Chapter II

I

The last couple of weeks had been uneventful, to say the least. Nick had managed to keep the promise he had made to himself. Nearly. But what did a couple of beers and a hook-up with one of his fellow law-students matter? He wasn't actually all that interested in her, but at least she was pretty. Besides, Nick felt he needed to prove Schmidt wrong, and demonstrate that he was in fact no longer heart-broken, but instead enjoying single life. But apart from some minor lapses, he'd done good. He'd spent six backbreaking hours in the library every day. That ought to be impressive, even to the most dedicated of geeks. So when Schmidt had invited him to the season's very first basketball match, he acquiesced without feeling guilty.

Their team had absolutely no chance of winning, and it felt slightly galling to be forking out in order to watch some superior team humiliate his new college. But it was fun drinking, eating hot-dogs, and listening to Schmidt and his inane commentary that usually lasted the entire match.

They had actually managed to befriend some of the people in their dorm. This had started out as a purely tactical maneuver, to make sure they had someone to mooch of, in case they ever ran out of tootsie rolls or chips. Schmidt was hell to live with if his cravings weren't fulfilled. In any case, Brad and Ryan had turned out to be okay, so Nick had invited them the join. They could be a bit douchebaggy, and Nick wasn't entirely certain he needed more of that sort of influence. But at least they were chill sort of people, and they could hang out, without it becoming too demanding or time-consuming. Ryan was currently screaming at some player in their team, pieces of half-chewed hot-dog spilling out of his mouth. Disgusting. However, it was the sort of disgusting behaviour that Nick could tolerate, because it meant that he didn't need to hide his own habits.

"So, you hooking up with her again?"

Nick had just finished telling Brad about whats-her-face from a couple of nights ago. He honestly couldn't remember her name, which could be potentially embarrassing, given that they took the same class.

"Naw. I don't think so." He shrugged, non-committally. "Any girl whose name I can't remember, I don't go back to."

Brad and Schmidt laughed, while Ryan continued to devour his hot-dog and yell at their team. They had absolutely no chance of winning. But both in victory and defeat, everyone would either celebrate or commiserate afterwards. That was a distraction Nick could do without. In fact, he should probably head back to the library soon, so he wouldn't have to argue against all three of them. Scouting about the room, he tried to map the least crowded way to the exit. People were wearing the funniest clothes, jumping and screaming. Absolutely savage. A mass of hundreds of people, all shouting slogans. It occurred to Nick that they were probably even thinking the same thing, like the hive-mind connecting them, making them into one great bear-guzzling, popcorn-eating monster.

Except one.

She'd probably never fit into a crowd in her entire life. It was the girl he'd meet on one of the first nights. Jess. Yes, that was her name. Good luck forgetting someone like her, he mumbled to himself, without being absolutely certain whether it was meant as a scorn or a compliment. Today she was acting equally unforgettable, wearing what appeared to be a hat with a sunflower strapped to the brim, and another long, flowery dress. With exception of the hat, she looked like she'd time travelled from the seventies. Her hair was dark and long and flowing. Nick liked long hair. He didn't usually offer an opinion when asked, often because the girl would get angry and accuse him of only wanting a stereotypical girl, who would wash his clothes and cook his food. But Nick couldn't help it, he liked feminine girls. Girls who wore dresses instead of jeans. Girls with long, flowing hair, instead of the short-cropped style that was so popular at the moment. That being said, he also liked sane girls, girls who didn't sing to themselves or talked incessantly for no apparent reason.

As his gaze drifted away from the game, so did his attention. Suddenly he realized he'd been staring at the girl, Jess, for quite some time. Longer than what was reasonable for a passing glance. And so, she must have misunderstood him, because she was now making her way through the throng of people, climbing over seat-backs in order to reach the place where he, Schmidt, Ryan and Brad sat. What the hell was wrong with her? At one point she actually managed to stumble into the lap of some guy. He didn't really seem to mind. In fact, he might have enjoyed her ass a little too much, because she had a hard time getting up, and ended up beating him across the face with her sunflower. Nick had briefly considered interfering, but it looked as though she could take care of herself.

