lost track of time

[Trevor Paige]

"Look, Zoe." Trevor glanced to the timid girl as they walked. "I don't know you all that well but I can already tell you don't have to worry." Trevor wasn't the most responsive person when it came to complimenting or attempting to support people this way, but he knew when a topic should be soundly avoided. Something about Zoe seemed to frustrate him while also endearing her to him at the same time. She was obviously a sweet, caring person and that, unto itself, was a quality worth being proud of. But to constantly remain down upon yourself as she had to a total stranger was off-putting, to say the least.

Still, Trevor didn't wish to give off any hint of negative thoughts. He smiled lightly. "You've obviously got friends who care about you, right?" He said, already knowing the answer. "So just go with that. If everyone keeps telling you everything's okay and you don't need to be so hard on yourself, maybe they're the ones who are right, you know?" His hands went into his pockets and he looked to her soberly. "We've all got our demons and things from our past. While we can't forget them, it's important to keep looking forward and not lose sight of the good that's right in front of us."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe actually looked at the other boy, as if his words had been less a general statement and more a command. He kept talking; she kept walking. His words reminded Zoe that he wasn't the first one to meet her and almost immediately decide she was worth meeting, that there was something there to enjoy and like and everything. It, again, reminded her of what everyone kept telling her, and it again, pointed out to her that this was something even a random stranger she'd met by chance had noticed.

So Zoe nodded as Trevor mentioned friends, even as she reached up to rub at her arm, taking a few more bracing breaths. Go with that: She nodded. There was something about the whole demons and such that had her looking at Trevor for a moment. Something was there, something sad, something that spoke of past pain that Zoe could sort of detect lurking under the surface. She knew that more than just her had been affected by SPECTRE, so clearly... he must be another?

"They did something to you... SPECTRE," she guessed, blinking. "I mean, nevermind. It's probably something else," Zoe looked away again, biting her lip. "Thank you for, um, the advice. I--I think you're right," there, that should help, right? It was true too. All the bolstering, Zoe could almost feel it starting to work. She felt like a ship that kept wanting to sink, and everyone kept shoving more and more into her to keep her afloat. It had just started to pull her away, prevent her from becoming a total wreck.

[Trevor Paige]

And there it was. Trevor had let slip just a bit too much and Zoe had caught on. He fought back a wince as she questioned his interaction with SPECTRE but he wasn't going to hide from it. Not anymore. He nodded and glanced in Zoe's direction. "I was one of the students kidnapped." He said sternly, before she could shrug it off. She'd shared more of her past than he, up to this point, it was really only fair to show he could have taken the same route that she had but chose to allow himself to heal and move on. It had been too long to hold onto anymore. He refused to allow himself to constantly be afraid of saying the words.

Trevor showed no an ounce of sorrow or sadness in his admission. Sure, it had been a difficult recovery, but he'd managed to pick up the pieces well enough, he thought. "You'll be alright, Zoe." Of that, Trevor was sure. He couldn't imagine Zoe didn't have some sort of support structure that had seen her through the trying times. "Lean on your friends, that's what they're there for." He offered her a small, but genuine smile.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

One of the students kidnapped? He said it so succinctly, wrapping what had to be an awful lot of hurt in just a few words. Zoe wasn't sure she could do that. She could barely mention what happened to her without her voice warbling. Trevor... hadn't even broken stride. Zoe couldn't help but admire that.

Though she wasn't sure she could agree with the words that followed. She smiled though, at least getting where they were coming from. She didn't want to argue, not any more. Much easier to go along with it, to accept what he said as at least having some kernel of truth. "I shall," she said, nodding, "and thank you again," she was pretty sure she'd already said that, but it was certainly better than sorry, "for everything," which should at least expand it.

"I hope you have friends too," she offered, then flushed a little, "though I'm sure you do," people like him always seemed to have several, after all.

[Trevor Paige]

Trevor had no idea if his words had affected the girl in any profound way but they had both been among those most affected by SPECTRE and that, at least to Trevor, fostered a bit of kinship between the two of them. But Trevor cling to the fact that he had survived while so many others didn't. He felt it would be doing a disservice to the memory of those lost and the sacrifices of those who'd been grievously injured just to free him from the clutches of SPECTRE if he didn't make the best of his life from here on out.

Another smile came Zoe's way as she thanked Trevor again. "Hey, it was my pleasure." He said, waving a hand dismissively. Trevor, while not void of his own share of skeletons in his closet, apprehensions, and fears, knew that money would never be a concern. It as just money, and not even a great deal. That he'd managed to ease the mind of a fellow student (and SPECTRE survivor to boot) and enable them to continue with something they so obviously loved with a mere swipe of a credit card was rewarding unto itself. "It doesn't work for everyone, but I try and take everything on day at a time." He offered a faint shrug. He'd reached the end of the advice he had to give.

