bright lights, big city

Noah was more then a little distracted as he walked through campus, heading for the library almost more out of habit then having anything specific he needed to get done that day. Final time was in full swing, and while for once he didn’t have any assignments due until the next week, there was still plenty of studying to get done when he could keep his thoughts on his schoolwork and not his troubles with Lorelei, or his sister’s sudden appearance at school. He looked up quickly at the yelled, started when he realized he had nearly been run into, and blushed, “No, no, I wasn’t paying any attention either. It’s okay!” he insisted.

“No seriously it’s my fault.” Delaney took a moment to catch her breath, her heart still beating rapidly from the rush of adrenaline that pumped through her veins from the near crash. She had been careless and almost hurt somebody. “Seriously I am so sorry. I hope I didn’t interrupt your day too much.”

“Ohh Red’s best friend. We haven’t really hung out much. Is she always studying too?” He asked curiously. 

“God, she is always studying. When we went on the school camping trip she hurt herself because her bag was too heavy with books. Highlighting her textbooks is her idea of fun.”

“You’re one of the best artists we’ve had. Of course she’s going to feel threatened,” he told her with that sincere smile of his. “I try to stay away from the competition, I’m in my own little bubble back in the studios.”

“Thanks Julian.” Delaney smiled honestly at him. The compliment means a lot coming from him because he is probably the most talented artist she knows. “Hey, you’re not so bad yourself.” Delaney nudged him playfully. “And you’re right for doing so. You get to stay away from all the bullshit.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow, amused. She totally could if she so much as kneeled him in the groin, but fair and square he doubted it. “You’re like, 5 feet.” He repeated, tapping his finger on her forehead with a cute grin. “I’m made of steel so you wouldn’t hurt me. Look at these.” He bragged, keeping the joke going and flexed one of his biceps to show her.

“So you’re one of those guys who thinks the taller person always wins? I’m going to have to prove you wrong someday.” Delaney rolled her eyes at his antics. No matter what she said there was no denying Aiden was absolutely ripped. She never would have guessed the nerdiest guy on campus was also one of the hottest. “Do you have a hidden superhero identity?”

“I’m gonna believe you because you managed not to hit me.” He had pretty good reflexes though, so he doubted that would have happened. “Don’t do that while boarding or driving, please.”

“Yeah, I seriously need to stop pulling the last minute swerve thing.” Delaney held her hands up in mock surrender. “I have a clean driving record thank you very much. I’ve never even been in an accident that was somebody else’s fault.”

“Well, I just can’t help but still care about you more.” She smiled softly as she held onto the blonde closer, “hey, it’s alright. I’m alright.” Her hand caressing the girl’s back in comfort for a bit before pulling away. “Anyways, it was partly my fault, I should’ve see you coming.”

“Nah it was all mine but that’s okay.” Delaney kissed Margo lightly on the cheek before pulling away, lacing their fingers together. “Before I so rudely interrupted you, where were you off to?”

Maia rolled her eyes. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine without them since I’ll only be here for a couple of days if anything,” she said with a shrug. She appreciated the offer but she didn’t need Delaney to worry about getting her highlighters when she’d be out of the hospital soon enough. “It’s always good to have a positive attitude when it comes to these things. I can’t let this get me down,” she replied quietly before relaxing in the hospital bed. Being positive was difficult but it was something she needed to do if she wanted to remain happy and stop others from worrying about her. Maia winced at the volume of Delaney’s voice. “He can indeed! It’s still all very new and strange!” Maia exclaimed with a laugh. “I was supposed to take him around town and show him everywhere until this accident happened and that put a dent on our plans. But the best thing is that he can see now and he’s happy.”

“That’s good news at least. Then when you get out Bryson will be there to make sure you actually follow your doctor’s rules unlike last time.” When Delaney first found out about Maia’s heart condition the other girl had been very reckless with her health. It worried the hell out of her. At least now hopefully Maia will have learned from the past and apply it to the future. “That’s so amazing, wow.” Delaney could barely believe it. “I’m sure he’s ecstatic. I’m so happy for him, for both of you.”

Ryder chuckled a little as he heard her comment, “Yeah there would have been trouble if you did.” He laughed shaking his head, “Oh just a James Bay song.” He nodded looking at the girl.

“Well I’m really glad I didn’t then. That’s really cool, that you can play and everything. I’d ask if you were any good but that would be mean of me after I almost ran you over.”

Rian looked up just in time to see the blonde girl on the skateboard and moved out of the way as quickly as he could, even after she jumped off the skateboard. “Wow. It’s okay. I saw my entire life pass through my head for a second there, but I swear, I’m fine.” He said, laughing lightly and then waving it off. “It’s whatever, no harm done. You learning how to use that or did I just catch you in a bad moment?”

“Yeah I’m sure you did.” Delaney took a moment to catch her breath, her heart still racing over the near hit. “Bad moment. I spaced out which is something that you really shouldn’t do while boarding, obviously. I know how to do this, I promise.”

“I know, but I don’t find studying stressful…I just want to make sure i’m the best there is. And that means knowing my shit you know.” He chuckled lightly. 

“You know, you sound a lot like Maia. Well exactly like Maia actually. Are you guys friends?” Delaney thought Maia was the only person she knew who had a reflexive need to study. Apparently she was wrong.

“It’s just been a rough week, is all. This is probably gonna sound really out of nowhere but would you be at all interested in getting really drunk with me? I don’t want to do it alone.”

Aaron was right, his suggestion really was out of nowhere and actually took Delaney by surprise. “Of course I’m interested. I’m an expert at drinking away problems.”

Aiden snorted, clearly not taking her seriously. She definitely had muscle, he was sure many of the girls were jealous of her abs. But he was significantly taller than her and he usually went to the gym, he’d like to think he had the upper hand. “Totally could not.” He added with a small grin, which turned into a shrug and a grimace at the pain in his side. “I don’t think it’ll do much, it’s gonna bruise anyways.”

“Now you’re just being rude. I totally could.” Delaney makes a point to try to go to the gym six days a week. When painting becomes too much of a chore it is a way to let off some steam. “I still really am sorry. If I had known it was you, the manliest man on this campus, I totally would have hit you harder.”