“Stop it Tom! You know how ticklish I am.” Hailey giggled as her boyfriend tickled her everywhere possible.
“Exactly! And I’m not, so you can’t do anything to stop me! Haha.” He laughed as he kept on tickling her.
“Oh come on! You’ve got to be one bit ticklish somewhere Tommy.” She attempted to make him laugh, but he wouldn’t budge. Finally he caved and started to laugh once she’d gotten to his stomach.
“That’s enough deary. I detest it when you get me.” He told her.
“Well don’t get me!” She said sticking out her tongue.
“But you’re so adorable, Hails. I can’t help myself.” Tom said smiling at her.
Hailey sighed as she got off the couch. “We better start cooking dinner. When is he going to be here?”
“Well, it’s 5pm now, he should be here in two hours time.” Tom said as he followed her into the kitchen.
“What did you say he loved to eat?”
“He likes Pizza, Curry and Jaffa cakes for deserts.” Tom informed her.
“Oh, really? Where do we get these Jaffa cakes?” Hailey asked as she pulled out some foods from her fridge. Tom shrugged as he sat down at the kitchen table. “Well you could at least set the table, Tommy.” Hailey told him.
“But he won’t be here for a while.” Tom protested.
“Come on. If you get it done now, you won’t need to do it later.” Hailey said as she pulled out the dough for the pizza she’d soon be making. “What toppings does he like?” She asked quickly after the dough had been spread and the tomato sauce on it. “Peppers?”
“Let me give him a ring.” Tom told her as he finished placing the three plates on the table. He quickly dialed up his mate’s number and asked him about his favourite pizza toppings and came back to Hailey with different news. “Uh, James says he has a guest he’d like to bring along, is that alright dear?” He asked.
“That’s perfect! We’ll have so much pizza anyways!” Hailey said.
“Good, coz I already told him it was fine.” Tom smiled.
“And the toppings?” She said, not too surprised.
“Umm, I forgot what he’d said. But, he basically will eat anything Hails, just put it all on there. The way I like it.”
“Alright, this better be good.” Hailey answered once she’d placed on the toppings on her precooked pizza.
“Now you put it in the oven and we can go find some deserts.” Tom instructed her.
“Yes, I know. Hold on. Let me put the oven to 400 degrees here, get changed, and then we can go.” She gave Tom a kiss and ran upstairs.
“Brilliant. I’ll wait out.” Tom said as he put on his sneaks and stepped out to his Mini.
Minutes later he and Hailey were at the nearest bakery looking for Jaffa cakes.
“ ’Scuze me miss. Do you have any Jaffa cakes?” Hailey asked politely to an old broad.
“Yes we do. Would you like me to get you one fresh from the oven?” She asked. Hailey nodded. “Two, please.” She added.
“Will do.” The lady smiled as she went out back to the bakery.
“So, who’s he bringing again?” Hailey asked Tom as he was looking through the counter glass full of lovely scrumcious cakes.
“A mate.”
“Does he have a name?” Hailey asked suspiciously.
“Matt.”
“Oh, right. I hope they enjoy the pizza. Does Matt like Jaffa cake too?” Hailey asked worriedly.
“I’m sure he’ll have some to eat. I don’t believe he’s picky with foods. I don’t know him as much.” Tom admitted.
“Well, after this feast” Hailey started sarcastically, “I’m sure you’ll be a shoe-in for the band.” She smiled patting him on the back.
“Maybe we should go for the chocolate cake. Everyone loves chocolate.” Tom whispered.
“What’s that?” Hailey asked.
“Nothing. I just hope I get the part. James seemed like a really nice guy when I met him.”
“I bet he is. And they’ll love you, no doubt.” She smiled as he gave her a hug and held her in his arms. “Have you been working out, or what? Your arms are nice and firm!” Hailey commented as she stroked them softly.
“Nope, just been practicing my riffs on guitar everyday.”
“Don’t I know it? We hardly have any time together anymore. What will I do when you become all famous?” Hailey said worriedly.
