The One that Got Away.

The Walk up to the Cafe was a long one indeed, your feet dragging miles behind you as your mind lept forward into uncertainty... nah nah you got this... you can't mess this up... you're not gonna mess this up... KILL ME!

You wiped the sweat from your brow "Is this a date? like a date-date!? Should I have brought flowers!? shit maybe I should have dressed more formally, damn it, Drake, you moron what's wrong with you!? the Girl is pregnant she probably is only looking for a friend, she must be stressed to all hell! what ya gonna do just slip into her life and becoming a step-father--WAIT WHAT!? I barely know her why would I have thoughts like that, I feel like an egg in a microwave shit! ShIt!! SHIT!!!" You grumbled, doing your quivering march around the corner, where the front of the Beans Cafe came into sight.

Being a little early, you saw one or two students sat with near-empty drink, your watch told you it was 7.45, the number gleaming and glowing digitally on your wrist, and as you stepped closer trying to push down the storm of doubts and anxiety in your frame... You saw Ms Franklin.

She stood at the Bar smiling happily as a very bored, and a very beautiful looking Rose handed her a coffee in a takeaway cup. Rose's eyes were latched to Ms Franklins, ever watching and deeply suspicious, But Ms Franklin waved the Red-head off cheerfully, and turned for the door, her deep blue eyes spotting you through the shop window, her smile deepening as you leant forward to pull the door open for her.

Ms Franklin sipped her coffee, sighing as she touched your shoulder warmly, making you subconsciously shimmer uncomfortably "That one is dangerously Sharp. Careful you don't cut yourself." She muttered gently, the History teacher going on her way as You looked at her in confusion and an insidious fear.

This made it much more awkward when you entered the Cafe, a very tired looking guy manning the till nearly drooling on it as his eyes drooped... and on the Coffee Machines, wearing a red woolly jumper with her neck length curly red hair bunched up in a neat bun, was Rose... accept she looked a lot different.

Her skin was pinker and her cheeks rosier, like they filled with blood, a stark contrast to the pale countenance she had before. While her eyes were still alert, they were not wide and unblinking like before, they were soft and gentle looking, the ocean blue replacing the pale frost.

She smiled a little when she saw you... she smiled a lot when she saw you, but seemed to notice as busied her face with a neutral expression again, mouthing "I'll be over in just a minute. Take a seat."

And you did just that, chuckling nervously as You swung over to choose a nice comfortable seat by the window, just next to the Two girls who were speaking to each other in a low irritation.

Your attention was caught on them for some reason, the two girls were familiar to you, students in your Year, but you hadn't really spoken to them.

The One facing away from you was a Copper skin, plump Hindu girl, her hair long and dark though she always had it tied up into a neat bun, you thought her name was Vana that's what everybody called her, though if your memory served correct it was actually Bhavna... You liked that name, it was pretty, like she was, in her curvaceous way. If she were to face her then you knew that you'd see her round friendly face, and her eyes that were the colour of pale emerald, covered by square spectacles, with that neat little Bindi dot on her forehead.

The Girl opposite her who was facing you however... you knew in spades... everybody knew Penelope Helia, and not for entirely good reasons.

The Girl was a Sophmore like you also though the why that she stared at things with that chaotic mania was enough to drive people away. People would always say, if Penelope stares at you with those bright hazel eyes, then you better hope that she looks away soon. The Girl was known for her fits of pure rage, springing from the smallest thing and seemingly outta nowhere, in the meantime being calm as still water. She didn't have many friends from what you understood and tended to stay away from everybody except for Vana who seemed to keep her oddly calm despite the two being extremely different in every way.

Still, Helia was one of those girls that had a hauntingly terrifying beauty, one that made her look oddly enchanting when she was calm, and scary as fuck when she was angry. She had a sharp nose and skin pale as snow, she had oddly specific freckled patterns on her face, Two on the bridge of her nose and two under each of her eyes on her cheeks. Her lips were thin from pressing them together a lot and Neck length frilly hair that was obviously dyed, the ends being a yellowish-orange, and the body being a fiery red colour, her locks rippling out like a rolling flame. You always liked her piercings, the Stud in her ears, left eyebrow and the right side of her nostrils... not that you were ever brave enough to tell her that.

"This is a whole new level of Bullshit," Helia growled as she sat there miserably. You heard Vana chuckle softly as she spoke in her warm Indian accent.

"Oh I understand, trust me, it's always about the golden girl! but it's no reason to lose your temper, Miss Blair cares about us just as much as Her." Vana said, her voice cheery and optimistic.

