Crescendo | WILBUR SOOT

xi. the meetup

(irl!)

Tom, Toby, Jack, and Scott sat together on a speeding train. They spoke in hushed tones, still in awe of the fast-approaching situation. The group was moments away from meeting an international pop star who, by Wilbur's description, seemed just as keen to meet them as they were to her.

"What do you think she's like?" Toby asked. "I mean, do you think she's nice?"

"I'd imagine she has to be," Jack replied. "You can't be a raving lunatic and be that famous, right?"

Tom pondered this. "I bet she's great. Wilbur seems pretty keen on her."

"No kidding," Jack laughed. "Every conversation is Gianna this, Gianna that. You'd think she'd cured cancer or something."

"Maybe they're dating," Scott shrugged. "I wouldn't be shocked, would you?"

The group echoed a series of no's before Toby interjected, "Isn't she dating that Welsh singer? Max Something?"

"Maxen Bale," Scott corrected. "They broke up a couple of months ago. Super messy, according to TMZ."

"Yeah, I forgot Scott had a Rolodex of Gia facts stuffed away. That won't annoy her at all," Jack snorted.

"Oi-"

The mechanical voice announcing the train's arrival interrupted any potential Scottish retort. Soon after, the train came to a halt, and the group of guys began collecting belongings. Tom pulled out a camera and began to film.

"Ready?"

"Let's do this."

They stepped onto the platform, slinging their belongings over their shoulders as the group looked for their welcome party.

Gianna and Will weren't hard to find. They stood in the centre of a semicircle of wrapped presents and bags. The young woman, nearly a foot shorter than Will, beamed with delight as the group approached with matching smiles. Will stood behind, remaining with the onslaught of bags to avoid a security scare.

"Hi!" Gianna said with a smile. "It's so wonderful to meet you all. I'd ask your names, but Will's spoken so fondly of you all. I feel like I already know you all."

She extended her arms politely, offering a warm hug to anyone who wanted one.

Scott accepted first, leaning lightly into her arms.

"Scott," Gianna beamed. "It's so lovely to finally meet you. I know we've spoken on Twitter a few times, but it's great to see you in person."

"I- I can't believe you remember that."

She looked confused. "Of course, I remember. You've been supporting me since, like, forever."

As Jack, Toby, and Tom took turns greeting the woman, Will took a long breath and exhaled some of his anxieties. His unfounded fears began to melt away as each person shone in Gianna's glowing light. Her soft personality meshed perfectly with his friends, each person falling for her the same way he was.

"I got all of you something small- just to show my thanks for letting me tag along," Gianna said as she distributed the boxes and bags. "It's nothing huge, so don't expect like an iPhone or anything, but something little, you know?"

The singer wrung her hands as the boys slowly unpacked the gifts she'd spent hours stressing over. Her Italian family couldn't emphasize the importance of giving something to your hosts, and the streamers were offering her their time.

"A portable keyboard?" Toby exclaimed. "I mentioned wanting this, like, two streams ago!"

"This is the Lego set!"

"How did you know that I lost this tour shirt?"

"Is this a signed copy of the Coraline book?"

"Um, yes," Gianna said, lighting up like a Christmas tree. "Do you like it?"

They exploded in a chorus of yeses before hugging the short woman in thanks.

A deep sigh exited her chest as she breathed fully for the first time all day. Instinctively, she reached for Will's hand and squeezed it lightly.

"Come on," Will said. "Ash just texted. Let's get out of here, yeah?"

✧ ♪ ✧

✧ TWITTER, 11:49 AM ✧

@ tommyinnit // tom simons

GIA IS COOLER THAN US *CONFIRMED* (NOT CLICKBAIT!)

17K 💬  344K ♺ 1.2M ❤️

@ user92:
replying to @ tommyinnit - 🚨🚨🚨🚨 OKAY IT'S HAPPENING!! EVERYBODY STAY CALM 🚨🚨🚨🚨

@ user71:
replying to @ tommyinnit - hUHHHH HOW DID THIS--

@ user53:
replying to @ tommyinnit - pls tell me there's a tom simons vlog for this monumental day. the first time tommyinnit spoke to a real woman
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@ tomsimons:
replying to @ tommyinnit & @ user53 - Thursday's going to be a big day, Vlog Nation.

@ user87:
replying to @ tommyinnit - awww scott :)

@ tubbolive:
replying to @ tommyinnit -  I MET GIA AND GIA SPOKE TO ME WITH REAL HUMAN WORDS. I PEAKED, YOUR HONOUR!
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@ giacama:
replying to @ tommyinnit & @ tubbolive - real human words have been exchanged 🤸 🤯

@ ashkabosu:
replying to @ tommyinnit - Good friends, 10/10!

@ wilbursoot:
replying to @ tommyinnit - Meh... She's alright.
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@ giacama:
replying to @ tommyinnit & @ wilbursoot - wow. blocked. unfriended. reported for bullying and harassment.
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@ wilbursoot:
replying to @ tommyinnit & @ giacama - Oh no, whatever will I do without your friendship 😫
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@ giacama:
replying to @ tommyinnit & @ wilbursoot - be honest, you'd be miserable without me ;)
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@ wilbursoot:
replying to @ tommyinnit & @ giacama - You're right. I would be :)
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@ giacama:
replying to @ tommyinnit & @ wilbursoot - i knew it!!!!!! besties forever xx

@ user18:
replying to @ wilbursoot & @ giacama - Just date already omg 🙄

✧ ♪ ✧

a/n: once again, i have published my once a month chapter. i would promise to be more consistent, but we all know how that's gone lmao. the next chapter will be more about the day through a tommy vlog, so i'm figuring out the best format for that.

the vlog is going to be in a script format, so please let me know your comfort level with reading scripts. i'm trying to make it as evident as possible, but i do want to keep the format as true to form as possible.

thanks for your continued support, genuinely, it makes me so happy. ily!

xoxo,
may the author