A Swapping Save Story - Jeb & Ulrike

It's pretty late in the evening. There's no soul on the campus anymore... Or well, almost. Ulrike and Jeb are still finishing their homework.

https://i.imgur.com/wreRDi0.png
(Ulrike) "Jeb, do you know the answer on the last question? I can't seem to get it and I really want to go home..."

https://i.imgur.com/sx2xzU1.png
(Ulrike) "Jeb? Why are you suddenly sitting all the way there?"
(Jeb) "75,49, and I have no clue."
(Ulrike) "Come back here, you."

https://i.imgur.com/o2gpv6e.png
(Jeb) "I'm back, and done with my homework."
(Ulrike) "Me too!!"
(Jeb) "Soooo, why did I went all the way here if you're done?"

https://i.imgur.com/TpiJvLN.png
(Ulrike) "Just because. And you got something on your shirt."
(Jeb) "Where?"

https://i.imgur.com/UBUysiy.png
(Ulrike) "Oh Jeb, you're way too easy."

https://i.imgur.com/VKjIn8Y.png
(Jeb) "Oh, you are so going to regret this. Give me a minute."

One minute later...

https://i.imgur.com/rLtb4RI.png
Yup, that's a water balloon fight in the common room, in the middle of the night XD

https://i.imgur.com/jCXS2Z5.png
(Ulrike) "Stooooopp!!"
(Jeb) "Never!!"

https://i.imgur.com/rB48Gde.png
(Ulrike) "You're so gonna get this back!"

https://i.imgur.com/mzPMW5l.png
(Jeb) "Agh!!"

https://i.imgur.com/frXWehH.png
(Ulrike) "Hahahahhaah!"

Some more hours later, the two of them finally dried up and cleaned the entire common room.

https://i.imgur.com/9njUIU8.png
(Ulrike) "Jeb, follow me!"
(Jeb) "What now?"

The two friends went outside... To lay down on the ground and stargaze.

https://i.imgur.com/FiYo4eT.png
(Ulrike) "Isn't this beautiful...?"
(Jeb) "Hmmhmm..."

https://i.imgur.com/zwWKWxF.png
(Ulrike) "It's just like the old days, isn't it?"

https://i.imgur.com/zxUEpM4.png
(Jeb) "... Yeah..."

https://i.imgur.com/Lo8pvzg.png
(Jeb) "It is."

After freshening themselves up and putting their new robes in the closet, Jeb and Ulrike squished themselves onto Jebs one-person bed. On moments like this, Jeb is just a big teddybear baby.

https://i.imgur.com/23w26Jy.png
(Jeb) "So, we're now members of some kind of secret society?"
(Ulrike) "Looks like it, yes."
(Jeb) "What do we need to do to stay members?"
(Ulrike) "Dunno. We'll see, right?"
(Jeb) "Hmm.. Right..."

https://i.imgur.com/KuaIC8W.png
(Ulrike) "We should probably go to sleep. Look at the time... 2am."
(Jeb) "Oh, right! We probably should, haha!"

https://i.imgur.com/GN5Dp2l.png
Ulrike couldn't resist pushing Jeb onto the bed as he wanted to stand up together with her. They had a good laugh with it and then went to sleep. Jeb was gone into Dreamland in seconds, just as always.

https://i.imgur.com/BDHFSuh.png
Ulrike started thinking about the past again. She still remembers the times where Jeb would fall asleep after they had done something that took him a lot of energy. He's always been like that. He's still like that. If she sat there for one more minute, Jeb would've just fallen asleep.

Jeb feels like a brother to her, but something's been bothering her. She and Jeb have been the topic of the day.

"They look so cute together!"
"Oh, if only I had a relationship like that..."
"How long are they together, you think?"

Everyone on campus thinks that they're a couple. Every. Single. Person. But they're not. Jeb doesn't even notice it. He's just that simple.

https://i.imgur.com/FBr4M2I.png
Ulrike stared in Jeb's direction one more time before closing her own eyes.

(Ulrike, in herself) "No worries Jeb. I'll always be there for you, whatever they think of us."

