Breaking Free (Tom Holland) Book Two

Breaking Free Book 2 Chapter 1

The sound of airplanes roared overhead as my family and I made our way towards the entrance of the airport. They zipped through the sky, each one taking countless people to countless places. And soon I was going to be on one as well. It had been two weeks since I had seen my boyfriend Tom face to face and it was killing me. I missed him. I missed his touch, his voice, the way he held me, and most importantly, the way he kissed me. I could hardly fathom that I was one plane ride away from seeing him.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay alone?" Uncle Travis asked me for the hundredth time that day. He looked extra tired as he stroked his salt and pepper beard. It had gained a lot more salt in the last few months due to suddenly being a grand-uncle. And that was more than enough reason for me to want him to stay put.

I nodded confidently. "I'm sure. You've got enough on your plate right now. Plus, Valerie's going to need you more than I will."

Uncle Travis did not look comvinced. "But you've never flown internationally before."

"I've also never acted before but I managed to do that right?"

Uncle Travis looked like he was going to say something else but luckily Valerie stepped in. "She's going to be fine Uncle Travis. Besides, Tom will be meeting her at the airport as soon as she lands so she will really only be alone for the plane ride over there."

Chelsea cooed as she ate my sister's shirt collar. I smiled and took my niece. "I'm going to miss you the most," I told her as I tickled her belly gently. She let out a series of coos as she flailed her arms about. My heart melted.

"Come on let's hurry. If we keep talking out here she might miss her flight," Jason urged us.

I handed Chelsea back to my sister and we all grabbed some luggage. I quickly checked in for my flight. Then my family walked me to the security checkpoint. I recieved long hugs from each of my family members. As I hugged Uncle Travis I could almost swear that I saw tears forming in his eyes. I decided not to point them out though. I gave everyone one final wave before heading through security and towards my plane.

I got through security faster than I had anticipated. I had some time to kill before my flight so I decided to wander around the airport. I was looking through a gift shop to see if I could find anything to bring Tom when I heard a small voice behind me. I turned around and saw a little girl who seemed to be around 7 years old. She looked super shy as she quietly held out a notebook towards me.

I smiled and took the notebook. "What's your name?" I asked her.

"Mary," she almost whispered. I gave her my autograph and wrote a little message underneath it. When I handed the notebook back to her she read my message out loud. "To Mary, the sweetest girl I've met today."

The smile that spread across her face was absolutely precious. I gave her a hug before buying Tom's present and heading back to my terminal. I grabbed a pretzel and munched away on it as I waited. I tried to call Tom several times but he didn't answer. Trying not to get frustrated I wrote it off as being the fault of our time difference. I opened the book I had brought and began to read. It wasn't long before I was approached by another timid girl; this one in her teens. She was tall and lanky with fire engine red hair.

"Excuse me. I don't mean to bother you but are you Vanessa Elliot?" she asked.

I closed my book and looked up at her. "I sure am."

She let out a squeal. The dimples in her cheeks became exposed making her look extra cute. "I knew it! Can I have your autograph?"

I agreed and gave it to her. As I did she began to ask a lot of rapid fire questions. Before I could answer any of them a middle-aged woman came over to us. "Ginger leave her alone. I'm sure she doesn't want to have her ear talked off by you."

"It's okay really. I was getting a little lonely anyway," I replied.

To say Ginger was excited was an understatement. She looked at her mother pleasingly. "Please mom?"

Ginger's mom sighed. "Fine. But don't be afraid to kick her out," she told me before going back to her seat.

Ginger took a seat beside me. We held a pleasant conversation about myself and my career for a solid fifteen minutes before Tom's name was mentioned.

"So where are you going?" I asked her.

"To go visit family in Glasgow. I heard you're going to England to visit Tom," she replied.

"Pretty much everyone has at this point. It's hard not to know when he told everyone on national TV."

"His face was so cute when he realized what he had said," she giggled.

I laughed as well. "I swear that boy can't keep a secret to save his life. I'm surprised he was able to keep our relationship semi-secret for as long as he did."

An announcement came overhead informing us that first class boarding was beginning. Ginger looked like she was about to cry. "I wish I could sit with you," she whined as I began gathering my things.

"Let me see your phone," I told her. Quick as lightening I took a selfie and then snapped a picture of the two of us. She was over the moon and thanked me profusely. I waved goodbye to her as I boarded the plane.

Talking to Ginger somehow made me feel less nervous. I took my seat and called Tom one more time. When he didn't answer yet again I sent him a message.

Me: Just boarded. It's only a matter of time 8before I get to see your wonderful face again. See you soon ❤

The plane ride was long and uneventful. I was able to finish an entire season of a TV show I had fallen behind on. Unfortunately, due to nerves, excitement, and lord knows what else, I was unable to get a wink of sleep. By the time the plane landed I just wanted to curl up into a ball and fall asleep.

I exited the plane and followed the signs for baggage claim. As I weaved through the airport I turned my phone back on in order to contact Tom. I didn't have to though. As soon as I reached baggage claim I saw a large group of girls surrounding three people. One person, who was bigger and burlier than the other two, was trying desperately to keep the girls at bay. As I made my way through the crowd another of the three broke free and began running at full speed towards me. Before I could even register what was happening I was wrapped up in Tom's arms. It felt like home.