Rose 2-2: No nude modeling!

Donovan

     "Whatcha reading?" Karri-the-almost-irritating-cheerleader asks me one morning as she sits down to drink her coffee.

     "My textbook." I answer shortly.

     "What's your major?" she asks, not picking up the hint that I'm trying to study. I suppose I've asked for this since I chose to study somewhere besides my room.

     "Art." I answer.

     "I've always thought art was a stupid major. I mean, what on earth are you going to do with a degree in art?" she says like she has no idea she just put me down.

      I sigh patiently before I say, "Computer graphics artist. I want to design video games among other things."

      It's her turn to sigh before she says, "Again, something stupid: video games: made for people who sit inside all day and have a zero activity level."

      "I like being inside." I tell her, now just wanting to get on her nerves.

      "I thought you'd be into sports." she changes the subject.

      "I suck at all things sports." I reply.

      "Really?" she asks and tilts her head to the side like she's trying to figure me out.

      I pull out my phone and check the time. Then I decide I'm going to make my way over to my next class early to avoid this girl and her irritating assumptions.

    "I mean," she tries to save herself apparently, "I'm saying you don't look like you do nothing but sit and play video games all day."

     "I don't." I tell her plainly. Then my phone rings. It's Willow. I have time for Willow, so I decide to hold off getting to class early so that I can talk to her. 

     We had fun the other night at the bowling alley. She sucks at bowling too, and it was hilarious. When we'd finished playing, we shared an order of nachos. She had a bit of melted cheese on the side of her mouth that drove me crazy because I wanted to be the one to lick it off. She caught it eventually and berated me for not telling her about it.

      I do eventually have to let her go before I'm late to class.

     It sucks not owning a car, especially when it rains. I'm soaked long before I make it to the quad.

     Class today is really... boring. I can hear the light snoring of several of my classmates. The professor apparently doesn't care if anyone pays attention but continues with her lecture anyway. I guess she gets paid no matter what. I get out my book and read along where her lecture parallels in the book to stay alert.

    Once I'm finally freed from the torture chamber, I run into Tiffany in the hallway!

    I walk up to her so that I can ask her something. One of my classes (not the one I share with her) requires that I go out and find a model to sketch to show how we as students understand the anatomy of the sim body. I hope that I can get Tiffany to be my model. Surely she'd understand that I need to get the assignment done, and that way we could spend a little more time together. So, I ask her.

     "Have you lost your mind?" she snaps in response to my question. "No, I'm not modeling for you. What kind of a girl do you take me for anyway?"

     "Well, I just thought that -"

     "That what? That I'd be one of those willing to take my clothes off so you can draw me?!"

     "Huh? No! I don't mean in the nude! The assignment doesn't specify, so I would never ask that of anyone." I quickly try to dig myself out of this hole I had no idea I created. "Honest, Tiffany, that's not what I was asking at all." 

      She visibly tries to calm herself down. "Still, no thank you. I have no desire to sit and do nothing while I have better things to do."

       I feel sad. I think up the idea that she could even sit and read for all I care, and I could draw her like that. I don't mention this, however, for fear of pissing her off again.

       I haven't a doubt in my mind that Karri-the-mildly-annoying-cheerleader would gladly volunteer to model... nude even. Okay, that's plan C. Plan B is Willow... clothed unless she volunteers otherwise.

    I bravely attempt to make a little small talk. "So how are your other classes going?"

    It works. "Ugh! I'm so jealous of you not having to take some of those stupid courses! We actually had an entire hour dedicated to a person's favorite color and what that means about the person. The teacher claimed it was to help future interior designers, but honestly, it felt more like a psychology or psychic-arts class." she complains, and I laugh politely. Then, she raises one eyebrow curiously as she asks, "What's your favorite color?"

    I have a feeling I know where this is going. "Uh... well. It's white, which I know isn't actually a color, more the absence of color." She giggles a little. I think this is the first time I've ever heard her giggle/laugh/whatever. I smile and ask her, "So, what does that say about me?"

     "Well, if it makes you feel better, remember, if it's light then white light is actually the combination of the colors." A residual smile from her laughing stays on her face, lighting up her eyes.

      I mirror her smile and say, "Oh yeah. Thanks. That's better."

      "So, why is your favorite color white?" she asks curiously.

      "Because white is full of possibilities. It can be anything depending on what's done with it." I answer truthfully.

      She blinks a few times before she finally says, "That's really deep. I never thought of white like that."

      Encouraged, I ask her if I can take her to dinner. She declines, but she tells me it's because she has a study group planned already that she can't miss. I feel sad again.

      "Maybe some other time?" she questions.

      "Yeah. Sure." I answer, trying to hide my disappointment.

      I head over to a nearby cafe.

    Still raining, I have to run. I'm stopped by someone calling out my name before I can get into the cafe. I stop under the awning to see who it is.

     "Oh, hey Shauna." I greet her. She's in a few of my classes.

     "Um, I've been meaning to catch you anyway..." Her voice trails out.

     "Yeah? Why?"

