Rise to the Occasion (a Daniel Radcliffe Fanfic)

Chapter 1

"Aliyah! Get out of bed! It's our first day of being Seniors."

I was so done with college. My roommate Andrea Russet was dressed and ready to go. It was only 7:30 am. My first class didn't start till 9:30, but I obliged. I slipped into some comfortable jeans and a white NYU hoodie, in spirit of being a senior, and went to the back of our apartment. I lived with 3 other girls in our large place. Andrea, whom I've known since we were freshman in high school, Evanna, a short, sweet girl with gorgeous blonde hair, who had just moved in with us this summer. Lastly, Clare, an athlete who I'd become good friends with ever since we met in freshman year of NYU.

"Where's the sugar?" Clare yells from the kitchen.

"Behind the rice bag on the counter." I sleepily reply.

"Oh! I didn't see you. Want some coffee?"

"Uhh... Sure thanks. Hey can I borrow a bobby pin? Mine have 'disappeared'" I made air quotes as she giggled.

"Bottom right drawer" she replied.

"Yaya I know" I teased. Clare had a light attitude which made my mornings easier.

She smiled and checked the time.

"I gotta go to the gym. You know where to find me if you need something." She grabbed her bag and keys and yelled a last goodbye before closing the front door behind her. I finished up my coffee and trudged to my room to wash up. As promised, the pins were right where she said they'd be. They matched my chestnut colored hair perfectly. I didn't do any think special with my hair, just a side braid, unlike Andrea who always went out of her way to make an impression on people, especially since it was the first day. We had first shared a dorm, and now a room in our own place. Evanna and Clare were in the other. The apartment was so large, it even had a small guest room. I paid my own portion of the rent since my family couldn't afford to. My scholarship paid for school and my part time job working as a well paid internship at an editing firm covered my living expenses plus extra.

"Eva! Can I borrow your car? I'm meeting Chase at The Nook." I yelled from the bathroom.

"Ok!" She responded from her bedroom. "I'll come too so you don't have to bring the car back"

"Thanks!" I was saving up for my own car but I didn't have nearly enough yet. I finished up in the bathroom then grabbed my phone and called Chase. We were meeting at The Nook, a Café/Bookstore, to discuss our plans to write a short story as extra credit in our creative writing class. We met through Eva. He's her twin brother. When we found out we had a class together we decided we might as well get friendly.

"Hey, it's Ali",I said through the phone, "I'll be there in...." Eva was already by the door "5 minutes. Eva is driving me so order her..." I put my hand on the microphone and asked Eva what she wanted.

"A muffin and for Eva an iced latte please"

"Coming right up. I'll see you guys soon!"

We argued about the topic of the story and plot but we finally found a compromise and decided to stick to it. I loved writing. I always have. It was like my outlet for anything that was going on in my life. My interest in this spiked around the age of 7. I began writing poems, than I joined extra curricular classes in middle school. Finally in high school, I joined a more sophisticated program that would teach me the the technical skills that I use today in my editing job.

"Oh my god it's already 9:00. I better get going. I'll see ya later Chase." I picked up my things and slapped a 10 on the table

"For the food" I said when he looked at me, confused.

"Ah" he nodded and smiled. Chase was a nice guy. I was glad we had become friends.

I hopped back in the car with Eva and we drove the 15 to get to campus. Of course there was a banner hanging on the dorm entrance that read, "Welcome Freshman". The weather was starting to get chilly so when we walked into the main building, the heat from rushing students plus the electric heater overwhelmed me. I waved goodbye to Eva and headed to my first class.

...........................................

The day passed by quickly. At 8 there was a welcoming party at one of the frat houses. Only Andrea and I went since it's not really Clare nor Eva's scene. Andrea and I decided to wear clothes on the skimpier side, but not dramatically, lower cut tops than usual since it's still cold. Not even over my dead body would I wear fishnets, especially in this weather. As we arrived, we were greeted by a buff, tall guy handing us red cups overflowing with cheap beer. I seriously wasn't in drinking mood so I overturned my cup, pouring the drink on the lawn. Andrea happily accepted hers, chugging it graciously.

"Let's go watch the beer pong!" She suggested. I reluctantly followed her as she led me into the spacious house we had visited so many times the past few years. We expertly dodged already drunk kids and passed by a group of sophomores playing Flip,Sip or Strip, an old lower-classmen favorite, especially for the boys. We found our way to the back of the house. I prayed that I wouldn't get pulled to play. I just wanted to watch.

"Hey ladies!", greeted Ashton, another senior."Let's play!"

"I'm good. Not really in the mood but you guys go ahead"

"Oh come on! Andrea you will at least?" Begged Ashton.

"Fine" Andrea gave in, with a smile. I personally think Ash and Andrea would make a great couple. Andrea won't admit it but, everyone knows it. I decide to take a seat on a couch near the table. The game begins and soon people begin to gather around the table. Andrea keeps losing and ends up passing out on some random freshman. He blushes as I take her out of his arms.

"Alright well she's done. I'll take her back to our place" I say to the few worried faces and whoever will listen.

"See ya. Oh and tell Andrea she owes me a date, you know, since she lost" Ashton says, winking at me. He actually winked, that is so lame.

"Uh ok thanks. See ya." I half smiled, trying to hold Andrea and talk is proving to be a difficult task. I dragged her unconscious body through the crowd of sweaty bodies and into her car. I take the keys from her purse and put them in the ignition. Prrrrrupupup

Great. Now were stuck here. The damn car won't start.