[h3][b][color=blue]Alina Sanford[/color][/b][/h3]
There were more of those cracks.

Rather, the same crack kept showing up everywhere. She'd thought it was a weird coincidence when she saw one that looked like the one at the desk on the table she chose to sit at - but the realisation that the exact same crack, complete with uncomfortable warm wind, was on the desk for her second class of the day too, and on the wall leading into that lecture hall, started to get her... somewhat concerned. Which was quite a major feeling, considering.

Almost enough to distract her from the issue of Mary. Which, post-class, became very prominent very quickly, since she'd chosen to approach as they left the room.

'Hey, Alina,' she greeted, as awkwardly as they'd been at lunch. Although, this time, she was clearly puffing herself up for something. 'So, uh, about earlier, this morning rather, see... well,' Mary stalled with unusual shyness, 'I guess what you said was kind of, uh, a surprise, to hear you say it, you see, but I've been thinking since then, right? And I sort of, I uh, well, I just think you're really sweet and kind...'

No she wasn't. She was insular and pushed people away.

'And you always put others first, and you listen well, right?'

No she didn't. She followed the crowd because she had to, and had nothing interesting to say. Not like Mary.

'Plus, plus, you're really good at your subjects,' Mary added with a smile, 'I mean, I know for sure your work in Chemistry is great!'

Mary's work. Mary was basically a private tutor without knowing it.

'So, um... well, I guess I just figure, since you said it so bluntly anyway... wanna go on a date some time?' she asked. 'There's a thing going on on Saturday...'

She was too good. Mary couldn't really be interested in Alina that way.

'...which, you know, it'd be nice to see you at. Guy mentioned you weren't interested, but if we both went, as a... oh gosh, as a couple...!'

She'd see the real her. She'd see how lifeless she was.

'...so, are you interested? You can say no if you honestly aren't, I promise I won't take it personally.'

And what would her family think? Her family would oust her for sure.

'...uh, Alina?'

Her parents would probably be upset. Her mother's parents would complain that she hadn't gotten with a nice family boy.

'A-Alina? Are you there?'

And as for Granny Edith... she'd make them break up anyway. It wasn't worth it.

'I'm pouring my heart out here, is all, so...'

Alina wasn't worth the effort.

'...[i]please[/i] say something?'

The trill of her phone snapped her back to reality. Blinking, she checked to see who it was. Home, so probably mom.

'Sorry. I need to take this.'

The visible frustration on Mary's features was regretful, but she simply said 'After that, then,' and stepped away to let Alina take the call.

'Hi, mom.'

'Hi, honey, oh it is [i]lovely[/i] to hear back from you!' came her mother's voice. 'How has college been? Good?'

'Fine.'

'And your friend Mary, has she been treating you well?' she asked. She couldn't discuss the request for a date, not now.

'Yes.'

'[i]Great[/i], I'm so pleased to hear it! But hey, you'll [i]never guess[/i] what news I have for you,' she exclaimed. The tone of voice was a smile, but the enunciation... it almost sounded wary? The sort she reserved for Jonas.

'What's that?'

'Well, sweetie,' she explained, with what seemed like unusual delicacy, 'we've had a talk in the family, you see, and between your dad and your grandparents, [i]well...[/i] mom, dad, and Edith are going to be moving to a care home for the foreseeable future...'

'...okay.'

'...it's the Waterfront Hillside Home! Right up the street from Barclay Waterfront University! Won't that be great?'

Alina probably responded to most of what her mother was talking about after that point. Instead, she noted with utter detachment that the crack on the wall near her was lengthening rapidly. Did nobody else see that? That seemed like a really big structural fault.

'...and I know it's a fair distance for them to go, but dad and Edith insisted, it's not too costly, and honestly with a fairly loose schedule, they [i]might just[/i] get the relaxation they need so late in life. Plus, [i]you'll[/i] be able to see them whenever you like!'

They could see her whenever they liked.

They could take over her life again if they wanted. She hadn't actually responded to her mom yet. Weird.

'Sooo,' she concluded, 'do you want to talk about what's on your mind?'

...she did not.

She hung up before her mom could reply, pocketing her phone as she began following the crack.

'Alina? Are you okay?'

Oh. No, she never said that to her mom. Huh.

'Alina? Where are you going?'

She began to jog.

'I'll be back soon, Mary.'

'Wait, Alina! [i]ALINA![/i]'

She began to sprint. She had to go. She had to go. This was too crowded.

Just run. Run, run, go, run.

That crack was really long.

Everyone's eyes were on her.

No they weren't. She wasn't interesting enough for that.

Nobody paid attention as she hurtled through the campus toward the gazebo, where the crack converged with just a whole bunch of other cracks. That was a lot of cracks.

That was a lot of people. Shit. People didn't need to be there.

She stopped once she reached the gazebo, leaning against one of the pillars and gulping down air as her muscles caught up with her mind. She looked up, and oh it was him again. The guy she'd spilled food on.

'Hhhii.'

She kind of wanted to scream, but it probably wouldn't leave her throat even if she could breathe properly.

She was on fire from the effort of running. It wasn't her strong point.

She probably looked like a mess. Were her eyes wide? They probably had their own things to deal with.

Why here? Why bring her grandparents here? No. No no no no no no. Why.