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“ – which is how long you’ll have to complete this. Each of you have been given a project outline on a different coloured piece of paper. For this assignment you will be working in groups of twos or threes at random, with the other people who were given the same colour paper, so that…do not trade your papers!” The teacher was a substitute until their usual science teacher got back but despite being a substitute (or perhaps because she was one) she was especially sharp eyed. Miss Appleby liked to think she was strict but fair. She had let them work sitting as they pleased rather than checking the seating plan, let people scribble notes in whatever book they pleased, let them go ten minutes early on Friday. Now however she wanted random groups and by Shakespeare she’d get them!

“As I was saying, so that you have a chance to work with new people who may have a different way of seeing things. It is always worthwhile to gather new interpretations and points of view. Now, please switch seats so you’re with your group or partner.”

Imogen broke off doodling in the margins of her small notebook, which she kept with her class stuff just for doodling. If you must know, she’d written Gemini in elaborate script with a large question mark. Not quite her usual love hearts but the tartan wearing senshi was on her mind quite a bit these days, more than Imo'd ever admit. Far more than Sailor Badass was at any rate. Even if she couldn't remember exactly what the girl looked like, you don't forget the person who was there when you were attacked by your first monster. Destiny City had gotten so so weird while she'd been at Barren Pines and reading the news from the past year had not helped her much. Senshi so far didn't seem like evil terrorists and she'd seen actual real monsters, not people attacking while in costume...gave her quite a bit to think about. Especially now Fallon (dear Fallon she'd found again!) had said that she'd run into a senshi called Virgo. Good thing she'd brought that Zodiac sign book. Maybe she should tell Skye?

She looked around, letting thoughts of Senshi go. She was a bit lost because she’d been doodling, not taking notes on deadlines as she supposed Miss Appleby thought she’d been doing. But Imo quickly gathered her stuff anyway and stood up like everyone else was doing. She watched the other girls around her a bit bewildered for a second before she realised the bits of paper were what governed where people were moving to.

“Erm…anyone have green?”

“I think your desk had more room, so, want to move back there?” The way she tilted her head just a little to the side when she raised her hand in greeting was a habit she’d had all her life. And her last one.

“Hey Abeline.” Imogen gave the girl a smile as always. She’d been more than happy to see the other girl’s name on the survivors list she’d managed to get her mitts on at hospital, and to spot the bluenette at Crystal in her English class. But unlike Aggie and Fallon, the redhead hadn’t hugged her and fussed when they'd first met again. Abe had never seemed the type who’d appreciate that sort of thing. Instead, Imo had reverted back to her Barren Pines game plan when it came to Abeline Froust.

Be pleasant to her, let Abe call the shots on if and when they spoke, and doggedly wait to see if they became friends. Imogen had always hoped they would. Considering she’d never found Abe particularly approachable, she’d always kind of liked her anyway.

"Oh, thankyou?" Okay, that was possibly the most random comment - compliment? - she'd ever received in her life, especially since that little habit of tilting her head was completely involuntary. It was just something Imogen did without meaning to and it took her a moment the figure out what Abeline was talking about.

"I like your new ribbons." Imo complimented back with a smile, referring to how Abe had traded in Barren Pine's tartan for Crystal blue. They looked nicer with her hair in the redhead's opinion. The smile lost a little of its brightness when Abe seemed to be glaring at her, but, she had faith in perseverance. If she kept being pleasant surely, eventually...

As she slid into the spare seat, she dumped down her notebook then went ferreting about in her bag for a pen. The book flopped open to the last page. The words Gemini? and zodiac s. - gemini, virgo were rather obvious, the first doodled elaborately in the margin and the other written in a coloured gelpen alongside the black biro she usually wrote with. Quite innocent enough doodles.

Usually.

Imogen to be honest was too busy trying to get a measure of Abeline to see any of the others doodles. Only the word Aries might have caught her eye anyway, for she wasn't expecting anyone besides perhaps Fallon who'd seen Virgo to be writing thoughts on the newest group of Senshi on the block. Even though fellow Barren Pine's survivors, like Abe, seemed to see Senshi a lot.

Because Abeline was smiling at her. And looking at her from under her eyelashes. It was kind of weird since she didn't remember Abe ever paying her much attention before. Did she have something on her face?

While she turned to a fresh page to scribble down the notes from the board on what was expected of them all rather than the group specific instructions, she glanced at their green sheets.

"We got Shakespeare sonnet number...141? I sort of know this one. It was in that old film, the one with Heath Ledger in it when he was young. 10 Things I Hate About You. My friend likes it and it is explained in the film a bit so we have it easy if we rent the film to give us a starting point." She flashed Abe grin, inviting her to join the conspiracy - watch the film, get a good mark!

Appleby would have DIED to know Imogen's knowledge of the sonnet came from chick flick. She really would have.

"True, though I always thought that it was worth it." She countered, though she cast a sideways glance at the other girl as she wrote. Admittedly they'd never spent too much time together at Barren Pines - Abe had often been around Lucas and not to speak ill of the dead but Imo hadn't liked him - but something seemed weird here. Like Abe was preoccupied with something.

"Do you like popcorn?" If they were having a movie night, that was the first thing that popped into her mind. She'd always been very flexible when it came to plans after all and hey, she had wanted to know Abe better after all.

"Well, when do you want me to come over? 'Cos I'll grab us some snacks while I'm getting the DVD. The library probably has a copy for the film students." While Abe was hesitant, Imo was quick with her side of the conversation. She'd taken the bluenette's offer - order? - to watch the DVD at her house and was running with it. This could be that chance to get to know the other girl a bit better and besides, the movie did help explain the poem. It was also padded out generously either side with a teen romance that only featured one attractive (and sadly pissed off and aggressive) female character but hey, sacrifices had to be made in the quest for knowledge and understanding!

"You'll have to draw me a map or write me some directions if we're meeting up later." She added as the bell rang and people started to pack away.

"Thanks..and um, when should I come over?" She asked, tucking the note directions away into her bag and leaning against a desk nochalently. More relaxed around Abe than before now their plans were set.

"Whenever is good for you is fine by me. I'll adapt around it." I'll adapt around it, said an older Imogen with curling hair down to her waist, the length of it pulling it out of it's current natural ringlets. She lent against a wall, not a desk...another odd old memory that fell in sinc with girl in front of Abe. Got to be quite disconcerting for the poor girl and Imo had no idea how like her past self she could be. After all, she had no idea she had had a past life.

Now, Imo had to admit being stared at was making her sort of nervous. Abeline had always been a bit hard to approach but this was like she was personally annoyed at her. The glaring was getting sorta....but no. Imo was determined and when she was determined she never stopped. She wanted to get on with Abe and damnit she would!

"Sure! My roomate and I both go home on weekends anyway, so, I'll just grab my bag and head over to yours instead." She replied and tried to keep it light hearted, babbling on withouth much thought - "Thank goodness it's Friday, hm? I'm glad you don't want me to come over too late. I don't like to be out at night. Youma-monsters, y'know?"