Outlaws // Taron Egerton

Twenty-Five

Just let me cry
A little bit longer
I ain't gon' smile
If I don't want to

Rose-Colored Boy
Paramore

• • •

TARON

     Idris isn't picking up nor returning any of my calls, and I'm starting to panic and overthink what could have happened to her.

     I don't want to appear a bit clingy, though, but here I am. It's been four hours and I'm worrying.

     I hear my phone ring and catch a glimpse of the caller before I answer. It's my publicist and I groan before I pick up.

     "Hello?"

     "Good afternoon, Taron. Just a little update. I'm in the midst of finding you another 'girlfriend'. Margaux, or should I say Idris Blythe got fired by her management earlier this morning."

     They what?

     "The movie promo is approaching, Mia. You don't have to do that. I'm better on my own. I don't need it." I retort, almost interrupting her mid-sentence. And I could've sworn I practically yelled at her.

     "Okay then. You said it. I'll see you soon." Then she hangs up.

     This is why Idris hasn't been picking up after she told me to call her in two hours. I can't imagine how upset she is at the moment, and I can't bear not knowing how she is right now.

    "I was just about to close the door, but are you all right?" Luki enters my room through the bathroom and sits beside me on my bed.

     I shake my head in response, breathing slowly to calm myself down. "Idris got fired earlier this morning. Our stunt is discontinued."

     "No it's not. Remember, you guys made a vow that you guys are going to be a thing as soon as this PR assignment ends. Take it like a stunt, but you guys are really in a date this time. And at least you guys can glare at the paps this time."

     "What?"

     "Back then you guys are meant to be seen with each other. Now it's all changed, but your relationship still have people's attention. 'Relationship goals' remember?"

     I nod and arch my eyebrows, waiting for him to continue as I make up a back-up plan in my head, which is for some reasons, may appear like selfish, because I'm constructing all of it with Idris still down. So, that's the first thing I am going to address. I need to make sure she's all right and okay with the plan before I pursue but it might take a while. I'm willing to wait.

     Luki doesn't speak, though. He grabs my wallet from the nightstand and slap it on my chest. "She's definitely pretty upset at the moment and we both damn well know you are going to leave in two minutes to go to her house. Buy her something nice on your way."

     "Will do."

I got Idris a bouquet of roses and people from the shop, of course, either recognised me or was told that I'm an actor. Hence, them asking if I did something to upset my girlfriend or if it's a 'monthsary' gift, etcetera. Personally, monthsary sounds odd to celebrate, but I won't rain on other people's parade.

     Anyway, I'm holding them behind me and knock on Idris' door with my free hand. I gave her a text that said I was coming over, but I'm not sure if she's read it.

     I hear a sound of a car passing through behind me, but I don't entertain it. As much as I want to take a peek inside her house by looking into her windows, I don't want to appear like such a creep.

     Something lands on my shoulder and leaves me shocked. I turn around and see Idris standing, smiling at me and carrying a bunch of paper bags from different stores. She doesn't look like she's been crying at all which is good. Or maybe it's the makeup, but I don't think she is wearing any. Her cheeks are of natural blush.

     Something tells me that she's been waiting to get fired. I know that she's been very tired lately from pretending to be insensitive all the time. At least now, she can give herself a break.

     Awkwardly, I hand her the flowers that was suppised to be a surprise. "For you."

     She presses her nose on a bud like she does the last time. Then, she tiptoes for a little smack on the lips. It's like electricity is travelling down my spine. She pulls away like it's a normal thing for her when I'm standing here, eyes wide open.

    "I spun out of control today. I take it you know what happened now."

     "Yes, Mia told me. I gave you multiple calls and you never picked up. I was so worried about you."

     She takes her phone from her phone and frowns at the sight of the missed calls. "Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry. My phone was in my bag the whole time. My parents found out and the last thing I need to hear is their 'I-told-you-so's."

    "It's fine. At least there's new outfits to try on." I help her with the bags and she reaches for the keys in her pocket.

     She opens the door and we both get in. Margie greets us both with adorable and intermittent meows as I place the shopping bags on the couch.

     "Someone's hungry," Idris says as she heads to her kitchen and leans down to scoop from Margie's sack of food and place it down the bowl.

     "Poor Margie. I'm just now realising I didn't get to fill this baby up food. It should have automatically served her treats."

     Margie runs towards the food bowl and eats eagerly.

     Idris faces me and grins. "So, what do we do now?"

     "Are you all right? That's what I want to ask."

     She nods but she's pouting, looking like she is almost in tears. Next thing I know, she's on my arms, crying. And it pains me to see her like this. I hug her tight as she sobs, then she breaks away.

     "My parents are willing to offer me a position in the company and I could work here if I want. I hate desk works and my dad dictating what I do."

     "But?"

     "It's the only way I can survive. I don't want to get involved in Public Relations anymore. I came here to be an actress in the first place, not a puppet."

     My heart breaks even more. Sadness rubs off me and gets replaced by anger. Who the fuck told her that she should be involved into something like this to be an actress?

     I have no words. Idris is a nice person, and I'm convinced that some people took advantage of it. And I feel sad just by thinking about it. No one deserves this.

     She holds my hand and leads me to her room where she wraps her arms around my waist. She looks up to me, she stopped crying but she's still sobbing a bit. "I wonder what would it look like if you didn't look past Margaux's flaws."

     I press my index finger against her lips. "Just be glad I did. And I will help you get through this, okay?" She looks down again, so I lift her chin up to look at me. "Just tell me what I need to do to cheer you on. I'll do it."

     "Just let me cry and be sad. Don't stop me. You know I'm going to recover but I'm just going to need to let it all out. Please?"

     As much as I don't like seeing her sad, she's got a point. These emotions can't remain bottled up. It's dangerous to go silent for a long time and pretend she's happy. She can explode.

     Biting my lower lip, I nod in response.