Euphoria

CHAPTER 11

*TINSLEY'S POV*

"Tinsley? Is that you? Oh my god." Tony.

****

I was sitting in the bedroom with the guy that I had recognized from my elementary school. I could feel his eyes on me as I stared down at my hands.

"What are you doing here, Tinsley?" I looked away from him and unconsciously wrapped my arms around my waist, trying to cover up the skin that was showing from the lingerie I was wearing.

Silently, tears started falling. I was usually so calm and collected during my time at the strip club, but seeing another kind and familiar face made me break down.

"I- I- need, I- I- need-," I stuttered and hiccuped.

"Hey. Tin-tin. It's okay." Tony crouched down in front of me and gently grasped my forearms, bringing my attention to him. He watched me with concerned eyes and when I finally wiped the tears away and looked at him, he immediately pulled me into him and wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm here. It’s okay.”

****

I met Tony in elementary school when I was in second grade and he was in third. I was in the lunch line and reaching for the last brownie when some random guy swooped in, snatching it from my open hands. Surprised and angry, I had looked up only to see a cute guy, grinning down at me.

"We can share it!" That was the start of our friendship.

We shared everything and had the best times together. But then came the time for him to go to middle school and I never saw him again after that. On our last day together, Tony had something planned for us.

I still remember his dad driving up to my house and Tony opening the car door for me like the gentleman he was. He popped corny jokes the entire car ride and me, being the giggle puff I was, couldn't stop laughing. After a while, we arrived at a little clearing and as I got out, I still remember the beautiful sight in front of me.

There were Edison bulbs strung from the tops of the trees around the clearing and candles on the picnic blanket. We were both only in elementary school but that night, it seemed like we were high schoolers on our prom night. Tony had grinned stupidly at me and then offered me his arm to dance. He played our favorite songs and we danced like there was never an end to the world.

But then a slow song came on, and the next thing I knew, Tony had me by the waist and was leading me in a dance that made me feel like I was a princess. When the song ended, I was smiling so hard I thought my face would burst.

Then suddenly his lips were on mine. It was my first kiss, and I would never ever ask for it to be with a different person or in a different place.

I never saw him after that night, but he would always be my first love.

****

Now, I sat in his house, on his bed, waiting for him to get me a change of clothes. I had told him that I was okay, and that I could just go home, but he insisted on getting me a new change of clothes.

"Here. I don't think they'll fit but these were the smallest I could find." Tony came back into the room with a bundle of clothes and handed it to me. I nodded and accepted the clothes. “What are you doing back here Tony?”

He sighed, sitting down heavily beside me on the bed. “My parents tried to make me become the heir to their company.” I frowned emphatically at him. I knew how much he hated working at companies.

“I tried getting out of it. I moved back here in an attempt to run away.” He rubbed a hand down his face, looking extremely worn out. I took a second to study his face. We were both so much older now, so different from that night under the stars. We had so many more burdens than before.

He turned to look at me, catching me staring at him. I reached out and traced his sharp cheekbone with my finger.

“Tinsley?”

My eyes darted from his soft brown eyes to his full lips, trying to memorize his every feature. “I wish you never left.”

His soft brown eyes filled with sadness and he grabbed my face, pressing his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry.” His breath was warm against my face. I closed my eyes, shutting out the heart-wrenching pain I was feeling.

We stayed like that for a while. Just enjoying each other’s presence. Until Tony leaned back, his eyes filled with concern.

"Are you okay, Tinsley? Like, actually?"

I gave him a weak smile. “I’ve missed you Tony.”

He smiled at me with his sad eyes, “I would’ve come back quicker if I could. I could never forget you.” He cupped my cheek and I leaned into his touch. He felt like home. Seeing his smile made me want to smile, despite the world around me.

I leaned into his warmth, wrapping my arms around his muscular torso. He hugged me closer to him, enveloping me in his touch.

He let out a soft sigh. “You wanna explain why you were at that club now?” He murmured into my hair.

"Tony." I ignored his questions and instead chose to gently trace my finger down the side of his face. I watched as he shivered under my touch. "I've missed you. Where have you been?" I continued on, tracing my finger along the contours of his face and cheekbones.

"I needed you. Where've you been?" My voice cracked and then the sobs started. They shook my body and wave after wave of trembles racked my thin body.

"Tinsley. I'm sorry. I- I'm here now. And I won't leave." He got up off the floor and I felt more than see him tug me into his lap and I snuggled into his chest, stifling the growing sobs. "You're not alone." He whispered into my hair and that made my sobs grow larger as the past emotions that I had pushed deep down, starting resurfacing.

"I'm so weak. I- I couldn't even handle working at the club-b for a week." The tears fell down my cheeks and fell onto Tony. Suddenly, Tony grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. The anger and fierceness in his eyes stopped my whimpering.

"You are not weak, Tinsley. And you will never be. You are the strongest person I know and you will always be. Stop crying. I am here now. Talk to me." The words gave me strength and the solidarity he said them with made me believe him. The tears slowed and I was able to speak.

Once the words started, they wouldn't stop. I told him everything, from my father to the rumors to what was happening to my family. He listened to everything with a concerned look and after I finished, he immediately tugged me closer to him.

"You are so strong, Tinsley. You've been so so strong." I snuggled tighter into his chest and inhaled his woodsy scent. "Mhmm." I was tired. From working, from fighting, from life. I needed a break. And so I snuggled tighter into Tony's chest and fell into a deep fitful sleep.