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snippetsTitle: A Series of What Ifs
Fandom: Original
Rating: PG13
Genre: Fluff, College Talk
Wordcount: 1,701
Author's Note: The usual standard disclaimers apply (*coughNano/inxperiencecough*)
Summary: Two college kids meet under unexpected circumstances and part ways, wondering, just maybe, what would have happened if life hadn't called them apart. This, was their first what if.
A Series of What Ifs
Chapter 2: Afternoon Rain
By
Parsnip
Cal stared blankly at the geometric shapes covering the power point slide in front of him. Everyone was leaving, packing up for the day, but he just sat there. He blinked again, hoping that the squiggly lines and one sided arrows would clue him into to what the heck a Schiff’s base was and why it was important chemically speaking. He’d been struggling, sadly, with determining acid-base chemistry as well.
There were some days, he hated the idea he decided to pursue a Chemistry-Physics double major. Organic was just too difficult for his highly abused brain to understand.
As the teacher closed his computer and the presentation disappeared from sight, the young man shook his head and wearily got to his feet. He’d have to tackle the problem of Chemistry this weekend. If he didn’t get it after that, he’d have to talk to the professor.
Groaning, he shouldered his back-pack. He hated talking to his teachers. It made him feel incompetent for not understanding the simplest things, and considering this particular professor’s office hours happened to fall during his one break on Tuesday didn’t help his reluctance either. Nope. It’s not like he really needed lunch after all.
Cal stifled another groan as he gazed out the front door to the Olin Chemistry Building. It was pouring buckets of acid rain. ‘Great,’ he thought morosely, mood sinking deeper into frustration. ‘That’s just what I needed. Walking home in the rain with wet pants and squishy socks and mud coated sneakers. The roommates are going to have a fit when they see me.'
Sometimes, it amazed him that he managed to find two roommates, guy roommates that is, who were clean freaks, especially since he wasn’t one. Don’t get him wrong; he did his dishes and kept up with his laundry, but there was such a thing as orderly disorder. He liked feeling comfortable in his room and his home. But sometimes, his roommates got on his nerves. Science was hard, and they just didn’t seem to understand the concept that sometimes, one really did need to study a few nights for an exam rather then a few hours before it.
Sighing, he dug out his cheap black umbrella and unfurled it. The diameter was really just enough to keep his face and torso dry. The rest of him would just have to fend for itself. Of course, if he was lucky, he’d only get minimally wet before he could take shelter at the bus stop.
Dashing outside, he followed the street north, heading towards the main street on campus. Lukewarm rain bombarded his legs making him feel sluggish. The wind buffeted his umbrella, threatening to overthrow his grasp, wanting to play with it. It was either that or up turn the damn thing. Gritting his teeth, he made sure to place it facing the wind, effectively blocking his vision.
Walking as quickly as possible, he was able to avoid three near collisions, one with a biker and the rest pedestrians, before he got to the bus shelter. He swore under his breath at how many people were standing there, also waiting for the nice, warm, dry bus to arrive. Crossing his fingers, he huddled beneath the black umbrella and prayed they would all get on the next bus which would most likely be a campus service only one.
He could hope, right?
Glancing down at his watch, he dejectedly settled in for a wait. He missed the last bus by five minutes because he was staring shell-shocked with sensory overload at a gibberish filled screen. It’d be another fifteen before a new one would come by.
That was another thing about his apartment. If he walked home, it’d take him about 35 minutes. If he caught the bus on time, he’d get home in about ten minutes. Sometimes, he wondered what the point really was. Usually he got home at the same time anyways, and the bus station was in the opposite direction from home. Life was just out to get him today.
His heart sped up as a white and blue bus cleared the corner heading straight towards him. He smiled as people stood to attention around him and started migrating towards the curb.
‘Yes!’ he mentally cheered. ‘I can get out of the rain now!’ Pushing his way against the tide, he managed to finagle his way into the bus shelter, whistling a happy tune as people glared at him. He had the umbrella; he didn’t really need to stand inside!
He almost didn’t care. Making sure to keep his umbrella positioned above his head to avoid splashing by the leaky roof, he watched with brighter eyes as pedestrians came and went. It wasn’t until a young woman dashed across the street straight at him that he really paid attention though.
