Just To Hang Out

[Tamara Sulik]

“I suppose it all depends on what you want to try,” Tamara said with a shrug when Devyn claimed trying was not always a good idea. It was true, of course, but saying that you have to at least try seemed to be one of the piece of knowledge adults have to pass on the next generation, even when they think it’s bullshit. Because, let’s face it, a lot of those sayings were pretty stupid. Like the ‘there are plenty of fish in the sea’. Who the hell thought it would cheer them up to assure them they might be heartbroken now but they’ll find someone else eventually to rip their heart apart again! Tamara couldn’t believe in those things.

Even if Devyn turned out to be inappropriate outside, Tamara would give her a ride. It would be a lot more irresponsible of her to leave her there than to bring her back. If some staff members might disagree with her decision, she was certain others would understand her logic in here. Devyn felt down and for some reason trusted Tam. This bond between them allowed the woman to listen to Devyn and help her out if she could. Not to add it gave her an excuse to leave the school for a little while. Since she went out only to buy things or get and few drinks and a date for the night, she could use going out for the sake of just taking a coffee and talk. Sometimes, life enjoyed putting her through situations where she had to see the inconvenience of living in a school.

Tam looked at her car but decided to shrug at her comment. Yes, it might be a little painful to the eyes. “At least I can always find it in any parking lot,” she replied. She didn’t really care about the color. She didn't get her car based on a color. She wanted something that wouldn’t make her pay too much for gas and since she was alone, she didn’t see the point in having anything bigger. She let Devyn pick the music but she explained her taste in music might not suit Tamara. “You’re into that kind of music? Metal, is that it? I don’t really mind. Not sure you can get a station playing a lot of those though...” she said, trying to look for one that played rock, figuring it might be a good compromise. Again, she didn’t mind. She could survive teenager’s music for one car ride. “You went to town a lot?” she asked, not really liking the silence between them as she drove towards the coffee shop.

[Devyn Solway]

"I guess that is true." Devyn said as she gave a slight nod. She supposed she could not give up trying on everything in her life. There were still things that she could try and be successful at, love just was not it at the moment. She was still young so while it was not that big of a deal, it still hurt a lot. Even more so when you were the type that meant 'I love you forever' when you said that l word. Sadly, many people didn't really seem ready for a forever kind of relationship which was both good and bad. Good because then you got to try out different things to see what you liked, but bad because of the whole heart break experience.

Devyn was going to try and behave herself when they were out in public, not wanting to mess up her chance of getting off campus again. Sure she could go off on her own, but she did in fact like to be in the company of other people from time to time. She also knew already that there would be no point in trying anything with Tamara. Devyn was more so worried about what others were going to say about Tamara because Tamara was in Devyn's company and people tended to assume things whenever they saw Devyn with any male or female that looked older then her. If Tamara had been a younger student then there would have been nothing to worry about.

"True." Devyn responded to Tamara's words about how easy it was to find her car in a parking lot. That did have its benefits so she supposed if you didn't have a light sensitivity and often went places where you hard to park your car, then the vehicle was perfect. Devyn personally preferred motorcycles or sports cars. She was still saving up to get herself a bike and would likely get it a little after her eighteen birthday. So there were things to look forward to. "Well I listen to all sorts of music. That’s just what I'm into at the moment. So...you pick something. It’s your car and all." Devyn responded, letting out a slightly embarrassed chuckle.

She knew her music taste could be a little odd, but telling an adult just made it feel especially odd. Devyn just fell silent then, listening to whatever music Tamara found for them to listen to if the older woman decided to find something. If not she was fine with the silence, but Tamara apparently was not. "I do. I have fewer bad memories in town then I do on campus and I do better at keeping myself in check and not losing control of my power when I'm down in town." Devyn explained as she looked out the window. "Do you go into town often?" Devyn returned the question.

