Que sera, sera - whatever will be will be

[shadows_have_offended]

The news took a while to settle and, honestly, Neil still isn't entirely sure what to do with the knowledge. He's a college student now--or, rather, will be in September. He doesn't sign up for classes for months yet, but he's already looked over the catalog at least three times, trying to think what he'd like to do, now that he knows what he wants to do. It's all a huge relief, in a way. Maybe he can do Shakespeare in the Park again this summer. Maybe things will start to shape up more brightly.

In any case, he's celebrating. He sent out texts to all his friends, promising music and drinks and food--and a dog--to be shared by all. He tidied up a little, even, not that his apartment is ever very out of order in the first place. He doesn't really know how to decorate for a party like this, so he doesn't bother. Just makes sure there's lots of food and that the drinks are neatly arranged and that Beau's crate is set up in the bedroom, covered but open, so he can disappear if he'd like to.

He's not sure who all will come, but that doesn't really matter. He's just excited that he got in. It's the next step in his life, and it's his own step. That deserves to be celebrated no matter what.

Comments

[outofspace]

It is, Therese has to admit, just a bit of a relief to come across someone else she knows here. Given that she would hardly consider herself social, she wouldn't have expected much in the way of that as it is, but she can't pretend it isn't a little awkward to be in a room that, Neil aside, is mostly full of strangers. So when she sees Gabriel, she smiles, making sure he doesn't look occupied before she makes her way over. Chances are, she's always going to be a little out of place in situations like this, but she is, at least, making an effort.

"Gabriel, hi," she says. "How have you been? It feels like it's been a while."

[asoncalledgabriel]

Gabriel smiles when he sees Therese, relieved. It's not that he doesn't know anyone else here - he does, a little - but she's a welcome face. He's lingering off to the side himself and he finds himself grateful for the company.

"I'm well enough, and it feels like it's been ages," he says with a little laugh. "But I'm alright. Knee-deep in a new semester and slogging through. How have you been?"

[outofspace]

"I've been alright, too," Therese says, nodding slightly as she smiles. Things have been quiet lately, but as far as she's concerned, that's a good thing. For one, she knows what eventful tends to be like in Darrow, and she would rather avoid that when at all possible. She's never been one for too much excitement anyway. A party like this is about as close as she wants to get, in no small part because it's for a friend having received good news.

"Working steadily, nothing too crazy happening, which is always nice. Around here, I think uneventful is a good thing."

[asoncalledgabriel]

"I'm starting to think the same, honestly. A bit of quiet for as long as it lasts is rather a comfort."

He's had a rough turn but it's nothing to do with Darrow, he thinks. Gabriel doesn't really know where it came from, but he's past it, as past it as he can be.

"I'm actually counting the days til summer break," he admits with a wry smile. "The semester's been strong but Christ, I could do with more sleep."

[outofspace]

The way he phrases it, saying as long as it lasts, is probably more accurate than her own statement. Therese knows perfectly well, after all, that something will disrupt this quiet spell sooner or later. That's just the way of things here. It also seems like all the more reason to enjoy this while she can, too aware that they're lucky to have this reprieve.

"I can't say I blame you," she says, quietly grateful that she at least doesn't have to worry about that. "They must be giving you a lot of work to do."