[h3] [/h3][h3][hr]Biology Study Group[/h3][hr][sup][i]Evergreen Library || Thursday Afternoon || ft. — [color=f26522]Alex[/color] [sub][@Savo][/sub], [COLOR=Lightgreen]Ava[/color] [sub][@Addamas][/sub], [color=aba000]Joey[/color] [sub][@KenjuGuy][/sub], [color=PaleTurquoise]Merja[/color] [sub][@Typical][/sub][/i][/sup] As the duo were walking towards the exit, Alex stopped in his tracks for a brief moment and peered behind him. [color=f26522]"You mind if I have a sec'? There's one last thing I want to say before I leave this all behind for good… hopefully,"[/color] he waved Merja off as he glared at the boy with a sullen look and a slight scowl. Mer’s eyes widened as she glanced back to see what Alex was looking at. Mikhail? The last thing she needed now was for Alex to get in another fight, and especially not one with Mikhail. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Oh, um, I have a few questions about our last biology class if that’s okay,”[/color] she said, interrupting him before he could leave. [color=PaleTurquoise]“And, um, how do you get to your dorm again?”[/color] Alex gazed back at Merja; while his face was still a bit scrunched, for the most part he looked a little tamer when addressing his friend. [color=f26522]"Oh? Uh, sure, I'll answer your questions and lead the way in a sec',"[/color] he calmly replied with a bit of strain in his voice as he pivoted around and began walking towards Phillip and Mikhail. Mer hesitated, racking her brain for a distraction. At the corner of her eyes she spotted a recruitment poster for the basketball team, and she hit upon an idea. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Hold on, today’s Thursday right? I need to show you something,”[/color] she said, grabbing Alex’s arm and pulling him away from the library. [color=f26522]"Huh,"[/color] he shouted out, taken aback by the fact that not only Merja was latching onto his arm, but dragging him elsewhere because of something important. Well, that's what he would think for a brief moment as he stumbled a bit, trying to regain some semblance of balance after she caught him off balance a bit. As they walked out of the library, Alex was able to stabilize himself a bit and dig his heels into the tile floor. It was somewhat ineffective, though it was mostly remedied by the fact that Alex was planting himself firmly in place, making it a lot more challenging for the girl to string him along. [color=f26522]"Woah, woah, woah, Merja, what's this all about, what do you need to show me?"[/color] Letting go of his hand, Mer met his eyes with a sheepish smile. [color=PaleTurquoise]“The fencing team is recruiting today, and I thought to bring you around to see if you’d like to try it?”[/color] Alex paused, looking at the girl and taking a mental glance at her own offering before sighing. While most of the vexation displayed on his face had vanished and gave him the appearance of a mild surprise, it began to contort into something else. His face seemed to droop, a little expressionless aside from his frown; honestly, it wasn't unexpected to see him with one, but it was a little more somber this time. [color=f26522]"Merja,"[/color] he murmured, [color=f26522]"what's this really about?"[/color] Mer’s smile slid from her face when she realized that in trying to distract Alex, she’d inadvertently managed to hurt him. While she’d hoped to avoid conflict by distracting him, it was clear that he preferred honesty, and she felt a stab of guilt when she realized that he’d been nothing but honest with her. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Sorry, Alex. I just… I didn’t want you to start again with Mikhail,”[/color] she admitted. [color=PaleTurquoise]“I think you going back in will just escalate things again, especially after we already left.”[/color] He sighed, rubbing his cheeks with his only free hand as he looked downward, musing about the events that transpired. [color=f26522]"I wouldn't rule the possibility of that happening out, but I was only going to tell him to stay away from you, Joey, and Ava."[/color] Alex eased up a little, still frowning, but it was more neutral and unremarkable to be precise. Pinching his bottom lip, he stood there with Merja, amidst the silence of the halls. Sure, it was bustling elsewhere, but it gave him time to ponder, think. Breathing in and breathing out through his nose, he rubbed the side of his head for a bit before continuing. [color=f26522]"Maybe it was for the best that you kept me from dragging it out any longer... and giving him any more ideas."[/color] Relieved to see that Alex had taken her words somewhat well, Mer tried another smile. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Let head to your dorm then? Ava and Joey are waiting, right?”