[Tamara Sulik]

Tamara didn’t think you should give up. Sometimes, of course, it was good to know when to step back and look at things from a different point of view, but it was not exactly the same as just letting things go by without at least trying to turn things the way you want them to be. Tamara was a bit of a fighter and stubborn as she was, it was out of the question for her to just give up.

Tamara didn't think there was anything worth spreading rumours about in taking Devyn outside of campus. The girl needed a break and it gave her an excuse to leave as well. Nothing that shouldn’t happen would happen and they would be back long before curfew. She had no intention to have Devyn drink alcohol or smoke or even just to bring her shopping. It was just so she could have a change of air and possibly speak up her mind before going back to school. It was important sometimes, to have a break. These kids didn’t have a home to go back to on the most part, they had to remain here, in the middle of the drama they tried to run away from. And Tamara felt like there was more drama here than there used to be when she was a student. She probably would have gown crazy studying in this environment. Anyway, she didn’t think she had to justify herself to anyone and couldn’t care less if some people chose to spread rumours about them. It would be easy to prove them wrong.

“At your age, I listened mostly to Iron Maiden or Mötley Crüe. Then I heard some electronic music and thought it was a lot better to dance on so it was all that was playing anymore,” she admitted. Now, she didn’t care so much and could hear a bit of everything. She more disliked an artist’ music than an actual genre. It was a rather odd conversation and Tamara decided to put some music instead.

“Because you don’t have as many bad memories?” she asked, turning her head briefly towards Devyn before heading back at the road. She did feel sorry for Devyn that she had some hard time getting through her problems. Tamara knew little of them. She preferred not to know too much. She didn’t think she needed to know everything to help Devyn and she never really liked having to deal with teenagers’ drama. “Now and then. Probably more than you do,” she answered when Devyn asked her the same question. “It’s important to go out sometimes. The school is great and you can get pretty everything you need and all that, but it’s important to have a break every once in a while.” They soon arrived at the coffee shop and Tamara parked the car near it.

[Devyn Solway]

"At my age? So, not that long ago then?" Devyn asked, flirting a little bit. She could not help it; it was just too perfect to not have said it. She was smirking but she made sure to keep looking out the window. She didn't know how old Tamara was, but however old she was she was damn good looking for it. How could Devyn not flirt a little and at least point it out? IT was practically impossible. She would have to be having one of her bad days to not flirt at all. While she had not been actually all that happy for months, she was not depressed every second of the day. It was an on and off thing.

With Tamara having agreed to take her out to get some drinks, well she was in a pretty good mood. Sitting in a bright blue car, alone with a hot staff member of the school, and going off campus for some drinks. Sure the drinks were just likely coffee or hot chocolate, but in general it was enough to be in high spirts. Her thoughts may have kept going back to thinking about how she was hurting but there was enough of a distraction going on that she was not trapped in such thoughts. There was the question then about the bad memories. "Uh, well I was at BA when I was told about my dad's death. Had three serious breakups at, almost died twice, and getting into trouble from time to time all at BA. So yeah, lots of not so fun memories there." Devyn pointed out, just giving a general overview of it.

There was more but she didn’t want to get into that and doubted Tamara wanted to hear about it either. "Interesting enough, it was more of my dad's death and the breakups that were honestly the bad parts. The near deaths were not that big of a deal." Devyn added with a shrug. Then she listened to what Tamara had to say about going into town and why she enjoyed it. Devyn nodded in agreement, it was a nice place to go for an escape. "Where would you say i the place you go to most often when coming into town?" Devyn asked as the car came to a park. She unbuckled herself and hopped out of the car. With some adjustments of her shades she moved to grab the door to the coffee shop and hold it open for Tamara.

[Tamara Sulik]

Tam smirked at Devyn’s comment. “Smooth, but I’m probably a little older than you think,” she pointed out. Apparently, people didn't seem to think it possible she had a ten year old son. Hey, she was not going to complain about it. She was well aware that, to some, she was likely to be considered a cougar. She didn't like being referred as that. It sounded so insulting, like you’re an antique the moment you are over thirty. She was not ashamed of her age, even though she was not correcting anyone thinking she was younger. She’d prefer not having to tell it to Devyn though. Who knows what she might think or how she would react when finding out.

