Somewhere Out There {Fletcher}

[rosie]

Sunday 11th April, 2010

It had been a tough couple of years for Rosie Osborne. She had come from a big family with a lot of brothers. Her mother and one of her brothers had died in a car accident when she was very young and grew up with her remaining older brothers and father. In the last couple of years she had almost died herself when she and her new boyfriend were caught up in a bank heist. She had one of those out of body experiences and her older brothers basically sent her back saying it wasn’t her time to leave the world. After recovering from the nasty bank heist she admitted her love for Ira and he had later proposed to her when she had shown her interest in having a baby because she felt her biological clock was ticking away. However there had been a considerable age gap between the both of them and sadly the relationship hadn’t worked out. Now for the first time since the death of her father Rosie felt truly alone. Sure she had met that younger guy Craig Woods the model but he had his own life to lead and a beautiful girlfriend, he didn’t need her constantly badgering him for company.

Feeling there was too many memories in Brooklyn for her, she asked for a transfer to a Lower Manhattan library and moved to a small flat there instead. She still felt alone but in Lower Manhattan she felt as if she could finally start her life all over again and maybe just maybe she might find the real love of her life in this town. Rosie was a very sweet natured young woman she just hadn’t met the right person. She had a feeling if things had been different with Craig that he might very well have been someone she could grow to love, but again there was the age gap thing, although the other way around. It was a beautiful Spring Sunday afternoon and she had decided to take herself off to the local park with a bag of breadcrumbs to feed the ducks and swans at the pond in the park and her artist supplies so she could paint one of the many beautiful scenes surrounding her.

It didn’t take long to reach the park and the first thing she did was feed the ducks and swans. They were so used to people feeding them that they were very comfortable around humans and some of them would even take the breadcrumbs from the palm of your hand. This was something Rosie loved and as she held her palm out for the swan that approached her she soon noticed a few cygnets following behind. “Hey you’re a mommy now, don’t you have the most beautiful little babies?” Rosie said as she spoke to the swan while it took the breadcrumbs from her hand with gentle ease. Rosie then looked on as the mother swan passed breadcrumbs to her babies and Rosie couldn’t help but sigh as she remembered that not too long ago she had wanted to have a baby of her own. Somehow she didn’t think that was likely to happen for some time now, after all, you can’t have a baby until you find the man.

Rosie then emptied the rest of the breadcrumbs out to the other ducks and swans that had gathered and decided that was the scene she wanted to paint this time. The swan with her little fluffy babies. There was a bench fairly near the pond thankfully and Rosie sat down on it and put the easel up in front of her with her canvas and soon enough she had made good progress on the pond and mother swan. The swan and her babies were still on the grassy bank rather than in the water and Rosie couldn’t believe what happened next as it was all in a bit of a blur, but from out of nowhere a cat appeared and attacked one of the cygnets. The mother swan began to make a terrifying noise and the cat still continued to attack it. Rosie quickly tried to move the easel out of her way and began to try and shoo the cat away which after numerous attempts of flailing her arms about the cat finally backed away but Rosie looked down and saw that the little cygnet was dead and the mother swan was obviously very distressed.

All Rosie could do was sob her heart out, knowing full well how the swan was feeling because watching that little cygnet die just brought it home to her once more that she had nobody to call family anymore and it hurt.

[fletcher]

Fletcher watched as the credits of a movie were rolling on the television screen, and reached for the remote to switch it off. He sat back on the lounge, and knew he had the rest of the afternoon, and early evening till he had his night shift at the bar in town. He had been working there for eight months now, and it seemed to Fletcher that it would be his full time job for the rest of his life. He just hadn't had much success with trying to get bands who required a manager, and hadn't had much time, or felt like writing songs lately.

He got up and decided to go for a walk and see what inspiration he could get in the writing department. Fletcher picked up his phone and keys and headed out the door. After a few moments he reached the park about two blocks away from where he lived. He walked along the path, taking in what was going on around him. There were a couple of families with young children under trees, or running around the grassed areas. His attention soon fell upon a young woman with blonde hair. She had an easel set up, which he presumed she was going to either paint or draw on. As Fletcher began to glance away, wondering whether he should stop and ask her what she was going to do, or just mind his own business, he watched her move her easel, getting up, and moving towards the car near the swans.

