Intermission - Fern’s new university life.

It was as close to a full reset as she could’ve had, really.

Having frozen a full semester, nearly all of Fernanda’s old classmates had gone on to their sophomore year while she had to catch up on her late freshman courses. Not that it was any loss, really. She wasn’t really friends with any of her old classmates. If anything, this was a chance to start fresh again.

Her therapist, Sarah’s dad, had told her to take things one at a time, and that’s what she had been doing. Since she had moved back in with her parents, she had the luxury to do so, and had started by cleaning her bedroom and keeping it tidy. It was… surprising how much it had improved her general mood. Even just laying on a made bed felt… good, right.

Now classes had started again, so after building some good habits at home, it was time to focus on her studies, right?

…

Problem was that focusing was a tall order when she couldn’t get the previous nights out of her head.

Even sitting there at her desk while the professor talked, everything he said went in one of her ears and out of the other, passing like ghosts through the very vivid images of the orgy at Oliver’s house.

Her heart was beating fast and she could feel herself growing ever so slightly moist between the legs. Not a good moment for it in the slightest, but she couldn’t help it.

She had sex in front of other women, with their boyfriend, then watched them do the same. She had watched the girls pleasuring each other and it had turned Fernanda on. They had shared the hut tub, the beds, the couches… She had fallen asleep with Mila on top of her, and the two shared a smile when they woke up.

Fernanda wanted it again. Not just sex with Oliver, but to spend time with everyone. Sexy time, fun time, relaxing time… In her 20 years, she had never felt more welcome outside her own home.

Class ended with Fernanda barely taking any notes, but she took solace in the fact that it was a history-related class, so she could just read up on her own later. There was, however, one major issue.

They were given an assignment due in two weeks. A group assignment.

Oh hell.

Groups were already forming. Those who’d formed some friendships in the first few days decided to work together, but since Fernanda didn’t really know anyone… She’d have to go out of her way and ask strangers if they wanted to work with her.

The assignment was about writing a 10-page essay on a chosen subject from a list of ancient classical art periods. She really would rather do the work alone since 10 pages wasn’t exactly all that much, but the reason the teacher wanted them to form groups was because the list of options wasn’t very long, and each group would choose one topic.

Fern grumbled to herself, knowing that the teacher just didn’t want to have to review 30 different essays.

That aside… Who to ask? HOW to ask? Fernanda could totally see Mila or Grace just walking up to a group and asking without issue.

“Hey, Fernanda, do you have a group yet?”

What the fuck?

Fernanda turned to look to her left and saw two girls standing there. One was short and a bit overweight, with dark brown hair tied into a bun and large, square glasses. The other was a harsh contrast, being taller and very skinny with long, curly auburn hair.

“They said groups of three people at a minimum, so… would you like to work together?” the tall girl asked.

“...”

Okay, shocking, yeah, but if she were to pass up or fumble this chance, Fernanda would actually beat herself up with a bat.

“Um… N-No, no. I don’t have a group. Sure, let’s work together,” Fernanda said, slowly centering herself. The two girls looked relieved for a moment, which was a surprise. Still, she had to ask because it WAS a little strange. “I… don’t think we’ve talked before, though.”

The two girls stiffened, and this time the shorter girls answered. “Ah! S-Sorry. We… happened to see one of your drawings in your notebook and thought it was really good. Then… we saw your name in the attendance list.” The professors would hand out a sheet of people for everyone to check their own attendance, and the list had everyone’s names, so… yeah, it tracked. “Is… that too weird?” the girl asked with a nervous grin.

Fernanda chuckled. “You know, I would’ve probably done the same.”

The two girls laughed with her.

“I’m Susan, by the way,” the short girls said.

“I’m Sara,” said the tall girl. It made Fernanda raise an eyebrow.

“Sarah? With an H at the end or without?” Fernanda asked.

“Without. Why?” Sara asked, seemingly just curious.

“Sorry, I have a… friend named Sarah. With an H at the end, haha.” Fernanda looked around and noticed that, while groups were forming, only a few of them had picked their topic. “So… Which era do you two want to choose for the essay?”

“I was thinking ancient Greece?” Susan said, looking to and from Sara and Fernanda.

“I’m okay with that,” Fernanda said.

“So am I,” Sara said.

“I’ll go tell the professor,” Susan said, going to the front of the classroom and.. leaving Sara and Fernanda alone for the moment.

“So… Sorry that we came out of nowhere,” Sara said with a wry smile.

“No, it’s fine. You saved me, really. I didn’t know who to do the work with,” Fernanda admitted, smiling back. “So thanks. But… why me?”

Ugh, she was doing so well so far, but the insecurities came crawling back to the surface and she asked before she realized it.

“So… Like Susan said, we saw your drawings. We like that same show, so… We figured why not?” Sara said, again with a nervous smile.

Now, this might sound dumb, but… that little interaction, talking while looking at Sara in the eyes made her realize… that not everybody has it all figured out, and that others can be pretty awkward at times, too.

You just… don’t have to let that stop you.

Maybe… Maybe this year really would be different.

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