Phantom Youth + Tokio Hotel Tour Prep – Berlin Studio
The studio buzzed with life—guitar riffs spilling from open doors, stylists rushing in and out with clothing racks, and soundchecks echoing through the halls. The first leg of the 2006 tour was just days away, and everyone was moving on adrenaline.
Isadora adjusted her flannel in the mirror backstage, her hand subconsciously resting on her lower abdomen. It was still flat. Nothing showed—yet. But she felt different. Slower. Warmer. More careful.
Nina popped her head into the dressing room. “You okay?”
Isadora nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah. Just tired.”
Nina walked in and closed the door behind her. “You told him, right?”
Isadora nodded. “A couple days ago. He was actually... happy. We’re going to the clinic again this week to confirm everything.”
“I’m so glad,” Nina said softly, giving her a long hug. “I’ve got you, you know?”
Isadora’s eyes welled up. “I know. I’ve got you too.”
Rehearsal Room – Later That Day
Tom was sitting on a road case, guitar across his lap, fingers mindlessly strumming a mellow riff. His eyes tracked Isadora as she spoke with the vocal coach across the room.
He couldn’t stop thinking about the baby. It still felt surreal.
“You good?” Bill asked, plopping down beside him with a soda in hand.
“Yeah,” Tom said quickly.
Bill raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been spaced out since Magdeburg. Don’t tell me it’s ‘girl stuff.’”
Tom smirked. “Maybe it is.”
“Dude, don’t get soft on me now,” Bill teased, nudging him.
Tom chuckled, but his stomach flipped. He wanted to tell Bill. He really did. But it wasn’t just his secret.
Later That Night – Isadora’s Apartment, Berlin
Isadora sat on her bed, legs curled beneath her, going over the setlist with headphones on. Her phone buzzed — a text from Tom:
“Hey babe. Made you a playlist for tomorrow’s clinic appt. Check your email. ❤️”
She smiled, clicked over to her inbox, and found the link. It was full of love songs. Really old-school stuff too. Like 90s R&B. She pressed play and bit her lip to keep from crying.
He was doing everything right.
But she was already starting to feel the weight of hiding it from everyone else. What if people guessed? What if fans turned on them? What if something went wrong?
Meanwhile – In the hallway outside
Bill stood in the hallway with Georg, whispering.
“You ever feel like Tom’s hiding something?” Bill asked.
Georg looked surprised. “Like what?”
Bill shrugged. “I dunno. He’s been... different. Quiet.”
Georg smirked. “Maybe he’s just finally growing up.”
But Bill wasn’t convinced.
Something was coming.
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...
