Code Switching

The results of their initial surveys of the research participants were starting to come back, and Kelly became so immersed in going through them that most of a day had passed before she started to think about class in the morning. She had her usual lesson plans, but… she felt different, somehow, and just proceeding by rote seemed like a waste, in more ways than one.

So, the next day, she told her increasingly scantily clad Sociology 101 class that “today we’re going to talk about Code Switching.”

“I can tell from some of your blank stares that you haven’t all been doing the reading,” Kelly continued from the lectern at the front of her class. “Who can tell me what that is? Yes, Miss Kozlowski?”

Emma, again topless except for pasties in the back of the room, lowered her hand. “It’s when someone changes how they talk or act based on the situation. Like when a second-generation immigrant might speak one language with their parents at home and another with their friends at school.”

“That’s right,” said Kelly. “It’s important to keep Code Switching in mind from a sociological perspective because it means you might find differing data from the same subject due to subtle differences in the social situation. And also keep in mind that Code Switching itself can be subtle. Sometimes it could be something easily observable, like a person switching between Spanish and English depending on who they’re talking to. But it can also be less obvious. And even if you’re not aware of it, I can tell you for certain that every single person in this room does it.”

The Film major with blue hair and tattoos raised her hand. “Yes, Liz,” Kelly called on her.

“I understand what you’re saying and why this is important, I think,” the girl said. “But I don’t think it’s true that we all do it. Like, I really try to be the same person with everyone, no matter who they are. Being authentically myself is really important to me.”

“That’s an interesting point,” Kelly said, “but I think it’s important to note that this isn’t a value judgment. If we act differently with our grandparents than we do at a party with our friends, it could be because we want to make both of those sets of people more comfortable around us. And both of these people are authentically ‘us’, it’s not about being ‘real’ or ‘fake’. But… maybe it would be easier if we had a demonstration. Since you so graciously volunteered, Liz, why don’t you come up to the front of the class?”

After looking at the other students around her, who all studiously avoided catching her eye, Liz sighed, stood up, and walked forward to stand next to Kelly by the lectern. It was another hot day, and like Emma and several of their other female classmates, Liz’s small but perfectly shaped tits were basically naked, with just two X marks over her nipples that looked like they had been made from black electrical tape. She was rail thin, with a stud in her nose. She wore a black skirt that barely covered her pert ass. Kelly could vividly recall seeing this girl getting fucked by both men and women on BluTube. Very vividly.

“Ok,” Kelly said. “Let’s say you’re at a… oh, let’s say a networking event. I’m someone who you know might fund your next project. You walk up to me and want to try to start a conversation. How do you greet me?”

Liz stuck out her hand toward Kelly in a somewhat perfunctory manner.

“Well, I’m not funding your project now,” Kelly commented. “I’m serious. Let’s have some fun, do some role playing. How would you really greet me?”

With (somewhat) more enthusiasm, Liz said, “Hi, I’m Liz Felton. It’s very nice to meet you.” She put out her hand again, and this time Kelly took it and shook.

“Nice to meet you too, Liz.” Then Kelly wiped a hand in front of her face from top to bottom and said, “Aaand scene.” This received sporadic laughter from the class.

She turned back to Liz and said, “Now, new scenario. I’m your friend, you happen to run into me while you’re out with other friends at a bar. Greet me like you would them.”

Liz hesitated. “I…” She lowered her voice to try to talk just to Kelly. “Are you sure?”

“I assure you, you cannot shock me,” Kelly replied. “Remember, I want you to be yourself.”

Liz let out a long breath. “Ok, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She then stepped forward, took Kelly by the shoulders, and kissed her. Kelly kissed her back, hard. Liz was clearly a little bit surprised by how receptive her professor was. She opened her mouth, and Kelly’s tongue slipped in.

Kelly felt Liz’s hand straying as their lips and tongues continued to explore each other. It moved onto her ass, groping her. Her own hands found themselves on her blue-haired student’s lower back, feeling the bumps of her spine. She enjoyed the feeling of Liz’s soft lips on hers, of her fingers running over her pale skin, and definitely the knowledge that everyone in her class was watching her, and that a lot of them probably wanted her.

It was Liz who pulled back after several seconds, breathing a little bit harder than usual. She licked her lips, then quietly said, “Hi, how’s it going?”

“Really good,” Kelly replied, without breaking character. “You’re looking really slutty, by the way.”

“Thanks!” Liz immediately responded, without thinking. “You too!”

Kelly licked her lips, still tasting Liz’s dark lipstick, as she turned back to the classroom. All of her students were now dead quiet, paying close attention. “The point is, Code Switching is important to keep in mind all the time as a sociologist, even if you’re not looking at, say, a minority community, or one that speaks a different language. And you’re probably doing it all the time yourself, whether you realize it or not.”

She turned back to Liz. “Thanks so much for being a good sport, you can go sit down.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Liz said breathily, then went back to her seat.

“Let’s do some more role playing,” Kelly said. “This time I’m looking for a guy. Any volunteers?”

Every boy in her class raised his hand.

The class was actually over before she knew it. She felt lighter, somehow, and for once, she felt like her students were actually paying attention. She mostly stepped back after her initial demonstration, partnering up her students. She just gave them situations and let them take the lead. If, at one point, Clarissa Bonner stuck her hand down Bryan DeRosa’s pants in order to test his dick size in front of the class, that was not her fault at all. It was just a bonus.

After class, Emma took an extra long time put her laptop away, perhaps on purpose, and ended up as the last student in the classroom. She walked up to Kelly at the front of the room and, without saying anything, gave her professor a big kiss with lots of tongue. Kelly melted into her a little. As they continued swapping spit, Emma slipped a hand inside Kelly’s top, feeling her tit. Kelly groaned slightly before the kiss ended.

“Hi,” Emma said with a sly grin.

“Hi,” Kelly replied, also smiling. “So, how am I doing with the whole embedding myself in the culture idea?”

“Pretty good, Doc,” Emma said.

Kelly tried to readjust her rumpled top. She had basically worn one of her usual pantsuits, though she had left several of the buttons on her top unbuttoned. “I actually had a favor to ask you. I don’t really have any clothes that work for what I want, which is to feel like I’m really getting what it’s like to be one of you, you know?” She looked at Emma, who was again wearing just small pasties over her nipples and an extremely short skirt. “Maybe not quite what you’re wearing, but… maybe there’s some middle ground here?”

“Are you asking me to come clothes shopping with you, Doc?” Emma considered this. “I’m down, but again, I’m really not sure I’m the person to ask about this stuff. You know who would be super into this is my roommate Carmen. Is it OK if I bring her? As, like, a consultant?”

“Certainly,” Kelly replied. “I really appreciate all of your help, Miss Kozlowski."

“Great!” Emma said, flashing a toothy grin. “We’ll make a slut out of you yet, Doc!”

Then she grabbed Kelly’s ass, gave it a quick squeeze, and walked out of the classroom.