Bonded by the Blues | A Sander Sides Book

Chapter 1 - First Day at Blue

G'day, my dear readers. This is my first FanFiction ever, I hope you like it!

This is an University AU - Yes I know, there are so many of them! - and I'm basically mapping out how Logan, Patton, Roman and Virgil figure out what on Earth they're doing in their first year in University. Just as I'm doing with mine. Expect a lot of therapeutic outpouring! 

--Logan--

Logan studied the map in front of him. He enjoyed reading maps. This one was no different, but something was holding him back this time. That something was a feeling: nervousness. He hated feelings. He took a deep breath and distractedly studied the steel frame of the board, memorising each dent and scratch. He was surprised: His reluctance to complete a task, and such a simple one at that, was rare.

The acceptance letter had come three weeks ago, and he still couldn't believe that he got into The Caeruleum University. It was his first choice, and he knew he was incredibly lucky to be gifted with such an opportunity. His teachers and relatives had had no doubt of his chances, and now Logan allowed himself a small smile at his achievement. After years of hard work, planning and diligently following through, he had finally reached his goal. He knew his path was far from over, and he was ready for the next chapter. Or was he?

This is not the time to stall. You enjoy deciphering maps, for Hermes's sake! This dilly dallying is most unproductive! Wait did I just use the phrase 'dilly dallying? Hmph. No – focus, Logan, Focus.

His eyes landed on a bright yellow bubble at the bottom left corner of the map. It cheerily announced, "You Are Here!" in bright red. He scrunched his nose at the lurid display of colour and quickly figured out the fastest route to the Registrations Counter. Adjusting his glasses firmly with a steady hand, he took a determined step forward.

Logan had often dreamed of walking down these wide stone halls, stepping across the immaculate lawns or gazing out the grand windows at the pristine lake. He made his way to the courtyard which was slowly filling with people. Some wandered alone, confused, looking around wondering where to go. Some were in loud groups, greeting friends and talking nineteen to a dozen. A few faculty staff moved about. Logan did not know anyone here, nor was he lost, and he definitely was not a staff member, so he speed walked through the chaotic mass of students. He skirted around a ridiculous statue blocking the shortest route to the opposite side of the courtyard, ducked under an umbrella – it was not even raining? – and swerved around yet another bumbling lost soul.

He realised he was holding his breath, and quickly exhaled. He was not fond of crowds unless he knew them all or had approached them with a purpose. And if that was the case, he tended to talk too much.

"Oh My Gods! Where on Earth is the Bursar's Office? What even IS a Bursar?" wailed a girl nearby, pulling on a few strands of her pink hair.

"I think it's the dude we have to pay our tuition fees to?" said her friend in a bored flat tone. It was clear they had no clue where to go.

"If you don't mind me cutting in -" began Logan, wishing to impart his knowledge on the matter.

"You already did that," said the Bored Human. "And no one asked you."

"I was only trying to help..." said Logan. "If you did not know a fact, is it unwise to ask someone who knows more than you?"

"Wow. Rude much?" asked the Bored Human, who was fast becoming an Angry Human. "So, you know everything, huh?"

"Aw, come on! He's just being nice." said the Wailing Human, who was now sobered up. "Can you tell us where to go?" she asked sweetly.

Logan nodded and simply said, "There is a map on the wall across the courtyard."

"Thanks!" chirped the Wailing Human, "Where are you going?"

"I'm on my way to the Registration Counter."

"Well I don't know where that's either! Good luck finding it," said the Bored Human in a huff.

The two of them quickly hurried off. Logan, hurt, looked back at them for a few seconds before continuing.

Conversing with strangers. Never a good idea.

He cautiously opened the door to what he hoped was the right room. To his relief, a name board above a counter confirmed that this was indeed the Registrations Counter. Checking his watch, he noted he was two hours early. Exactly as planned.

There were already five people in the queue. Logan was miffed, he had hoped he was first, even though there really was no advantage in that. Only the Registration number would change. The Early Birds were sitting side by side on the first row of chairs. He shut the door behind him as he took stock of the layout of the room. He took in the high ceiling, panelled walls and dusty corners. He subconsciously recorded all the exits from the room to memory. Satisfied, he walked briskly up to Early Bird Number Five, a sleepy lady who probably had travelled far to be here.

"The seat next to you is vacant, I presume?" asked Logan.

The lady looked up startled. She slowly nodded her head when she finally grasped what the tall young man in a black short sleeved shirt and striped blue tie was asking.

"Therefore, I shall sit," he said in response and did so.

Logan kept his back straight, eager to notice all he could, as he was not too sure about the process of Registration. The Acceptance Letter had been annoyingly lacking in detail, and Logan did not like been ill informed. He placed his three files on his lap: one with the documents the specified by the letter, the second with photocopies of the former's documents with an extra copy of each to be on the safe side, and the third with additional certificates that he couldn't bear to leave behind. The third file was the fattest, though Logan was too modest to notice.

He let his eye wonder around the room as more people entered. He wondered if he would find a person with shared interests. He could not help but run a mental checklist with each fresh face. He suddenly realised that one of those faces was looking right back at him with a grin from ear to ear. Eyes sparkled behind glasses. They belonged to a man about the same age as Logan; clad in something blue and grey. Logan immediately gave a curt nod and ducked his head, embarrassed at being caught staring. So much for trying to observe other humans. Enough of that.

Perhaps he should speak to Early Bird Number Five next to him? After all they had conversed, albeit briefly. One of his 'Personal Goals' for 'The First Day at Caeruleum' was to make a friend. To make friends, one must speak first. Though his most recent attempt with the two females in the courtyard had been disastrous, he was ready to make his second attempt: the lady next to him. Logan recalled the questions he had prepared to ask any potential acquaintance and settled on "Where are you from?" since it was the least intrusive. At least he believed so. He waited for the right moment to start speaking. But that moment never came as Logon got preoccupied debating whether two people should talk before becoming friends or become friends and then talk. He admitted he had no idea how friendship worked.

The chairs creaked as the lady next to him moved one chair up as the first person was called up to the counter. Finally, they have started enrolling students, thought Logan, conveniently ignoring the fact that everyone in the room was quite a bit early and the poor clerk at the counter was under no obligation to start work for the next hour and half. Bless that kind man.

Logan slipped into the chair the lady had just vacated and wondered who thought the chair-hopping-queue-system was a good idea. At least have chairs with no arm rests he whined to himself, shifting his sore behind.

Someone plonked down on his seat he had vacated a moment ago.

"Hi ya!"

Logan realised it was his bubbly eye-hockey partner.

Catastrophe.

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I remember walking up to a lonely office and asking "Are you the Bursar?" to the poor man's face. Turns out he was, and he was mighty annoyed at my cluelessness. Especially as he had a plaque on his door.

Question of the week - Who else thinks that Logan would check for the exits when he enters a room? Or is it a more Virgilesque quirk?

See you next Tuesday!