Family

•23•

2 weeks later.

Tom's POV:

It was July 26th AKA Holly's birthday. I woke up with Holly in my arms as i had most mornings. She was already awake, she was just staring at me. "Good morning sunshine" i said happily stroking her hair. "morning" she said smiling back at me. I loved that smile.
"happy birthday" i said as she turned the other way.
"Heyyy, don't be like that. This is a big birthday we can't just ignore it. I know you don't like it but you're 18 this year Holly!" i said hugging her.
"i know" she said laughing "thank you, i love you" she said hugging me back.
"love you too" i said as she pulled herself out of my arms. "where are you going?" i asked pulling her back causing her to laugh. "I'm going to get ready. I have work today"
"whattt?" i moaned as she just rolled her eyes. "you can't work on you're birthday" i said hoping she would change her mind.
"yes i can.. it's not a long shift today just 12 till 3" she said laughing.
"Whyyyy" i whined as she simply turned and looked at me.
"Because. I need the money i am so close to being able to afford that place i was talking about" she said as i rolled my eyes.
"it's so farrrrr awayyyyy" i whined yet again whilst pouting

"Thomas. why are you so dramatic. It's 15 minutes" she said laughing
"who am i going to hug at night?" i asked holding out my arms.
"i don't know. Your pillow" she said chucking a pillow at me. I immediately threw it back causing her to laugh.
"you can come ANY time" she said which made me smile.

"Now i gotta go" , she said coming out of the bathroom in her work outfit. She had been working at this hotel and restaurant called The Park Hotel. It payed really good so she spent a lot of her time working there. She kissed me on the forehead before leaving my room going down the stairs.  That kiss lingered on my head for a while and so did the smile that followed. I wish i could just tell her how i feel but i know that now probably isn't the right time given the fact that she's only just physically recovered. She's barely even scratched the surface of her mental health. All it takes is something that reminds her of her dad for her to be taken back to every punch every kick she ever received from him. I felt awful for her. I can't imagine how that must feel.

So as much as i want to be with Holly, as much as i want to have her hand in mine, as much as i want to kiss her. I know i can't; i promised her that i would always look out for her so that's what i am doing. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if i was to do something and she didn't feel the same way causing our whole friendship to be wrecked.

Holly's POV:

Work was excruciatingly quiet today. All i wanted was for more customers to walk through the door of the restaurant, i knew it wasn't likely though due to everyone being on holiday somewhere. Most people were laying in the hot sun enjoying their relaxing holiday meanwhile i'm stuck at work on my birthday.  I just wanted some form of interaction today. I still had just less than an hour left of work, before i could go home and see my best friends and my family. Haz was coming over tonight which i was exited for i hadn't seen him in a while due to work as well as recovering.

Suddenly i heard the door of the restaurant open. Finally more customers i thought but i was wrong. It was just my boss. "Hi holly" he beamed at me flashing me a smile.
"Happy birthday" he said happily.
"thank you" i replied also smiling back.
"um..so i was thinking would you want to go out for dinner tonight" he asked me nervously. I looked around the room trying to think of my response.
"i'm really sorry but i actually have plans tonight" i said finally breaking the awkward silence between us.
"Oh, okay no worries" he said a frown beginning to show on his face. I felt awful i really did but i had no intentions of going out with this man.
"Maybe another time?" i said being polite but immediately wanting to throw myself out of the window i was standing beside.
He smiled back at me and nodded before turning around and walking away. Great he was never going to drop this now.

"oh and Holly" he said tuning back around. My chest tightened. Oh god what now? i thought to myself
"hm?" i replied
"you can go early. It's dead in here anyways" Thank god.
"enjoy your night" he said walking away again.

i got back to the house at around 3:30 by the time i drove home. I slowly got out of my car looking at the house across the street. The one i once called home. I was so thankful i didn't need to go there tonight. This was the first ever birthday where i wasn't going to be hurt by my dad and i was so incredibly thankful for that. I looked at the house one more time before unlocking the door of the Hollands.

All of the lights were off which was strange to me but the car wasn't there so they probably went shopping or something. I took off my jacket, hanging it on the coat rack at the door. Then suddenly i heard a bang in the kitchen. I walked through the house carefully; my heart beating at 90 miles an hour. "SURPRISE" i heard everyone yell. There was so many people. I jumped out of my skin causing me to fall over but i laughed about it and so did everyone else.

Tom came over immediately helping me up. "you alright?" he asked as he pulled me to my feet.
"Never been better" i said smiling up at him.