They had a lot of options and time for their first move considering that if they made any move at all, it would count as getting ahead due to the fact that it seemed as though a lot of students were taking it easy.
Alice turned to her group mates after looking at the students lying on the grass a little while longer and fiddled with the microphone in her hand. "Which building do you think we should head into?"
Claudia hummed. "Well, the underclassmen building is the Stafford building, but it might be really busy there. It would be best to just go to Carver Hall to find the underclassmen who are lurking around there."
Alice snapped her fingers. "Wait, you're so right."
Claudia looped her arm through Alice's. "It would justify us going over there for a little break too."
"That I don't mind," Alice grinned. "However, I feel like the line of underclassmen will be slim there."
"It will be fine," Claudia answered with much enthusiasm that was spreading over to Alice. "They are the real ones if they're over there."
Alice caught her chin in between her thumb and pointer finger. "I would have to agree."
"Yeah since the real ones like you would sneak over there every now and then," Claudia pipped in.
She paused. "Um, yes?"
Claudia tried holding in her laugh but eventually failed when her eyes widened in realizing that she stepped onto her best friend's landmine in Alice's opinion or jackpot for her. "I can't..."
There was another wheeze on Claudia's side, and Alice ended up rolling her eyes. "Claudia. Please."
"I wonder what you're up to during that free period..."
Alice held her breath not wanting to say since she knew that Claudia likely had an inkling that she was sneaking out for a reason which was not true at all. During that time, she just went up to the rooftop of Carver Hall. With the company of Noah. Not that they were ever doing anything of course.
When Alice had time, she would go and have lunch, eventually disturb Noah's nap, and they would watch a show before Alice had to head back. It was a routine that Alice kind of sunk in, and she didn't want to share that little piece with Claudia. Once again, not that it was anything important to share of course.
"Nothing. Just lunch," Alice said crisply to end that conversation train which Claudia only snickered at in response.
She didn't know what the boys ahead were talking so intently about for them to practically leave her and Claudia in the dust, but Alice gave Claudia an amused glance for Claudia only to shake her head.
Alice could tell that Claudia was doing fine, but she thought to ask to check in with her just in case there was anything that couldn't be said since Rowan would often be bursting that bubble.
"How are feeling?" Alice asked lightly.
Claudia grinned. "I'm feeling good. It's a nice breath of fresh air for this project, so I'm not complaining. Like a little break in our studies to run around campus."
"No, I'm asking how are you feeling about being in a group with him?"
Claudia didn't even need an explanation as to why the topic was brought up and blew out a lengthy breath. "I mean, what can I even do about it? I'm happy to be with you so that right there is enough for me."
Alice grinned. "You're too sweet. I still don't know why you two have bad blood, because you both seem fine on the outside."
"He's just good at hiding his true colors," Claudia muttered making Alice laugh.
"I don't think he's that bad," Alice snorted. "But I applaud you for trying to be civil."
"Thank you for noticing my efforts," Claudia said primly, and Alice covered her burst of laughter again. "I thought that I might as well try to make the group work peacefully for both you and Noah."
"I got to say that Noah and I are getting along better," Alice admitted. "I just wish that I got over the awkwardness with him."
"That's all on you, girl," Claudia pointed out.
"Because there's just something about him that sets me on edge," Alice said slowly. "I don't know how to describe it at all."
Claudia patted her back. "I'm sure that you'll figure it out soon enough."
Alice raised her eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
Claudia shrugged. "I just know that with you Alice, if there is a will, there is a way."
Alice laughed. "Why did you say it like that."
"What? It's true," Claudia said as she spread out her arms comically.
Alice put her hands over her mouth to holler at the boys for them to come with them. "Hey, guys! Noah? Come back over here!"
Noah turned around after hearing her call out his name, his ears perked up like a dog only to be more like a black cat when he scowled at her, but the little meeting that he had with Rowan seemed to be over with another quick word they came back over to them nonchalantly making people nearby look over at them considering that they were both attractive and tall people.