He stood in horror as he watched the cat decide to attack one of the babies there. Fletcher could only move towards the scene unfolding in front of him, and then watched the young woman begin to cry. That was a sure sign that something had happened, and he wasn't sure how to react. These sort of situations he would take advantage of, but he felt that the woman was very upset, and kind of wondered why. Sure, seeing an animal killed, or dead was kind of emotional, but crying huge tears over something like an animal you didn't know was a little over the top for him.

Fletcher touched the young woman's shoulder gently, not wanting to scare. "Are you okay? What happened?" What else could he ask? He stood and waited to see what she had to say about it.

[rosie]

Rosie couldn’t believe that she had allowed herself to get so upset over the dead cygnet and distressed swan but when you had death surrounding you pretty much all your life it was easy to get upset at things like a mother animal or bird losing one of their children. It was true that she lost her mother and one of her older brothers when she was just a baby, but it would seem that the previous couple of years were cruel to her taking away her other three brothers and her father. So now Rosie felt like she was truly on her own especially after her split from Ira.

As Rosie sobbed she soon felt a hand touch her shoulder and then heard a voice ask if she was okay and asked what had happened. Rosie took in a few deep breaths to try and compose herself, what would this person think that she got so upset over a cygnet dying. She wiped at her eyes and then scrambled up onto her feet and brushed herself down thinking that she probably looked a mess. She waved her a hand a little and tried to give him a smile and then spoke to him, her Australian accent very clear, “A cat just came out of nowhere and started attacking the little cygnet. I tried to help by chasing the cat away but...” Rosie trailed off as she looked down at the dead cygnet and then took in another deep breath, “...but as you can see it died and the mother swan got very distressed and...” Rosie trailed off and then the tears started to fall again.

What was this guy going to think of her, she was a complete mess and he would think it was all over the dead cygnet and in a way it was, but there was more to it than the dead cygnet. Rosie shook her head and willed herself to stop crying. “God, what must you think of me, I’m really sorry, it just brings back some very sad haunting memories and watching what happened just made me feel more alone than I have ever felt in my entire life.” Rosie explained and then sighed and shook her head, “I guess you have better things to do though than listen to my sorry ass.” She added and gave him a weak smile getting ready to head back to the bench where she had been sitting on before the cat had attacked the cygnet.

[fletcher]

Fletcher waited to hear what the young woman had to say, watching her stand up, and brushing herself off. He saw her try and smile, then began to listen to what she had to say. The first thing Fletcher noticed was her accent, as really he hadn't heard a lot in real life, only on television. He listened to what she had to say, and then followed her gaze to where the dead baby was, then she continued to speak. Fletcher heard her trail off, and saw her start to cry again.

He just stood there, wondering what he should do for her. Fletcher didn't know her, and thought that putting an arm around her might seem a bit strange. If it had been a person maybe who had been hurt, and she was crying, then sure he would have comforted her. But it was an animal, and one neither of them had really connected with, or maybe she had, he had no idea. "I, ah...." Fletcher had no words to share right now, not knowing how to handle the situation.

She then apologised, adding that it was bringing back some very sad memories. So now he was kind of understanding why she had gotten so emotional over the death of the baby animal. And hearing her say she felt more alone, made Fletcher wonder why that was. He moved closer to the woman, hoping that she might stop crying, so that maybe he could help, as really there wasn't much for him to do other than possibly help. The woman then spoke, and he felt that she was talking and he wasn't saying anything in reply to her.

Hearing what she had to say, Fletcher shook his head a little. "No actually. Well not for a couple of hours at least. If you need somene to listen, I guess I am your guy." He gave her a smile, hoping that might cheer her up a bit. Before moving, Fletcher held out his hand, "Name's Fletcher."

