxers.

'It's fine,' I replied, leaving them on and climbing into bed.

She turned away from me and curled up - I put one hand over her body, pulled her closer to me and then buried my head in her raspberry scented hair. As I held on to her folded hands, my eyes felt extremely heavy. Feeling happy with the knowledge that she was okay, I slept for the first time in days and for the first time in months, it lasted the whole night.

Notes

Hope this chapter was okay!
Thank you all for being freaking lovely!
I hope you're doing well!
I love you guys, seriously.
<3