|
Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 4, 2016 18:31:09 GMT -7
The look that the professor gave Lia when she walked into the empty room was positively toxic, not that the girl blamed them. It wasn't as if she were a bad student, still signing up for classes even in the summer and constantly receiving high marks for the math based courses. No, what ticked off the instructors was when she didn't show up to class for a few weeks and still expected everything to be fine. With the name of the influential Lenil family tacked onto her name, they didn't really have a choice but to cooperate either. As long as she was given a bit of extra leniency, her mother's company would continue to donate large sums of money and the latest technology to the campus.
Of course, even that couldn't stop her instructors from being frustrated about it. That much was obvious in the glint of their eyes, and the way fingers curled as they handed her a thick packet of paper. Everything she missed, from the lecture notes, to the assignments, and even the test she'd skipped out on just a few days before. It was handed to her right there, to work on in her own time and submit at her leisure. With a smile and a nod, she turned out the door with just a soft "Thank you," lingering in the air behind. After spending all morning sitting in on company meetings, Lia was hardly going to stick around to receive a disappointed talking to about her learning habits. Sometimes the process of getting her degree felt like such a formality, knowing where she was supposed to end up at the end. What sort of degrees were CEOs supposed to have? Accounting was better than nothing, she supposed. Certainly more relevant than anything in the arts.
The hallways always felt so empty around this time, rooms either occupied with a few quiet students or simply entirely empty. Summer courses weren't quite as popular, not that she could understand why. It only helped to speed up the process, and she'd rather have the excuse of school to fall on when something unpleasant came up.
A few moments and a stop at a vending machine later, Lia sat comfortably at a table in the university's library. A cold bottle of root beer, a small bag of cookies, and her stack of accounting papers sat before her. Technically they weren't supposed to have food or drink in the area, but the room was oddly empty (even for the summer). She suspected that she was the only one even in the library at the moment, staff included in her estimate, meaning there was no one to tell her no.
Clicking her pen once, all of her attention turned to the work before her. Everything else could drain away, just leaving her alone with the numbers and figures. The beginning of the semester was always filed with easy garbage, but at least it was time consuming.
|
|
Inactive
I just know that we are gonna be friends.
Posts 163
|
Post by Alex Spencer on Jun 4, 2016 18:47:25 GMT -7
"Hey there."
Alex said as he slid into a seat across the table from the girl. Truth be told it was kind of refreshing to see that he wasn't the only one hitting the books this time of year. Though it was mostly because he was still trying to decide just what to do with college. Maybe he should have taken the time off to figure that out, but he was always one to learn while doing. And sitting around mulling it over wasn't exactly going to give him any sudden insights. At least he didn't expect it to. Sometimes though, when the halls were empty and only a handful of students filed between classes he had to wonder if he was wasting his time. Everyone else seemed to be set on their paths. Did no one struggle like he had?
"Nice to see I'm not the only one here today."
He said with a smile that could brighten even the musky old library. Rubbing the back of his head as he glanced toward her packet of work he clicked his tongue in surprise.
"Man, they are really loading you down. What kind of classes are you taking to get a work load that heavy?"
|
|
|
Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 4, 2016 19:18:44 GMT -7
Lia's pen stilled for just a moment against the paper, not even pausing to glance up at the other. Why was he at her table? That's not something that you were supposed to do. If you walk into an empty library with only one other person, you're supposed to ignore them and continue on your merry way. That doesn't mean you plop down across the table and make yourself at home. Still avoiding eye contact, she reached into the bag to nibble on a small cookie. Part of her wanted to turn him away right there and get back to her work, though her polite upbringing demanded that she not.
It was such a bother, but it was important to play nice with others. If only they weren't so consistently infuriating.
"I missed quite a few days of work," she admitted, absently flipping through the printed notes. Honestly most of it was just busy work, filled with things they were already supposed to know. In the back of Lia's mind, she wondered if the instructor slipped in some extra assignments to prove a point about skipping classes.
"My accounting teacher was kind enough to allow me to catch up outside of the classroom." Picking up the pen once again, her gaze darted upwards for the first time to meet his face. "Was that all?" Was he done now? She hoped so. How was this boy raised, thinking that it was perfectly fine to interrupt a stranger like that?
|
|
Inactive
I just know that we are gonna be friends.
