It was a week after auditions, and the term had officially started.
Midnight movie sessions were replaced with all nighters and frantic messaging in group chats to ask about the work.

The roommates barely saw much of each other since the term started.
They were all too preoccupied with their studies.
Tabitha and Anvi saw a lot of each other at work, and they tried to make time for their fellow roommates whenever they came into the Baked Potato.

Anvi was quickly putting her belongings into her bag, ready for another shift at the Baked Potato.

"Hey, is Tabitha going with you?", asked Jace.

Anvi shrugged.

"Ok, it's just that she left her–"

"Jace!
Can't you see I'm in a rush?"

Jace's face fell, and he looked like a wounded puppy.
"Sorry."

Anvi exhaled sharply.
"I think she's got a class."

"Thanks."

"Actually, I can spare a couple of minutes.
I... I just wanted to apologise for how I've been treating you.
I care about Sutton, and she obviously cares about you.
We should be civil with each other."

"Civil?
Shouldn't we be trying to be more than that?"

"Excuse me?"

"Don't you want to be friends?"

Anvi shook her head.
"Not really."

Jace was taken aback.
Maybe he had just been oblivious so far, but he wasn't expecting Anvi to answer the way she did.

"Look, this is my one chance to actually make something of my life.
I'm not going to let you and your player antics mess with my head and ruin my chance", revealed Anvi.

"Player?"

Anvi nodded.
"I know your type.
I think we're better of as roommates. Nothing more."

¤¤¤

Tabitha was expecting to walk into a large lecture hall, but was surprised to see a smaller classroom.
She noticed a small device on the wall, where the students had to scan their ID cards.

She scanned her card and chose to sit on the second row from the front.
A boy entered the room and walked towards the empty seat next to Tabitha.

He had fawn hair with a brit-rock haircut.
His emerald green eyes weren't as piercing as the girl Tabitha saw at the auditions, although they still drew her in.
He had a grey shirt on that had 'ALLERGIC TO PASSIONFRUIT' on it in black writing with a green outline.

"Hey", greeted Tabitha.

He nodded his head at her, a half-smile appearing on his face.

"I'm Tabitha.
Cool shirt.
I love that band."

"Jay.
Thanks.
They dominate ninety five percent of my playlist."

"Are you a writer, Jay?"

"I didn't choose this course for sh*ts and giggles", he replied, making Tabitha chuckle.

"Do you have a favourite genre?"

"I'm into poetry, not prose", he revealed.
"Don't get me wrong, prose is cool, but–"

"Poetry is cooler?", guessed Tabitha, earning a smile from Jay.

"Took the words out of my mouth."

¤¤¤

"And then, she told us to buy three books!
Luka, they're thirty pounds each!", exclaimed Sutton.

Having found each other as they were walking out of their classes, Sutton and Luka decided to walk back home together.

A sharp intake of breath, followed by a frown showed Luka's dislike for the workload.

"That's rough.
I was told to get five books", he replied. "Nursing is going to be stressful."

"Well, what did you expect?
You don't just wanna be a nurse for the uniform, do you?", joked Sutton, earning an eye-roll and a smile from Luka.

"Definitely a fan of the uniform, although I'm sure I could make it more stylish.
But yeah, you're right.
I knew there would be a lot of reading, but I didn't expect it to be so heavy-handed this quickly."

"I get what you mean.
And I feel like we haven't seen the others in ages.
I mean, how is that possible?
We live together!"

"Our timetables just keep clashing."

"Well, today's a Friday."

"So?"

"So... why don't we have a study night?"

"Study night?"

"Yeah!
We'll get snacks, sit in the living room and just vibe together.
It'll be fun!"

"You and KJ have very different ideas of fun."

"Oh, whatever.
He'll love it!"

"And if he doesn't?"

"I'll whack him over the head with one of my many Uni books", she joked.

¤¤¤

KJ was sat on a bench, next to a giant statue of a music note—namely the quaver.
There were several benches and seats near it, and it was just another section of the vast campus.

He watched as Luka and Sutton walked by.
He could've easily called after them, but he found that he liked his time away from his roommates.

Life had been really hectic and crowded since moving in, and it was hard to find moments where he could just be on his own.

