Decoded

D & V

Friday, October 14th 9:00am

Something was off about today, that was exactly how Denise felt when she woke up this morning. Sure, everything felt normal, everything was in its own place and nothing was out of order but she had felt that something was wrong.

This was not something that was unusual for Denise, when she arrived to the small town of Altaven she had felt the very same way she had felt now. She thought nothing of it because her mother had lived here and she always expressed that it was the best time in her life, so why did she not feel the same? Everyone's experiences are different she thought maybe it wasn't meant to be hers.

Denise, preparing for her second year of college crawled out of bed in her relatively new apartment. She had used her own money to put a deposit down and she had finally felt financially independent. Even though the apartment wasn't as nice as the ones across town she was happy none the less.
Her mother wasn't fond of her moving on her own pleading with her "well, if it doesn't work out you can always move back on campus" or to her, even better "just come move back in with me!" Denise didn't despise her mother but more thought of her as an annoying afterthought. But then again everyone and everything annoyed her. She can undoubtedly blame that on her depression

Denise had a problem with time management, she admits that she is always late no matter what time she wakes up. It has absolutely gotten her in more trouble than not, so when she realizes the time is 9:00 and that her first class started at 8:30 she starts to panic. She throws on clothes shes not sure that are clean or dirty grabs her bag and bolts out the door almost forgetting to lock it behind

Speed walking as fast as she can she speeds  four blocks over to the campus shuttle that would take her to the building that she needs to be in.

After a while she makes it there and there's an hour of the class left to go. Advanced mathematics, the one thing she hates but is the only thing she's good at.

Denise makes her way in and takes her place where she usually sits, in the back of the lecture hall by herself. The lesson goes on nobody taking notice that she was even late in the first place, and that's how she liked it.

"Hey can you help me out with this?" Whispering from two rows ahead but not really whispering was Vanessa Walker.
Blonde and beautiful. Way out of Denise's league and she knew better then to think otherwise. The overly cheerful Vanessa has never been good at math and that's why for the past year of college, ever since she found out Denise was a math mastermind she's made it a point to find out which class Denise would be attending. Hence why she is now in Advanced mathematics.

"Why do you constantly ask me for help when you have a phone that can help you?" Vanessa smiles not picking up on Denise's blatant distaste for her questions "Google isn't gonna explain how you would Denise" Vanessa started  "sure it'll give me the answer but, I do need to try and understand, and you are good at making it easy for me to get"
Denise finding it hard to resist Vanessa's charm as per usual gestured her over to the seat next to her so she could explain what they were working on.
After having shown Vanessa the how to on basic trigonometry and having her demonstrate at least 7 times she's finally ready to tackle the beast of problems they were assigned as homework.
"I know I say this to you all the time but I really appreciate you helping me again D"
Denise nods her head at Vanessa "you're welcome V"
Although it isn't obvious, Vanessa is as close to a friend that Denise will tolerate. after being disappointed by so many people Denise doesn't take to many people so she considers her a friend, although she doesn't know if Vanessa considers her a friend.

As class is over and everyone is leaving their seats Vanessa is also collecting her things to leave
"Hey D?" Denise looks up from her phone
"What?" Denise looks up to Vanessa
"I don't know if you have anything to do after this, but do you wanna go to the library to study?"
Vanessa didn't notice this but Denise cracked a small smile, even though Vanessa was sometimes annoying in her eyes she enjoyed their time studying together. "Yeah, let's go" Vanessa smiled at her response excited to have a study partner that would actually study and not mess around "great! Let's grab something to eat before we go though I can tell you didn't have much time for breakfast this morning" Denise scoffed at Vanessas comment not sure how she knew that she hadn't had breakfast
"Should I even ask how you know that?" Vanessa shook her head indicating that Denise should shut up "it's my treat this time"
Something that Vanessa appreciated about Denise was that she knew that Vanessa was well off, but Denise didn't even care if Vanessa did or didn't wash her ass at night so she definitely didn't care about money.
"You pay for us all the time what if I want to treat you for once?" Vanessa looked at Denise like she was crazy for even bringing that up "how much money do you have in your bank account?" Denise chucked because Vanessa does this all the time and she finds it comical "I have twenty dollars" the blonde crossed her arms with attitude "hey I never said it was gonna be anything expensive, we always go the the same spot anyways"

Paula's, a popular spot in Altaven. They serve cheap delicious food that makes you want to use the bathroom and continue eating at the same time. Everyone in town has eaten there at least once, and everyone loves the owner Paula Rheem. Paula has been living in Altaven for far longer than anyone anticipated but the towns residents love her nonetheless, sometimes she still even takes orders running to and from inside the bustling eatery. 

