Rose 2.24: Flat broke

     The weekend before my final semester starts, I see Shauna in the art building. I give her a half-smile when I see her. I have mixed feelings. One the one hand, I wanted to end things with her, break up as she'd think of it, but on the other hand, I'm angry that she blew me off so easily at the end of the last term. I'd wanted to see her anyway.
     She follows me out the building.

     "Hello," my "Shauna," I say to her after she greets me.
     She smiles shyly and tucks her hair behind her ear. Looking down and off to the side, she says, "I've been meaning to talk to you, but I could never find the right moment."
     My head backs up and jerks in confusion. "About what?" I ask.
     "Um. Well, I... Um..."

     "Shauna, you don't have to be nervous around me. Tell me what's on your mind."
     "I've met someone," she tells me very quietly like an apology. "Over the break... and..."
     I experience a plummeting feeling, similar to how I felt when Tiffany wanted to stop seeing me -- but stronger.
     My voice sounds strange as I finish for her, "And you've fallen in love with him."
     Her eyes widen like she wants to deny it, but then she turns her head and looks down. "And I want to give him a chance, so that means I need to stop seeing you. I'm not like you; I have to... have only one at a time."
     "It's fine," I manage to say. It's not! I scream inside my head, but I keep it from showing up on my face.
     "I'm sorry," she says, now actually apologizing. "It's just that it's our final semester, and I need to start thinking more seriously now."
     I nod like I understand when I don't. What does it being our final semester have to do with thinking more seriously now? Who says we have to be serious even after we graduate?
     Again, I'm losing a lady because I won't be committed to only her.
     Do these women think I don't care about them? Of course I care! Why can't they see that?!
     I wish her well, give her a tight hug, and walk away.

     Pay no attention to the Skye look-a-like next to me while I talk with Ye Gangman...

     ...who gets a makeover mid-conversation.

     Interesting... my little sister has aquaphobia too.

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I knew I needed to send Skye home or I'd have a bear of a time trying to keep him out of the photos. So, I send him home to later plan on moving him out as soon as Donovan gets home. In sims 2, if you sent someone home and there were still other sims on the lot, that sent-home sim would just go back to the simbin for the neighborhood, and you could get them later. In sims 3? It sends EVERYONE home.

     So, back home we all go. Then, I realize I'd deleted a lot of the CC that I'd used for the Robles household. I rolled Living Green. (more on this later) Well, $^@&! Later. I'll hope the dump works later. Resetting the lot seems to help.
     I send Clark and Donovan back to university. Clark is playable for story purposes.

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     Clark's dad has decided to let his son make his own way in life, so when we'd arrived at the university, we only had less than $500. All we could afford was to rent an empty lot. Of course, it starts hailing.

     It's the start of the term, so they're having that get-together at the student center. The prospect of free food and drink, bathrooms, not to mention a roof over our heads for at least a little while makes Clark and me decide to go.

    The free candy bars don't sit well in either of our stomachs...

     This is not exactly how I intended to use the toilets.

    We *cough* 'acquire' a tent and build a simple structure. It is technically a roof over our heads.

     That doesn't last long. This is our second night. Thankfully, the dump at the university works, mostly.

     We shower at the gym since it opens so early in the morning.
     I despise our living arrangements! I feel like I'm still outdoors when I'm inside the tent! I don't like sharing a tent!

     Ladies call me, but I'm too distracted trying to make money and find useful things. I've not heard from Willow. I don't know if she's even come back this term.

     Clark and I make things stretch, and we make our small building bigger. We have to actually buy the toilet, shower, lights, and bunk beds. Some things were gifted to us in the mail. I was thrilled when I found a desk in the dumpster. If only I had time to use the desk and do my assignments properly. I'm keeping up, but it's difficult.

     The worst jobs are the ones for the science center.

     Every night, Clark and I get invited to parties, but we don't go. He spends most of his time with Karri, but he does come home most nights.

     I'm supposed to sleep on the top bunk. I don't make it.

    Speaking of making things stretch... Spaghetti for breakfast.

     I find us a couch on another of my dumpster-diving expeditions. So, we move the desk outside and put the sofa in its place.

    Clark goes to the comic book store for his lab class.

     I find a bookshelf, and I've managed to earn enough to add on a tiny bedroom to our tiny house. I feel more secure being able to afford the (rules or not!) burglar alarm.

