"Hey Dia, So speaking of storms"
"Speaking of storms"
"Changes in air pressure can cause increased wind speeds."
"That's right!"
"And when there's gusts over several miles an hour, physical damages can occur to property."
"You can say that again."
"Damages such as power outages and blackouts."
"Just like our last show! Wind came through, but we blew it!"
"We here at Tohjo Student Radio would like to apologize for the interruption of this weekend's remote broadcast. Due to our set up being connected to the power of the student commons we lost all ability to reach you, our loyal audience."
"You might even say we were off the air."
"Even though there was plenty around us! Thank you for tuning in today. Before we get back to your regularly scheduled program, we do have some news from the bulletin board to share."
"It says here Pearl, that registration is open for the school's study abroad program. Locations offering the opportunity are institutions in the cities of Altomare, Laruse, and Alamos."
"Any student wishing to take advantage can contact administrative services. Don't miss out on studying abroad!"
"That's how I met my ex-wife!"
"You met her while studying?"
"No, I studied A BROAD!"
"Please don't get us cancelled Dia."
Clean-up crews had been busy over the weekend clearing fallen tree limbs and repairing minor damages to the compound of the university. The aftermath of the storm had revealed that two power lines had snapped by the main road onto campus and caused the west side facilities to lose their power. While this meant the dorms were able to function as normal, it wasn't until this morning that student resource buildings such as the commons, gym, and library were allowing occupants.
Ruby exited the gym replacing his glasses. He raised a hand to shield his eyes from the bright morning sun as he paused, scanning the lot.
"Damn. White must've left already."
He'd been hoping to catch a ride with her to the theater building when he'd noticed her jeep on his way inside, but apparently she'd already left and he'd missed the chance.
"Whatcha lookin' at?"
Ruby flinched as he turned on the spot to see Sapphire emerging from the gym behind him. He gave a smile at the realization of who it was.
"Hey Sapphire. Nothing. I was hoping I could catch a ride with White to the theater this morning but I think that ship has sailed."
Sapphire smiled wide, her snaggletooth prominent as she clapped him, rather hard, on the back.
"She'll be right back! Just had to run to our room fer her books. She's my ride too if you don't mind waitin' with me."
Ruby scratched his cheek. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he'd begun feeling uneasy around Sapphire ever since the blackout. They'd been in the midst of a pillow fight when everything had gone dark. The announcement system had declared everyone remain where they were until they could get a back-up generator running. In the time while they waited the two had relaxed in their darkened fort and talked all night. His last memory having been waking up facing her as they'd fallen asleep together. He'd woken before her so he'd adjusted himself to stage waking up at a more respectable distance.
However every night since, before he closed his eyes he'd picture her soft features in the warm tint of the blankets that had framed their nest. Her gentle breathing through pillowy lips that shamed their entire operation, her eyes hidden by full lashes as she dreamed unaware. His heart began racing as he looked at her now, her lips, her vibrant eyes capturing him.
"NO! I mean I can't. I mean I'm already late! Sorry But I can't! It was nice to see you!"
The heat rose from his collar as he gave a fervent wave and darted across the parking lot. Sapphire stood dumbfounded as her head lolled to one side, hands on hips in confusion.
"Well bye then."
Red and Blue made their way out of the cafeteria into the dewy morning air. Full of breakfast the two were quizzing each other before their history test. Blue cleared his throat as he read from one of his index cards.
"Kantonian war of 1921. Who was the scientist that developed the 'burning mist' that changed biological warfare?"
"Uhm… Ah, it's on the tip of my tongue."
"..He was also known as the Flame Forensic for his research on using carbon imprints in detective work."
"Oh! It's uh.. It's that guy! Blaine… Dr. Blaine… something."
Red lightly knocked his fist against his head as he waited for the answer to come to him. Blue sighed as he thumbed through the rest of his study cards.
"Red, did you study at all? What were you doing all weekend?"
