A Cliché Love

8

Tori dropped Tom off at his house, the car ride being silent other than the soft sounds of Harry Styles being played on the radio. Both of Tom's parents get home a few hours after school ends, so he walked into an empty house. This was something he has gotten use to over the past year, ever since his brother passed away. The two of them use to come home from school together and do their homework while making snacks. It still felt weird to Tom, that he was living like an only child, even though he knows he isn't.

Tom shook off the thoughts that were roaming in his head before it ruined his entire mood. He let his thoughts change over to his plans that are coming up with Eric. He finally decided what he wanted to do with Eric, and he decided if it Eric called it a date he would be okay with that, but if he didn't that would be okay too. Tom changed out of his lazy Monday shirt, which was a Boston University shirt, into a light blue shirt, throwing a tan bomber jacket over it. Tom very quickly got used to the California weather, even 50 degrees was chilly now. Tom paced around the house, not knowing what else to do before Eric came to pick him up. Tom wasn't sure if he would ever stop getting butterflies when Eric's name popped up in his head, but he also wasn't sure if he wanted them to stop. His heart jumped even harder than before when he heard a knock on the door, signaling that Eric had made it to his house. Tom took a deep breath before answering the door.

"Hi." Eric's voice was light when he took his first look at Tom. "I feel like it has been ages since I've seen you, two days is two too many."

"I would definitely have to agree with you." Tom felt a smile creep onto his face at Eric's words.

"Should we get going? I can't wait to see what you have planned for us!" Eric reached his hand out for Tom to grab, which Tom accepted. The two of them gave soft smiles as they walked hand-in-hand to the car. "Where am I driving to?"

"Okay, tell me if you think this is a completely stupid idea, I won't be offended at all. I think if we go to the Santa Monica Pier it would be really fun! We can go get ice cream, do some people watching, and maybe walk on the beach a little bit?" The more Tom talked, the more he realized he plan this like a date.

"That sounds amazing! I'm craving some Scoops right now, so that sounds perfect! You get to choose the music we listen to on the way." Eric handed Tom the aux cord before pulling out of the driveway. Tom scrolled through his music before settling on Imagine Dragons. They kept the volume at a low volume, both of them slightly humming along to the music.

"Did you have this when you picked me up on Saturday?" Tom was trying to think back, all he could remember was One Direction playing.

"Umm" Eric has a small blush rush across his face "No, I bought it after school today because the only CD's I have in here is One Direction and I didn't figure you would want to constantly be hearing them." Tom's heart grew at the idea of Eric being so nice, although he doesn't mind listening to One Direction. He smiled at the fact that Eric is expecting Tom to be in his car over and over again. Santa Monica isn't very far from where Tom lives, but in LA traffic, it tends to make it feel like its years away. The two of them found random things to talk about the entire time it took them to get there, never having a moment of silence. They were fighting over raisins when Eric pulled into a parking spot which was right by the beach.

"You LIKE raisins? Nobody likes raisins Eric, they're just kind of a food that are there." Tom was actually disgusted by the news he just found out.

"That's not true Tom! They're basically nature's candy! They're delicious" Eric fought back as he got out of the car. The two continued their fake fight as they walked towards the pier.

"What flavor do you think you're going to get? That's always the hardest choice for me, I want them all." Eric groaned as he stared at the menu.

"I was thinking the Salted Caramel? But whatever flavor that blue one is looks good too!" Tom walked back and forth between the two ends of the ice cream case, trying to decide between his flavors.