[rosie]

Rosie tried to explain to the guy what had happened telling him about the cat that just suddenly started attacking the cygnet but she couldn’t finish her sentence before the tears began to fall again and as she listened to the guy sort of stumble over his words she suddenly realised that he must think she was some sort of crazy person. She soon apologised to the guy saying that the incident she had witnessed just brought back some very haunting memories for her and she could feel that he had moved closer to her. But she still felt very stupid for getting upset so easily and then she spoke to him again saying she guessed he had better things to do than to listen to her sorry ass. She had then given him a weak smile getting ready to head back to the bench she had been sitting on before the cat attack.

However the guy replied saying that he wasn’t busy at least not for a couple of hours and if she needed someone to talk then he guessed he was her guy. When Rosie saw the smile that he gave her she couldn’t help but smile back because the smile just seemed such a friendly one. She was about to answer him when he spoke again introducing himself by extending his hand and giving his name as Fletcher. Rosie took the extended hand and shook it softly, “Rosie, Rosie Osborne, and I guess if you have time to listen then I can tell you.” She said giving him another smile as she sniffed and wiped away at the tears which were still sitting in her eyes but hadn’t fallen.

She patted the bench beside her and after he sat she turned to him and shrugged her shoulders lightly and then sighed giving him a crooked smile, “You’re probably going to think it’s super crazy to compare my problems to the death of a cygnet, but anyway, back home I’d probably be considered a right dag.” Rosie said and then laughed a little realising that Fletcher being American probably didn’t have a clue what she meant by dag. Although with the way she had said it, it might be easy for some people to get the meaning of it. “I’ve basically got no family left and the past year and a half has just been a whole nightmare for me Fletcher. My mother died in a car accident along with my oldest brother when I was just a baby. I was raised by my father and my other two brothers. But in the past year and a half both my other brothers were killed and earlier this year I found out my father died of a heart attack and I almost died myself back in December two thousand and eight.”

It just all sort of came tumbling out of Rosie, well not everything, she didn’t go into details about her ordeal that almost killed her and nor did she mention Ira and how they had been engaged and how she was feeling broody and the idea of a baby she felt was what pushed Ira away. Somehow Rosie just didn’t think Fletcher would thank her for hitting him everything at the one time. Just telling him about being all alone in the world with no parents or siblings left she felt was enough to blurt out to him. “So watching the baby cygnet die, it just hit home to me how alone in the world I am.” Rosie said by way of trying to hopefully explain the reason for being so upset over a dead bird as she knew that a lot of people would have thought she was silly to get that upset over it, but for Rosie there had been more to it than just the dead cygnet, which she had now told Fletcher, she just hoped that he wouldn’t think she was crazy for comparing the two things.

[fletcher]

Fletcher soon introduced himself to her, extending his hand. She took it, and said her name in full. He smiled at her when she said that if he had time to listen, then she would tell him. Fletcher shook her hand slightly, then let it go, "Nice to meet you Rosie." He watched her pat the bench for him to sit, and Fletcher sat down next to Rosie. Fletcher wondered what had happened to this girl if that death of the animal really got her so upset.

He got himself as comfortable as he could, and started to listen to what she had to say to him. Fletcher shook his head when she first spoke, then hearing what she said about what they would call her back home, he kind of raised his eyebrows a little. Hearing her laugh though made Fletcher smile, thinking it was a pretty cute laugh. Rosie started her story, and all Fletcher could think of was that such a sweet girl, well that was the impression he got, had gone through all of this stuff. It was said in great detail, but it was enough for Fletcher to realise that she had such a hard life already.

Fletcher shook his head in disbelief, just thinking that his life just didn't compare to what she had to go through. He had no words right now, and then heard Rosie talk more. It made sense to him, compared to some people who might think that it was 'super crazy' as Rosie put it. He put a hand on Rosie's arm, and gave her a small smile, "Okay that story is so much more than the dead cygnet, but I can see where the connection can come into it. I am so sorry to hear that about your family." Fletcher swallowed, wondering what else he could say to help the situation, but he had nothing.

He moved his hand to his lap, and looked out onto the pond. "I don't know what else to really say, but if you want to do something to cheer you up, I am your guy again." Fletcher gave her a bit more of a brighter smile, hoping that she might like to do that. "There is a bar nearby that has karoake? If you are into singing and making a fool of yourself. But I have to warn you that I am pretty good." He chuckled a little, waiting to see if Rosie was up for anything. If not he was happy to sit and talk.