"Whatever. But I swear if that fucking Bimbo disrespects me again, she'll regret it." Helia said adamantly as the two finished there drink and got up to leave.

Vana merely chuckled "Yeah right, you wouldn't hurt a fly!"

The Two walked over to the door, Helia snarling at Vana who was completely unintimidated "You wanna put that to the test Asshole!? I promise I'll..." her voice drained out as the door closed behind them, and you huffed rubbing you eyes some clinked lightly in front of you.

Jolting, you saw Rose beside you, smiling lightly as she placed the steaming Hot Chocolate with swirling cream and marshmallows in front of you "On the House." She said in her soft American tone "I'm just gonna close up, then We can hand out. Okay?"

You just stared... it appeared that your heart had decided to stop again, and the words solidified in your throat leaving the pathetic dregs of "I... I... uh...." to spurt out.

Rose let out an amused exhale and moved back over to her station, where she pocked the man on the till from his gentle slumber, the man rushing to clock out so that he could doubtlessly melt into his bed.

Sipping the hot chocolate that was nothing less than fucking divine, it was warm and creamy, not scorching with a touch of cinnamon just like you liked, the marshmallow melted on your tongue and made you feel all doughy inside as the Redhead locked the doors and began to fiddle with the Music system.

A Gentle piano tune began to play, a cheerful but pretty little tune... you knew it, but you couldn't quite recall it. Rose took a little while back there... until she emerged from the backroom.

You couldn't help but smile. Her Jumper was unbuttoned at the top and pulled down to expose her smooth shoulders, her curly hair allowed to relax on her shoulders. She must have put a little lipstick on, the gentle red of her lips glowing as she casually walked over to the Machine, made two more Hot chocolates in what must have been world-record time, and brought them over. Placing herself gently on the other side of the table and sliding one of the steaming beverages towards you.

She sipped her Drink, her lipstick staining the edge of the mug. She didn't really say much at first, her eyes seemed to be glued to her cocoa that every so often she would bring to her lips.

You looked at her, unable to look away... it was strange, you felt so comfortable here, even with her not saying a word, the ambience she had created, the Hot chocolate, it was warm and gentle. Seeing the conflict on her face was the only foil.

"Maybe this was a mistake," Rose said softly.

Your brows creased "What!? no no I'm sorry... I just, it's really hard to not just stare at you." Real smooth Drake, smooth moves... fuck.

But it made her smile a little, though it went away again "It is not that... You barely know me and... I'm with Child. You must have a thousand things going through your mind about me. Pursuing a Romance with you feels selfish."

Your ears pricked up "R-Romance... so she considers this like, a real date?"

Taking a deep breath, you spoke "I think that the more Romantic Time I spend with you, the Better."

Her eyes the colour of sapphires looked at you as she smiled. there it was again, this girl had some serious power of you, making you melt with just a look.

"So, It doesn't bother you?" She asked.

"I mean, as long as you're not with your baby daddy, then no of course not."

"Well, I'm not." She fiddled with her hands "We should get to know each other." She said that a little matter a factly, She had this weird way of speaking, very to the point and with barely any unessasary Jargon, still her calm and buttery voice made her intelligent and sombre tone, ten times more potent, it made you chuckle.

"Yeah Sure. Where are you from? You sound like you're from In-State."

She shrugged "Romania originally, but I've been here for a long time now."

"Wow, that's actually pretty cool, Where in Romania?" You asked.

She paused "Wallacia, south of the Carpathians." her eyes watched you as You grinned, sticking your fingers in front of your mouth and gasping as you spoke in a silly Dracula accent.

"Please don't eat me, Miss Vampire!"

Oh god for fuck's sake.

But Rose actually laughed, clutching her stomach as she tried to stifle it "Trust me, if I was a Vampire, you'd already be mine."

OH SHIT! DID SHE JUST FLIRT!? FUCK FUCK SAY SOMETHING BACK!

"Yeah? well, I've been known to bite back so think twice!" You immediately regretted that and she shot you a "Wow" Look.

"You're an idiot." She chuckled.

"I am an Idiot yeah." You agreed in turn.

Rose was actually really interesting, though she was doing a lot of her work experience in the Cafe, she was also studying to work in Law Enforcement, she spoke about how she always loved to help people, even if she was a little cold about it sometimes, how since she came to America that she had learned to really care about people in a way she didn't think possible, the way she talked about it with such passion, it was just one of those moments where you really see the good in a person. You hoped that she could become a Detective or something like she wanted.

"So you seem to be pretty good at this whole Coffee thing you know, this Cocoa is on a whole other level!"

