The journalism class Kara had chosen was depressingly empty, save for four or five students, one of whom, a brown headed girl about her own age, waved her over. She appeared to be out going, not as much as Alex, and friendly. "Hi, how are you"?

"Can't complain".

"That's good, I'm Tobi, Tobi Raines".

"Kara Kent".

"Nice to meet you Kara".

"You too. So, what do you know about this professor".

"I hear Miss Grant is a real hard case".

"Well, I think I can handle her". And just then the subject of the conversation walked in. Blew in would be a more accurate adjective, as the sou d of clicking heels was followed by a domineering figure in an off white pantsuit and shoulder length hair dyed blonde. "As you have probably figured out by now journalism is not a subject that interests many these days as news can now be a push notification on your smart phone's screen. But don't quit now, you'll be given that opportunity later, right now the only thing I want to here us the acknowledgement of your presence when I call your name. Chance Arneson",

"Here".

",Stephanie Atkins",

"Here".

"Kiera Kent",

"Kara". Through cold steel eyes Cat Grant looked up. "Excuse me"?

"My name is Kara miss Grant".

"Your name is whatever I say it is, do you understand me"?

"Then I'm sure you won't mind if I call you Cat".

"I most certainly do mind, and if you question me one more time I will have you dismissed".

"Let me save you the trouble. CAT"! Picking up her backpack and laptop Kara stood up and left without another word, all the while Tobi watched her new friend's retreating ponytail, neither witnessing the slight upward curve to Cat Grant's lips.

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Kara's anger was boiling over as she nearly ran out of the math and literature building, her face beginning to turn a deep red. "Kara, Kara wait up". Tobi herself had to run to keep up with Kara's quick, angry stride. "Go back to class Tobi", Kara said, "Now is not a good time to be around me". Just then her cell phone buzzed. It was a video call from Alex. "What do you want Alex"?

"I...just had a feeling".

"Well your feeling is wrong I'm fine. I'll see you soon".

"Okay, I'll have lunch rea...", with that Kara immediately hung up and turned back to Tobi. "Who was that"? She asked with a note of wariness in her voice. "Oh, just my roommate".

"Oh", Tobi said, perking up a bit, "so, do I need to let you go"?

"Actually... I could use a cappuccino, would you like to get one with me"?

"Uh, yeah, sure".

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If Alex didn't know better, and she did, she would think that Kara didn't want to talk to her. But it wasn't that. She could sense stubborn pride and a sense of proving one's usefulness and worth. She could also sense a feeling of misplacement and longing. But for what she didn't know. She could only hope that Kara would open up to her and include her in her circle of trust. But, then again, the same could be said about herself.

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Winslow Schott Jr. was not one for small talk, nobody interacted with him and he never interacted with anyone. It was a preferred situation for him. Until he heard crying from across the small alley between his apartment building and the adjacent one. Opening his blinds he could see a small brunette, her bed overflowing with tissues. Dang it, he could never resist a lady in distress. Thinking quickly he grabbed his lacrosse stick and tapped on her window. She was startled, but calmly opened her window. "Yes, do you need something"?

"Yeah, I was wondering if you needed a shoulder to cry on".

"I wasn't crying, I was releasing my excess moisture so I don't bloat". With wide eyes Winn continued. "Oh, does...does that happen often"?

"Every once in a while I'll forget".

"Well, if I forget... you know what, I have nothing to compete with that". And she laughed. Winn cursed the beautiful, melodic laughter from the eoman across from him. "I'm Winn".

"I am Alex".

"Well Alex, would you like to get a cup of coffee"? "And dang it if her smile wasn't more beautiful.

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"Who does she think she is? She's supposed to instruct, not demean her students. Sure it's college and the instructors expect more from the students but still, to do something like that with no provocation is just wrong. Am I wrong"?

"Well I..".

"You know what? It doesn't even matter, I'm never going back to that class again". Tobi sighed as Kara neared the end of her rant. She had lost track of how many espressos the blonde had drank, but evidently they had no effect, well, none she could see. "You know, you could just switch professors instead".

"No. Then she would win. No, I need to do something that let's her know that she can't treat people like this an...". Kara stopped mid sentence as she saw Alex walk in with a boy, one she hoped to have never seen again.

"Oh great, just what I need", she complained as Alex caught sight of her and started over, Whinn in tow. "Hi Kara, this is Winn, he's our neighbor across the street".

"Well you should have left him there".

"Well she needed good company, seeing that you are her roommate", Winn kicked in.

"Well at least i didn't spend most of highschool stuck in a locker".

"And I still became valedictorian while you barely scraped by".

Alex was nearly drowning in the emotions coming from the man and woman. "How about a cup of coffee.."? But Kara's retort trampled any hope of Alex being acknowledged.

"Maybe because I was too busy having a life outside of my den of depression". The moment she said it she knew it was a low blow, but the heat of anger was welling up inside, waiting to be unleashed. Before Winn could say anything another voice, feminine and commanding cut the air. "Excuse me". The group turned to see a young latina standing beside Tobi who clung to her books protectively. "Can I help you"? Kara questioned, the heat still burning in her voice.

"No, I just wanted to let you know that if you keep this up I'm going to ask you to leave, forcefully if necessary". She didn't know what it was, but Kara got the feeling that there was something more to the brunette's attitude than a civil disruption. Alex could sense it too, and she also k ew that if she didn't get Kara out right now the latina would make good on her threat, or try to.

"Kara, let's not cause anymore trouble here, let's go home". Alex took her hand and sent soothing vibes through Kara's body until Kara gave in. As they walked out Kara's mind swirled with questions about Alex. What had she done to maje her leave, and how could she have known that Kara was upset when she had called? Something was definitely up with her and she was determined to find out what it was.