Tam knew for the breakup, at least one of them, but the rest caught her by surprise, making her startled. That... was a lot of bad things going on. And she wasn’t even in college yet. “I’m sorry for you father,” she said after a moment of awkward silence. She didn't know when he died but he was her father, it would still hurt a little remembering it even after a few years. She wasn’t sure she would say a near death experience wasn’t that big of a deal though. “I’d say it’s more something that shakes you than makes you depressed,” she pointed out. She felt her contribution to the topic lacking but she wasn’t quite sure what to say to that. How can you say that it was just how life went and things would get better eventually after all that? She could see why Devyn had a hard time getting over it.

Tamara shrugged at her question. She was going to say bars but maybe it was not the best answer to give a student. “I never really thought about it. I just like to know I can get out when I need to. Plus, unlike you, I have some expenses that requires I get into town,” she pointed out. She preferred talking of this than Devyn’s hard times, it was less awkward. “Pick whatever you want,” she told Devyn as they entered the coffee shop. She knew Devyn claimed at first it could be her treat but that didn’t sound right. Besides, she could afford coffee for the two of them, even if Devyn was to take something super fancy with lots of stuff in it.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn could not wipe away the proud and devious smile that spread across her lips at Tamara's words. The older woman had called her smooth, the rest was less important but she had still called her smooth. That was one for the record books...well not completely. She had gotten someone older to have been 'effected' by her 'charm' in one way or another. Not like she could brag about it too much since she didn't want to get any of the staff in trouble. Plus it was practically in her nature to just flirt a little bit with everyone.

It happened more often when she was around those older then her since her interest didn't really peek around the young ones. "If that was an attempt to deter me, it failed." Devyn said with that smile on her face. She did stop there however. She knew she could not push it too much or else Tamara might just say no to all of this and like kick her out of the car. Devyn was just having fun and admittedly such a distraction was wonderful for her. Devyn didn't mean to make the mood heavy or anything like that, she was just being honest. Perhaps too honest. Part of her regretted saying anything and it showed by how she moved closer to the door of the car and focused on looking out the window.

"It's cool. It was like...almost three years now?" Devyn said, not fully sure. She didn't like to remember the day that she died, she didn't celebrate it. She only celebrated her dad's birthday and she had not visited his grave since the day he died. She knew she probably should but every time she could not bring herself to do it and it was not like her mom was any help in making her feel better at the loss of her father. She was pretty sure her mother still blamed it all on her and part of Devyn blamed it on herself as well. Even if logically speaking it was no way her fault, at all. "Mmm...you are probably right." Devyn said with a small nod. Her near death experiences just gave her a wake up calls of sorts.

"Oh? Like what? Are you the type that likes to buy fancy underwear?" Devyn asked smirking before quickly putting her hands up like she was innocent. "Don't answer that. I'm sorry. Damn, I'm bad at being good." Devyn said with a small chuckled. She scratched at her head a little, trying to refocused herself on not asking or bringing up such things. Devyn made a face at Tamara telling her to pick anything she wanted. Dev had wanted to treat her but it looked like Tam was not giving her a choice. So she ordered herself and ice latte and moved over to get them a comfy place to sit after Tam was done ordering what she wanted as well.

[Tamara Sulik]

It wasn’t like Tamara was in any way turned on by Devyn. She was just a student having a rough time that she chose to help. It was a little strange coming from her since her definition of help usually didn’t go further from reassuring a new arrival that it sometimes happened for their power to come out of control and that the school can handle it and that they should not worry about it. Instead, she was about to have coffee with a student. Oh well. The two of them could use the break. It sure would be what she’d tell anyone questioning why she left in the company of a high school student.

