AN: Hey! I'm back! And only one day late, yay! :D
I'm sorry, but life is getting in the way aaand...yeah. I can't assure you I'll be on time either next week..:/
I really hope you're gonna like this chapter and if you do, please tell me :)

As always, many thanks to the kind EmilyAndTheDiamonds ! :)

This had to be one of the worst days of her life.

First, in the morning at school, she failed three mock exams out of four. Then her friends had told her she was boring because she never went out anymore, she didn't drink (or rather, she didn't get so drunk she didn't remember her own name), that she was always complaining and that they were done with her. If she changed, they would welcome her back, they told her. What nice friends she had picked.

And to add to it all now, at training, her coach had told her she was a disappointment, that she had to be faster than this.
Tears were burning in her eyes, even inside her googles, while she swam the last lane. She'd just say her goggles were leaking. Rose climbed out of the water and hastily took off her swim cap, turning towards the door. The only thing she needed now was the privacy of her bedroom so she could cry.

John had seen Rose a couple of times while swimming. She seemed upset.
He had wanted to talk to her, but she arrived late and then she was too far behind him to talk to her.

They had just finished a session and he was talking with Mickey and Jack when he caught a glimpse of blonde hair.
John rattled out a "Go ahead," then quietly mumbled "I'll come soon" before turned around, rushing after Rose, ignoring Martha and Reinette that were clearly lurking around to try and talk to him.
"Rose!" he called her to stop her since she was already at the door.

He saw her tense up, hesitate a second and then go on walking.
Determined to get to her and to know what was wrong, he walk as fast as he could without slipping on the wet floor .
John had reached her when disaster struck. He slipped. He fell ungracefully on his backside.
Rose then turned around and giggled at the view.

Although his face remained offended, he felt satisfaction and worry run through him at once: he had succeeded in putting a smile on her face when she was obviously quite distressed.
She extended her hand helping him up while asking "You okay?" with a giggle.

He pouted but nodded affirmatively.
Then, when he was standing in front of her, he added "Are you okay?", his expression serious.
Rose turned her head down and shuffled her feet.
"I'm alright.." she whispered, her voice breaking.

Someone saying "Sorry..." broke them apart, but John took Rose's hand, preventing her escape and leading her to the bleachers, in a corner a little secluded.
Once away from others, John looked Rose in the eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly.

Rose was still tense, but after a deep breath she answered.
"Just a bad day, 's all.."
Her eyes were downcast and she tried to suppress a shiver.

"Are you cold?" He asked worriedly.
Rose nodded awkwardly and John said quickly "Wait here!", before rushing to his bag. In front of the changing room he turned around and mouthed a "Please" before going inside. Just so he didn't seem too eager...

"Hey, mate, you coming or not?" Mickey asked John from behind.

"Nah, sorry bud, go ahead. See you tomorrow." He said, not even looking up from his bag.
When he finally found the towel he rushed back, ignoring his teammate's curious stare.
Stumbling out the doors he breathed out in relief. Rose was still there.
He walked again to her and wrapped his towel around her.
She breathed in before whispering a "Thanks". He sat down next to her and said gently "No problem".

Then he tried again.
"You want to tell me what happened?"
Rose took a sharp breath, then let it out slowly.
"I'm sure you don't want to hear me complaining..." She breathed out.

John was puzzled. Did she feel like she didn't have a right to complain?
"No Rose, I asked because I want you to tell me. I promise I don't mind." He tried in his most convincing and soft voice.
When he saw she was still hesitant, he covered her hand with his.
"Come on.."
This seemed to do it.

"'s just... Well, today started off badly. I completely failed three tests. That would have been okay, I mean, I'll get shouted at and a lot of people will be disappointed in me but they were only mocks so it's not the end of the world... But after my friends they...they.." She stammered, incapable of continuing, her eyes watering.

He gently squeezed her hand and prompted "Your friends? What did they do?"
She shook her head.
"They told me I'm boring. That I'm not a good friend and that they don't want me as their friends anymore." She said, squeezing her eyes shut to prevent the tears from falling and not wanting to see John's reaction.

The boy, instead, felt anger rise inside of him: How could they be her friends and treat her like that?
He was trying to collect himself, not wanting to show his anger, when her small voice broke the silence again.

"I'm just a disappointment to everybody... I'm not good enough as a friend, I'm not fast enough, I can't go well even at school! I'm just not enough..." She rushed out, her voice shaky and getting a little more red in the face.