     Still, I am lonely. Clark spends much of his time out with Karri, leaving me at the tiny house by myself.
     Normally, I would simply go out to find some fun, but having to work so hard for everything I have has changed something in me. Instead of finding fun, I want to find time to relax, even if it involves studying my textbook.
    The quiet house bothers me. Coming from a large family, it feels odd.
    My phone buzzes in my pocket. I get a text from Tiffany.

How have you been?

     I feel my heart tear a little in my chest. I decide to be honest with my response.

Terrible.

     She calls me immediately, and I explain to her what I've gone through this semester so far. I feel guilty not calling her. After all, last term, I wanted to get things started again with her, but this term, I've been so rushed and distracted and tired.

     "I'm coming over," she tells me and hangs up. For only a second, I think about calling her back and telling her not to, but I don't. My house embarrasses me to some extent, but I want to see her.


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I screwed up. I don't know how I missed it, but I had Donovan apply for funds without realizing that wasn't allowed. He did only take one job board job per day, and one of them was to be a test subject (how ironic since he's not in an associated career!). Quite a bit of things were in the family inventory from gifts in the mail, so I don't know if that was bending the rules or not. (I don't sell them.) Also, it's not until RIGHT NOW WRITING THIS that I realized I forgot about the washer and clothesline thing. No way could he have afforded the most expensive, energy-efficient washer anyway. So, let's make like he never washed his clothes except in the public shower station. LOL. Considering all the dumpster diving he did, that's really gross.

Also, when they went home, I bought items because I hadn't realized that I'd deleted the CC that was most of the Robles' kitchen and dining room. (/facepalm) Now, I see I can't do what I did for subsequent generations (buy the basics). I'm sure it's no big deal since it's not like I bought more period, like that it wasn't because the CC was deleted. Imho, replacing the lost CC shouldn't count. Still, when I get Donovan back home, I'll sell the stuff back and have him acquire the items (more interesting that way anyway). The whole reason he was broke this term was because I'd bought that stuff and left him nearly penniless, so that was a punishment in a way.

At any rate, it's university. I'll more closely follow the rules in the regular 'hood. :)

Gnomish Behavior 3: Go get me some nuts

      After the horrible debacle of creating Bunbuns, Jr., Bill sits back to contemplate his next move.
      "What if I had an army of annoying bunnies? If it's one thing bunnies can do, it's reproduce!" he says to himself.

     Another witch shows up on the lot. Rose names her Broomhilda.

     And then there are three bunnies. They name the third one "Third".

     And the fourth one "Fourth". Fourth likes his name, although he wishes everyone would call him 'Forth' instead.

    Bunbuns and his offspring are on a roll. They name the fifth one "Fifth."
    "And the sims themselves suspect nothing!" Bill laughs.

     Hyacinth comes back from visiting her sister at another house. When Bill tells her about his success with the rabbit gnomes, she gets bored and falls asleep.

     "Fourth, you do realize you're watching the back of the television, don't you?" Hyacinth asks.

     "Please. I've asked you to call me Forth." he responds.

     "They both sound the same. How do you know I wasn't?"

     "I can tell."

     "And yet, you can't properly watch a television set." Hyacinth points out.

     "The eldest will surely win the heir vote." Hyacinth says with a smile.
     "She's not even in the running." Bill points out in a bored voice.
     "What?!"
     "Yeah. The maker doesn't like her features, and she doesn't want to pass them down to the next generation."

      "Then, surely the second child, also a witch although he prefers to be called otherwise for reasons I don't understand, will win. He's very highly qualified." she says.

      "Probably not."

     "And then the frog started hopping around and around the turtle before it splashed into the pond, making a big mess and not cleaning it up afterwards. The turtle told the frog it needed to be more polite to which the frog replied 'ribbit' in a very rude way. It's really a shame that turtles can't give the bird because of how their feet are made. I don't see how giving someone a bird is rude other than the thing might poop everywhere and leave feathers all over the place for the sim to clean up, but they talk about it alot." Third continues to ramble along to the very-good-at-listening plants.

      "Ah, my favorite show is on." Fourth says.
      "They turned the TV off." Bill says laconically.
      "I know that, but I'm watching it in my head."

       "Yeah! Get him in the nuts!"
       "I like nuts. Go get me some nuts."
        Junior and Fifth like sitting out in the setting sun, watching the boys and their games.
        "Not those nuts."

      Fourth follows Bill upstairs to the bathroom. "Whatcha doing?" he asks.
      "I'm getting in the way of anyone trying to use this shower."
      "Why?"
      "So I can be annoying."
      "Why?"
      "Because I hate sims! This is something easy I can do to further wreck their measly, little lives."
      "Why?"
      "Because that is my purpose in life."
      "What's my purpose?"
      "Apparently, to annoy me even more than I can possibly annoy the sims in this house."