Tamara didn’t consider Devyn the first to flirt with her. She normally ignored them. It was easier that way. Replying to them, even just to say it was out of line, might encourage them and it was not something Tamara wanted. She had all the cards in her hands in this situation though. If Devyn pushed it too far, she could just go back to school and write a warning in her file about what happened. Behaving inappropriately could mean so many things with having the same result on the girl.

Tamara didn’t lose her father but she lost some grandparents. Plus there was her son, so far from her, even though it was not exactly the same kind of loss. She knew it wasn’t always easy to deal with. “Everyone at Bellefonte had difficult experiences, even without adding the normal ones life can throw at you. You shouldn’t be too hard on yourself about it.” Because if she couldn’t handle a breakup now, she feared the one who’ll dump her when she’ll be older. At least now they could somewhat protect her. When she’ll be an adult, there will be only her to pay for her mistakes.

She stared at Devyn, rather shocked she mentioned underwear like that. “I’ll ignore it for now. But don’t forget I’ll still write down I took you out here. Better not make me have to write anything bad about it,” she warned Devyn. She would not hide this, it would only sound worse than it really was if someone found out. Besides, it wasn’t like she thought she was doing anything bad. She might be doing the shrink’s job, but that was a whole other matter.

Tam paid for Devyn’s latte. The other way around would have been inappropriate. She then ordered a black coffee for herself and joined Devyn at the table she picked. “We don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, but if you want to take advantage of being here to get something off your chest, you can do it too.”

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn doubted she was the first to flirt when Tamara and she doubted she would be the last. Hello, did you see her body? It was like a gift sent from above and was just begging to be explored all over, but Devyn could not. One she already knew that Tamara was not going to give her the time of say and two...well that was about it. Tamara was in her age range as far as she was guessing and even if the woman was not, she still would not have minded giving things a go. Of course like many of the staff here, Tamara was smart. Devyn respected that, she honestly did and didn't want to mess up things between them. It was just so hard not to flirt with her but she was going to try even harder no to now.

"I'll work on it." Devyn said with a small shrug. It was easier said than done. There were a lot of things that were easier said than done but at least she was still alive. That should have been her response when people asked how she was. That she was still alive so at least things were not bad enough that she had gotten over her fear of there being an afterlife and just went ahead with the plan to vanish from the world forever. Getting dark again, Dev. Focus. Devyn thought to herself and so she focused on the whole getting coffee. She looked really relieved that Tamara had let her slide once more. "Thank you so much. I really mean that I'll work on it. I'm so sorry." Devyn said as tried to sound convincing.

She knew it was better to show then it was to just say. She had a habit of apologizing and then still messing up, but she was in fact trying. She still was not pleased that Tamara didn't let her pay for the drinks but she didn't say anything about it. She just took her drink and grabbed a seat, looking up at Tam when she spoke up about them not having to talk. "Uh...I don't really have much to get off my chest. Just wanted to get off the school grounds a little bit." Devyn said as she looked away a little. It was not a lie, she really did want to get off campus and she didn't have anything that she was thinking of that she wanted to talk about.

“Was there something you wanted to talk about?” Devyn asked then after a short pause. If Tamara had a question well she could answer it possibly. Other than that she was comply fine just sitting there in silence while they drank. Silence was probably best if they didn’t have a topic because Devyn had a feeling she would slip up again with the whole flirting with Tam.

[Tamara Sulik]

Tamara would lie if she were to say it was not nice to get compliments, even from students. It was nice to see she could still make people want her. Not that she would ever reward any of the students for this. Or even thank them to consider her hot. She was more likely to tell them to pick someone their age to fantasize on. She was smart, she knew they wouldn’t get in trouble for going after her but she could lose everything. Not just her place in the school. She was thinking of her son and feared what they might do if she ever did something wrong. She believed they were quick to take children away and there were rarely put in a better place. She probably imagined things here but it still was enough to make her behave.

