Troye can tell Jacob is nervous. It's clear in the way his hands shook as he fumbled with the zipper on the black thin legged trousers. It's clear with how many times he's shaken out his hair just to swoop it back into the same arrangement again. It's clear because his fingers have been fumbling with the same button on the pea coat for so long that it's getting slightly sad. Jacob's skin is pale and his lip is clamped between his teeth. His eyes are wide and flitting around, watching the models and students bustling around and getting ready for the show.
Troye carefully zips up Hanna's black cocktail dress and slips the leather jacket onto her thin shoulders. He lets her balance on his shoulder while she slips on her black high heels and then he straightens out her long auburn hair. He turns to Sadie and adjusts the waistband on the black trench coat before combing out her fringe with his fingers and helping her into her heels. Finally he turns to Jacob and sees the boy has completely stilled, fingers frozen on one of the brass buttons. The music has started playing through the speakers, signalling the start of the show.
"You look like you're completely freaking out," Troye says, pushing Jacob's fingers away to do up the last couple buttons himself.
"I am freaking out," Jacob mumbles, "there are so many people out there! There weren't this many people when we watched the first and second year shows!"
"Yeah, people take the third year show more seriously so more people come. What are you even worried about though, you did so good at the rehearsal," Troye says, rearranging Jacob's fringe and straightening the lapels of the jacket.
"I- theres so many people- what if I look like an idiot- what if I trip-" he groans, scrubbing his hands down his cheeks.
"Jacob calm down. All you have to do is walk straight, stop at the end for five seconds with your hand in your pocket, turn round and come back. You've got this, you look amazing, you're going to do great," Troye says softly, as Jacob's thumb sneaks up to brush across Troye' cheek.
"Promise you won't hate me if I fall flat on my face?" Jacob frowns.
"Yes, don't be ridiculous," Troye scolds, but it comes out more sounding fond than he would have preferred and Jacob just gives a lopsided smile.
"Can you run me through it again?" he asks hesitantly.
"We're last in line so all three of all the other students models are going to walk the first looks then Hannah will go, then Sadie, then you. When you come back the three of you will change into your second looks and everyone will walk again in the same order. Then same thing for the third looks. Hannah has the gown so she has to walk a fourth time but you can change back into your normal clothes after the third look. Each students name is on the backdrop when their models are walking so people know who's designs are who's," Troye explains to him, the same way he'd explained it all on Monday.
"You're going to do great Jacob," Troye says gently.
He tries not to coo at the thought of poor baby Jacob sick with stage fright. Mia calls out the first students name and Troye does last minute checks of the girls and then Jacob again as the line slowly moves forward. The music and lights change with each set of three models, depending on each students preferences. The first models rush back after their turn to change, as the line inches forward. Troye's phone vibrates in his pocket and he sees a text from Tyler.
'We're front row right at the middle, can't wait Troye! Caspar and I love you and Connor says tell Jacob to break a leg.'
Troye doesn't think it's a good idea to tell Jacob that, considering he's gone back to chewing on his lip. Troye types out a quick reply and then reaches up to pinch Jacob's chin and drag his lip out from between his teeth. Jacob hangs his head and smiles sheepishly, catching Troye hand and slotting their fingers together. Troye doesn't pull away even though his cheeks warm a little bit. He isn't used to this, these unabashed touches in public.
