AN: Hey there! Long time no see!
I know, it's my fault and I feel so guilty because I promised a new chapter soon but took a month instead :/ I hope this makes up a bit for such a long wait, eve though I know it'a not exactly John/Rose centric...
Oh, I also received a review that asked me "...does this story have an ending,or do you just want to keep it going?.." and I wanted to answer: this story has a PLANNED ending, but I'm still not sure about the whole thing... Hope you don't mind!
"So, John told me I should bend my arm of around 90° when I swim backstroke. But I'm not really sure why I should bend it so much, I usually do it less.." Rose said, looking confused and curious.
Rose and Time were walking around a mall, looking for art supplies, and they were talking about Rose's latest 'private training session' with John.
"Well, it makes sense; The hydrostatic resistance is the same, but you're using different, stronger muscles so your whole swimming style results more efficient" answered Time, her voice normal even while she launched in a quite scientific explanation, almost as if it was a regular occurrence.
Rose stopped in her tracks, surprised (almost shocked), and it took Time some steps before realizing that.
She turned around questioning and the blonde screeched:"Oh my god... you're a nerd!"
"Am not!" Time defended, looking almost offended.
"Are too!" Rose insisted.
"Am not"
"Are too"
Knowing that they could go on for hours, Time relented.
"I just really like science, that's all." She said shrugging and smiling at the mention of her favorite subject.
Rose started walking again, looking suspiciously at her.
"Really? 'Cause you seemed quite sure of yourself" Rose poked, trying to find out if it was just a coincidence or if her friend was obsessed with science as much as John was.
"As I said, I like science. No big deal. If you remember I also had a hard time in that biology test, so I'm not a big ol' geek like your friend" She said the last word eying Rose maliciously.
"Oh look at that dress!" The blonde exclaimed, changing subject quickly and Time smirked at the reaction.
"Ah yes, looks good on the mannequin, but once you try it on.." The hazelnut haired commented, and a crazy look passed on Rose's face.
"Let's go try it!" She said suddenly, taking her friend's hand and dragging her into the shop.
Rose picked up a pink, strapless dress, short but not too much with a large gown; in the meantime the other girl wandered around, until her eyes stopped on a green dress with tight sleeves, its gown hitting the floor: it reminded her of Fiona's, from Shrek, dress, but in a modern, less princess-like way and she couldn't help but smile fondly at the memory of herself in a princess dress for a Halloween party, oh so long ago.
When Rose saw her eying the dress, she took one from the hanger and dragged Time again, this time to the fitting room.
"Rose, what are we doing?" She asked confused.
"Trying on dresses!" The other answered cheerily.
"Why should I try it on? I'll never buy it!"
"Oh for god's sake. Just try it on for-...for fun!" Rose answered, trying to convince her friend.
At her still unconvinced expression, Rose took out her best pouting face.
"Please?"
"Fine." Time relented, shaking her head but secretly enjoying her friend's spontaneity as they went in to the changing rooms.
"Time, you ready?" Rose asked, and the other girl opened the door looking a bit unsure: she loved the dress, but it was almost... too much?
"Wow, Time... You look amazing" was the first thing she heard, before she could even see her friend and she blushed, smiling timidly.
"Thank you." She said sincerely, then added "You look fantastic too"
Rose only grinned in answer and they both turned to the common mirror outside to admire themselves.
"Woah, looking good here!" They heard a cheery voice say and had similar reactions: Time jumped and turned around, almost feeling the need to retreat in the fitting room, Rose blushed and turned around slowly, wishing the Earth could open under her feet an swallow her right there and then, having recognized the voice.
"Hi John" Rose said sheepishly.
"Hey Rose. You look beautiful" He repeated, this time quieter and sweeter.
The blonde blushed harder and smiled shyly.
"Thank you" She whispered, finally looking up in his eyes and losing herself in them.
This time, it was the hazelnut girl who wished to disappear. She was torn between feeling like she was in something she didn't belong to and feeling happy and giddy because they were so sweet and «look at them they're perfect together and ugh!».
After some time passed, she awkwardly cleared her throat. Did they seriously not realize that at least a minute had passed?!
Rose was the first one to recover and after a half annoyed glare she gestured between her friends.
"Oh right, sorry! John, this is my friend Time. Time, this is John"
John proffered his hand to Time, but the girl only eyed it suspiciously, still on edge because of the surprise entry, and John smiled awkwardly and put his hand in his pocket.
"So, what do you two say, you want to get a coffee down at the cafe?" John asked feigning confidence, his expression betraying him.
