The One That Got Away

[rose--magliozzi-blog]

Fate || Kose

[kimberly--baker]

The teacher stood staring at her ex-lover for a few moment, slightly stunned at Roses’s statement. She had never thought her time with the brunette meant anything more than just having a good time. She beaten herself up numerous times for falling for someone that would and could never be fully committed to just her.

Needing to put some distance between her and Rose, the blonde quickly turned heron her heels and headed for the exit. An ever persistent Rose following close behind. Kim hide a smirk as she shook her head. Of course Rose wasn’t going to let up that easily. When had she ever? She didn’t argue back this time, only slowly making her way towards the front doors of the bar.

However before she left, she stopped and turned her attention back to Rose. Allowing the younger girl to finish her sentence. Crossing her arms over her chest, and tapping her right foot lightly, Kim feigned annoyance as Rose unleashed her charm upon her.

“A sign?” She sighed, raising a brow once Rose was finished. She wasn’t going to win this. Rose wasn’t going to let up until she got her way. But Kim desperately wanted to leave. She’d been out of her element too long and she was quickly growing tired, so she gave in. “Fine.” She shrugged. “Give me your phone.” She said, holding out her hand. God, she was going to regret this.

[rose--magliozzi-blog]

Honestly, she could have laughed. Good ol’ Kim; forever the infatuated, lovable goof; too willing to wear her heart on her sleeve. It made her a target for people looking to take advantage.

Smoothly, Rose took the phone into her hands, grinning crookedly as she typed her number in and named the contact, Rose My Love. “It’s supposed to be a joke,” she offered the half-hearted explanation to the blonde as she gave her phone back, “A joke between me, myself and I.”

Without quite caring where Kim was headed, Rose followed behind diligently. She was partly expecting the older woman to turn around and scream at her for being so damn pushy and bold. Of course, the brunette had always been a bit cocky; full of herself and her uncanny ability to wrap people around her finger. It seemed, however, that years of distance had taught Kimberly Baker that Rose Magliozzi was a no-good-liar and in general, horrible person. Rose on the other hand, liked to think of herself as simply, misunderstood. 

“So, where are we going?” she piped up as she dipped her hand into her back pocket and withdrew a pack of smokes. “I have enough money in my wallet to take you anywhere in the city.” Of course this was a lie, but she hardly expected Kim demand that they do anything too grand; that wasn’t the way the blonde liked to roll. “Have I told you yet tonight that you look gorgeous?” she offered once again and laughed lightly at herself, pleased by her own good, humorous and light demeanor. She was drunkenly satisfied with the world and nothing could bring her down. Not even Kim’s sad attempts at feigning disinterest in the young woman who once drove her foolish with desire. 

[rose--magliozzi-blog]

Fate || Kose

[kimberly--baker]

Kim listened quietly as Rose rambled off her cocky words in an equally cocky tone. They were words she had heard countless times before and things she’d easily fallen for. Too love-sick to actually think straight. That was then, though and no matter how much she missed Rose or the company of someone else in general, she wasn’t going to back down and low herself to be so easily persuaded anymore.

However she played along, nodding mockingly as if she were agreeing with Rose. And then there was a pause when the younger girl shifted around to retrieve some items from her pockets, Kim watched her closely, instantly taking notice of the small pill Rose now possessed in her hand. A few seconds later the pill was being popped into Rose’s mouth and Kim had to bite her tongue. It wasn’t her place to say anything, not anymore.

She huffed loudly, her eyes flickering across the bar for a second. “I don’t know what makes you so sure that you’re going to get your way, Rose. Yes, some years back when I first met you I will admit you had some kind of hold on me, and back then I wouldn’t have given a second thought about anything you said. ” Kim paused, reflecting over words. “But that was 3 years ago, And while I do miss you, I don’t miss all that crap you put me through, and I know, if I agreed to anything with you tonight its…we’re not going to end there.” She shrugged.

“So maybe you should just go back to your friend. I’m sure she’ll be missing you.” Kim swiftly rose to her feet, preparing herself to leave.