“I can’t say I’ve lived anything nearly as dramatic as what you’ve gone through so far but I obviously know about bad breakups. And even more about bad relationships. It’s not like I’m trying to minimize what you’ve been through, just to say you’re not the only one who lived this. And certainly not the last, sadly,” she told Devyn. She had a little smile when she thanked Tamara and assured her she would behave. She didn’t want to admit to Devyn that she reminded her of herself. It might make her feel better to know this, or not, but Tamara was certain it would diminish her authority on the girl who might think she would go easier on her from now on because of this. She didn’t want that. So she held her tongue.

She nodded, understanding her desire to get away from the school for a little while. Tamara was quick to run away when she felt trapped in a place. She needed the possibility to leave, even if it was just to go to town for a while before heading back. If she couldn’t do that, she would have left a long time ago.

She was also grateful she might not have to act like the psychologist here as she thought she was not qualified for this. “I understand you. They do everything in their power to offer you all you need but at some point it’s important to get away. Otherwise, it makes it feel more like a prison. And I don’t think I should worry for anything bad to happen here, right?” Tamara told her. She did ask, to make sure Devyn could control herself in public. She was not at school anymore with power suppressor in case something bad happened.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn snickered a little when Tamara pointed out that she had not lived such a dramatic life as Devyn, which was not a bad thing. Devyn was actually happy to hear that someone out there didn't have it as bad off as she did sometimes. Yet, she also understood that there was probably someone out there that had it worse as well. Dev did decide however that she was not going to reveal any more about her dark past. She didn't want Tamara to feel bad and there was nothing the older woman could do about it so she didn't see the point in telling her things that could not be changed.

Devyn just accepted them as a part of her life and did her best to get to the next day. "Yeah, I just hate it. Like...why do people say they love you if they don't really mean it and like how do people even just stop loving someone?" Devyn asked. She really didn't understand why people would say such a heavy word if they meant it. Then if they did mean it, how it could not be true sometimes later. When she loved, it was forever, and she didn't understand how it was not the same for everyone else around her. She was not sure if Tamara knew the answer to it, but she figured it didn't hurt to ask.

Tamara was pretty cool, in a guarded kind of way. Devyn could easily tell the woman was behaving herself, it was all about the body posture. Still, she understood it because she too didn't want to get Tamara into any trouble. Even if her mind enjoyed the fantasy and thought it would be worth the risk for some fun. Some mental scolding was done as she refocused and nodded her head in agreement with what Tamara was saying. It did feel good to get off the school grounds, and even if the school did what it thought was best, Dev could not help but to break rules every so often so she would not feel like she was some beast trapped in a cage.

Even if that cage was something she needed or would need in the future if she spiraled completely out of control. "I was thinking of asking for a transfer at some point. To get away from this school, but I keep sticking around and hoping things will get better." Devyn admitted as she played with her drink a little before taking a sip. "Any advice on if should keep toughing it out?" Devyn then asked shortly after.

[Tamara Sulik]

Her life might not have been as dramatic as Devyn but it sure had been eventful as well. She could tell quite a few things to Devyn that would surprise the girl. Except she wouldn’t. It was a student she had in front of her, not some colleague or other adult she could talk as equal. There was a line she couldn’t cross here. She knew that for some stuck up people, she might have done it already. She wouldn’t go further.

“They mean it. Then. But that is how life goes, one day, you find yourself going a different path from those you considered close to you and it’s sometimes best to part ways,” she pointed out. Tamara was the kind to kill a relationship before it was entirely dead on its own. It was better like that, she thought. “Sometimes, things no longer work out the way we wanted them to. You still love someone, just not the way you used to. It wouldn’t be right to hold on to someone just because they are here, not when you’ve already grown apart. It only leads to more pain.” She wasn’t sure it was a concept teenagers could understand. You need to live a little to get it. But Devyn experienced a lot so maybe it will talk to her, somehow. Or she might just think it was one of those grownup, boring stuff some adults come up with to justify things that happened in their lives. Either way, Tamara didn’t really care. It was not her job to have Devyn understand life, all she should do is make her understand the rules of the school.