[rosie]

After Rosie had introduced herself giving her name in full, well not exactly in full since her full name was Rosangela Osborne and not just Rosie, but she hadn’t just give him her first name. She had to give him a smile despite feeling upset when he said that it was nice to meet her. “And it’s nice to meet you too Fletcher.” Rosie replied giving him a slightly better smile. She hoped that she would be able to cheer up because really it was kind of silly of her to get upset over the baby cygnet but she had just felt that it was just so close to home with everything that had happened to her recently and feeling like she was alone in the world now.

Rosie soon poured her heart out to Fletcher about everything that had happened to her and within the family. She had kept the details brief but what she had said would be enough to let him know that she’d had a pretty rough time of it over the past couple of years. Losing Ira certainly hadn’t helped her either, because he could have been there for her through it all and he wasn’t. Rosie soon felt his hand on her arm and saw that small smile of his which she returned as she took in a breath keeping herself as composed as possible not wanting to break down into tears again. When Fletcher spoke he said pretty much what she thought anybody would have said. That her story was more than just the dead cygnet, and it was true it was, but as he had said he could see where the connection came into it. He then apologised. “Thank you.” She replied as really there wasn’t much else she could say to that comment.

Rosie felt his hand move and she wondered if she should maybe just excuse herself and leave him be but then he spoke again. She could understand that he didn’t know what to say, it was hardly the ideal situation for anybody to want to say anything to. He then added that if she wanted to do anything to cheer herself up that he was her guy again. She saw that bright smile of his and couldn’t help but to return it with one of her own and she loved the idea of cheering up because Rosie was generally a very happy young woman and usually very friendly. Sadly she had just had such a tough time that it was testing her usual bright personality somewhat. Fletcher continued to talk and mentioned about a bar with a karaoke if she was into that. Rosie felt her smile get bigger especially when he said that he had to warn her that he was pretty good.

“You know what Fletcher, that sounds like a very good idea to me and if you’re that good then I guess I need to have at least one duet with you, I’ll either make you sound bad or you might make me sound halfway decent.” She replied and giggled a little at what she had said as she stood up and brushed some of her hair away from her face. She packed up her artist stuff which was in a fold away bag which was fairly easy to carry and put it under her arm and waited for Fletcher to stand up and then she looked at him with a smile, “Well lead the way then I may know which bar you are referring to when I see it, but haven’t been to any with a karaoke in such a long time I might walk right passed it.” Rosie said and giggled a little again and then she glanced at Fletcher thinking that he seemed really sweet and if nothing else she might end up with another good friend.

[fletcher]

When Fletcher had given her a bright smile, he saw her return it, and thought it was just pretty. It really did make her look reather beautiful, but he kept that comment to himself right now. He didn't want to take advantage of something like that, after what she had shared with him only moments ago. He had suggested the karaoke idea, and wondered what she might say. But he smiled at her when she said that it wounded like a very good idea. He then listened to what else she had to say.

Fletcher let out a laugh, really starting to enjoy his conversation now with Rosie. All the dark moments of what she had spoken about kind of drifted away from his mind, and he was ready to get to know her now. "I am sure that you aren't that bad. So look forward to the duet." He gave her a grin, then stood up, and watched her pack up her things. Fletcher was going to offer to help, but it seemed to him that she had it under control. Once it was all done, she had said to lead the way, and heard what else she said. "Okay then." Fletcher nodded, then led the way towards the bar.

As they walked, he glanced at Rosie, "I think you may have seen the bar, but it isn't that popular, so no doubt you may not have been in it. It is jsut a fun place to hang out, well for me it is. I am pretty much easily pleased." He wanted to say that he also loved getting up and singing as he loved being the centre of attention, but didn't want to sound full of himself. Maybe Rosie wasn't one for being like that, and he didn't want to put her off being seen with him, even if it was a first time meeting. It might be his last with her if he was too open about who he was, and what he was truly like so fast.