The guilty party scratched his chin as he recalled his activities. He had spent most of his time with Yellow trying to complete the Pokedex at a local park after seeing her during the evacuation of the Pillowfort Festival. He tried to remember if he'd studied at all and let his face falter as he realized he hadn't touched his books once either of his days off.
"I'm in trouble." He voiced as he hitched his backpack up higher on his shoulders.
"Here. Better try and cram what you can. You'll need all the help you can get."
Blue passed over his index cards letting Red frantically flip through them trying to take in all the information.
"HEEEEEYYY!"
Green ran over to the two boys after having just exited the dorms. Her hair still slightly damp from a quick shower, a muffin clutched in one hand. She joined in step next to Blue as the trio made their way to class.
"How are we all feeling about the test?"
"Shh." Red shushed as he tried to commit as much information to memory as he could.
"Testy. What crawled up your butt."
"Red didn't study. Now he's playing catch up."
Green gave an exaggerated gasp as she covered her mouth with her free hand.
"NO! Red? Didn't study! Hell has frozen over."
"Give me a break. I don't even need world history for my major. I hate having to take gen-ed classes."
Red was sullen as Blue and Green nodded in sympathy.
"I think that's fair. Doesn't change the fact you still need them for a degree though. As a requirement you still need to give them full attention." Blue mulled as he plucked a bit of Green's muffin off the top.
"Hey! Did I say I was sharing?" She scoffed in protest.
"I have to share my notes, you have to share your muffin. Make Red share something then we'll just call it even."
Green began to retort as an idea popped into her head.
"Hey, how about some incentive. Red if you try really hard and pass this test, Blue and I will treat you to dinner at the diner. But it has to be– Back off Blue, It has to be a passing grade." She explained as she slapped Blue's hungry hand back.
"Why do I have to chip in? It's not my fault he didn't prepare. I'm already sacrificing my notes."
"That's what friends do." Green smiled as she took a hearty chunk out of her muffin. Blue grabbed the door and the three made their way to tempt their fate.
"It's nice validation, but if you're going to be in here Lady then you have to try and laugh quietly when we're on the air." Pearl chastised.
He, Diamond, and Platinum were all in the editing room of the media center. Platinum had expressed her interest in learning about radio production when they had done their remote broadcast and had since been helping out during her off hours.
"C'mon Pearl. It's actually really fun having a studio audience." Diamond smiled as he dug in his book bag for his homemade rice cakes.
"I do apologize. It's a shame there isn't a viewing room or production area that can allow me to see and hear but also block any noise I make."
Pearl ran a hand through his hair as he began packing up his things to head to class.
"There were plans to build a sound stage when this building was initially constructed, but budget cuts lead to things needing to be tapered down and made 'multipurpose'. We just need to get by with what we have."
Platinum frowned as she also shouldered her bag, making her way with the duo out into the courtyard. She appreciated being able to experience her favorite show live and had been enjoying her time with her new friends, but she also didn't want to be a burden as they tried to perfect their craft. The trio made their way across the field as she thought in silence, only broken from her trance by a rice cake presented before her.
"Would you like one?" Diamond showed concern as he offered his treat.
"Oh! Not right now, I'll grab some lunch after class. Thank you though."
"What's on your mind? You look really serious."
Pearl listened closely as he watched their route ahead, Diamond instigating both of their attentive feelings toward her.
"Oh it's nothing! I just… I'm grateful for getting to learn so much from you both these past few days. I haven't had a lot of opportunity in my life to experience anything outside of what my family has planned for me. So exploring a different medium like media production has been so interesting. I hope if I ever become a burden or my presence ever becomes a problem you'll tell me."
Diamond shook his head while Pearl put a hand on his shoulder.
"Speaking of Platinum."
Diamond straightened up and puffed his chest.
"Speaking of Platinum."
"She's an incredibly kind person."
"You can say that again!"
"Remember when she helped us out when our trolley collapsed."
"Or how she helped us pack up in the dark."
"You couldn't find any of our cables."
