The Only Exception

[Alice Hobbs]

Tag: Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe

She still felt awkward about all of this to this very day. Even after several dates, Alice had yet to get used to the idea of liking someone, and actually having someone like her back. Sure, it wasn't the first time, but it was the first time she had felt something this raw, this real. It was scary, and she wasn't entirely sure what to make of it, but if Alice had learned anything from Zoe, it was to enjoy whatever good was thrown at you and not question it.

Knocking on Zoe's bedroom dorm, Alice folded her arms across her chest. "Wake up, sleepy head," she called out. "I've made reservations down at the spa for us, and if you don't hurry up, me and my bikini covered self is going to leave without you." Well, she wasn't currently only dressed in a bikini. She had been smart enough to pull a hoodie and a pair of shorts over them, or else walking through the halls of the cabin wouldn't be very... appropriate.

Giving the door another knock, Alice pulled back and walked towards one of the windows. Leaning against the chill glass, Alice closed her eyes. It was nice, being away from home and the stresses of her usually busy everyday life. Things weren't as bad as they had been a months prior, and Alice figured she could blame Zoe for that. The awkward girl had surely made Alice's life a whole lot brighter.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe was worried about her relationship with Alice. Not that she didn't think Alice liked her; that had been proven several times over. No, Zoe was worried about herself, about how her feelings had already leaped ahead of her. Alice liked Zoe; Zoe loved Alice. She'd fallen a bit in love with her girlfriend when Alice had been there after Devyn had wrecked Zoe... again. It had only grown worse, with Zoe carefully nursing the sensation and just as carefully not allowing it to poke through. Because despite how Alice acted and what she said, Zoe had a feeling that dropping three words would cause the other girl to leave.

It didn't stop Zoe from making several decisions and taking action on it. Those included a piece of paper she'd folded away in her luggage, not to mention the extensive packing she'd done for this relatively short trip. This time, Zoe had made certain not to just pack her "cute" clothing; some of the sexy clothing had been dragged along. Bits and pieces that Maelea and Liz had practically forbidden. In amongst those was an adorable bikini, which Zoe had grabbed, planning on precisely what Alice had come there for.

Then she'd fallen asleep. She hadn't meant to sleep this late or what have you, and Alice's sudden arrival made her scramble about. Zoe grabbed things without looking, half-expecting Alice to literally leave without her. She hurried to the door, popping it open.

"Hold on a bit! I've just got to get my suit and some stuff," she insisted. She popped her head back in, leaving the door ajar as she moved around her room, accidentally knocking over a pile of papers (mostly poetry... about half of which were about Alice).

[Alice Hobbs]

Quirking a brow, Alice leaned to the side and watched with an amused smirk as the other girl rather clumsily ran around her room. It was adorable -- which almost made Alice grimace. She didn't find things adorable. It shouldn't even have been in her vocabulary. But here she was, finding another human being adorable. "You know," the brunette began, pursing her lips. "If you stress too much, you're gonna get clu--" and so the papers fell. "Aaaand there we go."

Pushing herself away from the glass, Alice made her way towards the open door and leaned against the frame. She watched the girl, the room, and the mess with a curious expression. She couldn't complain. Not really. At least Zoe wasn't as bad, nor as densely naive as her sister, so there was always that. Then again, no one could ever be as densely naive as Molly... It was not humanly possible.

"Do you ski, or snowboard, or... Anything?" she asked. Alice wasn't really one for either, but she wouldn't mind trying. Having Zoe there would just make it more fun. Well, having Zoe there was the only reason the brunette was even considering it.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"Well, maybe if you'd given me some warning or maybe not opened with mentioning a bikini..." replied Zoe, cutting herself off and biting a lip. Was it horrible that she kept admitting her attraction to Alice? Sometimes the shy photographer couldn't even believe that she'd managed to get the attention of such an outright sexy girl, and it was often her disbelief talking. Zoe really was more confident, both overall and in their relationship, but she couldn't quite shake that little bit of doubt.

She shuffled the papers together, taking a few deep breaths to try and calm herself. You're attractive too: very adorable and just wait till Alice sees you in your bikini. Though Alice's comment nearly made Zoe jump. She accidentally dropped the papers all over again, but she tried to make it look like it was on purpose, that she wanted them carelessly arranged on the desk.

Zoe then turned back to her girlfriend. "I've skiied in the past. I'm... not great at it, but I've skiied. And I think putting me on a snowboard would probably end with my eating excessive amounts of snow..." she shuffled and looked down, smiling, before looking up. "I do enjoy taking pictures of the snowy landscape, though I'm sure that sounds so thrilling to you," she walked up and took Alice's hands, smiling up at her, "and I love spending time with you."

