That mad campus dash in 15 (College AU meme)

[madreen_rua]

the realistic college au meme.

comment with your character's name and canon in the subject header. use rng or pick one of the options below for your au scenario.



I. living conditions

01. my roommate’s boyfriend is staying over so can I please sleep on your floor
02. all our friends are drunk
03. we live in halls opposite one another and i keep seeing you change in the window please close your blinds
04. you’re the RA and you’re trying to bust me for having hermit crabs
05. you’re baking cookies in the communal kitchen at 3am and I’m angry but also really hungry
06. clearly we’re both really uncomfortable at this party
07. you peed on my car. you were drunk. I was in the car. there will be hell to pay.
08. my friend dragged me to this party and I just saw my ex quick make out with me
09. sorry my roommate puked on your shoes
10. my roommate borrowed your contraband hotpot and managed to set it on fire

II. chance meeting

01. it’s pouring and my final paper is in my backpack so I guess we’re stuck under this tiny awning together. do you think they’d deliver pizza here
02. waiting outside for pizza to be delivered but both of ours is super late
03. I know I keep coming to this [cookie/coffee/etc.] shop and for some reason it’s always your shift but don’t you dare judge me I need this for my sanity
04. I found your USB drive still in the computer (and potentially regret finding out what's on it)
05. you decked me in the head while you were playing frisbee golf
06. your school mailbox is right next to mine
07. what do you mean we’re under a tornado warning?

III. campus community

01. I’m really passionate about this cause and I will give you this flier if I have to shove it down your throat
02. it’s 3 am and I’m still in the library studying for finals and I’m losing my grip on reality and I think I just saw a ghost
03. we’re the only two people in this club. what is this club even for
04. humans vs zombies, all bets are off, friendships mean nothing
05. I thought I was the only one who liked the waffle station in the cafeteria
06. we’re studying in the library and there are two people very obviously fucking in the stacks and we keep sharing embarrassed glances
07. what are you doing at this table at the career fair
08. I saw you sneaking captain crunch and cutlery out of the dining hall
09. my computer crashed and you’re the student worker at the IT center
10. we’re both on athletic teams that aren’t as cool as the football team and they give us shit
11. you’re part of the guerrilla theatre club on campus and crashed my class for a performance

IV. credit hour woes

01. hey I have to [photograph/draw blood/film/insert major here] someone for class, will you be my guinea pig
02. we’re the only people who ever talk in discussions it’s awful
03. group project
04. both of us turned up to the wrong room for this lecture and neither of us know where it's supposed to be
05. we’re both donating blood in the blood donation van in the quad to get out of the same class
06. wait, I actually have a competent lab partner?
07. waiting for office hours
08. we started racing up the three flights of stairs to class for some reason and we can’t stop
09. vicious battle over the only left handed desk in the room

V. limited resources

01. you keep using my preferred shower stall in the floor bathrooms when I’m trying to get ready for class
02. you keep parking in the space outside my student house you absolute asshole
03. you're the only person in the room when i break the printer and i'm panicking (so don't be a dick about it please)
04. neither of us bought the expensive textbook but there is only one copy in the library and it can’t leave the building
05. this awesome professor only has one TA slot and we’re rivals
06. you keep reserving the good study room in the corner of the library with the windows
07. I’ve been sitting in this seat all semester why did you decide to sit in it today
08. you’re REALLY GOOD at using the right search terms for the academic databases and I’m on a deadline
09. we’re always at the fitness center at the same time and end up competing on the treadmill
10. can I borrow a dryer sheet? I ran out and the ones in the vending machine give me a rash

scenarios taken from this post on tumblr.

Comments

[success_story]

[ One eyebrow raises skeptically. ]

That's...a really nice way to put it. Some people might just call it being nosy.

[ For a pregnant few seconds, his pen taps thoughtfully against his notebook. Instinct says to lean into rudeness--tell this guy off and find a new coffee shop to hole up in. But...he would hate to leave before this clicks in his head. Until he can figure out why this guy looks so familiar, might as well play nice. Tim clicks his tongue, shakes his head. ]

I have to drink something. How much like trash does your decaf taste?

[strateagy]

I'm obligated to say it's the most wonderful alternative for caffeine lovers, but something tells me you wouldn't believe that.

[The rudeness doesn't faze him, but then again, he's dealt with worse. As far as coffee shops though, something small like this wouldn't have been his first choice when he thrives around company, but beggars can't be choosers and this place gave him enough free time to study when no one was around.

Probably why he was here, really. For a guy who sneaks out a lot to party, he sure seems to be grumpy around people. Then again, sleep-deprived.

