AN: So! This is the second talk of our friends ;) What will happen?
Read and find out!
Thanks to EmilyAndTheDiamonds that betas my story :)
The next day, still happy from her afternoon with Tony, Rose decided to go to the pool.
What could happen?
The worst thing could be her getting depressed again, which seemed very likely at the moment.
Training had been okay, even though the athletic part had been hard, push-ups where most definitely not her thing.
Once training finished, she stayed behind to retrieve her water bottle she had forgotten on the other side of the pool, towards the men's changing room.
She was almost there when she saw a guy walking in her direction and she immediately recognized him: John.
He was still in his swimming trunks and wet.
"Hey..." She whispered when they were about a metre apart.
"Hey! I saw your bottle there and you coming here, so I thought I'd help you." He said grinning but blushing slightly.
"Thank you" she said quickly, taking the bottle from him.
The expected shiver ran through her when their hands brushed.
John hesitated a second, then spoke again.
"You disappeared on me on Sunday, and I haven't seen you in a couple of days.. Thought you were sick.." He said, still embarrassed.
Rose's head was spinning. Had he noticed? He looked for her? But how? Why?
She must be dreaming.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked-" He hurried to apologize, not having received an answer yet.
"No, no, it's okay! I was busy, not sick." She answered, not wanting to tell him the truth.
"Oh good.." He said relieved.
Then he realized what he had said and panicked again.
"I meant- not good as in-"
Laughing, she stopped him "It's okay, I get what you mean!"
He breathed out soundly"Okay... 'm gonna let you go, stop bothering you" John said, fixing his eyes in hers.
Bothering her? Him?!
"Okay" she answered, but neither of them turned around or made any move to get away.
They just looked in each other's eyes, getting lost in them.
Another trainer behind John coughed because they were blocking the path.
The moment broken, both turned around without a word, neither wanting to say goodbye.
Had he really done this?
Oh my god, he did.
She wasn't horrified or thought he was a stalker, though. Shocked maybe.
At least he hoped so.
He needed to talk to her again.
Hurrying out of the shower he got ready.
She was one of the last out; she had no one waiting for her.
And she also had to think about what happened. With John. He had talked to her. Again!
She didn't know what to think.
She exited the changing room and jumped when a lean figure got off the wall and towards her, but then breathed in relief, and surprise, when she recognized the man: John.
"You scared me." She told him, punching him lightly on his arm.
He was wearing blue shorts and a dark blue sweatshirt, trainers and a backpack slung on his shoulders. His bag was really strange. It seemed to have a police box pattern on the back.
He made a pouting sound and rubbed his arm, but said "sorry".
"What are you doing still here?"
He looked sheepish, now.
"Well...I just finished changing and was wondering.. How do you go home?"
Rose was suspicious now. "I walk there... Why?"
His face brightened. "Well then...could I maybe walk you home?" John asked timidly.
Her head was spinning again.
She pinched herself and he was still there. She wasn't dreaming.
"Rose?" He asked, his face falling.
"Sorry... Kinda thought I was dreaming" she said truthfully, blushing, but the cute eager smile on his face was worth it.
She slung her bag on her shoulder.
"Of course you can! If you want.." She added as an afterthought, afraid that he might have changed his mind.
"Brilliant!" He exclaimed to her relief, turning towards the door.
"Allons-y!" Said Rose in her giddiness.
John's mouth shaped as a "o", then he rushed out,"You say that too?"
Rose only nodded with a shy smile.
An enormous grin took over his face.
"Oh, brilliant, you are!" He said resuming their walking.
"Yeah, but could you imagine knowing someone named Alonso? Then you could say 'Allons-y, Alonso!'" Was the last thing the secretary heard Rose say before the door closed behind them.
She shook her head smiling. The woman had a feeling this two would have a great future together.
"...and then the bottle exploded and the whole room filled with smoke. I swear, my mum screamed my ears off." He said and Rose laughed.
It was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard and he wanted to hear it forever.
Oh boy, this was bad.
