Tom Holland: Short Stories

Surprise - Tom Holland

My foot tapped quickly, my arms crossed. I'm hiding under a bus stop shelter. Waiting for Tom has become the usual for me ever since we got together. It's not necessarily a bad thing unless it's cold and raining. Which it is. I pull out my phone to call him when it rings. It's him.

"Hey babe, where are you?"

"I am so, so sorry I'm late. I promise I'm almost there, I'm driving, I'm on my way."

"OK. But hurry, people are staring and stuff."

"Yeah, hon, that's called dating a celebrity." He laughs. The laughter sounds funny over the phone, which makes me giggle too. We wrap up the phone call and I go back to tapping my foot and trying to hide my face from passers-by. Thankfully, Tom's car pulls up to the sidewalk not too long after.

"Hope you didn't have to wait too long!" He jokes.

"Shut up you muppet. Ready to go in?"

"I don't know why you haven't already love."

"Well love, I didn't want people to think I'm a lonely old... loner. Whatever. Stop laughing at me, let's go."

He takes my hand in his and leads me inside. The restaurant was Tom's choice. It's very fancy, with mostly rich couples dining in. He's booked the most private table for us, which is different, but hey, I don't mind some peace and quiet. 

"Hey, we have a reservation? It's under 'Holland.'" The waitress's eyes go wide but she stays professional. 

"Of course, right this way sir, ma'am." Tom squeezes my hand as the young lady leads us to our table. The restaurant isn't that busy tonight, maybe because it's Tuesday night. Or maybe not. We order our food and drinks and talk about work, and friends, and life. 

"It's a great story, promise. I'm just really, really bad at explaining it."

"Hah! Because you never read it."

"I-I did, I read it, I can't believe that you don't trust me!" 

"Oh, you are so incredibly funny, Tom. Your jokes crack me up."

We're both howling with laughter, and I'm pretty sure I'm turning blue from lack of oxygen.

"OK, OK, so I didn't read it - shocking, I know - but who cares, I can Google it."

"Haha, yeah OK."

"Hey, wanna leave?"

"What, why? We haven't even had dessert, and I know you love dessert."

"Yeah, well we can get ice cream or something later. Let's go for a walk."

"Alright." I agree, and before I know it, Tom and I are walking the streets, hand in hand. Suddenly, he stops in his tracks.

"What is it?"

"There's this ice cream truck in the park. The best ice cream there is. Let's go!" He breaks into a run, dragging me along behind him before I have a chance to protest. Looks like we're going to the park then. When we get there, though,  there's no truck in sight. I look closer around the park, thinking I can't see it due to the darkness of the night.

A giant BOOM rips through the silence.

I practically jump into Tom's arms, and he pats my hair slowly, half mocking me, half sincerely soothing me.

"Calm down, it's just fireworks." He chuckles.

"I was promised ice cream." I have to shout now, with more and more fireworks going off in the sky above. They're quite beautiful. I cast my gaze up to them, marvelling at their varying colour and shape. 

"Hey, wait, Tom, did you plan this or something?" Looking around, I realise that my boyfriend is nowhere to be seen. "T-Tom..?"

"Down here, darling." 

I scream and clap my hands to my mouth. Tom is kneeling in front of me, presenting me with a gorgeous ring that is glinting in the moonlight. 

"Y/N L/N. You are the most wonderful, lovely person I have ever met. The most beautiful, gorgeous person I have ever seen. I have loved and cherished every moment I've spent with you, and I promise that I will continue to love and cherish every moment to come. I love you, Y/N. Will you marry me?"

"Yes, yes, of course, Tom! Yes!" Hot tears stream down my face, surely ruining my makeup, as Tom carefully slides the engagement ring onto my finger. It's a gorgeous gem, shiny and large, but all I can look at is Tom. 

He looks so relieved that I said yes, he's hugging me tightly and kissing me tenderly, lovingly but so full of passion and want, and I am so, so exceptionally happy.