Amusingly, she was trying to use a newspaper to keep her thick, blonde hair dry.
Pushing her way into the shelter, he found her pressed up against his side as she wrung the water out of her shirt and dusted droplets from her backpack. Staring into her face, he nearly felt his heart beat skip.
It was the same girl from three weeks ago. The one he had accidentally laid low with a baseball. Grinning, he felt his mood lighten considerably. At last, he’d be able to find out what her name was!
Clearing his throat, he hoped to gain her attention, but she rather blatantly ignored him as she continued to wring her clothes semi-dry. It was a good thing she wasn’t wearing white. Well, at least from her perspective. Fall storms were often swift and deadly, catching more then one easily embarrassed female unawares.
Clearing his throat again, he at least got her to glare at him before she returned to checking her bag for any leaks. Wet notes were often times illegible after a storm like the one they were currently having.
Going for a more direct approach, he stuck his free hand in front of her face. “Hi, I’m Cal, the guy who accidentally knocked you out the other day.”
The pretty girl looked up at him and sighed. “I remember. I was hoping you wouldn’t though.”
She really hadn’t, but she couldn’t think of anything to say. She never was all that good around guys, the concept of flirting totally evading her grasp. Her friends thought she was adorable, teasing her about how tongue-tied she got.
And this guy was worth every tongue-tied moment.
She couldn’t believe she had forgotten all about him those two and a half weeks ago. The bruise had lingered a few days, tender to the touch, but exams had approached, and she’d been dragging her sleep-deprived self all over campus studying. She had actually just gotten done with the last one of the week actually which is why she missed her bus back to the dorms.
“Why?” he asked curiously. He mentally congratulated himself for making her blush. She really was a cutie.
“I—Um, don’t really know. It’s not like it was the most auspicious way to meet,” she said dryly, stumbling a little before the words came to mind.
Cal laughed. He couldn’t help it. “No, I can’t say it was. I’m really sorry I did that by the way. Hopefully everything’s fine?”
Selendra smiled at the warm feeling flooding through her. It seems he hadn’t picked up on her nervousness. “I’m fine now. It was a little tender for a few days though.”
Cal nodded his head in agreement. He had thought it would. He waved his hand in front of her face, reminding her that it was still waiting for a handshake.
Selandra laughed softly to herself as she shook his hand lightly. “Selandra.”
“Glad to finally have a name to match the face! It’s a pretty name too. What’s it origin?” Cal’s eyes flicked down the street, nearly groaning when he saw his bus stopped at the light, a 42 flashing brightly on the marquee display.
She pursed her lips in thought. She had never really thought to look up her name, although several people had remarked on it in the past. Still, no one had asked her where it came from. “You know, I’m not really sure. My best guess is that my mom read it in a book somewhere and liked the name. She’s kind of a fanatic when it comes to reading.”
“Hah!” he exclaimed. “I knew it wasn’t common.”
Selendra laughed again, amazed at how easy the conversation was going so far. She really did have the worse social skills out of all her friends. Girls she got along with fine, but guys…there was just something about them that made her shy.
“I guess it isn’t.”
Cal nodded, mentally groaning as the lights changed color. “Hey! Do you have a piece of paper handy I could write on?” Eyes watching the bus slowly turn 90 degrees.
Selendra nodded her head slowly, wondering about the abrupt change in subject. Pulling out a scrap piece from a side pocket of her backpack, she watched as Cal grabbed a pen from his shirt pocket and scribbled something down. A bus pulled up as he handed the note to her.
“Here, it’s my number. Call me sometime if you’re interested in becoming friends. I’ve got to catch the bus, but I’m glad I ran into you again!” He was slowly inching his way backwards out of the shelter as he spoke. Standing just outside in the rain, he took satisfaction at the dumbstruck expression on her pale skin. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw that there were still a few people lined up waiting to get on the bus.
Turning back to Selendra, he folded his umbrella up on a whim and took her free hand in his own before pressing it into her hand. “Here, take this so you don’t get wet. Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon.”
Spinning on his heel, he didn’t wait for an answer as he sprinted towards his bus, a grin spreading across his face. Now, he just had to wait.
