Running Out

Chapter 9 - Running Into

Author's Notes:

I don't know for sure, but I imagine every writer comes across chapters they have arguments with. This one kicked me in the shins and then roundhoused me when I wasn't looking. I'm still not 100% sure I won the fight, but it was at least a draw, I think!

Thanks for continuing to read and review… I'm always grateful for you all!

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Rose was working the late shift at Henriks and it seemed to drag on forever. It didn't help that she'd barely slept last night, unable to turn off her racing, worried thoughts. Maybe she shouldn't have left John's place last night. She'd sort of had to, though. There was nothing she could possibly have said to Donna to right the situation because it probably wasn't her, as a person, that Donna was unhappy with. It was more likely her life situation that was offensive, and there was nothing she could actually do about that.

No, she'd done the right thing. The only question now was whether she'd ever hear from John again. The idea of never hearing his voice again tore at her. She had fallen hard even though she'd tried to be cautious at first. But he'd been so kind. So… perfect. So she'd allowed herself hope and even started embracing the idea that they might actually have some sort of future together. He hadn't seemed to mind that she hadn't gone to Uni or that she didn't have a high paying, prestigious job. He hadn't even batted an eye when he pulled up in front of her shabby apartment building. So she'd let herself imagine that she might get to have this dream.

Now though… now she wished she'd guarded her fragile ego for a just a bit longer. If he didn't call her again… if he decided she wasn't worth the discussion with Donna… well, she was pretty sure her heart wouldn't recover anytime soon.

"You comin'?," Marcie said, tapping her on the shoulder as she refolded a jumper some customer hadn't cared for.

Quickly checking her watch she was happily surprised to find it was already 9:05. "Oh. Yeah," Rose said, partly relieved and partly nervous. She was relieved this endless shift was finally over, but nervous to check her phone for messages. She'd done her best to distract her thoughts from that very question most of the day, but now there was no getting away from it. Anxiety tightened her insides. Pretty soon she'd know if he'd been able to convince Donna she was worth his time.

Following Marcie, she signed out and grabbed her purse and phone from her locker. Quickly throwing her bag over her shoulder, she nervously pulled up her phone and checked for messages.

Nothing. A cold knife pierced her heart. She'd desperately hoped for...something. Some acknowledgement of last night. Fears she'd nursed all day swam forward to grip her. Donna had probably convinced him to let her go… not to pursue her. She'd likely talked sense into him… pointed out the fact that the shop girl from the estate wasn't nearly good enough for him or for their family.

Coming out of the store, still sadly focused on the screen of her phone, she walked directly into a solid male form and gave a little yelp of surprise. Sure arms came out to steady her. "Oi!" he exclaimed, clearly also surprised by the encounter. "You okay?" he asked, his coffee coloured eyes looking her up and down.