College Students Now

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

{thread is set a week or so from now, give or take}

They were college students now. The thought still threw Zoe off slightly. True, she'd been one for essentially a year now, technically entering what amounted to her second year: her schedule would always be slightly off. But, while she definitely didn't want to admit it to her friend, she couldn't help but be somewhat surprised that Devyn Solway had actually made it this far. Yet there they were: walking down the halls of the college area, Zoe smiling and pointing things out.

"That's the math wing," Zoe said, pausing in front of one of the halls and looking down. "I don't particularly fancy any of the classes in there, but there is at least one professor who's quite nice and, ah," she looked over at her friend, chewing her cheek slightly, "he's rather... fetching?" Was Devyn as gay as Zoe was now? The freckled Brit knew that her ex-girlfriend had gotten together with another girl (who happened to be the girl that had broken the two of them up, accidentally or otherwise), but last Zoe checked, Devyn also had other admirers.

That was a while ago though, before Zoe had taken off for her photo tour, before her hair had grown back out to a shoulder length mess of light brown curls, before sun had drawn out her freckles and nearly made her look like some sort of spotted cat, before a lot of things.

"It's actually much better than being just an Academy student, I promise," Zoe said, nodding and looking around, taking a deep breath. "And we made it, Devyn!" She turned to her friend, smiling. "We're actually here!"

[Devyn Solway]

It was nice that Zoe had come back from her trip, a trip that Devyn knew nothing about from Zoe and instead had to hear second hand from her girlfriend. Was it bad that Devyn felt some kind of way that Vera and Zoe were somehow besties and Zoe had not bothered to contact Dev at all? If it was bad, well it was too bad because that was how she felt. She knew Vera and Zoe had already become friends a while after Zoe broke up with Devyn, but it was still odd. At least in Devyn's mind it was and she didn't know how Vera and Zoe were able to do any of it without feeling awkward.

Perhaps it was because Vera didn't feel that way about Zoe and Zoe didn't feel that way about Vera. While Devyn was still in love with Zoe and now pretty much in love with Vera. Her whole loving someone forever was a real disadvantage in this situation but she would deal with it for the sake of not wanting to mess up Vera's and Zoe's relationship. Devyn still hid the fact that she was displeased that Zoe had never said anything to her because she understood that the last time they hung out things were a little rocky.

While they were on summer break, Dev didn't see the harm in getting a tour around the college building early so she didn't have to worry about it. She would have asked Vera to show her around but her girlfriend was busy with work and Zoe had offered in a way. She looked off in the direction of where Zoe was pointing, making a map within her head so she would not get lost. Even if she was likely going to on purpose for the sake of stopping by to bother her college friends and have a 'valid excuse'. "Oh is he now? Guess I'm going to have to make sure to keep my hands in my pockets when around him then." Devyn said with a slight chuckle. Her hands were already in her pockets; where they were going to stay.

"I hope you are right. I didn't even want to be a college student, but figured it give me some more time to figure out what I'm going to do with my life." Devyn admitted. Honestly she didn't even know if she was going to even go through with it, she still had all summer to back out and just work in town or something. She could not help but to chuckle as Zoe was voicing that they made it to college and just Zoe's overall manner about it. "Well, you made it last year but I see your point. Not that I had any doubt that you would get here." Devyn said with a slight not of her head. She made it a point to not look at Zoe for too long; for reasons other than the fact Zoe was showing her around.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

As Zoe had half expected, Devyn had reacted to the mention of the fetching professor in a rather teasing way. The Brit still flushed slightly at that, but stopped short of going completely silent, still able to continue the conversation and move forward. It was hardly the most forward thing she'd heard from Devyn after all, and it wasn't as if she hadn't all but encouraged the response.

"Most of us in uni don't know where we're going," Zoe pointed out, the near desperation to support her friend showing in her voice. After all, Devyn knew full well that Zoe knew precisely what she wanted to do and had been working hard at accomplishing that for some time. Only a Freshman and already with a show under her belt and at least two more ideas tucked away for future ones. That wasn't even considering the TA-ship that Zoe had recently taken, which would actually provide her with something resembling a job.

"The point is that we're all here now," Zoe insisted, continuing after giving Devyn a slightly hard look. "We're all here together as college students,' she hesitated for a moment, "as coeds,' she considered the hall again. "Did you want to see his office? Oh, there's also a computer professor but, well, he does Academy work too..."

