Chapter 25: Chapter 25

"Please tell me this isn't true Tobias," I say quietly, shutting his door over so no-one can over-hear us. I walk over to the edge of his bed, taking a seat before running a hand through my hair. Tobias remains stood up, his brown eyes staring directly at me.

"It was true," he finally responds, his tone guilty and low. My eyes widen but I remain silent, letting him speak.

"I really did love you at one point. Jake isn't the only person you went through tough times with. I was there for you when you were shot Emily." Tobias says. I breathe in sharply —

"You were." I state, confirming his words. Tobias takes it as his cue to continue.

"We both had that in common and you helped me overcome my own problems. I was struggling with life before you came along and you pulled me out of the dark hole I was trapped in. I was dealing with years of bad memories from the gang and you helped just by being you. You helped me get past this." Tobias says passionately, pointing at his tribal tattoo near his heart. His bullet scar. It's a daily reminder of the ordeal Amil put him through.

At this point my eyes are glassy, full of unshed tears. I know the pain he's gone through with his gunshot scar as I've been through the exact same thing. The pain is indescribable, feeling yourself drifting in and out of death was terrifying.

Having nightmares every time you close your eyes that abruptly end with a loud gunshot ringing in your ears is terrifying. The whole experience of being shot and the aftermath is terrifying.

Tobias helped me overcome my pain too and he's right, we both shared our grief together.

"You made me believe that good people do exist in this world." Tobias adds, his voice quietening down considerably.

He stares at me intently, large brown eyes pleading with me. I feel my throat tighten up as I struggle to respond to him. I had no idea he felt this way, he never told me. I stand off the bed, feeling my legs shake uneasily underneath me.

Tobias silently walks towards me until he's inches away. My heart begins hammering against my chest and I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking my head.

"Tobias, I — "

"Wait! Stop, please." Tobias pleads, taking my hands in his. He holds onto my hands tightly, forcing me to open my eyes. His body is so close to mine, his bare chest inches away from my face. He smells like soap and musk blended together. I tug back slightly, wanting to free my hands but Tobias' grip doesn't loosen.

"Emily, please." Tobias whispers, urging for me to look at him. I open my eyes and tilt my face up to meet his dark eyes. The intensity of his gaze knocks the breath of me as he searches my eyes. He opens his mouth to continue, words spoken softly —

"You, Emily Wentworth, taught me how to survive."

I inhale deeply, feeling completely overwhelmed with his explanation. It's definitely not what I was expecting.

"I know what you're thinking. That this is the same situation as Violet but I swear to you, it's not. What happened with Violet was the biggest mistake of my life, but you?" Tobias pauses, leaning down and resting his forehead against mine.

"I don't ever regret meeting you Emily."

I suck in a deep breath. Every single moment Tobias and I shared plays through my mind. Right from the beginning when he acted like he hated me straight though to the time I killed Amil with Tobias right by my side. Suddenly Tobias releases my hands, taking a few steps back. I open my eyes to find him looking at the floor, his chest rising and falling heavily. He's frowning hard as if he's battling with himself right now.

"Sorry, I don't know what I'm doing." Tobias whispers, his voice so quiet and vulnerable. I look at him sadly before walking towards him and placing a hand on his cheek.

"Don't apologise, it's okay Tobias."

Tobias stares intently at me, his eyes covered with a vulnerable glossy sheen.

"Is it okay? I fell in love with my cousins girlfriend. I stood back and allowed him to treat you badly whilst keeping my feelings a secret. Jake might have saved you from Jones and Trevor but he didn't save you from himself."

I immediately take a step back, my hand dropping abruptly back to my side. Hurt flashes through my eyes but then the realisation hits me that Tobias is right. I feel like I'd taken a beaten to the chest from the lack of ability to breathe.

"He may have treated me badly at times but that was because of the gang. He was trapped, just like you were Tobias. It isn't fair to judge him on a time of his life that was so uncertain. His actions since then prove everything to me . . . I love him and I'm happy." I defend us, my words filled with truth.

"I know you are." Tobias responds quickly, giving me a small smile. He reaches forward with his hand and gently strokes my cheek, letting his hand drop back down to his side. His fingers are the complete opposite to Jake's, the skin rough with barely any warmth.

"That's why I got with Jane, to move on." Tobias explains quietly, his voice low and thick with emotion. I immediately feel shocked by his revelation —

He got with Jane to move on from me?

"When I knew you were happy, I realised I couldn't love you anymore Emily. It felt so wrong and I was weak at the time, I gave in to my emotions too quickly. I couldn't do that to Jake, not again. So when Jane was introduced to me, I poured all my energy into her in hopes that she'd distract me from you." Tobias sighs heavily. He leans back against the wall, a subtle smile on his face as he relives memories.

"But then . . . a funny thing happened, I actually began to fall for her. She never liked you Emily, she could sense that I felt something strong for you that I'd never feel for her. We argued about it multiple times and after I gave you the bracelet for Christmas, everything just went downhill from there," Tobias says, his shoulders tensing up considerably.

"I love her and she's leaving me,"  He whispers quietly, his voice thick with pain. He walks to the corner of his room before taking a seat. As he leans forward onto his elbows, his eyes stare down at the floor, a single tear sliding off his cheek. It's so quick that if I'd blinked, I would have missed it.

The pain radiating from him makes me sad and I walk towards him, kneeling down on my knees to look up at his face. His eyes are full of unshed pained tears and a small part of my heart breaks from seeing him so torn.

"T, listen to me," I say quietly, re-adjusting myself so I'm sat cross legged on the floor underneath him.

"You're one of the strongest people I know. I'm not just saying that to make you feel better, it's the truth. When I found out what you'd been through with the gang and Amil, it knocked me back. I never in a million years expected to find myself have a friendship with you when I first laid eyes on you." I smile. He chuckles dryly at my words —

"I was an ass to you."

"Yes you were." I laugh slowly, nodding my head. Tobias hangs his head, attempting to hide his emotions from me.

"You don't need a girl to be strong Tobias, you only need yourself. You helped me through such a painful time in my life and I cannot thank you enough for that. You and I will always share this..." I drift off, letting my hand reach out and touch his scar. I feel him inhale deeply, his body stiffening up as soon as my fingers touch him.

"I love you Tobias but as the amazing friend who helped me get past a major hurdle in my life. I'll always love you for the person who held my hand whenever no-one else was around and for the time you comforted me after Amil. You are amazing Tobias Melvin and I will forever be here for you," I finish, giving him a genuine smile.

My own eyes fill with tears and I sniffle, stopping myself from bawling my eyes out. I reach out to grip one of his hands and squeeze it tightly, letting him know my every word is truthful. Moments pass where both of us remain silent, our shallow breath's filling the room.

"Thank you," Tobias finally whispers before squeezing my hand back. I watch sadly as he lifts it up to his mouth and places a light kiss on my knuckles, letting his lips linger as long as he can. His lips feels warm and soft on my skin.

"Goodbye Emily," he whispers, his lashes thick and dark with tears. I breathe in sharply, a faint smile playing on my lips —

"Goodbye Tobias."

I nod at him, letting him know he's going to be okay.