[Alice Hobbs]

Grinning, Alice shrugged. "Oh, this old thing?" she asked, lifting the strap of the bikini from her shoulder. "Didn't know your thoughts strayed that quickly." Of course, Alice was merely kidding. She couldn't blame the girl, as Alice's mind had went down the same path too. After all, they were still teenagers, even if few of them acted as such anymore.

"I've never really skied before," Alice admitted. "So I know how you feel." Alice had never really been all that great balancing on something with wheels, or in this case, something slippery underneath her feet that would cause her to most likely fall on her face and die. Or something. "Though, if you enjoy taking pictures, we could always go for a hike up in the hiking trail." She looked towards the window then, but was surprised as she found Zoe's hands against her own. Looking back, the brunette smiled. "I love spending time with you too, and if I had to pick, I'd place my bets on the hiking, unless we want to watch the other get beaten half to death by the snow. I think it's too early for us to act as if we've been married for twenty years."

"Alright, Princess; time to get going." She was eager to do this. Not only because it was a nice way for the two of them to relax, and hello; it was a spa, but also because the idea of spending time in the spa with Zoe made her giddy. They could get massages, sit in the sauna, go for a swim...

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Now Zoe knew her girlfriend was teasing her. As always, Alice won: leaving Zoe blushing and speechless. She gathered a bit more of herself when Alice moved back onto discussing snow. It was somewhat amusing to think that Alice couldn't snow any better than Zoe; it almost made Zoe want to suggest they try it. more surprising was hearing that Alice was actually interested in going hiking with her. The bit about spending time wasn't that surprising; not any more. Soon enough she was giggling.

Then she nodded and moved to grab her things, gathering up what she needed for their spa day. It would be a little odd, since Zoe couldn't be touched by anyone except Alice for an extended period of time, but she figured that she could just suggest that whoever was dealing with her wear a pair of gloves. She was looking forward to it, both as relaxing and getting to spend time with Alice.

"I'm really looking forward to this," admitted Zoe as she did one last check and shouldered a small bag. "I'll just change when we get there," she moved to take Alice's hand, nodding that she was good to start going and likely falling right in step with Alice as they began walking. "Did you have any idea what we should do first? Maybe go for a swim? Or something. I'm fine with whatever you want to do, really." As she always was. Alice usually had to poke and prod Zoe to make suggestions for dates, though Zoe always made sure not to make it too difficult.

[Alice Hobbs]

"I am too," Alice fired back with a small smile. Nodding, Alice's smile grew when their hands interlocked and they started walking. She hadn't thought too much about what they were supposed to begin with, but honestly, Alice would be happy regardless. She didn't get a whole lot of time to spend in spas back home, so she was going to make this worth her time, regardless of the activity. "The spa shouldn't be too crowded around this time, so I think we're fairly free to do whatever," she said, pursing her lips. "Though, going for a swim sounds lovely." It had been a while since Alice had done that. Not since the summer, when she and Liz went to the pool.

The walk to the spa wasn't very long, thankfully. Not that she'd minded walking with Zoe, but Alice was excited, which also, happened to be another foreign emotion for the brunette. She seemed to experience a lot more firsts than what she had expected around Zoe. Walking over to the counter, Alice handed the man behind it her name and he nodded towards the doors to one of the many lockers. Tugging at Zoe's arm, Alice offered her a smile.

Opening the door to the locker room, Alice hoisted her own bag down from her arm and walked over to one of the empty benches. Putting it down, she carefully pulled out her items to put it on the shelves above the benches. She was nothing, if not organized. Pulling her hair up, Alice pulled it into a messy bun at the top of her head before turning to face Zoe. "Well, I changed and showered, and stuff before I got here, so I'll give you some privacy while you do the same."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe very nearly giggled when Alice admitted to looking forward to it too. She definitely smiled, wide enough that some of her teeth stated to show. She gave Alice's hand another squeeze, nodding and moving along. Yes, the spa should be fairly open, at least for the time being. They could start with a swim, get themselves going, then relax in the sauna or get a massage or a wrap or whatever. They'd look so nice too, and Zoe really hoped that they could maybe have dinner together in the lodge or something.

And then maybe you can talk her into... no, no, you won't think that. Just because you're prepared and in love doesn't mean you should.

Though Zoe's thoughts on the matter, including plans for the future and all, occupied her while they walked. She still chattered amiably, feeling as at ease with Alice as she had since that first awkward date so many months ago. She let the more confident girl give their names, willing to show her ID as she did. Then it was into the locker, with Zoe gathering up her things.