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn's words were not even sexual or bad in any way, since putting her hands in her pockets just simple meant she was going to behave. Zoe should have known that by now with having dealt with Dev putting her hands in her own pockets when she was trying to not do or sometimes say something. There was just something about having her hands in her pockets that allowed her to remember to behave, sort of like the pockets being a sort of simple lock on her. The method didn't always work, but it helped right now as Devyn was hanging out with Zoe.

There was so much that still was within Devyn when it came to Zoe, but she was going to give it her best to be able to handle being a just friend with the other girl. She had little choice in the matter. Somehow Zoe and Vera had gotten really close and since Vera was a major part of Devyn's life she had to shove away any odd feelings or discomfort when around the two of them together or separate that she had. She just hoped that with time it would not be as hard as it was at the moment for her. "True." Devyn responded with a small nod. It was why she went with the college route, to buy her some more time to figure out what to do with her life.

"I suppose you are right. Guess that means since I'm a college kid now, means I got to flirt with the teachers more." Devyn tease. Well, part of her did plan to flirt with teachers because she always had to flirt with those older then her and since she was not longer a high school student, which meant it was time for the teachers to get a bit more of it instead of just college kids. Dev shook her head no, not needing to see anyone office since she just wanted a general tour around the building. At the mention of a computer professor Devyn stopped for a moment to look at Zoe. "Is his name Adam Castle?" Devyn asked.

She recalled that he taught something like that, right? If it was him, well then they might have to pay his office a visit. To leave something on fire or just...no, she had to behave. "More importantly, how was your trip? Vera told me a little bit about it, but heard nothing from you." Devyn pointed out. She did her best to not allow that last part to sound like she was offended or hurt in anyway.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe actually giggled slightly at Devyn's comment. "I don't think that's quite what I'm doing, but it's certainly more acceptable," she let a bit of humor twist her lips up and her eyes dance for a moment. It definitely sounded like something Devyn would look forward to and, well, Zoe wasn't wrong in her assertions. The name that came up had her tilting her head slightly, considering. "I'm not sure? I don't really take computer classes..."

Though it had come up. Something about learning the various photo manipulation softwares and so forth. Zoe figured that she'd be taking a class at some point, but that was still a little ways off, Spring Semester at the very earliest. Zoe was already pointing and heading down another route when she caught Devyn's question.

"It was quite wonderful," Zoe offered, adding another nod. "I spent some time traveling the West Coast," she sighed, "and oh, San Francisco was amazing! I'm surprised that Vera hadn't mentioned anything; I hadn't asked her to keep anything a secret..."

Surely that hadn't happened? Devyn seemed almost hurt, and part of Zoe felt almost defensive about it. It wasn't as though she'd shared secret sexy emails or something along those lines. Part of her could also feel the justice if she had: it had been Devyn sleeping with Vera that had ruined their relationship, after all.

[Devyn Solway]

"What you are not doing, yet. You could end up being the flirty type before you now it. I on the other hand, might have to work on dialing it back a bit." Devyn said with a chuckle. Zoe looked a little different so who knew what else changed about her. Zoe had it in her to be flirty and forward so Devyn would not have been surprised if Zoe started to do that a bit more openly. Yet, she also would not have been surprised if Zoe was still the same when it came to that sort of thing. Part of her could not help but to feel a bit...edgy when it came to Zoe but she was doing her best to keep it hidden.

She had to keep it hidden; it was only fair towards Vera and Zoe's relationship. At least, that was what felt like the right thing to do towards them both. "I'll have to look into it. I have a debt to settle with that guy." Devyn said, mostly to herself. She would look it up later but had to be careful about it because Vera had been less then pleased about her taking matters into her own hands when it came to Karsen. Devyn would not have done it differently besides record the event and destroy everything in his room instead of a few things. "Vera did bring it up. She told me about most of the trip. I just wanted to hear it from the source, who I was surprised didn't tell me herself is all." Devyn said, again trying to not sound like she was upset over the matter.

She of course was, for several reasons. She was upset with Zoe for a lot of reasons but just kept shoving those feelings down and hoped that if she kept working on it she would get over those things that were bothering her. If not...well she was going to have to figure out how to handle the problem. Talking to Vera was likely out of the question because she again was doing this for the sake of Zoe's and Vera's friendship. So...perhaps talking to Beth or Tamara would help with the problem she was currently having.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

The flirty type? Zoe had to laugh a little at that. She imagined that Vera, keen as she was on gossip and the like, had mentioned Di to Devyn at some point. The thought amused Zoe enough that she kept her smile for several more seconds, even as they started wondering on down the halls and continuing their conversation. Devyn kept pressing, insisting that she wanted to know more from the source. There was a hint there, a hint that Zoe should have contacted her directly. Zoe almost wanted to ask why. They were friends, but they weren't close, not like she was with Olivia. She'd contacted Vera at first because they were roommates, and then it had become seeking advice, and somewhere along the lines they'd tumbled into a strange sort of friendship.

