PEOPLE WATCHING ― doctor who

EIGHT

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CHAPTER EIGHT:
ROSE, ROBOTS,
AND GIANT BATS

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IRIS had spent a month with the Doctor. When they weren't travelling — which they still limited to once a week, per his request to keep with their timeline — they spent time reading together. Or, as he'd grown accustomed to lecturing her about history and physics and time, she'd taken diligent notes.

Having since read the Gallifreyan basics book cover to cover, the Doctor slowly eased her into writing his language.

She was honored he trusted her enough to do so, especially after learning how coveted the language was and how important it was to his people.

Iris spent each night calling or texting her brothers and they all planned to return home for Christmas.

The Doctor brought her home at the end of the month, nearing October, and Iris hugged him tightly, knowing she'd end up with another Doctor soon.

It was the only reason he dropped her off.

Otherwise, she'd honestly live with him.

"You'll have fun," he promised, holding his hand to her cheek. "Now, get off my TARDIS, I'm sick of you."

Iris scowled playfully and poked his chest. "I'm glad you're dropping me off because I'm tired of you."

"Feeling's mutual," he grinned down at her. "Be good," he bopped her nose. "Get out."

Iris left and tucked her key in her shirt, closing the door behind her.

Upon seeing the surroundings in front of her, she blinked, sighing angrily when she realized where she'd ended up. He hadn't dropped her off in her dorm room, or anywhere near the campus, really. She didn't recognize the area specifically, but after a block, she spotted a small coffee shop and walked in, grumbling to herself.

"Hi, excuse me," she smiled kindly to the person behind the counter. "This is a weird question, I'm doing a thing with a friend, where am I?"

The man smiled a bit. "Newport, love," he told her. "You lost?"

"I'm good, thank you," Iris smiled, then glanced to the menu. "Actually, can I get some chips? Extra salt, please."

"Coming up," the man nodded.

Frowning to herself, Iris pulled out her phone, dialing the TARDIS number and rolling her eyes when he didn't pick up.

"Stupid Time Lord," she sighed, digging around in her hand and placing the payment on the counter. "Thank you," she smiled at the man, but when he turned around, she dialed the phone again.

"Yes?"

"You left me in Newport!" She exclaimed. "I don't have a car or any sort of vehicle. I have class in," she glanced at her watch. "Three minutes and I'm thirty minutes away."

"You've got things to do."

"You are the worst," she rolled her eyes. "I'm going to —"

"—Shut up, got to go."

Iris let out an aggravated breath, tucking the phone into the pocket and pulling the jacket closer around herself. She thanked the man for the chips, glancing back as a strange looking group entered the shop.

A blonde woman, younger than Iris, a dark-skinned man, a middle-aged woman, and a skinny man with spiked up hair and a long coat. Iris looked back to the chips and walked over to a table, placing them down before digging in her pockets for her earbuds.