Say This Sooner -A7X One Shot

I saw the anger in her face. It had been obvious, but I had been the only one to notice it. I had been the only one to look at her and not at the ditsy blonde that seemed to be dumber than a beach ball and shallower than a kiddy pool.

Both of their eyes had landed on Matt as soon as he began to walk over towards them. I was standing down in the pool watching it all. Antonia’s face was flushed for the most part, except for the bright redness in her cheeks and it wasn’t from being shy or embarrassed. I knew her well enough to know that she was angry, and very jealous.

Even though she was pissed, she plastered on a fake smile and shook the girl’s hand, introducing herself. The girl shook her hand but did not smile back, then turning her attention to Matt once again.

I saw as Antonia sighed in frustration and dropped her hand. For a second there, all I could do was laugh and think about how cute it was when she was angry, but then I had to shake off those thoughts and regain focus on what was going on.

I decided to get out, lifting myself up from the edge of the pool in a swift motion, going over to drip next to her. The girl named Amber finally broke her daze from Matt and threw an obviously fake smile at me.

“Need a towel?” She snooted.

I knew she wasn’t trying to be polite. I could hear the sneer in her tone. I instantly didn’t like this girl. I tried not to smirk and reached past Antonia, grabbing a towel she had brought down with us. I don’t even think she would have noticed me standing there if the girl hadn’t said anything.

“So are you guys going to come swimming with us or are you just going to hang out by the pool?” Matt teased, trying to lure her to get in the pool with him. He asked it as if he were talking to all the girls, but behind those sunglasses, I knew his eyes never left Amber. Fuck…

After a minute of completely flirting with each other, with Antonia standing right there the whole time, he finally talked her into getting into the water with him. I was still standing next to Antonia, and she was practically speechless. I didn’t know what to do. It was as if she were in a state of shock.

“Ani,” I whispered her nickname, the one only I called her, as we were the only ones left standing outside of the pool. “I’m so sorry you had to see that.”

She sniffled a little and tried to casually wipe her eyes and seem apathetic as she shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Jimmy.” He voice broke and she turned her back towards everyone, including me.

I would have pulled her into a hug, but that would have alerted everybody that something was wrong, and I knew she didn’t want that, so I just stood closer to whisper again. “If you want to go back upstairs, you know I’ll come with you if you need me.”

She waved me off and tried to smile. “Honestly Jimmy, I’m fine, but you’re right. I think I’m gonna head upstairs for awhile. I’m kind of tired.”

Before I could say anything else, she quickly swiped up her things and headed back inside for the elevators. I didn’t know what to do. Should I run after her, or should I give her the space that she wanted?

“Jimmy,” Someone from below me said. I looked back and saw Brian make his way to the edge of the pool. “What was all that about?” He asked quietly, trying not to draw everyone else’s attention to the conversation. I guess I wasn’t the only one to notice her forcing back tears.

“I don’t know, man. Girl problems, I guess.” I shrugged, lying through my teeth. I didn’t want to have to get anyone else involved in this. I needed to be there for Antonia, to comfort her.

“You think she’ll be okay?” He asked. Brian was her best friend out of all of us. He cared about her a lot, but there was no one who cared or loved her as much as I did.

I nodded and slightly smiled, unable to force it away. “Yeah, I think so.” He gave me a weird look for the random smile. “I’ll back. I’m just going to check on her."

Before I could hear him reply, I grabbed my towel and ran after her, hoping to catch her before she got onto the elevator. I know she was upset, but I had to tell her, and it had to be tonight. If I don’t let her know how I feel about her now, I don’t think I'll ever be able to tell her at all. This was my only chance. I know she didn’t love me back, I could see that, but I was going to tell her anyway. Maybe she will pity me, spare my feelings, and still want to be friends. I just hope something good will come of this.

Luckily, I got to her just in time to catch the doors before they finished closing. “Antonia, wait!” I said, out of breath and stepped in beside her.

She looked up at me in surprise. I guess she didn’t expect anyone to follow her, maybe because she didn’t think anyone had noticed her pain, but I did. “What are you doing?”

“I'm coming with you, roomie.” I gave her a half-hearted smile, but it didn’t seem to faze her.

“Jimmy, I don’t need you to come check up on me.” She stated clearly.

“I'm not,” I lied. “I just didn’t feel like swimming anymore, and besides, I’m sure you could use the company.” I said innocently.

“I don’t need a babysitter Jimmy. Didn’t you hear me earlier? I said I’m fine!” She said through gritted teeth.

I backed off a little to give her some space. “Okay, alright, but I'm coming with you no matter what.” I said as we shortly arrived to our floor.

“Whatever, do what you want Jimmy. As soon as I get into our room, I'm getting into the shower and then it’s straight to bed.” She said, walking past me and out of the elevator.

“Okay,” I said quietly.

She was upset, I understand that, but I hated it when she took her frustrations and lashed out at me. I understood perfectly why she was upset, but I still couldn’t help feeling my own sorrow. My chances of being able to tell her how I felt were ruined. Now she’ll never know, and it was all thanks to Matt.

I could have hit him square in the face for doing that to Antonia. I now realize he knew damn well that she was in love with him. I could see it for when he glanced at her just before walking up to that girl and started flirting with her. He did it all on purpose! But why? Why would he do that to her, to someone who was so special and deserved so much better? He didn’t deserve her…

“Antonia, wait.” I stopped her just after she slid in the key and unlocked the door. “Before you go in, I have to ask you something.” I continued.

She sighed softly before turning half way around to face me. She wouldn’t meet me in the eyes, afraid that I would see how red they were becoming as she tried not to cry. “What is it Jimmy?” She asked barely above a whisper.

I don’t know where this sudden surge of bravery came from, but I finally got the courage to ask. “Why do you love him?”

She looked up at me in surprise. “What? W-who?” Her voice broke.

I shook my head in contempt. “Matt. I’m not blind Antonia. I can see the way you look at him, how in love you are with him.” I said, bitterness seeping within my words. I couldn’t hold back my hatred for him right now. I was absolutely pissed that he could actually do something like that to her, to the girl I loved so much, the one who would never love me back.

Her eyes began to swell up with tears. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She shook her head.

I growled in frustration and quickly stepped forward, pinning her against the door with both arms on either side. “Don’t lie to me! I’m not fucking stupid!” I yelled, not noticing how loud I was getting until I saw the panic in her eyes, but I stayed put.

“Antonia,” I said softly, lowering my voice, trying to look her in the eyes but she turned her head away. “I’m sorry, I just-”

“Leave me alone.” She breathed out. I knew she wasn’t feeling threatened by me, but hated seeing me angry.

“I’m sorry,” I said again, dropping my arms but stayed close. “I didn’t mean to yell. I guess I'm just a little pissed off right now.”

She threw me a glare. “You’re pissed off? Why the hell should you be angry? I’m the one who deserves to be upset right now!”

“Why, because you saw the man you 'love' flirting with another girl?” I smirked.

She huffed, quickly turning and stormed into the room. I followed closely behind and slammed the door shut.

She jumped but kept her back towards me. “Admit it, Antonia! You’re in love with him and got upset because he wasn’t smiling at you. You got jealous and you know it!”

“Shut up Jimmy!” She spun on me. “You don’t know what you’re talking about! I am not in love with Matt!”

“Oh yeah?” I said, coming up to her, so close that she backed away and sat down on the bed. “Prove it.” I said, leaning in and growled in her ear.

Notes