______________________________________________________
Chapter 1 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5
Back to Fic Archive
______________________________________________________
Fandom: Original
Rating: PG13
Genre: Fluff, College Talk
Wordcount: 1,701
Author's Note: The usual standard disclaimers apply (*coughNano/inxperiencecough*)
Summary: Two college kids meet under unexpected circumstances and part ways, wondering, just maybe, what would have happened if life hadn't called them apart. This, was their first what if.
Chapter 2: Afternoon Rain
By
Parsnip
Cal stared blankly at the geometric shapes covering the power point slide in front of him. Everyone was leaving, packing up for the day, but he just sat there. He blinked again, hoping that the squiggly lines and one sided arrows would clue him into to what the heck a Schiff’s base was and why it was important chemically speaking. He’d been struggling, sadly, with determining acid-base chemistry as well.
There were some days, he hated the idea he decided to pursue a Chemistry-Physics double major. Organic was just too difficult for his highly abused brain to understand.
As the teacher closed his computer and the presentation disappeared from sight, the young man shook his head and wearily got to his feet. He’d have to tackle the problem of Chemistry this weekend. If he didn’t get it after that, he’d have to talk to the professor.
Groaning, he shouldered his back-pack. He hated talking to his teachers. It made him feel incompetent for not understanding the simplest things, and considering this particular professor’s office hours happened to fall during his one break on Tuesday didn’t help his reluctance either. Nope. It’s not like he really needed lunch after all.
Cal stifled another groan as he gazed out the front door to the Olin Chemistry Building. It was pouring buckets of acid rain. ‘Great,’ he thought morosely, mood sinking deeper into frustration. ‘That’s just what I needed. Walking home in the rain with wet pants and squishy socks and mud coated sneakers. The roommates are going to have a fit when they see me.'
Sometimes, it amazed him that he managed to find two roommates, guy roommates that is, who were clean freaks, especially since he wasn’t one. Don’t get him wrong; he did his dishes and kept up with his laundry, but there was such a thing as orderly disorder. He liked feeling comfortable in his room and his home. But sometimes, his roommates got on his nerves. Science was hard, and they just didn’t seem to understand the concept that sometimes, one really did need to study a few nights for an exam rather then a few hours before it.
Sighing, he dug out his cheap black umbrella and unfurled it. The diameter was really just enough to keep his face and torso dry. The rest of him would just have to fend for itself. Of course, if he was lucky, he’d only get minimally wet before he could take shelter at the bus stop.
Dashing outside, he followed the street north, heading towards the main street on campus. Lukewarm rain bombarded his legs making him feel sluggish. The wind buffeted his umbrella, threatening to overthrow his grasp, wanting to play with it. It was either that or up turn the damn thing. Gritting his teeth, he made sure to place it facing the wind, effectively blocking his vision.
Walking as quickly as possible, he was able to avoid three near collisions, one with a biker and the rest pedestrians, before he got to the bus shelter. He swore under his breath at how many people were standing there, also waiting for the nice, warm, dry bus to arrive. Crossing his fingers, he huddled beneath the black umbrella and prayed they would all get on the next bus which would most likely be a campus service only one.
He could hope, right?
Glancing down at his watch, he dejectedly settled in for a wait. He missed the last bus by five minutes because he was staring shell-shocked with sensory overload at a gibberish filled screen. It’d be another fifteen before a new one would come by.
That was another thing about his apartment. If he walked home, it’d take him about 35 minutes. If he caught the bus on time, he’d get home in about ten minutes. Sometimes, he wondered what the point really was. Usually he got home at the same time anyways, and the bus station was in the opposite direction from home. Life was just out to get him today.
His heart sped up as a white and blue bus cleared the corner heading straight towards him. He smiled as people stood to attention around him and started migrating towards the curb.
‘Yes!’ he mentally cheered. ‘I can get out of the rain now!’ Pushing his way against the tide, he managed to finagle his way into the bus shelter, whistling a happy tune as people glared at him. He had the umbrella; he didn’t really need to stand inside!
He almost didn’t care. Making sure to keep his umbrella positioned above his head to avoid splashing by the leaky roof, he watched with brighter eyes as pedestrians came and went. It wasn’t until a young woman dashed across the street straight at him that he really paid attention though.
