Mutual

Chapter eight

Hannah's POV

It's Sunday today. Mum came down last night but she's going back home with Thomas today. I decide to cook them both breakfast and surprise them. Mum's usually an early riser and up by eight. I get up at half seven and wander into the kitchen. The house is lifeless, which calms me. I end up cooking pancakes and I stack a load on a plate. I put it in the middle of a tray and put two empty ones next to it. I then fill a couple of mason jars with Nutella, strawberries, lemon juice and sugar so they have an assortment of things to choose from. I tie ribbons around the jars to make them look prettier and add two glasses of orange juice.

"Ooh that looks right nice! Can I have some?"
"Flipping heck, Kathryn! You made me jump. And yeah course I'll make some more for us in a moment, I just wanted to give them something nice for their last day here."
I walk through into the room that my mum and brother are sharing. Thomas is still out cold but my mum sits up as soon as I come in.
"Awh thanks love, you didn't have to."
"Don't worry. I'll let you eat that in peace."

I go back into the kitchen and get out the ingredients to make more pancakes. But then I remember, "Shit. We're out of eggs."
"I'll nip to the shop and get some."
"Great, thank you. Can you grab some milk as well please, we're quite low on that too."
"No problem."
She pulls on some shoes and heads out. I go to start tidying some of the mess when my phone starts ringing.

Andy: Hey.
Me: Everything okay?
Andy: I'm great actually. I know I haven't spoken to you in a few days but I was just wondering if you would like to meet today with all of us after we've been to the studio.
Me: Well my family are going home today but I don't know what time.
Andy: Okay just let me know.
Me: Will do.

I hang up as my mum comes out.
"They were gorgeous, thank you love."
"No problem. What time are you leaving today?"
"Trying to get rid of me are we?"
"No of course not."
"We're leaving in about ten minutes, unfortunately. We need to get back as we have stuff to sort out."
"Awh okay."
Thomas comes out ruffling his hair up. He hugs me. "Mum, my stuff is all in my bags. I'm ready. Thanks for having me, Hannah. And thank you for the breakfast."
"No problem. Nice seeing you guys. Visit again soon!"
"Or you could bring your lazy arse back up to Sheffield for a while." Thomas laughs.
"Fat chance of that happening."
Mum takes the bags out to the car and comes back and hugs me and Kathryn, who just got back from the shop.
"I'm gonna miss you girls. Look after each other."
"Of course." we chime.

We wave them off. Once the car was no longer in sight, Kathryn and I walk back into our house. I make our pancakes, and we eat them whilst chatting.
"So what are we doing today?" Kathryn asks.
"Do you want to meet up with RoadTrip today? I think they've got studio but they said after."
"Will Sonny be there?"
"Should be."
"Then yes." I laugh at her before pulling my phone out.

Me: Hey Andy, family's just gone. We're free for the rest of the day so just text me when you get out of Studio.
Andy: Why don't you come to studio with us? We were about to set off anyway. You could see us in action lol.
Me: Omg really? That would be awesome.
Andy: Okay. I'll come pick you up.
Me: 😘

"We're going to studio"
"What? But I can't sing?"
"Nooo you numpty. We're going with the boys so they can record. And you can sing so shut up. Go get your shit together."
"Ooohhh okay."

I scrape my hair into a ponytail and put on a little makeup. I'm wearing skinny black jeans, a purple hoodie and black ankle boots. I grab my phone as the doorbell rings.
"Kathryn! You ready?"
"Of course."
We open the door to Andy. After giving hugs, we head out to his car. Sonny is already in the back seat with Jack. Andy gets in the front driver's seat and I get in beside him.
"Kathryn, you'll have to sit in the middle because you're the smallest." Jack says.
Andy winks at me and I realise he brought them on purpose, so Sonny and Kathryn can sit together.

We arrive at the studio and go inside. Rye and Brook are already there.
"Jack you're going to do your parts first." Rye says.
Jack nods and goes into the booth, before adjusting the mic and his headphones. I listen to Jack in awe. "God, he's so talented. I wish I could sing."
"Yes you can, remember that talent  show you entered when we were fourteen?" Andy mentions.
"That was a bloody disaster."
"You still came second."
"Only because everyone else became ill because of those brownies."
"Okay, maybe the wrong example."
 "Yeah maybe."
"Maybe you and Kathryn could do a cover with us."
"Yeah maybe."
"Andy! It's your turn in the booth"
"Okay."

