What If

Chapter 7 - Deal?

Thomas' P.O.V.
"Save and done!" I grinned, pressing enter on the keyboard. The advertisement for my house suddenly appeared on my screen, and I nodded my head with satisfaction. I decided to follow Dylan's advice, and had published an advert on a housing website, promoting the spare double bedroom in my flat. With rent being so high nowadays, and with it being ridiculously expensive to buy a house at this age, I hoped that there would be some people out there who are interested. There just had to be! Pushing aside the idea that I had no hope in finding someone, I headed into the kitchen for a cup of tea.

Whilst the kettle boiled, I picked up my phone. Five unread messages from her. Her being my ex-girlfriend Molly, whom I broke up with about a month ago because I found her making out with some guy from her work. Yeah, long story! Anyway, I broke up with her but she keeps bugging me - texting me, asking for forgiveness and what not! It's ridiculous! Groaning, I deleted the messages and drummed my fingers on the worktop. What to do, what to do. Suddenly, a light bulb blinked to life in my mind and I quickly opened up a new message.

Me: Hey Girl in the Rain! How's it going?

It took a little longer for her to reply than it took Dylan, but nonetheless, she texted me back.

Taylor: Girl in the Rain? Hm, I like it! I'm all good thanks! How's it going with you, Umbrella Boy?

I couldn't help but laugh when I read her message. Umbrella boy? Come on, she could do better than that!

Me: Umbrella Boy? Wow. Great work there! Yeah, I'm alright I guess. Bit bored though! Hey, fancy going out for lunch at the diner in town?

Nervously waiting for a reply, I went back to making my cup of tea. Suddenly, my phone buzzed again, causing me to jump from the loud noise. Hot tea went all over my hands and arms, making me yell out slightly in pain as I grabbed a tea towel. Drying my arms down, I picked up my phone.

Taylor: Yeah I know it sucks, but oh well, it's too early to think straight! Oooh, sounds like fun! Okay sure, meet you there about in an hour?

Smiling, I quickly replied with an "Okay, see you then!" and then rushed to my room to get showered and changed. I pulled on a pair of black jeans, a red checkered shirt and a grey pullover, and I had just enough time to eat some breakfast before I had to leave. Smiling to myself, when I looked up to see the sun shining brightly in the sky, I walked happily towards the diner. It was only round the corner from my flat, so it took me no time at all to arrive there. And there she was. Sat on a bench outside, wearing an autumnal orange jumper and some dark navy jeans. Her dark hair was curled down to her waist, and on top of it she wore a maroon beanie.

"Another date with Benchy?" I chuckled, as I approached her. She turned her head round to face me and grinned.

"Yeah, what about you?" She laughed, "Meeting up with someone special?"

"Yeah, I was wondering if you'd seen her?" I said, looking around me in confusion, "She's got long brown hair, green eyes, and is just a bit crazy! Oh, and you might see her dancing in the rain!"

"Urm, no not seen her!" She said sarcastically.

"Oh well then, seeing as she's not here how about I meet up with you for lunch?" I laughed as I watched her raise her eyebrows at me.

"Very funny!" She giggled, rolling her eyes and heading into the diner, with me following in her footsteps.

"So how was babysitting?" I smirked, as the waiter brought us our food.

"It was good! Mia and Teddy, my niece and nephew, are really well behaved and we have quite a lot of fun together! I had to sit through Frozen though, for like the hundredth bloody time, but there ya go! It's still Disney!"

"Aw poor you!" I laughed, taking a bite out of my burger, "I've never seen Frozen before! Or many Disney movies to be honest!" Taylor stared at me, gobsmacked. Her eyes were wide with surprise.

"You've not seen many Disney films? What the hell is wrong with you?" She gasped, holding a hand to her heart and pretending that this was a really dramatic moment. I burst into laughter at her poor acting skills.

"Nah, I've just never really had the time I guess!" I replied, attempting to pierce a French fry with my fork, "I've been busy moving and all!"

"Oh cool! You live in London?"

"Yeah, I moved into a flat around the corner about a month and a half ago now. I lived with my parents before, but by the looks of things, I may have to move back in with them!"

"Why's that?" She asked quietly, chasing the peas around on her plate with a fork, "Oh these bloody things!" I laughed as I watched her finally scoop them up onto her fork and shouted out 'Eureka!'

"Well, I'm struggling to get by with my mortgage payments, bills, insurance blah blah blah! I'm trying to find a flat mate online, who could rent out the spare bedroom and then that way I may just be alright!" Once I finished, I looked up at Taylor. She was watching me closely, her eyes deep in thought as she began slowly nodding her head.

"How much are you renting it for?" She asked quietly, tilting her head a little to the side.

"Urm, £800 a month," I said, "How come?" Again, she sat there thinking for a moment before she answered me.

"Well, I'm actually on the lookout for somewhere to rent," She started, fumbling with her fingers on the table, "I'm currently living with my sister and her family, seeing as I couldn't find anywhere to live when I came out of university. I mean, it's great living with her and all, but I'd kinda like to start my own life you know? Start fresh."

"So, you'd be interested then?" I smiled, raising my eyebrows a little as I asked. If Taylor moved in, at least it would be a person whom a) I know, and b) I'm friends with. It would be great!

"Yeah definitely!" She grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "That is, if you'd want me to? I know we've only known each other now for like almost a month but I-"

"No that would be brilliant!" I cut her off, "You're more than welcome to come by and take a look around once we've finished here!"

"I'd love to!" She exclaimed, a huge grin forming on her face.

An hour later...

"So what do you think?" I asked, turning to face Taylor whilst the kettle whistled.

"It's brilliant! You've got so much space here, and the rooms are incredible!" She said excitedly, "Mr Thomas Brodie-Sangster, I am interested in moving into your flat in London! That is, if you can handle a crazy 23-year-old girl in your house?"

"Oh really, Miss Taylor Brooks?" I smirked, sitting opposite her, "Hm, I'm not sure if I could handle it! I mean, I've seen how uncontrollable you are out in the rain, so who knows what you're going to be like 24/7?"

"Meanie!" She poked her tongue out at me, but giggled all the same.

"Well then Girl in the Rain, do we have a deal?" I smirked, holding my hand out. She laughed and shook it.

"I think we do, Umbrella Boy!