He feels some pity for him, at least.]

Wanna try the tea instead? The caffeine isn't as strong, but you're allowed to ask for extra hot water for the pot once. Should give you a little more time to try to finish that paper.

[success_story]

[ He's too tired to keep himself from pulling a face but--but some caffeine and leaf water does sound like a better alternative than decaf. With a sigh, he reaches for his mug and drains the last half-inch of coffee. ] Fine.

But it would be nice if you could pick one that tastes like something.

[strateagy]

You must've had really bad tea if that's the issue.

[Then again, cheap tea isn't exactly flavorful, unless you count bitter as it's only flavor profile. Luckily, Teshima likes tea, and probably spends too much time just taste-testing flavors.

Still, this guy sure is grumpy.]

Any particular flavor you're looking for, or do you want me to surprise you?

[On that note, maybe also see what has enough of a kick that can slowly jumpstart his brain. He's tempted to tell him to try not coming back so late at night, but he has a feeling he hasn't figured out who he is yet and it's more fun this way.]

[success_story]

You're the expert, right? [ He's grumpy. At the very least, he's aware of it, and his tone softens to something more playful than just plain aggressive. ] I'm putting my trust in you. 

[ And, as subtly as he can, watching as Teshima returns behind the counter and prepares whatever he means to bring out. Looking at him from a distance, the revelation almost comes to him. Tim looks away to keep from staring, but it's coming together... ] 

[strateagy]

Guess I'll have to meet your expectation.

[He doesn't delay it any further, heading off to go ahead and choose a nice, fragrant black tea for him. It's a bit on the safe side, relying on a specialty flavor of the shop (butterscotch black tea) and a separate container of sugar in case he likes his tea sweetened.

He can practically feel the staring, and wonders if it's because of his accented speech or because he's trying to figure out who Teshima is. It makes him a bit self-conscious, and to counteract that he makes a more grand gesture of pouring the tea in the cup, lifting it high to make the pouring a bit more exaggerated.

Once he's done and coming back, he grins brightly as he carefully serves it, followed with a bow. A habit he brought from home, really.]

Here you go, one of our specialty drinks-- Butterscotch black tea. I hope you enjoy, good sir.

[The last part though, that was a bit cheeky.]

[success_story]

[ The distance, of course, gives Tim a little more time to think about how familiar he might be with that face. Not very, not enough that it comes easy. But the distance gives him something else, too: a better perspective. The barista almost looks more familiar at a distance. That staring that Teshima feels will intensify just before he starts in with the grand gestures. That's when Tim gets it.

[ By the time Teshima comes back with the tea, Tim has pressed down his smile and his shitty attitude--at least long enough to smell and sip the tea. There's a pause, and he frowns--observes lightly: ] Funny. The...butterscotch is more of an olfactory thing, huh? I mean, it's there, but--

You're in the Baker building, aren't you? Your dorm?

[strateagy]

[He would answer about the tea, but then Mr. Party Animal (Tim? Timmy? Was that his name?) follows it up with the second question, and he can't help but chuckle, standing upright and tucking the serving tray under his arm. His other hand goes to his hip as he nods, humming in affirmation.]

Figured it out, huh? We're almost neighbors too, if you don't mind a few square feet of air between us.

[Directly opposite and all that.]

You come back late often. Just what kind of parties do you go to?

sorry for the slowness! work is wonky!

[success_story]

[ His eyes narrow again at that question, but there's no scowl to go with it. In fact, he keeps it half-hidden by the cup, but there's definitely a smile trying to bust its way out. ]

Are you watching me-- [ Eyes dart to the name tag and back up to his eyes. ] --Teshima?

No worries! Take your time.

[strateagy]

Good eye.

[He jokes, and considers whether or not to answer that. The truth sounds weird and pretty lame, or stalkerish, depending on how one looks at it.]

Let's just say you're like an alarm clock telling me I am up way too late at night.

[He starts, before he gives a sheepish smile.]

I'm still getting used to the timezone, so I mostly noticed by coincidence.

[success_story]

Timezones, huh? [ Good, that's a nice hook to tilt the conversation away from his own habits. ] Where did you fly in from?

[strateagy]

Japan. Specifically Chiba, if you've heard of it.

[The smile he has becomes less mischievous, and ends up more relaxed, figuring Tim isn't about to bite his head off for being too familiar.]

You can call me Junta. You're uh... Tim, right? The girls in my class talk about you.