[/color] Alex nodded, [color=f26522]"Yeah, they should be,"[/color] he jabbed a thumb behind him before gesturing with his eyes. As he pivoted around and began walking, they were mostly left to bask in the silence once more as they traversed down the empty hallways. However, before they made any distance, Alex turned and looked over at Merja, tilting his head just a little. [color=f26522]"By the way... was what Mikhail saying true? I mean, he said he wasn't interested in dating or anything like that, but, erm,"[/color] he stopped, looking behind him for a second biting his lip before stopping and returning his gaze to Merja. [color=f26522]"Is he telling the truth? You both aren't dating, right?"[/color] Mer’s eyes widened, and she rushed to put her hands up, waving them frantically. [color=PaleTurquoise]“No, not dating, definitely not. The library was the first time I spoke to him outside of class, and I had no idea he had all that happen to him.”[/color] [color=f26522]"Is that so,"[/color] he mused, as he looked over Merja before raising a hand to his chin and looked to the side while rubbing it. [color=f26522]"Good,"[/color] that was the only word that left his now smiling face as he nodded to himself. [hr][sup][i]School Dorms || Thursday Afternoon[/i][/sup] [COLOR=Lightgreen]"Hey Joey?"[/color] Ava pondered as she bit off the edge of a particularly large potato chip.[COLOR=Lightgreen]"Weren't Alex and Mer supposed to be here already?"[/color] From the sound of her tone, it didn't seem to annoy her at all as she nonchalantly put her feet onto the couch and continued to watch a sappy drama on TV. The boy, Joey, rested lazily on the couch alongside Ava. Well this particular way of resting was rather him laying upside down on the couch with his legs in the air. Instead of this being another case of him being weird, it was just a case of him being bored. [color=aba000]“At our age, it’s better to have patience, but you’re right they’re taking awhile,”[/color] he pondered abit while staring at the television screen in front of them. Judging by the distant look in his eyes, the young athlete wasn’t very moved by the exaggerated acting skills displayed on the screen. [color=aba000]“You know, back in the good old days, actors used to put real passion in their work. No matter the role they were put in. Sure, they were in black-and-white but that didn’t stop them putting their all into it. At least that’s what I’ve seen of the tapes the elders showed me,”[/color], after finishing his small rant, Joey slid his hand into the potato chip bag and tossed one of the chips into his mouth. [COLOR=Lightgreen]“You watch old movies with your grandparents? Hahah that's so cute!"[/color] Ava beamed at Joey before suddenly pouting. [COLOR=Lightgreen]"Though I can't believe you would insult chacky Jan like that, like, he is like so like...you just don't understand."[/color] She frowned at Joey for a good few seconds longer than considered comfortable, and reached out for the bag of chips, putting a few too many chips in her mouth. [COLOR=Lightgreen]"If you can make me laugh and cry just by acting, you are totally passionate about your job."[/color] Talking with her mouth full, her words could just barely be understood, and as she reached out for the potato chips yet again, her frown had already turned upside down. Looking at Ava, Joey couldn’t help but grimace at her unsightly manner of eating. Mostly because the crumbs were flying in his face. [color=aba000]“You wanna talk about passion?” [/color] after stating that, the boy spun around to properly sit his bottom on the couch. With reinvigorated enthusiasm, a smile slid its way across his mouth as he removed his cellphone from his pocket. [color=aba000]“Let me a real woman with grace. Real ladylike unlike the girls today,” [/color] he allowed his proclamation to ring out through the room as he swiped his thumb across the phone screen. Once he had gotten to his phone gallery, Joey lowered his device for Ava to see. Then, like a tour guide, began expressing his emotions over the series of photos that displayed a young girl, around his age, helping an elderly man out of a crowd of people and walking him across the street;[color=aba000]“See this? This is how young ladies- no, this is how every youngster should be conducting themselves! This should be the role model that you should strive to be! Although I couldn’t get a picture of her face, I’m sure that woman is out there doing something amazing right now!,” [/color] Face flushed with pride and joy. Joey waved the picture-displayed phone around as if it were some sort of holy relic. Looking at the pictures, then Joey, then the pictures again, Ava’s crumb littered cheeks began to heat up. As if trying to grasp for safety, she reached out behind her back to scratch it with a forcefully subdued smile. [COLOR=Lightgreen]“Ahah, you think so, huh?”[/color] relaxing ever so slightly, she removed her feet from the couch and laid her hands on her lap. Her cheeks didn't lose their color, but as she peered at the TV, her smile seemed to grow much more comfortable. [COLOR=Lightgreen]“I think she’ll like the compliment-”[/color] She smiled before abruptly raising her finger towards Joey. [COLOR=Lightgreen]“But you can’t just take pictures of [i]ladies[/i] without permission!”