–– ♡ ❛ + unequivocally dismayed;

“Things that suck, being stuck with homework and your video has to be up in a few hours. And guess who hasn’t done the editing yet”.

Nico sighed loudly, looking up from his book, where the words were swimming all over the page. “Listen, I’m sorry to be a dick, but could you please lower your voice?” he pleaded, his tone harsh as he pressed his fingertips to his temple.

“Shoot-- sorry, yeah... no big deal.” She sighed, awkwardly bringing a hand up to the side of her neck; scratching idly before stiffly returning it to her side. “You don’t okay ?”

Luce stopped at the edge of the quad, looking around with his bag slung up on his shoulder. Riding back on the bus had certainly been interesting, and while everyone was still so excited about the win, he’d had to fake it, pushing a smile on his face before curling up to sleep on the way back. Instead, he’d stared at his phone, where a single text from Rodrigo stared back. Good morning, mi corazon. I hope you slept well last night. I’m sorry that I startled you. I have just missed you so much, I wanted to hear your voice again. Luce sighed, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “This place just gets more beautiful every time I see it.” A small smile curled across his lips, and he forced himself to keep it there.

Surprisingly, Claire had managed to get away from Brock after the trip.  Dismounting the steps of the bus, she took sight of Luce almost immediately and chose against her better judgement, and approached him.  The two hadn’t spoken in a few weeks, and honestly, the girl blamed herself.  It wasn’t as though the two were all that close, however, their times spent at the domestic abuse support group and forced them to learn a thing or two about each other and Luce was probably one of the very few people she felt comfortable around. The boy spoke just as she reached his side and she sighed, relieved that she wouldn’t have to break the ice.  Peering around she nodded a bit, slightly confused. “Oh, I never really thought about it but, it’s pretty nice, isn’t it.” She agreed, turning her eyes to him. “Hey,” she said quietly, nudging him playfully. “Congrats on the game.”

“Guys” in Dixie’s head translated to one guy–one guy this girl didn’t want to see after whatever  hookup gone bad had transpired between them. “He’s not that intimidating, I promise.” She chuckled, carrying on the conversation as if she didn’t have a thought in her mind about why Claire wouldn’t want to be around Brock or what might have happened between them. “But I get it. Guys can be weird to be around at times.” She added. No matter what Dixie was thinking at the time, she didn’t want the girl to feel completely dismissed by her. “Yeah, that sounds good. Just drop by my dorm whenever, I’m three twenty in foster.” 

A tight laugh escaped her and she cleared her throat, nodding as she spoke. “No, yeah, I mean--- somehow I doubt it, if he’s as popular as you say.” She shrugged, slowly starting to find her footing in the act.  It felt strange; gross to lie like this.  To act as though the two had never met, let alone, fallen in love, and spent almost every waking moment together for over a year’s time.  It felt wrong after everything he had said to her on the camping trip.  However, nothing could make her feel safe, and pretending  that she wasn’t sure who Brock really was felt like the safest option. “Or all the time,” she joked, trying to loosen the suddenly tense air around there. “Hey !  We’re actually in the same dorm !  --- I’m three ten.  Cool, I definitely will. Uh-- probably, when you’re free.” She said, preventing herself from adding ‘when you’re not with Brock.’

Brock: Great, actually. I just bought some new arrows, sharper ones since they're easier to practice with. But I'm sure you didn't call to hear about my arrows!

W-where am I? What’s going on?

“Hey, Char...” She practically whispered, standing to be next to her when she woke. “Hey, shh... take it easy, okay ?  Y-you’re... you’re in the hospital, sweetie.”

Dixie’s eyes narrowed in suspicion as soon as Claire began to speak. It was obvious something had switched in the girl from one moment to the next. “Mhm…” She hummed, a tinge of judgment in her tone. She assumed the girl in front of her was just one of many Brock had been sleeping around with–disgruntled by regret or some unrequited feelings. Her sex life was none of Dixie’s business, and she really didn’t care to hear about anything she did with Brock. “Well, you don’t have to if it’d be too much for you. One step at a time.”

