[CT] couldn't shake this feeling

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe couldn't shake this feeling that something momentous hung on the horizon. She watched everyone else bustling about, gathering into groups and getting ready for the final day and all. They'd all be heading back to the Academy in a bit, carrying with them the memories and who knows what that they'd picked up here. Zoe's camera had been filled with pictures and then some, so she certainly had some mementos to take home with her. Well, that and a few memories that she'd rather forget, namely being stuck in a hole for some time.

Still, everything looked good now: people gathering, including a few new friends. Zoe waved at Liz, smiling, even thinking about getting up and seeing if Liz was doing anything. She did push off from the porch of her cabin, brushing herself off as she rose. As she did, she saw that someone was actually coming toward her. Zoe froze, blinking, staring, wondering. She didn't immediately recognize the other girl, not even through her camera. For a moment, Zoe had to look behind her, wondering if the girl knew someone from her cabin. Probably, as Zoe had bunked with several more popular people.

So Zoe actually moved to the side, wanting to get out of the other girl's way. She suddenly wished she had her camera to cling to, and instead found herself clutching her gloved hands together behind her back, lacing them together nervously. She shuffled her feet and lowered her head, determined to not even look like a target. That nervous feeling twisted her gut again, and she couldn't help but wonder what it meant.

[Vera M. Solway]

It was somewhat bittersweet, having to leave their camping trip and all. The days zoomed right past her and honestly Vera wasn't ready to go back, she wasn't but she would have to. She still needed to get herself situated with... life and she just wasn't ready for it. Only if she could live in the woods forever. Yeah, no. That was a bit of a stretch but a few more days would've been nice. Most of her stuff had been packed and ready to go, she was just waiting for the bus to get here so they could start heading out. But before they left, Vera was looking for one particular person and for a good reason too. After having her little talk with Devyn, she kind of felt like she needed to put in a good vibe of a certain situation and for that to happen, she needed to speak to Zoe.

Turning around, she spotted the girl getting up from the porch but hopefully if she went to her now, then Vera could catch her before she walked away. Walking up to her, Vera smiled. "Hey! You're Zoe, right? Dev's girl?" It was rare that Vera felt awkward around anyone but just from Zoe's body language, it made her feel as if she wasn't too thrilled when it came to getting approached. "It's nice to meet you."

Hopefully this could or would be short and sweet. Vera felt like some sort of love doctor for today and all she wanted to do was make a certain situation a little bit better.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Dev's girl? Oh, Devyn! "Yes! I'm, um, with Devyn," more or less, though Zoe felt like things had been rather... strained lately, ever since around prom. She didn't know what it was, but Devyn had just seemed off, and, well, Zoe didn't want to pester the other girl overmuch. Right now though, she was just thankful that the girl was just one of Devyn's friends or something, as opposed to wanting to attack her or something.

Though that could still be a possibility.

"Um, nice to meet you too?" she said, tilting her head. "I'm--- I'm not sure who you are. Devyn, um, didn't mention you?" At least, Zoe couldn't recall there being any mention of a pretty black girl with... was her head shaved? Zoe suddenly wanted to raise a hand to her own short hair, wondering if maybe Devyn regularly hung out with people who had more "adventurous" hair styles or something. "Did you---could I help you with...something?" she tried, shifting. "Maybe a... picture?" Because she could see Devyn telling one of her friend to ask her girlfriend about that. Zoe turned back to the cabin: her camera bag lay near the top, so she could probably get it out for one last picture. Her fingers twisted again, and she took another shuddering breath, wishing that she knew at least why the random girl had come and approached her.

[Vera M. Solway]

Nodding her head as she smiled, the girl had figured out who she meant. Vera had a thing with calling people by a shortened name of an already short name. It was a habit of hers. She tapped her head with her palm, clearly forgetful. "Damn, I'm sorry. I'm Vera Marcello, I'm just a friend of hers so I wouldn't really expect her to mention me too much." That and probably because the two had a sexual attraction for one another? Yeah, Vera didn't really blame Devyn. Introductions always slid past Vera especially when she was on a mission for something, she was always ready to go head on without really stopping herself and thinking about it first. 

"Oh no, not a picture. I just needed to talk to you about something real quick--Well, it's about Devyn. Do you mind if we just go around the corner? It wont take long at all." Vera said as she eyed Zoe while heading just around the other corner of the cabin where it would be a bit more private. Vera didn't mind saying what had to be said out in the open when it came to her but when it was about other people, she knew to keep it private. 

