The First Punch [t.h.]

Chapter 11 - Hoping On The Rain

Tom stirred awake, body cracking and aching as he rolled over, facing his curtain-covered windows. His eyes slowly opened, staring at the curtains in a state of exhaustion. Everything hurt from the day before. Ribs, head, face, stomach, hands, and unfortunately, his heart still ached. He closed his eyes and replayed the events of stopping Arthur all over again.

Arthur's face was red as a stop sign and he was going to hit her. SJ's face turned to the side and scrunched, looking terrified but Tom and Mikey ran without a word and just stopped it. There was no thought process. Tom didn't think before doing it because he didn't have the time and quite frankly, he didn't care. Sure, he'll probably pay for it but even laying in bed with terrible aches it'll take a bottle of ibuprofen even ease a fraction of, he doesn't regret it. She was terrified and he's not gonna let Arthur hurt her. He just wishes she wouldn't have lied to him.

Tom opens his eyes again, noticing no sunlight coming through the bottom of the currents. Instead, he can hear the pelting the rain hitting his windows. He rubs his face with a sigh, remembering the night with SJ because the rain reminds him of her and in more than just what happened the other night. It's rain because it's the first time he got to really sit down and talk with her. Rain usually sucks the hope out of people. It leaves them feeling sad and sometimes uncomfortable but all the rain did that night and right now is give Tom hope. Hope that maybe he's worth her time and she'll let him in.

He grabs his phone form the charger and unlocks it. He's met by a text message from SJ. It was sent last night after he'd already fallen asleep and there's an uncontrollable warmth that spreads through his chest.

"Thanks for tonight ya know pulling arthur away and shit and mikey told me what you said to arthur so thanks and im really sorry"

To say it was unexpected would be an understatement. Tom just didn't expect her to bother texting him despite the night before. She seems the kind of person to just let people do their thing. She's all but literally said those words. But, she texted him anyway because he deserved the thanks and Tom is kicking himself because there's no way she's using him. He's going to stay pissed about the lying and about the entire situation but that text and look of on her face when he caught her last night, it's enough. She looked at him like he was her hope in the pouring rain.

Tom scans the screen and allows himself to reply. It's simple and to the point because he needs a few more days until he's ready, really ready to talk to her. A few days won't hurt and he hopes she'll understand. Eye for an eye even. So, he sends his message and tosses the blankets away from him and places his feet on the floor.

The scent of scrambled eggs clouds Tom's nose as he enters the hallway and goes to the kitchen. Harrison is standing over the stove, making breakfast, Tom's stomach growling with the sight of the food. Tom walks over the island and takes a seat, Harrison glancing over his shoulder with a quirked brow.

"You alright, mate? Look a bit like death." Harrison chortles going back to his food, one of the few things he can cook without issues.

"I'm not wrong for being pissed, ya?" Tom asks bluntly.