[/color] As the two talked, the door behind them slowly opened, the creaking drowned out by the chatter of the two and the sound of a commercial playing in the background. However, there was the sound of a familiar voice, speaking to another individual. [color=f26522]"-sibly consider it sometime... also, Sibell-oh."[/color] The door fully opened, revealing two familiar faces - their tall friend, Merja and even taller 'friend,' Alex. From the looks of it, the latter of the two had a resting bitch face, which was not an uncommon sight, but it was difficult to tell if he was disappointed, irritated, or generally any other verb that could be used to describe initial impressions upon arrival. [color=f26522]"Course you two are slacking off,"[/color] he sighed, holding the door open with one hand and two fingers to the bridge of his nose. [color=f26522]"At least you two didn't start without us,"[/color] he murmured, looking over to Merja. Despite everything, he looked a bit weary, moving his hand off his face and gesturing for Merja to enter in. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Thanks. Hey Ava, Joey,”[/color] Mer said, entering to stare at the TV along with them. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Sorry to keep you both waiting. What're you watching?”[/color] On the screen was an ad, meaning she and Alex had just missed the show, unfortunately—or fortunately. From Alex’s comment, it was clear he wasn’t looking to join in on the program, but Mer was partial to a break. After the whole library debacle, a relaxing moment or two in front of the TV sounded pretty nice, and right on cue the commercials ended to resume the show. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Oh, which drama is this?”[/color] she asked, walking over to the couch. [color=lightgreen]“It’s called Good Times, Bad Times.”[/color] Ava mumbled with a mouthful while extending the chips bag to Merja. [color=lightgreen]“Totally up your alley.”[/color] Ava’s smile brightened as she looked Merja in the eyes, but her gaze soon settled on Alex, turning it into a frown. [color=lightgreen]“Why so Gloomy?”[/color] Although her tone was somewhat playful, there was an underlying worry. Mer thanked Ava as she helped herself to a chip, nodding as she tuned into the show. At Ava’s mention of Alex’s mood, however, she shifted her eyes to Alex. Were they really about to go into this? [color=aba000]"Don't listen to her Mer, this show doesn't have any sophistication or heart to it."[/color] Joey gave an accusing point of the finger to the television screen. Truth be told, he hated studying and wouldn't mind if they'd rather just hang around and watch TV. However the boy couldn't deny the importance of studying, that's why he was here in the first place. [color=aba000]"I'm sure Alex is just as upset as I am about having to watch this. You'd rather watch an old western show right!?"[/color] Joey questioned with eyes glimmering with charm. Alex merely offered the boy a shrug with a flatline expression, [color=f26522]"I could really care less about TV; I'll sit down for a movie or somethin', but I prefer something more... well..."[/color] He paused as he tread into the room behind Merja, quietly closing the door as he made himself at home, hauling the bag off his back as he began unzipping it, [color=f26522]"Interactive? Stimulating?"[/color] Setting his bag beside the couch, he began digging through, continuing to mutter a couple of other things, [color=f26522]"Something that generally forces you to think in one way or another, not-"[/color] He hefted a medical book out of his bag, [color=f26522]"-most shows; if anything, they're comparable to empty calories."[/color] [COLOR=Lightgreen]“Wow, that’s harsh.”[/color] Ava quipped as she took the last potato chip from the bag. Noticing the medical book, she got up and nonchalantly stretched her arms. [COLOR=Lightgreen]“We ought to get productive huh?”[/color] Quickly swallowing the rest of the chip, Mer nodded, unpacking her things as well. Since the only textbook she had for biology was the one the school had assigned, she had nothing near the size of Alex’s book. She’d learned a while ago that Alex had a tendency to self-study more than what was taught, but looking at the medical book now, she wondered how she’d managed to get a good score on her A-level when she was competing with the likes of him. That aside, though, it seemed that biology was about to be in full swing, so Mer set aside her thoughts and focused on her notes. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Let’s start on Friday’s notes then?”[/color] The books dropping down on the table felt like bricks weighing down Joey's spirit. Wiping the nervous sweat off his temple, the youngster reached into his own backpack for his own biology material.[color=aba000]"You know, this may seem uncalled for considering I'm new here,..buuut I'm actually missing some of my notes..haha..," [/color]he awkwardly laughed while running his fingers through his ponytail. Joey hoped they would be forgiving of his little slip up, but even with that, the boy didn't stop. [color=aba000] "Now before you guys think I'm just some careless idiot, I'll have you know there's a very good reason why I wasn't paying attention at the time!"