A/N: I never gave up writing, I gave up publishing online. But this time I wanted to share this story because... fan fiction is always worth sharing.
"Mum, I have to go or I'll be late for my first class." Fourth cradled his phone against his shoulder as he began carefully placing is study books into his bag.
"Have a great day, love. Make lots of friends and study hard." There was a level of concern in her voice that made Fourth smile and feel the love of his mother.
"I will mum. Bye."
"Bye Fourth. Talk to you this evening."
"Okay."
Fourth removed the phone and stuffed it into his back pocket, zipped his bag closed and made to the door of his dormitory. He was lucky to secure the single bed room, it was a good size and it gave him personal space. Something he'd never had when living at home with his two younger brothers. They'd shared the largest room of the house and now living on campus he hadn't heard the end from his brothers telling him not to come back home, given they had now claimed his part of the their bedroom.
Of course, Fourth knew their mother would never allow that to happen, so he never took anything they said seriously.
At the door, Fourth slipped on his shoes, then reaching for the key on the hook by the door, left his room enthusiastically making his way to his first class.
Excitement and a touch of fear filled Fourth as he stood outside his first class as others did the same. He glanced around hoping to catch the eye off someone whom him might be able to approach but a level of awkwardness overcame him and he dropped his eyes and kept to himself.
Not far from Fourth, a senior approached another student waiting and Fourth heard him introduce himself.
"First year?" The senior said with a look of confidence and maturity and Fourth was envious he could be so confident.
The student he approached nodded.
"I'm Ken, second year Medical student. Nice to meet you." Ken held out his hand as he introduced himself and the younger student took his hand and hastily introduced himself.
"Paul, first year medical student."
"This is an open class, so you might not meet many first years here, but once you settle into your other classes you're bound to meet other students."
Paul gave a half nodded of acknowledgment, "If I could make one friend, I'd be happy."
Fourth was grateful for the information the senior shared and internally he too hoped to make at least one friend by the end of the day.
"Then consider me your first friend." Ken said.
Paul looked up at Ken, "Really. But you're a second year."
Ken smiled, "It doesn't hurt to have a senior as a friend. I bet you'll be grateful we're friends by the end of the week.
Paul smiled. "Then, thank you."
Fourth glanced towards the other students who now gathered, hoping he might be able to make a friend as easy but as he thought this, the senior approached him with Paul in tow.
"Hi, I'm Ken. Second year medical. This is my friend Paul, first year medical."
"Oh, Hello. I'm Fourth, first year medical. Nice to meet you."
"Excellent. Let's all be friends shall we. Think of me a your older brother." Ken told them and both Fourth and Paul glanced at each other slightly confused and nodded, not accustomed to such boldness in a person.
When the lecturer approached the class, in a deep loud voice, he told them, "No need to wait around outside, head in and find yourself a seat."
The lecturer opened the door and entered and the students waiting entered after him.
"Did you know we could enter?" Fourth asked Ken, as they followed him in.
"Yes, but it was fun watching everyone stand around confused."
Fourth and Paul both glanced at each other, the mirth in Ken's voice didn't go unnoticed.
Over the following two weeks Fourth and Paul found they were in all the same classes and quickly fell in to a routine as they grew into new best friends. As their assignments mounted they spent time in each others room studying together and often ventured out for food hours after realising neither had eaten. They laughed a lot together and shared tales of their youth and family.
They met other people and sometimes sat with them between classes but their time together was more so often the two of them. Ken only attended their Monday morning classes and other than then they rarely saw him.
"He's so random, and turns up when I least expect him." Paul mentioned on their way to their last class Friday afternoon. They had already grumbled about the fact they had no class in the morning but one in the afternoon, making the last day of the week longer than necessary.
"At least you get to see him. If you weren't able to ask him for help for me, I'd still be stuck on how to present the assignment." Fourth replied.
Paul laughed, "It's because we're on the same floor in the dormitories. That's why I'm able to see him."
"Ask for his contact details next time." Fourth requested.
"Okay. I'll ask the next time I see him." Paul replied.
Paul loved his life at university. The youngest of four children, with three older sisters, Paul had been fearful about finding friends and fitting in but having met Ken and Fourth, Paul found his new life a real pleasure. Although, it was true they rarely saw Ken, on the odd occasion when Paul did see Ken it was in the corridor of their dormitory. Ken's room was two doors down from his and sometimes they would meet in the mornings as they were leaving.
Ken was always inquisitive about Paul's life, often asking how he and Fourth were managing and always offering assistance if needed. His support also help Paul to accept being separated from his family easier. It was the encouragement Ken often gave him that helped Paul to grow and thrive at university.
Fourth and Paul were the last to walk out of the lecture room Friday afternoon at the end of their second week. They'd fallen into a steady routine of classes and studying and met other friends but the two best friends did everything together.
"Had I realised there was going to be this many assignments so soon I might not have chosen medicine." Paul whined.
"Me too. How do they expect us to get them all finished on time." Fourth chimed in.
From behind, Ken appeared, as he wrapped his arms around the juniors shoulders.
"Hey! You're not both complaining already. Wait until mid year exams, then you'll be doubting your life choices."
Both Fourth and Paul moaned in displeasure.
"How did you manage?" Paul asked Ken.
"Well, I have a best friend who pushed me as hard as I pushed him." Ken told them.
"Oh. How come we haven't met him yet?" Fourth asked.
Ken dropped his arms from their shoulders and changing the subject, said, "Do you have any plans for this weekend?"
"Assignments." Fourth said and Paul nodded in agreement.
"There's plenty of time for that. If you get the opportunity to go out and make new friends, you should take it."
"Yes, pa." Paul joked and Ken stopped, taken back his response.