"My god, you are trouble, aren't you?" She said smiling teasingly.
"Well, let's say that my numerous experiments also gained me a nickname. In my family, I mean." He said sheepishly.
Rose looked curious.
"Can I know?" She said hesitantly.
He couldn't believe this girl. John was so comfortable around her even if they just started talking, and she managed to be sweet, kind and polite even being friendly and, he had to admit, cute.
Rose positively shined in every possible way.
"They call me Doctor. Although my sister usually calls me Spaceman" he snorted.
He had a deep fondness for both, although "Doctor" was really important to him, his dad called him that, and suddenly everybody picked up on it.
"Nice nicknames!" She beamed.
On an impulse, he added "You can use them too.."
Then quickly continued with "I mean, if you want obviously. If you don't then it's okay.."
She smiled again.
"Oke-dokey...Doctor"
His stomach knotted at the way her tongue rolled around his nickname and almost shuddered at her soft tone.
"So, you have a sister?" She asked after a bit.
"Yep. And a brother too. They're both a bit-" He cut himself off as the sky rumbled and looked up, seeing grey clouds hovering over them.
He laughed.
"Yeah, exactly like that," he smiled "Looks like it's gonna rain... How far is your house?"
"A couple of blocks."
A mischievous smile appeared on his face.
He grabbed her hand and shouted "Rose, run!" as he sped off, dragging her behind him.
Her laughter filled the air as the first drops of water fell to the ground, making John feel happier than he had been in a long pair came to a halt in front of Rose's house and laughed when John skipped forward and almost fell when she tugged him back.
The pair came to a halt in front of Rose's house and laughed when John skipped forward and almost fell when she tugged him back.
The rain was pouring lightly but they were already soaked through.
"This is were I live." She smiled at him.
"Oh..." He said and she swore she had seen a flash of disappointment on his face.
"Is your house far?" She asked, a bit worried.
"Well...I'm halfway there."
Rose's face became guilty.
"Do you want to come inside?" She offered. It was still raining, after all.
"No, it's alright" he said smiling softly.
"At least let me get you an umbrella." She said, tugging his hand that was still in hers and opening the gate.
She took him down the path that led to the small patio in front of the door.
"Wait a second." She said opening the door, barely giving him a chance to nod.
A wave of warmth slipped outside, together with a smell that said 'Home'.
Rose rushed inside and looked around frantically for an umbrella. She could've sworn there was one in the small wardrobe near the door. Under a pile a jackets on the coat rack she finally found it on a chest of drawers in the entrance.
"Rose? Are you home?" Shouted her mum.
"Yeah. Be back in a mo', mum!" She shouted and rushed back out where John was, looking at her amused.
"Sorry.. Tony must have moved it.." She said blushing.
"Tony?" He asked curious.
"Yeah, my little brother.." She said and, as if on cue, Tony walked towards them.
"Rose?" He asked in his small voice.
"Hey bud, don't come here... You'll catch a cold. Wait for me in the living room." She said sweetly.
When he left, she turned towards John again.
The look on his face seemed suspiciously sweet, but she couldn't be sure.
"Aaand sorry. Again." She said, blushing furiously.
"It's really okay" he smiled.
She handed him the umbrella, a multicolored one, wondering briefly if he had shivered too when their hands brushed, then scoffed. Of course not.
Realising she had been staring at him for quite some time, she broke the silence.
"Well, thank you for getting wet to take me home." She said mischievously, her eyes sparkling.
His smile lightened up the air around him.
"Anytime" he whispered, gaining in response a tongue-touched-Tyler smile that left him breathless and staring at her mouth.
Rose was trembling because of the intensity of his stare. And yeah, maybe she was a bit cold, but that wasn't the main reason.
"Rose! You'll catch a cold!" Shouted Jackie from inside.
The pair in the rain jumped, startled, and then burst out laughing seeing the other's face.
When their laughter died down, John looked at his watch.
"Blimey! I should really go, it's getting late" he said looking disappointed.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" His tone was hopeful.