---

The next morning...

https://i.imgur.com/PDxqeRg.png
Jeb and Ulrike went to the Foxbury Commons for breakfast.

https://i.imgur.com/IkfVX2M.png
Some random guy came in the picture to say hi.

(Ulrike) "Jeb, aren't your classes starting soon?"
(Jeb) "Right. Thanks for reminding me!"

https://i.imgur.com/AfsNecD.png
Jeb finished his breakfast and then disappeared.

(Guy) "You're not going to class together?"
(Ulrike) "Why should we?"
(Guy) "I mean, you two are a couple, right?"

(Ulrike) "We're not. Is that everything you have to say?"

If stares could kill, that guy would be dead right now.

(Ulrike) "Ugh..."

https://i.imgur.com/6kUJiVK.png
Ulrike spent some time on one of the computers in the common room, since her classes started later.

https://i.imgur.com/860GxTy.png
In the afternoon, after classes, Jeb and Ulrike went to Geekcon together.

https://i.imgur.com/C9uvolZ.png
They (of course) bought a t-shirt. Hehehe.

https://i.imgur.com/AakkvN6.png
(Jeb) "Ahhh, what a fun day! I'm exhausted."

And just like that, Jeb went to lay on Ulrike's lap. Ulrike immediately scanned the hallway for gossiping Sims. There were none. Good. As some kind of reflex, Ulrike started petting his hair.

(Ulrike) "You should go to bed if you're that tired."
(Jeb) "Yeah yeah. Just one moment."

https://i.imgur.com/vvO10Z7.png
(Ulrike) "I mean it, Jeb. Go to bed if you're tired!"
(Jeb) "Hey! No no no, don't tickle me! Helllppp!!"

That night, Ulrike and Jeb decided to work more on their project boards.
https://i.imgur.com/9Q628RJ.png
https://i.imgur.com/8aQKyFI.png
Jeb struggled a bit :D

When they had finished, they gave each other some feedback.

https://i.imgur.com/2f3c4I9.png
(Jeb):" I think yours looks great!"
(Ulrike, who has the perfectionist trait): "Are you sure it looks okay? I just can't help to think if I move things around a bit more before gluing it all down..."

https://i.imgur.com/WLTj2SY.png
(Jeb): "No, really, I think it's perfect!" (adding in his mind, perhaps not even fully conscious of the words): Just like you...

https://i.imgur.com/WVs8cAd.png
(Jeb): "Okay, my turn!"
(Ulrike): "Well, I think if you move this here, and perhaps if you rephrase that...and if you switch these two images - there! It's perfect now."

https://i.imgur.com/ZU6MqFG.png
(Jeb): "I am so gonna crush all my classes with you around to check my work for me."

https://i.imgur.com/6X1GYVu.png
(Ulrike): "Jeb, we should really get some sleep. Remember we talked about getting up early tomorrow so we could visit the alter for the Order of Enchantment?"
(Jeb, distracted): "Yeah, yeah...I'll go to bed soon. Just one more level..."

The next morning...

https://i.imgur.com/9iswgFL.png
(Ulrike): "I think this is the right spot."
(Jeb): "This place is weird..."

https://i.imgur.com/zuTlLQj.png
(Ulrike): "Okay, so in the instructions they left us, they told us we had to make another crystal offering to the sprites...luckily I was able to dig some up around the dorms."
(Jeb, to himself): What the heck is even happening?

The headed to class after that. Jeb finished first and got super excited when he spotted Larry the Lobster.

https://i.imgur.com/JS2G5ni.png
(Jeb): "Omg, I can't believe I'm finally meeting you!"
(Larry was totally rolling his eyes inside that mask :D)

https://i.imgur.com/zGJq7yc.jpg
(Jeb): "I totally need to get a selfie with you."

https://i.imgur.com/9zsNwOk.jpg
(Ulrike): "Hey, just finished my class! What's going on?"
(Jeb): "Meet my new friend, the one and only Larry!"
(Larry): "Actually, I'm just one of many students who wears the mascot costume..."