"I was Plati-Dumb."
The two looked over at their new friend cautiously only to find her hand braced to her lips. Her eyes glistened from forming tears as she couldn't hide her laughter at the two.
Crystal rounded the corner of the service desk with several fliers in hand to announce the mandatory floor meetings that were coming up. She yawned softly, rubbing one of her eyes as she passed the stairs to the second floor.
She hadn't been sleeping well the past few nights. Between working extra hours to help manage the bedding donations and R.A. services remotely while the commons was awaiting power, she was beat. But mostly it was her restlessness once she was finally in bed for the night. She was troubled by the ultimatum Gold had given her.
"Tell me I'm a boy-toy or I'll date you for real. Is he serious?"
She'd fluctuated in emotions from frustrated to worried to outright angry. Everyone she knew was able to cut loose left and right yet here she was with someone who'd caught feelings. She felt herself beginning to seeth and had to remind herself to breathe.
She approached the bulletin board and tacked her first flier up. Her eyes mindlessly scanned everything else that was beginning to clutter the cork backed information hub. Furniture for sale, book swaps, club meetings. Nothing of interest. Until her eyes caught the 'Study Abroad' registration and meeting time sheet. Three names down, in slapdash, chicken scratch writing, unmistakably, she saw his name.
"Gold? Gold wants to study abroad?"
"Table 5's onion rings. Black let's go, come on!"
"I'M COMING ONE SECOND!"
White watched from the silverware rolling station where she was diligently working. She smiled to herself as Black simultaneously balanced a tray of ten water glasses on one hand and clamped two baskets of onion rings with the other. Mallow was laying into him again as she and Cress were filling each other in for the shift change.
Black re-entered the kitchen and leaned against the door frame as he made eye contact with her. Smiling bleakly she gave him a thumbs up as he snaked the next two orders from the window and returned to the restaurant floor.
White hummed to herself as she steadily continued rolling silverware. Once done she'd be close to her clock-out time and would be able to get back to the dorm and wash off the smell of grease and dishwater. In the middle of her tune Black hip checked her and began helping roll.
"If my name comes out of Mallow's mouth one more time I swear…"
"She just doesn't handle stress well." White replied in a hushed voice. Her eyes tracked the girl in question as she hung her apron and made her way to the backdoor.
"Pretty soon I won't either. She makes me all anxious."
"You just need to think about something else."
Black tapped a rolled bundle to the brim of his cap.
"Like what?"
White clicked her tongue as she thought, rolling her penultimate silverware bundle.
"Something fun, maybe like where you'd go to study abroad?"
Black dropped his bundle catching her by surprise as he fumbled to pick it back up.
"I wasn't planning on doing that if I'm honest…"
He trailed off as White felt her face get hot. It was all she'd been thinking of since she'd heard about it. Her only hesitation for signing up was that she wasn't sure where she wanted to go yet.
"...Oh. Well maybe something else then. LIke thinking about when Mallow isn't here."
"Hey boss… Are you going to go abroad?"
He held his silverware bundle tight as he refused to meet her eyes.
"I was thinking about it."
She finished her last bundle and placed it in the stack with the rest. Letting her hands fall to her sides, not facing him either.
The silence was deafening as they both couldn't think of how to proceed.
"Hey Black, can you get these out to table 8?" Cress called from the window.
He remained rooted to his spot. White shuffled her feet as she took a brief gulp.
"I need to get heading out too."
"Yeah, okay."
"We'll talk later okay?"
He nodded. She put a hand on his shoulder and smiled as she made her way past him to clock out. Her smile dampened as she felt the pit in her stomach.
Awh geez guys. Who's ready to split the narrative to multiple locations so we can tighten focus on different characters per chapter? This guy! Thanks for the feedback I've gotten in my messages. I've cleaned up my first few chapters and revised to a point where it feels like a stronger start. Going forward I'll be doing a better job proofreading and incorperating the narrative devices that were shared with me. Thanks, as always, to those of you reading! -REN