Posts 163
|
Post by Alex Spencer on Jun 4, 2016 19:27:06 GMT -7
"Oh, well that's a bummer. I'm guessing you were sick or something?"
He glanced back at the stack of papers. He wasn't in accounting but from the snippet that he saw it looked like they were pretty detailed notes. Probably from another classmate or friend he imagined. Though if she missed that much school he was surprised to see that she didn't have a study buddy to help catch her back up. That was kind of a shame in it's own right. He imagined that she must be feeling pretty overwhelmed having to catch up with all of that work and keep up with the new assignments. She probably needed some friendly company.
"That's very nice of him."
He'd say as he started to unpack his own bag, though his workload was considerably smaller than hers was. Really the only thing that he had to get done was a report on the thematic inclusion of Canary Row. So nothing terribly stressful. Just a little time consuming.
"I guess? I just thought you looked like you could use a study buddy is all. It's pretty rough studying all alone with no one around. Makes you feel like the world has stopped spinning. You know what I mean?" He asked with a small lighthearted chuckle.
|
|
|
Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 4, 2016 20:14:55 GMT -7
And with an appalling amount of casualness, he'd all but trapped her into this social interaction. How dare he act so friendly when forcing her into such a position. Nose scrunched up slightly, she jotted down a few more numbers on the packet. Lia liked it when the world stopped spinning, leaving behind any of her worldly worries for a few moments. Entertaining others was just another tedious job, while an empty room gave her room to breath.
How did he even intend to be useful as a 'study buddy'? The materials he was pulling out were a far cry from her own line of equations, very clearly two entirely different subjects.
"I've only ever been used to studying on my own, so I couldn't really say," she admitted, choosing not too think too hard on the matter. As a child her difficult personality combined with her family's situation made it difficult to have any friends, and at her current age it had simply become easier to keep others at a distance. It was less messy, and certainly less frustrating than having to deal with them on a regular basis. "I tend to work on my own schedule, which isn't very conductive to creating study groups." Was that even something people did? Honestly, Lia couldn't think of a worse way to get anything done than gathering a group together.
She just had to keep her head down, and keep working through the packet. "I'm actually surprised that anyone else is in the library right now. It seems like they didn't even see fit to have a librarian manning the counter."
|
|
Inactive
I just know that we are gonna be friends.
Posts 163
|
Post by Alex Spencer on Jun 4, 2016 20:29:51 GMT -7
He nodded as she spoke while flipping through his own notes. Hand written, but very neat, with very small print. He was looking for some of the ideas that he had jotted down to explore. Though he was listening to her, not that she was saying that much. But she also didn't have to. The little that she did kind of said it all.
"Well, there's nothing wrong if that's how you learn best. But I've found I've always learned best with another person around."
Though math had never been his strongest suit, so maybe it wasn't the best comparison. But learning was learning. It would be up to her to decide what worked best for her. All he could do was give his own experiences.
"I bet they are taking a lunch break or something. I saw her yesterday when I was working on my history paper."
But it was true that she seemed to be absent for the time being, leaving the two students relatively alone. Though surely two studious people such as they were would not cause trouble. Thus there was clearly no reason to fret over such minor details. Speaking of minor details, one thing she said tugged at his brain.
"Quick question though, if you make your own schedule why can't you create a study group?"
|
|
|
Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 5, 2016 5:23:26 GMT -7
"It's not so much that I make my own schedule as it is simply different from everyone else's. Some of it is my own fault, though plenty is simply out of my control." It could sometimes become a bit of a blur, remembering what had been looming responsibility or simply her own avoidance. Ditching a class session in favor of her own hobbies was certainly her own personal choice, but drawing in the requirements and expectations of her mother's company made things more blurry. At some point it became easier to make everyone else work around her own obligations and whims, rather than the other way around.
The speed of her writing was a bit slower now, suddenly shifting her focus away from the equations and more towards the writing itself. Her pen lingered on the curve of a 2, as if at the moment she only cared about making the numbers look pleasant.