"Right," she said, nodding and looking over at Alice for a moment. She flushed. "I guess, ah, it does make a bit of difference, doesn't it? That we're dating, I mean," she looked down and quickly grabbed her suit, trying not to think of how small it felt in her hand, before scurrying off. It wouldn't take her long to shower, since she was just getting ready for the spa. Putting on that suit though, that would take considerably longer, mostly because Zoe couldn't remember the last time that she'd actually worn a bikini.

Now Zoe was worried that her bikini wasn't sexy enough. It had been one of the cuter retro ones she'd gotten and she'd thought that it would look really good on her. The high waist helped her figure become that more apparent, and it did still show a bit of her white abdomen. The top probably covered a bit too much too. Zoe couldn't help but think that Alice was just going to think she was some prim, repressed aunt again.

Which of course just made Zoe want to stay in the locker room and not come out, ever.

[Alice Hobbs]

Nodding towards the girl, Alice flashed her a smile. "Yeah, I suppose it does." Everything changed when someone was dating. It was no longer the usual 'naked in the locker room with other girls'. It suddenly became something completely different. Something more nerve wrecking.

Turning then as Zoe left the locker, Alice unzipped her hoodie and pulled it off. She hung it up underneath the shelves and started working on her shorts. Hanging that one up as well, she turned to face the mirror, cocking her head as her brown eyes slid across her figure, showing off the neon yellow bikini she had picked out. Unlike the girl wearing it in the ad, Alice was more curvy and had more meat on her bones, but all in all, Alice liked what she saw, and felt comfortable in her own skin.

Sitting down, Alice crossed her feet. She was curious to see what Zoe was going to wear, though, from what she had seen of the girl's taste thus far, she wasn't expecting much. Maybe a wide t-shirt and a pair of shorts that reached to her knees, or something. She really couldn't picture Zoe wearing anything even remotely revealing. 

"Did you fall asleep again?" Alice called out, tilting her head to the side. "If you did, I'm still coming in there regardless of you being dressed or not."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

A difference, and Zoe was blushing again, feeling the red crawling up her pale skin, adding whole new colors to her palette. Great, another reason not to like her: she was just so pale and fragile looking. This was so grossly unfair, especially because Alice was just going to come out in this awesome bikini and looking so unbelievably attractive that Zoe was just going to look frumpier than ever. She should've bitten the bullet and brought the string bikini or something.

It had been a while, apparently, because Alice was calling out. Zoe flushed and tried to think of something to say or do or whatever. Suddenly she was acutely aware of the fact that quite a lot of her was actually showing in the bikini, but probably just enough to be uncomfortable instead of actually looking sexy and all.

It's Alice; she likes you, so she's going to think you're pretty no matter what. So just go out there and let her see you. She'll tease you; you'll laugh, and then you'll have fun.
Except I want her to see me, and she's not going to if I keep dressing like a matronly aunt. She's going to think I'm a frumpy prude.
She knows you; she knows that you're not by now and...

And Alice had likely arrived at some point, no doubt to see her girlfriend still caught up in her mental arguing. Zoe looked up, then her eyes went wide as she stared at her girlfriend. She'd always known, of course, but now she was just... awestruck. Her mouth just opened and closed a few times, words utterly failing her... again.

[Alice Hobbs]

Hearing no sounds at all, Alice's brows furrowed into a worried line. Sure, she knew that Zoe wasn't the most.. Confident of people, but total silence? Nothing about that sounded as if it was... Well, she wasn't sure. It did make her worried regardless. Moving towards the door of which Zoe had left, Alice took a deep breath before reaching out for it. She waited. Held her breath. Listened for any indications that anyone was inside. Well, anyone alive anyways. Had Zoe ran away? No, that didn't seem like something she'd do, did it?

Shaking her head, Alice felt silly. She reached for the handle, turned it and waited. She then continued to open the door and peek her head inside before opening the door fully. Leaning against the door frame, her brown eyes zoomed in on Zoe who looked completely and utterly lost in though, and wow. It wasn't at all what Alice had expected to find. Despite the old-fashioned, retro style she had opted for, Zoe looked absolutely stunning. The style suited her too, and honestly, Alice found that a lot more sexy than any revealing bikini could ever have done.

"Wow," she said, laughing. "You look amazing. That style really suits you." And hey, it was better than a huge t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Reaching out her hand, Alice offered the other girl a warm smile. "Come on. Let's head out there."