Soon enough they were at the bar called "Rok On". It was owned by this pretty hard core girl, who had tattoos all on her arms. But getting past that, she was really nice, which was a little off putting after seeing her on the exterior. He moved inside, and sat at a table near the bar. Fletcher waited for Rosie to join him, and when she sat, he slapped the table, "So what do you want to drink?" He looked around and spotted a waitress, waving her over. "I will have a light beer." He waited for Rosie to order, if she wanted a drink, and then waitress left them. "I can't have the hard stuff 'cause I am working later. Don't want to be going to work drunk, do I?" Fletcher let out a laugh, then turned towards the stage where the karaoke machine was sitting ready to be used.

Fletcher then turned his attention back to Rosie. "So what sort of song did you have in mind? Nothing too mushy I hope." He snickered and gave her another smile. For some reason his whole personality was definately showing in a big way, and he hoped it wasn't putting her off.

[rosie]

When Rosie had made the jokey comment about having a duet with him she heard Fletcher laugh which made her laugh along more with him. When she heard him say that he was sure she wasn’t that bad and would look forward to the duet she gave him a bright smile and could have sworn she felt her heart skip a beat slightly at the grin he had given her afterward. “Well I guess time will tell Fletcher, I’m not saying I’m bad, but don’t think I’m that good either but I am looking forward to it either way.” She said grinning back at him and after she had packed up her things she asked him to lead the way to the bar.

As they made their way to the bar Fletcher mentioned he began to speak more about the bar and she turned to him with a smile as she listened to what he had to say about it. She nodded her head a couple of times where she felt it was relevant and waited until he was finished talking before going to reply to him. “Well if it isn’t that popular it sounds like the perfect place to me to get to know someone more and I’ve been told that I am pretty easily pleased too.” Rosie replied and smiled brightly at him again. Somehow she felt like she was going to really enjoy spending time with Fletcher he seemed really nice and was willing to spend time with her despite how he had found her earlier over the death of a cygnet.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the bar which was called ‘Rok On’ and Rosie realised that she had remembered seeing it, but like he had said she probably hadn’t been in it and he was right, she hadn’t. Rosie followed Fletcher to a table that he chose fairly near the bar and she soon sat down across from him. She jumped slightly when Fletcher slapped the table only because she hadn’t been expecting it and she giggled right afterward. “Jeez why am I so jumpy?” She asked and giggled some more and then heard Fletcher ask what she wanted to drink. Well it was a Sunday and she didn’t have to be in work that day at all. She gave Fletcher a smile, “I’ll have a Pineapple Bacardi Breezer please.” She said and gave him another smile.

Once both drinks were ordered and the waitress had left them Fletcher spoke some more saying that he couldn’t have the hard stuff as he was working later and didn’t want to be drunk. Rosie could understand that and she giggled a little, “No, you wouldn’t want to be drunk when you’re working but if you’re working later when it’s a Sunday it makes me want to ask what it is you do for a living?” Rosie then watched where Fletcher’s gaze had gone to and noticed the karaoke machine on the stage and suddenly she was quite excited about having a go on it whether it was a solo performance which would probably empty the place of the few people there were in it or if it would be the duet with Fletcher which might sound half way decent if he was that good.

Fletcher then asked her what kind of song she had in mind adding that he hoped it wouldn’t be anything too mushy. This cracked Rosie up and she began to laugh and shook her head slightly, “Well to be honest with you, I was thinking either ‘You’re The One That I Want’ or ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ or maybe ‘Crazy For You’.” Okay so the last song she mentioned wasn’t technically a duet song but she couldn’t help but to mention some songs which were love related adding ‘Crazy For You’ as a wind up. She then began to laugh again, “Or maybe you might prefer ‘Barbie Girl’ I can see you singing Rene’s lines really well.” She burst into laughter then and once she composed herself she looked at him and bit on her lip a little before saying, “They wouldn’t be too mushy would they?” She asked knowing full well that at least one of them was extremely mushy.

[fletcher]

After Fletcher spoke more about the bar, Rosie soon spoke in reply. "I have to agree with you there." He gave her a bright smile, and continued. "And that is great." Then he said the one thing that he regretted right after, "I hope not too easy." Fletcher nudged into her, then sighed, "Sorry if that came out wrong." He stopped for a minute, "I didn't me that you were easy, like in ..... you know... forget I said it." Fletcher shook his head, and continued towards the bar.