"Even on the best of days, I find that I can be difficult to make plans with." That was the truth of the matter, even back when she'd actually been trying to make friends. "Combined with the fact that I'd rather stick my head into a boiling vat than regularly attend a study group, I'd say that forgoing the idea all together has done more good for me in the long run."
|
|
Inactive
I just know that we are gonna be friends.
Posts 163
|
Post by Alex Spencer on Jun 5, 2016 16:25:47 GMT -7
"No offense, but that kind of sounds like you are just making excuses."
If she had really wanted to make time she would have found a way. Complaining about being busy or schedules not meshing perfectly was just a lame attempt to deflect blame. Even if she took some of the blame, though that felt more like an afterthought to him. But he wasn't really going to sit here and lecture her. It wasn't his job to berate her for her choices, and he didn't want to be that kind of person.
"But hey, I don't want to be the reason you feel like sticking your head in a boiling vat of oil or something. So do you want me to just take off and find another table? Your call."
He'd offer her an escape at least. He didn't want to make her feel trapped here, and if he was distracting her from her work then that wasn't really that great either.
|
|
|
Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 5, 2016 20:41:13 GMT -7
Lia's pen lifted from the page with a light flourish, a bit embarrassed to see how fancy she'd started to get with her writing. Her numbers for the last few lines were fancifully embellished, as if someone had been practicing calligraphy on her paper. A shameful blush started to crawl up her cheeks, flipping the stack of papers closed decisively. This wasn't the time to be working on handwriting, no matter how dull the work was. The reason she could get away with doing her work like this was because she always got it done, and always did it well.
"Excuses are my bread and butter. A means to an end." Fingers flatted out and skimmed across her papers, as if seeking to straighten out any wrinkles that had been made. Maybe Lia was just making up reasons to keep working, despite how earth-shatteringly boring it all was. Putting it off for a bit longer wouldn't kill her, especially with the extra leniency that she had been allowed. With a soft sigh, she shifted to finally open up the soda she'd brought with her. "You can stay if you'd like, seeing as I'm probably not going to get any more work done anyway. My train of thought has been thoroughly derailed."
Not that it was so much his fault as the way of the world. Sometimes she could get caught in her zone for weeks at a time, and sometimes for only a few minutes. Work ethic came and went with the wind.
"My name is Dahlia, in case I hadn't said before. Dahlia Lenil."
|
|
Inactive
I just know that we are gonna be friends.
Posts 163
|
Post by Alex Spencer on Jun 5, 2016 21:51:16 GMT -7
He smiled as he saw the gradual reddening of her cheeks, a sign that she was human after all! Beneath that icy exterior obviously beat the heart of a living and breathing woman. That was a good start. A lot better than just being stonewalled at least. His eyes quickly flicked to the papers that she had flipped over, though he didn't manage to catch anything other than the handwriting, which seemed to be better than even his.
"That sounds like a really lonely way to live your life."
He said with a softer, almost somber tone. However, after a brief sigh the smile returned along with thoughts of more pleasant things. He didn't feel like going down a long and dreary road, not with someone that he had just met. Her introduction was all the reason he needed to perk right back up though. He wasn't familiar with the name, but it wouldn't have really mattered if he had been either.
"Nice to meet you. You can call me Alex." He said brightly, extending his hand across the table for her.
|
|
|
Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 6, 2016 10:35:26 GMT -7
"Charmed." A slight smile cracked across her face, reaching out to take Alex's hand for just a moment before pulling away again. Maybe this was the way it was supposed to be done? Lia had seen so few of her classmates since attending school, which might have been mostly to blame on her attendance record. For years any time she'd met new people was through some sort of business transaction, always sure to act on her best behavior and keep up the appearances of her family. However, this guy genuinely didn't seem to want anything more than a place to sit.
There was nothing being asked of her, and for the moment that was enough to dull down her usually barbed attitude. At the very least he wasn't being overly annoying, as her peers had a tenancy to always be. A bit prying, and seemed to like twisting her words back around, but she didn't think there was any ill intent there. He was easy enough to deflect at least, though she could only assume that was from a mutual desire to steer the conversation elsewhere.
A few beats of silence passed as Lia considered her options now, since she'd committed herself to procrastinating on work. Small talk? She certainly had enough experience in meaningless babble, though the line of conversation might have to be modified for a different environment.