Rose shrugged "It keeps me busy, and it's easy. I think my little one likes the smells." She touched her belly softly, barely inflated, Rose had a perfect form, tall and strong, though she did have the smallest of bumps emerging.

"How far in are you?"

She rested her arms on the table "Well I suppose... maybe a month or two? I didn't actually find out I was pregnant for a while then... well, here she is." She held her stomach with uncertainty.

"What makes you so sure it's a she?" You said, trying to restore her smile.

Mission accomplished, Rose chuckled "Trust me. I just know." Her finger laced the fabric over her abdomen, a deep conflict on her face "I am not the type of person to be afraid. I have seen so much, done more than that, I've been around for long enough to not be surprised at anything anymore.... but this... no She. She scared me." Rose said earnestly.

"You talk like an 80-year-old you know that? we're just kids you know, there is so much more to See! The Great Pyramids, the Pagoda's of Tokyo, the forests and woods of Spring and snow..."

"I've seen stuff like that. It's pretty at first sure, but it just get's stale." Rose said dryly.

You smiled at her, pointing to her belly "Maybe, but She won't see it that way, Imagine those big blue eyes of hers that she'll have, just like her mother's, full of wonder as she looks at the world!"

The Redheaded beauty's breath quickened slightly, and she was staring a little intensely "I think she'll have her Father's eyes. I haven't seen any member of his Family without his eyes." She whispered but then flushed "I-I couldn't show her alone... I'd need someone to help me. I'm not all too good with people."

Feeling your chest thump, you couldn't contain the "You don't have to be alone."

By the time the Third Hot chocolate came, you were so profoundly comfortable that you started to tell her everything about you, about you being bullied, your Sister, your Home... your dad.

Rose's smile faded as You struggled to say much "You know, He was always pushing for me to try and be bigger... stronger, but he'd always go to the ****, made me study until my eyes hurt, He even locked me out the house until I'd done my run for the week, like that would made me any bigger than I was..."

"But it's like you say. He just wanted the best for you. sure he was a bit of an asshole about it but, I can tell he did it because He cared."

You nodded grimly "Yeah... He did... I just wish He was here."

A Warm hand took yours, the soft fingertips gripping you tightly, her eyes soft and kind "I'm here."

Damn this was getting difficult, You wanted her so badly, it was maddening. To touch her, to hold her, tear those clothes off and fuck her until the sun came up. Come on, you had to restrain yourself, this was only the first date, chill out!

"It's more than My father ever did..." her voice was cold in mentioning him, you got a distinctly dark incentive about that history.

"What is he like?" You asked softly.

"Cold... very cold... He was so warm once, the most loving man to ever walk the earth, he got it from my Granfer, they used to laugh and drink together over the smallest need for celebration." Her eyes looked off into a past long lost.

"What happened to them?"

She stroked her knuckles with her fingertips, the nails looked hard and smooth "My Gran, My Mother and My Aunt were all Killed one night. and My baby cousin, so small, so delicate, He was stolen." her voice was quiet almost a whisper, you clutched her hand tighter as she continued "It was like Fire and Ice... My Grandfer flew into a rage, like nothing I'd ever seen, it was like Hell was born in his broken heart but... My Father was worse, this wasn't the **** of him it was worse, He became a Ghost, this cruel, calculated unfeeling thing. Myself and My sisters tried to fix them but, but it wasn't our place. We should have done more."

"That's horrible. I'm so sorry." You tried to console her but she shook her head, replacing her smile.

"It was a long long time ago now. So what are your plans for the future?" Rose asked expectantly.

You cringed a little, caught off guard by the shift in tone "I um... I'm not exactly sure about that one, I don't really know what I'm good at yet?"

Rose rested her chin on her palm as she gave you a long stare. "What? do I have something on my face?" You asked, manically searching for something to wipe off.

She hushed you "I'm using my skills of observation to divine your talents."

You blinked "Oh, alright. So what do you see, oh mystical Rose?"

She fluttered her fingers at you making you chuckle as she whispered in a ghoulish voice "Through the ancient magics of the old gods I have decifered that you are an Exellent speaker, a talented leader, and... hmmm... a Musician!"

You raised an eyebrow "Speaker and leader... that's a little far fetched but... How did you know I play Instruments?"

Rose winked playfully "A Magician never reveals her secrets." She said with a wink. "You love singing and playing the guitar right?"

Okay... this was a little odd "Yeah, I guess. I just don't do it in front of anyone but my family really."

She pursed her lips, still holding your hand as she smiled.

You frowned "No."

"Please!?" Rose cried.

