Chapter Seven: New Hobbies, New Skills and New Friends.

 

In her second year Lindsay took an elective in Robotics.  The course was a curious crossover between engineering and the mechanics of humanoid bodies.  The brainchild of one of the professors, the study was designed to entice students from both computer and biological based fields and get them talking.  Lindsay was hooked almost immediately.

Given her new interests, Lindsay quit the soccer team.  Though she did take up yoga as an alternative.  She wasn't very good at first.

And there were always other ways to stay active.  Lindsay loved the warmer months when she could spend time outdoors.

Lindsay made new friends.   Kylee was a bit of a computer geek and a vegetarian to boot, but Lindsay didn't hold that against her.   She had the best laugh and because she loved dancing, Kylee almost always knew about the next big party.

"San Myshuno is hosting the Humor and Hijinks festival this weekend" Kylee chirped "You HAVE to come!"

"Isn't that practical jokers and fireworks?" Lindsay asked with a groan "Doesn't sound like your scene.  Or mine."

"It's the best" Kylee protested "They have these teas.  I don't know what they put in them, but they only do it once a year.  Everyone says it gives you such a buzz...   Totally legal." Kylee was quick to add at Lindsay's frown "And anyway some of the best people are there.   Any number of young bigwigs come to let loose.  You have to come."  Kylee repeated.

In the end, Kylee wore down Lindsay's resistance.  They found themselves in the brightly lit city square and even at the same table as Lily Feng, CEO and wife of Victor Feng.

"Stop, you're killing me." Kylee cried, holding up a hand in response to some story Lily had just told them.   Lily laughed, a sweet sound like merry-bells while Kylee chortled.  At least she was having a good time.

It took Lindsay a little longer to unwind.  When she did, she found herself admiring the tattooed arms and chiseled jaw of Diego Lobo; up and coming fashion critic to the stars. 

"Hey sweet thing" he drawled unleashing a kilowatt smile.

The effects of the tea meant Lindsay was a bit less inhibited than usual.  "Hey" she responded with a smile of her own.  And while she would never use it in the cold light of day, by the end of the night Lindsay had Diego's phone number.

While Diego and Lindsay obviously moved in two different worlds, the encounter was the start of Lindsay dating.  Shingo was an e-sports enthusiast studying computer science.  He took Lindsay to a Britechester restaurant specializing in 'experimental' dishes.   The meal was overly spicy and they didn't exactly connect.  In fact, the main thing she learnt from her outing with Shingo was that she had little patience for video games.

Then Lindsay met Paris Masterson.  Another computer science major, Paris was more into the programming and engineering side of things.  They got to talking while preparing the Christmas tree that December.  Now, Lindsay was not the sort to have known she liked girls from a young age but something about Paris was magnetic.  Decorating the tree led to coffee.   Coffee eventually led to drinks.

And by the New Year, drinks led to slow dancing in the middle of Peppers Pub.

To the normally shy and reclusive Lindsay, it was like there were no other patrons in the bar at all.

Of course, there were.   A highly embarrassed Lindsay started to have words with herself in the bathroom mirror.  Deep breath.  It's not that bad.  Lots of shows and stories have same sex couples these days.   No big deal.  Besides people come to the bar to drink, they're probably too busy with their own dramas.   The bathroom door clicked open and closed.

"Linds?" Paris came up behind her.

"Mmm." Lindsay murmured noncommittally.

"We can go if you want" Paris said comfortingly. "No need to stay for the countdown."

"No." Lindsay steeled herself "I'm good.  It's almost midnight."

"Alright" Paris smiled, searching Lindsay's face "but we'll have a talk later, okay?" and with that Paris took Lindsay's hand and lead her back out to the pub floor.

But they were kept so busy with third and last year term papers, lectures and presentations that they never did get around to talking about their relationship.