[rose--magliozzi-blog]

At Kim’s words, Rose could feel her stomach sink. The young girl’s cheeks flushed prettily and she smiled despite herself, too embarrassed and shocked to bite back. It was strange to be denied when the woman sitting across from her had been so foolishly infatuated in the past. She could remember nights where the older blonde had watched her, captivated by her charm and wooed by her bold and confident words. Things, however, had obviously changed.

“I’m just sure that I’ll get my way because I know you, Kim,” she said presumptuously as she watched the older woman rise from her seat, readying herself for departure. “You were stricken by me in a way that’s not easy to brush off and forget about. The feeling is mutual, by the way.” 

The troubled, young-woman polished off her glass of liquor before slamming it against the bar-top and standing to follow Kim’s lead. “You’re only playing hard-to-get because you know that I came over here expecting that you fall like a dopey, love-stricken teen into my arms.” She wiped a bit of liquid away from the corner of her mouth before stuffing her hands into her pockets. “But seeing you here is just too delicious to let go. As if I could walk away.” 

Flashing her girlfriend a quick glance, Rose was relieved to find that she was too fixated on her cell-phone’s mindless chatter to notice the brunette’s flirtatious activity. “You look too beautiful; underneath the bar-light, I could have sworn you were an angel,” she laughed, “Not only that, but I’ve missed you and your company. Tonight is a sign.” Of course her bursting bravado, coupled with the ease of booze helped to fuel these words, but she wasn’t ashamed. Instead, Rose stood there, tall and beauteous, unflawed with her hazel eyes shining with temptation.

[ezriaxsparia]

[rose--magliozzi-blog]

Fate || Kose

[kimberly--baker]

A tiny pang of jealously hit Kim when Rose told her that she was with someone, but she didn’t let it show. She wouldn’t give Rose the satisfaction of knowing that she had missed her company. Honestly she was still trying convince herself that she didn’t.

Each day had became a bit easier to forgot the intoxicating girl, but meeting her here out of the blue had brought it all back. She instantly remembered their time together, how good it was and how happy she was. But she also remembered all the bad times, and all of the nights she’d spent laying in bed crying over the young girl.

Kim furrowed her brow and shifted in her seat; slightly offended by Rose’s questions. While there was some reasoning behind it, it made her uncomfortable to know that someone else noticed it. Especially Rose. “What makes you think that? I..mean just because I’m here alone, doesn’t mean I’m…alone.” She argued lightly, trying to sound as convincing as possible. Though she know she wasn’t fooling anyone. 

“No. No.” She answered quickly, shaking her head.  “I remember your idea of fun, Rose. I’m not sure I really want to get into anything crazy tonight. Maybe you should ask your friend. I’m sure they would be more likely to say yes than I would.”

[rose--magliozzi-blog]

“I won’t believe that you don’t have any interest in taking off with me, Kim.” Rose pushed a lock of hazel hair behind her ear as she watched the older woman, eyes set keenly on her, taking in every move; from the rapid rise and fall of her chest to the way she licked her lips, Rose could tell that the older woman was unsettled. “Whether or not you want to admit it, I know that you’ve been itching to leave with me from the moment I sat down.” Jokingly, she laughed. It had always been too easy to get a rise out of the older woman. Watching her tick and fume had forever been a favored past-time of Rose’s. “Of course I’m only kidding around.

The dull echo of an empty bottle hitting wood sounded as the brunette placed her finished beer against the bar. “Bartender, I’m going to need something strong. A double shot for me and one for my friend too, yeah?” The man nodded curtly before busying himself with her request. Satisfied with his response, Rose turned back to Kim and grinned at her, flashing a set of white teeth.

“The point is, Kimberly, that I don’t feel like asking her. I made it my mission to get you to come out with me tonight and I’m not going to back-down until you say yes.” Rose clicked her tongue against the back of her front teeth and nodded her thanks to the bartender as he set her glass down. Purposely, the brunette lifted herself off of her seat to search for her cell phone and one of her little, white pills. After finding both, she placed them on the counter.

“You can either leave with me now, or put your number in my phone so that I can find you later tonight. Whichever you choose doesn’t bother me, but I’m not leaving this stool until you decide on one.” Swiftly, Rose pressed the pill between her lips and slugged it back with a bit of stiff liquor.

