Icy twins & hot actors (The stars book 5)

The joy of Tom on stage

Tuesday

*Meri*

"How do I look ?" I ask for about a millionth time, turning in front of my sister as she is putting in her earrings.

I am wearing a red plaid skirt with a simple black top, my long hair held back by a simple braid that Lumi did. "You look great sis, relax".

I look at her, she looks perfect in a long purplish-grey skirt and a black top, her hair curled to perfection. "Thanks… you look amazing".

"So… what are you going to say when Tom asks you out on a real date ?" She picks up her clutch.

"Who says he is going to do that ?" I feel my cheeks flush. I have been thinking a lot about it these last two days. Is Tom the destiny I should not refuse ?

She rolls her eyes, before looking in the mirror, applying her hot pink lipstick. "Believe me, he is going to ask you out, so what do you say ?"

"I… I have to say yes, don't I… I would regret saying no. So I just have to get over the age difference". I put the bright red lipstick I am wearing in my purse, in case I need a touch up.

"Oh yes you do". My sister says with a grin. "You are young, enjoy life, have some fun. I mean you did look at him right ? That man is so damn sexy. No one says you have to marry him, but you can't say no to a ride on that train".

I make a face at her. "God you can just make it sound so… filthy… but you are right, he is very handsome and sexy".

"Of course I am right". She grins. "No I mean it sis, not many women get a chance like this. You deserve some fun, some happiness… and who knows, he could turn out to be the one".

"I doubt it". I shake my head slightly. "I am sure we are too different. But I mean what bad can come from a date or two ?"

"Or a roll in the hay". She giggles, making me slap her shoulder.

We walk to the tube and down to the train… just as we board it I hear a voice behind me. "Yes dearie… you are still on the right track … destiny awaits".

I turn just inside the door, seeing the old woman from my first day grinning at me… then the doors close. I go sit down, not saying anything to Lumi… she would think me crazy.

We take the train to where the debate is held, arriving around the time the doors open. I look at the line outside of about 1500 people, mostly women of all ages from 16 to 60 at least and turn to look at my sister. "Don't tell me all these women are here for Tom".

"Oh they quite surely are… better get used to it, you new beu is the internet's boyfriend and he has an army of female fans that adores him". She grins and takes my hand. "We better stand in line, not to attract too much attention".

We go to the end of the line, just as it starts moving inside. Honestly this scares me a bit. I do know a bit about women and how fans tend to react to women dating their favorite. Dating Tom could bring a lot of negative and unwanted attention.

"So, excited to see your man on stage ?" My sister asks as we move forward, making the closest people turn to look at us.

I glare at her and shus her. "Maybe you could not mention that out loud… you know the part with not wanting to draw attention".

"Oh yeah… of course". She grins. "Sorry I am just being very excited both for you and for seeing him on a stage. I have heard he is phenomenal".

I roll my eyes at her, but can't help smiling. The idea of that voice reading Tolstoy or Dickens for that matter, it has me just a bit excited too.

Finally we make it into the front hall, just as Tom appears up on some stairs. Of course our eyes meet and he lights up in a smile, lifting his hand in a wave. I wave back, before realising that a lot of people are looking around to see who he is giving attention to.

My sister quickly grabs my arm, pulling me to the table in the corner where they are taking care of the people with reserved seating, whispering to me. "Yeah he didn't get the memo of not attracting attention. Does he want you ripped to pieces by jealous fangirls ?"

"Shh… damn you are not making it better". I hiss, noticing how a couple of younger girls are looking at us.

"Sorry". Lumi turns to talk to the woman at the table, giving her our names.

She checks over her list and then she smiles brightly. "Oh you are Tom's special guests, I'll have someone take you to your seats immediately". Then she turns, yelling rather loud to a robust woman. "Vera, could you please show Mr Bennett’s guest to their seats please".

I kind of feel like hiding my face as Vera gently ushers us along to a special door. I can see people looking at us and whispering together. My cheeks are blushing.