“Don’t be such a worry wart. I’ll always be here for you.” He said reassuringly.
“Good. I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Hailey said as she turned around to kiss Tom. But then, the lady who’d gone off to get the cakes coughed three times quite fiercely and so interrupted their closeness.
“Here ya go miss.” She said after her interrupting cough. “Two Jaffa cakes. That’ll be 15.29$”
“I’ll get it.” Tom said as he pulled out some pocket change. “15.29 on the dot!” He said happily.
“Thank you. Come back soon!” The lady smiled as they waved good-bye.
“Alright. Let’s hope the house hasn’t burnt down and that we can get everything together on time!” Hailey and Tom jumped in the car and were off for the small apartment Hailey owned with her big sister.
“Alright, I believe everything is set, Hailey. No more panicking.” Tom said as he pinched Hailey’s bottom. She jumped and slapped him on the shoulder.
“I told you to stop that!” She said giggling afterwards.
“Spot on. But do I ever listen?” He answered winking at her.
“Of course not.” Hailey shook her head. Just then the bell went off.
“I got it.” Tom said running for the door. “Hello mates. Come on in James, Matt.” Tom greeted properly.
“Hey there Tom. Smells good. Where’d you order from now?” James laughed.
“From me.” Hailey said popping out of the kitchen.
“You’ve got your own chef?” Matt said. “Cool.”
“No, this is Hailey. My girl.” Tom corrected them.
“But still I’m used for my cooking.” She laughed. “You must be James. I’ve heard so much about you.” She said sticking her hand out.
“Yeah, I’m him. By the way this is Matt. But what’s Tom been saying?” He asked interestedly.
“Well,” Hailey started but got interrupted by Tom.
“Why don’t we go sit down in the living room instead?” He pointed towards the couches in the room next door to the kitchen. They all followed Tom, as Hailey went to fetch some drinks. “Cola, boys? Or would you fancy some alcoholic beverages?”
“Not tonight darling. I’m driving.” Matt confessed. “But a cola would be nice.”
“As for me, I’d gladly take sex on the beach” James said non- chalantly.
Hailey roared with laughter.
“What?” James asked with a grin on his face. “It’s a drink!”
“I know, I know.” Hailey said.
“And it was a joke. Coke is fine with me.” James smiled as he picked up a guitar that was lying beside the couch. “Have you been writing any songs, Tom?” He asked.
“Well, actually, I’ve got a few. Let me get my book.”
“He’s got a book!” James said. “Lovely. Organized this one, unlike some of us!” He turned towards Matt shaking his head.
“What? I found my guitar strings eventually!” Matt objected.
“Right, after we had already used mine!” James said still shaking his head.
“Get over it.” Matt uttered as Tom returned with a box full of bits and pieces of paper and a few semi-filled booklets.
“Enjoy.” He said as he threw the lot on the table.
“Holy mother of-.”
“Your mother?” Hailey interrupted Matt. “Vegetables and dip anyone?” She said smiling as she put down a plate full along with their drinks.
“Yes, please!” James jumped in for a few carrots. “Yum yum!”
*
A few hours later, all four mates were sitting ‘round the kitchen table eating cold pieces of left over pizza and were having a few laughs.
“Oh mate. I’m so glad we did this.” James said patting Tom on the back. “It was great food too, Hailey.”
“Glad you liked it, James. But we haven’t even had desert yet.”
“DESERT?” James beamed at the sound of the word.
“Yes, you’re apparent favourite too.” Hailey said sneaking in the fridge.
“Jaffa cake! Jaffa cake! Jaffa cake!” James jumped like a six-year-old child about to open his birthday presents.
“Yeah, we just ran out to get them. They’re quite fresh.” Tom said merrily.
“I’ve already cut it up into pieces. Go ahead and have a bite or two.” Hailey offered as she placed the plate on the table, nudging it towards James.
“Or three!” he said, eyes wider then his stomach, “If you don’t mind.” He looked up at Tom and Hailey.