[rose--magliozzi-blog]

Fate || Kose

[kimberly--baker]

Kimberly had been nursing her drink for half a hour. Surely it wouldn’t be good anymore but she didn’t care. She’d never been a drinker and honestly she wasn’t even sure what she was doing here. The only reason she could give was to help pass the time. Seems like that’s all she had now. Time.

After leaving VPA, and settling in at a school much smaller, Kim’s life had been pretty drama free and gone right back to the dullness it was some years back. She had basically left all of her friends back at the other school. And while she wasn’t exactly complaining she would be lying if she said she wasn’t extremely lonely most times. So here she sat, watching as others around her laughed, talked and flirted drunkenly with each other. It was better than television some nights.

The blonde took a daring sip of her drink, and crinkled her nose slightly at the taste. The sound of the bar-stool scraping against the wood floor next to her caught her attention and she swiftly turned her head to look at the person now occupying the stool. Her breath hitched in her throat as she took in the unforgettable face of her ex-girlfriend. She heard the brunette speaking to her, but she didn’t respond, she couldn’t respond. So many things had been running through her mind but not a single one of them could be put into a coherent sentence.

She blinked after what seemed like minutes, finally coming to the realization that the woman in front of her was definitely real and most likely wasn’t going away any time soon. Rose had never been one to back down. “What are you doing here?” The blonde asked.

[rose--magliozzi-blog]

Snorting at Kim’s question, Rose shook her head mockingly. “Is it really a surprise to see me here?” The brunette raised a brow in question. “This isn’t anything out of the ordinary, Kimberly. I’ve been frequenting bars around this area ever since my dad moved us year, well, however many years ago.” Rose waved her hand flippantly and took another long sip off of her drink. It felt good to have some sort of substance numbing her; made it easier to flirt with her old fuck while her knew one sat just feet away. 

“Anyway, I’m here tonight with a friend.” Rose watched Kim carefully, trying to decipher her body-language. The encounter didn’t feel awkward to her; perhaps that was due to the alcohol. Kim, however, was difficult to read.

Fingering the rim of her now empty bottle, she flashed Kim an alluring grin and leaned forward. “Is your life still lacking in excitement, Kimberly?” she asked; the older woman’s name tumbled from her lips like a honeyed hymn. “Because seeing you alone, here, makes me think there’s something substantial missing from your life.” 

It had always been that way, hadn’t it? Kim wasn’t seasoned in the art of adventure. Rose, on the other hand, gorged on it; bringing herself closer and closer to the threat of being locked away. Everyday she pushed the envelop and everyday she got away with her slick, criminal activity. A taste for danger ran hot in her veins that she often had thought intimidated Kimberly Baker. 

“Can I interest you in a night of fun?” she asked slowly and caught Kim’s eye.

[rose--magliozzi-blog]

Fate || Kose

It was fate; she knew it as soon as she saw her, beautiful and somber. Her hay colored locks glowing gold underneath the bar-light. Though it had been more than a couple of years, Kimberly Baker looked as radiant as ever; time seemed to have no affect on the introverted woman. 

Though her girlfriend was rambling on about some trivial occurrence in her day, Rose’s mind was focused on her high-school fling, a woman who’s heart she had trampled on far too many times. And though she knew she should sit still and mind her own business, she couldn’t help the way her legs twitched in anticipation. She needed to speak to her. 

Making up her mind, Rose slid out of her chair, beer in hand and hazel eyes fixated on the magnificent older woman. “I’ll be right back, babe,” she practically whispered to her counterpart and swallowed dryly. “I’ve got to hit the restroom for a quick moment.” 

Having dismissed herself, Rose meandered smoothly to the bar where her ex sat. Swelling with pride and confidence (Kim had always been weak for her), she sat down on the bar-stool and turned with a crooked grin to greet the older woman. 

“So, what chances do I have of taking you home tonight?” she said, her voice gruff and charming. Without missing a beat, Rose brought her beer to her mouth and took a long, fluid gulp. The rim felt cool against her swollen, red lips.