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Chapter 42

A/N kind of a filler chapter but oh well.. also shoutout to spideyboyx for making the incredible new graphic for my story! Xo

I padded down the stairs quietly, not wanting to wake up Stacey. Archie greeted me excitedly and I let him outside while I got his food together.

He bustled back inside when he heard the scooping of his biscuits and was dancing around my feet. He got to work on his breakfast while I made myself a coffee.

I switched the tv on for some background noise and got started unloading the dishwasher. Pausing quickly to pour milk into my coffee. Taking the steaming mug towards the couch, I sat down and had a scroll through my social media apps. I checked on instagram again and saw the photo Tom posted last night. Most of the comments were really sweet, a fair few people were asking if we were dating or just friends and some people were saying I wasn't good enough for him.

It was strange having some people you've never met tell you that you aren't good enough for the person you're in a relationship with. I tried to not let it affect me, because at the end of the day, thats exactly what they wanted.

Stacey came down the stairs shortly after I sat down.

"Mornningg" I said to her.

"Morning, can I make a coffee?" She asked me rubbing her eyes, still waking up.

"Of course, theres mugs above the sink. Coffee and sugar are in the jar next to the kettle, milks in the fridge" I told her and finished off my cup of coffee.

"I was thinking maybe we could go out and get breakfast, I know a great place" I suggested to Stace, she was holding her mug in both hands, breathing in the smell.

"That sounds great, I can drive us there"

"I'm just gonna go get dressed" I said as I passed her, putting my empty mug in the sink. I headed up stairs quickly and flung open my closet door, looking for inspiration on what to wear.

I picked out a black t-shirt dress, some black warm tights and my faux snake skin black and white boots. I also unhooked a black coat from a hanger to threw that on top of the rest of my outfit.

Running my brush through my hair quickly, my wavy locks looked way more tame and I was ready to go. When I got back downstairs, Stace was lacing up her converse on the couch.

"Ready when you are" I said, slipping my bank card in the back of my phone case. I tucked my phone in my inside pocket. Stacey was wrapping her scarf around herself again before we stepped outside.

I called out goodbye to Archie and we headed out. Stacey and I climbed into her pale yellow bug and drove off toward Lucy & Jaces cafe. We pulled up and got a park a few spaces down from the front door. I swung my door open and stepped out of the car, the cold air pricked at my cheeks.

The days were getting colder and colder and I wondered when it was going to snow. I'd only seen snow in person twice in my life before, and I thought it was magical.

The jingle of the door bell was such a familiar sound to my ears now. Lucy was standing at the till and looked up to see who her new customers were.

"Hey Lucy, hows it going?" I asked her when we reached the front counter.

"Hey, not bad. How are you two?" She replied.

"Yeah pretty good, this is my friend Stacey" I spoke, flicking a glance to Stace when I spoke her name. They exchanged hello's and we grabbed two menus and took a seat at my favourite spot by the window.

After browsing the menu we'd both decided on our meals and Stacey went up to order first. While she was gone, I pulled my phone from my pocket and saw I had a text from my mum.

Hello Rhylee, we hope England is treating you well. Don't get into any trouble. Love mum x

I could hear her curt and mostly disapproving voice in my head as I read the text again. Even on the other side of the word, she still managed to scold me and make me feel immature. Deciding not to reply to her message, I clicked in to my conversation with Tom.

Hey, could we face time tonight?

Stacey sat down in the chair opposite me, I grabbed my wallet and headed up to order. My stomach was starting to grumble as the delicious scents of fresh baked pastries and such filled the air.

My phone buzzed from inside my coat and I checked it before heading back to my table.

I'd love too, I'll ring you around 2:30pm London time

Can't wait to see you. Hows your day going?

I replied to his message.

We're all finished for today, we had a press conference and some interviews. Heading off for dinner soon x

My phone buzzed again.

I bet you're exhausted, hopefully you'll get a rest day soon xx

I tucked my phone back in its place and turned my attention back to Stacey. She started telling me about her date with Harrison. They were planning to go out Friday next week, he'd pick her up from her house, then they were off to dinner and bowling afterwards.

Stace had a week to put together an outfit, we talked about going shopping together in London on my day off during the week. I could tell from the smile on her face that she had genuine feelings for Haz, and I hope he had them for her too.

Our food arrived somewhere in the middle of us talking about what shops we were going to hit up in London. By the time we'd eaten and finished our drinks it was almost midday. Stacey and I got back into her car and she dropped me off home.

I waved goodbye from the footpath as her little yellow car drove off. Archie was wagging his tail and jumping up and down when I got home. I promised him a walk later as I opened up the back door for him, so he could play in the grass. Taking the stairs quickly, I went to my bedroom to shower and get more presentable for my call with Tom.