Looking up at the prestigious clock tower looming over the main road into Uni City, the unimaginatively named city that sprung up around the world's most renowned learning institution this side of Terra, JJ could hardly believe he of all people was invited. On a scholarship, no less.
Good old average JJ, kicker of many balls, reader of many (fictional) books, and slayer of a great many (also fictional) monsters. Maybe if he kicked more balls, and maybe if more of those balls went into nets instead of soaring out of bounds, or maybe if the books and the monsters were not quite so fictional, he could actually see himself here.
For all that “The Uni” was supposed to enrich the lives and learning experiences of the country's elite, everyone knows that in this world you have to give as much as you get. Through ability or through wealth.
This wasn't a place someone like him should intrude on. Not if things were normal.
His buddy, Steven? Sure, now that was a guy who could get in on his own merit. A brilliant mind with a passion for math. After his last science fair project where he somehow solved a previously unsolvable equation that proved the possibility of a previously thought impossible theory, he was a shoe-in. Supposedly. JJ still couldn't wrap his head around the specifics.
Or his old arch-nemesis from elementary, middle, and high school, Jay? Also understandable. The only reason that guy went to a public school in the first place was because his father believed it to be the best place to hone his ability to manipulate the plebs. It also made for good PR to show that he didn't hate those beneath him, freely allowing his own son to learn alongside them, which his contacts at the local paper constantly advertised by running articles praising Jay's many 'scholastic' achievements.
So how the hell did JJ end up here? Sitting in a deluxe limousine with super dark tinted windows, sipping his first ever professionally made margarita, as it cruises through checkpoint after checkpoint that even the average politician would have to abide? It's quite simple. The world went crazy.
“Enjoying the view, Junior?”
“Jay, how many times have I told you not to call me that!?” JJ glared at the lanky teen lounging on the other side of the extended cab.
“Hahaha, sorry, sorry, old habits die hard. I didn't mean anything by it. Y'know, the only reason I ever gave you a hard time was because of how irritating it was to hear my own name over and over when people were talking to you.”
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“You mean to tell me, you put me through all that shit, you made my life miserable all through elementary, stealing my papers, throwing erasers, tricking me into walking through a swamp in brand new shoes, used your clique in middle school to mock me relentlessly until I had no friends but Steven, and fought over every spot on the team I wanted in high school, because our names were a bit similar?”
Taking deep breaths, JJ fought down the urge to lunge across the car at Jay as he smiled back apologetically.
“Well, when you put it like that, it sounds a bit bad... But hey, that's why I sprung for this sweet ride. A big congratulatory gift for making it into the ol' Uni with a capital U. Birthplace of champions! A brand new chapter of our lives! Let's wash away all that bad blood from those childish antics I put you through with another drink. This 1829 Dom Chandon is one of my personal favorites.” Jay grinned as he held up a bottle that probably cost more than JJ's entire life before the world went crazy.
“You and I both know the only reason I'm here is because your father thought it was a good idea to make connections with the freak who can astral project. And besides, is it even legal for us to drink here? We are underage.”
“Eh, you're not wrong, Junior, but it's not like I ever did anything too bad, right? A bit of rivalry will do you good, father always says. Would you have made it as a starter for the soccer team if it wasn't for our little quarrel? Would you have become poor Steven's friend if it weren't for-”
“Leave me out of it” The aforementioned Steven cut in, sitting next to JJ with his head buried in a massive book that JJ was pretty sure was in English, despite the fact that half the words made no sense to him.
“Anyways” Jay began in a deep, slightly mocking tone “Conflict builds character! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Your struggles have made you who you are today! … And all that jazz.” Jay chugged a mouthful right out of the bottle “As for the alcohol? Laws only matter when they're enforced!”
Glancing forlornly at his now empty Margarita glass, JJ decided to make the wise decision. “I probably shouldn't have any more. I have an orientation with my 'team' in an hour and I'd rather not make a fool of myself.”
“Good luck with that!” Jay immediately retorted.
“You-”
“Good luck” Steven also chimed in from the side.
“Et tu, Steven?” To think, his best and only- no, not only, JJ had plenty of friends, well, acquaintances really- to think, his best friend, would turn against him and begin consorting with the enemy for something as cheap as a deluxe limo, which JJ was still pointedly ignoring the cost of. The horror. The betrayal. Is this how his university life was to start?
“We both know you are no good with alcohol. I told you not to drink any, but did you listen? No. You didn't. And now you're going to have to suffer the consequences of your own actions.”
“NOOOOOOO!” JJ screamed as he was reminded of his one greatest fear.
Fortunately Steven wasn't completely heartless. He may be stoic, a bit of a know-it-all, and slightly asocial by JJ's standards, but not heartless! “Don't worry JJ, if you come by my dorm tomorrow, I'll be sure to listen to all of your troubles.”
“Thank you, Steven! You're a true friend. You are the only person I can rely on when things get tough. I don't know what I'd do without you.”
“It's not a problem, JJ. Your stories are always quite entertaining”
“... Huh?” JJ wondered if he would make it through this after all.