Once they were inside, Fletcher had led the way to a table, soon sitting down, then slapped the table. He hadn't meant to scare her, and when she spoke, giggling a little, Fletcher gave her an apologetic smile, "Not sure, but me being spontaneous with things probably didn't help. Sorry." He sometimes forgets that he is with a woman, as he is just so used to hanging with guys, when he had friends around. He soon asked her what she wanted to drink, and Rosie ordered, after he did.

Fletcher had mentioned the fact that he couldn't have the hard stuff, as he didn't want to go to work later drunk. He heard Rosie giggle at what he said, and it made him laugh a bit more. She commented, then asked him what he did for a living. Fletcher sat back, and placed his hands in his lap. "Well right now I work in a bar, funnily enough. Have been working that job for eight months now. But I used to look out for bands who needed a manager, though that wasn't getting me anywhere so ditched that idea. I also like to write songs, but haven't done a lot of that of late. What about you?"

Fletcher soon asked her what song she had in mind to sing, hoping it wouldn't be too mushy. He raised his eyebrows as he smirked as she laughed. He soon saw her shake her head, and he hoped it wasn't mushy at all. Fletcher sighed, rolling his eyes, but when he looked back at her, he could tell she was joking around, and he joined her laughter. "Ha ha, you are so funny, but seriously...." Then she made a comment about him preferring 'Barbie Girl', and he put on a pretend shocked face, placing his hand up to his cheek, "How did you guess that I sing that song so well?" Fletcher then joined in on her laughter, and found it contagious, laughing whenever she did.

Rosie then asked if the songs she chose wouldn't be too mushy. Fletcher tilted his head a little, and then looked at her. "You know what? I don't think so. I think I know which one I want to sing soon." He got up, and went up to the stage, deciding to do it now rather than later. Fletcher waved her up, and then handed her the microphone. He looked at the machine, and found the song 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' on the screen. He pressed the button for it to start, and turned to Rosie, "Ready, set go!"

**** Half an hour later ****

It had been half an hour since they started singing 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart'. They had sung the other two songs that Rosie had suggested, and also for a joke, Fletcher did find that the machine had 'Barbie Girl'. But for good measure found a song that he wanted to sing, 'Hey Soul Sister', as it was just a fun song to sing. It was sung by one person, but he would point to Rosie to sing bits as well, so that she was involved. It felt natural for him to be doing this whole thing with Rosie.

He soon remember that they hadn't gotten down to their seat to have their drinks, knowing that they were probably now not that great. As soon as the song was finished, Fletcher placed his microphone down on the table in front of the machine, and looked at Rosie. "Since we have been at this for half an hour, let me buy you a drink, since the ones that we ordered have now gone to waste." He led the way back to the table, and soon got the waitresses attention telling her what they wanted, remembering what Rosie had ordered before. Fletcher then looked at Rosie. "I quiet enjoyed that. We must do it again sometime."

[rosie]

When Rosie had said that the bar being quiet would just give them a better chance to talk she had to smile at his response as he agreed with that she had said. Rosie had then said that she had been told she was easily pleased and when Fletcher replied she put on a pretend shock look as she put her hand up to her mouth as Fletcher then continued to stumble on with his words. Rosie then tried to keep a straight face but then it became too much and she just burst out laughing. She playfully punched his arm, “It’s okay, I’m not entirely sure which way you intended that line to be but it’s funny regardless so you can stop worrying about what you said.” Rosie said gently and then playfully nudged into him. The last thing she needed right now was something feeling bad about saying something in case it upset her. She had been upset enough over the past couple of years it was time Rosie Osborne had some fun in her life.

After they were inside and Rosie had jumped when Fletcher had hit the table she had asked the question of why she had jumped rhetorically not really expecting an answer but Fletcher answered anyway. “You don’t have to apologise Fletcher, being spontaneous is good and besides it was a rhetorical question hadn’t expected you to answer.” She replied and then giggled a little. She didn’t want him to think that she this mousy woman who was going to jump and be startled at the least thing she was better than that.

