Chapter 11
"Tea?" I yelled as I locked the front door.
Soph shouted back her affirmation. Smiling, I walked doggedly into the kitchen and flicked the kettle on, then hunted around the fridge to find the ingredients for a meal. Mugs clinking in the cupboard informed me that Soph was trying to find some clean ones.
"Where's Cam?" I asked.
"He finally asked Damien out!" replied Sophie jovially.
"No way!"
"Yeah! They're having drinks and the going out for an Indian."
"Aww, that's nice," I cooed. "It's so cute – they've both been crushing on each other for ages but neither thought the other was interested. It's good for him, you know, 'cause he's been single since Chris. The Singles Syndrome is not good."
"Speaking of which..."
"Sophie, don't start," I snapped. "I blew that big time and I... I just... I can't..."
"I know, I know..." she sighed. We sat in silence and she handed me my tea, that she'd made during our gossip and my mini-break down.
"Sorry," I mumbled after a few minutes. She smiled forgivingly.
"I know how you feel," she said softly.
I looked at her, and saw her properly, for the first time. Her clothes were scruffy and white, far from her usual immaculate colourful day dresses or black joggers and vest top she wore for hangovers or chilled days. She looked deathly pale, like she'd been dipped in white emulsion; her eyes were red rimmed and sore, and her face had no make up.
"How are you faring?" I asked gently.
Her eyes were shiny as she smiled sadly. "I'm holding up. I'm in shock I suppose."
I hugged her. "We're both battle-scarred, but someday we're gonna be big stars with beautiful husbands and babies in big houses in Hollywood."
She laughed. "You, maybe. But me -"
PING!
"Ungh!" I whinged. I disentangled myself from her. "Its been going off all day, it's really irritating -"
Oh my God, I mouthed.
I'd unlocked my phone to find a message on Twitter... from Karen Gillan. I fell backwards into a chair as my knees gave way.
"What is it? What is it?" said Soph, panicked. I showed her my phone.
" 'matthew. smith Gmail. com' ," she read out. "'Haley, please e-mail me. I want to explain. Matt x.' Haley..."
"He gave me another chance," I whispered, relief pouring down my spine.
"Haley... This..." Sophie was gobsmacked, spluttering incoherently. She took a settling breath. I closed my eyes.
"HALEY!" she shrieked. "ERMAHGERD! MATT GODDAMN SMITH ACTUALLY PROPERLY LIKES YOU!"
Oh, well. The silence was nice while it lasted.
MATTs POV
PING!
"Sorry! Sorry, everyone!" I blushed, fumbling to silence my phone.
"He's sorry. He's so, so sorry!" laughed Steven.
"I'll answer it later, carry on." The blood refused to shift from my face as the whole room sniggered into their scripts. Jenna, who was sat to my right, squeezed my hand. I smiled at her gratefully.
"How's about we go from the top of 'disassembled quadrocycle'?" grinned Steven.
"Yeah! Yeah," I complied. I re-centred myself and tried to find the Doctor again. "Ooh, quite a lot actually," I read. "Your dad phoned earlier..."
Later, when I was in the canteen by myself (well, as by myself as I got) after the read through had finished, I checked my phone. I'd assumed that it was a random text from my mum, asking how everything was going. She had a tendency to do that. I had a cup of tea and a double chocolate cookie. I unlocked it quickly as I took a mouthful of tea.
I nearly choked as shock and adrenaline hit my system.
Twitter had a message.
07743792576. Call me so I can explain. Please. Just humour me. H Xxx
A/N: Another chapter since you guys have been so diligently reviewing for me. I really can't thank enough for that! :) This is the end of the chapters I had stocked up on during my absence, so you may have to bear with me while I find the time type the next one. Sorry guys, but exams are coming up so they have to take precedence.
Please keep R&Ring regardless of me, because it honestly helps me get focused and creative. There will be more chapters, this I promise!
Love as always,
Fish Custard xxx