Rose looked at Time and the girl nodded.
"Sure, let us get changed and then we're ready" Rose smiled back at him.
When she was at the door, however, she heard him mutter "N'aww, shame, I was hoping to have a pink and yellow princess to escort downstairs" and her heart skipped a beat at the affirmation.
"So you're here for an art project" John asked curiously.
"Yes. We have to buy canvas because we are studying what effects we can get on different surfaces." Rose explained.
She was walking between her two friends, enjoying the attentions she was getting and she was tempted to take John's hand, but was afraid he didn't felt like it. Also, Time was with her and could get the wrong (right) idea. She wasn't in love with John, was she?
"And what are you here for?" Rose asked to continue the conversation.
"Apart from making people jump with cheesy comments" Piped in Time, smirking and Rose elbowed her in the side.
"Ah, was getting a new shirt for a family dinner and I ran into you two" John answered shrugging.
"Pff sure, «'ran into'" The hazelnut haired commented, this time softer so only Rose heard.
"Here" John said, taking Rose's hand to take her to the café.
Immediately Rose felt relief and worry for Time's possible misinterpretations, but decided to let things go. The other girl was already sure there was something going on between them, anyway.
The trio sat at a table in a corner. The cafe was small and busy, the inside looked cozy and warm and a smiling woman took their order.
Both the girls looked in disbelief at John when he ordered a "banana muffin with crunchy ball bearings on top' but the woman must have known John, for she only smiled knowingly and nodded.
"What?" He asked as if they were the strange ones.
"Banana muffin?" Asked Rose
"With crunchy ball bearings on top?" Finished Time.
"Yeah, they're the best thing human ever invented. And I'm sure aliens don't have edible crunchy ball bearings." He answered in a pensive face.
"Your boyfriend is mad" Time interjected.
"Not my boyfriend" Grimaced Rose.
As soon as their order arrived, John attacked the muffin, making a content noise when he took the first bite, and Rose and Time exchanged a bewildered look.
"Want some?" He asked excitedly, receiving doubtful glares in answer.
"Come on, it's great!" He pouted at Rose.
She couldn't resist that look.
"Fine." She relented, while Time muttered something that sounded like "completely besotted" under her breath.
Rose took a suspicious bite at the muffin, then opened her eyes in surprise.
"I hate to say this, but he's right" she said to her friend and on John's face appeared a smug smile.
"You guys are most definitely married" Time commented, again only for Rose to hear.
"Want to try it too?" John asked politely and Time refused strongly.
"I'm fine, thanks."
In the meantime, Rose snatched another bite at the boy's bun.
"Oi! Don't finish my muffin!" He exclaimed and Rose smirked playfully in answer, holding the cake just out of John's reach.
Watching the two fight for the food, Time shook her head: how they couldn't see what was right in front of their eyes was beyond her.
"So..what do you think about John?" Rose asked at Time once they were alone again. "He's fine. So in love with you, though." She answered matter-of-factly, smiling slyly.
Rose blushed and protested.
"Not true, stop it."
"Why? It is true!"
"Just... I don't wanna get any false idea in my mind" Rose said, looking almost dejected and Time decided to let things go, shrugging. Some day they'll both see what everybody else could see.
The two walked in silence for some seconds, both thinking over what just happened.
"Ca- can I ask you something?" Rose broke the silence.
"Sure"
"Is there a reason you like science so much?" The blonde asked and watched as her friend froze, although she couldn't tell if it was for the sudden change of subject or for the question itself. Earlier when talking about this she had sensed that the galaxy eyed girl had some different, deeper reason to love science than a normal passion, but she wasn't sure.
When she didn't receive any answer, however, Rose hurried to retract.
"Sorry, I shouldn't-"
"No, it's... fine, really. There... yeah, there's a reason.." The hazelnut haired answered, quite hesitantly.
Rose waited for the reason, quite curious but also worried about her friend.
"Um. Actually, my Dad, he... was a scientist. So... guess that ... was inherited. I used to, uh, sit in his study room a lot."
Rose noticed with shock that her small friend's eyes teared up but before she could say anything, Time quickly swiped her fringe out of her eye and added, chuckling as if to cover up for something: "But, you, it's whatever, it's just ... easy."
"I'm sorry, but... was? Did he quit the job or something like that?" Rose asked suspiciously. The Galaxy eyed girl was hiding something.
"...Yeah, something like that.." She answered evasively and the blonde knew not to press any further, because she wouldn't get any more information for today.