'TIL YOU ARE

She reminded herself that it was a project, a questionnaire for the other to reply to, but it was difficult considering the small crush she had on them. Although it was more of a persistent desire. And now they were alone for the very first time. She sat on the edge of her chair to be as close as possible, smile tethered to her lips. “Do you really think I’m gorgeous?” It slipped out without thought. “Sorry, that wasn’t part of it — how much money do you spend on clothes every month?”

Watching her, hearing that reply slip out, Dale gave a smug grin, glancing at their desk somewhat.  No Doubt the other was indeed gorgeous. “I haven’t broken your heart..” Dale insisted, to follow up their comment of refusing to break the hearts of gorgeous people. “Well..” They paused, sitting back in a grey button up and slightly darker tie, almost skin tight trousers and Chelsea Boots to match. “I mean it depends on what’s happening that month.. if I’ve a.. special occasion.. I dunno.. a party or.. someone special comes along and I just need to buy something to show them how special they are.. the amount I spend will sky rocket. Lookin’ good doesn’t come cheap.” They mused with a smirk.

He smiled and shook his head “Not at all, and is best if its taken by you than by a student wanting to argue a grade” He said sighing, it happened way too often after all, but regardless, he liked Dale. “Busy day today?”

“Well we can’t be having that now, can we?” They mused with a grin, sitting down beside him. “No t at their hour of the morning in anyways.” They added. “Mm.. I’ve been grading papers since I got up.. I think I’ll cry with happiness if any student gives me something that isn’t copied and pasted from wikipedia..” They mumbled. “What about you?”

scarlett had no clue how she was doing it and here she was, once again embarrassing herself. the blonde shyly took the chewy ball back into her palm, a pink-ish shade spreading on her cheeks. “i really am sorry…” she mumbled, proceeding on attaching the leash she was holding on the puppy’s collar. “aw, thanks! she’s very energetic, so i have to tire her out if i don’t want the whole campus to hear her endless howls at night.” she couldn’t help but let a soft giggle escape from her lips. “no, no. i insist.” without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around the other’s and began walking towards the nearest coffee shop. “i’m sorry, i’ve definitely seen you around but i don’t think i’ve caught your name.”

“Your office, huh? Don’t mind if I do.” Nadya arched an eyebrow with a sly grin attached to the corner of her lips before laughing to ensure that it came across as a joke. She started walking alongside Dale towards the direction they had motioned at. It was going to be hard to focus on her project but she was sure she could manage. “It would be incredibly rude of you to break my heart — even if I’m sure you’ve broken many hearts before.” 

Watching her briefly, their tongue ran over their lower lips before they bared a taunting grin, shaking their head somewhat. But listening to her, Dale couldn’t help but chuckle somewhat. “Break hearts?” Dale shook their head. “I could never.. not my style..  I don’t like making gorgeous people cry..” Dale mused with a smile, stepping inside the building, holding the door open for her. “Right.. project.. what is it I can help you with?” She asked, sitting on the other side of their desk.

   "An Oxford man!" He was incredulous. "Like hell he is! He wears a pink suit."

“Professor James,” she greeted them with a beaming smile, forgetting what she was doing for a brief moment for numerous reasons. Although she didn’t believe she could be blamed for it considering the incredibly hot person standing before her. “Oh, err,” she cleared her throat, “I have a few questions about fashion — mainly directed towards you as a consumer. If I’m being honest, it’s boring so I wouldn’t blame you if you chose to keep going but, a fair warning, you would break my heart.”

Watching the other carefully, Dale gave her a small smirk as she cleared her throat. “Fashion.. okay that I can do..” They insisted. “I was just heading back to my office to drop some stuff off.. we could talk there?” They offered. “It’s not boring at all.. this is your future.. it’s anything but boring..” They insisted. But at her comment, they couldn’t help but laugh. “Well I couldn’t possibly break your heart now could I?” They mused, motioning in the direction on their office.

“Donuts” The man spoke through a mouthful of food, powder puffing out and coating his lips “Are the gifts of the gods- especially when they’re made or I guess probably bought by cheerleaders. You want one?” 

