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He never did like physical contact. The Doctor had always thought of the idea as strange but when Clara Oswald held his hand, his mind was at ease. In fact, he wouldn't mind being like this a bit longer.
"Right," she began, letting go of his hand. "Do you remember anything at all about dancing?"
He gave her a sheepish look before avoiding eye contact. This was beyond embarrassing. "Try not to step the other person's feet?"
His reply caused Clara to giggle. "Let's see if you could follow my lead," she said, grabbing his hand.
John tried his best not to seem nervous, but his shaky hand contradicted his demeanour as he gently held her waist.
"Doctor, we haven't even started yet and you look as if you stepped on my foot," Clara commented, causing him to look at her. She heard him mumble an apology. "The apology is unnecessary… just relax."
"Well, sorry in advance if I step on your foot," he said sheepishly before she took the lead.
As they began dancing across the living room, John kept looking at his feet, mindful of not to step on hers. It wasn't too long ago that Clara had a bruised ankle – he didn't want to make it worse.
"Doctor, my eyes are up here, not on the floor," she teased.
He instantly looked up and locked eyes with her.
"See, you're not hurting my feet at all and you're doing very well for someone who hasn't danced in a while."
He granted her a smile. "That's because I have a wonderful teacher."
His compliment caused her cheeks to heat up and redden. John's smile became wider. Clara looked even more stunning when her cheeks were slightly flushed and now she was the one avoiding his gaze and staring at the ground.
"Don't be silly," she murmured.
"What's wrong with silly?"
"Nothing, still talking to you, aren't I?"
They shared a laugh together before John twirled her around and then bringing Clara back into his arms.
"Dr Smith, I think you're doing too well," she teased once more.
She spoke too soon as John stepped on her right foot by accident and in his state of panic, tripped, sending them both crashing to the ground. Well, just him since Clara was lying on top of him.
They stared at each other, not daring to make a single sound as the room became silent. Their faces were merely inches apart. John still had one arm wrapped around Clara's waist, his brain unable to function properly due to the beautiful woman lying on top of him, bodies pressed together.
Eventually, they burst out laughing.
"Hello, I'm Clara Oswald."
"Hello Clara Oswald, I'm John Smith."
Neither of them had any intention of getting up from the floor just yet. They were enjoying the moment.
"Nice to meet you, John Smith – you seem to have a knack for always saving me."
He smiled warmly at her. "I'm a doctor – that's what I do."
They stared at each other before Clara slowly leaned in. Their noses touched and lips millimetres away… until the grandfather clock in the room began chiming.
Clara instantly looked up at the clock. She had to return home. Poor Mr Rentford was probably waiting outside, wondering if he'll get fired if he didn't pick up Dave on time.
"I have to go," she said, moving away from the Doctor. "Mr Rentford has to pick up my father."
"Of course," was all John could manage. He was still flustered from their near-kiss.
"You will come to the party, won't you?" Clara asked with pleading eyes.
How could he ever say no to her?
"Yes," he replied, almost in a whisper before she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
She beamed at him. "Brilliant!" she exclaimed before running out of the living room. "I hope to dance with you again!"
Cheeks red, heart racing, pupils dilating… what has Clara Oswald done to him? He grinned as he watched the carriage roll away. He was looking forward to it. Three weeks. He has three weeks to prepare properly.
"This is your chance to woo her!" Harold exclaimed, reading the invitation for the third time.
John rolled his eyes as he continued eating his dinner. His cousin had kept telling him to step up his game, but he didn't see why he had to rush things. He wanted to get to know Clara better – enjoy every moment of their friendship.
"John, are you listening?"
"Yes, I am, Harold and if you keep that any longer, you'll sound just like father."
Harold set the letter aside. "All I'm trying to say is you need to make her fall in love with you – all you've been doing is treating her like a friend."
"Clara is my friend - we started out as friends and the last thing I want to do is ruin that. I know what I'm doing," John argued, the annoyance in his tone evident.
"Alright, fine – just don't let the girl get swooned by somebody else."
The weeks passed by rather quickly and before anybody knew it, it was the day of Dave's birthday celebration. Most of the guests consisted of Dave's close friends and family, including Clara's grandmother.
Even Clara's best friend and childhood friend, Amy Pond was there, along with her husband, Rory Williams.
"So, where exactly is this suitor of yours – and by suitor I'm talking about the one you mentioned in your letters – John Foreman – you met him when you were a child, right?" Amy questioned, as the two women stood in a corner, chatting.
Clara sipped her champagne before rolling her eyes. "I told you – we're just friends," she insisted before deciding to reveal the truth about the Doctor. She hadn't said much about him in the letter she wrote to Amy aside from mentioning that the new family doctor is kind and attentive. She would rather tell Amy about her secret in person.
"And actually, there's someone-" she was instantly cut off when Amy spotted a handsome looking man.
"Oh, is that him?!" her friend exclaimed, nodding to the man who entered the room and looked straight in their direction.
He wore a crisp white shirt, black vest, black trousers and a red velvet coat that, while it may look ridiculous on most people, suited his appearance.
"You didn't tell me he was older."
Clara was lost for words as she stared at the Doctor. He looked dashing and his unruly curly hair was slicked back, something that complimented his appearance further.
