Free Choice - College AU

April hummed as she straightened the pillows on the couch. All that was left on her mental to do list was to make some lemonade and set out some snacks on the kitchen counter.

"Got plans?" her roommate, Reed, asked. Reed was a sophomore just like her. They'd been paired with two other pre-med students in their four bedroom campus apartment. Out of her three roommates, Reed was the one she was the closest with. They'd clicked last year at freshman orientation and had been good friends ever since.

"Not really," April replied as she made her way to the tiny kitchen the four girls shared. Taking out the fruit salad she'd made earlier that day, she said, "Jackson's just coming over to study for the Organic Chem test we have later this week."

Reed nodded. "So your boyfriend's coming over. Got it. I'll get out of your guys's hair."

April picked up a grape from the bowl and threw it at her friend. "Shut up! He's not my boyfriend and you know it."

"But you want him to be."

"I do not! We're just close because we've been friends for so long. Since Kindergarten. That's a long time. It's kind of like we're brother and sister."

Reed snorted. "You don't look at him like he's your brother. You look at him like he's a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Like you could gobble him up in one sitting."

As April began to mash avocados for the guacamole, she tried her best to ignore Reed. She didn't know why her friend always brought up this topic, but she wished she would stop.

"Why won't you give him a chance? You clearly care for each other. I think you guys would make a great couple."

"I think his girlfriend would think otherwise."

Reed hoisted herself on top of the counter and watched as April prepared the rest of the food for her and Jackson's study party. "He's not really that into her. I think it's all about the sex with them."

April scrunched up her face. She didn't want to think about that.

"I know you think you and Jackson are oh, so platonic, but I've observed you guys over the past year. I think if you made a move he wouldn't be opposed to it. In fact, I think he kind of wants to make a move himself but is too worried about what you might do."

April poured the gummy worms she knew Jackson loved so much in a bowl. Trying to change the subject, she said, "You know that guy Alex?"

Reed made a face. "Yeah, what about him?"

"He asked me out after class yesterday. I think I'm gonna say yes. He's kind of cute."

"April, you don't want to do that. He is SO not your type. I know you're going to school to become a doctor but I know you're also looking to get your M-R-S degree as well while you're here. The only thing you're gonna get from Alex is an STD. Don't do it, girl. It's not worth it."

April shrugged. "One date couldn't hurt. Maybe he's not as bad as everyone says."

Reed rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Hearing a knock on the door, April said, "That's Jackson. Are you sure you don't want to study with us?"

"Positive," Reed said, hopping off the counter. "The awkward sexual tension between you two is too uncomfortable to watch. I'll be in my room."

Reed laughed as a carrot sailed past her ear.

Exasperated and more than a little flustered, April walked over to the door to let Jackson in. "Hey," she said.

"Hey," he said back. Looking at her slightly reddened complexion, he asked, "Are you OK? You look a bit…bothered?"

April shook her head and waved it off. "It's nothing. Reed being Reed."

Jackson grinned lopsidedly. "I still can't understand how you two became friends. You're the girl next door and she's…well, the opposite of that."

"She's been a good friend to me and I won't have you talking bad about her," April warned with a little bit of finger wagging.

"OK. OK," he said, putting his hands up. "Where are the snacks? I'm starving."

"How do you know I made any?"

"You're April. You always have snacks." Walking past her into the kitchen, he grabbed a plate and loaded it with chips and guacamole, pizza rolls, and gummy worms.

"That is not study food," April lectured. "Fruits, veggies, and lean proteins are best for optimal studying." Grabbing his plate, she added carrots and hummus, fruit salad, and some almonds to it before handing it back to him.

"OK, bossy pants," Jackson said, before shoving a pizza roll into his mouth.

April exhaled loudly, a little annoyed by Jackson's behavior. Making a plate of her own of fruits and veggies, she joined him on the couch. "Let's start with Chapter 2," she said, grabbing her textbook.

"What is the simplest alkane?" April asked.

"Methane."

"You've got them all right so far! Now, you quiz me," she said.

As Jackson was about to ask her her first question, the door to her apartment opened and another roommate of hers walked in.

"Hi, Cristina!" April said cheerily. "We're studying for the Organic Chem test this week. Want to join us? I made snacks."

