If The World Was Ending - Tom Holland

Chapter 7

"Cheers!" We all shouted as we clinked drinks. This past week had felt like time had been fast forwarded by 10, there was so many phone calls about contracts and future offers, discussing writing and recording times. It was a lot to take in. The week was a blur to say the least.

Many congratulations to me went around the table, congratulations for a freaking record deal. I'm now a signed artist. That's crazy. Although just because I had a record deal, does not mean that I'm not scared for to upcoming events. For starters, writing. I'm going to have to be in my most vulnerable place in front of people I hardly know. Then what if my music actually does well, then I'm going to have to perform in front of large crowds that I don't know. I just don't think I'm ready. But I promised that I would take a chance, so that is what I'm doing.

I was surrounded by some of my closest friends I had at that moment in time; Rosie, Dave, Harry, Sam and Tom, James had to stay in Edinburgh for work.

"So will you be coming down to London more often?" Harry asked.

"It looks like it, well at least while we are still sorting out the logistics of the deal, and also while I'm writing. There is a recording studio in Edinburgh I can use, but I'll probably have to begin the recordings here too" I explained.

"Well if you ever need a place to stay, I have a spare room in my apartment, and Harry and Sam live just down the road if I'm not home" Tom suggested awkwardly.

"Aww Tom thank you! That is so sweet of you!" I said in awe.

"Yeah well it's practical, and I know that accommodation can be expensive when travelling, and we are friends, right? So it's not like I'm just opening up my home to a complete stranger..." He trailed off, with a concerned look on his face.

"Yes of course we are friends silly! But thank you so so much, I might just take you up on your offer" I continued with my smile reaching my eyes, Tom smiling too. 

"No funny business whilst I'm not there" Harry muttered next to me, getting a strange look from me. No one else seemed to have heard his comment.

The group continued chatting about anything and everything, from the opportunities I may be offered to each of our favourite ice cream flavors, real mature adult discussion. By 11pm, I was beginning to get tired, after the long day of signing paperwork, so Rosie, Dave and I picked up our coats, along with the guys, making our way to the train station. 

"Thank you guys for coming out tonight and celebrating with me" I told them, moments before the train would be arriving. 

"We like spending time with you" Harry said with a smile. 

"More than with this guy" Sam added, nudging Tom.

"Hey!" Tom said with his sweet British accent emphasized. 

"Don't worry Tom, I like spending time with you" I said, feeling my cheeks heat up under the cold England wind. He smiled before looking down at the floor nervously.

"Okay, let's leave before their flirting get out of hand" Sam said turning around.

"What?!" I said confused, turning to see both Rosie and Dave grinning.

"Oh look, your train is here" Sam pointed to the train chugging along the tracks slowly. 

"Well thank you again" I said, hugging each one of the boys after Rosie, Dave following with one of them bro hand shake things, practically slapping them on the back. 

After boarding the train, I looked out the window to see the brothers waving as the train began to leave the station. After waving back, the twins turned around to walk off, leaving Tom standing on his own, still waving. He realized shortly after, when Harry yelled at him to hurry up. He turned back with rosy cheeks from the cold, waving one last time before running after the boys. 

I felt my stomach turn, clutching it, before turning back to Rosie and Dave who sat opposite me, Rosie with a massive grin on her face.

"What?" I asked her.

"Nothing" She said, clicking her tongue. 

I turned back to the window, to see that we had moved on from the platform, making our way back to Scotland. 

***

"How was your visit?" James asked the next night as I entered the pub, ready for my weekly performance. 

"It was really good yeah. I'm now a signed artist, so that is good I guess" I told him.

"Congrats Kiara! That's huge! Although, as much as I want to hear all about that, I want to hear more about the company" He added.

"What? Leon Dawson? Island Records" I asked confused.

"No! The people you spent your night with, who you celebrated with, when I couldn't be there" He replied.

"Oh... yeah... It was fun, we went out drinking... again. Don't worry, I didn't get drunk, I just had a couple of celebratory glasses" I said.

"And what about the guys?" He asked again.

"What do you mean, what about the guys?" I asked, not giving him what he wanted.

"Stop playing dumb Kiara, you know what I'm talking about" He sighed.

"The guys were lovely as always. Tom even offered me a place to stay when I'm in London" I said.

"Wow, isn't it a bit fast to be moving in together?" He asked with wide eyes.

"What?! No! He just has an extra room that I can stay in if I need, because like, hotels and stuff are expensive" I explained. 

"Yeah that's why..." He muttered.

"What?" I asked for clarification.

"Nothing" He added. 

"I don't get why you are so obsessed with him" I questioned, confused.

"I uh- just think that you two would be a good match. He is cute, you are cute, you would make cute babies..." He trailed off. "Remember, we are taking chances, doing this we never would have before" He suggested.

I shook my head, "I have already taken my chance, thank you very much, now it's your chance, your time, not mine" I concluded. 

"Whatever" He said scoffing, and the returning back to his duties at the bar. 

"How is your chance taking going anyways?" I asked curiously.

"Oh you know..." James trailed off, still working, now not giving me the answers that I wanted. 

"James" I said sternly. 

"I'm scared okay" He said quietly.

"I was scared once too" I said over-confidently, half lying. Sure I was scared once, I just missed out the part where I am still petrified.  "Come on, you have got this. If I can take a chance, anyone can" I said speaking only the truth this time. It was true, for someone like me who is terrified of everything to take a risk, I believe that everyone can, even if it is small, and is the only risk they will take for the rest of their life, because that is about how I feel right now. "You've got this" I added quickly before James could see fear completely take over. 

I set up my usual spot on stage, ready for my performance to begin.