NOTE: This one's longer and divided into YOURs and Tom's POV. Let me know what you think.
Tom's POV
The lift to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles took a surprisingly good one hour in spite of the Saturday night traffic. My three best friends in the whole world comfortably sat on the leather seat across from me while they amiably bicker over Harrison's phone. For the first 45 minutes of the ride, they have been checking out places where Gabby, Harrison's girlfriend of two years, could celebrate her I-survived-another-year-in-medical-school. The four of our I-would-rather-stay-at-home asses prefer eating in, hanging out at the others' flats and watching reruns instead of splashing out on the temptations of the city. We incessantly gen up on Google maps and sometimes ask our American friends for local hotspots. Besides, we don't stay here that long unless we have to.
Harrison, who's more like my fourth brother than a friend and assistant sat at the center of the group. He enlisted his opinions quite vivaciously and read aloud the review from the illuminated screen on his left hand. But my eyes remained glued to the woman on his left who was currently holding down Harrison's wrist in order to steady his hand as she read and mouthed the words to herself. For a fleeting moment, my heart skipped a beat.
After almost three months of shooting films, pre and post productions overseas, I got to come back to California for final promotions. Which meant thousandths phone and video calls, hundredths of text messages and occasional scenery and food photographs of each city we had both been filming in. Though Harrison was with me the whole time, it was nerve-wrecking not to see another familiar face in between stressful and overwhelming situations. I could barely contain myself when we landed last night.
The second after the airline stewardess announced the passengers are allowed to turn on their electronics, I switched mine off of Airplane mode and immediately sent her a message that read:
Guess who's back. :)
I clung to my phone and grabbed my backpack from the overhead cabin. I dialed her number and was about to press the Call icon when Harrison interposed in his as-a-matter-of-fact voice.
"Mate, don't call her." His back to me as he reached for his stuff on the bin opposite mine.
"Wasn't gonna." I lied, turned back around and quickly shoved my phone in the pocket of my hoodie.
"Gab's not answering my messages an hour before our flight, so they're probably asleep now. " He placed his carry on luggage down in front us. "You need to calm your pants. We'll see them at 5 today." He snickered, hitting me with his backpack just as he was about to sling it over his shoulder.
My erratic heart was going wild with just the thought of finally seeing her. More so, upon seeing her in that dress. I, for one, don't mind the outfits that make her look like she's going to a board meeting instead of formal evening ball gowns that fit the occasion. She always look stunning in everything. She had also re-worn two or three items of clothing during numerous awarding shows. Her stylist, almost quit out of frustration.
She doesn't like being showered by expensive gifts. Most luxurious items that were being delivered to her, she gave them up to charities an auctions. Fan gifts and souvenirs took a whole shelf in her flat. "The small and simple things we do for people are what matters the most, Tom." She advised.
My mind drifted back to the months after I landed in Physical therapy for almost a year. She, with all her benevolent, un-judging nature and her daily bible verses of encouragement, got me through the months I thought I could never dance the same way again. I started to attend church with her every Sunday together with our families back in England. We still do it here in LA, purposefully cleaning our schedules every week to go to church. And here I thought I couldn't adore her even more.
"The Edison it is! Gabby's sudden exclamation snapped me out of my reverie. "What do you think Holland?" It took me a half a second to recover. Three pairs of excited eyes waiting for my answer.
"Yeah, yeah! I'm in! I'm in! Course I'm in! Definitely!... Er.. right Harrison? I mentally racked my mind on my changing schedule next month.
"Yeah, yeah. I wouldn't let you work on my girlfriend's party, now would I? if you're there then I have to be there. You're free to go go." His mocking expression did missed preoccupation merely seconds ago. Bastard.
The driver pulled up 15 minutes later. I regarded the horde of people's cries as it echoed in my ears. They were waving what looked like movie posters, photographs, shirt and every other item we could sign our pens with. The camera crew and reporters adjusted their own pieces of equipment. The chest-high steel bars barred the overzealous populace from the pristine red carpet. Then they started yelling out our names and I couldn't help but feel humbled knowing these strangers, by some reason, support me. The butterflies resurfaced again on my stomach.
"You ready my little Jaffa cake?" the glorious creature who I didn't notice had resumed her seat beside me, dazzled me her loving yet nervous smile. I stumbled over myself for a second.
"We're gonna be right behind you, superstars. " I looked over Gabby, who is clad in a less fancier ensemble, a green dress but beautiful all the same. Purse on one hand and one held Harrison's.