Of course, Zoe was one hundred percent correct. Trevor did have several people that he hung around with on a regular basis that many thought were friends. In truth, these acquaintances really didn't know much about him or vice versa. Trevor liked it that way. He just wasn't one for serious personal interaction. That wasn't to say he didn't those close to him that he had done just what he'd advised Zoe to do and leaned upon them. It just so happened one of those friends he'd leaned on the most happened to become his girlfriend. So far, taking his own advice had worked out rather well. "I do." He confirmed with a nod. "And the close ones I turned to are the reasons I'm still here." He said, believing that to the fullest.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"I keep trying that," said Zoe, half-agreeing, "reminding myself to live in the moment, that it's the present that matters. It's... hard, sometimes."

It was getting easier though. More and more people seemed to support her, and Zoe got more and more comfortable with herself as, well, herself. She began to understand her new position, her now powers, her new life, her new everything. She felt almost ready to face the coming school year and what lay beyond it.

Trevor seemed to confirm this, giving out more reason to stay, more support in some way. Zoe smiled slightly, nodding. "Well, um, if you, uh, need me," she said, fidgeting. She brought a hand up to rub at the back of her neck. "I could, um, try?" Because surely one day she'd be strong enough. She'd already had bursts of it, her inner strength coming out. Plus, she already wanted to help Trevor, pay him back in some small way. She was tempted to offer to take his pictures but, well, something about it, about him, made her think that wasn't quite what was needed. Not here. Not now.

[Trevor Paige]

Trevor smiled a little, looking to Zoe and nodding. "Yeah. I know. It's rough sometimes." It wasn't as if Trevor hadn't been through his share of anxiety, therapy and nightmares regarding the entire ordeal as well. It was a horrible situation for all involved and it seemed everywhere he went he found those, adults and students alike, who'd been afflicted by the cursed government agency who's name he'd curse for the rest of his life. "But people like us." Those who got the worst of SPECTRE's wrath. "We have to try harder than everyone else to do that."

To say Trevor was humbled by Zoe's offer to help in some way at some point in the future was an understatement. He smiled almost sheepishly and gave the girl another nod. He almost didn't know what to say in response. Almost. "Yeah, thanks." He said. "I know we just met and all, but the same goes for you too." This was the part of the conversation where Trevor's smooth, in control demeanor wavered just a bit. This was when real, actual feelings were shared and, at least so some degree, he let a little of his true self show through. "If you need anything, anything at all, let me know. Even if it is just to talk." He gave a bit of a shrug. "After all, I can relate to, you know, SPECTRE." He didn't think he'd ever be able to say that word again without feeling a flash of anger and fear.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Life was rough, rough and painful and hard and just plain awful overall. Yet Zoe was finding out that it got a little easier with people to help, people who were there for you. Harder for people like them, sure, but not impossible, not with support, not with those who were willing, even those who were just strangers with similar experiences.

Relief flooded Zoe, relief and pleasure as Trevor accepted her offer in the spirit it had been given. She nodded, glad to hear it. She couldn't help but also feel comforted by the fact that he'd offered to help her as well. Another person who would stand by her, be an ally, another person who thought she was worth supporting and that she could return in time.

"Yes, there's been too much awful," she said again, though making sure to laden extra meaning on them. She took another breath. "But maybe that's why we're all here. Put together by some strange chance and forced to try and work through things..." she paused, licked her lip, then shook her head. She favored Trevor with a shy smile. "It's been nice talking to you, but, um, I have books to read and--" she took a step away, obviously waiting for permission, then she'd be scurrying off to do her own tasks.

[Trevor Paige]

Trevor's head tilted as he listened to Zoe speak. Her words seemed to come from a much different place than she had been even just a few short minutes ago when their conversation had started. She sounded more confident, more focused on the future, even though there was still a great deal of that timid, shyness she was known for. Trevor smiled as well. He'd seen the loss linger with so many of the people who joined Zoe and himself in sort of a tragic fraternity of those affected by the events concerning SPECTRE to see one of 'their own' looking ready to move on was a relief.

A soft chuckle escaped at the polite way in which Zoe excused herself from the conversation. "You too, Zoe." He said honestly, offering her a short wave. Yes, he figured it time to go their separate ways as well. He also had much to do, although there was only a little reading involved in it. His eyes lingered upon the girl thoughtfully for a moment. He didn't know what the future held for Zoe but whatever it was, Trevor hoped she would continue to find the strength to overcome. Without another word, Trevor turned on his heel and started down the hall in the opposite direction.