Chapter 1:

Cobol College: The ultimate opportunity for every student of an education dream

It was the big caption that was written on the front of the informational pamphlet for the school. Now that Ariadne thought about it with reading that exact caption out loud, how did her freshman self not catch the peculiarity of that long but foreshadowing statement on what Cobol College was?

It sure was an opportunity and sure it was education but it was for no ordinary dream. In fact, putting it into literal terms is what made it the least of an ordinary dream. It was far from a metaphor as Arthur would say most likely in his pretentious and pedantic sophomore years.

God, it was all exactly two years ago and two years really changed a lot. Considering that all her other team mates was out of college now and dispersed while she and Arthur remained in Junior and Senior year waiting to graduate. At least they were with their teachers Cobb and Mal for both legitimate school subjects and the dream world.

Yet Ariadne was just waiting to see what was going to happen after all of this. It was all really unpredictable with everything that has happened leading up to this. From changing colleges mid-semester in first year to deciding to learn French to meeting who was to be her jackass boyfriend to being chosen at the end of her freshman year to be part of a not entirely normal co-curricular activity. (It really was the most understating codename for their group commitment)

The activity that was an amazing eye-opener to the science and advanced knowledge of dreams.

Oh! Also to add to the list of unpredictable things is suddenly deciding to learn about physics during second year.

Ariadne had overall been staring at the pamphlet she held in her hand for quite a while. It was already evening and she was sitting on her dormitory floor deep in thought. Speaking of almost sounding super hipster, she didn't know whether it was better or not that she lost the freshman hipster persona. She's obviously not a freshman anymore and she isn't into music that much anymore. The whole dream field project distracted her too much. Again, the change in her life impacted like nobody would believe.

Ariadne only snapped out of her thoughts feeling someone sit down next to her on the floor. The familiar mixed scent of textbooks and cologne could only mean it was Arthur. He had changed even though they've only known each other for two years but it was for the better and for Ariadne's benefit. Arthur was in his normal casual attire with an open plaid shirt over his t-shirt along with jeans and Chucks. Ironically enough, what he wore inside the dream world during training sessions was barely that of casual (Or cheap) but that was during his major arrogant days. Then again, he is still a bit arrogant.

"Have you been sitting here for a while?" Arthur broke the silence

"I don't know. I lost track of time" Ariadne replied nonchalantly.

"What were you doing?"

Ariadne paused while still staring at the pamphlet she held in her hand. "Thinking"

"I hope you're not high because you might be returning to your wanna-be hipster days" Arthur joked.

Ariadne only then looked up and smiled. She playfully hit him. "Sounds very rich coming from a still arrogant asshole"

"The word you're looking for is smug and please, you know you love it when I'm like that. Directing all my attention to you in particular" Arthur added

"You mean showing off in front of me" Ariadne had turned her entire body around sitting right in front of Arthur.

"Well, you showed off yourself one or two times during then. You still do at least three times a week for me nowadays" He was slowly and alluringly leaning forward towards Ariadne

She stuck out her hand against his chest briefly stopping him "Don't get too cocky with that matter"

"Funny how that applies really well"

Ariadne simply responded by clutching his shirt with the hand she had stretched out pulled him in. Each kiss they had shared during the past two years (Or accurately, one year for when they legitimately got together) was nothing less of a spark or flutter or heavy beat of the heart. Sure they seemed like they were at each other's' throats (More so Ariadne at Arthur's) but in the end, they fit together so well and as "soppy little teenage girl" or cliché as it sounded, it was meant to be. Ariadne was hoping to remain happy along with Arthur. Even with college expectations or stereotypes involving sex, parties and flings, Ariadne felt that what she had was more than that.

