Author's Note
Oh boy. Here I go again. Welcome to '21 Credits' aka the College AU that's taken over my life.
Inspired by a really dumb idea I had at work and the brilliant Inuyasha fanfiction by WitchyGirl99 called 'Tell Me I'm Crazy'. Go read it. Did I mention it's brilliant?
I hope you enjoy! This story is ridiculously fun to write.
21 Credits
Chapter 1
or
"The Walker"
The only thing that Jack has ever truly wanted in his life is to help people.
When he was a kid, somewhat skinny and incredibly smart, he was the target of bullies. Unfortunately for them, the bullies, his father was well-versed in many forms of martial arts, and what kid doesn't want to hold that kind of power? It had given him a reputation as a protector for other kids that got picked on. As he grew up, his reputation persisted. It even inspired him to pursue something related to criminal justice. Peacekeeping. He's not entirely sure if he wants to go into law enforcement necessarily, he interviewed almost the entire local police department as a project during his senior year of high school, and he can't be convinced that he has that kind of endurance. He's more interested in the psychology of wrongdoing and more peaceful methods to stop it.
So five years and ninety-nine credits later, he finds himself in his last year at college. He had taken a year off after high school to travel and boy, did he ever. It only solidified his want to pursue justice but on a grander scale. He's considered joining the Peace Corps when he's finished with his classes. But he still isn't sure. He actually took another year off after his second year of university to work and figure things out. He still hasn't. But what twenty-three-year-old did? He supposed many of them did. And that he should get it together. After all, he's almost done.
He transferred to this University a year ago. Two semesters down. He's only got two more to go. He's taking twelve credits this semester and the remaining nine next semester. Only twenty-one credits left.
Jack really, really likes this university. Its student body is diverse and international, its campus beautiful, its professors brilliant and engaging. Another major pull to this school is that the women are beautiful. He notices that but doesn't include it on his list as to why he enjoys attending. Besides, he's far too shy to really embrace that, anyway.
So he's left understandably confused as to why women seem to want to date him. He supposes they find him attractive which is flattering but it doesn't do much else. He's been on a few dates here and there but none of them have taken off into any sort of meaningful relationship. And he doesn't know why.
It's not boredom. The few women he has been out with are usually quite interesting. It's not even really nerves at this point. He's just... uninterested? If he could find the right words he'd use them but so far, no such luck. His roommates tease him and have wondered on many, many (okay, too many) occasions if he's gay. Or asexual. Neither of these things are true. He knows he's sexually attracted to women, he's just not interested in dating any of them. And therefore, he's not sleeping with any of them.
He gets invited to parties here and there. He used to turn down the invitations but now he finds he enjoys himself when he attends. He likes the people. Nice, hard-working people. He, naturally, sees his fair share of debauchery like spontaneous make out sessions and keg stands and vomiting, but he never partakes. But he can at least appreciate that, for the most part, this is all harmless fun. For the most part.
He's smart enough to know that assault against women is a problem on college campuses. So one night, when he sees a guy trying to coerce a girl, who's obviously nearly too drunk to stand, into leaving with him, he intervenes. Then he offers to walk the girl home. They get to her place, he fills up a glass of water and places it on a table next to her bed. He makes sure she's lying on her side in case she feels sick. Then he leaves.
Two weeks later he happens to see the same girl who pulls him aside and thanks him. He smiles back and says it's what any good man would do.
This would not be the last time something like this occurs.
A few weeks later he's at another party. He learns that his popularity has spread. He's now nicknamed 'The Walker' and he's okay with it because it feels nice to gain recognition for something positive.
Of course, notoriety always comes with its drawbacks.
He finds himself doing this once, maybe twice a week. He's not sure why he keeps getting invited to these parties in the first place, he's not exactly the most talkative or outgoing person, but he's happy to be included. He gets a sneaking suspicion that the women that attend these parties are responsible for these invitations, so that there may be a safeguard against unwanted attention from other men.
This is actually the second woman he is walking home tonight. She's stumbling slightly next to him, holding her shoes in her hands. He places a gentle hand on her shoulder to steady her and that's when she whips around and throws her arms around his neck and kisses him.
This is... not the first time this has happened.
In fact, this has happened, many, many times. The first time it happened last year, he swore that his face was going to burst into flames. But now that this has become a frequent occurrence, he knows what to do. He places his hands on her shoulders and pulls back. The woman begins to apologize profusely and he reassures her that everything is alright. He finishes the walk to her room and repeats his routine. Water. Lying on side. Lights off. Out the door.
His roommate tells him that if he ever found a girl that he becomes interested in while performing this duty, it would make a hell of a story to his future grandkids. He does not foresee this happening.
It's Saturday night and the air is cool with the first touches of fall. He's holding a cup of cranberry juice. Just cranberry juice. He's never been much of a drinker, much less so when he sees how it affects the people he's walked home. Fortunately, it looks like the night is winding down and there aren't too many people who've clearly gone beyond limits. He feels relaxed. He's standing with a group of three other students, people he's had classes with in the past. He's not talking much but that's no surprise to anyone. Everyone recognizes him as that shy, quiet man who's somehow been kissed more than any athlete on campus. He thinks this is a gross over-exaggeration but the other students seem to be convinced.
He spots someone in a corner. A girl in a white t-shirt that's cut a bit too high and exposes her part of her midriff. She's wearing baggy, pale-colored jeans with jagged holes in the knees. She's standing all alone. Not totally unusual, but most here are surrounded by small groups. Those that are alone are scrolling aimlessly through their phones. But not her. She's just standing there. Alone in the corner. No phone. Just a beer and a faraway expression. She doesn't even appear to be paying attention to anyone else.
If his future self, let's say 'five-minutes-from-now-Jack', could reveal himself right now and tell him that this is a bad idea, he'd probably listen. There's a heavy feeling in his stomach that tells him this could either turn out really nice or really awful. Nevertheless, he walks up to her slowly, like the gentle pull of a magnet, and says hello.
Author's Note
This story. This entire thing. Was sparked by one idea: what if Jack has kissed a lot of girls? And then my head exploded.
This is gonna be my go-to story to work on when I have writer's block. Which I'm experiencing in a major way. Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration. 'I Exist' is complicated. 'Kiss, Marry, Kill' is really, really stupid. But this story is light and fluffy and sweet and I can't wait to get more out. Stay tuned!
Reviews are always welcome :D