This had been the first time that Vera saw Zoe up close and personal and she had to admit, the girl was really cute. Pixie cut and all, there was no wonder Devyn had fell for her, she sure was a looker. 

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Vera Marcello? No, the name didn't immediately register with Zoe. She felt like it should, like she'd have heard the name sometime before now, but she just couldn't quite place it. Then again, Zoe wasn't great with names. Sometimes Devyn also slid out a few names so quickly that Zoe's head ended up spinning. Her girlfriend was much, much more social than Zoe herself.

"It's," she began, only to end up stopping,biting her lip again, realizing that she'd practically talked over Vera, and that the other girl actually had something to talk about. Zoe's eyes widened. "Devyn!? Is she okay? She's not hurt or anything, is she?" Zoe was already heading toward Vera, all caution momentarily thrown to the wind. yes, she'd been tracked and shot by SPECTRE agents before, but SPECTRE agents didn't normally know her girlfriend's name and weren't on exclusive camping trips.

Besides, Mr. Konrad patrolled the woods: if anyone would've kept others out, he could've. So Zoe nodded. "Yes, please, she is alright though, isn't she?" Because they were in the woods, where there was so very, very much that could happen to someone. The very thought of Devyn in trouble caused a lump to form in Zoe's throat, and she'd already begun wringing her hands together. Because what could she do, really, if Devyn needed help?

[Vera M. Solway]

Zoe seemed to still look confused about who Vera was and that was quite alright, really, it was. Even as popular as she was, the telekinetic wasn't out there hoping that people recognized her, if anything this was refreshing. She had enough rumors and BS around her personal business and name so she could care less about who knew her and who didn't. Her brows raised as she put her hands up, "No, oh no no. She's just fine last I saw her, that's not what this is about."

Vee shrugged, "Unless she's getting attacked by a tiny dirt gnome out here which wouldn't be a surpri--Just know that she's okay." Once they were on the other side, she tried to assure Zoe that Devyn was fine through her smile because that's how you made people feel better, right? By smiling? Sure, whatever. "This is more about Devyn and you. I guess I had a talk with her the other night and something about her seemed different, way different--Like even before she opened her mouth. You know, usually Dev is more carefree but she's been really... off lately. Not to say it's anything bad because it isn't." Vera tried building it up the best way that she could just so she could explain it in maybe a way that Zoe would understand. This was really the first time either of them had talked to the other and they knew nothing about each other.

"So I asked her what was wrong and she pretty much told me that she loves you, or in love, not too sure just know that the L word was involved." Most of the time Vera used her hands to talk and this was no exception. She just wanted Zoe to know just so she could help Devyn get her head on straight. It was weird seeing Dev like that and Vera just wanted to help the best way she knew how. And besides, her love life was pretty much non-existent, so why not help her friend's?

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe took a deep breath, visibly relaxing as she heard that Devyn was fine, at least physically fine. Her brow furrowed in confusion at the mention of there being some "tiny dirt gnome" out in the woods. Vera must've been joking or something though, maybe riffing off the mention of Bigfoot or something along those lines. Zoe saw the smile and heard the sort of jest in there though, and she relaxed at that. She came along, listening curiously as Vera continued.

Zoe's heart sank and she started chewing her lip at the mention of Devyn being of. So Zoe hadn't been the only one to notice a change in her girlfriend's behavior. That was something of a relief, since it meant that she wasn't seeing things, but, well, it also meant that something was up. Vera quickly qualified, insisting that everything was fine. Zoe was about to ask how she knew, but Vera continued before the shy girl could work the words out.

Love? She... Zoe's eyes went wide, her hand going to her mouth. "Are you--sure?" she tried, blinking. "She's just been acting so strange lately, ever since prom. We...I got drunk and--" Zoe looked away, chewing her lip. Her hand fell to rub at her arm, wondering how much Vera knew, if she should be sharing or...

[Vera M. Solway]

She was glad to see Zoe hadn't been up tight, the last thing Vera needed was her panicking just because she hadn't really worded the issue at hand correctly. Vera figured Devyn had a safe and fun time during their trip because unlike her, Vera had been attacked and fucked up pretty badly which she wouldn't possibly admit to or mention for that matter. For now it was all about her task at hand.

