I have everything, except you - Thomas Brodie Sangster fic

12. Turn and face the strange

I arrive late to science, due to trying to avoid my mum before school. Because of this, my hair is slung in a messy bun that's a tad too messy for tumblr, and my makeup consists of only the basic foundation and mascara.

Thomas is already there, and in a similar state. His hair is more dishevelled than usual, tufts sticking up as if he'd spent all morning running his hands through it. The top three buttons of his white school shirt were unbuttoned, and he was tapping his pencil continually on the desk.

I'm not going to lie, he looked pretty sexy. I kind of wished I could run my hands through his dirty blonde hair and unbutton his..

"Milly Hartman, take your seat please," A disapproving look was shot over the top of Mr Thames' glasses, so I settled beside Thomas, breathing in his minty morning scent. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him smirking as he lay his head on the desk, yawning.

"You look like shit," I whispered to him, though I was clearly lying from the huge stupid grin on my face. "You look really nice, wear less makeup more often," He said back.

*

I rolled over at a knock on my door. The person behind it kept knocking, and I sleepily checked my watch. Five o'clock. I had been having a bit of an episode, my thoughts welling up until my chest was too tight and my eyes started leaking, so I climbed into bed with all my clothes on and lay in the dark until I had calmed down, though I must've fallen asleep.

A line of yellow light fell across my face, and I brought my hand up to shield my eyes. There stood my mum, with a tray in her hands. She flipped the light switch on, and the sudden flood of light made me groan.

"I brought you some food," She said, rather softly. Then sniffed, looking around at the discarded piles of clothes sitting on my carpet.

"You know you really should clean this room. Anyway, I made your favourite, mac and cheese, and a hot chocolate."

"Thanks," I was surprised, and didn't know what else to say, so I sat up and pretended to rearrange my pillows.

My dad joined in on the little family get together, and suddenly my room was way too crowded. Why couldn't they let me mope in peace?

"I just wanted you to know I've invited some people over for dinner. You remember Dan, from the party, my old friend? He's bringing his wife and son over in an hour, but you might not feel hungry." He gestured to the food mum had brought me. Wait, what?

"Just letting you know, you might want to.. clean up a bit," He patted my shoulder then both my parents left, while I collapsed into the stack of pillows. Thomas. At my house. In an hour. I realised something that scared me. My plan was working, too well. Now his parents would be meeting my parents, they would be involved, more people would be hurt by the game I was playing.

Suddenly I wasn't so sure I was making the right choice.

*

Exactly an hour later he was sitting next to me on my double bed, though there was some distance between us. I hadn't gone downstairs, he had come up, so I hadn't met his mother or anything yet.

"Your room is nice," He comments. I had had to run around picking up dishes and clothes before he came, and as long as my closet door remained closed he wouldn't know how messy I was.

"Nice?" I asked, wondering what he meant.

"Well, it hasn't got much personality, to be honest. A couple of candles, letters spelling out your name, geometric patterned bedspread. Where are the posters and pictures, ornaments, signs that someone actually lives in this room? Do you not have interests? Books, Music?"

"Okay, mister judgy pants, cool it," He looked apologetic. I wanted to tell him.

It's like this because i'm too scared to show my personality! I don't know when styles will change, and if my room is neutral it won't have to change! I need to fit in..

Instead I lit a candle and held it in front of him.

"Tell me, what does it smell like?"

"Like a candle,"

"You're an idiot," I hit his head lightly, he puts on a fake pout and I laugh.

"Kids! Dinner's ready!"

We shove each other into the dining room, still laughing. His parents are there waiting. His mum is soft and pretty, with fluffy blonde hair just like his, and she's wearing a flowery dress and pink cardigan, and a big smile.

His dad looks slightly awkward in a button up shirt and dress pants, he reminds me of my dad, except he has a cheeky grin on his face, which reminds me of the look Thomas sometimes gives me.

They both look so nice and normal, and his mum greets me with a hug, which is just like her, soft and rose scented.

"So nice to finally meet you, Milly. I'm Louise, Thomas' mum." She looks at me while her hands hold my arms. I like her already.

The dinner conversation was natural, because of Dan's jokes and Louise's compliments. My dad was shy as usual, and my mum looked like she was trying too hard to keep everyone happy. I was just enjoying the company, and found myself subconsciously wishing I could've been born a Sangster. Thomas' parents talked to me like I was an actual person, like I was equal to them, instead of just a lowly teen whose opinions were too influenced by their hormones to be valid.

When dinner was over my mum and Louise started clearing up, but Thomas graciously took the plates from my mum. "Don't worry, Mrs Hartman. Milly and I will clean up,"

I sighed, then smiled at Louise and grabbed the rest of the dishes. "Thank you, my dear," Mum said to Thomas, glancing at me and raising an eyebrow as if to say, 'I wish you were like this,'

In the kitchen he let me dry while he washed, and we talked about our families. "Uh, so I was thinking about tomorrow," He said, rubbing the back of his neck with a soapy hand before he knew what he was doing. I handed him a tea-towel to wipe it.

"Tomorrow, is Monday. What are you talking about?" I asked, giggling. I sat on the counter, swinging my legs. "Well, you know, there's a bit of drama with your friends and stuff, so if you wanted, you could sit with us at lunch.. If you want! Just saying, don't be shy, just if you need, if you would like, because I'd like that, uh,"

What would my group of friends have to say about that? I wiped a bubble off his cheek, smiling.

This chapter's a bit shit, but I wanted it to be up tonight. 11.19pm, so it's still night, just. ;) If it doesn't make sense then that's just my tired brain, and i'll fix it tomorrow, so forgive me x