windandstorm | (no subject)

[October — almost November at this point, even — meant it was getting colder, but that didn't mean Ryan had to enjoy it. As it was, he was having a hard time justifying eating outside. Yes, he'd gotten into the habit after dealing with the campus foodcourt and its noisiness one too many times, but it might be nearing time to sacrifice his eardrums for the greater good. He'd already put all of his stuff down and unpacked his food, though, so there was no turning back today.

There had only been one table that still had chairs — even the bolt-and-chain the university attached couldn't keep enterprising students from taking them, though who knew why they thought they needed a black metal chair — and luckily it hadn't been under the guard of the squirrels. Even luckier, it was mostly protected from the wind and wasn't shaded by any trees in the process. If he was foolish enough to sit outside, at least he was in the best conditions possible.

A burst of noise as someone exited the nearby building made him further grateful that he'd decided to stay outside today. If it was really going to get colder, like every forecast he'd seen said, he should be enjoying the quiet as one of the last ones he'd get this semester, unless he wanted to miss his third class every other day so that he could go back to his room and eat.]

They should turn off the music so everyone won't have to talk over it.

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You're telling me. It's not even good music.

[She stopped behind him to give her slightly-accented response, having left the building as well and overheard that particular remark of his. Carrying a paper bag with stuff purchased from the food court, she was having difficulty keeping from dropping that, her messenger bag or the textbook in her arms as she tried to huddle up a bit more into her jacket.]

[He was surprised to hear a response, and even more surprised that he recognized who responded.]

Might be worse if it were good music, you'd never be able to hear it well enough. [He looked at her a little longer than was polite, half of his mind trying to place what class he'd seen her in and the other half admiring the particular way the sun was striking her hair. One day he'd find a good excuse to carry his camera around campus. He'd have to cut down on the amount of stuff he had with him otherwise, though. As it was, he'd risk damaging it just to keep it with him.]

But maybe if it were good enough, everyone else'd hush, hmm? [She shakes her head, laughing a bit.]

Sorry for just... invading. I dunno, I guess it's just one of those d-- [And as if on cue, fate decided she should drop her textbook. Onto her foot.] Ah--! Dammit. [She laughs again as she picks it up.] See what I mean?

[He had half stood by the time she'd picked up her book, and stepped toward her] Do you want to set something down? That looks like a lot to hold on to all at once.

Nah. It's okay! I was just... going to find somewhere to eat. [She sort of waved the paper bag around, though that nearly caused her to drop things again so she cut it out pretty fast. She gave him an awkward smile.]

Actually, could I just... sit here? If the seats aren't taken, or something.

Sure. [He stacked some of his books and moved them to the side, although there had been enough space for her beforehand] I'm surprised someone else wants to sit out here.

Better cold than noise.

[She grinned at him as she took a seat, placing her bag on the ground and her textbook on top of that. She pulled her food out of the paper bag -- a sandwich, a bag of chips and a can of apple juice. After that, she paused, looking rather like she was puzzling over an exceptionally hard riddle, before...]

... I'm sorry. I know we had a math class or two together, but I'm rotten with names. What's your name again?

Ryan Young. And I don't remember yours, either, so it's no big deal. [He busied himself with preparing his salad] You were in Barto's class. [a quick drink from his water bottle] I'm very glad I haven't had anything with him since then.

God, Barto. [She groaned and rolled her eyes.] Praise the Lord that I'm only a minor.

[She cracked open the can of juice.] Angela Murphy. I was the one in the back who understood the material perfectly until he did an example with it. [She gives him a nod and another smile.] Nice to... re-meet you?

[He couldn't help laughing]

That's better than most of the class. I still can't believe that the kid in the hoodie could come in and sleep every day.

Who, Alem? [She laughed as well.] He's in my major. He does it every class still. Dunno how he passes!

You're kidding? I'm surprised he made it through Barto's class without going deaf. It seemed like he'd get intentionally louder just to try and wake him up.

Maybe he's up too late going out, or something. [She shakes her head and "Tsk"s a few times, though she's clearly being sarcastic. As if the little smirk on her face wasn't giving that much of it away.] Nah, I don't really know the guy. He's just been in most of my classes. The chemistry department's much smaller than you'd think, once all the premed people are done with it and gone.

[She looks like she's going to continue, but stops herself with a sheepish smile.] Don't let me talk your ears off, Ryan. Or let me make you late for anything.

I don't have class for another two hours, and I didn't have anything to do with my time anyway. What's it like, being a chemistry major?

Pretty rough, not gonna lie. [She shrugs a shoulder.] And what's it like being a math major?

It isn't terrible. I'm just glad I'm almost done with all of my labs. [munching on his salad~] Are you a math minor, or did you need that class for a prerequisite?

I'm a minor. [She laughs faintly, a little sheepish.] That's not going quite as well.

It isn't? What are you having trouble with?

I'm taking the intro class for differential equations. [She makes a face.] The professor barely speaks English, quizzes us every class period, and the homework is impossible. His office hours are when I have other classes, too, so I can't exactly go to him for help... [She bites her lip. It's obvious that this particular issue has been at the forefront of her mind lately.]

You must have Mintz. Does your section have a TA? They might be able to help. My differential equations class was with O'Kane, so it wasn't as bad, but I've heard his class is a terror. Do you happen to have what you're working on now with you?

Yeah, it's Mintz. Who, of course, doesn't believe in TA's. O'Kane's section conflicted with my physical chem class. [She sighs and grabs her textbook -- the one she'd dropped earlier, actually -- and flips it open to the page holding at least ten sheets of legal pad paper.]

These two pages [She pulls them out and puts them closer to him] are the notes from this morning's class. If... you can make sense of them and just explain it to me, I'll owe yah. Lots. ... And you don't have to do this if you don't want to, I won't blame yah.

[He lays the pages out so he can look at them, and reads through, munching his lunch thoughtfully... After looking over the sheets once, quickly, he gives up on his lunch for the moment and points to random pieces as he reads it again, trying to piece it all together.]

[She would never admit it out loud, but the silence makes her nervous. She begins thumbing through the rest of the sheets: old notes and vague attempts at the impossible homework problems. She sips at her juice, but her lunch goes untouched for the time being. When Angela focuses, all else is nothing.]