The two of them briefly broke apart by an inch while smiling stupidly obviously wanting to continue remaining that close. Arthur had grabbed her hand that fell from holding his shirt. He briefly glanced down at the small hand he held. "You know, you better hope that a diamond ring doesn't weigh this down too much"

Ariadne retracted her hand and chuckled. "Oh shush you"

Just as they were about to lean into another kiss, they heard a knock on the door to find a panicked Yusuf. "Sorry to disturb you two but there is something you have to see" Arthur and Ariadne only frowned in confusion before getting up to follow Yusuf down the hallway of the dormitories. "Yusuf, what happened?" Arthur asked. Yusuf was simply shaking his head before they got out of the hallway and responded "Something bad"

It had hit late evening and it was indeed dark outside on campus. Arthur and Ariadne followed Yusuf down the pathway where light was visible at Building K in the west quadrant. Wait, Building K was where they held their meetings for the work.

Right from a bush, they saw a much unexpected sight of police right at the front of Building K calling it a crime scene. With lights all on in the building, it seemed that police were searching through. Arthur and Ariadne couldn't help but feel paranoid and assume that the business the whole group did in there had been caught out but Yusuf reassured them it wasn't what they thought it was. It was much worse.

To prove that point rightfully, they soon saw Cobb emerge from the building. The confusion became mixed with horror as they realized Cobb was in hand cuffs and was placed in one of the police cars. Only then, the trio tore away from the catastrophic situation that the rest of the college was completely oblivious to. They returned to Ariadne's dorm and there, they had to recollect.

Arthur and Ariadne were beyond baffled by the scene they just witnessed. They only stared in mid-air contemplating what could've brought something so startling. Yusuf was simply looking at his watch and phone in an anxious manner. He was muttering to himself "Shit". Arthur only looked over to him. "Why? What's wrong?"

Yusuf shook his head before marching towards the door. "Everything is messed up now. We've been compromised. Not safe anymore. I must leave now" Ariadne quickly grabbed him again from leaving. "Wait what?! What are you talking about? We're not safe?! Tell us what's going on, please Yusuf"

He cleared his throat before commencing his mumbling answers. "I'm sorry. I meant that I don't have much time left. I have to leave the premises now since they know I'm an ex-student". Arthur joined the questioning "Who are they? And does that mean we're coming with you since 'our' safety is compromised?"

Yusuf's distress clearly showed how his thoughts and processes were all over the place. The other two were beginning to feel sorry for bombarding him with questions but they needed to know what the hell was going on. "I-I'm sorry but you two must stay here. You're both better off staying within the campus and only the campus. You're much safe here but I have to leave and go to the others" He reached for the door knob one more time but Ariadne gestured to pause once more as well. "Ariadne, I honestly don't have a lot of time. I have to leave –"

"But wait, you haven't told us what that exact scene – what exactly was going on with Cobb being arrested and that very building where we work and all was being searched through by police. You should know well enough that our minds are wondering very far and wide to the possibilities. Just one last thing Yusuf, please"

Yusuf paused "Fine but I have to leave immediately so I'll leave you the brief but drastic news"

Arthur and Ariadne braced themselves but it was hard to wonder why exactly because they didn't know what to expect the truth would actually be. It was silence that was needed before Yusuf exposed the truth.

"Mal was found dead in the building. Cobb has been arrested as a possible suspect" Soon after, he simply opened the door and left leaving Ariadne and Arthur traumatized by the news.

This was by far the most unpredictable thing that had happened in Ariadne's college life. More so than the past 2 and a half years combined.

A/N

Hi ho! This is my 3rd Inception story but I've gone on quite a hiatus with my other stories that need more attention than this one but screw it! I felt like writing this so I shall. (But I will get around to updating my other stories! Just an FYI to my previous readers of other stories - deepest apologies. In other words: I'M BACK!)

Firstly, the characters may seem a little OOC but come on, it's a College AU story (An exaggerated American College basis AU at that) but I hope it'll still entertain you guys. The main OTP here is Arthur/Ariadne as you can see so woo! Again, the OOC matter but I liked having this little twist to their characters in this AU.

I shall await the response for an audience. Please do leave a review if you can. I would like to hear some thoughts so far but anyway, THANKS FOR READING! Stay tuned for next chapter!