"STEPH!"

I almost couldn't believe it at first. It all happened so fast. One second Joey was raising an eyebrow at me, almost asking for an explanation, and the next he was gone. It took me a while to get my thoughts in order to even think about looking down but once I did I wished I hadn't.

Steph had been in the girl's rugby team back in England, meaning she could flaw anyone from Lauren Lopez to Coach Beast, so it was no surprise as I set sight upon her and Joey sprawled on the floor in a messy tangle. Steph was already back to her senses and kneeling beside him, quickly explaining to him how much he meant to her and how much he had helped her like I'd heard her rehearse in front of the mirror at least one hundred times. But a groan from Joey as he ran a shaking hand through his hair finally moved me into action.

"STEPH!" I exclaimed as I grabbed the girl's shoulders and hauled her to her feet, moving her as far away from Joey as I could get her. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

She looked at me with wide eyes as she chewed at her lower lip "Introducing myself" she said in a low whisper.

"By tackling him? What have I told you about tackling people if you're not in a rugby game?" I responded cocking my hip, finally managing to lower my voice.

"Not to do it"

"Exactly"

"But Joey Richter"

"No, just because you've had a crush on a guy for three years does not mean that the first time you meet him you're allowed to tackle him to the ground. Now I want you to apologise to the nice man"

"…sorry"

"You know, I don't think he heard that"

"Sorry Joey"

"Good girl. Now go back into the apartment and think about what you've done" Steph slowly turned dragging her feet behind and I watched as she made a bee-line straight for her room. I sighed softly running a hand through my hair as the other rested on my hip; sometimes I almost forgot how much of a handful my best friend was.

"Little help?"

I quickly turned as my memory kicked in and realised Joey was still on the floor. I ran to him and grasped his outstretched hand in both of mine hauling him up and letting go as he moved back to lean against the wall.

"I am so s-sorry" I stuttered, trying to keep my voice even "Steph's just such a big fan, well we both are and cause we lived in England we never thought we'd ever meet any of you guys. And I think she just got over excited at the sight of you and she's a bit of a "loose cannon" but really she is a good person and she's really sweet and I'm sure next time you see her she won't be so aggressive. I'm just really sorry, wait, and are you hurt? You're not hurt are you? Oh gosh, you don't have free healthcare do you? I promise we'll pay the medical bills and we're really nice neighbours honestly we don't have pets or instruments, well we have a keyboard but that come with headphones so you won't hear a t-" my words were cut off as Joey placed a hand over my mouth.

"Hey it's okay, I've been tackled by fangirls before, and I'm a big boy I can take it. Don't worry about the healthcare shit, I'm fine, honest. Now if I take my hand away do you promise not to start rambling again?" I nodded weakly and he moved his hand, I found myself returning the grin he now wore and felt the blood rising in my cheeks.

"So, uh, it was nice meeting you and I'm gonna go and try to figure out a way that next time I speak to you it won't be awkward" I said indicating back to my apartment as I slowly backed up.

This made him chuckle as he opened the door to his own apartment and looked at me "It was nice meeting you Alice" he said as he closed the door. I turned around and closed my own door behind me leaning back against it as the events of the past ten minutes finally sunk in.

"That went a hell of a lot smoother in my head"