Monday morning hit like a crash.
Both Phantom Youth and Tokio Hotel were called into a last-minute meeting at the label’s Berlin office. Everyone sat in stiff plastic chairs, eyelids heavy, nerves even heavier.
Two producers from Universal laid it out cold:
> “We need better numbers. Engagement. Visibility. Especially from Phantom Youth.”
Then came the bombshell:
> “We’re shooting a joint music video next week. Full promo. Studio sets, magazine spreads, everything. It'll drop before the next tour phase to boost both bands. No weak links.”
Bill raised his brow dramatically.
Nina leaned over and muttered to Isadora, “This sounds like some weird PR stunt.”
Tom just blinked, jaw tight.
They were told to look excited. To smile. To agree.
They did. Kind of.
After the meeting, the bands split off. Isadora paced in the hallway with Tom, her arms folded tight across her chest.
> “They’re basically trying to turn this into a reality show now,” she muttered.
> “We’ll get through it. We always do,” Tom said, brushing her knuckles with his.
> “Yeah, but now we have to hide even harder. If they catch even a whiff of us being together during the shoot, they’ll blow it up — or worse, blame me.”
> “Not happening,” Tom snapped. “If they come for you, they come for me too.”
> “Tom…”
> “I mean it.”
They stood there in silence, hands barely touching, hearts racing. They couldn’t kiss. Not in the hallway. Not with Nina and Gustav probably walking past at any second.
But they wanted to.
---
The song? A moody, angsty track called “Bleed in Stereo.” A collab that leaned into both bands’ styles — heavy guitars, soft piano undercurrents, raw vocals.
The lyrics were a little too on the nose.
> “We’re screaming in secret / but no one sees us bleed…”
As Isadora recorded her verse, Tom watched her from the control room — headphones on, lips close to the mic, eyes shut. His stomach twisted.
> This wasn't just music anymore.
YOU ARE READING
"Strings Between Us
Romance2004. Germany. Tom Kaulitz is used to getting what he wants - the stage, the crowd, the girls. As Tokio Hotel begins to rise, so does his ego... until she shows up. She's the Brazilian guitarist in a rival band - quiet, sharp-tongued, and completely...