"Of course!" She said grinning, happy at the prospect of seeing him again.
"Goodbye, Rose" he said, opening the umbrella and stepping out the pouring rain after shooting her a last smile.
Rose watched him until he was out of sight, he was singing.
She chuckled and rejoiced in the feeling of giddiness, in the butterflies in her stomach, then turned around and ventured inside, closing the door behind her and leaning on it with a sigh.
Her mum chose that moment to come down the stairs.
"Who was that?" She asked curiously.
"He's- Er- A new friend, John..." Rose said sheepishly.
She knew what her mum would ask.
"John? As in, John Noble?" Jackie asked in a surprised voice and Rose cringed.
"Yes" she finally breathed out.
Her mum excitement showed completely.
"How? When did you talk to him?"
"I didn't talk to him, he spoke to me. Today." She said, leaving out the conversation at the competition.
"And you're just friends?" Jackie asked maliciously.
Rose nodded and, just as her mum was opening her mouth again, came her brother's whine.
"Rooooose!"
"'M coming Tony!" She said, shrugging unapologetically at her mum and running towards her brother's playing room.
"Hey!" She exclaimed, picking him up as he run to her.
"Rose, who was that?" He asked in her ear.
She watched him in the eyes and whispered "A new friend of mine. If you want you can meet him, some time.." She said, hoping that she hasn't just lied to her brother: she wanted it to be true.
"'Kay. He seems funny" he told her in a conspiratorial way.
John got home and, leaving the umbrella next to the door, he rushed to his and Jack's room to change.
Strangely enough Jack was in the library, but this meant he could change without any bother.
When he could feel his toes again, he picked up his books and made his way to his brother.
He said a quick "Hi" and sat down at his desk.
"Been busy with the team's chicks?" Jack asked mischievously.
John didn't answer him, just sat still and started on his homework.
He tried reading the same page for the hundredth time, but the only thing his mind kept seeing was Rose. The sweet way she talked with her brother, her laugh, their run, how much fun she was, her special smile...
"Oi spaceman! Whose umbrella is this?" His sister's voice broke through his daydream.
"Hm, what?" He asked, dumbfounded.
"Who gave you this?" She asked, holding the rainbow umbrella up to him.
He scratched his head.
"Ehm... A friend..." He said, trying to sound convincing.
His siblings gave him a look that screamed "Come on, spill!" and he sighed, defeated, slumping on his chair.
"It's Rose's" Jack had a surprised look, but realization dawned on Donna.
"That Rose?"
"Who is Rose?" Both said simultaneously.
Jack looked suspiciously at Donna.
"Is she your girlfriend?!" Jack snapped.
"What?! No!" Rushed John.
Then, after a deep breath "Yes Donna, that Rose. Jack, she's one of my teammates. I've wanted to talk to her for a while."
Jack opened his mouth to speak, but it wasn't his voice who spoke.
"Oh, and I get that now you spoke to her."
John put his head in his hands and groaned.
Great!
Now his mum knew too.
After dinner, Rose went to her room, worn out by the day.
She was still thinking about John. He had been nice and kind...
He also told her his nickname, and he hadn't told it to their teammates, or either they would have called him that.
She still felt giddy and fuzzy from earlier.
She laid in her bed, hugging a pillow to her chest, and fell asleep, lulled by her feelings and the memories of her afternoon.
Exhausted John dropped to his bed, moaning in relief when the soft surface hit his back.
"Stop thinking about Rose. Or do it quietly." Came the snarky remark from Jack-the-King-of-innuendos-Noble.
John grunted in protest. He loved dearly his brother, but sometimes his mind could really be one-tracked.
He wasn't thinking about Rose that way. Yet.
Okay, he was, but not in that that way.
He was intrigued by her, he wanted to get to know her, to be his friend.
Yeah, her pink tongue and full lips sometimes attracted his stare, but she was a beautiful being, inside out.
He closed his eyes and sighed. He couldn't wait to see her tomorrow.
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