[DISCONTINUED] Hazel Eyes - DW Fanfic

Chapter Eleven - Falling

Rose pulled her jacket closer around her and found herself wishing she hadn't pulled her hair back into a pony tail. It had seemed like a good way to contain the messy strands at the time, but she missed the familiar weight on her shoulders and the back of her neck prickled as the cool air (at least in contrast to the stuffy heat of her room) brushed her neck. The elevator dinged as it reached the lobby and the door slid open.

Xander was leaning against one of the walls, his phone clutched between his fingers. His mouth fell open slightly as his eyes landed on Rose. It quickly turned into a hesitant smile. "Hey pretty."

Rose ducked her head slightly, knowing she probably looked like a mess. Flushed face, no makeup and frizzy hair paired with a really old pair of sweatpants she'd found at a thrift shop ages back and a band t-shirt barely concealed under her jacket. "Xander." She acknowledged him.

He grabbed her arm, his lopsided grin edged with a carefulness he was most usually void of. His grasp slid down until he threaded his fingers through hers whilst pulling her towards the door.

It wasn't too bad for it being an autumn night on the edge of surrendering to winter. Too cold for fireflies, but that ruled out the threat of mosquitos as well. When Rose shivered Xander walked closer to her, not quite daring to come close enough that their shoulders touch (that made less likely by the five inches Xander had on Rose).

"Where are we going?" Rose asked, her nose crinkling slightly in a questioning expression.

He shrugged. "Into town, I'm sure we'll find something to do."

"Mmm." Rose's shoulder brushed his and he smiled down at her.

They walked in a comfortable silence through the paths towards the small town. It occurred to Rose at one point that they could have taken the pods, but she didn't regret not taking one. It felt good to walk. To be with Xander.

They left through the college gates and the sidewalk began to fill up with boisterous groups of students. Some possibly laughing a little too loud. They wound through the little town with each store bleeding light and thumping music.

"Ice skating?" Xander said suddenly.

Rose looked up towards him. "Huh?"

"Ice skating." He smiled his wide smile and motioned down one of the side streets where she could see a large ware-house like building advertising just that.

"I didn't know that was there." Her brow furrowed.

"That's cause you barely come into town, stupid. So busy with whatever else." He teased pulling a strand of her hair. "Come on. We can rent skates."

She nodded and let him pull her towards the building. She blinked as they made their way through the door into the almost entirely white interior. They rented the scuffed up skates and made their way towards the rink. Xander swung open the door and held it open for Rose

He smiled and cocked his head as she took a brisk step onto the ice. She glided away smoothly and spun to watch Xander. He smiled a confident smile and took the step away from the safety of the rubber floor. He tried to skate away towards Rose...

And immediately fell on his butt, his feet flying out from under him.

Rose raised an eyebrow. "I'm impressed."

"Shut up." He grinned and tried to stand up only to find himself once again on the cold ice.

He finally struggled up with Rose's help and clung to the wall like a baby squirrel trying to cling onto a tree trunk in a windstorm. She effortlessly crossed back and forth in front of him. "So, you're quite good at this."