To say that Cloud was tired was quite the understatement— the cup of black coffee from McDonalds and the horrifically pronounced bags ruining his paper white complexion were clear indicators. It was hour six of cramming for his stupid anatomy mid-term, and if he was being completely honest, he really did not fucking care about the human body or organ systems or really, just, anything, anymore.
Sure, he could've started earlier, or actually paid any attention in one of the many classes that cost him two grand a pop, but that was simply asking for too much, in his opinion. Instead of being holed up in the biology department's library at 8 pm, he could've been watching some horrible reality television program with his roommate, Tifa, who had protested avidly when being told that Cloud absolutely had to study like a madman, tonight.
The library would be closing soon, though, meaning he'd have to find a new place to hide himself away, attempting to memorize dozens of vocabulary words that he was pretty sure, weren't like, real words. Who the fuck came up with this stuff, anyways?
Doctors, probably, he supposed. That's what he was aiming to go into, but he really hoped he never came up with such meticulous, annoying material, for future students.
His one saving grace, however, was that the book he had purchased from the college's store over the summer was secondhand, and... very loved, apparently. Every page had the absolute worst handwriting scrawled in the margins, which would have frustrated him, had they not been... livesavers. Somehow, for some reason, some psychotic fucker had taken the time to detail the answers to all of this specific professor's quizzes.
A blessing and a curse it was, to have to purchase an overpriced textbook that was written by the professor themselves, but he knew that the notes in the thing were for her class, indefinitely. It had kept him afloat in assignments, growing fond of reading every little snippet added by some horribly bored college student, probably years ago. It was just such a lucky break that it happened to be purchased by Cloud.
"You look awful stressed there," said a voice that so rudely interrupted him from shoving his nose even further into the pages of his pre-owned textbook, not wanting to even acknowledge the intruder that had now entered his private study-session. "Anatomy exams, huh? You'd do better with a shot of tequila in that coffee cup, dude, at that point, there's no saving you."
Bringing his gaze upwards, Cloud had raised a single, thin blonde eyebrow at the absolutely uncalled for remark. "Can I help you?" He snipped back, at the oversized figure that looked fucking ridiculous in the tiny library table chair. He maintained his displeased expression, ensuring that his new... friend, knew that he wasn't welcome to intrude.
"No, but I could probably help you, blondie."
This man, looked like an absolute delinquent. One of those people you'd ignore because he peaked in high school, or maybe because he just sounded like a cunt. "Somehow, I doubt that, but thanks." Returning to scanning the highlighted text, to Cloud's dismay, it wasn't enough to get him his peace and quiet back.
"What! Come on, dude. You look like a vibrant little freshman, let me take some of the bloodshot out of those poor eyes of yours." Why was this person being such a tool, especially to him, of all of the idiots seated in this stupid library? Surely, there had to be someone else to pester, right? Cloud didn't need any help, at all. He had all the help he needed from his cliché, Half-Blood Prince esque textbook.
God, he hated Harry Potter, and he hated himself for making that joke in his head in wishing the idiot would leave him be.
"I took her class! I'm bored and you're cute, let me help you before this place shuts down for the night." Exhaling sharply, Cloud looked at the guy once more, trying so desperately to not just roll his eyes, get up, and leave.
If he didn't cave, he'd never be left alone, huh. "How am I supposed to believe you took this class? Just because you see the cover of a textbook? You could be a dance major, or something, for all I know. Are you done bothering me?" Snapping the pages closed and setting the book down, Cloud began to gather up his scattered notebooks, index cards, and most importantly, his beloved, shitty laptop, shoving it all into his crammed bag.
Without allowing another word in their conversation to ensue, he didn't even look twice before making a break towards the door, leaving his 'conversation partner' in the dust. There was absolutely no way he could fail this damned test over distractions. Especially not random, irritating snobs.
He had gotten criticized for refusing to stay in the dorms, but from his experience, straight guys were putrid, and there was no way in hell he'd ever room with one. Tifa was easy, and they were close enough to almost have no issues with each other.
She didn't go to school, was a full-time bartender, and just requested that if Cloud had the chance, he should befriend a cute college girl so she could swoop in for the kill (more specifically, a date).
The foul scent of instant ramen was evident even from the stairwell, and he decided he'd let it slide, as it was her night off. "You're back early," an immediate comment called from their barely functioning, one person at a time, dingy apartment kitchen. The stove had just clicked off, making the most excruciating sound following— a series of high pitched beeps, signifying that the damn thing did not, in fact, work.
"Yeah, some guy wouldn't fuck off and I couldn't get anything done."
Tifa appeared to him, clad in her skimpy pajamas, bowl of noodles in hand, returning to her messily sprawled out blanket on the couch. "Come watch something with me, you've been non-stop with your books since last weekend. Don't you dare argue— your exam isn't for like, two more days, I remember you telling me."
And, well, she wasn't wrong, so he didn't bother putting up a fight. He was tired, and could use the off time, as he sank into the spot next to her, backpack thrown to the side.
"So like, who was bothering you?" He knew Tifa would ask, it would be unlike her to not, especially if someone had shown interest in her best friend. "Was it a guy? Was he cute, or just being obnoxious?"
"Obnoxious. Tried to insist that he'd taken the course I'm cramming for so he could help me, but like, I don't really need handouts."
A stifled laugh, she twirled her dinner on her fork before lifting it to her mouth. "You'll never go on a date again at this rate, Cloud. Maybe if you didn't ignore every single person, but noooo."
Ignoring her remark, he settled into the coziness of being able to relax, no memorization of science terminology in sight, for now.
It wasn't his fault he'd inevitably doze off right there, even to her commentating on the show she liked so very much.
Morning came, and off he went back to the biology building on campus, hopefully to a peaceful existence once more, as peaceful as it could be with another black cup of coffee. He came prepared, this time, earbuds stuffed deep in his pocket.
Pulling the doorhandle to allow himself into the library, he headed back to his homebase, and to his absolute fucking horror... that guy was there, sitting exactly where he had been yesterday, his own respective book cracked.
It was... really goddamned creepy, and Cloud wasn't prepared to deal with having a campus stalker, so he marched his exhausted body right over to that table, still trying to decide what he was even going to fucking say.
"Hey, if you're planning on like, following me around, I'm going to report you, because it's really fucking creepy." He didn't know how he had that much energy to be so bitchy at 8 in the morning, but he did not want to further have his day ruined by some guy.
There was no response— the asshole had his own airpods in. Of course they were airpods. Only dicks used those, so Cloud had made an utter fool of himself with his ramping courage. Scanning the table, a little something caught his eye, and God, did he regret it.
The penmanship on the notebook pages that were wide open, was eerily familiar.
It took a lot for Cloud to eat his words. To swallow his pride. His face was flushed with rosy, hot embarrassment, rounding the table, taking his seat across from the... black haired guy, who looked up once there was something in his direct line of sight.
"I thought I'd see you here, this morning!" Accompanied with a toothy grin, he removed both of his airpods, tucking them away in the little clicky container that Cloud found so... pretentious. "I wanted to say sorry for annoying you, I really just thought I could help you out, 'cause those classes are wicked hard for no reason."
Knitting his blonde eyebrows together, he pressed his respective fingers to his temples after placing his bag beside him. Cloud did not want to reveal his sudden change in disposition, but his curiosity was through the roof on why the hell this bumbling idiot was carrying him through his classes right now.
"It's fine. I'm Cloud. First year biochemistry major."