Amusingly, she was trying to use a newspaper to keep her thick, blonde hair dry.
Pushing her way into the shelter, he found her pressed up against his side as she wrung the water out of her shirt and dusted droplets from her backpack. Staring into her face, he nearly felt his heart beat skip.
It was the same girl from three weeks ago. The one he had accidentally laid low with a baseball. Grinning, he felt his mood lighten considerably. At last, he’d be able to find out what her name was!
Clearing his throat, he hoped to gain her attention, but she rather blatantly ignored him as she continued to wring her clothes semi-dry. It was a good thing she wasn’t wearing white. Well, at least from her perspective. Fall storms were often swift and deadly, catching more then one easily embarrassed female unawares.
Clearing his throat again, he at least got her to glare at him before she returned to checking her bag for any leaks. Wet notes were often times illegible after a storm like the one they were currently having.
Going for a more direct approach, he stuck his free hand in front of her face. “Hi, I’m Cal, the guy who accidentally knocked you out the other day.”
The pretty girl looked up at him and sighed. “I remember. I was hoping you wouldn’t though.”
She really hadn’t, but she couldn’t think of anything to say. She never was all that good around guys, the concept of flirting totally evading her grasp. Her friends thought she was adorable, teasing her about how tongue-tied she got.
And this guy was worth every tongue-tied moment.
She couldn’t believe she had forgotten all about him those two and a half weeks ago. The bruise had lingered a few days, tender to the touch, but exams had approached, and she’d been dragging her sleep-deprived self all over campus studying. She had actually just gotten done with the last one of the week actually which is why she missed her bus back to the dorms.
“Why?” he asked curiously. He mentally congratulated himself for making her blush. She really was a cutie.
“I—Um, don’t really know. It’s not like it was the most auspicious way to meet,” she said dryly, stumbling a little before the words came to mind.
Cal laughed. He couldn’t help it. “No, I can’t say it was. I’m really sorry I did that by the way. Hopefully everything’s fine?”
Selendra smiled at the warm feeling flooding through her. It seems he hadn’t picked up on her nervousness. “I’m fine now. It was a little tender for a few days though.”
Cal nodded his head in agreement. He had thought it would. He waved his hand in front of her face, reminding her that it was still waiting for a handshake.
Selandra laughed softly to herself as she shook his hand lightly. “Selandra.”
“Glad to finally have a name to match the face! It’s a pretty name too. What’s it origin?” Cal’s eyes flicked down the street, nearly groaning when he saw his bus stopped at the light, a 42 flashing brightly on the marquee display.
She pursed her lips in thought. She had never really thought to look up her name, although several people had remarked on it in the past. Still, no one had asked her where it came from. “You know, I’m not really sure. My best guess is that my mom read it in a book somewhere and liked the name. She’s kind of a fanatic when it comes to reading.”
“Hah!” he exclaimed. “I knew it wasn’t common.”
Selendra laughed again, amazed at how easy the conversation was going so far. She really did have the worse social skills out of all her friends. Girls she got along with fine, but guys…there was just something about them that made her shy.
“I guess it isn’t.”
Cal nodded, mentally groaning as the lights changed color. “Hey! Do you have a piece of paper handy I could write on?” Eyes watching the bus slowly turn 90 degrees.
Selendra nodded her head slowly, wondering about the abrupt change in subject. Pulling out a scrap piece from a side pocket of her backpack, she watched as Cal grabbed a pen from his shirt pocket and scribbled something down. A bus pulled up as he handed the note to her.
“Here, it’s my number. Call me sometime if you’re interested in becoming friends. I’ve got to catch the bus, but I’m glad I ran into you again!” He was slowly inching his way backwards out of the shelter as he spoke. Standing just outside in the rain, he took satisfaction at the dumbstruck expression on her pale skin. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw that there were still a few people lined up waiting to get on the bus.
Turning back to Selendra, he folded his umbrella up on a whim and took her free hand in his own before pressing it into her hand. “Here, take this so you don’t get wet. Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon.”
Spinning on his heel, he didn’t wait for an answer as he sprinted towards his bus, a grin spreading across his face. Now, he just had to wait.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5
Back to Fic Archive
______________________________________________________
