Our Promises

16.

"I'm kind of nervous." I said to Harry as we waited on Tom at the gate. He was finally coming back from Thailand.
"You're just excited." He said.
"That's him!" Nikki exclaimed.
"Tom!" I screamed and ran up to him. I jumped onto him and he was not ready. We toppled over onto the ground.
"Hi!" I said.
"Hey!" He laughed. We got up.
"You're so tan!" I said and cupped his face.
"You're still pale!" He laughed. I punched his arm.
"Fuck off." I smiled and we grabbed each other's hand and walked back to the family.

5 months later
5 months. 5 months without seeing Tom. 5 months of dating Nathan. We were now boyfriend and girlfriend and had been for 3 months. He took me out on a date the Friday that Tom left and it was great. But at the back of my mind, it was always Tom. That kiss in the airport. But, I told myself that it was just in the heat of the moment. Just like last time. And the time when we were 16. But, Nathan was nice. He was kind and considerate and was funny. The sex was...good. It felt like it did back then. Nothing too spontaneous or anything. Just...sex. Normal sex. Which is fine but...anyway. I facetimed Tom but only when I was with his family. If I facetimed him on my own who knows what might have happened. I introduced Nathan to the Holland's once we had officially started dating and afte he met my Mum. They loved him, thought he was really cool but I asked that they never spoke of him to Tom. I didn't want anyone else to tell Tom but me and I didn't think it was appropriate to tell him over text. Jessica had decided that she wanted to move which I was happy for. It gave me a friend to talk to that wasn't talking about wedding's 24/7. Daisy's wedding was mostly planned too (thanks to me). But Jessica moved about a month ago and she lives a street away from me which is so good. But it was finally the day. The day that I would see my best friend again. I woke up to a good morning text from Nathan which I replied to. We talked briefly before I said I had to go. I didn't really. I just had to get ready. It was April and it was glorious weather outside so I put on a red bandeau top and blue high-waisted jeans. I shoved on some converse and I curled my hair loosely. Oh, yeah I had also went back to blonde during these 5 months. It was ombre blonde so it was dark drown at the top and then it faded into blonde at my ears. It was my natural hair so, why not. I put some lashes and liner on then I put some red lipstick on. I sprayed my signature perfume, grabbed my bag and headed to the Holland house. I got there and then we set off to the hospital. Paddy had made a sign for Tom and we even brought Tessa with us. We got to the airport and waited for Tom coming out of the gate. Paddy held the colourful sign high and all of us stood and waited excitedly and Tessa sat, unsure of what was going on. Then people started coming out of the gate.
"I'm nervous." I said to Sam.
"I'd be too if I had to tell him that I was seeing another guy." He said. Damn these Holland's and being straight up.
"You think it's going to be bad?" I asked.
"Well, it's not going to be good is it?" Fuck. "There he is!" Nikki said. I looked up and Tom was walking out of the gate with Harrison next to him and security around.
"Tom!" I squealed and I couldn't stop my legs from moving. I ran and ran until I finally reached him and I jumped onto him.
"Hi." I laughed into his neck.
"Hey." He chuckled. His arms were around my waist and it felt so right and good again. I dropped to the floor and faced him.
"Still pretty." I slapped his face gently.
"Hey," He laughed. We walked over to the family and we all caught up and walked out of the airport and back to the car. We drove back to the house and the boys all sat outside. I was making everyone a drink and Nikki was preparing dinner.
"So, are you going to tell Tom about Nathan today?" She asked.
"I think I have to. I've kept it long enough." I sighed.
"I just don't want to hurt him but I think I will either way." I said.
"That's probably true. But he will appreciate you telling him sooner rather than later." She said.
"This sucks." I moaned and put the drinks onto a tray and walked outside to where everyone was sitting.
"Here you are." I said and sat the tray down I took my glass and sat next to Tom.
"What's up?" He asked.
"Nothin." I smiled.
"You seem weird today." He laughed.
"Do I?" I sipped my drink.
"Yeah, what's wrong?" He asked. No, not the right time.
"Nothing, I promise." I said.
"Okay." He looked at me dubiously then turned back to whatever the conversation was that he was having before.

We had stuffed our faces with food. We were now all sitting outside in the cool, spring air chatting and reminiscing. Tom and I sat together on a small couch and shared a blanket. My legs were swung over his lap and his hands were on my knees.
"No, the funniest Ambush was when Blair fell into the stream and got soaking and covered in dirt and shit." Tom laughed.
"Hey! That wasn't that fun for me!" I pouted. "And then you guys made me keep playing even though I was freezing and soaked." I laughed.
"That was funny." Harry laughed.
"I remember when we all went on holiday together to the Isle of Wight and you guys and my parents went to go on a walk and you left all of us in charge of everything and Tessa." I started the story.
"And Paddy was sitting in the tent and he fell asleep so we zipped the tent up and then we just kind of left him there." We all laughed. "And then we all went into the water and we were there for a bit and then we just see the tent like rolling down the sand." We were all laughing very hard at this memory.
"And Paddy was just screaming bloody murder and rolling around in the tent because he couldn't find the zip." I laughed and wiped the tears from my eyes.
"I thought I was getting kidnapped!" Paddy said.
"Oh man." Tom sighed. My phone started to ring. I got it out of my pocket and looked at the name tag. Nathan.
"Who's Nathan?" Tom asked from behind me. I got up quickly.
"Her boyfriend." Paddy said. Everyone went silent.
"I have to take this." I said and went inside. "Hey!" I said calmly, pretending Paddy didn't just tell Tom what I had told them not to say. "Hey babe, do you want to catch a movie tonight or are you still with your friends?" He asked nicely. God he's so nice can he just not? "Sorry babe I'm going to be here all night." I said.
"That's fine, no problem. Text me when you're going to bed, okay?" He said.
"Yeah of course. Okay night babe." I said and we hung up. I hung my head and sighed. I turned around and Tom was standing at the doorway looking at me confused.
"You have a boyfriend and you didn't tell me." He said. Oh man he was mad.
"I didn't want to tell you something like that over facetime Tom." I said.
"You kissed me. You kissed me at the airport!" He said.
"I know! I think it was just another in the heat moment." I said and looked down.
"And then straight after you kiss me goodbye you go on a date with some guy." He said.
"He isn't some guy Tom! Nathan and I dated in Scotland and now he works in the hospital. And now he's my boyfriend." I said. "Wait...he's the Nathan you fucked on your 18th birthday?" Tom asked.
"Yeah. Yeah he is."  I said.
"I thought he was a dick." 
"I did too but he's completely changed. I really want you to meet him." I said and walked to Tom.
"Please?" I asked. He sighed.
"Yeah I will." He said with a slight smile and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my hair.
"Love you." I said.
"Love you too." He said. And he did. He really fucking did.