♥

“Am I following you? Says the one who followed me to Manhattan” He teased and bumped his knee against hers. “You gotta stop doing that you know” He shook his head. “You need like..six solid hours as a human adult to function fully.” He pointed out. “I think they’d all forgive you for taking a night here and there” He added as he leaned back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head. “How much you have left today…I’m not trying to influence you but…..sleep is important”

Her lips pulled into a wide grin, “Says the person who is from here and wanted to come home.” she smirked, “Come on Shep, you’d be lost without me” she mused playfully, knocking her knee back to his. Her eyes rolled dramatically “I do take nights off” she said then shrugged watching him lean back in his chair. “Uh... I have another two classes” she said with a inhaled breath. “Maybe I should just play hooky for the rest of the day” she hummed “Are you staying for a while?” She asked softly. “Wanna come nap?” she offered with a small smile.

-

esme gratefully reached forward and took the coffee, taking a long sip as she relaxed in her seat. “i mean, yeah - sometimes i use their field, but i’m just taking a business class, so i don’t really make my way around.” she explained with a nod, before offering a grin. “cool name. i’m esme.” the older woman offered, holding her hand out for the other. “you’ve got nice eyes,” she pointed out calmy, before taking another sip.

Zelda nodded a bit as the woman spoke, giving her a smile as she introduced herself. “Thank you, I like your name too” she said extending her hand and giving it a shake. Her smile widening at the compliment, “Oh thank you” she said brushing her fingers through her hair. “So you’re taking business?” she asked, propping her elbows up against the table and tucking her fists beneath her chin. “What are you wanting to do?” she asked curiously

“Zel–Zelda!” Shep called, looking over the people he was dodging around as he tried to catch up to the woman, groaning as she kept walking on, either not hearing him or completely oblivious to his trying to hurry after her. Though he wasn’t a student he found himself at the campus now and then to help out with their computer issues–Apple having sent him on more than one occasion now to fix something or other. “Will you….slow down!” He elbowed someone, making a sheepish expression at the look on their face as he slipped by and finally caught up to the brunette. 

“Jesus woman you’d think you were in a contest for speed walking” He huffed as he plopped himself down dramatically in the chair across from her. “You look like hell, when’s the last time you slept” He made a face at her

She recognized the male immediately and smiled wide up at him. “Sorry” she chuckled, “What are you doing here?” she asked curiously. “Are you following me?” she teased, flashing him a wide smile. Her blue eyes rolled at his question “I slept... like an hour” she shrugged, combing her fingers through her hair. “I just... stayed up late working.” she took a sip of her coffee, “I’m contemplating ditching and just going home.” she laughed a little.

-

esme didn’t know this woman. she knew a lot of people; but the background chattering of new yorkers on the constant somewhat drew her away from befriending the locals too much. new york was a bit overwhelming, at times. but still the soccer player saw the empty seat and took it without question - throwing herself down in a fit of exhaustion. in her spare time, esme was attempting to earn a few credits in some business classes twice a week. it was a struggle. “hi, can i have some of your coffee?” she asked the younger woman, sighing. “i mean - i can pay you for it, yeah, but i cannot wait in a line right now, and my head is, like, exploding with knowledge. it hurts.” she assured with a nod, eying the strangers coffee. “i’ve seen you around campus. so, like, technically…we’re not strangers.”

-

The brunettes eyes widened slightly seeing her plop down and she exhaled a soft laugh at the dramatics of it. The girls request caught her a bit off guard but she shrugged and slid it over to her, “Ya go for it” she nodded then waved her hand in dismissal. “Don’t worry about it, take it” she gave her a smile. Zelda eyed her for a moment, trying to remember if she’d seen the girl around but she couldn’t place her. “Well I’m sorry I don’t remember seeing you but honestly half the time I’m not paying much attention” she admitted with a laugh. “I’m Zelda though” she introduced herself.

The girl tipped the cup back to her lips, jumping slightly as the hot liquid scorched her tongue. “Fucking hell” she cursed herself, running her tongue over her teeth and sighed. Today was going to be a bad day, she just had a feeling. She looked up as the area got more crowded, making sure to keep her distance and pushed through the crowd before finding a spot to sit outside the doors of the school.

She sat down at the table, setting her cup down and continued to scroll aimlessly through social media until the sound of someone walking up to her caught her attention. She smiled wide, looking up at the other as they sat down next to her “Heyy” she greeted, “Whats up?”

Quick little random fact. Zelda grew up in Manhattan but moved away for school/to get away from home for a while and has been gone for 5 ish years before moving back. (She’s 23 btw)

Platonic

High school friends/acquaintances- Zelda wasn’t super popular in school but she did find it easy to make friends. I don’t think she was in any particular clique but definitely had a very sceney/emo vibe about her for a bit.

Childhood friends- Someone Zelda has known since they were kids (maybe elementary school ish) could have remained friends growing up or grown apart.

General friends- Friends that she has now that she’s back. Something that doesn’t have to have a backstory yet or much of one.

Family friend- Zelda has one sister who is her age (not a twin, a Step sister), two older brothers (twins, also step)and one younger brother (step) that grew up in Manhattan as well. A friend of her siblings or even parents.

College acquaintances/friends- She is studying to be a nurse, but any general classes can be had together if the major is different.

Romantic:

Ex fling- maybe someone she hooked up with in high school, or before she left for California. Zelda has a habit of catching feelings and maybe the other person wasn’t looking for anything serious or broke it off because she was leaving.

Her First time- She lost her V card at 17 to her then boyfriend, thinking it’d make him stay with her but the relationship didn’t last (as most high school relationships don’t) we can figure out a reason together.

One night stand- Self explanatory.

Fwb- Self explanatory (with chem)

Other:

Online Friend- Zel is decently well known on social media (not super famous but has a good following) someone who follows her on social media but they’ve never met IRL

Fan of her shows- She’s a cam model and does adult streams so someone who watches her stuff. Can be up front about it or in secret.

[kaya scoldelario, pansexual, she/her, cis woman] who was that walking around manhattan? it was ZELDA LEAH BERRES. they’re 23, and originally come from MANHATTAN. they’re known as THE QUIXOTIC, and they are a CAM MODEL.  when i hear their name, i think of Cigarette Smoke, Fairy Lights and Ripped Jeans. i hear they’re FRIENDLY & OPTIMISTIC , but i wouldn’t mess with them, because people say they’re JEALOUS & STUBBORN, too. {pixel, 30, EST, she/her}