"Let's do this. "
The chauffeur opened my side of the door and I stepped out a little farther from the vehicle to give her space while she fumbled inside the car to fix her dress. All at once, camera flashes and screams went off at once. Kind of like a rebellious thunder tearing through the solace night sky. I beamed and raised my hand to the deafening crowd.
And here arrives two of the most nominated stars of the evening. There's a rumour that Tom Holland would be receiving the most prestigious award of the night. I don't know, but we cannot wait to find out!"
"I got you." I offered my right hand to lady who is starting to get out of the car. Clean, soft and warm ones clasped my own. She arranged her damn of a dress behind her and looked up to me with her timid and nervous eyes. Her needless and budding insecurity creeping up behind the depths of them. I've seen that look a thousand times. The more adulation she got, the more she wants to hide herself. It's why she's a bit preserved in attending her own movie premieres and award shows. You would think, that after a list of outstanding performances under her belt, she's still uncertain about herself. She revealed that although she's entirely devoted to our profession, she doesn't want to be a meat for the society's prying eyes. "Fame is just a side dish of the thing I love doing the most. " she admitted one night while we're all having dinner.
Before she could even bother asking me, I beat her to it. Leaning in to her right ear and still holding her hand, I said the only running coherent truth in my mind,
"You look perfect, don't even ask me about it, Pizza. "
I told her for the umpteenth time. And I swear I would repeat it thousand more if it means that I get to see her grateful and iridescent smile that could put all the stars in the galaxy and all these expensive camera flashes a run for their own money.
YOUR POV
I lost sight of Tom after minutes of posing together for the avid photographers and tv reporters. I stood at the center of it all, feeling a slight hint of awkwardness now that Tom's not beside me, saying jokes in my ear. Gabby and my management team kept a good distance away from either side. The occasional admirable clamor and orders for the other celebrities not lost on me and I cannot shake the feeling that artists on the carper resembles zoo exhibits protected by the glass as spectators impatiently begged for movement.
"Over here! Over here!"
"Looking great!"
"Smile for us!"
"Wave over here!"
Stella, my brilliant agent for years smiled and held her hand up to the crazy crowd and lured me away.
"ET wanted to talk for a bit. We have them right here." She pointed to a redhead woman whose pink dress was discernible from the blacks and whites.
"You. Look. Amazing! " she enunciated.. I recalled her from numerous red carpet events.
"Oh thank you. No, You look amazing Sarah! I love your dress!" I answered just as enthusiastically.
"So is this a new look, you're just tryin on or we're gonna be seeing more of you like this?' pushing the microphone under me.
"Maybe. My stylist, she uh, complained and pouted that I don't learn anything from her. So yeah, I'm gonna try it her way now"
"I'm sure she's very proud. But we missed you at the gala! What have you been up to?"
"I know! I know! I'm sorry! But um, my dog's feeling a little icky lately, so um, yeah, I gotta take care of him. " I answered truthfully. My mind flashed back to my dog's soporific state on the floor when we left the flat.
"Aw. I hope he's doing well now." I sensed her authentic concern and I thanked her for it and continued the conversation.
"But um, my friends said it was a knock out. I would like to congratulate all the winners. I've seen all those films and they completely blew my mind. Completely." Slicing my flattened hand against the air as I emphasized the last word.
"Speaking of friends, there was a certain somebody here not a moment ago..." She said eagerly.
"Oh boy, here we go... What'd he say this time? She laughed and I chuckled nervously, to at least try to hide the impending nervousness whenever Tom is inserted into the discussion.
Over the years of my close relationship with him, it sparked an enormous amount of curiosity from the people around us. I can't tell you how many articles I've read wherein we were secretly married or engaged. Tabloid stories about the definition of our relationship and nonexistent scenarios and conversation. They even coined us as the Dipcario and Winslet of the millennial age. My social media accounts have always been tagged in over a thousand candid photos of us laughing or chasing each other down the street, here in the States and our home, back in England. I cannot not be interviewed without mentioning him for a bit and vice versa. And we answer them with complete veraciousness. We're really great friends. Like peas in a pod, like fish and chips, like steak with red wine. We complement each other. "Great friends who people incessantly insist to have great chemistry, I haven't really ruminate on it,I guess" I answered in one of the magazine interviews I had . Nevertheless, he's one of the best people that I've ever known and one of the few whom I will trust with my life. They could come up with atrocious rumors all they want and we'll just laugh it up and argued which one is worst at the end of the day.