She was actually glad she didn’t attend Bellefonte. Because, had she did, students might find out she had not always been the most obedient student there. She broke the rules a few times. Not the most important ones that would endanger people should you break them, of course, but she did go out after curfew or drank beer or a few other things like that. The kind that can land you in detention should you get caught but rarely deserves more punishment than this. She had nothing against the school. She thought it provided a safe environment for everyone. But even if she was glad to get in that cage once in a while, she also needed to get out of it if she wanted to. This really was the only way to have her stay around.

She looked at Devyn as the girl admitted she thought about getting transferred. And she had to ask for some advice. Tamara had none really. She didn’t like having to think about this for herself, she liked it even less when she had to do it for others. “It’s really your decision. But the pain that you feel will accompany you. It’s yours, it won’t all vanish just because you had a change of scenery. You need to determine if you think you can truly be happier away from here. I’m sure you’ve got reasons to stay as well, more than just the hope things will get better.”

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn looked at Tamara as she explained how at the time they meant it but then how different paths got involved and things just fell apart. Devyn didn't understand that, not at all. It made no sense. Just because you were going down different paths she didn't think that had to lead to you not loving someone anymore. She figured that would be the time when you support one another and worked together to have an equal ground where you could meet along your different paths. If people always broke up when they were going down different paths, then people might as well not have bothered to be with someone in the first place.

People are always going to go down different paths. Splitting up because of it is stupid. Devyn thought to herself but didn't say anything. She figure Tamara was speaking from experience, but that didn't mean Devyn liked it. If anything it just made her believe that love really was word that people said to one another as a lie. Devyn knew she was never going to stop loving someone unless they were bad for her or something harmful like that. "I don't believe that. To me it just sounds like people are weak." Devyn spoke up as she leaned forward and rested her head on the table. She really did hate this, the holes inside her that caused a burning in her chest to even think about it.

Devyn fell silent then, just laying her head on the table as she closed her eyes and calmed the inner turmoil down. They were out in public and she didn't even want the shadows to flicker in the slightest so was making sure to put extra effort into keeping herself settled down. Dev did speak up about the idea of a transfer, something that had come to her head a while back but she had wanted to try a bit but each passing day it seemed like a good idea. Tamara said it was her decision and Devyn almost felt like just getting up and leaving then but Tamara kept speaking and saying how it would still stick with her.

Devyn half chuckled at the words about having more reason to stay at the school besides the hope that things would get better. She supposed there were a few things but she figured that with time it would not matter or those people would get over it. "Guess I have to just think about it a bit longer then." Devyn said before taking another deep breath. She didn't have anything else to say but didn't feel like moving just yet. She figured however that Tamara was not going to want to hang out forever so was just going to wait until Tamara was done her drink before she would bring up it being best for them to head back then.

[Tamara Sulik]

She could tell by the look on Devyn’s face that she had a hard time believing her words. “It’s not a question of no longer loving the person. You change and your feelings change too, it’s normal. You might not like it but I’m sure if you think about your childhood you’ll find out there were things you loved then you no longer love as much. That’s just how it is. It doesn’t mean you won’t find someone or something else to be passionate about,” she said to further explain herself. She might not like it but Tamara was not one to deal for long with those who couldn’t get it was over. She was not involved in this so Devyn was fine but Tamara still felt the need to make her understand she had to move on.

She shrugged as Devyn proved her she could not accept that. “They don’t love the way you do. That doesn’t mean their love is any less than yours. You have your reason to grow apart from someone, no matter how close you used to be, they have theirs.” Her tone was still kind enough but she knew she might snap at her at some point. She never was good at comforting people.

