10. Shay Knows Everything

Delphine saw Cosima off at the entrance to her apartment building, again kissing her cheeks goodbye. And again using her lips, again too close to the corners of her mouth, and both hands now held Cosima's neck. Maybe she just wanted to show Cosima some physical affection without the foul strings attached.

Delphine spent the day doing some light cleaning and preparing for her return to school tomorrow. She texted Scott again eventually, letting him know she would be taking the Tuesday/Friday lab during the summer after learning he would be taking Monday/Wednesday lab, still unconfident that their plutonic relationship wouldn't have an effect on his behaviors around her. She didn't like going home for the summer because her family could sometimes be dramatic and difficult, not to mention how expensive it would be. So, Delphine chose to take courses during the summer to excuse herself. Her parents didn't seem to mind.

Cosima seemed like she was in a better mood, at least through her texts. She said she had a busy day tomorrow, getting some 'official paperwork' done, Delphine assumed for moving, and meeting the remainder of her girlfriend's friends and acquaintances. Delphine wondered why Cosima was being dragged around to meet so many people instead of just spending time with her girlfriend, but then remembered how Cosima was treated like an 'accessory', not a partner. She rolled her eyes in her empty apartment just thinking about it.

The afternoon and evening went by quickly and Delphine was in bed texting Cosima (as per her usual routine now) in no time.

Delphine woke up two minutes before her alarm went off, the sun rousing her first. She wasn't expecting anyone to be next there when she woke up, but she was still disappointed by the empty pillow she saw. She needed more friends, she thought, otherwise this fixation on Cosima could become a problem – if it wasn't already.

After a quick shower, toast, coffee, and her morning texts to Cosima, Delphine was out the door and on her way to class. She felt like Spring Break had lasted much longer than a week. She was glad to be back, though. She enjoyed school.

She only had two classes on Mondays, the second one was later in the afternoon, so she was always tired by then. Scott greeted her from the adjacent lab station he usually occupied. When she sat down, Scott scooched a little closer and asked her in a quiet voice, "Did you hear? The director?"

Delphine's expression must have answered his question clearly. He explained, "The director of one of the science branches, can't remember which, got fired or something and the new guy is coming in today".

"And how did you find out about this?" Delphine asked lightly, not in entire disbelief, but skeptical.

"Shay. She knows everything," he replied simply, "And I'm sure you can guess who will be introducing him and why…"

"Hmmm, Shay? And because she knows everything?" Delphine smiled as Scott nodded vigorously. She was glad things didn't seem awkward between them after the incident at the party. They both worked in silence with the rest of the room, going over projects and assignments that were left over the break.

Near the end of lab time, a thin, balding man walked in after knocking lightly. "Hello, everyone," he greeted as he took a place at the front of the room. "My name is Dr. Aldous Leekie. Today is my first day as your new director in the Evolutionary Development branch since Mrs. Rodriquez has decided to leave us for personal reasons. I will be available for advising and questions throughout the week and will have several lectures posted on the bulletin board outside the Science Department Office. Please feel free to stop by my office at any time or send me an email through your student account to schedule an appointment. I look forward to getting to know everyone and I hope we will all get along and work well with each other". He gave a small wave accompanied by a gentle smile that wrinkled the corners of his eyes, and then left the room.

Delphine looked at Scott questioningly. He shrugged, "Maybe Shay forgot, I actually haven't seen her much today. But I really thought Rodriquez got fired, maybe it's a polite cover, you know?"

Delphine hummed an acknowledgement and they both finished up their work and cleaned their stations before lab ended. Delphine checked her phone again, like she had been doing compulsively throughout the day. Her eyes lit up when she saw a text notification.

Cosima: I'm soooooooo bored. What are you doing?

Delphine hadn't told Cosima that she was going to the university. It never really came up and she didn't want to seem pretentious, even though she couldn't really think of how she would be. She was too sensitive to what Cosima did or did not think about her.

DC: Just got done with classes for the day. Doing some extra things on campus pretty soon, then I'm going home. Why are you sooooo bored?

Cosima: the less wild friends I just met are way too chill. No one is even talking, just smoking. We're going to leave soon though…more friends to meet I suppose...

DC: How does this girl have so many friends?

Cosima: im pretty sure like three of the people ive met didn't even seem to know who she was…so maybe she's just introducing me to everyone on the planet.

DC: lol good luck with that. Are you doing anything later?

Cosima: don't know yet :( …cant get enough of me huh? :P

Delphine smiled to herself, her cheeks flushing slightly. That was exactly it: she couldn't get enough of Cosima. She was glad that Cosima didn't seem to take note of the new information about Delphine's academic career.

DC: I'm a craven addict ;)

What was with all of the winking? She didn't even think about it before she sent the message. She scrolled through their conversation again, like she had done several times already.

Cosima: you poor thing. :P Wanna hang out later? It's been an eternity since ive seen you my baguette!

DC: it's been a day, but yes, I would like to see you again, my…cheeseburger…?

