FOR LONDON [1: TOM HOLLAND]

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

unknown
I know I shouldn't meddle
but iris encouraged me the slightest amount
and what can I say, I'm a weak willed man
besides, you and maria are stupidly dumb and oblivious
how could I NOT interfere
I'm basically your fairy godmother!!
no thanks necessary, though

tom
uuhhh
while I appreciate all of that
whatever it was
... who are you ??

unknown
oh! probs should started with that
lmao
it's jake
I waved enthusiastically at you from maria's balcony yesterday when you walked her back to the building

tom
you were waving ??
sure looked like you were blowing kisses to me

jake
well duh I was doing that too
c'mon tom
I have eyes
you're a handsome man
but so NOT the point rn

tom
well I have to say i'm flattered but my attention is currently elsewhere

jake
dude I KNOW
that's why I'm messaging you in the first place

tom
yeah about that
did Maria give you my number ??

jake
oh no iris 'accidentally' sent it to me

tom
but --
nevermind
she scares me I'm not gonna question how she obtains anything

jake
good bc she might curse you

tom
could --
could she??

jake
do you really wanna find out ??

tom
good point
so like
not that I'm not enjoying this conversation
but any chance you can like cut to the chase bc I have a flight to catch real soon and I'm too cheap to pay for wifi lmao

jake
oh sure
about that
I would heartily encourage you to delay
just for a day or two

tom
you would ??
uhhhhh ,,
why ??
??????????

jake
okay time for some stellar advice from one of maria's boys to another:
you gotta go for it, man

tom
go for it ??
for what ??

jake
do I really have to spell this out for you

tom
y-e-s
also one of Maria's boys ??
I think you're mistaken here

jake
oh bro I really don't think I am
in fact I know that I'm not wrong here at all

tom
uh

jake
you ever listen to for london
and kinda wanna cry?

tom
I mean just a little
but that's normal
everyone does that
go on twitter
you'll see

jake
see I do the same when I listen to for vienna
bc hi — it me!

tom
I kinda knew
I mean the two of you haven't exactly been subtle about it

jake
that's because that same kind of love is very much in the past, tom
that girl is the best friend I have and ever will have, probably
but what you hear in for london, that love ?? it's still there, man

tom
I really --
is this a prank ??
did iris dare you
it wouldn't surprise me
I kinda think she hates me

jake
hey, iris may be harsh, but she's certainly not heartless
and to her credit, she hates all of us equally

tom
yeah sorry that was kinda mean of me
it's just
this is a lot to take in, you know?

jake
oh hey I absolutely get that
but I need you to hear what I'm saying
You !! Are !! London !!
that song, those lyrics; the words that she wrote, are all for you, tom

tom
doesn't change that fact that it's to a boy she's LOVED before

jake
oh PLEASE
headass just wanted a moody, poetic sounding name for the album
she very much still loves you tom

tom
so why not say something?

jake
why didn't you?

tom
. . .
touché

jake
no need to thank me
I'll be a humble genius cupid all by myself in silence

tom
are you sure me delaying my flight is a good idea ??

jake
if it's not I'll eat my socks

tom
yikes jake
I've seen the colour of those things
for your sake you'd better hope this works out

jake
see, I'm THAT confident
so like just spend one more day with her, okay?
see if you believe me then or whatever

tom
I
I guess I could do that

jake
correct!
that was surprisingly easy actually
whew am I glad I didn't have to release iris's full force onto you

tom
me and you both, pal

AUTHOR'S NOTE: was this how the book was supposed to go ,,, no. are we going with it ,,, ig