      If only Bill knew about the terrifying world of monsters under the bed, he might be able to make use of them.

     "The heir has been decided, and he has no magic ability in him!" Hyacinth protests to Bill one day.
     "Then will you finally join me in my quest to annoy the sims of the Robles household?" Bill asks.
     Hyacinth ponders it for a moment, and she finally decides that for as long as there is no witch heir in the house, then she will do her best to make the sims miserable.

     Bill calls for reinforcements. "My brother from up north... waaaayy up north." he explains. "He's Mr. White Christmas, also known as Mr. Snow, Mr. Icicle, Mr. Ten-below. We call him Snow Miser for short."

Rose 2-4: People don't do this kind of stuff here!

Donovan

     After graduation (where Yvette refused to speak to me), I head upstairs, not interested in stu surprise.... again. I overhear Dad talking to the twins about how at least someone needs to take after him and write. I honestly think Milo is the best bet for this being the computer whiz that he is (and I'm not going to do it). Skye acts like he's going to go into business somehow. Giselle is .... Well, I have no idea what Giselle wants to be besides irritating.

    I get up early the next morning and decide to help Dad by watering the plants. It also kills time. The place needs straightening up as well. I'll do that next.

     The shuttle can't get here fast enough.

     It's finally here!

     I notice a new gnome has shown up. Interesting. A little snowman guy. I think our lawn gnomes are breeding. That sounds crazy, but I have to wonder.

    I'm placed in a different dorm this time. It looks like it's reserved for upperclassmen, which I already am. 

     My roommate hasn't arrived yet, so I get first choice of the beds. I decide on the one with the green bedspread.

      Not only do I not have my own room, but I also lost the benefits of having a double bed.

     Feeling like I got shafted, I decide to visit the student center. They're probably having one of those meet and greet things.

    I wave at a few people I know and head up the stairs to the big room. I'm hungry, and there are too many freshmen standing around the freebies tables downstairs. There is almost no one up here.

    I've heard that if you ram these things really hard that you might knock something loose. Of course, I've also heard that people have gotten killed by the things falling on them.

    Feeling immortal, I give it a go.

    It works!

    I reach in and get my free candy bar, but before I can eat it, my phone rings. Tiffany!

    "Hi, Tiffany." I answer, a smile slowly growing across my face. She called me, I think with ludicrous happiness.

      "Hey. Where are you?"

      "I'm at the student center."

      "Oh. That meet and greet thing they have at the beginning of every term. Well, we're having a little gathering here at the comic book store ... if you want to come. You don't have to come. I just thought I'd invite you just in case you're interested, but you're probably not interested. Somebody's made everybody tea since it's getting colder outside. But it's okay if you don't want to come." she rambles.

      I wait for her to have a long enough break before I speak. I still feel like I'm interrupting when I say, "Of course I'll head over that way." All you had to do was ask.

     "You will?!" she almost squeaks. "Awesome. See you soon. Ciao." she says.

     I laugh a little and say "Ciao" right back at her. Cute.

    I walk in and Tiffany immediately spots me as she walks out of the bathroom. She looks happy to see me.

    She bounds over to me and throws her arms around my neck in an unexpected display of affection.

    Oh nice, I think and wrap my arms around her waist as she says, "Thanks for coming."

    She pulls away too soon, looking a little embarrassed.

    "All you had to do was ask." I say my earlier thought.

    "Sorry." she says, and I feel confused.

    "What for?"

    "For um, flying at you like that."

    I can't keep my smile from getting extra-wide as I tell her, "You can fly at me anytime you want." I'm thrilled when she blushes scarlet. She should wear less makeup. Her natural beauty is hidden under all that caked-on, glorified dirt.

    "It was presumptuous of me." she says quietly.

    I've figured out that I have to be very sneaky when it comes to flirting with Tiffany. After all, I discovered on our first meeting that she doesn't 'put up with that'. I can never really figure out if she's interested in me or not because she constantly sends me mixed signals. Sometimes I wonder why I bother, but then I always come back for more.

     "It wasn't presumptuous. It was nice. I liked it." I say with a small smile and get a thrill when she blushes again. I remind myself that she invited me over here, and I have to wonder why.