Cosima: oh my god. No. lol. Anyways…I owe you for letting me crash at your place and being a literal shoulder to cry on. What would you like in return for your services? ;)

Delphine did not miss the inuendo. It made her flustered for a moment. She never expected anything in return for her hospitality and the question was a bit out of the blue. She crossed her legs unconsciously.

DC: your company will suffice

Delphine was satisfied with her reply, choosing not to send the wink she had originally typed. It wasn't appropriate for a friendship, was it? Cosima was sending then and didn't seem to have trouble with…Ugh! Stop overthinking this Delphine! She mentally chastised herself.

About twenty minutes later, Delphine was back in the lab for the short session of open-lab, the period between classes when no one was using it. She preferred doing her work in private. Even though it was just standard assignments and not at all personal, she felt a bit too vulnerable with people around while she concentrated on something she was passionate about. It made her feel a little insecure and like her personal space for thinking was being invaded. That's why she always sat next to Scott in lab. He never really talked to her – likely because he was too intimidated.

Sometimes Scott would already be there when it was open-lab, but he always chose the station next to the door, leaving Delphine to herself in the back, facing away from everything. He was thoughtful, she would give him that. Although, it seemed like he sat by the door more because of how often his friends would stop by to talk about games she'd never even heard of. Occasionally, some other students would stop by for a minute or so, but it was typically just her or Scott.

Today was a day Scott accompanied her to the lab. Unfortunately, it was also a day that brought far too many gaming buddies by for correspondence, and meant Delphine had to put her earbuds in to drown out most of the surrounding world. Time seemed to pass much quicker this way, anyway, the music streaming from her laptop moving the hands of the clock with a little more force.

She didn't hear the gaming friends leave, but noticed Scott talking with a female voice. It sounded like Shay's, Delphine only caught a few words, but it was enough for her to know what she came for. She mentioned "introductions" and "new here". Delphine pretended like she wasn't hearing anything so that she wouldn't have to turn around and engage just yet. She wondered if Dr. Leekie would say anything to Shay about already introducing himself. It was probably her idea to bring him around since she was the most comfortable when in the center of everything, and she sometimes had a thing for older men. Delphine was only hearing Shay's voice, though, so she figured that Dr. Leekie was just playing along. Shay didn't even like Evolutionary Development, it didn't make sense that she would be the one bringing him around as though he wasn't a full-grown adult with functional legs.

The rows of lab station desks had Delphine somewhat hidden in the back, but she eventually heard her name and a tap on her shoulder. Delphine removed one of her earbuds, still focusing on the notes she was writing. Without bothering to look up, she asked politely, "Yes, Shay?"

"Hey Del, wanna meet someone?" Shay said in an overly-chipper voice, most likely to kiss ass to the new doctor. She hoped Shay wasn't going to pursue the old man, she was being pretty casual for a professional introduction. She really got on Delphine's nerves sometimes, and not always for any particular reason.

"You're a little late. Dr. Leekie already made his rounds to meet everyone in class today," Delphine said, finally looking up to Shay who wore an exasperated expression. She was hoping to knock Shay's overconfidence down a peg or two, but it didn't seem to have that effect.

"Oh my God, Scott just told me the same thing…were you not listening just, like, two seconds ago?" Delphine shook her head and lifted her earbud to explain why. "Ugh you're the worst. No, I'm not introducing the new director, Scott just made assumptions," Shay said, throwing a look over her shoulder toward the culprit as he muttered a half-hearted apology. Delphine's phone buzzed, and she saw a new message from Cosima. She, without a doubt, would be choosing to focus on that rather than Shay's ridiculousness that was only irritating her further.

Cosima: dude I am so tired…can I come over later and we watch a movie? Please please please?

Shay continued despite Delphine's obvious indifference and distraction. "I would love you guys to meet my girlfriend. You know, the one I talk about all the time and you guys get tired of hearing about?"

Delphine finished her text before she responded, vaguely hearing Shay calling for "babe" to come on in.

DC: Oui. Bring popcorn if you want, I don't think I have any".

Delphine's mind caught up with the conversation that was happening in the lab, and with a delayed reply, turned to Shay, "I didn't even know you had a girlfriend until you mentioned it at the party. With all the people you're so friendly with, I never would have guessed". Delphine's tone was somewhat playful but the look on Shay's face was telling her to just go with it and perhaps not mention her promiscuity.

Shay turned toward the door where her girlfriend had presumably entered. "She's just kidding, babe," Shay tried to cover, looking back to Delphine who had gone back to her notes, "Look Del, she's speechless after your little joke," Shay turned back to her girlfriend with an apologetic smile. "Okay well, as you know now, this is Delphine, or Del," Shay gestured for Delphine to engage as she finally took her headphones all the way off, "And Delphine, meet my girlfriend," Delphine put her best fake smile on and turned in her seat to see the mortified expression of Shay's girlfriend, "Cosima".