13 Novella 2

Fireworks

You sit atop the hill, gazing across at the magnificent display in the sky. These fireworks were much more impressive than Earth's underwhelming ones. These were huge and powerful, in colours and shapes you couldn't even name.

You sigh as you stare before feeling someone approaching you.

Jenny shuffles to your side and you tense. You had resumed a casual friendship, but nothing more.

She looks at you but you don't quite meet her eye.

"I haven't said I'm sorry yet, have I?" She asks.

You don't respond, continuing to watch the displays.

"Well I am" she insists. You open your mouth without turning to look at her.

"You chose what you thought was best for me. What you thought I needed, but not what I wanted." You say quietly, hyper aware of her presence.

"I know" she whispers, then looks back at the sky in defeat.

"It's changed how I see you" you say honestly and she bows her head.

"But of course I forgive you" you say and she looks up with a tentative smile.

"It's more than I deserve" she says breathlessly and you can't help but copy her contagious smile.

You both turn back to the fireworks and she edges a little closer, making you flinch as though she had slapped you. She freezes.

"It's going to take some time, isn't it?"

You nod silently and she understands.

"Well we've got all the time in the world at our disposal" she says and you turn to face her, meeting her gaze in the half light.

"Yes, I suppose we have" you say, feeling a warm blush appear across your cheeks. You relapse into silence and stay that way for a while.

"Tell me something" she starts and you incline your head towards her apprehensively. She better not ask anything too serious.

"What can you see?" She breathes, indicating the fireworks.

"You can't see them?" You respond confused. She raises her eyebrows and you blush, feeling stupid.

"Sorry yes, right" you say turning back to them and closing your eyes.

You always felt people were uncomfortable around your gift, but with Jenny, she thought it was interesting.

"I see, nothing. I'm sorry Jenny, I can't see anything at all." You sigh and she nods, still somehow smiling.

"You know, I almost wished you could hear my thoughts." She says and you look at her sideways.

"I think most people find it annoying actually" you joke gently and she shrugs.

"Maybe, but it means you can't see how I feel about you"

You tense and look back at the fireworks. A little lower down the hill are The Doctor and Yaz, curled up together looking very cute. Missy is nowhere in sight.

"And... and what is that?" You say quietly.

"Well, I think you're funny, and brave and caring. I think you're a survivor" she says and you smile.

"Well it's somewhat similar to how I see you then" you say and she smiles genially.

"You don't have to be afraid (Y/n). The past... it doesn't define your future. You are so much more than what happened to you" she says and you stiffen, shivering slightly.

"Fear keeps me moving" you mutter. Her warm brown eyes resonate compassion.

"I'll keep you safe" she whispers and you sigh.

Her body twists slightly, offering you her shoulder.

You're not sure whether you want to comply or not, so she smiles gently and gives you space, but this you certainly don't want. Shuffling close, you lean your head on her shoulder and her arm slowly wraps around you.

Breathing in her faint raspberry and vanilla scent, her curly head of brown hair shifts forward and brushes your cheeks softly.

You didn't need to be afraid; you knew Jenny. You couldn't read her intentions like everybody else, but you trusted her almost unconditionally. And that was worth the pain of knowing one day she could leave you, or turn around and break you.