"No way. I can't just sing with nothing playing I-" You paused, realising the Sound system that still played as You spoke. Sighing at her cute and slightly hypnotic pouting, You pointed at her accusingly and grinning like a Disney villain "I'll sing if you sing."

Without a moment's hesitation, she nodded "Okay. I'll be back." And boom, she got up and vanished into the back room. Gulping nervously, Rose returned swiftly with her phone, looking at it narrowed eyes and with frustration "These things are confusing... ugh. Ah Here." Sitting back down, Rose cleared her throat as a slow and sweet tune came on, her lips parting to take in a long breath before she began to sing.

"Used to steal your parents' liquor and climb to the roof
Talk about our future like we had a clue
Never planned that one day I'd be losing you..."

Her voice was light and smooth, gentle and aluring, it caught you off guard and when her eyes looked right into yours, you felt something... very weird.

"In another life
I would be your girl
We'd keep all our promises
Be us against the world..."

You frowned. Your chest hurt, like some old pain had resurged, a knife driven into your chest, You were afraid. This girl was scary perfect and You felt like... like you Loved her... but you shouldn't, you didn't know why you shouldn't but...

Rose sniffed as a tear fell down her cheek as she sang, still never breaking eye contact with you.

"...In another life
I would make you stay
So I don't have to say ~ You were the one that got away
The one that got away.... the one that got away."

The Music stopped, and Rose went quiet, more tears falling down her face as her breaths became heavy. You moved instinctually, around the table and crouching beside her, wiping her cheek with your sleeve as you whispered: "Hey, what's wrong? that was beautiful."

She shook her head "Thank you... It's just the Hormones. I get really emotional."

The Words came out before you could stop them "Who is the father of your child?"

Rose paused, looking a little sad and uncomfortable. You frowned "I'm sorry... I... that was rude."

"You knew him." She said softly and cautiously.

"I did?" You asked.

She nodded, holding her stomach as she said in a quiet voice "Nox... Nox is my child's father." Her blue orbs looked up at yours, and you inhaled, trying to take that in.

"Nox." You whispered, "I see." You went to stand, but she grabbed you.

"I should have told you. Charlie... I fucked up. I did a horrible thing to him, we argued and he sent me away but... then He was gone and... now here you are... it's just so confusing." Rose stammered as she grasped tightly at your wrists.

So what? you were just a rebound? ...no, no you knew this wasn't that, but Nox was dead, and now here you were with his baby mama...

"I understand." You said with a light smile "Listen, You are going through a rough time, it's hard for you and I don't want to make that worst by reminding you of that pain, so..."

Rose frowned a little angrily "Shut up."

"Huh?"

"I said Shut. Up." Rose growled, pulling you in a tight hug much to your surprise. She felt so soft and warm, she smelt like flowers and her soft hair pressed against your cheek as she shook "I was going to say that I still want to spend time with you, I don't care about anything in the past. I-I care about you, I knew it the moment I saw you."

Your hands moved uncertainty, and wrapped around her also, hugging her softly, you didn't want to hurt her, she felt so fragile. the Two of you just held each other for a while, enjoying the moment before she pulled away, smiling at You "I am never this weak." She said adamantly "It isn't in my nature."

Grinning You wiped her eyes again "Don't mistake vulnerability for weakness."

The Tone lightened, and her hands touched your strong shoulder, the Beauty looking longingly at you for a moment "Do you want to say hello?" She held her belly, and you nodded with a quiet grin.

Rose stood, and you crouched down, the girl pulling up her jumper a little so that you could press your ear against her unbelievably soft skin.

At first, you didn't hear anything, though you did enjoy the feeling of Rose's warm belly on your face.... weirdo. "I think she needs to grow a little more" You laughed.

Rose smirked, "I don't know, she's feisty."

Then you felt it... the smallest and most subtle of movements, and you smiled, although... something about Little Rosie Jr did feel a little... strange...

---

Look at you. He may not be able to see you. But I can.

The Small shadow inside of you grinned as it peered past the fissure and into Rose's womb... where something very small only a people looked back at him with golden eyes.

He's going to lose it when He gets his mind you know. He's a Softie like that.

The Small presence liked the little Dark figure inside of this man, He has a funny smile.

Tell ya what, Take Great great Granfer's advice and enjoy your time in there while you can kid, this idiot is gonna be one of those overly-hugging dad's I can already tell.

The Presence grinned, and closed her little golden eyes, allowing herself to drift into a gentle slumber within her mother's warmth.

---

You paused, a gentle warmth flooded into you, an unconditional love, "Hey there... I'm Charlie..." You whispered. Rose couldn't contain her smile.