“Not at all!” Tom said as he took a piece to himself.
“Well,” Matt said as he placed a piece of cake in his mouth, “I have truly enjoyed myself tonight. Especially jamming. That was magical.”
“Yes! Indeed! Those bits of songs! Those are keepers! Mind if I take the lot?” James asked.
“Well, actually.” Tom said uncertainly.
“Never mind. They’re yours. How rude of me.” James interrupted before Tom could say anything.
“We’ll be in touch with you, definitely Tom. But, we still have a few more people to go through. And it’s mostly up to the producers.”
“Right, I understand completely.” Tom lied.
“Wait, what are the chances then?” Hailey asked.
“Well, we’ve got to meet this lad Charlie, and then this other one, Steve. But you’ve got quite the talent Tom. I’m sure you’ll make it no matter what.” James said reassuringly.
“Of course.” Tom smiled.
“Well, this cake was lovely. Maybe next time, you’ll get us for a cup of tea?” James winked.
“Maybe!” Hailey said smiling. “Only if you get in.,” she whispered to Tom.
“Alright mate, we better go. It’s about midnight already!” Matt said as he got up from his chair. “It was a pleasure to meet you Hailey.” He said pulling his hand from out of his pocket so he could shake hers.
“And you too.” She smiled.
“Indeed.” He answered as he followed James and Tom to the door.
“Well Tom, we’ll get to you as soon as we can!” James said putting on his shoes.
“Glad to hear it!” Tom said nervously wishing he’d be a shoe-in.
“Alright alright, enough of this. We’re gone! Goodbye mate! Have a good one!” Matt said waving as James shut the door behind him.
“Wow. So that’s James and Matt, eh? They’re kind of cute.” Hailey laughed. “Are you sure they’re 2 years older? I swear, James could be my little brother Ben!”
“Yeah, they’re both 17 right now, Hails. And right now, I’m tired.” Tom yawned. “But how did you think that went? I think the cake was the best part. James loved it. Did you see how rudely he scarfed it all down? I enjoyed every moment of tonight.” Tom sighed. “They seem to like me, don’t they?”
“Are you serious? I think they would’ve adopted you!” Hailey said putting her arm around Tom’s waist.
Tom smiled and laughed a bit. “Thank you for this whole night. I think I should be leaving soon as well, dear.” He kissed her on the cheek.
“Yeah, it’s almost time for you to go home, sit on your bed and play some more guitar!” She laughed. “Look at your fingers, Tom! They’re almost bloody!”
“Yeah, they were.” He said checking them out.
“Gross.” She said sarcastically.
“No, it really kind of was.” Tom said as he pulled on his jacket.
“Well, I hope you enjoyed tonight, because I thought it went down wonderfully!” Hailey smiled as she moved in closer to Tom and pulled him in by his jacket.
“You’re too wonderful. I don’t deserve you.”
“For all those songs you’ve written about me. I can see that.” Hailey laughed. “You’re too good for me, dude.”
“Dood” Tom mocked her.
“Shut up.” Hailey pulled Tom in for a snog. “Goodnight.” He whispered as they parted.
“Night.” She answered as she closed the door shut after him.
*1 week later*
“Hello, can I speak to Tom Fletcher please?” a voice asked on the receiver.
“Yeah, this is he.” Tom answered.
“Great. This is Hank Deverly from Interscope records, and I’d just like to inform you that we’ve found the third member for Busted and it’s Charlie Simpson.”
Tom’s heart stopped for a second, and then he finally regained awareness of what was happening and where he was. “Thanks.” He said simply as he hung up the phone.
He was about to pick it back up to call Hailey to tell her the news, but found that someone was still on the other line. “’Ello?”
“Tom? It’s James. I’m sorry about that. I didn’t have the heart to tell you myself. But you should meet Charlie. He’s a great mate.”
“Uh huh” Tom said half listening in.
“But no, that’s not why I’m calling. I’d still like to work with you. The whole company will. That’s why Hank called you.” James started.