[success_story]

[ He winces at that, covers up a frown with another drink. The tea taste is a little stronger, the smell less noticeable. It's not coffee, but it's definitely not bad. ]

Jesus. Is everyone watching me? Tell me that no one's taking embarrassing pictures.

[strateagy]

Good-looking guys get a lot of attention.

[He chuckles at the wince, looking quite amused at his predicament. He's not Aoyagi, and that means Teshima doesn't know him enough to tell his thoughts through habits alone, so he infers from his expressions instead.]

The boss is rather proud of that. He thinks the butterscotch sells something closer to a coffee experience, though I'm not sure I agree. Still, it's pretty good, right?

[success_story]

[ The offhand compliment, the chuckle--he wonders how much practice Teshima has at this. Being skeptical takes the edge off the fact that he blushes. ]

It's good. It's better than chicory, which was the last thing a good samaritan tried to give me instead of coffee. What are you studying that you came all the way from Japan for?

[strateagy]

Sports science.

[He says, which admittedly would not need him to travel across the world even for the best schools, but he doesn't elaborate further than that on the reasoning.]

I considered statistics, but I figured more excuses to go cycling can't hurt.

[success_story]

Cycling. What, like, competitively? When the hell do you have time to train?

[ Tim glances warily at his work, the window out to the street, and the shop counter to make sure that no one is watching that might get Teshima in trouble. Then, taking another drink, he tilts his head towards the seat on the corner next to him. ]

Sit down. I feel like my mom is here with you standing over me like that.

[strateagy]

When there's a will, there's a way. Though-- honestly, I just kept up my same routine from home. I used to be the captain of the cycling club in high school.

[Which probably isn't the answer he wants, even as he sits down as instructed. Since there were no other people here, he does as told. His boss probably won't be too against it, given how chill he is.]

I'm still on the clock, you know.

[success_story]

[ He raises his eyebrows, only smiling in the very corner of his mouth. ] Oh, don't worry. I'm a great tipper.

[strateagy]

A concept that still confuses me.

[He hums, getting comfortable as he turns to him with a sheepish smile.]

I didn't realize how big of a thing it was here when I first started. My boss had to pull me back by my shirt because I thought the customer left their money and was about to go chase him down.

[success_story]

They don't tip in Japan, huh. [ It's probably not super great that the sheepishness makes Tim more comfortable too, but hey--it's a step up from feeling scolded about his coffee and he'll take advantage. He pushes his notes a little farther away, leans over his elbows. ] At least you have a good boss. I've heard some nightmarish stories about people working at less forthright places than this. Do you think it helps--keeping busy? I mean, unless you had friends come to school here with you...

[strateagy]

Nope.

[He pops the 'p' a little more than necessary, not quite natural on his tongue quite yet. He adapts fast, at least, and watched enough sitcoms, but it's not a natural sound on his tongue yet.

Someday then.

The question earns a more wry smile, but he's forthright even as he speaks, already noticing this guy was dodging any attempts for Teshima to know more about him. Well, it's fine, he's chatty enough for it.]

It helps that my parents know him, so-- yeah, it's good being busy. Making friends isn't really a problem, but America's just very different.

[He thinks about how to describe it without sounding like he's stereotyping, pressing the flat of his thumbnail against his lower lip as he ponders.]

Busier than in Chiba, and sometimes I can't follow the conversations if they're too fast. The food is really big.

[success_story]

[ His brain notes something about the little pop, packs it away for later. Nepotism-lite landed Teshima here, so Tim busies himself more immediately with taking a more critical look at the surroundings. Have Teshima's parents ever been to this place? Do they know where their kid is after hours on a weekday? ] 

I mean, the speed thing comes with time. The food thing, you can always pay more for less of something fancier. [ His head tilts thoughtfully, frown deepens for a second. ] Or...since you know my dorm so well, you're probably aware that we have a kitchenette. Newer building than yours. If you knew somebody, hypothetically, you could probably cook to your liking in there. 

[strateagy]

[He sees the way he looks around, letting out a snicker as he mistakens the reason for it.]

Relax. He stepped out for a while, so I'm the only one here.

[The invitation makes him relax though, looking rather fond at the idea. Their place wasn't bad-- but a kitchenette would be pretty nice.]

Somebody, huh? You think I could bribe someone to let me use it? I make really good fried rice.

[He teases instead, though it was also an open offer. He can cook, and rather well at that, if not a bit by the book. He memorizes recipes more than makes them, after all.]

[success_story]

Depends on your hours, I guess. Do you do late night dinner?  [ His thumb taps the handle of his mug absently. ] Cuz I'm amenable to bribery every now anything, particularly cooked bribes.