"What can I get cha' today ladies?" Paula asks the two young college students sitting in their regular spot in the diner. They sit in the same tattered booth with duct tape on the side, Staying close to but not next to each other insuring that neither of them got uncomfortable "we'll take the usual Paulie" the old lady smiles taking down their order then waddling away "so my dear Denise what's the topic of our pre study buddy lunch date today?" Vanessa tried to start their usual thread of conversation but Denise wasn't listening. She had found herself back to this morning where she had felt weird, like something was gonna happen. She bounced her knee up and down letting her thoughts of worry take control, and from there she zoned out. Vanessa was probably one of very few people that could snap her out of her worry wart state. Vanessa took her hand and gently placed it on top of Denise's fist. Her slight touch was enough to bring Denise back to reality and to make her blush enough for the whole diner to see "What's going on with you?" Denise wonders if it's worth it to say anything to her, she knows that Vanessa is a very kind and understanding person but she can't stand but to be careful around those types of people, they're the ones that have hurt her the most. "You can talk to me if you need to, but I'm not going to pressure you if you don't want to or aren't comfortable with it" Denise nods her head and puts up a smile getting ready to change the subject matter "let's talk about you instead, I always like hearing about what your parent have you doing on the weekends" Vanessa sighs then smiles frustrated that Denise doesn't feel comfortable enough to talk to her about her problems, they've been friends for almost a year now, studying almost every Friday and she still doesn't see her as a friend? That hurt Vanessa deeply but she's not one to give up on people she cares about "Well this weekend the parents have me going with them to golf with their business partners in the city, they have a son they want me to meet" Denise twists her face to show her disgust "yuck, are they trying to set you up again?" Vanessa laughed at her friends antics "yeah, I think I've tried everything to fuck it up for them but they don't seem to get the hint"

Just then the girls food arrives, they start to dig in immediately "are they all men?" Denise questions while eating her eggs "yeah" then it goes silent for a while till Denise speaks up "why don't you just tell your parents?" Vanessa finally looks up from her plate "I can't Denise, you know this" Denise stops eating to put her hand on Vanessa's stopping her from eating "You shouldn't have to hide Vanessa you are too beautiful to be stuck in the closet when you could be out, I just want you-" Vanessa cuts her off pulling her hand away with her "stop Denise" Vanessa takes a deep breath before continuing "I can't disappoint my family" You could see the tears try to come from her eyes, Denise could feel the sadness coming from Vanessa "you're just gonna live your life the way that want it?" Denise tried to hold in her feelings but she hated seeing Vanessa hurt like this, and this isn't the first time they've had this conversation. Vanessa's parents have made it clear to her that if she was ever to lead a life being gay that they would disown her and threaten to end her life. "You're 23 and letting your shitty parents determine that you can't love whoever you want!? Respectfully that's bullshit Vanessa" Denise starts to gather her things to leave, all the other diners looking upon the two students. a face of panic found its way on Vanessa's face. They had disagreements on certain smaller things but never like this. This felt like it would last forever and that scared Vanessa "where are you going?! Don't leave!" But Denise was already out the door

Thoughts ran through Denise's head uncontrollably.
Doesn't she know I want the best for her? Am I wrong for caring?
We're not even friends so why should I care what happens to her?
She didn't even come after me..but why should she? I'm just her math tutor in her eyes.
She doesn't even care about you.
Why am I so damn sensitive?
Everyone hates me.
I shouldn't be surprised this is happening to me.
It's all your fault.

Denise wipes her eyes and nose on her dirty sweater watching the people pass by stare at her with concern. She feels her anxiety start up  from it and itches her hands in result.

Out of nowhere Denise's phone vibrates.  Getting a text from an unknown number isn't uncommon for Denise as she doesn't save numbers in her phone as the outcome of not knowing too many people. Denise stops at a bench on the street to sit at and calm her nerves and check her phone, secretly hoping that it was Vanessa on the other end

+612-333-4540:

Good Afternoon Children,
It seems like a good time now then not.
Lecture Hall 3150
Tomorrow @ 16:30
Be there or be punished.