Mutual

Chapter One

It's been six years since I last saw Andy Fowler. That last time I saw him, he told me I was never gonna lose him. We haven't spoken since. Funny that. I mean, I've been keeping track of how he's doing via his social media and know that he's in a band. I'm happy for him. But we haven't spoken since. Well, apart from just now.

Sorry, did I forget to mention that we just bumped into each other in Tescos? He ended up asking me for coffee and, stumbling over my words, I agreed. I'd given him my number and practically ran out. I didn't even get a chance to buy the things I went in for. Oh well, I'll just have to get a takeaway tonight. I put my earphones in and click a random playlist. I trudge home humming to myself and thinking over what had just happened. My mind fills with all the memories of Andy and I. He's changed so much yet is still exactly the same.

I get in and the first thing I do is switch the kettle on. I'm gagging for a tea. As I'm waiting for the water to boil, my phone buzzes.

Unknown: Hey there, Hannah. Great seeing you today. You still up for a coffee? - Andy 🌵 x
Me: Hey! Yeh, it's been ages aha. I'm still up for it sure. Just text me when you're free. - Hannah 🤙 x
Andy: Okay great! Are you free tomorrow? I have a day off.
Me: Yeh I'm busy in the morning but I'm free in the afternoon.
Andy: Alright. Do you want to meet in Starbucks at maybe three?
Me: I'll be there ☺️ X

I lock my phone and start drinking my tea. It makes me slightly anxious to be meeting him again, even though it's been so long. Six years is a long time, right? Everything's so different, and anything out of my routine throws me completely off balance. I'm a simple girl, you know the type, still listens to One Direction, basic clothes, same routine day in day out (always including a Starbucks). Now I'm thinking about it, it probably is time for a change. I just need to find the confidence... 

It's five past one and of course, knowing me, I'm running late. Trust me. I slept in a lot later than usual because I've just been so exhausted lately. Ended up waking up at quarter to one. This forced me to rush to get in the shower and get ready which stressed me out a little, not gonna lie. Yes, I know I told him I was busy in the morning and that's because I was. Sleeping. No one gets in between me and my beauty sleep. Anyway, so now I'm a little on edge, which is great. I get to Starbucks and walk in. I suddenly start panicking about whether or not I'm in the right Starbucks. No, it's got to be this one. Right? It's the only one around here? I look around for Andy and panic a little more when I can't see him. Then I feel someone slam into me from behind. I tumble over. "Ooowcchhh" I groan as I land on my back.

"Oh my god, I am so so sorry I wasn't looking where I was going like the complete twat I am." A softly spoken voice says.
"No no don't worry, it's my fault really, I was stood in the entranceway. " I open my eyes to see the stranger's hand reach for me. But it wasn't a stranger.
"Andy?"
"Hi, Hannah." With Andy's help, I scramble up and we go up to order a drink.
"I'm sorry I bumped into you. I was running a little late and was texting you as I walked through the doors. I didn't see you.
"You have nothing to apologise for. You may have not been looking but I was stood in the way, panicking."
"You still having those panic attacks then?"
"Yeh..."
"I'm sorry." He hugs me. Collecting our drinks, we walk over to a table.
"Not your fault." I shrug.
"Tea in your sugar? Wait, no. Sugar in your tea? I wish there was something that I could do to help with this."
"I'm good, tryna be a lot more healthy recently. And it's gotten a lot worse recently but don't worry about it. Can we not talk about it right now? I haven't seen you in years, let's talk about you!"
"Fuck that! Tea without sugar is awful." He dumps two sugars in my tea and stirs it whilst we laugh. "I'm sorry I haven't been in contact. I'll try and make it up to you where possible. I've been really busy, but I suppose that's no excuse. Starting off with what you've missed. I don't know if you know this but I'm in a boyband now. Called RoadTrip?"
"Oh, yes I know. I still follow you on Instagram and now I'm a bit of a fan. Not missed a cover or original song yet. I'm a professional photographer and I have a YouTube channel which I upload vlogs on sometimes. I have around 679k subs and I have no idea why that many people want to watch my life but I love it."
"I'm not gonna lie, I know. I've been subscribed after I found it four years ago. I'm pretty caught up on the life you put on screen. I'm annoyed that I didn't reach out sooner."
"I guess we've both been tracking each other's lives even though we've not been in contact." We laugh.
Andy's phone starts to ring. I gulp down the last of my tea as I wait for him.
"So the boys have just asked me what time I'm coming home as they want to watch a movie and they want me to get some snacks. Would you like to join us?"
"I don't want to be in the way..."
"You won't. It will be a pleasure to have you there. Come on, let's go get some popcorn!"
"If you're sure..." I state cautiously.

We run around Tesco as it was opposite Starbucks, grabbing chocolate, sweets and fizzy drinks.
"Haven't we forgotten something?" Andy asks. We look each other dead in the eye.
"Popcorn!"
We grab some salted because that's obviously the best kind and walk over to the till. Andy pulls out his card and goes to pay. I'm not about to let him do that.
"ANNDDDYYYY YOU'VE GOT A BUG ON YOUR SHOULDER!!!" His eyes divert to his shoulder and whilst he's distracted, I put my card in the machine and type in my pin.
"Really? If you wanted to pay why didn't you just say instead of having me freak out for two minutes?"
"Because if I'd have asked, you wouldn't have let me." I pout.
"True..." He grabs the bags of food and walks out. "We can take my car if you want?"
"You took the car?"
"Yeh, what else would I have done? Walked?"
"I did..."
"Oh, sorry. Get in then, it's about a ten minute drive."

We chat for a while about things we've missed about each other on the drive over. Oddly enough it's as though he never left my life. Bantering like old friends. The car comes to a stop all to quickly.
"We're here."
This is where the nerves start to kick in.

~~~

A/N

Hiiiiiiii! This is my first ever book so I'm sorry if it's bad. I do hope you like!. Lemme know if you want any ships or anything in particular to happen in the book. Sorry about all the time skips, I'm lazy haha. I'll try not to make them so often. Thanks for reading.

Update:

It's been a little over a year and a half since chapter one was released! I never did finish publishing the book as I had a lot of school work and tbf the band ended up breaking up anyway :(((. I have a few draft chapters that I can eventually release but for now... I've decided to rework this book! It's currently undergoing editing and I shall work my way through and make sure it's of a better standard before releasing a few more chapters. I'm hoping to get this done as soon as possible as it's only editing but I do have lotttssss of college work so bare with me if you are re-reading or are new. 

As of right now, this book already has a total of 880 views, which is absolutely crazy to me! Thank you all for reading and supporting. I love you!

One more quick thing: this is just a small project I am doing whilst I'm still in college, but once this is done I will have finished college and will be releasing a whole new book that is in the works. It will be a lot better quality, and won't be a fanfic. I'm excited!

Again, thank you all so much!

Hannah ❤️

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