He liked his roommates—they were really nice.
But they were very loud personalities, and KJ just needed some more time to get used to that.

His phone vibrated, and he quickly unlocked his phone to see a message in the roommates' group chat.

ROOMIES

Sutton
Cancel all your plans and buy snacks!

Jace
I'm in class rn

Sutton
Oh sorry Jace

Tabitha
Same here but I'm a rebel so carry on

KJ
Why do we need to buy snacks?

Sutton
We're having a study party at ours!

KJ
Party?

Luka
It's just going to be us six don't worry.

KJ
Oh ok

Tabitha
I was thinking of going to the library with a couple of classmates

Sutton
Go another time! We haven't hung out in agessss :(

Jace
No not the sad face

Sutton
Yes the sad face

Jace
Oh boy we gotta do what she says

Jace
Sad face Sutton ain't pretty

Sutton
Excuse me? EVERY face Sutton is pretty

Tabitha
Love that

KJ
I'll being some drinks cos I'm near the shop anyway

Luka
Great

Sutton
Luka and I will bring snacks.
You guys decide on what food we're gonna order and the music playlist.

Tabitha
Ooooh I'm excited now!

¤¤¤

Books littered the living room table, with highlighters and pens scattered amongst them.
Sutton, Luka and KJ were sat by the table.
Jace and Tabitha were sat on the sofa.

"So tired...", groaned Sutton.

"I'm so hungry I've eaten hungry for so long", murmured Luka.

"Huh?
That doesn't make sense", said Tabitha.

"I'm hungry, food doesn't taste anymore", he responded.

"Dude, you need to take a break!", instructed Jace.
"You're not making any sense."

"His brain's frazzled", said Tabitha.

"We need sugar and we need it now", said Sutton.

"Anvi finishes her shift in a few minutes", said Tabitha.
"We could ask her to pick up some iced buns–"

"Iced Buns!", exclaimed Luka, startling everyone.

The Iced Buns at the Baked Potato are heavenly.
Tabitha discovered it during her first shift and brought some back for the others to try.

They fell in love instantly.

"What if she takes a while?", asked Sutton.

"Jace and I could go now", suggested Tabitha, earning a nod from Jace.

Sutton's eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head.
"No!", she exclaimed, grimacing when she realised how loud she had been. "Uh, I mean... I'm sure Anvi will be quick.
Let's just send one person to help her carry the stuff."

"I'll go", said KJ.

"You sure?", asked Tabitha.

KJ nodded.
"I need to get some air anyway."

¤¤¤

Anvi wiped down the surfaces she had been working on, wisps of hair getting in her face, causing her irritation.

"I'll do that, you just clock out", said Bolin.

Anvi shook her head.
"Nah, it's fine."

"Oh, Tabitha texted.
She said to pick up some iced buns.
KJ's on his way.
Apparently there's a study session at yours?
Sounds fun!"

Anvi exhaled sharply, the wisps getting in her face once again.
She slammed her hand down on the table, making Bolin jump.

"Anvi?", he questioned, his voice coming out as a small squeak.

"Could you get the iced buns for me please?
I'll be done soon."

Bolin watched as Anvi furiously wiped the table, as if she was a murderer cleaning up their crime scene.

"Just stop for a minute, ok?"

"No, I-I can't.
I need to–"

"Just stop.
Please", he begged, making Anvi look at him.
"Just for a minute", he added, although it came out as a whisper.

Anvi nodded, and sighed, before turning around to face him.
She looked at him as he fiddled with his hands.

"Uh, the thing is... look.
Here at the Baked Potato?
We're a family.
Well, that's what Venn tells the customers.
Some of us just come here to work, get our money and then leave.
But the idea of this place being a family... well, it's what drew me in."

Bolin exhaled softly.

"I... I want to be your family, ok? Whatever you need, whenever you need it... I've got you covered.
I've got your back."

Anvi's face softened, and she smiled gratefully at Bolin's kind gesture.
Bolin caught a glimpse of Anvi's trademark light in her eyes returning when she smiled.

"I'm the potato to your beans.
Or tuna.
Or cheese.
You know, whatever toppings you put on your jacket potatoes."

