Better Together • Tom Holland

85 [Twitter + Real Life]

tomholland1996:
Merde to my love ClaireNicholson tonight on her debut as Juliet. Sitting third row center for ya 💙

Tom put down his phone and smiled. He was so proud of Claire, and he couldn't wait to congratulate her after the show.

3 hours later

Claire was sitting at her spot in the corps de ballet dressing room, finishing taking off her stage makeup. She was exhausted and her feet hurt, but none of that mattered. Ever since she'd first seen The Royal Ballet rehearsing Romeo & Juliet, the day before she met Tom for the first time, she knew that she had to be Juliet. She just had to. And now, she'd done it.

A knock on the door startled Claire out of her thoughts. She wiped under her eyes with the cloth one last time before getting up and answered the door.

Standing outside, with a huge smile on his face and a bouquet of red roses in his hand, was Tom.
"Come here" he said, wrapping his arms around her small frame. "You took my breath away, congrats baby," he whispered in her ear. Claire pulled back, smiling, and gave Tom a quick kiss.

After putting away her headpiece and getting her bag, the couple left the dressing room, holding hands. As they turned the corner, a loud chorus of "Congratulations!" echoed in the hallway. Claire dropped her bag in surprise and her hands flew up to cover her mouth. Standing there in front of her were Chris, Elizabeth, Sebastian, Anthony, Scarlett, Jeremy and Robert.

Elizabeth ran to hug her first, hugging Claire so tight she could barely breath. After they all gave Claire a hug and congratulated her, the group began to walk out together, discussing their favorite parts of the night.

"Oh Claire, you were absolutely glowing on stage. I cried so many times," Elizabeth gushed. Claire turned red, and replied,

"Thanks Liz, I'm happy you came. Actually, thank you to all of you guys for coming, it means a lot."

"Of course Claire, you're family now, and what kind of family would we be if we missed your debut?" Chris said.

"Thanks Chris."

"Oh I almost forgot, Paul wished he could've come but he's filming something right now," Jeremy said quickly.

"It's okay, I understand. I just wish my parents had been here tonight."

The group had just left the building as Sebastian suddenly stopped.

"What do you mean? You're parents didn't come!?" He asked, almost angrily. In the time they'd known each other, Sebastian had become very protective over Claire, and he considered her his little sister.

Tom squeezed Claire's hand and whispered, "You don't have to say anything about them if you don't want to."

"It's okay," she replied to Tom, and to the group, louder this time, she explained, "My parents just don't really care that much about me, they've got they're own problems to worry about and they just don't have enough attention to give me. It's fine, you guys are my family anyway, let's leave it at that."

Since the conversation had turned a little solemn, Tom suggested that they meet up tomorrow for lunch.

They all went their separate ways, and Claire couldn't help but marvel at the fact that she had a family now, a real one.

ClaireNicholson:
Friends are the family you choose 💗