A set of cruel words jumped to the tip of Zoe's tongue, a jab about how Devyn wouldn't have to worry about Zoe cheating: she wasn't the one who'd slept with someone else. She swallowed the words, if only because it wouldn't be fair to Vera, who had been the third party there.

"We were roommates," she pointed out, "and I hadn't told Vera before. The first email was more my asking her to look after my stuff than anything, I promise," which was definitely true. "We sort of fell into a friendship from there. and if I were you, I'd be happy that my ex and my current girlfriend are quite friendly," there, that was something of a barb. It was also something that Di and Vera had all but instructed Zoe to say. "Now," she said with a nod, looking around, "what are you most interested in studying? We should definitely make sure to look at that wing."

[Devyn Solway]

It was good to hear Zoe laugh; it was something that Devyn was going to always enjoy hearing coming from the other girl. That didn't even have to do with her feelings for the girl; she just liked to hear Zoe laugh even before they were going out. It was nice to just see how much Zoe had changed and how she was an open person compared to when Devyn had first met her. Back then her goal was only for Zoe to love herself and come out of her shell, which did seem to happen. Devyn knew she could not take credit for all of it, but she liked to think she helped with some of that change.

Still, in the end Zoe was clearly not like she was that year and some months ago and that were a good thing. It was also a good thing that Devyn was not a mind reader, or things would not be going as well as they currently were. Even if Devyn was still struggling, she felt that she was doing pretty well at keeping from sounding upset or jaded in anyway. Zoe informed her that they were roommates; Devyn knew that, and was half tempted to try and be roommates with Vera now but her girlfriend often came over to sleep in her bed anyways so she figured it was not that big of a deal.

Not being roommates might have been good so they didn't have to deal with one another all of the time. Devyn smiled a little at hearing how Zoe and Vera had been able to just click, part of her was okay with that. The smile went away at Zoe's comment about being happy that her ex and current girlfriend were getting along. What did Zoe mean by that? "Why would you two not get along? Besides the fact that she used to not really hang out with your types, but you often end up with friends that are her types." Devyn said as she thought about it. Zoe did have something about her the lured in people like Vera, Alice, and even Devyn.

There was a question then, one that Dev felt like answering in a rude way, but she shoved that feeling away and went for her usual playful and flirting answer. "Sex Ed. They still have that in college?" Devyn teased with a smirk followed by a small chuckle. "But seriously, I have no clue. Just show me where you have classes and the uh detective police related classes are." Devyn said as she moved to follow Zoe again. It would be good to know where Vera's classes were so she could harass her from time to time. That would be fun.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe startled at Devyn's question. She looked up at the other girl, her eyes wide, her mouth working and not producing words for several long seconds. was... was Devyn joking? This was the girl who had broken them up, and there was very much the fact that exes were notorious in literature and film for being troublesome for relationships. Even Zoe, with her pathetic excuse for a love life, had some difficulty with exes. in point of fact, she'd had difficulties with Devyn, and had all but needed to get between her and Alice at points.

"I guess you're right," came out instead, spoken slowly and carefully. No reason to shatter Devyn's bubble. Zoe looked forward, still slightly in awe. Devyn then responded in a fashion that struck Zoe as rather teasing, but, well: "I believe that sexuality is a topic you can look into. Or women's study, or gender study, there's also health and wellness," all of which Zoe prattled off without much thought, moving forward. She'd always been pretty good at school, save for the most physical parts.

"Detective classes?" Zoe wondered. "Why would---oh!" the realization hit her and she nodded. "Right, they're, they're in the law department," she believed that was where Vera took most of her classes. Zoe paused for a moment, looking around before pointing. "It's right down this hallway. Well,' she hesitated again and gestured, "down it and to the left and---let's just walk there," flushing, Zoe started forward, figuring that Devyn would be right behind.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn looked at Zoe, with a still slightly confused expression on her face. Yes, she was dead serious. She wanted to know the reason why Zoe would not want to be friends with Vera or more so why she would think they would not get along. Devyn did know what it meant for jealous exs to be around the current person that their ex was going out with. Yet, Zoe had not reason to be jealous. She was the one who broke up with Devyn, didn't give her a second chance, and had made it clear that she didn't love Devyn anymore. That meant there was no way she would be jealous, there was nothing there to be jealous over.

