Where Do We Go From Here?

Callie caught a ride home with Mike while I stayed behind with Tony. It wasn’t an easy decision for me to make since I’m not a very sociable person, but with Tony holding my hand the entire time I felt the assurance needed to not run. Most of my time was spent talking to Austin, Jaime, Vic, or Isabelle—other than Tony, of course—since Gielle and Carmen weren’t as friendly as the rest. The two girls looked at me through narrowed eyes while ignoring me completely. I didn’t take it personally since I wasn’t wheeling in the welcome wagon for them either.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this to happen.” Vic commented while looking at me.

I looked back with confusion. “For what to happen?” I asked.

Vic’s eyes darted from Tony to me. “For Tony to finally ask you out.” He answered before adding “He couldn’t stop talking about you.”

I scoffed skeptically. “Really?”

Isabelle laughed. “This entire week was filled with how Tony was trying to get you to talk to him.”

“This is so embarrassing.” Tony muttered.

I felt my cheeks heat up since I too felt a little embarrassed. “That’s good to know, I guess.”

“Yeah, Tony was obsessed on trying to get on your good side.” Austin teased.

I wasn’t sure who was more embarrassed at the moment, me or Tony. I chuckled nervously before saying “I think I have to head home.”

“What? No.” Tony whined while pulling me into his arms.

I still wasn’t used to the idea that Tony and I were together, so his PDA—even though it wouldn’t be considered PDA to most people—made me nervous and stiffen at his touch.

I shied away from Tony before saying “I have to. I promised my mom that my sister and I would be making dinner tonight.”

“Can I at least take you home?” Tony asked shyly.

I shrugged. “I drove, sorry.”

Tony looked away, still holding my hand as if trying to stall me. “Well Jaime can drive my car since we carpooled and I can drive you to your house.”

I chuckled. “That sounds good in theory, but how are you gonna get home?”

“Jaime can pick me up.” He offered.

“That sounds like an unnecessary hassle.” I countered.

I could hear the snickering coming from Austin, Vic, and Jaime.

“It’s not.” Tony smiled.

“Fine, but don’t even think about trying any funny business on trying to take the long way back to my house.” I caved in, earning a pleased smile from Tony.

I waved bye to everyone as Gielle and Carmen continued to ignore me and Jaime and the rest of the guys gave me a wink. I rolled my eyes as I continued to walk towards the parking lot while Tony followed behind.

“Does this mean you’re my girlfriend?” He asked eagerly.

“Don’t push your luck Perry.” I mumbled as he chuckled in return.

My car was one of the few left in the parking lot since the sun was slowly setting. I figured if I get home by 5 then I’ll have enough time to whip up something with Veronica. However, I wasn’t sure on how comfortable Veronica would be while preparing food since at the mere sight of it she tends to get shifty and unnerving.

“Is one of your talents being a closet chef?” Tony asked as I threw him my keys.

“No, it’s a part of my sister’s recovery process.” I answered while sinking in the passenger seat of my compact Audi.

“Recovery process?” Tony questioned as he adjusted the driver’s seat. He had a good five inches over me, which made him look a little cramped in my seat.

I sighed, debating whether I should tell him.

“You don’t have to explain if you don’t want to.” Tony added softly while starting up my car.

I smiled while coming to a decision. “I want to.” Taking in a few deep breaths, I said “My sister just came home from the hospital in New York. She had uh—she had an eating disorder, anorexia to be exact.”

Tony remained silent, nodding as I continued. “I always saw Ronnie as this girl who was secure and sure of herself. Someone who wouldn’t let something like modeling dictate how she looked because she was beautiful, you know. But I guess…I guess we all have our secrets.” I said softly.

Tony looked at me with a sympathetic smile on his face. “I’m sorry that she had to go through that, and that you have to witness your sister like that.”

I looked at him and shrugged. “I just wish I knew why she did it. She was always the pretty sister.” I mumbled.

“You’re pretty.” Tony offered.

I scoffed. “Not like Veronica.”

We drove through the winding roads that led onto the highway. The car was silent since I didn’t feel like talking so Tony reached over and turned on the stereo. The Naked and Famous started playing through the speakers, filling the quiet car.

Here it comes
The unavoidable sun weighs my head,
And what the hell have I done,
And you know
I don't remember a thing
I don't remember
A thing.

“I thought you liked punk.” Tony commented.

I laughed. “There’s this thing called diversity.”

“Who are they, anyway?” He asked.

“The Naked and Famous.”

“The what?”

“The Naked and Famous.” I repeated.

Tony smiled. “So I was thinking that I want to take you out on a real date.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I’m being serious.” Tony added.

“What does a real date imply?” I asked with hints of sarcasm in my voice.

“I treat you to a nice dinner, maybe take you to a movie—romantic comedy to be exact, and then maybe do a little sightseeing.” Tony offered with a toothy grin.

It sounded cute and since I’ve never been on a real date I knew I should’ve been happy with his suggestion, but I wasn’t. It sounded like something he’s done with other girls.

Scrunching my nose, I said “It sounds really cliché.”

Tony looked at me with a cocked eyebrow. “Were you expecting bungee jumping for our first date?” He asked sarcastically.

I shrugged. “At least it would’ve been something different.” I said while laughing.

Sighing, Tony said “Fine, we’ll skip the cliché first date. How’s about I keep my plan a surprise?”

I smiled. “That sounds promising.”

“Just for the record, I never really took girls out on official dates.” He said sheepishly.

“Really?”

“Yeah, because I never really had a girlfriend.” He said with a coy expression on his face.

Startled with his news, I said “I’m not your girlfriend. We’re just going on a date.”

Tony smirked at me. “I’ll take what I can, but I know one day Verity Abraham, you will be my girlfriend.”

I shook my head while a prominent blush took place on my cheeks. “Don’t push your luck, Perry.”

Notes

I was trying to stray away from using artists who are relatively new, but this song (The Sun by The Naked and Famous) is what really helped me write this chapter, so I had to include it :)

I think I might update again, but as of right now I am on my lunch break for work tee hee.

Let me know what you think <3