Rosie had then asked Fletcher what he did for a living and she watched him sit back placing his hands in his lap and then replied telling her that he worked in a bar right now and when he said funnily enough it made Rosie giggle a little again and then she listened to what else he had to say before making any sort of response to him. “I guess it would be a bit daggy to turn up drunk at your job as a bartender.” Rosie replied and giggled a little again and then continued, “I wouldn’t completely ditch the idea of finding bands or singers that need management, there are a lot of new stars out there needing someone and some are always changing their management for some reason or another, maybe you just aren’t looking in the right place and as for writing songs, that is pretty awesome, would love to hear some of your stuff, and you never know, maybe you just need new inspiration to write more?” Rosie replied and then blushed slightly wondering if he would think that she was referring the new inspiration to herself.

Fletcher had then turned her question back to her asking what she did for a living. She gave him a bit of a smile, “Oh, nothing that exciting, I’m just a librarian, but I’m a bit of a book worm so I feel like I’m in heaven when I’m in the library and because I love books so much I am always looking after them, making sure their plastic covers are always intact. I hate to see a book without its protective cover getting torn it breaks my heart.” Rosie said and then laughed a little knowing how crazy that might sound to someone who wasn’t into books the way Rosie was.

The topic of conversation had soon turned to the songs that they would sing at the karaoke and Rosie had basically joked around with her choices, with one in particular. Thankfully he soon realised that she was messing around and he soon began to join in her laughter. When he spoke saying that she was so funny Rosie just went into another fit of giggles. “Well, I do like to think so thank you.” She replied and grinned at him. When Rosie made the comment about the song ‘Barbie Girl’ Fletcher put on what Rosie assumed was a pretend shock face and this made Rosie laugh all the more. When he spoke Rosie laughed all the harder at what he said, “Well now, that would be telling if I told you that.” Of course Rosie was still teasing but it was making her feel so much better about things.

When Rosie had asked that the songs she had chosen weren’t too mushy she had been teasing a little but she watched as Fletcher tilted his head obviously thinking about what she had asked. She had to smile when he replied saying that he didn’t think so but she also raised her eyebrows because at least one of them was a bit mushy, well to Rosie at any rate. He had then added that he knew which one he wanted to sing soon and Rosie grinned, “Okay, good.” Then he got up to the stage where the karaoke was and she wondered what song he wanted to sing first as he hadn’t said to her which one. He soon waved her up and as she watched him make the selection she soon found out that the song he wanted to sing soon was ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ and she had to grin at him as she took the microphone from him. “That’s a good choice.” She replied but felt her face blushing ever so slightly wondering if when singing it if he really would be aiming the words at her or not.

**** ½ hour later ****

After singing ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ they sung the other two songs that Rosie had suggested much to her surprise as really she had thought that ‘Crazy for You’ was a bit on the mushy side but had enjoyed singing them with Fletcher just the same even if she wasn’t that great, although really she wasn’t a bad singer, there were people out there heaps worse than her. Fletcher had then chosen a song which he kept prompting Rosie to sing bits of and she was having a really good time and every now and then she would avert her eyes from the screen to look at Fletcher and give him a bright smile as if to let him know that she was really enjoying herself with him.

When they were finished having their fun and Fletcher put the microphone down on the table Rosie did the same thing and then he spoke about their drinks not being so good now because they had spent so long on the karaoke. Really it probably wouldn’t have been so bad, but Rosie smiled and nodded her to him. “Alright then thanks that would be very kind of you.” Fletcher then led the way back to the table and soon enough they were sitting back down and Fletcher had waved the waitress over to order fresh drinks. Fletcher then looked at Rosie and spoke saying that he had quite enjoyed what they had done and should do it again sometime. Rosie had no problem with that whatsoever as she had had a good time also.