"I already know all the material. The test should be a breeze."

Cristina walked into the kitchen and took three whole chickens out of her grocery bag.

"Are you making us dinner tonight?" Jackson asked.

"No, but I'm sure your wife will if you ask her. No, while you two are busy reviewing 10th grade science I'm going to work on surgical skills." Taking a butcher knife, she chopped each chicken in half. "These chickens did not die in vain. I'm going to use them to practice my stitches."

Jackson and April watched for a few minutes as Cristina began to sew to halves of a chicken back together.

Leaning over, Jackson whispered, "We should start doing that."

"I know!" April whispered back. "But we really should get back to studying. I want to make sure I know all of this from A to Z."

After a few minutes of quizzing, the sound of Cristina's singing reached their ears. April recognized it as some Madonna song. Normally, she wouldn't mind it, but she was trying to focus.

Noticing her distress, Jackson said, "Hey Cristina, the singing's a little distracting. We'd appreciate if you'd stop."

"I'm sorry that my singing is bothering Mrs. Avery, but it helps me concentrate."

Cristina being her usual self continued to sing. April closed her book. "I can't focus in here."

"We could go to my place," Jackson suggested.

April crinkled her nose. "Ew, gross. No. You and your roommates don't know how to pick up after yourselves."

"That's not necessarily true. Owen always washes the dishes on Mondays and I unclogged the toilet just yesterday."

"I'm not going over there. Let's just go in my room. At least it'll be quieter there."

April plopped on her bed. "Why is she always like that? I try to be so nice to her and it's like she doesn't even care."

Jackson joined her on the bed. "Don't let her get to you. Just get through this year and if you want, next year we can get an apartment off campus together. It'll be nice to finally eat properly. Man can not eat on Ramen and sub sandwiches alone."

"So we'd live together so I could be your servant?" she asked. "What would be in it for me?"

"First of all, my stellar company. Also, you wouldn't have to live with strangers. And my family would pay for it so you could live there for free."

Shaking her head, April said, "If we were to live together, I'd pay my share. Besides, I wouldn't want to live with you because your terrible girlfriend would be there all the time. I much prefer Cristina over her."

"She's not that bad," Jackson half-heartedly protested.

April shot him some side eye. "Let's just get back to studying," she said.

An hour later, Jackson stood up and stretched. "Hey, you still have any of that mint chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer? I could use a break."

"You're going to have to slow down on those sweets," April teased in a mock warning tone. "You're starting to get a little pudgy."

"Are you fat shaming me right now?" he asked incredulously.

"I'm just saying you could spend a little less time snackity-snacking and a little more time jogging."

"I am not getting pudgy. Take it back," Jackson growled, approaching her slowly, threateningly.

"I was raised not to tell lies."

His hands at her waist Jackson began to tickle April. "Take it back. Take it back!"

Being extremely ticklish, April couldn't help but laugh. Her body fell backwards as her arms and legs flailed about. One knee caught Jackson square in the stomach. He oofed in pain. Grabbing her wrists, he pinned her down on the bed. "You are out of control," he said as he continued to hold her down. "Now, tell me I'm not fat."

April shook her head. "Unh-unh."

Jackson stretched her arms above her head and engulfed her wrists in one hand. He used his other hand to tickle her armpits mercilessly.

"Tell me I'm not fat."

"You're not fat! You're not fat!" she gasped.

Smirking, Jackson let go of her wrists but still hovered over her. April stopped laughing and stared into his eyes, his beautiful blue-green eyes. This close she could see the light smattering of freckles across his cheekbones and nose. Her eyes journeyed down to his mouth and in particular his full bottom lip. His breathing had slowed and his gaze upon her was intense. She felt like his focus was zeroed in on her lips.

As his face lowered towards hers, April remembered where she was and who she was with. "I think we've had enough studying for today," she laughed shakily.

Jackson got off the bed and nodded. "You're right. I should go. I think we'll both do a good job on the test. I'll see you later."

"Yeah," April replied a bit breathlessly for she was still trying to recover from the moment they'd just had. "See you around."

After Jackson closed the door, April flopped back down on her bed. What in the world had just happened? Did she almost just kiss her best friend?