How Green Becomes Wood

"Typically colleges want all first years to live on campus," Sloan replied, "I haven't picked any schools yet. I've said before it really depends on what universities want me on their team. Right now a few schools seem sort of interested, but nothing's a sure thing yet."
 
"I know you've said that you haven't picked a school, I was wondering about the schools you were looking at that required you to live there," Alec said patiently. "Looks like I'll have to brush up on my school knowledge."

Xander scowled. "No way in hell am I spending a year living on campus if I live within commuting distance. That sounds like a weird cult rule. 'You can only learn what we have to offer if you live in our housing surrounded by our people and your peers that are all in the same situation as you.' Ha. No. It's creepy."
 
"Basically all of the ones I know," Sloan shrugged, "New York, Baltimore, and Penn State are all kind of looking at me. So is Washington, I think. But nothing is official yet. And I think why they like first years on campus is because it means they get more money."
 
"I wonder if little community colleges are like that? Do we have one around here?" Alec mused.

"I dunno. I'm not going to college," Xander stated. He drained his mug and eyed it sadly. No more hot chocolate.

Alec looked at him in surprise. "Really? Still? Even after the grade thing?"

"Really," Xander stated. He glanced at Sloan. "Not that I'm saying you shouldn't or college is bad or anything. Just not my choice."
 
"We have a community college," Sloan told them, "It's a pretty good one, too. But it doesn't have dorms, so you literally can't live on campus. At least not legally. I think most community colleges don't have dorms."
 
"I've been thinking about colleges and stuff, and I know I have time, but it is something I want to go for," Alec said. He drank the last of his hot cocoa and put the cup in the sink. "That's about as far as I've gotten. But this probably isn't something you want to talk about for the bazillionth time. How's your snowman game?"
 
Sloan glanced at him, both surprised by the change in opinion and impressed by him choosing something contrary to his brother's opinion without trying to hide it, but all she said was, "You've still got a bit of time, and community colleges accept everyone. I don't remember the last time I've built a snowman, honestly."
 
"Then if this snow sticks, or next snow, we have to build a real snowman!" Alec grinned. "Our neighbor, Toby and his mom, they were building snowmen today."

"Is that what they were doing?" Xander asked, honestly surprised.
 
"I've never actually seen it," Xander said. "Bits and pieces, you know, and I get the basic idea, but I've never sat down and watched it."

"Maybe we should watch it together this year," Alec suggested. "It is a classic. We might not like it, but I think it deserves a chance if Sloan likes it."
 
"I haven't seen it in years so I cannot say if it holds up," Sloan replied, "But your sister would probably love it. At least she'd love the colours. I mean I at least assume you all will celebrate Christmas with her. Or." She glanced around the kitchen, "...Whatever your parents celebrate."
 
The twins exchanged a glance. "It's complicated," they decided on.

"They support our celebrations, and there are gifts, but I think we mostly do all that out of habit more than anything else," Alec admitted.

"It's pretty relaxed," Xander shrugged.
 
"True, except a list means we aren't giving you something you already own," Alec pointed out.

"How about you tell us what you don't want?" Xander suggested. "You know, if you have, like... a million notebooks and don't want one more. Or no Alana Morisset CDs because you have all of them and don't want doubles."
 
"It's not an assignment," Xander said in amusement. "It's fine if you don't, but you can't blame us if you get fifteen pairs of socks this year."

"Or a few ties. I'm sure they'll look lovely with your outfits," Alec snickered.
 
"Hey, some of us enjoy colourful, fun socks," Sloan teased, "I like to match them to my scrunchies. But how many people do you think give me socks each year? I don't even remember the last time someone gave me socks."
 
Xander considered this. "Years 8, 9, and 10 we got black socks."

Alec raised a finger. "Year 11 we got undershirts! That you then wore as an outershirt. Year 12 we got socks again, but this time they were brown."

"Right, the brown socks. Those ones were actually quite comfy," Xander nodded. "Year 14 we got white socks."
 
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