"What are you studying?" she asked, despite having no real interest in knowing. That was something you did with other college students, right? Ask about their major?
|
|
Inactive
I just know that we are gonna be friends.
Posts 163
|
Post by Alex Spencer on Jun 6, 2016 18:23:17 GMT -7
"Just general courses right now. Nothing fancy."
He was still undecided on a major or how far he was going to take his schooling. He was just here trying to find something out about himself he supposed. Though he felt like he wasn't alone in that. Didn't people say that college was a time of self discovery? He would figure out why he was here eventually, he wasn't terribly worried.
"So you are a business major or something I am guessing? Since you mention having an accounting class."
Having a good head for numbers was good he supposed. Probably meant she was good at keeping her checkbook balanced at least. But then again that could surprise you too he supposed. It was probably best to not judge someone's personal skill set based off of their academic path. For all he knew she was taking it because she was terrible with money in all manner of ways.
|
|
|
Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 6, 2016 19:55:01 GMT -7
"That's about right. There's a family business that I'm expected to take over one day, and they would never settle for someone unsuitable. At least I have a knack for these sort of things, ignoring how utterly boring it can be." Really though, sometimes it felt like all she was good for was painting and number management. Even what was once her hobby had been turned around for the benefit of others, selling her pieces to raise money for her mother's company. Boring landscape paintings, every line perfect in ways that had begun to make her stomach churn. One more thing to be pressured in, zapping away whatever fun she'd taken from it before.
Wow, Lia's mind was certainly trying to worm itself into unpleasant territory this afternoon. All that from a question about her major? Maybe small talk wasn't her strong suit after all, if it sent her into a fit of brooding.
"It's not a path that I mind anyhow, and in a way having that decided for me is something of a relief." With a shrug of her shoulders, Lia tilted the small bag of cookies in his direction as a simple offering. "I've got a goal, and I like to think that I'm good at it to boot. Not to mention the job security I've got is outrageous."
|
|
Inactive
I just know that we are gonna be friends.
Posts 163
|
Post by Alex Spencer on Jun 6, 2016 20:11:08 GMT -7
He smiled at her, letting her speak. She had his full attention, hands folded in front of him and eyes watching her without staring. He nodded when she said that she didn't mind the path that she was one, and how it was a relief to have it decided for her. She finished with the fact that she had a goal and reaffirming that she was good at it and how lucky she was.
"You're a pretty good liar. I think you might even have yourself fooled."
He leaned back in his chair, unclasping his hands and lightly tapping on the table as he decided on how far he wanted to push her. He still didn't really want to lecture her, but listening to her just felt like she was trying to justify what she was doing to herself more than him. But maybe that was just him misreading the situation. Always possible.
"Why don't you try and take a path that you do like? You might not mind being forced into one right now, but don't you think that in time you will grow to resent those that pressured you to be what they wanted instead of allowing you the freedom to be what you really are?"
|
|
|
Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 6, 2016 20:38:50 GMT -7
If he honestly thought that she hadn't already long come to resent the majority of those around her, obviously Alex had not been paying very much attention at all. "You don't need to worry your pretty little head. I can take the opportunities that are given to me, and still screw everyone over in the end." The grin that spread across Lia's face was probably the most genuine expression she'd given all day, sharp and bitter with layers of amusment mixed throughout. A huff of laughter, a shake of the head, and then she had pushed back her chair and was standing once again. Maybe the library wasn't the best choice to settle down.
Each paper was picked up carefully and straightened out, and then stowed away in her bag for safekeeping. She found her own freedom in anyway she saw fit, and the idea that Alex thought he knew better was absolutely hysterical. The more wild expression had already faded away again in a brief moment, replaced with her more typical soft smile. "But I'm sure you aren't very interested in the messy politics of business, so it might be best if I go ahead and take my leave. It's been surprisingly nice chatting you, once your initial blundering was gotten out of the way."
The strap of her bag was already hanging over one shoulder, head tilted a tad as if out of curiosity. "Though given the line of our discussion, I must have seemed so selfish in your eyes. You barely talked about yourself at all, since I hijacked the course of things."
|
|