A Chance Encounter (Tom Holland AU) [1]

One

As I sat through my Economics class, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I glanced at the caller ID, sighing a bit as I saw my boss was calling. I sent her to voicemail, shooting her a quick text to say that I was in class and I'd call her back when I got out.

Thirty minutes later, I sat in my dorm room and called her back.

"Hey, Grace! Sorry to call you while you were in class."

"It's not a problem. Is everything alright?" I asked as I grabbed my water bottle.

"Yeah. I just wanted to ask you something. Are you free at all tomorrow evening?"

"I am, yeah. What's up?" I mean, I was planning to join some of my sisters at a party, but that could always wait if she needed me.

"Someone is renting the studio for personal use, but we need a teacher to be present while they're using it. It's something the owner requires. Would you be interested?"

"Yeah, I can be there!" I smiled softly, knowing that they would be paying me for just being there. Anything to get me through college helps.

"Awesome! They'll be there around seven, but you can get there anytime before then. Thank you so much for taking this last minute." After we sorted everything out, I took a deep breath and laid back on my bed. I had roughly an hour before I had to be at the studio to teach.

I had been dancing ever since I could remember. When it came time to get a job to help support myself through college, teaching dance classes was an obvious choice. The studio I grew up dancing at offered me a teaching spot as soon as I graduated high school. It became clear that teaching would help me as I went through school, and it's an opportunity I am eternally grateful for.

As soon as my eyes closed so I could take a power nap, I heard the door open. There goes my nap. My roommate, sister and best friend Alison walked in. "Gracie! Are you ready to get down tomorrow night?" Saturdays were her favorite--our sorority always met up with some fraternity or another to party.

"I actually just got a call from my boss. I have to be at the studio tomorrow night while someone is renting it." Ali pouted as I finished my water bottle from this morning.

"But Gracie!" Ali was really good at whining to make a point. "Who is gonna help me tease drunk frat guys?" I chuckled as she pouted.

"One of the other girls will have to. I really need the money." I gave her a polite smile as I stood to get ready for class.

"Okay. But you're really missing out." She teased as I grabbed a leotard.

"I know, Ali. Next Saturday, okay?" I gave her a smile as she nodded.

At six pm the next day, I arrived at the studio. I would be performing a solo piece soon, and I wanted a chance to work on it in a studio setting. The music pulsed through the room as I worked before whoever was renting the studio arrived. I had the door that connects the studio to the lobby propped open in case I was still working when they arrived. I had just finished a run of my dance when I heard the sound of someone clapping.

"Wow. That was incredible." I looked towards the door and my jaw fell to the floor. "Hi there. I'm Tom."

Tom Holland just saw me dance and called it incredible. I can die happy now.

"I'm Grace." I smiled, honestly amazed my voice came out coherent enough for him to understand me.

"Hello there, Grace." He smiled as he walked toward me. "Did your boss tell you why we've rented the studio for the night?"

"No, she just told me you did." I raised an eyebrow. Who was included in this 'we'?

My question was answered as I saw more people walk in--a camera crew. "We're shooting the end credit scene for Spider-Man: Far From Home. And after seeing what you just did, I would be honored if you joined me in the scene as my dance partner."

It felt as if my jaw was on the floor. "R-really?! Oh my gosh, I'd love to!"

It seemed as if Tom's eyes lit up when I agreed. I could tell he was excited about this too.

"So, Grace, the end credit scene is a play off of a line from earlier in the film." A man explained, leading me to believe that this was the director. "Peter makes a joke about taking private dance lessons as he's fighting Mysterio. This scene shows that he actually was, and you'll be both his partner and instructor." I nodded as I listened, the whole feeling a bit surreal. This was actually happening.

The choreographer the movie had brought it came and introduced herself to me, explaining that there was a combo we both would be performing in the scene. "I'm gonna teach it to you guys first, and then we'll move on with your lines for the rest of the scene. Let me go grab your props for the combo."

"Can I be perfectly candid with you, Grace?" Tom whispered as the choreographer went to get the props she must have brought.

"Only if I can be with you." I gave him a soft smile, and he moved his hand to signal that I had the floor. "This is absolutely crazy. I had no idea this was gonna happen at all. I'm a little nervous. What if I mess up?"

He started shaking his head at my question. "You will be perfectly fine. In fact, that kind of has to do with what I was gonna say." He chuckled as he looked at me. "I already learned the combo a while ago, but I haven't practiced it. You're probably going to pick it up better than I am."

"Come on, that's not true! You already know it!" He smiled as I reassured him. "Plus, you're not giving yourself enough credit. I've seen your dancing, and it's amazing."

He was getting ready to say something when the choreographer came back with our props. As soon as I saw what they were, I looked back at Tom. He nodded with a playful grin.

I was shocked that this was really happening, but I was glad I decided to skip the party for working tonight.

I really hope you guys like this story! I'm really excited about it :-)