Anvi laughed, her face lighting up as she did so.
Strands of hair covered her face again, but this time she just tucked them behind her ears.

"I'm sorry for... stressing all over you."

Bolin shook his head.
"Hey, it's alright!
I was a first year Uni student too, remember?"

"Anvi!
Customer's askin' for you.
The name's KJ", called out Venn.

"Uh, yeah, I'm on my way!"

"I'll talk to KJ whilst you get the iced buns if you'd like?", offered Bolin.

"Yeah, that'd be great.
Thanks, Bolin."

¤¤¤

KJ furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as Bolin approached him.
He shoved his phone back into his pocket.

"You're not Anvi."

"Correct!
I'm not a super pretty South Asian nineteen year old with a big brain and an even bigger heart.
Well, I am super pretty."

"Right...", replied a confused KJ.
"Where is she?"

"She's just grabbing the iced buns. How's the study sesh going?"

KJ made a face at his question, before shaking his head and sighing heavily.

"Loads of people in one room... it's not really your scene, is it?"

"Very observant", said KJ.

"Eh, first time for everything."

KJ fiddled with the buttons on his shirt, and Bolin raised an eyebrow at this. After a few seconds, Bolin spoke.

"Can you see that table over there?", asked Bolin, pointing to a table at the back of the room, with the seating part situated so that the customer's back faced the wall.

"Yeah.
What about it?"

"No one sits there.
It's a shame, because I think it's the best place in here.
You're away from the crowd, and you're facing it, so no one's really looking at you."

"Oh.
Cool."

"It's really common to reserve tables here.
I could reserve that table, for you.
And come in whenever you need some time to yourself?"

"You'd do that?"

"Yeah, of course.
So, do you want me to do that?"

"Uh, yeah.
That'd be cool.
Thanks."

¤¤¤

With the whole group reunited, they decided to take a well earned break.  Jace had ordered pizza, with an extra box just in case anyone got peckish later.

"Ok, ok, I just wanna apologise for how weird I was earlier", said Luka.

"It's alright, you were tired and hungry", said Sutton.

"I mean, I'm definitely teasing you about the cr*p you were spewing, but it's all good", said Tabitha.

KJ grabbed a couple pizza slices, before walking back to his seat and handing one to Anvi.

"Right, so, if you were stranded on an island, what would you bring with you?", asked Sutton.

Jace groaned.
"Sutton, you always ask this!"

"It's a good question!", she defended.

"Water", said Luka.

"Something to entertain myself", said Jace.

"Ooh that's a good one!
I'd probably say something like a rope. You know, survival equipment", said Tabitha.

"A map of the area", replied KJ.

"Nice!", exclaimed Anvi.
"I'm sticking with KJ on the trip."

"But it's if you're stranded on your own", said Luka.

"Then I want a KJ!"

Everyone laughed, and KJ grinned at her.

Luka gently nudged Sutton.
"Hey, Sutton?
Thanks for doing this."

"Yeah, it was nice to relax for a bit", said Anvi.

"Yeah well you weren't here when Luka tried to pull his hair out", said Tabitha.

"And I'm glad I wasn't.
No harm should ever come to Luka's hair", said Anvi.

The rest of the evening was much calmer now that the group were well-fed, but there was no telling how hard things would get for them.

-----

Hi!

This chapter was supposed to be a comedic one, but I couldn't really find my stride. I decided to change my approach and go for a more heartfelt tone this time.

School workload is something I struggle with a lot! There's just SO MUCH work! If you can relate, let's all cry together and share some tips we've learned along the way!

Tabitha seems to be getting on with her classmates already, but it's very early days!

KJ really values his alone time, and it seems like this adjustment is tricky for him. But it's tough on his fellow roommates too, so could they all help each other out?

Bolin has my heart and that's never going to change. There are some very big things happening to Bolin in the next couple of terms, so I'm so excited for you to see what I have planned!

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

ruesbennett

LeMystical-Puffle

1-800-ISAACLAHEY-

mlkbttl

SYNOPSIS

Uni starts, and the roommates are thrust into the high stakes world of frantic late night studying.
Friendships are strengthened as everyone struggles with the intense workload.