Smiling, Vera nodded. "Yeap, positive... it's love. Not really sure how you'd take it but I figured maybe since you now know some part of the issue maybe you could help her get her head on straight. It's kinda weird seeing her like this." But when Zoe mentioned something about prom and her getting drunk, Vera put her hands up. "Girl don't sweat it, everyone gets drunk after prom. I even got hammered and ended up going to Devyn as drunk as I was, spilling all of my feelings about my crush to her." Her voiced dropped to somewhat of a lower tone, figuring that Devyn probably had already told Zoe. "Oh and I'm sorry about that night too. I really didn't mean to push up on Devyn like that, especially with the whole making out--and it leading to sex and all that stuff. I was on a whole different level but I'm sure she already told you."

Rubbing the back of her head, Vera smiled sheepishly. It was embarrassing to admit stuff that probably was already known but she really did want Devyn back to normal and better yet, her to be happy with Zoe. Yeah, she had a thing for Dev but not on a level where she felt like she could replace someone like Zoe. It was merely a crush, or a fling of some sort. Besides, she always had her heart set on one person.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

It's love... Zoe felt her heart flutter again at the words. She hadn't even really thought it was possible, not from Devyn, of all people. Part of her believed it fully: Vera had no reason to go up to her, except out of friendship to Devyn or what have her. Weird to see her like that... Zoe nearly nodded at that; it was odd, so very not like Devyn.

When Vera continued, Zoe looked to her, smiling slightly as she recognized someone attempting to make her feel better. Just as she was starting to get comfortable, feeling more at home with her conversation, with Vera, she heard those words. Went to Devyn... on prom... drunk... sorry...sex...

Sex?
With Devyn?
On Prom?

When did Zoe sit down? She couldn't remember sitting down. She was sitting down now, her head spinning. Sex and all that stuff. Zoe felt her body trembling. She couldn't have heard right. Couldn't have. It wouldn't---sex?
With Devyn?
On Prom?

Prom was theirs; that was the deal, that was the only deal. Zoe had kept saying she didn't care, but she cared about that; Devyn knew she cared about that. She...

Devyn slept with someone else
with this girl
on prom.

When had Zoe started crying? She couldn't remember crying. She was crying now, her head spinning. Sex and all that stuff. Zoe felt her body trembling. She couldn't have heard right. Couldn't have. It wouldn't...

[Vera M. Solway]

This was actually starting to turn out better than she expected, especially since Vera figured that Zoe would've known about her and Devyn having sex during pro-

No? Oh wait, she didn't know? Wait, she didn't know!?

Fuck!

Vera's eyes lit up in some what fear and disgust within herself because from Zoe's reaction, she had no idea about Vera and Devyn during the night of prom. Vera parted her lips in an attempt to say something else but couldn't really muster up a word. Instead she just watched Zoe sit on the ground, "I-I am sooo sorry. I really thought she told you. I-I mean word is you guys are like... open about your relationship, you know?" In no way shape or form did Vera mean to upset Zoe, especially if she had no idea who she was on a personal level. This was somewhat Vera's fault also. Had she not felt jealous and upset about Riley leaving her after prom and being alone, she wouldn't have gotten drunk... She wouldn't have ran to Devyn about her situation. Would she had even hit on her and made a move the way she did if she wasn't drunk? Okay, probably but that was far from the case now.

Kneeling down next to Zoe, she tried to figure out what to say as the girl started crying. Fuck! Vera attempted to reach a hand out to Zoe's shoulder, in an attempt to trying to make it better. "Zoe... I'm really sorry. Please, please don't cry." Not like Vera had been in any place to tell someone to stop crying. She probably broke the girl's heart for all she knew. Oh god, Devyn was going to kill her.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

The words rang in Zoe's head, feeling like they were bouncing off a cave and she was just hearing the echoes. Open relationship... they had been in one...hadn't they? But... prom, prom had been different. Zoe had wanted it to be different, she'd said it was going to be different, there had been plans, the preventative, everything had started to line up, love...

Zoe trembled again, taking more deep, sucking breaths, not sure what to say or do or even think right now. Everything just felt like it was going to fall down upon her and bury her at any moment. She heard the other girl kneeling to her, turned her eyes to see the girl through a blurry, watery haze. Sorry, please don't cry... but Zoe couldn't help it.

"On prom," she croaked, the words so eaten by tears that they sounded more like some kind of wretched cry, "prom was--it was ours we'd--" she let out another wrenching sob, curling up. Her hands circled her legs, pulling her tight, her head falling down, burying in them, her entire body shaking with it, the sobs and cries making her jerk with each one that tore from her.

