* Jimmy’s P.O.V
I watched with my arms folded as they ran away together off the stage, hearing her scream as she tried to make her way through the halls. What was it about Matt that she liked so damn much? I mean, yeah, he’s a great guy and all, but if she only knew…

“Oh cheer up Jimbo. It’s not like they’re dating or anything. You can stop giving Matt the death glare every time he talks to Antonia now.” Johnny said, coming over to stand next to me.

I threw the glare down at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Brian snickered and took another drag from Zack’s cigarette before handing it back to him. “Oh don’t act like you don’t know. We all know you’ve practically been in love with her ever since middle school.”

I shook my head. “Like I said, I don’t know what you’re-”

“Cut the act Jimmy. We all see the way you’ve been looking at her, the same way you’ve looked at her for over 8 years now. If you don’t want her to end up with Matt, then why haven’t you told her how you feel yet?” Zack shrugged. “She’s never going to know if you don’t ever tell her.”

I sighed and dropped my arms. “Because I can’t! You and I all know that she looks at him that way, not me. She doesn’t care about me like that, not the way she does about him.”

“Ah, so he admits it.” Johnny chuckled.

“Face it, even if I did tell her, there’s no way she would date me. She’s in love with Matt!”

“I doubt that” Zack smiled to reassure me, but Syn thought differently.

He shrugged. “Maybe. She does kind of act a little differently around him.”

All three of us shot him a look, telling him to shut up. He looked up, realizing everyone was glaring at him. “What?”

“Don’t say that, you’re just going to worry Jimmy even more.” Johnny said.

I faked a laugh. “Oh, I’m not worried. I know that she’s in love with him. There’s no question about it.”

Zack rolled his eyes. “You don’t know that for sure.”

I gave him a questioning look that said, Yeah, right. He and I both knew it was true, we all did. They were just trying to make me feel better.

“Alright guys, we’re going to do a sound check and then they’re gonna start letting the kids in. You guys go ahead and get ready.” A stage crew member came up and told us.

We nodded and thanked him before heading for the dressing rooms backstage. “So Brian, you know her better than most of us. You two are best friends. What do you think?”

He looked up at me as we walked. “About what?”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “About Antonia liking Matt. Do you think it’s true?”

“What happened to you ‘knowing that she was in love with him’? I thought there was ‘no question about it’.” Johnny began to quote me, using his fingers to make quotation marks.

“Shut up, Johnny.” I growled. “I just want to know what Syn thinks.”

Brian chuckled. “Well, do you want my honest opinion?”

I slowed my walking, reluctant to make it into the dressing room anymore, where I knew she was at right now, with him. “Why, do you think she does?”

“Well, I do know one thing’s for sure,” He said, not able to look at me in the eyes anymore, seeing my worried expression.

I raised an eyebrow and stopped in my place just in front of the closed door. “What’s that?”

He stopped and sighed. "Even if she’s in love with him or not Jimmy, she’ll always need you, no matter what. You’re her best friend, too.” He came over and patted my back. “Just remember that.”

I sighed and dropped my arms. “Yay, forever friendzoned.”

Zack laughed and led the way inside. I wanted to be the last to go in, afraid that I might catch them in the act of doing something. Did he know that she liked him that way? Did she even realize that I knew all about her feelings?

Would she even care if I told her about my own feelings for her? I doubted it. I knew she would only pity me and tell me she just wants to stay friends, but that would hurt even worse than a flat out rejection. I don’t know if I could take being shot down like that easily. It was probably best if I never told her. It would most likely hurt a lot less if I didn’t.

I rounded the corner to follow the guys inside, still afraid to find them making out on the couch or something. To my surprise, Matt was nowhere in sight. Antonia was alone, sitting on the couch sipping on bottled water.

I slowly made my way over to her, trying not to look to eager to sit next to her on the couch. “Hey, where’s Matt?” I asked as I took a seat at one end, keeping a good amount of distance between us.

She shrugged softly and looked down as she continued to play with the cap. “I don’t know. He’s probably back there getting dressed for the show.”

Just by her body language, I knew something was upsetting her. I scooted a little closer to minimize the space between us. “What’s wrong, Ani? Something bothering you?” I asked, trying to get her attention by using my gently, caring voice that usually always soothed her.

She met my gaze for a few seconds and gave me a quick smile, but it was just for show. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine Jimmy.”

I raised my eyebrow at her. “Don’t lie to me, girl. I know when you’re upset. What’s wrong?”

She sighed, still looking down. “Just…thinking, I guess.”

I tilted her chin up to get her to meet my eyes. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

She actually smiled this time and nodded. “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Jimbo.”

I chuckled at the nickname and let go. “So what is it that you’re thinkin’ so hard about?”

She laughed and shook her head. “It’s nothing, honestly.” When she saw the look I gave her, she continued. “I’m just wondering what I’m going to wear when we go out to dinner after the show tonight.”

I knew it was a lie, I knew it all too well, but for her sake, I decided to drop it and leave her alone. She always had her moments where she didn’t want to be bothered, so I knew better than to push the subject.

“Okay, then,” I stood from my spot. “I think I’m gonna go get changed. I’ll see you before the show.”

She looked up and smiled softly. “Okay, I’ll be waiting here.”

Damn, I hated seeing her like this. He wasn't worth it if she was just going to end up feeling this way. Matt didn’t know that she liked him, I was for sure of that. He was blinded by his own denial, and I could see that. Here lately, after we started our touring, he hardly seemed to pay any attention to her emotions anymore like the rest of us did. I know we all had our band to focus on, but that didn’t mean he should just completely ignore her like that.

Her feelings for him were obvious. I could see it, we all could, except for Matt, and that was all who would matter to her. I wanted her to be happy, but I knew that couldn’t happen with me. I would do anything for her, and if that meant I somehow had to get them together, I would.

Notes