The New Girl

[December] - Christmas

"Come ON, Red, you have to come!" Caspar whined as he flopped down on her clothes-strewn bed. "Please!"

Dianne snorted, "Get a grip, Casp, I have an international flight across the world that leaves at midnight. I'm not going to spend my last three hours in the UK with a huge busy crowd at Winter Wonderland."

"Um, why not?" Oli peeked his head into her room, joining in on the conversation. "I can think of no better place to be before being stuck on an airplane alone for 24 hours."

Dianne groaned, "Ugh, don't remind me how much I hate this flight."

"Just come," Caspar pleaded, "Come for an hour and then we'll drop you off at the airport."

"Yeah if you don't come it will be like the whole gang isn't complete," Oli whined, joining Caspar on the bed. "Also why are you packing shorts for Christmas?"

"Because it's hot in Australia you idiot," Dianne giggled.

"That's so weird," she heard from the doorway, her head snapping up toward the low voice she would recognize anywhere.

"Christmas on the beach," Joe mused, crossing his arms across his chest, a lazy smile on his face. "I can't imagine having a roast with sand in my bum crack."

Dianne shot him a weird look, "Why would there be sand in my bum crack?"

Joe shrugged, smirking.

"Besides, we don't do 'roasts' on Christmas," she continued, returning the smirk. "Barbecue all the way."

"No roast on Christmas?" all three men shouted at the same time, causing her to jump in surprise.

"That's it," Caspar yelled, sitting up with his finger in the air, "You are coming to Winter Wonderland. It is required education for an Aussie in the UK."

Dianne stuck her tongue out at him as he made his way out of her room, knowing full well she'd let them drag her to Winter Wonderland before they'd even entered her room.

"No roast..." Oli muttered, looking thoroughly confused as he shuffled out of the room, leaving Joe the only remaining roommate, still leaned casually up against the door frame.

Dianne shot him a small smile, internally steeling herself for a conversation that would no doubt be tinged with the slightest bit of awkwardness. Though things had mostly returned to normal since the emotional day a month ago, where she'd learned of Joe's feelings, tried to deny her own, and then the mutual agreement to not rupture their friendship - there was still the ever present crack in their foundation that she couldn't seem to look past.

Joe, to his credit, seemed to have moved forward without a second glance. His schedule had remained busy, but he had mostly returned to the joking, teasing, goofy friend she had had from the start. But between his increase in meetings and her weekends at Strictly or days spent with Andy, they'd been spared any long-term interactions, which she found herself being grateful for.

"You really don't have to go," he smiled, "I can stay back and take you to the airport."

"You don't want to go to Winter Wonderland either?" Dianne raised her eyebrows.

"Eh," Joe shrugged. "I've been every year since I've lived in London...it's fun, but it's also cold as shit."

Dianne grinned, "Exactly. This Aussie is still not used to the cold."

"Good thing you'll be on a beach in less than 48 hours," Joe smirked, sauntering in and flopping down on the bed. Dianne's eyes widened slightly, swallowing thickly as she recalled the last time he'd been on her bed...