He leaves and I go over to Brook.
"Hey, love."
"Hey." He pulls me into his side.
"Where's Kathryn?"
"With Sonny in the back room."
"Oh."
"Hey, umm Hannah?"
"Yeh?"
"Do you want to go on a date with me?"
"No."
"Oh."
"I'm just kidding. Of course, I do."
"Phew. I need to go to do my part, I'll see you in a bit."
"Okay."

Kathryn walks out with Sonny and beckons me over. Sonny goes over to Andy and hugs him.
"You okay?"
"Yes."
"What happened in there?"
"Oh nothing we were just talking. Getting to know each other really. Though, I think I really like him."
"Really? You should tell him. Aah, you'd be so cute together."
"No I can't. He literally just friend-zoned me."
"What? Why what did you say? This better not be another Kyle situation."
Kathryn glares at me and I know she hates me for mentioning his name. "Nothing, he just said 'Oh I'm so glad to have a friend like you.' Surely that means he only likes as a friend."
"You have a point. I don't know. I think you should still tell him."
"Nah it's okay."
"If you're sure. Anyways Andy asked me if we want to do a cover with them."
"What really? I'd love to! You might have to put a shit ton of autotune on my voice though."
"Don't be silly. You won't need any."
"I wonder what song we'll be doing?"
"I'm not too sure."
"Boys that's a wrap! Well done. We're shooting the video tomorrow, so be up for eight. You're free to do whatever you want for the rest of today." Andy says.
"What time is it?" Jack pipes up.
"Half four mate." Sonny replies.
"I didn't realise we'd be so long in the studio." I say.
"It depends what song we're doing. It also depends on whether Brooklyn messes up his lines so much." Rye laughs.
"Sorry." Brook mutters.
"Can we go back to ours and have another movie night?" Sonny asks.
"Ooh yes! Do you think it's still too early to watch Christmas movies?" Brook says excitedly.
Everyone answers, "YES!"
"Okay, chill!"
We laugh and Sonny nudges Kathryn gently. "Kathryn, are you coming?"
"Obviously."

We get back to the boys' house for about five, and Rye orders us all pizza. Whilst we wait for it to come, we debate about what film to watch. In the end, we go with avengers endgame. Some people were all for it, like Kathryn, but others weren't too bothered, like me. I manage to fall asleep on Brooklyn.

When I wake up, I see that I'm not in the same place that I fell asleep in. I roll over to see Brooklyn gazing over at me. "Morning, beautiful."
"What time is it?"
"Quart to eight."
"Shouldn't you be getting up? You've got a cover to film today. What time's Robbie, Alex and Connor coming? Where's Kathryn?"
"Woah! Slow down on the questions. Yes, I was just about to get up but I didn't want to disturb you. They're coming for nine and I've no idea where Kathryn is. I think she and Sonny stayed up later than everyone else watching movies."
"Oh okay. I guess we should go and let you do your jobs."
"You could always stay."
"I could. But then I'd never go home."
I roll out of bed and go over to Brook's wardrobe. "Can I borrow a hoodie?"
"Yeah course."
I pull out his essentials one and exchange it for my current top.
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"Nevermind. You look cute in it."
"Thank you."  

I blow him a kiss and waltz out of the room to go and make a tea. Arriving in the kitchen, I spot Kathryn, standing very close to Sonny.
"Morning guys!"
"Morning Hannah!" Sonny repeats back to me in the same energy.
"Hey."
"We're going in a few minutes, Kathryn. I'm just getting a drink."
"Awh but Sonny said we can stay and watch them film their cover."
"Thank you, Sonny, but Kathryn and I need to go."
"Don't worry about it."
"You can go but I want to stay."
"I wanted to talk to you though."
"Whatever you have to say to me you can say it in front of Sonny."
"What? Are you joking?"
"No."
"Kathryn, maybe you should go."
"Oh so you want me to get away from you as well then, Sonny? Thanks."
"What? No of course not."
"Kathryn, we should go home."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Fine."
"Fine."
I end up walking home on my own.

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