Simple as that, so she wanted to know what Zoe meant by that but it seemed like Zoe soon understood that Devyn had a point. Dev just gave a nod at that pleased that she had been thinking along the right lines and that Zoe seemed to get it after thinking on it. With that out of the way, Devyn settled down a bit more. Devyn could not help but to start to laugh a little when Zoe went into actually telling her about classes she could study that were sort of in that area. Leave it to Zoe to make something teasing to be serious. "I was kidding. I don't really want to take any of those classes. I would ace them in my sleep." Devyn said, with no lack of confidence in that area.

She knew she could satisfy a male or female, she had done it plenty of times. Even with those that she could not touch for too long, like Zoe. Zoe should have just known that, but Devyn didn't mind the laugh. Zoe also seemed to catch on why Devyn wanted to check out the police area classes, but seemed too left out the fact that Dev had also asked her to show her where she studied as well. "Alright, then show me where you learn and what not next. Art types are fun to flirt around with too." Devyn said as she followed behind Zoe.

With her hands still in pockets, she followed after Zoe as she started to hum a little tune. It was hard to not to feel slightly in a better mood as she thought about how she could bother Vera when she was in class and in general how many college kids she could make blush in a day. College might not be that bad after all.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe let out another slightly nervous giggle as Devyn insisted that she would ace sexuality classes in her sleep. "I think they're more complicated than just, um, what you're thinking," she volunteered, flushing. Just mentioning sex, especially Devyn's prowess... yeah, that was definitely bringing up old memories best left buried. Zoe might not love Devyn anymore, at least not like that, but she still couldn't help but find the other girl attractive. Plus, her body remembered some things all too well.

Moving helped though, especially moving with a purpose. Get to where Vera's classes likely were going to be held and show Devyn around a bit more. Yes, that was definitely doable, totally what they were managing right now. Of course Devyn was already mentioning art and flirting and Zoe was flushing yet again. "I know," she offered, nearly squeaking. She swallowed and then tried again, ending up somehow sounding about twice as British as normal: "I'm going to be a teacher's aide for the art department starting this fall, so if you did cause too many problems there, I'd have to report you."

Zoe smiled nervously at that, but continued forward regardless. Soon enough they were entering the law and crim sections of the relatively small university. Zoe was already nodding and pointing toward the relatively short listing of professors. "Here we are," she offered, before looking around. "I ah, don't really know this area that well?" She looked around some more, wishing that there was a convenient map just hanging around or something.

[Devyn Solway]

"I know, I know. They will probably make me have to write up papers and I'll have to learn about people and sexuality, and just things that I don't really care about. Bet I would at least pass the oral exams." Devyn said, unable to help herself. She was already starting to laugh after saying it, but knew she really did need to behave by how Zoe was starting to blush. "Okay, okay I'm done. No more talk about that, I'm focused." Devyn said, still laughing a little but she got it under control. It was still good to see Zoe blush, but that applied to pretty much everyone that Devyn involved herself with.

Of course memories of what she and Zoe had done where there, those kinds of things Devyn didn't just forget; along with her feelings. Not that any of that mattered, all that mattered was being able to keep trying this whole being friend’s things for the sake of Vera and Zoe. It would be unfair for Dev to want them to not be friends just because it was awkward for her. Dev could not help but to reach out to give Zoe's cheek a quick poke. Part of her just wanted to feel Zoe's skin again, another was still fascinated by her power, and also because Zoe was just too cute to not poke with her freckles and blushing.

Devyn let out a sigh as she shook her head when Zoe voice how she would be a teachers aid and how if Dev was too bad she would get reported. "Never let me have any fun. Already have to deal with Vera being a security intern, me being on the little security squad, and now you being a teachers aid. It's like the universe is trying its hardest to get me to shape up or get in trouble all the time." Devyn said, chuckling a little. She kept moving along with Zoe, looking around when they got there, and gave several small nods. "That’s alright; I just wanted a general idea. The fun is just popping up in all the classes until I find the right on." Devyn said with a small smirk.