She gave him a bright smile, “Well I have no problem with that at all Fletcher, I really enjoyed myself, that has been the best bit of fun I’ve had in such a long time, of course we should do it again sometime, hopefully soon. And I have to say that you really are a very good singer, I just love your voice.” Rosie replied and blushed slightly at the compliment she had just given to Fletcher but she had meant it, his voice was pretty good and she felt like she loved his personality already, he was easily someone she could see herself with, someone who was heaps of fun, it was just what she needed in her life right about now.

[fletcher]

Fletcher never meant to say that Rosie was an easy person, thinking with his mind in the gutter. After trying to apologise over what he said, Fletcher watched Rosie burst out laughing, which made him raise his eyebrows slightly. Then when she punched his arm, he wondered what sort of person she was. To him, she seemed sweet, but maybe she had this side that he might just like. Fletcher listened to what she said, and kind of nodded in acknowledgement. Rosie then nudged him, which led to Fletcher chuckle to himself. "Okay. Just didn't want you to think I was a guy who just thought of dirty things all the time." Fletcher shook his head, as he knew that his gender always thought that way.

Hearing Rosie reply to what he did for a job, and her comment about him turning up drunk was funny, and he laughed at it. He could see his boss telling to not come to work till his next shift, so Fletcher decided to just have one drink at least with Rosie. He listened to what she had to say about what he used to do, and it made him really take notice of what she was saying. After she finished commenting about him writing songs, it made him nod. "I guess you are right about the whole manager thing. I felt that after trying for so long, it was getting depressing, and just wasn't making money to live on, so turned to my current job. And thanks about the songs. You are probably right, I probably do need new inspiration." He looked at Rosie, wondering if she would be his inspiration. Looking into her eyes, he felt that she just might be.

After Fletcher asked her what she did for a job, she said that it wasn't that exciting, stating that she was just a librarian. To him, a job was a job that paid the bills, but it was always interesting to see what other did, or hear what they did. Though to Fletcher, it seemed that Rosie did indee love her job. Hearing her laugh after what she said lastly made him smile a little at her. "I can see from what I heard that you indeed love your job. That is great you know. At least the library you work at would be a great to visit. Seeing as it seems its staff look after the books rather well." Fletcher couldn't remember when he last picked up a book, but he knew he would have to find out later where she worked so he could maybe check one out.

It seemed that Fletcher was really hitting it off with Rosie, and he was feeling really relaxed in her presence. He wondered if that was a sign of good things to come or not. When the topic of song 'Barbie Girl' was spoken about, they both laughed. It was definitely one of those songs that everyone knew the words to. When she teased him about the whole song again, Fletcher laughed, and couldn't remember when the last time was that he laughed so hard. Rosie was definitely a keeper in the friend, or maybe girlfriend, categories.

When they finally made it up on stage to sing, Fletcher had in fact chosen the song 'Don't go Breaking My Heart' for the first song. When he looked at her, and handed over a microphone to her, she said that it was a good choice. Fletcher grinned at her, and saw her face flush a little. He glanced down at the screen, reading to sing, and smiled at how he had just seen her. Fletcher then shook his head slightly, and soon started to sing.

**** Half an hour later ****

Once they finished singing, Fletcher had said he would get them another drink, as their original ones were now wasted. Once they had both sat down, he got another two drinks ordered. He soon spoke to Rosie, speaking about how much fun what they had done had been, and how they should do it again. Seeing her bright smile, it made Fletcher smile back just as bright. He listened to what she said, and sighed to himself. So it seemed that he was going to have a good friend in Rosie. Though in his head, he wondered if they would be more than friends down the track. Rosie seemed so much fun, and knew that more time spent with her would hopefully lead them in that direction.

"Well we might have to organise a date then." He was more referring to getting together, but he wondered if he really was referring to a 'date' date. "And thanks for the comments on my voice. Might have to get together some of my music for you to listen to. Don't have anything with me obviously. How does next week sound? To make a date to do something fun, plus listen to some good music?" Fletcher hoped he wasn't being too forward, as he was liking Rosie, and wanted to get to know her more. "And also your voice was that bad either." Fletcher gave her a smile, then took the drink that the waitress now handed over. He took a quick mouthful, and placed it on the table. Fletcher glanced at Rosie, and wondered what might be going through her head after this bit of fun between them. It was definitely easy to talk to her, natural even.