“You’re disgusting mate..” Dale teased hand, inked hand reaching out to roughly wipe the power from his mouth. “Jesus.. careful, you nearly took your hand off there with that bite.” They insisted. “Mm, but don’t mind if I do..” They insisted, accepting a donut. 

SHE’S ALL WIDE EYES AND RED LIPS AS SHE TAKES IN her surroundings, still not believing that she was on a new campus after being transferred at the start of the week. due to the severity of her mother’s cancer, the doctor had made them leave their small home in new york and move to michigan so that she could have a much better chance of beating her fight with leukemia. of course, that didn’t mean that birdie was happy about the move, but whatever helped her mother she would do— which was why she was pushing herself through university while becoming a cam girl to make extra money for her treatments. she’s put a lot of stuff on hold, the most important one being her full ride to julliard for ballet.  yet her mother had always put her daughter first, and birdie was hellbent on returning the favor. walking over to the fountain, she wrapped the oversized knit sweater across her chest, obviously not having checked the weather when she left her apartment in a white, laced summer dress matched with a pair of stocking which were held by a garter belt. even though no one saw them, birdie always like dressing sexily underneath her clothes, it made her feel invincible in some way or another. sitting down, she crossed one leg over the other and pulled out her class schedule, making sure she wasn’t missing anything. it wasn’t until a voice spoke up beside her did she look up, meeting the other’s gaze. ‘—sorry?’

Dale had been through hell and earth to get to where they were now. And Fucking right it was worth it. But something they didn’t have to fall back on was family.. hell, that’d be decided for them every since they found out that their ‘daughter’ liked girls. From then on, they were ignorant.. sly.. belittled Dale to the pointed where they took off. Travelled the word, getting by on little studio jobs, cleaning pallets for real artists before they could finally be themselves.. painting women in every capital of the world.  But they needed something permanent.. they needed Vanderson. And they damn well got there.  They worked their way up.. came head of the arts department and they were thriving here.  But that wasn’t the end.. other people needed help.. new students needed help.  “You okay there?” They asked, leaning slightly against the table. They’d taken some fine arts classes with the art students and remembered the other. “How’re you finding it here Birdie?” Dale asked with a small smile.

With her notebook and pencil at hand, Nadya was standing outside on campus to catch anyone who attempted to walk by. She wasn’t particularly fond of the task she had been given but wanted to do a good job regardless. So when someone passed by, the blonde girl stepped in front of them with doe eyes.

“Hello, do you have time to answer a few questions? Say yes — I can’t handle anymore rejections today,” she spoke quickly and with a pout, “pretty please.”

Having finished their classes for the day, Dale had planned on going home, getting changed and going out, given the weekend had arrived. The sudden stop had been more than unexpected. Dale had been too caught up in checking their emails, yet noticing someone step in front of them, they rose an eyebrow, smirking somewhat at the familiar face. 

“ who’s a good girl!? “ the blonde happily stated as she knelt down to pick up the ball that her dog had dropped at her feet. “ mum is supposed to be studying… “ laughter bubbled in her chest, as she cradled the dog’s head for a second before kissing the top of it. the action only causing the small dog to bark, shaking her head she took the ball and threw it as hard as she could, only to realize that it had hit the back of someone’s head ‘ oh crap.. ‘ she mentally cursed, jumping up she covered her face for a second before sighing. “ you were so not my intended target. truth be told, i was aiming for the tree behind you. “ she rambled on doing her best to suppress her nervous laughter. “ any lasting damage? “ she questioned, feeling her dog drop the ball at her feet once again. “ kids…” she awkwardly added. “ how does coffee sound? you know to make up for almost decapitating you via ball. “

He saw at the cafeteria drinking his morning coffee and browsing the news on his laptop, he was searching for a good article to discuss with one of his classes, recently there were many things that could be discussed. He looked up and smiled at someone that was approaching him “Hello, may I help you?”

Heading into the cafeteria, Dale gave a small sighed, folding the ends of their sleeves to meet their elbows before they poured themselves a coffee before moving towards the familiar face. “Hey Sebastian.. ‘seat taken?” She asked, nodding to his side.