     "Well, you know that assignment we have ... would you model for me?" she asks almost timidly like she's uncomfortable asking me.

      Whoa. "Oh. Um. ... Yeeeeeaaah. I guess I can do that. Not nude though." I answer slowly.

      "Oh! No, I wouldn't ask that of you." 

      I can't tell in the meager light we have, but I think she just blushed. 

    To my happy surprise, I find Willow inside the restaurant! I pay for her key lime pie before she can pay for it herself and order one for myself as well. I merely wave off her complaining that I paid for her food. 

     I hope to get a chance to bring up the modeling thing, but she leaves before I get a chance.

     A few days later, I follow through on my promise to model for Shauna. She requests I take my shirt off. I shrug and do. It's really ... awkward having someone stare at me that critically for an extended period of time. I wish she'd thought up my idea of having the model actually doing something besides just posing. Shauna seems to enjoy herself though so I guess that's good.

     I dream about Willow offering to model for me in the nude. The dream is so real that I'm confused when I wake up.

     Before I can lose this picture in my head from my dream, I quickly grab my sketchpad and draw Willow. I'm sure to slap some clothes on her just in case. 

     It's so real. I had no idea that I'd studied her this closely in an unconscious way... especially her eyes.

     I suppose I can get her to model for a few quick touch-ups. It might be hard to explain how it's mostly finished, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

      Today's class is outside, and I hate that it is. Plus, the creepy vampire guy shows up. I decide to just have a seat and get finished with my work so I can leave.

    When I finish my sketch, Tiffany walks up to me and offers to model for me after all.

     Oh. uh.... No, I won't tell her I drew Willow from memory. 

     I thank her and suggest my 'reading a book' idea.

      "Want to go grab some lunch first?" she asks me.

      Surprised yet again, I say, "Sure!" I can't help but smile.

      "I love that smile." she says. Apparently, it's 'shock the hell out of Donovan day' for her. She smiles and turns to lead the way to the cafe. 

      I scratch my head in mild, but happy, confusion, gather my things, and move to follow her.

      She turns around about ten paces in front of me to ask, "Are you coming?"

      "Yeah." I answer. You have no idea.

      After lunch, she's free, and I'm glad because I have to get the assignment turned in very soon. The end of term is quickly approaching. I have to quickly hide my picture of Willow before I have Tiffany get settled on a chair in my room.

      I get to look at those beautiful sapphires for hours.

    I guess word that I needed a model for my assignment gets around, because one morning Karri sits in front of me at breakfast time again and offers to model for me. I almost choke on my pancakes and wonder how she'd react to me telling her that I'd debated asking her. Instead, I politely tell her that I got someone, have turned the project in already, and thank her for offering.

     When it rains, it pours, and I don't mind riding a bicycle through this rainstorm.

     The end of term arrives, and I do the best I can on my finals. I really think I did well, but I won't know until my report card comes in.

      Then it does.

     I aced everything!!!

    It's the perfect day, so it's only fitting that Willow should come and visit me at my dorm.

    "My, you look like you're in a good mood." she says with a twinkle in her violet eyes.

    "Even more so now." I reply, thinking that's very close to something Dad would say in a situation like this.

     I am so happy that Willow is here! There's just something special about her that ... I don't know. I haven't quite figured that part out yet, but I'm glad she's here.

     "Awwww, that's a very sweet thing to say." she nearly purrs. "I came by to see how you fared on your finals."

      Karri walks in and starts reading a book on a couch very nearby. I've never seen her crack a book before now, but I don't think too much about it.

     "Straight A's." I grin. "You?"

     She smiles. "Not quite, but still good." There's a slight pause before she suggests, "You know, we should really go out and celebrate."

     I feel a smile creep across my face as I bravely answer, "Or, stay in and celebrate."

     She pretends to look shocked.

    "Donovan! Are you offering to give me tour of your room?" she asks seductively, and my heart starts hammering in my chest.

     Karri lets out a huff, slams her book closed, and walks into the entertainment room to watch TV I guess. It's raining outside.

     "Would you like a tour of my room? I think it can be arranged." I turn it back around to her.

    "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

     I can't stand it.

    I practically attack her. She doesn't mind in the least. I'd never kissed a girl before now. I guess I'm doing okay.

    One of my roommates comes out of the entertainment room and grumbles to us that that's why I have my own room. Without another word, I take Willow upstairs for that promised 'tour'.

     However, I don't let things go as far as she acts like she wants. She doesn't make a big deal about it, and I'm glad. I have no idea what on earth possesses me to wait, but I don't want to jump from nothing into something that serious. We're not even going steady after all.

    The time to go home comes all too soon... before things can really get serious with Willow. 

    Back at home, I miss Willow.

    All that time I had over the term, and everything stayed so casual.

    I can't wait until next term.

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I 'donated' several items, art mostly, to the dormitory that the family had collected via the attraction system over the length of generation one. I couldn't ever bring myself to just up and delete the items I didn't use. The dorm was a great place to put a lot of that stuff. :)

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