"All good things all good things... No, I asked him what he's most excited about tonight.." I gently nodded for her to continue and kept the apprehensive smile on my face. " He said and I'm quoting here... that he's excited for you to win all your nominations tonight...and for you to get up on that stage because.."
"Aww Tommy. "
"...because he knows how you hate giving out public speeches. Is that true?" Sarah finished. Her sun-kissed face sparked with mirth.
"What! Ugh!" I rolled my eyes playfully. " Now, where's that.. I can say.. wanker..wanker.. can't I? Ok. Where's that wanker?!" My head swirled around the pandemonium of the press and actors on the carpet, trying in vain to get a glimpse of the person whom I wanted to step my sharp stilettos on.
Sarah and the cameraman laughed at my antics. "I didn't believe him one bit, I mean, you were great at the Globes!"
I laughed wholeheartedly. "Yeah. That was the first time I didn't feel like fainting or blundering my thank you speech. So thank you, thank you. "
"Yeah, you were fantastic!" she praised. I noticed the reappearance of my smiling agent on my side. As if to say, wrap it up. Sarah must have too.
"Thank you Sarah. That's very thoughtful of you. So great seeing you again. "
"You too! You too!" I kissed her cheek before Stella lead me to the next line up of reporters.
Tom's POV
Harrison guided me towards an awaiting group of male reporters near the entrance of the auditorium. The last ones before we enter the hall. The one holding the hand held microphone looks familiar. I think he's the chap on that show that the girls watch all the time. The mornings after we crashed their place and fell asleep on the couch (Well, just me. Harrison sleeps with this girlfriend).
"Hi Tom!"
"Hello, I don't think we've met before. But is it Daniel?" I extended my hand to the middle-aged reporter dressed in a spotless black suit.
"It's close. I'm Daryll." He chuckled as he gripped my hand firmly.
"My bad, Daryll, so nice to meet you. "
"Nice to meet you too man. "
"It's funny because uh, I know you from that show that my friends watch in the mornings while I brew their morning cuppa. "
Daryll laughed. "Really? They do? Wait, you brew their teas?"
"Yeah, sometimes. You can't make them do anything besides watch you. I think they fancy you. So thanks a lot mate." I joked and patted the man's shoulder as he chuckled.
"Now, well, I'm very flattered, tell them I said hi."
"You know what, both of them are here actually. I came with them." I looked over my back to hopefully catch a glimpse of the girls but Harrison, in his maroon dress shirt and black pants was all i got.
"Yeah, we saw you and your girl back there. Quite the couple." He jeered, raising his eyebrows suspiciously.
It's my turn to let out a lengthy laugh and folded my arms in front of me in a nervous body language. And as if on cue,
"What are you yapping about?" came a familiar voice that travelled from my right ear to the twisting gut on my stomach and then cuing the episodic stampede on my chest whenever she's within reach. My body autonomously began inclining towards her direction as the last of my laughs subsided on my throat. We locked eyes for a second. Behind her, I saw Harrison trying to hide a snicker by covering his lips with a closed fist and clearing his throat. The spell was broken. Regaining my composure, I pointed to the man interviewing me.
"Hiya! It's your crush from the telly!" her eyes widened a bit out of embarrassment. She acknowledged Daryll and the crew behind him who stood there with ridiculous smirks. She reached out a hand to the man.
"Hi Daryll, pleasure meeting you. We love your show." She tried to recompose her self but I still saw the blood rushing on of her cheeks.
"As I am, as I am. It's an honor. Thank you. "
After extracting her hand from Daryll's grip, she pinched me lightly on my right hip which elicited a yelp from me. She flashed me a wicked grin before walking to the open doors of the auditorium. Her left hand holding up the excess fabric of her dress. She said something about Gabby to Harrison on her way in and the latter nodded and smiled.
"He said that you're my girl by the way." I called back to her moving figure with my right hand on the side of my mouth. Not expecting a response, I turned my body in front of the press but then we heard a "Heck yeah, I am!" from the doorway. We all turned our heads toward the sound of her voice. She had peeked her tiny head on the side of the door and then hastily added "And his dog of course!" before disappearing with a satisfying grin. The group of people who heard her emitted a hearty laugh.
"Yup. Her and my dog. There you go." I shrugged and cackled approvingly.
"I wont' hold you any minute longer so you can get back to your lady. I asked the people on Twitter, what do they want to learn about Tom Holland tonight. The winning question in the poll was.. " he trailed off as he clicked the screen of his phone.
"Great, let's hear it. " Fans could be a little wild with their questions. I sure hope this wasn't. Daryll showed me his phone and he read
"What's the song that you can't get out of your head right now?"
