"OH I WONDER HOW ITS
BEEN IN CALIFORNIA"
in which she found her way back to him during the most wonderful time of the year.
or
in which 7 years after moving to the united states, stevie weissman returns to her hometown in england for christmas-fina...
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"i missed this" stephanie muttered as she helped her grandparents make dinner, since she finished unpacking and had nothing better to do.
"me too honey" melanie squeezed the girls shoulder.
"speak for yourself, you'd think you would've grown to be a neater cook" vince teased, flicking some flour at his granddaughter.
"if you think i'm messy you should see andrew, his food is like—to die for, but the man can't clean to save his life"
"well, your mother certainly has a type" melanie snickered softly.
"heard that" penelope yelled out from the bedrooms.
"so steph, have you reached out to any of the boys from st mary's?" he referred to her old primary school.
steph's face dropped slightly. she knew she'd have to deal with that sooner or later. "no—not yet.. are the simons still living next door?"
"yeah, surprised that haven't moved out after their boy's success online" vince nodded to himself.
"oh yeah" stephanie pursed her lips. she hadn't truly spoken to tommy in 6 years. there was one brief encounter where they exchanged a few awkward instagram dms in 2017, but she'd prefer to let that stay in the past. her breath hitched at the mere thought of seeing him again.
"what about freddie, eryn, those boys?" melanie wondered aloud.
"i've spoken with eryn a few times, i really need to let him know i'm in town—" she began, but the doorbell cut her off. "i'll get it"
"thanks dear" melanie continued to need the dough in front of her as vince stirred a pot at the stove.
stephanie opened the door to find the boy that had been on her mind a lot—especially over the last few hours—holding out freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. the blonde boy's eyes widened, taking a step back in complete and utter awe.
"stevie." he stared in shock, speaking barely above a whisper.
"nobodys called me that in years" she almost choked on air at the sound of his voice. it was so familiar yet different. sure she'd heard it in videos, but it was crazy hearing it in person, considering the last time she heard it he was a prepubescent squeaker.
"s—sorry i uh—"
"no! it's fine—really! i—i've always quite liked stevie" she nervously rambled. "and also, i've been meaning to say uh—congrats, on all the success man, i'm really happy for you"
"yeah thanks—that means a lot" he avoided eye contact and just looked at the ground.
"it's funny, who knew like 10 million people end up calling you tommy" she raised her eyebrows at the irony. she grew out of the nickname he gave her, whilst her nickname for him became his entire brand.
"yeah.." he trailed off.
"i was gonna reach out sooner—but y'know—i didn't wanna look all.." she paused for a moment. "..clout chaser-y"
he smiled, a slightly hurt smile but still a smile. "you wouldn't of."
"are these for my grandparents?" she asked, changing the subject.
"no uh—for your mum, she told mine that she and your stepdad would be visiting, i didn't realise you and jemimah would be back too" he held out the plate.
"aw, well thank you—my mum will love them—i think we've all missed your mum's cooking" she accepted, careful to avoid touching him in the exchange.
he just nodded, holding his hands behind his back awkwardly.
"tom!" penelope poked her head out of her room, running to say hello to the boy.
"hi penny!" he smiled bashfully at the brunette's mother.
"my god! how have you gotten so bloody tall?!" she opened her arms for a hug.
"drugs, lots of them" he teased, strangely causing penelope's heart to melt. she'd missed the boy and his family immensely.
"his mum sent these" stevie piped up. she couldn't help but be a little pissed off, why were things this awkward, and why weren't they as awkward with her mum.
"okay that's it i'm coming over right now!" she grabbed her coat and walked to the house next door.
"i'll—uh—be going then" tommy stared at the floor.
"yeah, it was really nice to see you" she reiterated.
"you too" he turned on his heel, refusing eye contact one last time. stevie stood at the door, watching him walk home as she prayed he'd turn around and look back at her.