"Hey, do I detect a little bit of sassy there?"
Paul laughed and Ken went on, "Don't get too caught up with studying and assignments, every year is going to get harder, so make the most of this year and have some fun. Check out the notice board at the dorms, there are always events being advertised there. Anyway, I've got to get going. I'll see you both Monday morning."
They watch Ken disappear among the other students heading back into campus.
"Have you asked him for his contact detail?" Fourth asked.
"Ah. Bother. I haven't. I forgot." Paul said but in reality he'd been waiting to see Ken alone at the dormitories where he would have more courage to ask.
"Next time. I'll ask." Fourth said, as they continued towards the dormitory.
"I still don't get why he's friends with us." Paul said.
"I know, right. But he has a point, we should check out what's going on this weekend." Fourth replied.
Ken wasn't wrong about the notice board in the foyer of the dorms advertising events for the coming weekend and beyond. How the two friends had missed it in their time there they couldn't understand.
"There's lots of places advertising food and drinks." Paul said, as he glanced over the notices.
"Here's one for karaoke." Fourth replied.
"Mmmm. I'm not a good singer. Let's give that a miss." Paul said, before saying, "Here's one for pool and darts."
"I've never played either, I'm not sure I'd be any good." Fourth replied.
"Mmmm, there's one not far from here that offers live music." Paul said, leaning down to read the flyer in the bottom corner of the notice board. "A different artist each week."
"That's sounds good. What time does it start?" Fourth asked.
"6pm to 11pm." Paul told him.
"Let's do that. We can study all day tomorrow and celebrate by going out."
"Sounds like a plan." Paul said, straightening up.
When they entered the bar, there were very few people there but the band playing sounded decent and so Fourth and Paul entered and found a free table. They didn't have to wait long before a waitress came up to take their order.
"Can you recommend something." Fourth asked.
"First time to a bar?" She enquired and both men nodded. "Then how about we start with something light."
Fourth and Paul glanced around the bar. The ascetics were modern and classy, yet also casual. The soft green leather chairs they sat in were comfortable and the small wooden table appeared custom made, it's odd shade different with every table scattered around the venue. The dark wooden floors looked dull but the bright lights with glass covers above every table reflected a prism of light against the ceiling adding a touch of additional colour to the space.
The small stage against the back wall was also lit up, showcasing the band playing.
"I like it here." Paul said, getting comfortable.
After the waitress returned with their drinks, Mai Tai, a Tahitian punch, they both cheered each other.
"It's not too crowded. I like that." Fourth said, looking around again at those who were also there.
Their first drink they drunk slowly. When they ordered their second, Fourth ask for something different and the waitress returned with two beers. Their second drinks went down a little faster. By their third drink the venue began to get busier.
"Do you think we should leave now?" Paul asked.
Fourth glanced around. There wasn't anyone there he recognised and with a nod, they both finished their drinks. On the walk home, Paul said, "I liked that place but it was a little too crowded and noisy in the end."
"It was. Maybe we can asked Ken if he could recommend a place were there's not too many people." Fourth suggested.
Monday morning, it was Paul who told Ken about their weekend and where they went.
"That's a nice bar but it's good you left when you did. Depending on the band playing there, it can sometimes get a little rowdy and out of hand."
"Can you recommend a better place for us?" Paul asked.
"Mmm. I can. Give me your number and I'll send the details through to you." Ken said, holding out his mobile phone towards Paul.
Paul stared at the phone, then at Fourth, who nodded for Paul to do so. Tentatively taking Ken's phone, Paul promptly typed in his number and saved it. After Paul handed back the phone, Ken held it up and snapped a sudden photo of Paul.
"Hey. Why did you do that?" Paul asked.
"To save to your number." Ken replied, as he looked down at his phone, while saving Paul's photo.
"Ow. Let me see." Paul came to stand beside Ken, pushing himself above Ken's hands to see the image he was saying. "Ow." Paul said again. "That's a terrible picture. Don't save it."
Ken laughed and putting his phone back into his back pocket replied, "Too late now. I'll have to change it later."
Ken moved away and made towards the class and Paul stood beside Fourth, his face sulky.
"It wasn't that bad, was it?" Fourth asked, as they followed Ken into the lecture room.
"No. But still. He could have asked." Paul whined.
Fourth laughed. "At least we have his phone number now." Fourth whispered, as they moved towards Ken and their seats.
A part of Paul was extremely please Ken had asked.
"When are you planning on going out again?" Ken asked.
Fourth leaned forward to look past Paul, as he replied, "We haven't decided. But the idea of going out Saturday night to break from study seems good."
"If you're after somewhere quiet, you'd be better to try a week night." Ken told them.
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea." Paul replied.
"I'd only recommend that if you don't have any morning classes." Ken replied.
"We don't have a morning class on Friday, only the afternoon class." Fourth said.
"Perfect. Even if you do end up with a hang over, it's only one class before the weekend."
"I'm not sure about that." Paul added.
"You were fine Sunday morning when you woke up." Fourth made the statement.
"I was but that's no guarantee I'll be fine the next time." Paul told Fourth.
"I would definitely recommend a week night and it doesn't need to be a late one." Ken told them.
"I think we should stick to the weekends. That way we won't get caught out if something does happen." Paul said.
Fourth glanced between Paul and Ken. "You're right. Let's not go out on week nights."
Ken gave a slight shake of his head. "I'll send you the location of the place I like to go to and you can decide. Okay."
Paul leaned towards Fourth and said quietly, "Do you think he's trying to lead us astray."
"I heard that." Ken said, giving both men a side glance.
Paul sat straight in his chair as Fourth leaned towards his friend and said, "I think he's looking out for us."
Ken huffed and Fourth and Paul both shared a smile.