John couldn't believe his ears! She was the most beautiful human being he had ever seen and known, and he didn't even know her that well!
He let go of her hand and cupped her chin, turning his head up and focusing his eyes in hers. On her face he could see the track of the tears that were still falling down on her cheeks and her warm honey eyes were red and puffy.
He slowly stroked away her tears with his thumb.
"Hey, listen, don't let anybody make you believe that. Never ever. You are enough. Bloody hell, you're more than enough! You're brilliant! You bring light wherever you go, I just got to know you and I already look forward to seeing you everyday. I'm sorry your friends are being morons - sorry but it's the truth - and I would probably punch them if they were here. Since they treated you like this they don't deserve you and your fantastic, adorable self." John let his gob go and spoke his mind. He didn't even regret it. He did however, not actually believe he'd said it... His mind started to catch up to him then. God he was so stupid! He had just made a fool of himself. Good job.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by two arms that wound around his neck and a choked sob. He was surprised for a couple of seconds, then he forced himself out of his stupor and wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back in soothing motions.
She didn't make any sound, just cried silently for a bit, then she whispered a "Thank you, again" on his neck.

John shuddered for the sensation and answered "No problem, again.", echoing her and making her chuckle.
The sound reverberated through her and to him making him tremble once again, enjoying the moment.
"You're cold.." She said, taking her head off his shoulder and looking at his face.

He made a face and said "N-Yeah, a bit…" he said, looking embarrassed.
She disentangled her arms from around his neck and stood up. (Was that a disappointed sound coming from him?! Damn..)
But then she took his hand and tugged him up. He willingly followed her and, once it was time to part and go to the changing rooms, she turned around, opening her mouth to speak but he beat her to it.

"Can I walk you home?" he asked, putting on his best puppy face.
The wide grin on her face was breathtaking.
"Well if you insist…" She said, clearly faking indifference.

"Okay, then I'll wait out for you" He said eagerly.
Rose only nodded in response, a wide grin stretching her face.
He squeezed her hand and walked backwards towards the door, hitting it with his head (and saying a "ouch" that echoed around the pool and made her laugh).
Then, he waved at her and turned around.

"Damn." was the first thing he heard her say out of the changing room.

"What's up?" he asked curiously.
Rose huffed.
"My mum. She wants to know where I am, why I am late, blah blah.." she said, rushing towards him.
"Well, let's go then. We'll get there quickly." John said with an easy smile, holding the door open for her.
"Ugh, I'm sorry, she's always like this…" rattled on Rose.
"It's okay. If you want I can tell her it's my fault."
"No, it's not your fault, you shouldn't make her mad." She brushed him off, but John was stubborn.
"No, actually, it is my fault. So I might as well save you some trouble. I can use the excuse of giving you back the umbrella." John reasoned.
"Would you really do that?" She asked surprised.
"Of course! And I'm gonna." He answered smiling.
Rose whispered a moved "Thank you" and everything was silent for a while.

"I still don't know how to tell her about my terrible grades." She sighed, then added "Oh god, I'm sorry. I'm always complaining...Sorry…"
John took her hand and squeezed it.
"No, hey, it's really okay. I don't mind."
Rose nodded and sighed.

"Which subjects are your problem? If you don't mind me asking…" he said, an idea suddenly striking him.
"Math, Physics and Science. I'm usually not that bad, at least not in science, but…"
John couldn't believe his luck! Now he could put his plan into motion.
"Well, you know, not to brag but I'm pretty good in said subjects." He said blushing and tugging at his ear. "If you want I could maybe help you with it...If you want obviously…" He continued, suddenly doubting himself.
Rose pondered for a second the offer.
"Are you sure?" she asked incredulously.
"Of course! Wouldn't be a problem at all!" he said excited.
"Well, it would really help if sometime you could help me out, then.." she said with a shy smile.
"Then we have a deal!"
"You bet. Now you're stuck with me. Where do I sign up?" she teased.
The Doctor couldn't help but reply: "Stuck with you? Not so bad", although he regretted saying it immediately.
But, after a sheepish look at her face, he decided it was worth it: an amazing smile stretched her face.

They were nearing the house,
"Maybe we should exchange phone numbers?" He asked after mustering all his courage.
"Yeah, that's a great idea." She smiled gently, taking out her phone.
John mirrored her actions, reaching in his pockets, but he remembered he had left it at home.
"Eeh..yeah…'xept I seem to have left my phone at home." He said looking somewhat embarrassed.
Rose laughed softly and said "No problem, gonna call you and you'll save the number when you get home" She added with a wink.
"Brilliant!" He smiled and squeezed her hand again (Wait, was he still holding her hand?).
Finally, they arrived at her house and John slowly followed her. Rose stopped in front of her door and turned around.
"You sure?" She asked. He only smiled and nodded.
Rose turned around, took a deep breath and opened the door.