"Oh we are so going to be the talk of twitter tonight". Lumi giggles and smiles as someone snaps our picture before we can slip through the door and be led to our assigned seats, front row, dead center.

"I don't want to be the talk of anything". I complain.

My sister ignores this, looking around. "Wow these are really great seats… cool to know the star, huh ?"

"Lumi !" I groan, my sister is not good at being quiet or discrete to be honest.

Finally the actors and professors come on stage and are presented. Tom of course gets a huge applause and wolf whistles. He looks over the crowd, making a small hand gesture, inclining his head. His eyes stops on me and a smile breaks out on his face, the butterflies in my stomach running amok.

They all sit down and then start talking. Honestly I only partially listen, my eyes glued to Tom. Watching as he tries to find a comfortable way to sit.

Watching Tom is a whole show on its own. He clearly tries not to look to much at me. Probably trying not to draw too much attention my way. But the man has a hard time just sitting there. He fiddles with his glasses, taking them off, putting them back on, pushing them up his nose. At one point he even pulls a rag from his pants to polish them.

He also moves around in his seat, changing his legs. Then he struggles to get off his coat and to find somewhere to put it, making me giggle. Apparently he hears me, because his head snaps up, looking right at me, before he grins a bit sheepishly.

His hand runs through those glorious curls, and every time one stubborn curl decides to stay, sticking up in an odd angle. When he isn't doing any of this, he is staring at his water bottle like it holds all the secrets of the world.

But the very best part is listening to him read, watching him get into a role. Whether it is reading the start of Dickens' bleak house or taking on the role of Levin in Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, making Kitty giving birth the funniest stage moment ever, he just brings something special to it. And that sexy British voice doesn't make it the least worse.

Actually the debate is rather interesting and useful for me as a literary major, but to be honest Tom has me rather distracted most of the time. Once in a while he looks directly at me, flashing me one of those smiles.

As the debate ends I am a bit nervous about what to do. I can't just go up there and I can't just leave either. So I kind of look at Lumi. "What do we do ?"

"Let's wait here for a moment. Look how Tom keeps glancing at you, he definitely wants to talk to you". She leans in to whisper.

And she is right, he keeps glancing over, as he talks to several people involved in the show. Both actors and behind the scene people. A lot of Tom's fans have gathered around the stage, trying to get his attention and close up pictures of him.

Tom looks at me, then looks to a door leading out back, then he looks back at me. Lumi tabs my shoulder and I answer. "Yes I got it. He wants us to go to that door".

"Yup". She says getting up and I see Tom smile as we walk to the door. A security guy opens, letting us through.

"Just wait here, Tom will be out shortly". He says with a nod.

Lumi looks around. "This is so cool sis. I could get used to this, so you better marry that sexy british hunk".

"Maybe I should start with getting her to agree to an actual date with me". Tom's voice sounds behind us, making us both whip around.

Oh s**t he heard, I feel myself blushing. Lumi just giggles. "Well it sounds like a good start".

"I can only agree". Tom walks over, a soft smile on his lips. "Thank you for coming, both of you".

"It was amazing Tom, it really was". I say softly, trying not to blush and keep looking him in the eyes.

He smiles and pulls me into a quick hug. "Thank you darling. It was fun actually". He lets go and turn to Lumi. "We haven't been formally introduced. Nice to meet you, I am Tom".

"I am Lumi, Meri's twin sister. But you already know that". She says shaking his hand. "So you better treat her well, or I will give you a black eye … or worse".

"Lumi !" I hiss at her.

Tom just chuckles. "It's okay, she is just being protective of you". He clears his throat. "So what do you say ? I am guessing you haven't had dinner yet… will you allow me to treat you to one ? Both of you of course".

"Meri would love to go out with you. I have some homework I need done for tomorrow, so thanks for the invite but I have to pass". Lumi says winking at me.

Tom looks at me, to check if this is okay with me and I nod. I have to take a chance. I can't deny fate any longer.