heavier.

DEVON: Okay then I'll ask her if she can. I know, but still. I don't want her to get freaked out by me.

DEVON: They're really anti-switch. Treat her pretty badly and stuff. You know the types.

CAM: Why would she be freaked out by you?

It was late already, at least for most people around the school. In the time she’s been teaching here, a bare year, she’s only ever seen two people working ‘till the latest hours and one was the Head of the institute, so she considered it a given. The other, Cameron, always leaves around the same hour, so she couldn’t help but approach the moment she saw him, just an hour before eight. “ I was expecting you already gone, there’s not many professor around campus this time of night.” a pleasant smile on her lips, she fidgets lightle with the edge of the folder between her arms. “ Am not… interrumpting, am I? or bothering?… I’m sorry I just saw you and thought to say hi.”

Later nights were commonplace since his breakup with Emily, not solely because of it, at least. Staying late meant peace and quiet in an environment that actually seemed productive for him, and he could at least edit some photos or make some calls before returning home to do more of the same. It was about time for another coffee, and just as he was getting ready to leave the office, Angel turned in to the doorway. Raising his eyebrows in surprise, he shook his head. “No, not at all. I was just going to go down to the kitchens get a bit of coffee to finish up some work for the night. Are you still working or just leaving?” 

DEVON: Yeah... she kinda is.

DEVON: /IF/ she hurts me, that's part of life. And I don't think she would do it on purpose either. But as long as you promise not to be mean, then... maybe I'll ask if she wants to come over sometime during the holiday break.

DEVON: Her family sucks.

CAM: I promise not to be mean. If she's important to you, she's more than welcome to join us. I don't mind, you know that.

DEVON: No, you're not and you never will be. Otherwise I'll have to make you less boring.

DEVON: I know which is why I'm making it a rule that you can't. She's basically the first friend I've had in a long time.

CAM: Ugh, Devon.

CAM: Oh, so she's important.

DEVON: Learned it from you :*

DEVON: You've never been boring in your life.

DEVON: As long as you promise not to scare her :c

CAM: I haven't been?

DEVON: Stop the presses. Cam McCormick gives in!

DEVON: Uh huh, and if you ever decide to again, probably for a good reason, I'll be there to help you.

DEVON: I don't think so. She's a Switch and we met at Ashbridge. Her name is Jordan. Holloway.

CAM: Ass.

CAM: Mm, no, I think I'm good with being a boring professor.

DEVON: Fine, enjoy your store-bought birthday cake.

DEVON: Oh don't play coy with me, Cam. You used to get in fights.

DEVON: Like that feeling in your stomach when you're on a roller coaster? Because I might have that too.

CAM: Alright, alright. I give, you win.

CAM: /Used/ to.

DEVON: And I've made at least three cheesecakes and two pies that more than make up for it.

DEVON: You do dumb shit too. You just pretend it's not as dumb as it is.

DEVON: Maybe? I don't know, how can you tell? I just know I like spending time with her.

CAM: I don't know, have you?

CAM: Oh, right, okay. What dumb shit is that?

DEVON: /I was three!!!/

DEVON: And now when you and Declan do dumb shit, I'll be around to patch you up.

DEVON: :|

[ ... ]

DEVON: Not really. We're just friends.

CAM: And you still did it. And it was horrific.

CAM: You mean when Declan does dumb shit.

DEVON: When have I ever steered you wrong when it comes to baked goods?

DEVON: You did, but I like hearing it. I'm really happy. It makes me feel like maybe I can actually do this.

[ ... ]

DEVON: Why? Did Dec say something to you?

CAM: When you were three and put salt in the pastries instead of sugar.

CAM: You /can/ do this. I'll support you through the whole way.

DEVON: As you should

DEVON: I promise you'll love them. It's like cream cheese kinda but not quite. Just get them, and if you don't want yours, I'll eat it.

DEVON: Organic chemistry, so basically a bunch of different carbon compounds and functional groups. It's fascinating actually. I never even thought it could be that complicated until I started studying it.

CAM: Hmm, no.

CAM: I'll give it a hearty try. But it does sound good.

CAM: And definitely not my thing, apparently. I'm proud of you, I'm not sure if I'd said that today, yet.

[...]

DEVON: You are. You always are, even if you don't show it like everyone else does.

DEVON: I think it's a Filipino bakery. Make sure you get some cheese tarts, okay? That's what they're popular for. And then we can go to Manor Park and I can annoy you for the rest of the afternoon :)

CAM: I'll take your word for it.

CAM: Cheese.. tarts?

CAM: Oh, ha ha.

DEVON: I didn't mean it like that, just.. you know.

DEVON: I don't know if there's anything really specific I want to do. There's this new bakery in Blues Beach that I've heard about.

CAM: I know, I'm being reassuring. Hopefully.

DEVON: Mmm I don't mind waiting until we come home for the holidays, if you're busy

DEVON: When are you done?

CAM: I'm never busy for my sister, Devon.

DEVON: Guess who got an A on her chem final!

CAM: Oh yeah?

I don’t see it as burden at all. It’s a lot of work, certainly, but it’s also exactly what I’ve been preparing my entire life. Daunting, but I was never one to run away from a challenge. I’ll worry about myself after I achieve what I want to.

It’s admirable, then. And I can’t wait to see what you come up with for the Institute. 

Yup. And we can save all decorations for next Hanukkah, which is a bonus. His name is Cole Abrahams? Big family of lawyers. I’d say you probably have run into him before, but he’s never set foot in Barton nor is he the type of guy who wanders into art galleries, so that’s not a bet I’m willing to make..

Hanukkah, hm? What date does that start this year? I.. have heard of the Abrahams firm, but I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him personally. What is he interested in, if not the arts?