The moment Dixie’s eyes narrowed, Claire felt herself deflate from the nearly cheerful demeanor she had before.  Her eyes stayed stiffly on hers for a few seconds; her expression had shifted from one of feigned confusion to a weary, guilty one.  It rested there as she spoke again and Claire tried her best to pull a grin to her lips; to at least maintain her thankful side of the story.  She was at least thankful of the offer.  However, the longer she kept her gaze on Dixie, the less sure she was about feeling thankful.  She had completely lost her mind.  Had Brock set her up to this?  The pictures, the compliments; Claire had engaged in conversations with her for a few minutes now, and what was it all for?  The girl didn’t have time between now and the time Brock’s name was dropped to round their conversation points.  She couldn’t connect all the pieces.  She breathed in slowly, nodding as she allowed her grin to brighten her worried look. “Yeah,” she exhaled quickly.  Nodding a few times, though it didn’t make her look any less guilty. “I-I’m just not good with, uh... new people, I guess.  Guys... Seems sort of uh--- weird to say--- out loud.” She rambled. “I’ll definitely uhm--- I’ll let you know when I’m free, then, yeah ?” 

Brock: That's a shame. Guess you had a busy day, huh? You've always been my busy girl.

Brock: Doesn't sound like it, babe. You sure you okay? I can come see you if that would help.

“Ah, of course. Somewhere out there, Beyonce and Mark Zuckerberg are in a meeting planning what snack food to take from us next.” Mahea laughed softly at how the other girl mirrored her fake-seriousness. “I’ll look at it this way, a sad life can only get better. Especially if gummies are involved.” She was slightly relieved to find that Claire had a similar issue about being new. “I’m pretty sure some of my classmates still don’t know my name. But I can’t really judge, I probably don’t know theirs.”

“It’s a serious shame.  Beyonce is a goddess.-- She really shouldn’t abuse her power like this.  We’ve always kinda known there was something up with that Mark guy though.” She laughed, shaking head head a bit. “That is very true... There’s nowhere to go but forward.” Her grin widened a bit and she nodded vigorously. “Yeah, I can’t really blame you. ---Oh god, I swear I’m not an anti-social dirt bag-- it’s just really easy getting preoccupied in a place like this.  What are you studying here anyway ?”

“Well, I’m honored to be your first real conversation here and hopefully your first friend, too.” She chuckled. “If it makes you feel any better I really only have like, one friend here. Which seemed a lot less pitiful until I said it out loud…Maybe you could hang out with us sometime? Only if you want to, of course. Uh, his name’s Brock. Even if you’ve been hiding out the entire month, I’m sure you’ve heard of him? He’s quite…popular around here.”

“Oh, yeah, --hopefully !” She said, sounding a bit surprised. “That’d be nice.” Claire grinned slightly, rolling her eyes a bit when the girl claimed to realize how pitiful it sounded to have only one friend.  She was about to insist that it didn’t sound pitiful at all, especially not to someone who was only just making their first friend now, when she heard her throw Brock’s name into the conversation.  The girl hesitated a few seconds longer than socially acceptable before speaking again. “U-uh--uh...--- Brock ? Hmm,” all ability to lie smoothly through her teeth had vanished and she hoped Dixie wouldn’t notice. “I uh... I think I might have heard of him. T-that’s so kind of you to offer.  It might be kinda weird though, I dunno...”

“A few people, maybe. That depends in my opinion. If your conversations with someone never stretch pass meaningless chatter or what the homework was, I wouldn’t consider them a friend, I think friendship should be a lot more than that…Or that’s just me being naive.” 

“Hey, well, a few is something.” She shrugged. “No, I totally agree.  It feels really empty when you don’t talk about real things with people.  You just kinda float around.  It’s good when you actually know someone and vice versa.  I feel bad, I guess...--- because I haven’t really had the chance to sit down and talk to anyone and ‘make friends’ per se.  This entire conversation is probably the most I’ve gotten since arriving.” She paused, laughing a bit. “Pathetically.”

Brock: I miss you, babe! How've you been?

Brock: Claire?

Dixie shrugged her shoulders. “Not really. I mean, I know a lot of people, but knowing people doesn’t really make them your friend.”

“You wouldn’t consider any of them to be your friend ?” She asked sounding a bit surprised. “I think it’s safe to say if you talk to anyone even remotely regularly, you’ve passed acquaintanceship with them.”