Really. Zoe truly did look amazing. Better than anything Alice could ever have expected, but she also looked utterly and completely uncomfortable, which wasn't as surprising. Maybe it was better if Alice didn't say much about it? At least, not more than what she had already? Good thing Alice rarely considered anyone's feelings, then, huh. "Really, you look... Wow."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"Really?" it came out before Zoe could stop it. She smoothed her hands down, tempted to insist that she looked too thin or that it covered too much or--and there was Alice, taking her hand instead. Zoe practically melted on the spot, taking the offered hand and the offered direction, beaming, practically radiating joy. the discomfort melted in the wake of that touch and the smile that followed.

Zoe got a wow...
...from Alice.

"You look, um," Zoe flushed and leaned up to nearly whisper into her girlfriend's ear, "really sexy," bit her lip, pulled back, gave Alice's hand a squeeze and looked away, "but that's, um, well, you, well, you always look sexy, and I always look like your maiden aunt and---and---" she bit her lip, stopping further words, because she knew that Alice would likely just slap her in response. Slap Zoe and then insist that if she didn't like Zoe or think she was attractive, she wouldn't continue to date. Alice was Alice, and Alice didn't do things just to be nice (well, she did with Zoe)... okay, she wouldn't just date someone she didn't find attractive on some level...

Zoe squeezed her girlfriend's hand, wishing her heart would stop fluttering. Soon she'd be sighing with relief at the lack of people in the pool area. Though... though a part of her really thought that maybe more people seeing her dressed like this might be... good?

[Alice Hobbs]

What was this strange sensation growing in the pit of her stomach? Was she nervous? It caused Alice to frown slightly. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt nervous. It felt good though. Really good. Her frown turned into a vague, almost shy smile as she looked at Zoe. "Really," she said, nodding. The bikini really suited her. Not that Alice didn't think something...less would look good as well, but this seemed to fit Zoe much better, and that was in all honesty, more important than having everything exposed.

Looking down at her, Alice laughed as Zoe leaned in to whisper. The way she looked so shy and embarrassed, made Alice just want to hug her and squeeze her tightly. She didn't, of course, as that would be overly out of character and she'd rather not have Zoe faint on her. "Thank you," she said, chuckling. "You look sexy too, Zoe, and maiden aunt? Really? Well... I guess that fits you perfectly, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. We all have our different styles, and well, you should wear what makes you comfortable." After all, confidence was sexier than any clothes could ever be.

Leading them both to the pool, Alice looked around for a moment. There was, just in any other pools, different pools to choose from, and honestly, Alice wasn't sure which to opt for first. Biting her lip she looked back at Zoe. Maybe something more relaxing and less... Well, Zoe would doubtfully feel shy regardless. She gave Zoe's hand a squeeze and lifted it up to her lips and gave her hand a gentle kiss. "Your choice."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Really, and Zoe practically glowed. it only got better as Alice insisted that it was her style and all. Zoe could hear the bit of harshness in the words: Alice agreeing that her girlfriend didn't really dress all that sexy and all, but she heard the compliments in there. Zoe giggled as she realized that she now spoke "Alicese." That boosted her confidence even further. She practically sashayed her way to the pool, arm in arm with the girl she knew to be one of the sexiest at the Academy. And she's with me. Willingly and everything.

The pool, and Alice was giving Zoe a choice. The shy girl looked around, chewing her lip for a moment. "Well," she said, tapping her lip, "I'd like to do a little, um, lap type swimming first, so let's go there," she pointed at a narrower pool and headed that way, technically releasing Alice so she could go forward Zoe strode without slowing her place, pausing only for a moment at the water's edge to test the water.

"It's nice and warm!" she called to her girlfriend, turning and beaming. Zoe then nodded and moved to slide her way into the water, moving with the ease of someone who knew what they were doing.

[Alice Hobbs]

A fond smile splayed over Alice lips as she watched Zoe take the lead, letting go of her arm. Without hesitation, Alice followed with a simple nod. "Alright." She had no objections, and actually found it quite amusing that Zoe was so quick to make a decision. It was almost as if she got to see a completely different side of her. As much as Alice lo--liked Zoe's... Well, it was nice to see.

Laughing, Alice pursed her lips. "Well, look at you; being all kinds of upfront." She smiled though, as if to make sure Zoe didn't think there was anything bad in it. Once she reached the edge of the pool, Alice sat down and sank her feet into the water. It was warm too, much to her surprise. And without further hesitation, the brunette sank into the water, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the feel of the warm water against her skin.

"Never took you for a swimmer," she said, pursing her lips as she turned to look at Zoe. "I mean, not that I didn't think you'd enjoy it, it just strikes me as odd." She chuckled a little at that. She could more easily see Zoe run around bare feet in the forest than swimming around in barely anything at all. But again, that was what was so great about them spending time together, alone. It was a nice way of getting to know each other without any outside influence.