[Vera M. Solway]

There were a lot that Vera could take but when it came to someone else crying, who she didn't know and it was because of her, it just shook her the wrong way. She could see the girl trembling from how upset she was and even worse, she was trying to breathe? Hyperventilating or something? Vera rubbed her back as she stayed by her side, and it wasn't because she felt like she needed to, she wanted to. But if Zoe didn't want her anywhere near then Vera would be okay with that--she deserved it.

Vera's eyes caught a glance of Zoe's, filled up to the top with tears and all. It kind of made Vera's heart sink and part of the reason was because she knew she wouldn't hear the last of this from a specific person.

Zoe tried to put together a sentence and Vera was all ears but the sentence fell short, really short and the telekinetic wasn't able to piece the words together all that well. Vera didn't want to force anything out from Zoe but as upset as she was, she hoped that the girl would let it out. Her face showed confusion, "..what was on prom?" Dear God, she was so hoping that it hadn't been their anniversary or something. Now that, that would just take the cake.

If anyone was around to hold a gun to Vera's head, now would be the time.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

The back rubbing reminded Zoe of Devyn. That didn't make it feel any less good, any less reassuring. Shouldn't Zoe be made at Vera? Vera had slept with Devyn after all; she'd just admitted so, talked about it so casually that Zoe had trouble believing it had been some kind of one-time thing. Zoe knew, or she should've known, that Devyn slept with a few people, and Vera was very attractive. Still, she--

what was on prom? Zoe took another breath. She forced her head up a little. Vera should know the answer, either as explanation for what was happening now or as a barb to start to dig into her for what she'd done.

"We--we promised that prom would--would be special and--and we were--going to---together and--I drank and--and--and it was supposed to just--the two of us and magic and--" Zoe hiccuped, sniffling hard as she wiped at her face with the heel of her hand. At least the gloves and sleeves would work well enough to help sop up what leaked from Zoe's body. Though she would rather they remain dry, with nothing that would saturate them, period.

[Vera M. Solway]

"We--we promised that prom would--would be special and--and we were--going to---together and--I drank and--and--and it was supposed to just--the two of us and magic and--"

She rubbed her face with her hands, because this was just starting to get worse and Vera was pretty sure she was a few feet under as it was. Now she just kept drowning, and drowning, and yeah you get the point. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and it wasn't to look down on Zoe, not at all. It was more of the fact that if Vera were Zoe, and this whole thing had been switched... Vera would probably throw a punch at Zoe. It was somewhat disgusting how she was trying to console this girl and she was part of there reason to why it happened.

"Even though I've said it already, I am really sorry. I-I don't really know what I was thinking that day, having sex while you were probably sleeping... a-and the last thing I ever wanted to do was to cause trouble between you and Dev. Look, chica--I'm really sorry." She was digging herself into a deeper hole, she could just feel it.

"I just really thought you knew." Maybe it was time for her to leave while she could still think.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Sorry again: Zoe's word, the one that came from her lips so often that it almost sounded like a nonsense word by now. Zoe sniffed again, rubbing at her face, feeling the tears free flowing. Not thinking, sex while Zoe was sleeping... oh God, had she been in the other room? It sounded that way, but Zoe didn't even want to think about it. Just the brief thought caused Zoe's body to shake, another sob wrenched out of her. Perhaps the worst part of Zoe's fit was that the sobs were so quiet, despite seeming to shake the girl each time. Zoe didn't even seem capable of making noise even when despair threatened to overwhelm her.

"I didn't," she said, sniffing again, raising her hand to try and clear the tears, only smearing her vision further. "I---I mean, I knew that--she'd been---it was, was supposed to be open it--but it never really was, for me," the last was nearly a whisper, with Zoe curling up once more. She kept her head and mouth from being buried though, fearing repeating herself almost as much as she did talking period right now.

"That night was--it was special--it, we'd been talking about it for so long--" she looked away from Vera. Zoe knew that the other girl shouldn't be blamed that much. She'd clearly been drunk, and she'd clearly come to help Zoe and Devyn, to try and share good news. She'd been nice about it too, not vindictive or cruel. Still, the thought of looking at the beautiful girl, at the girl that Devyn had slept with instead of her on the night that had been so special to Zoe. It crushed her to even think about. She buried her head again, body shaking with another silent sob.