https://i.imgur.com/O8gDZBF.png
(Ulrike): "I got this new stink spray in my last class, and I'm dying to try it out. You guys wanna be my guinea pigs?"
(Jeb, who would do almost anything for Ulrike): "Sure!"
(Larry, to himself): Not really, but she's so pretty, I'll just play along...

https://i.imgur.com/gftQ6K5.jpg
(Ulrike): "Man, that is some foul stuff!"
(Larry and Jeb were choking and coughing too much to comment.)
(Ulrike): "Anyway, I have to go to my next class. I'll catch you later, Jeb!"

https://i.imgur.com/HCbQu4O.jpg
(Jeb, noticing the smell clinging to Larry's costume): "Sorry about that dude. She's a villainy student, you know how they are." (*laughs affectionately*)
(Larry): "Eh, no worries, bro. She's really cute actually. Do you know if she's single?"
(Jeb, suddenly reluctant to answer): "Yeah...but I don't think shellfish are her type..."

After class, Ulrike got a call from Jacques Villareal to gather for the Knights of the Hedge club. (That was a surprise, since @Skeilah forgot to mention she had Ulrike join :D). Jeb came along to hang out at the Von Haunt Estate while her club gathered.

https://i.imgur.com/QlcPBle.jpg
(Jeb): "You always find the weirdest clubs to join."
(Ulrike): "Dude, you love how weird I am. Admit it."

(Jeb autonomously told her a deep secret, so I decided just to go with it)
https://i.imgur.com/nEN3TP6.png

https://i.imgur.com/XzQRj9U.png
(Jeb): "So actually, there's something I've been meaning to tell you...and suddenly it seems so much easier when I can't see your face."
(Ulrike): "Uh, oh, Jeb, what did you do?"
(Jeb): "Nothing! At least not yet...it's just that, well, um, I kind of have a crush on one of my professors...Now before you say anything, she's super young, like our age basically, and she's super pretty and smart. A lot like you actually..."
(Ulrike, feeling a bit hot underneath her suit of armor and glad he can't see her face)
(Wolfgang Munch, calling over to her): Hey Ulrike, wanna join me for a game of chess? I'm so gonna beat you this week!"
(Ulrike): "Yeah, you wish!" (and then to Jeb): "We can talk more about this later."

https://i.imgur.com/nNoIeVg.jpg
(I honestly don't even know who is who in this picture :D)

https://i.imgur.com/vLxWhpu.jpg
While Ulrike played chess, Jeb watered some flowers on the lot, trying not to think much about his confusing feelings for his professor, Lana McKinnon. It was usually pretty easy for Jeb to block out unwanted thoughts and feelings when he wanted to and occupy his mind with other things. He'd had a lot of practice as child.

When the meeting ended, they began to walk back to the dorms together.

https://i.imgur.com/k6Qu3Kr.png
(Ulrike): "So tell me more about this professor of yours..."

https://i.imgur.com/7JAEbdG.png
(Ulrike) "Hey Jeb! I made you some cookies for breakfast for when you wake up. I'm going to my early classes right now. I hope the cookies are good!!"

https://i.imgur.com/h3PBomz.png
(Jeb) "Heh, she really made cookies. How nice of her."

https://i.imgur.com/dX55YJk.png
(Jeb) "Whoa, this cookie is actually pretty good. I mean, I've had really bad cookies in the past."

And then, Jeb realized that he wanted to give his final presentation today.

(Jeb) "Sorry cookies. You're delicious, but I need to go!!"

https://i.imgur.com/TbZS9Uq.png
He takes his presentation, and is off with it. As you can see, Ulrike also took hers earlier that day.

https://i.imgur.com/4hWrePF.png
Once back home, Ulrike had this whim to paint a mural. So yeah, why not on the balcony, lol?

https://i.imgur.com/eCSct8e.png
(Jeb) "Hey there! Whatcha doin?"
(Ulrike) "Painting! Wanna help?"

https://i.imgur.com/paKAFLj.png
(Jeb) "Sure! I exactly know what I want to do..."