The Doctor smiled at her, all eyes seem to be on him before he walked away to get a drink.
"Clara, Clara," Amy said, "I know he's handsome and everything but if you keep that up, people are going to stare."
Finally, she came back to reality. "What…"
Amy giggled. "He's coming our way!"
She turned the other way and indeed, the Doctor was walking towards them. What puzzled her was that his face was a confusion and concern.
"Uhm, are you alright? Your eyes are inflating again," he said awkwardly, trying to ignore the strange look he was getting from the woman next to Clara.
"Oh yes, I'm fine," she said a bit too loudly, letting out a nervous laugh. "Anyway, this is my best friend, Amy, the Doctor – Doctor, Amy."
"It's finally a pleasure to meet – I've heard so much about you," Amy said, shaking his hand, thinking he was John Foreman. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to look for my husband – he probably got lost trying to find the toilet."
Amy gave Clara a sly look, nodding to the dance floor where people were dancing.
"You look stunning tonight," John murmured.
"I can say the same about you, Dr Smith – the colour suits you."
They immediately looked away, smiling before John mustered all the courage he had to ask her to dance. "Would care for a dance? I've been practising with my sister since we last met – she wasn't exactly a good teacher, though… kept hitting me every time I stepped on her foot."
The music stopped as the musicians tuned their instrument for the next song.
Clara chuckled. "Are you sure you didn't do it on purpose?" she placed her hand in his as he led her to the dance floor.
"Maybe I did after the third time she hit me," he said quietly, placing a hand on waist.
Music began playing and everyone began dancing.
They only had eyes for each other at that moment. Nothing else mattered and everybody else was out of the picture as it was just them in their bubble.
"I'm impressed – you've improved, Doctor."
He beamed at her, proud of his dancing skills. "As I've said before, I have an excellent teacher."
"John, what are you doing standing here like an idiot!" Harold hissed. He had expected his cousin to be the first to dance with Clara Oswald but that wasn't the case. Instead, a magician appeared out of nowhere and stole the girl.
John Foreman was staring the dancing couple. He couldn't describe what he was feeling – jealousy with a hint of anger, maybe. He didn't expect the old man to be invited, and he certainly didn't think he would dance with Clara.
"John, are you listening?"
The young man turned to look at Harold, glaring at him. The expression on his face alone caused his cousin to immediately shut his mouth.
John Foreman had arrived exactly 11 minutes ago. He had every intention of searching for Clara but some of his father's friends instantly recognised him and stalled him. He could see from across the room Dave Oswald, a confused expression on his face as he watched the Doctor and Clara dance.
The moment the music ended, everyone in the room began clapping in cheering. All attention was on the two and they didn't notice it until they stopped dancing.
John took his chance and headed straight in their direction as another song began playing. He tapped on the Doctor's shoulder and forced a smile.
"I hope you don't mind if I dance with Clara," he said with a tight smile.
The Doctor quickly glanced at her before he too forced a smile. "Not at all."
However, he never let go of her hand. The two were locked in a staring contest before Clara cut in to avoid any undesirable situations. She squeezed his hand before pulling away.
"I'd be happy to dance with you, John."
He turned to look at her and this time, his smile was warm and sincere.
Clara forced a smile. She felt guilty and sorry for John Foreman. He truly deserved better.
"Did you like the book I got you?" he questioned. "I was told you love reading Jane Austen novels, so I went to the bookshop and bought you one."
"I love it and I'm halfway finished!"
He grinned. "Perhaps I could buy one that's signed? I know a friend who knows a friend who knows a man who owns a bookshop-" he stopped when he saw the amused expression on Clara's face. "Sorry, I'm being silly, aren't I?"
"What's wrong with silly?"
"Nothing," he replied, grinning from ear to ear. "But I would love to take you to the bookshop I mentioned."
Half of her wanted to decline the offer but the other half told to say yes. A visit to the bookshop wouldn't hurt anybody. "I'd love to."
From one corner of the room, Rory furrowed his brows. "I'm confused – which one is John… Foreman, again?"
"The man with the red coat there," Amy said. "… but I'm not so sure now - Clara did he say he's a doctor, but she mentioned John Foreman being an heir to a railway company."
Amy stared at the couple dancing before glancing at the Doctor. He had a strange look plastered on his face and she couldn't help but notice that he had his hands in his pockets.
Her attention was diverted when Dave Oswald walked passed her.
"Oh, Mr Oswald, happy birthday!" she said.
He granted her a warm smile. "Thank you, Amy… if you'll excuse me," he murmured, dropping his smile immediately as he strode towards where Harold stood.
The music ended and once more, there was clapping.
Clara looked around the room and spotted the man she was looking for. He stood close to the hallway that led to the gardens. Perhaps she could talk in private with him, but she had no such luck as Shaun, the chef, rolled in with the large cake.
Her father beckoned her and John Foreman to stand next to him as he cut the cake, earning cheers. Clara searched for the Doctor and saw him where he was, but he had a sad look on his face. Her father invited her and John to stand next to him on purpose. It was a message.
She was going to have a word with him once the party is over.
Her train of thought, however, was interrupted when she felt someone grabbing her hand and patting it – her grandmother. She gave her a sympathetic smile. It would seem she understood.