"Art area next, I'm thinking about taking a painting class." Devyn said. The painting class had only become an interest because she heard that in some art school you got to pain or drawl actual naked models. Score.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

The thought of Devyn writing papers, even papers about sex, amused Zoe greatly. The smile spread on her face before she could even really think about it. Sure enough, it turned into a flush as Devyn continued, mentioning oral exams. They hadn't quite gotten that far, well, at least, not in what Zoe was fairly certain that Devyn was mentioning. There had been quite a lot, and they'd certainly come close.

All the memories shot through Zoe. She fought them down, and actually ended up laughing a little, nervously, but definitely a laugh, as Devyn poked her slightly. The freckles once again showed all the more readily. They hadn't been quite so noticeable when the two of them were together: Zoe had avoided the sun, did mostly because of the freckles in question. They'd fade with time, just like everything else.

Squad, interning, aids, "Well, it's more that we're getting older and branching out," Zoe offered, the smile flitting once more onto her face. "And you can always, um, look at the numbers," she pointed at the labels on each door. The hand lowered, and Zoe stood awkwardly, still feeling like she should be doing a better job of guiding. If Devyn noticed, she didn't make much comment on it, acting as though she just wanted to move along.

"Now art I know," Zoe said. She nodded and pointed. "It's just a few halls down and..." Zoe paused, something just coming in: she turned to look at Devyn. "You're thinking about nude models... aren't you?"

[Devyn Solway]

The smile on Zoe's face made Devyn smile, it usually did. How could you not smile when people that you cared about were smiling? Things did not work out the way that Devyn had hoped and wanted, but they were both moving on. Yes, Dev was still a little pissed off but she was doing her best to not think about any of that and just live in the moment. Just be happy that she and Vera was a thing, that Zoe and Vera were friends, and that other then it being awkward and slightly difficult to deal with it was not that bad. The flushing and the laughter, all of it was all so very cute and reminded Devyn what was part of the reason why she had been drawn to Zoe.

She wanted to see that beautiful smile and hear that adorable laugh. Her mouth almost opened to say as much but she bit down on her tongue and held it back. No point in saying that, Zoe might say something to Vera and that would cause a problem. Not that she thought Zoe would do it on purpose...but then again. Plus after having to deal with Karsen snitching on her she just really didn't want to risk anything that would upset Vera. Her hand went back into her pocket as she thought about what Zoe was saying about them getting older. "I guess so." Devyn said, giving a small shrug.

Growing up was alright, but it did mean she got to be around older people which was always a good thing. She still didn't know what she was going to do and it was hard still trying to live for herself. Vera had been pushing for Devyn to be herself and it was helping but Dev still would have preferred to just live for Vera and do a job that would help her girlfriend out. Dev just chuckled at the numbers comment. Yes, she could look at them but that would be boring and not as fun as just walking up into a room like it was nothing.

Dev moved to follow Zoe when they were onto the art, pausing when Zoe did as he head turned to the side when Zoe looked at her. "Zoe! I'm hurt. You can't think that I always thing about nude models. Yes, this time I was but le gasp I'm hurt." Devyn said all dramatic before laughing a little. Yes, she had been thinking about nude models, but they would be hot. All models were, right? Plus it was not like there would be nude models in the room right now...unless for summer classes. Then in that case score, but she would not look. She would try not to look.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Yes, Devyn didn't sound too thrilled about their growing up and stretching out. Zoe was tempted to point out that they were still remaining in contact, that they weren't growing apart or anything along those lines. They were simply growing, and that was what happened. You had to learn to embrace change. Though just thinking that nearly made Zoe grin all over again.

Heading toward the art section certainly helped with that too. Just knowing that they headed toward familiar ground added a bit more of a spring to her step. Soon enough she was even laughing, Devyn's teasing enhancing her good mood to draw the little noise out from her. "Well, I have known you for over a year now," she pointed out, smiling teasingly at her friend. Yes, they'd known each other quite well, and while they might have changed some, they still remained enough the same to matter.

"They don't often send out for nude models, and it's not quite as easy as you would think," Zoe pointed out, the amusement only changing her inflection slightly. "You have to be able to hold in a pose for an extended period of time. And if you're thinking of drawing or painting, then you'd have to be focused on little details. After a while, you even stop thinking about it as a body."

Zoe flushed slightly at that, looking away and down the hall. There was really only one way she could have talked about it with that much knowledge, and she just had to hope that Devyn didn't connect all the dots there. "There's only a few rooms, and we share a lot with the academy students. After all, there's not much point in having two photo labs for so few students..." Zoe trailed off, mostly trying to remember what else they shared. It was clear where she spent most of her time, at the least.