For the record: Jeb has no creative talents at all.

https://i.imgur.com/LgvaAQn.png
(Jeb) "We need A LOT of green!!"

https://i.imgur.com/JsAsuxJ.png
Both Jeb and Ulrike had another class later that day. When they got out of the building, they bumped into Jeb's teacher.

(Lana) "So, Jeb. How's it going? Isn't it too difficult?"
(Jeb) "No, it's perfectly doable! Or do you think I'm not doing well...?"
(Lana) "Oh no, that's not it! You're doing great!"

https://i.imgur.com/YCEtCMx.png
Someone is certainly not liking this conversation.

(Ulrike, in herself) "Really? THAT'S the teacher he has a crush on? Ew."

https://i.imgur.com/nLN477h.png
(Jeb) "Oh, right! This is Ulrike, my best friend and roommate."
(Lana) "Nice to meet you, Ulrike."
(Ulrike) "Likewise. Hey Jeb, I'm sorry, but I have to go back to the dorms. I'll see you back there, okay?"
(Lana) "I also have to go. Have a nice evening, both of you."

https://i.imgur.com/r3yjWTO.png
And so the next moment, Jeb stood there alone.

(Jeb) "Eh, well then. Let's be productive!"

https://i.imgur.com/8MEUGVY.png
Ulrike tried to force a smile on her face as she made her way back to the dorm.

(Ulrike) "Well, at least he ate my cookies this morning, right?"

https://i.imgur.com/LtHQjl2.png
(Ulrike) "He... Didn't eat them...? They are spoiled now..."

Little did she know, he did ate some of them. If only he had more time that morning...

https://i.imgur.com/r6Ll60i.png
(Ulrike) "Why am I suddenly feeling so sad...?"

https://i.imgur.com/9snkfh6.png
Some time later, Jeb came home.

(Jeb) "Hey Ulrike! I got a surprise for you because you baked me those delicious cookies-!"

https://i.imgur.com/LVNXSLo.png
(Jeb) "Oh. Guess you were really tired today. It's okay. We'll do the surprise another day. Goodnight!"

https://i.imgur.com/dGPBWzw.png
(Jeb) "But what am I going to do with all this now...?"
(???) "Oh, Jeb. What a coincidence. I didn't knew this was your dorm."

https://i.imgur.com/6tnmrLV.png
(Jeb) "Professor McKinnon! What are you doing here?"
(Lana) "Oh, you can call me Lana now. I mean, we're pretty close in age and it's after school."
(Jeb) "Really? Isn't it a little weird to speak to your teacher like that?"
(Lana) "I'm okay with it, really. So, what's all this food?"
(Jeb) "I prepared it for me and Ulrike to have a movie night, but she's already asleep.."
(Lana) "Oh, what a bummer... Eh, do you mind if I join instead? I didn't have dinner yet."

https://i.imgur.com/haoMq4o.png
Lana went to sit down, so Jeb followed.

(Jeb) "O- Of course! I made it all myself, so I hope it's a little good..."
(Lana) "It already looks delicious. I bet you're a good cook."
(Jeb) "Heheh... Thank you..."

https://i.imgur.com/5JDMbPa.png
Some hours later, it was time for Lana to go home.

https://i.imgur.com/mRMIiJR.png
(Lana) "Thank you for the dinner, really."
(Jeb) "No problem at all!"
(Lana) "Can I ask you something? As a friend, not as a teacher?"
(Jeb) "Oh, right!"

https://i.imgur.com/wg9Tbf2.png
(Lana) "Can I perhaps have your number?"
(Jeb) "My... Number? Eh, right, you can have my number."
(Lana) "Thank you! If you don't mind, I'll message you when I get home safe."
(Jeb) "You should do that indeed. Thank you."

https://i.imgur.com/zi9RmGq.png
(Lana) "Well then. Goodnight, Jeb."
(Jeb) "Goodnight... Lana."

https://i.imgur.com/6ocpQgn.png
And then, it finally got to him.

(Jeb) "Whoa. I have her number... And I didn't even have to do anything for that! I have to tell Ulrike tomorrow."