Break or Bond

Chapter 3: Square One

TOM POV
From the time we met up outside of set and got in the Uber to the time we got to the restaurant and ordered our drinks, it was almost dead silent.

It wasn't until we both chugged two beers each and our appetizers came in did we actually hold a decent conversation, catching up on what we'd been doing.

Tom: "Yeah, y/n's pretty easy to work with, in more ways than one," I chuckled, regretting it as soon as I said it- He'd literally just complimented on my scenes today and I felt somewhat guilty about it, but-

Harry: "I can imagine," he chuckled, "She's pretty easy to get along with," he replied, seemingly unbothered.

Maybe I was the only one who felt awkward?

But for the first time tonight, we both kind of glanced up at each other and made solid eye contact... But it went away as soon as it came... Yeah, maybe not. 

And we'd silently make a pact to not mention her name anymore, both of us unwilling to address it.

We found ourselves talking about the most random things and though there was a tension in the air, it was still nice to laugh and reminisce with my brother.

By the time we were halfway done with our meals, I had almost choked on my steak at a joke he made and I shook my head wondering how we got to a point of such uneasiness when we first got here.

Tom: "Listen, bro-" I cleared my throat, still chewing on the same piece of steak.
His ears seemed to perk up as he looked up at me with his eyebrows raised as if to ask: What is it?

Tom: "I know things have been kind of weird and I think I know why, but like, neither of us really want to say what's on our mind either even though I think we both know. Or maybe we don't, I don't know, but-"
His face suddenly looked a little panicked as he stopped chewing on his food, but I soon realized that he wasn't paying attention to me... And I turned around at the sound of that familiar laugh.

Speak of the devil.

She'd just walked in the restaurant and of course, was seated immediately. 

She was following the host, who seemed to crack a joke or perhaps compliment her, but what really got me was her date.

He was a tall guy with dark hair and even darker eyes, a sly smile on his face as he followed her lead through the restaurant to their table.
She thanked the host and they were just about to sit when she embarrassingly caught my gaze, but her face lit up as she waved, briefly placing a hand over her date's before making her way over.

She greeted the both of us with a kiss on the cheek and I suddenly felt that same tinge I felt when I found out Harry had his own trailer, followed by the same guilt I felt for even feeling that way, for being upset that we were treated as equals for once.

Y/n: "Can't get enough of me, huh?" She joked.
Tom: "Hey, we were here first," I joked back.
Y/n: "Maybe I can't get enough of you guys then," she laughed, but it only made the both of us adjust in our seats, "So, have you been here before?"

Harry: "Our first time actually, but the food is great. I assume it's not your's though?"
Y/n: "Definitely not... But the dessert is even better," she whispered, "Sometimes I'll just get their brownie sundae delivered because I like it that much- Oh, and with two extra scoops of ice cream."
Harry: "Noted," he and I chuckling, but nodding and glancing at each other a bit awkwardly.

Y/n: "Well, I better get back and stop bothering you. I'll see you guys Monday?" She said it like it was a question, but already started to walk away.
Tom: "See you," I managed to call out.