[/color] The tennis player lent over for the others to hear, his face somewhat stern. [color=aba000]"You see, Lance, the guy who sits next to me in class, was telling me about his grandmother, who used to be a nun and apparently had spiritual powers! The night before, his grandmother went bonkers in the middle of her sleep. Said he never saw her act this way before or even knew she had the energy to run around the house as much as she did. From what she was yelling about, she had a vision and saw that London was overrun demons…" [/color] Joey paused to let his words hang, but then quickly shot back to talking once he realized how he probably sounded. [color=aba000]"Now look, I didn't see any of this myself but I think it's very important that we all take the words of our elders very seriously!.....Now that is an important reason to not be paying attention in class, right?"[/color] Well, Alex didn't look to be having any of that based on the that piercing glare he was giving Joey. [color=f26522]"You can remember everything your classmate did, as well as to watch some TV, yet you couldn't recall bringing your notes,"[/color] he groaned under his breath, grinding his teeth as another book came calmly down onto the table, followed by his own notebook as he stared at the boy. [color=f26522]"I'm gonna need to give Lance a bit of a talk considering you both got distracted during class,"[/color] he grumbled, shaking his head as he leaned on the side of the couch, pressing a fist up on his face as he pointed to the notes and pages he was on. [color=f26522]"We were covering genetics, primarily the types of genetic diseases that arise from genetics; cystic fibrosis, Huntington's, trisomy 21, how they're generally inherited and such,"[/color] Alex began circling his hand as he continued looking intensely at the boy. [color=f26522]"While these are dominant and recessive diseases, there are some others as well, like Alzheimer's and Dementia, the former of which is unable to be diagnosed unless postmortem, as well as-"[/color] [COLOR=Lightgreen]“Wait wait, those sound like tough subjects, did you guys learn that stuff in class?”[/color] [color=PaleTurquoise]“I don’t think so,”[/color] Mer said, flipping over her notes. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Maybe the teacher mentioned those diseases briefly, but I don’t think we covered them in detail.”[/color] She glanced at Alex’s book, pressing her lips together for a moment. [color=PaleTurquoise]“Do you think we’ll have to know all that for our A-level?”[/color] It was only for a mere moment but Joey winced at the words 'Alzheimer' and 'Dementia'. Someone as young and full of vigor of course shouldn't have to worry about such things. Only, it wasn't himself that he was worried about. [color=aba000]"Right, Alzheimer's and Dementia...diseases normally noticed in the later years of life.." [/color] Gone was the energy that radiated from him earlier. Instead his mind wandered into thoughts of the short remaining futures of elderly community that he called family. What diseases could peel away what was left of their lives? His eyes distant and unfocused, an incredibly small shimmer of anxiety crept it's way into his chest. Yet, Joey was someone that kept his allies in mind. It was for that reason that he temporarily disposed of that fear growing inside of him. He wouldn't let himself bring down the moods of the others in the group. His trademark smile made sure of that,[color=aba000]"Our coach always tells us to be prepared for anything the opponent might throw at us. It couldn't hurt to know about it anyways right?"[/color] He pulled a tennis ball out of his pocket and began to lightly toss it up and down. Despite keeping his body busy, he also used it as a way to calm himself. Still, he kept his attention on the subject at hand,[color=aba000]"There's no point if we don't go full throttle,"[/color] [color=f26522]"I mean, it could help us a bit when it comes to the future, but now?"[/color] Alex looked over a couple of the books as he began stroking his chin, blinking for a second before snatching up the medical book and closing before inserting it back into his bag. [color=f26522]"Joey, I wouldn't mind going over some of these other diseases with you some other time, but to be fair, we didn't learn most of this in Bio."[/color] Rubbing his neck, he looked sheepishly over to the bag before looking back at the trio, and then to the TV, and then back to the three, [color=f26522]"Lets not squander this time about things our professor didn't go over in class... that being said, if you all wanted, I would be more than happy to arrange a separate study session with you all,"[/color] Alex smirked a little before shrugging, [color=f26522]"or somethin' like that."[/color] Clearing his throat, he then proceeded to lean over and flip through his notes, [color=f26522]"In any case, here's what he explained during class..."[/color]