A/N:Hello there! Happy to have you here! This is a fan fiction about Clara and Eleven before The Name of The Doctor. (A series of short stories.) Hope you all enjoy it! Also, if you haven't seen The Bells of Saint John Prequel, I suggest that you watch it before reading this chapter. Reviews are always welcomed! :)
Chapter One: Swings
"One swing set, well-worn but structurally sound, seeks a new home." ~ John Green
After her mother had passed, she didn't see a need to go anymore. She didn't think that anything positive would come out of such a vivid place of memories. One of them was of her, her mother, smiling at the sight of her daughter, running about; having fun. One of them was of him, a memory well faded, lingering in the unnoticed part of her mind, but still there. There were just so many things that she had tried to forget entirely. Yet… there she sat with her wondrous yet unusual best friend…swinging.
It was The Doctor's idea to come to the park in the first place. Clara felt a bit sore over it; it was years since she had gone. But, knowing The Doctor, she knew that she was going one way or another. He had taken her hand in his; childishly smiling in amusing excitement. Trying to envelop her uncertainty with a faint smile, Clara stumbled on her way there, regretting every pace taken.
She quietly sat on the rocking swing, keeping to herself. She imagined her mother standing only a few feet away from her, chatting with some other moms. She imagined her mother smiling at her, wanting her to have the time of her life, for she knew that her daughter had always wanted to travel…and her wish came true. Meeting The Doctor was the most surprising incident. Maybe it wasn't as distressing, with the calm breeze making its way through, the silver lining of clouds covering the sun. It was...pleasant at the least. Clara glanced at The Doctor next to her, clicking his heels and admiring the leisure. Everything was taking its time, the leaves rustling every so often, the flower to dance, the sun to peek out to give warmth to the only ones who acknowledged it. Clara smiled at everything around her.
Then, something unexpected happened. Clara laughed.
"What is it?" The Doctor asked, a bit puzzled.
"Why are we sitting on swings?" she laughed again, looking up at the pale yet beautiful blue sky.
"Why shouldn't we?"
Clara giggled, giving it some thought. "…because we're old!" she jokingly admitted before her face fell into a flustered frown, for she had heard of those words before. "...um…" she muttered quietly.
The Doctor had also pondered over her response, for their exchange of retorts had seemed just a little too familiar. "…have you said that before?" he asked.
"Yeah, I think I have." She said, looking down at the wood-chips below her feet. Suddenly, an utmost rush of clarity went through her mind as she remembered everything on that autumn day.
"My mum says I shouldn't talk to strange men."
"Well your mum's right."
"…are you strange?"
"Oh dear, I'm way past strange. I think I'm probably incredible."
"That was you!" Clara snapped, eying him in realization.
"That was who?"
"You!"
"Me?"
"Yes you!" Clara tried not to laugh from the repetition. "All those years ago, on these swings, we talked…" she explained.
"…oh!" The Doctor looked up at the sky. "Yes, I do quite remember that. How lovely, that was you."
Clara sighed and straightened her posture, looking forward. She grinned. "All those things I had told you…" she spoke softly. Suddenly, she remembered the one thing he had told her. He had lost a friend. She pondered in thought for a few minutes, then suddenly popped up the question. "Have you found her yet?"
"Found who yet?"
"Your friend," she clarified. "You had told me you lost a friend. Met her twice, lost her both times you said. Have you found her yet?"
The Doctor stared at her for a few moments, for that friend of his...was her. The Doctor perked up a soft and gazing smile. "Yeah…I did."