I chuckled with an amused and nervous relief.
"For a minute there I thought they're gonna ask what color my boxers are.. "
"Fans could be a little enthusiastic sometimes, couldn't they Tom?" Daryll chuckled, nodding.
I nodded "Yeah yeah. But um, that's a great question by the way. Thank you! " facing the camera.
"Um, song, I cant get out of my head..uh blimey... You're beautiful by James Blunt. Classic." I answered, reminiscing the enticing laugh of a certain woman in cream-colored satin dress.
Your POV
They showed a five-minute montage of Tom's acting career over the years. Tons of scenes earned laughter, some scenes of him showing his chiseled body gained wolf whistles but most commence laud applause from the enraptured audience.
Tom Holland had come this far. Not ages ago was he bedridden for almost 3 months due to a car crash. His legs were impacted the most. I remember how utterly gutted he was, staring off the distance, tears silently falling on his cheeks and sniffs when he thought I didn't notice. He was more terrified that he won't be able to dance the same way again rather than learn how to walk. Me, Harrison and Gabby and our families never left his side during those moments and it made our friendships more resilient.
The dimmed lights resumed their splendor on the entire theater when it finished. Then, series of spotlight focused on the figure waddling on the left stage, under one of the three gargantuan projection screens. The crowd's sonorous laughter and cheers reverberated in my already ringing ears. He continued his swagger of a walk along the iridescent surface of the stage. Although his hands were the only exposed part of his body, Kevin Hart's figure undoubtedly recognizable underneath his knock off Spiderman costume. Bright red and blue web-by jumpsuit with boots and all.
The two screens on stage focused on Tom clutching his stomach as he roared with laughter on his seat. To his right, Harrison was leaning all the way back on his seat and was clapping so hard resembling a trained seal. The audience was not oblivious as well to the funny man onstage, as they also howled in uncontrollable gaiety.
When Kevin reached the center of the platform, he removed his mask with an exclamation of enthusiasm. "Whoo! This is hot! I mean I'm sweatin' over here..." But I can't tell you how good this makes me feel. So good. " Holding up his Spiderman mask and fanning himself with the other.
"I could wear this all day! You know, when they told me that I'm gonna have to wear a costume for this part, your homeboy was excited. He was flippin!" he poised his body as if to prepare for a back flip, but he didn't.
"But then they said, during the fitting, that I'm only gonna wear it for 3minutes before I introduce the final presenters.. I stared at them like... "Are you serious right now? I worked out for a month for this. Now you're telling me that?" he continued in his high-pitched voice.
"So right after the break, I changed immediately. Now I got to wear it for 10 more minutes! How about that?!" He flexed his right bicep and pressed his fingers on the small bulge.
"But you know what, you know what, Imma take this home with me. I don't care what y'all say. Imma sleep in this. You won't see me at the after-party cause Imma run my ass out of this venue.. I already got my running shoes at the ready, they ready..." The hall continued to erupt in laughter.
"And so, without further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to welcome to the stage...Tobey freaking Maguire and Andrew bloody Garfield everybody!"
The auditorium's shout and applause were earsplitting. Everyone stood up as both esteemed actors walked the stage. A matured and stately looking Tobey and Andrew walked towards the glass podium. Both men have aged graciously. A screen showed Tom standing up along with the mass, the camera, caught the "Ohhh" lingering on his face while he was being shook at the shoulders by an equally surprised Harrison. Tom's hands covering his ajar mouth as he walked a few steps away and back to his aisle seat in disbelief. The other LCDs showing the audience as we also held our hands over our mouths and clap above our heads like the geeks we were. It took a few more minutes before they appeased the frantic crowd.
"Well, I guess, this put all the rumors that we hate each other to end." Andrew began, facing the crowd.
"Well, I sure hope so..We're here to present and give this award to promising young British man who..."
"Wai, wa-wait, Me?" Andrew interrupted, bringing out giggles from our seats.
"No offense man, but I think we're way past the "young" age. Tobey patted a comforting hand on Andrew's shoulder.
"Oh yeah, yeah. This one's born in June.. right?" joked Andrew, slightly angling his body at Tobey.
"Now, hold the horses, I'm born in June, Andrew. "
"Well.. it's not you too, but we have quite a few similarities with this guy. For one, we all played teenagers being bitten by radioactive spiders and also got to work alongside honorable and distinguished directors and crew who had nothing but praises, respect and adoration for this man. .. But he was the only one lucky enough to hang out with the Avengers" The volatile direction of his spiel had seemed to silence the audience.
