GG never had a lot of friends. This wasn't because she was terribly unapproachable . She just preferred the company of her sister, however insufferable. Even more so the keyboard that sat upright in the rocking chair in GG's bedroom and the fast-to-overheat laptop she was growing less fond of. The keyboard was for relaxation and inspiration, the laptop was for the young adult to act just as that: a young girl daydreaming about romance and adventure, and the sister was for the rest - mostly just bossy co-parenting. That being said, it was the largest surprise to GG when Alice Cooper (no relation) abruptly approached the 17-year-old after school one evening without any of her devilish minions behind her (for once).
"You've been running off with Ianto Anston." It wasn't a question. More like an accusation, though GG wasn't certain how Alice saw that as such a terrible thing; she wasn't exactly subtle in how she felt toward Ianto.
"Yeah? We're not going out or anything. We're just friends." GG wanted to make that clear to the slightly older girl. She certainly wasn't ready to make the top of Alice's bucket list, should Alice ever pursue her conquest.
The tall blonde looked GG up and down with scrutinizing eyes. GG kind of lowered her face to the sidewalk and down the path she usually took to get home. "Alright listen," Alice began. "I'm free after school every day except Wednesday because of football practice . . . but I guess we could hang out any other time."
GG looked back up at Alice with wide eyes. Was this girl, who had only ever given GG the time of day when her and her 'disciples' were picking on her hand-me-down plaid buttonups and raggedy shoes, now asking her to hang out? Like . . . Legitimately hang out?
"Why?" It was a reasonable question, after all Alice had never been the nicest person. Why the sudden change of heart?
This seemed to annoy Alice, like the answer was just obvious. Also, she really didn't want to be seen talking so friendly toward GG. "Look . . ." The taller girl actually appeared to be struggling with her next sentence. "I'm sorry . . . For always picking on you. I guess its just how I am, like all the cliche' high school shit, yeah?"
GG nodded, but honestly she was shocked. She'd lost track of what had happened awhile ago and now just stared at Alice, unbelieving.
"I mean, if someone as cool as Ianto Anston can stand you for more than a few seconds . . . How bad can you be, right?" Alice kind of chuckled and GG sort of smiled, because she didn't know how quite to take that.
"Thanks, I guess." GG said finally.
They stood there awkwardly for a few seconds. The silence was interrupted by the sound of an approaching rumbling and both girls turned to see Ianto Anston himself rolling up to the curb on his motorcycle. Alice instantly perked up, GG noticed. Ianto was oblivious to her presence though, to her disappointment. He approached GG with a smile.
"Hey, Ianto," GG said lamely. This had been an occurrence of his for ages now, walking GG home, and she had come to terms with it, along with other annoying habits of his. Well, maybe they had been annoying in the beginning. A year or so of this and GG was now accustomed to his behavior in all sorts.
"Hey, George!" Ianto affectionately called her. "Ready?"
GG nodded and then felt the light nudge of Alice's elbow when Ianto turned his back. A minute into their supposed 'friendship' and she was already regretting this. "Oh, hey Ianto. This is my . . . friend Alice." She introduced, much to Alice's pleasure. If the girl smiled any wider . . .
Ianto turned a gleeful eye to GG's companion and nodded in response. "Yeah, Cooper, right? Like the rock star!"
Alice, having ridiculed anyone who had made the reference in the past, laughed and nodded as giddy as a - well, school girl. GG metaphorically vomited in her mouth.
"Homebound, yeah?" Ianto waved GG away from her newly acquired friend toward his bike. He was unaware of the sad look on Alice's face.
GG smiled sheeply. "See you tomorrow, Alice."
GG was surprised when Ianto revved the motor bike back to life. "What you doing?"
"Starting the bike. We're going for a ride." Ianto straddled his vehicle and reached out for GG.
"Oh no." GG laughed. "You're bloody mad if you think I'm getting on that."
"Oh, get off it, GG. You can't be afraid of everything in life, can you?"
"Not everything. Just your driving skills." GG stood there in the street, staring at the malicious vehicle. It stared back, or so GG thought, and through the overly creative hive that was her mind, she swore she heard echoing laughter off somewhere, mocking her. She shook her head.
"I've told you Ianto, I'm not riding with you." And she thought that was that.
Ianto smiled warmly at GG and at first she thought there was something on her face. Ianto got off the bike and walked back to GG and suddenly took her hands in his. She stared up at him, startled at the warmth in his hands. For the first time since meeting Ianto, GG's heart skipped a beat. He was looking into her eyes. Just looking, darting back and forth between them. GG held her breath.
"Nothing is going to happen to you that I won't let happen to you," he said, sweetly. His voice was quiet and calming. He smirked that half smile that GG secretly loved. "I've got you. Always." GG let go of her breath. They were uncomfortably close, but for some reason GG didn't mind. Ianto ran circles over her knuckles with his thumbs - she felt tingles. What was happening? They didn't move, not for a long while. Ages, it seemed.
GG nodded. Whether she had meant to or not. But now it was too late. She was on the back of his bike now. Ianto told her to hold on tight, so she wrapped her arms around his waist as tight as she could. When they went off rolling down the hill, GG had a feeling this was the start of something she may not have been ready for.