Starting Over

Aerospace Major. Freshman.

[mellie-crowe]

Oh. Well, you tell them on your own time. I don’t see it as being cowardly. Honestly, had you come out then, I would have felt like you were being shoved out of the closet due to their views. Which wouldn’t be cool, would it? You have to make sure you’re in charge of the situation.

[the-new-scott-taylor]

I've never really been in charge of anything, so that could prove to be a problem. Even if I didn't come out right then, I still could've said something instead of just nodding and going along with it like a mute idiot.

[gabriel-drummond]

Like— really? [/he raised an eyebrow, smiling at the thought of it] Thanks God someone here knows this bloody candy! 

But honestly, with this accent I would believe in every single thing you may possibly tell me, mate. It just sounds like home.

[the-new-scott-taylor]

I'd say I know it quite well, I have some back in my dorm.

I could say the same to you. How long have you been at CBU?

[nicholas-mcquaid]

That’s bordering on adorable, actually. I imagine she’s quite tiny, then, yeah?

[the-new-scott-taylor]

Yep, she's exactly a foot shorter than me. You've probably seen her around, she's the one with the bright red hair. Well, actually her hair changes occasionally but it's most often red.

[mellie-crowe]

…Were you…please tell me I’m wrong. …Were you kicked out?

[the-new-scott-taylor]

-looks confused- Kicked out...? Oh, no, that's not it. Well, actually it's kind of the opposite of the problem. My family was here for a week and a half, and I didn't have the courage to come out to them. I was going to... but then they started talking about the new gay marriage laws and just the way they were talking about it... I couldn't. Which makes me feel like a coward.

[mellie-crowe]

I was just taking a stab with that word, was it right? Okay, so what makes you not fit into the category completely? Was your Christmas bad?

[the-new-scott-taylor]

I'd say you were pretty on point. I wouldn't say it was bad.. just kind of eye-opening.

[nicholas-mcquaid]

Wouldn’t doubt it. Thanks for the tip, though. I think I really damaged my Man Card with this one.

[the-new-scott-taylor]

Eh, Man Cards are completely overrated. I threw mine out the window when one of my best friends started calling me her 'teddy bear', and I'm still living a relatively happy existence.

[mellie-crowe]

…Hm. Are you happy? That’s what I define okay as, basically. In a state where nothing’s wrong and you may not exactly be ecstatic about something but you’re…placid? I guess?

[the-new-scott-taylor]

You should advertise as a walking dictionary. And if that's what you would call okay, then maybe I wouldn't exactly fit into that category... completely.

[nicholas-mcquaid]

Bloody cut myself trying to slice a bagel this morning.

[the-new-scott-taylor]

Sounds like you might be even clumsier than me, mate. I've heard that usually bagels can be cut with butter knives, just for future references.

[mellie-crowe]

See? I knew it. They all turn their back on me eventually. -tilts head- You okay? Your laugh wasn’t very…you.

[the-new-scott-taylor]

-shrugs- Define 'okay'.

[mellie-crowe]

You have three more years to do your homework. I know what it is, you just didn’t want to see me. I get it. You think you’re too cool for me now.

[the-new-scott-taylor]

-half-hearted laugh- Oh no, you've caught me. I, the coolest kid on campus, just couldn't stand being in your presence any longer.

[mellie-crowe]

I meant after we got back, genius. I’ve been all over the place but I never saw you. So you’ve been hiding.

[the-new-scott-taylor]

Maybe... Or I've been responsibly working on my homework. 

[mellie-crowe]

You’re not the first person to say that, I can assure you. It’s about time I see your face, stranger.

[the-new-scott-taylor]

My face has been on campus this whole time, you're the one who went gallivanting off for Christmas.

[flynn-winton]

[the-new-scott-taylor]

-looks over his shoulder- That's quite good.

[gabriel-drummond]

You realize you’ve got a problem when after a tropical storm all you can think about is: where in this bloody city do I find Maoams?

[the-new-scott-taylor]

-stares at him for a moment- Would you believe me if I said I was having the exact same thought?

[mellie-crowe]

God, I hate losing my voice. I sound like I’ve been deep throating a cactus.

[the-new-scott-taylor]

Now that's an interesting visual.

[cj-james]

It's Christmas!

[cj-james]

I know! It’s one of my many talents!

[the-new-scott-taylor]

It takes a smart man to recognize and acknowledge his talents. So what are you doing still on campus for Christmas?

[cj-james]

It's Christmas!

[the-new-scott-taylor]

Yes! You're certainly an observant one.