"He also used his spare time and efforts to help numerous charities, children hospitals and co-funded two PT clinics in the States and London... A real superhero. " Added Tobey. My eyes averted to where Tom sat with Harrison, five rows ahead of me and Gabby.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, let's give it up for our brother, Tom Holland!" the two stars chorused.
I was one of the thousands of people to stand up and belaud him as he, almost shyly, stood up and unbutton his jacket. Out of the hundreds of people yelling out his name, he seemingly caught mine. My glistening eyes lock downed with him, I gave him a two thumbs up before resuming clapping.
Instead of walking up to the stage, he jogged to where me and Gabby were sitting. Picking up on what he intends to do, I try to save him the time by excusing myself from Zoey Deutch and Aubrey Plaza who I could hear say "Go get him girl."
I met him in the aisle and collided with his body in a quick but tight embrace, both of us giggling, his arms steadily wrapped around my waist. I could feel the tremble of his heart over mine as it drowned out the rip-roaring uproars of the audience. I cradled his head before I let him go. He gave me his boyish saccharine smile and ran up the stage. I stayed on the spot until he hugged both and fellow Spider-men. His height barely passing Tobey's which I would gladly point out to him later.
The room quieted down when he drew near the mic on the glass podium.
"Wow. My mind blanked for a bit. I mean.." he turned his body sideways and bowed his head and hands to where Tobey and Andrew stood, smiling. The crowd's dumbfounded cheers erupted again. "I'm still gonna be dreaming about this.." He glanced down then his award and then acknowledged the house.
"Ok, um. I'm gonna go straight ahead. There are three kinds of people you only need in your life. One.." he showed up his thumb. "People who tirelessly motivate you to be the best version of yourself. I am exceedingly grateful for my acting coaches, my directors, the team of people behind these productions, my fellow actors and my amazing, amazing fans. You guys are the reason why I continue to love what I do. You guys opened my eyes to new challenges everyday, no words could ever suffice for the lessons, the love and gratitude you've shown me . So from the bottom of my heart, thank you." putting his hands to the left side of his chest..
"Second..." he raised his pointer along with his thumb, spelling out L-fingers. "People who listen and support you... Being in the business for quite a while had made me question myself at one point. There came a time when I wouldn't accept projects and deliberately screw up auditions just because I was confused with myself. And the people who reminded me that this was all worth it are my family and friends. They reminded me of the passion I had when I was just starting, they reminded me about the times I used to not sleep until I practiced and perfected all my lines, they reminded me that there are still people who loves me for what I am and not what the media had manipulated me to be. I love you guys so, so ardently and thank you for believing in me and getting me back up on my feet. Without you guys, I wouldn't be here."
My whole body was shaking and overflowing with pride. I curled my fingers onto my lips and chin to muffle a gasp of admiration. " And third and lastly.." holding up three digits in the air above him.
"You need people who will make you believe that there is still a God. " Amidst the engrossed eyes of the standing audience, he ensnared mine anew. Never faltering away throughout the continuation of his acceptance speech.
"I've been broken and beaten down literally and figuratively as you all may know. I couldn't find an inch of silver lining. It was the hardest thing I've ever gone through my whole life. Luckily I found people who not only keeps my feet planted firmly on the ground and kicks my ass when I'm being a jerk but most importantly, helped me grow spiritually. I became a new man after finally acknowledging what God did for me, what He did for all of us. In your darkest times, remember that you are not alone. Seek and you will find. Prayers work and never disappoints, trust me. And to this person who helped me, please know that you're my miracle." The world must have stopped when offered me his heartfelt smile and eyes amongst the loud crowd.
"Find these kinds of people and you win life by default. And if you do have them already, Thank them whenever you possibly can... God bless us everybody and thank you for this moment. Thank you so much. " He finished. The room detonated with thunderous acclamation for the man on stage. He held the award on his hand and raised it high in the air. An abrupt penchant to kiss him soundly invaded my clouded mind. I stifled audibly. I certainly did not just think that.
Kevin Hart reappeared on stage, still in his Spiderman costume. Running to where Tom stood, he hugged him and threw his arms around Tom, Tobey and Andrew. He faced the standing ovation of the audience and exclaimed.
"All hail for Tom Holland everybody! Damn! And give it up again for Tobey and Andrew! Three Spidermen onstage, we made history brothers!"
The whole house was on their feet, clapping raucously as the night finally drew to a close.
"Thank you for tonight. We're all gonna remember this moment. Have a good night!" Kevin commenced.