    She looks to be about ready to die of embarrassment, so I keep talking to hopefully steer this conversation in the direction I want it to go. "So how was your break? I thought about you a lot, and I wished that I hadn't had to turn in that sketch or that at least I'd made a copy." That won't help her feel less embarrassed, Donovan. Oh well.
     "It was okay I guess. I just studied, and earlier this afternoon, I took an exam to see if I can skip another half-year so that I can fully be a junior... like you." she states, sounding more confident with every syllable until the last two words. "Although, I don't know what I was thinking. Now there might be the possibility that you'll sit there staring at me in every class."

     She stops her rant with a very quick intake of air and looks like she wants to eat back the words she just spoke.
      I decide to use it. "But I like staring at you."
      She lets out two huffs and asks, "Why? You drive me crazy, and I can't concentrate."
      Time to go in for the kill. "Because I think you're beautiful."
       I love this! I never used to flirt like this in high school. It just never occurred to me to do it. She's at a complete loss for words. I reach up and brush a pretend strand of hair out of her face just so I can touch her as I 'tuck it behind her ear'. I don't know where I got that idea from, but it works.

     Since she's stopped talking, I decide to talk more. "You don't think you're beautiful? Why do you think I stare at you and wanted to draw you?" I am relishing the upper hand I have.
      "Well... you had an assignment due and... well... I was a bitch to you when you first asked me, and I felt bad about it." I feel my eyebrows raise as I wait for a real answer to my question. She huffs a little again and answers, "No. I don't."
      Not even having the pretend pretense of hairs to brush out of her face this time, I cup her face in my hands before I say, "I have to disagree." My face is now inches from hers, and she has her eyes averted off to the side like she's too nervous to even look at me. I wait to see what she'll do next. When she cuts those beautiful sapphires over to me, she has 'kiss me' written all over her face.

    Going with the moment, I move in and kiss her. She jumps for a second before her arms go around me, and she kisses me back.
     I love the way she feels in my arms!
     To be perfectly honest, I did not expect her to let me kiss her. I won't be too surprised if she slaps me at the end of this, but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.
     She acts like she wants to pull away in shock, but I cup the back of her head in my hand and make it last at least a little bit longer.

    "Donovan, people could be watching us!" she whispers harshly.
    At least she isn't slapping me. "So what?" I ask with a small smile, watching her beautiful sapphires look around wildly.
     "People don't do this kind of stuff here!" she again whispers.
     I want to kiss her again. "Then let's change that."

      She wilts in my arms. I guess she doesn't care anymore if anyone is watching. I really think nobody cares because they're all busy with their own things -- whatever those may be.
      'What about Willow?' a small voice in my head asks.
      We're not going steady. Besides, I like Tiffany too, and I'm not passing up this opportunity.
      Her mouth is delicious.
      She's shaking. Maybe I've pushed it a little too far.
      I pull back and smile a little as I watch her try to focus.
      She mumbles, "You mentioned once wanting to take me to dinner. The diner is right next door."
      My smile widens as I say, "Then what are we waiting for?"
      We go next door, and I'm happy to find out more about her. She is an only child, and her parents divorced when she was still a child. I love watching her eyes widen when I tell her I'm the third child of six. She says something like 'three is the magic number' that I don't understand but find funny.

     When we walk out, I have to touch her face again as I say, "Thank you for taking me to dinner."
     "How can you say that when you refused to let me pay?" she asks while brushing my hand away. I turn that around on her and capture her hand.
     I laugh quietly before I say, "Well, thank you for letting me take you to dinner." I pull her hand up and kiss her fingers, making sure to maintain eye contact.

     "So, Donovan, what does this mean?" she asks after she nervously jerks her hand away. I love how she does her "v's".
     "What exactly?"
     "This!"
     I smile at her mildly-annoyed expression and guess at what she means. "This was me taking you to dinner."
     "And you kissed me."
     "Because I wanted to." She starts to look mad, so I say, "Because I like you, Tiffany. I thought that was obvious." She looks like she needed to hear that.

     "Okay." she breathes. "I like you too." I smile, and she asks, "So, maybe I'll see you tomorrow?"
     I nod my head. "Yes. I don't doubt you passed that exam. Maybe we'll have all our classes together so that I can stare at you always."
     "Oh no." she nearly whines and hides her face behind her hands.
     I pull her hands apart and kiss her once more, sweetly, before I tell her I'll see her tomorrow. Somehow. I hope.
       'Willow?' the little voice asks.
       Perhaps I'll see her tomorrow too.
       As I walk back to my dorm, I think about how right now Willow is probably getting friendly with her new roommates. I feel irritated at the irrational jealousy that courses through my veins. After all, I just went on a date with another girl.

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Don Robles has a naughty rep. Big surprise.

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