Rose turned out the light and locked up the doors. She wore a Black leather jacket and a red scarf now, it was getting cold with the end of Fall on its way.

After locking up the shop, she stared at you expectantly "C-Can I walk you back to the dorms?" You asked.

She took your arm, nestling closer than you expected.

"So, Have your eye on any of the girl's in the Academy?" Rose asked rather casually, making **** on air as you coughed.

"Oh... um what?" You asked nervously.

Rose smiled as she lent in, the two of your walking around the edge of the campus, it seemed neither of you wanted this to end "I want you to know that I'm a very open minded person." Her voice was low, alluring, knowing "I recently discovered that I kinda like to share...."

You gulped "R-Really?"

Her finger traced your arm "Really. don't be shy, tell me."

This girl was a fucking dream, no god damn way you weren't being punked. where was Ashton!? you knew that motherfucker was hiding somewhere "Well... there is this girl, that looks after me, Daisy. I like her."

"The Blonde? she's pretty, tall too. anyone else?"

"Ummm, There's um... well there's this girl, Charlotte, she's My umm. shit, there's this girl Belle, I'm already in a relationship with her I guess, and Charlotte is her sister, she's a little annoying but cute too." You said.

Rose nodded "I've met Belle, and Charlotte briefly, I am afraid that I know everyone you do, Nox and I used to do a lot of business with your family and your asscoaites."

"Oh?" that was peculiar, small world? "I have this old friend, she's more an enemy now, or frenamie? i don't know, but I'm crushing on her really hard lately..."

Rose nudged you "You really are quite insatiable huh?"

"I know, I'm a slut!" You chuckled.

"That old friend wouldn't happen to be Isabella Salvador, the Untouchable would it?" She asked.

Did this girl really have powers of Divantion? "Yeah, how did you know?"

The Redhead chuckled "Everybody talks about how Dicky-Drake somehow managed to get an untouchable to sit with him. plus... like I said, I'm very observant."

"Have you been watching me?"

"Maybe. a little." She said seductively "Only in the best way. What about the other two, Vicky and Camile, You'd be a legend if you pulled that off?"

You scoffed "Yeah right, that's not far fetched at all. Chaz would destroy me."

She gripped you tighter "Don't doubt yourself, you are stronger than you know...." Suddenly Rose looked a little, forlorn "...I know about your Ex. Jane Watson... What about her?"

You smile faded "Right, Jane. I uh, I want to get her back but... I can't, Duke Harmon has her in his clutches, he already beat the shit outta me, and she seems so confused, just trapped. What can I do?"

The Two of you came upon the outside of towering dorm building. Rose stopped you in place, looking up at you and brushing one of your Dark hairs from your face, playing with the streaks of Greyish-white amongst the Mahogany.

"You Fight." She whispered.

"I-I'm not that Guy, Rose... I-" You were cut off.

Rose's lips were warm as summer and gentle as a wave kissing the shore. her arms wrapped around you so desperately that you would have thought that she was starved of affection, hungrily wrestling with your tongue as you took in her embrace...

Sparkes went off in you, the darkness began to engorge again, and at that moment a Wave shot through your body, cracking like a whip as a piece fell into place.

Your eyes opened as she pulled back slightly, the Redhead smiling as she watched you "Never hold back. Always fight, Jane was always yours, take her back." Her voice was strong and commanding.

You nodded, feeling an entirely new resolve... along with something tenting in your pants "If Daisy wasn't up there already, I'd fuck you silly." that tone didn't sound like you, it was deep and powerful, and Rose bit her lip with her white teeth.

"If I wasn't bunking with Your Ex and those two idiots I'd have you all night." She whispered, making you grit your teeth hungrily.

"You share a dorm with Jane?" You asked, trying to restrain the overwhelming sexual ferocity that had sparked to life inside of you.

Rose shrugged "Small world. Now go, I don't want us to end up rutting in the woods or something."

You groaned, hands venturing down to her shapely ass, gripping he soft flesh tightly "Are you sure?"

Rose exhaled hard, her eyes manic with lust, but she shook it away "We'll do it, when it's a little more romantic, I'm not a slut, I take work... now go."

She pecked your lips, shoving you back playfully, and you grinned waving her off longly as you entered the dorm.

Standing in the dark lobby, you lent back against the wall, heavily breathing and trying to absorb it all. Your eyes turned down to the huge tent in your jeans, begging to be fulfilled, and you laughed in a quite jesting sorrow... you really hoped Daisy didn't try and **** you to sleep with her again... you felt Ravenous.