The girl wasn’t doing so good and Tamara kept a close eye on her. She didn’t want Devyn to lose control of her ability here. It would be hard to explain and she was likely to get reprimanded for this. “It’s not that easy a decision to take. You have to turn the page on a big part of your life. Believe me, at some point, you wonder if you made the right decision. So you have to be sure,” Tamara told her. There was something in her tone as she said that Devyn should believe her that certainly showed she lived something similar. And, in a way, she did, when she decided to live in America. “In the end, though, it remains your decision. But make sure you take it for the right reasons.”

[Devyn Solway]

Tamara must have known that Devyn was not buying it, because the older woman started to speak again, giving more of an explanation. Devyn of course listened because even while she didn't want to hear it, her father had told her to respect her elders. Tamara had respected her and it was only right to give that same level of respect back, not matter how Devyn was currently feelings. She still didn't really get how you could still change from loving someone when you changed. Devyn had changed a lot and every person that she had loved in the past, she still loved them.

They were the reason she had changed, the reason for her living. Perhaps that was why she didn't fully understand it, but she was trying to at least a little bit. "I guess so." Devyn responded back. She was just tucking it away for something to think about when she would be lying awake at night or in the middle of cooking. She knew that it sometimes took her a little bit to understand others ideals and views so she was not going to completely write off what Tamara was saying. The woman obviously had to know what she was talking about after all.

Devyn fell completely silent at Tamara's words about how just because someone didn't love the way that she did, didn't mean their love was any less significant. That...that made some sense because everyone was different so it was understandable that they could love different, so that didn't meant that she was loved less then she loved them. It made sense, but part of Devyn didn't want to believe it because it hurt. It hurt to know that someone could love you differently then you loved them and it still be equal and yet they could just stop loving you. It just...it was confusing. Tamara was on the side of Devyn staying, not that Devyn really understood why.

Did people really just want her to have to keep living with the various pains just because they felt that she would regret leaving? "Okay..I'll keep thinking on it then." Devyn said after a moment of thinking on it just a little bit. She then moved to lay her head back on the table, playing with her father's ring ideally. "I'm ready to head back when you are." Devyn spoke up then after a moment. She didn't feel good. She just wanted to lay down somewhere and never get up, but she knew she would have to eventually. Devyn did however sit her head up and give Tamara a smile. "Thanks for all of this...really." Devyn said, meaning every word of it.

[Tamara Sulik]

Tamara understood it was best not to insist. The only other argument she could give was that she’ll understand with time and that had to be the worst thing to say. Tamara never liked someone telling her, even now, that she would find out eventually on her own but she had to admit it was often the case. Maybe it was precisely because it was the case that she hated to hear that so much. Or maybe it was just the wait until that day that was so annoying. Devyn was still a teenager. Emotions tended to be very strong then. With time, you realise that you might still love someone, just not with the same intensity. Again, this thing about time. Tamara really better stop talking.

Tamara ran away from her past life. She actually ran away during quite a period of her adult life. For that reason, she thought she knew well the subject of running from the pain and how it rarely worked. “I know it’s a tough call and it’s one you can only make on your own. It’s your decision and they shall respect it, but don’t be rash on it. There is no point in leaving to another school if, after a month, you want to come back,” she told her, nodding as she promised to think about it. Tamara was not against her leaving the school. In the end, it was not her decision but Devyn’s and probably a little her parents and the administration, but she certainly had no say in the matter. If she wanted to go, Tamara would not stop her. She had too many other people to care about to focus on this and convince her not to go.

Devyn expressed her desire to head back. Not in those words, but it was how Tamara took it. She nodded once again and finished her drink. The girl seemed tired and she knew she was, emotionally speaking. She returned her smile, something she might not do this often for students, but this time it was genuine. “You’re welcome. I hope it helped you a little. You should probably get some rest once we head back,” she suggested. Soon, she was ready to go and made sure Devyn followed as she returned to her car.