A New Adventure (a Fiddauthor Fanfiction)

>> One <<

     Ford was getting desperate.

     His brother had left, and Ford was enrolled in college...alone. He had never been truly alone, and yet here he was, left with no one by his side, left without a brother, left with a family that only loved him when he was able to make them money off his genius.

     Ford was packing his bags, preparing to move into his new dorm. The letter he received told Ford he would be staying in Building 2 in apartment 302 with a man named Fiddleford McGucket. He was never truly fond of southerners; he felt as though they were all a bit slower down there -- not intellectually, but just in general. In New Jersey, everything is fast-paced, everyone was a little meaner than anywhere else, and things get done twice the speed they do in the south. Ford set down the sheet of paper and continued folding his clothes and placing them in the oversized suitcase he had picked out for this particular occasion.

      His parents were not pleased with him, though the whole situation landed on Stanley's shoulders. Although, he supposed his parents weren't exactly pleased with anyone at any time. The only person that hadn't failed them yet was his younger brother, and he was still just a baby.

      The day soon came when he was ready to leave. With a wave to his family and a stern, "Don't disappoint me," from his father, he was on his way to Backupsmore University. Ford was excited, but also nervous. He was unsure of what the future would hold, and that scared him more than anything. He always thought he knew what he wanted from life, but after Stan....

       Never mind all that, Ford thought, twiddling his thumbs. You don't need Stan. 

      Ford arrived to his university and was told to attend the first orientation class he could wedge himself into. After dropping off his bags in his dorm (strangely enough, his roommate wasn't there yet), he ran to the auditorium to catch the class. He found an open seat in the very back next to a handsome, intelligent-looking fellow.

      The speech droned on and on about how Backupsmore is just as good as any other university. Ford dozed off a couple times, unamused by the overcompensating speech.

      "This is the worst speech I've ever heard," the man next to him sighed, resting his chin in his hand.

      "I don't know, high school lectures were never all that entertaining to me," Ford replied with a smirk.

      The man looked over, "At least those lectures were tryin' to get a point across; this man is jus' rambling on an' on about how great this place is. I don't believe it for a second."

      Ford chuckled, "I guess you're right."

      "I'm always right," the man replied, laughing quietly. "By the way, what's your major?"

      Ford ran a hand through his hair, "To be quite honest, I'm not all that sure yet. Something with physics and abnormalities... I've always been interested in strange things. I, myself, have six fingers on each hand! Why wouldn't I be interested?"

      The man took one of Ford's hands, examining the extra finger. "Incredible..." he whispered, awestruck. His gazed shifted to meet Ford's.

     Ford's heart skipped a beat.

     "My name is Fiddleford. It is truly a pleasure to meet you."

*     *    *

     Ford and Fiddleford got settled in their new shared room in a matter of hours. Soon, the walls were decorated with various posters of their heroes, their families, and deadlines. Ford's bed was covered with a red plaid comforter, one he had received as a gift from his mother before he left. There were three shelves in the room, and Ford's books took up most of them. Fiddleford knew he would have to build another sometime soon...

      Each man sat on their bed, going through their schedules and preparing themselves for the first week of classes. Ford had taken seven classes, which would occupy him most of the day, everyday. Fiddleford, however, was more relaxed about his classes. Sure, he wanted a doctorate in mechanics, but he was in no hurry to complete this.

      "I should be back to the dorm by six each night. We could study together, since we have a couple of the same classes," Ford suggested, looking through his schedule once more.

      Fiddleford grinned, "I think that'd be dandy."

      Ford glanced up at his roommate, "I also have one request."

      "And that would be...?"

      "No banjo-strumming after eight, please. I do need my rest."

      Fiddleford snorted, "Well, I suppose I can accept that."

     The following week went smoothly; Ford's classes were challenging and wildly fun, which is just what he wanted from a school. He also adopted the nickname 'Fidds' for his roommate, since saying 'Fiddleford every few minutes got quite tiring. Fidds had an entertaining week, as well, and had plenty of free time to hang shelves and play his banjo.

     Fidds and Ford got along swimmingly. The two did everything they could together. Each meal they met somewhere to talk about their classes, at night, Fidds played his banjo while Ford studied intently over his numerous classes. Ford often rambled about sci-fi and monsters, and Fidds talked about his family back home. The two were quite the dynamic duo, and of course, that helped Ford forget about what happened back home.

      Everything was great. Until the month of finals.