24: The College Years-
8:00AM
The beeps became louder and louder, echoing that something bad was about to happen.
The drawer shook slightly and the electricity pulsed through the wires.
Only one man could stop it.
Jack Bauer plodded his hand out from underneath the covers and slammed down on the button, killing the alarm clocks screams.
He looked up from under his pillow at the time and jumped up, releasing he was late for his class.
"Dammit," he shouted, running to his wardrobe and grabbing a shirt and jeans.
He threw them on and tried to open the bathroom door to find it locked.
"Hurry up Tony, I'm late for class," he shouted.
Tony Almeida opened the door with a towel around his bottom half.
"And whose fault is that Jack?"
"Come on Tony, your next class is at 9, you've got a whole hour to get ready,"
Tony frowned but then stepped aside to let him enter.
Jack barged through and switched the tap on, drowning his face with cold water. He grabbed his toothbrush and squelched some paste on it, shoving it in his mouth and brushing roughly. After around 30 seconds and brushing, Jack spit and rinsed, throwing his toothbrush in the sink and running for the door.
"Hey Jack," Tony called causing Jack to stop and turn.
Tony threw Jack's bag with all his schoolbooks in it.
"Thanks," Jack called back, leaving the room and the door open with Tony shaking his head.
8:10AM
Mr Ferris was recalculating his work when sure enough; Jack Bauer barged through the door to his class.
Everyone turned and stared even though they knew Jack normally arrived at this time.
"Just in time Mr Bauer to tell the rest of the class the answer to this mornings topic question." Mr Ferris grinned.
"Well, Mr Ferris sir I…"
"Sit down Jack; I'd rather much like to get on with my lesson."
Jack complied and sat down at his seat next to Curtis Manning.
"Now as I was saying…" Mr Ferris continued to blether on while Jack tried to copy down his notes.
After around 10 minutes of Ferris talking, Jack lost interest and stared over at the girl of his dreams.
"Out of your league and you know it Jack," Curtis whispered as he caught him looking.
"Why? Because she's the new girl?"
Curtis shook his head. "No, because Christopher has already got his eye on her and well knowing the ladies…"
"Christopher Henderson? But he's older and…"
"Exactly, older, that's what the ladies like."
Jack shook his head at Curtis's words while looking at the stunning beauty.
"Well I am not giving up that easily, if Henderson wants her, he can fight for her."
8:20AM
Chloe O Brian clicked away at the library computer, looking for the latest software.
"You work too hard. You need to chill girl," Jamey Farrell said as she flicked through her magazine, gazing at the six-packs on the men.
"Unless you've forgotten Jamey, the exams are in like 2months and if we want to pass we really should be studying now," Chloe replied, not looking away from her screen.
Jamey rolled her eyes and then stood up.
"I'm going for a drink, you want one?"
"Coffee," Chloe bluntly replied.
Jamey walked away while whispering under her breath "weirdo."
As she turned the corner out of the library she bumped into Edgar.
"Hey, your girlfriend's in there. You 2 can msn each other," Jamey laughed at the unamused Edgar then continued her journey for the drinks.
Edgar made his way over to the computer next to Chloe's and sat down.
"Hi Chloe, what you doing?" he asked.
"Sorry Edgar Jamey was sitting there," was his answer.
"Oh, ok."
Edgar stood up and walked over to another desk and logged onto his computer, thinking maybe Jamey was right in that msn was the only way to get through to her.
8:30AM
Tony looked at his smartened self in the mirror and placed a glob of gel into his hair to finish the look. He gave himself a cool look then grabbed his bag, heading for the door when a knock occurred.
He opened and saw David Palmer standing at the doorway.
"Very smart," David commented. "What's the big occasion?"
"Got an interview for this place called CTU,"
"Sounds fun,"
Tony smiled, "Yeah, maybe. Anyway what's up David?"
"Just dropped by to see Jack, have some info I need to drop off for him."
"Well he's at class but just leave it on his bed."
"Right, of course. I forgot he's started talking the earlier classes now."
"Yeah, bad move on their part. He can never get there for 8oclock,"
Both of them laughed.
David stepped into the room and left a set of papers on Jack's bedside desk.
"Hope he gets them, there notes for his last class today,"
"If I see him I'll him that there, there," Tony told David.
"Thanks Tony. Oh by the way, Sherry and me are having a little get together tonight at around 9 if you want to drop by?"
Tony smiled. "Sure I'll be there."
"Cool, and bring Jack along as well. Should be a good night. It's in my room. Anyway see you tonight," said David while walking away.
"Yip," Tony said to himself.
He looked at his watch.
"Damm, better not turn into Jack and end up being late,"
8:40AM
Michelle Dessler brushed down her smart dress, looking at herself proudly in the mirror. She twirled her curly hair with her slender fingers and then shook herself out of the dream.
"Be professional Michelle. Show them that you're strong,"
She grabbed her coat and briefcase and headed out the door of her room. She walked along the corridor of the girls dorms and then out into the fresh air of the college grounds. The sun was beating down and Michelle felt good and confident.
She peered over and caught a glance of Tony who was walking the same way as her.
"Tony, hey," she called out.
Tony stopped to greet her.
"Hey, looking good Miss Dessler,"
"Not to bad yourself Mr Almeida,"
They both grinned.
"I'm guessing your going for the CTU position as well?" asked Michelle casually.
"Yes, I'm assuming you are as well?" replied Tony.
"Correct. It's a big step. A chance to help keep the world safe."
"Really? I'm just going cause I thought it would be cool, you know, a secret agent kinda thing. They always get the girl,"
Tony laughed while Michelle frowned.
"If you keep acting like this you may as well congratulate me now."
Tony stopped laughing and pointed over the grounds. "Sorry to say but it's not just me your up against,"
Michelle looked over to where Tony was pointing and saw Milo Pressman, Gael Ortega and Paula Schaeffer all dressed smartly and heading for the examiners room.
"Dammit," whispered Michelle, now more nervous and not so confident anymore.
8:50AM
Jack scribbled down the last of the notes and rejoiced as they were let out early.
As the class went to the door, Jack tried to catch up with the new girl but failed as Mr Ferris called him back.
"Jack I really don't think you should have taken this class. You've missed the first 10 minutes, the most important, in every lesson and well I can't wait for you,"
"I know Sir. I'm sorry and I'll try my hardest to get here on time, I truly will," Jack pleaded.
"Right well. One more chance Jack and then that's it."
"Thank you Sir. I'll be here early tomorrow Sir," Jack huffed as he sped out the door.
"That'll be the day," Mr Ferris said to himself.
"Hey," Jack called out to the new girl.
She turned and stood looking confused as Jack came running up.
"Hey, my name's Jack Bauer. I was in your last class."
"Oh hey, my name's Teri Lovell,"
"Teri? Nice name, can I show you around the college? What's your next class?"
"Well nice of you to ask Jack but somebody is already showing me around,"
she pointed to someone who Jack knew to be Christopher.
"Oh ok, well maybe see you around?"
"Yeah, cool."
She walked off back over to Christopher who grinned at Jack, making him very jealous.
"Watch your step Chris," Jack thought to himself, along with the idea of him shooting Christopher.
9:00AM