She reached them by the time Ryan had finished eating, and the ref was blowing the whistle, signaling the end of the game. As they got up, she reached him, grabbing hold of his hand. Nick spun around, feigning surprise. No need to let her (or anyone else) know that he'd been following her progress across the room. She smiled at him, before letting go of his arm. Her eyes were really uncommonly pretty. Not to mention her smoking hot body. Just as Nick thought he might actually be attracted to her, she started talking.

"What's up dudes?"

She lifted her hands in an odd sort of greeting. Ryan and Brad looked equally flabbergasted, while Schmidt was his usual, oblivious self.

"Eh, hi..."

They all greeted her unenthusiastically, which struck Nick as maybe being slightly mean. He didn't do anything about it though. Besides, she didn't seem to have noticed.

"Sooo... What are you guys up to? I'm Jess, by the way," she added, addressing Brad and Ryan. They both looked equally confused. No one responded, and the silence stretched on for uncomfortable lengths. Cursing himself and his own sense of chivalry (that's what he preferred to think of it as), he replied.

"I have to get back to the library. I guess most people are going out. How about you?"

The throng of people were pushing them towards the exit. Jess grabbed hold of his arm again. It was probably just to avoid being swept away by the crowd, but for some reason the gesture made him both a little giddy, and slightly embarrassed, as if she'd meant something by it. Jess, of course, didn't notice his reaction, nor the way the guys were staring.

"I'm not sure. Some friends of mine are going out, but I was actually planning on reading. I've had the perfect amount to drink. Not too wasted, yet not too sober."

She trailed off, and started singing under her breath. Luckily the crowd was noisy, and there was no chance that anyone other than Nick could hear her.

"Gooooing to the libraaryyy."

In the end he just tuned out the sound, and steered her by the arm through the crowds of people. As they reached the parking-lot outside, the crowd dispersed. Jess let go of his arm.

"So, you wanna walk with me to the library?"

Brad and Ryan, still trailing behind them, sent knowing looks, and snickered in a none too discreet way. This time Jess noticed, at least if the color of her cheeks were anything to go by. Her skin was unusually pale, and the pink spots on her cheeks were clearly visible. She looked cute, no denying that. Nick found that he didn't like the way Brad and Ryan were rolling their eyes, sending him looks loaded with innuendo. He said yes. It was more to shut them up, rather than any actual desire to go with her. He was getting dangerously close to the point where he would be compelled to say hello every time he met her. And that was a social responsibility he could well do without. Damn! But at least she looked happy as she bid his friends goodbye. Nick noticed that she didn't grab hold of his arm this time.

Then again, why would she?

II

Neither of them talked much on the way. The crowd was moving in the other direction, down towards the bars located at the edge of campus. Soon the streets were empty, except for them. Now and then Jess would glance in his direction, then turn back around without saying anything. After the third time, Nick burst.

"What are you doing?"

He might have been a tad too testy, and reminded himself that he really had no reason to be annoyed. The thought irritated him even more. Perhaps he was developing an anger issue, at least where Jess was concerned. For some reason she just got on his nerves. Jess didn't look at him, but kept her gaze fixed straight ahead.

"Nothing," she mumbled under her breath. And then: "you friends don't like me."

It was just a statement, and it was true. Yet Nick took it upon himself to defend them. Or perhaps it was her feelings he was defending.

"That's not true. They don't know you."

"You don't know me either," she pointed out.

"Yeah. And I'm not sure whether I like you or not."

He had expected something akin to anger, or at the very least irritation. Not with Jess though. She just looked at him, but her expression was more playful than angry. In fact, she almost looked amused.

"So, how's the breakup going?"

"Oh, you know."

He made a non-committal shrug. He actually hadn't thought much about Rebecca for quite some time. It was the longest relationship he'd ever had, that was true, and he did genuinely like her. At least he'd used to. But as soon as she'd dumped him (it had been a very public incident during which he had cried and she had screamed) his main emotion was one of relief. Apparently he'd just needed the distance to realize that they didn't work. But shit, he wasn't going to bring up that ordeal right now. Hopefully Jess would never know. At least if he managed to keep her away from Schmidt and his den of shameful memories. Instead he opted for a change of subject.

"So, how about you?"

It was a shamefacedly lame attempt. He recalled how the subject had brought her close to tears the last time they'd talked about it. Man, maybe he wasn't as smooth as he'd imagined.

"I'm fine. I've actually talked with Spencer a few days ago. He mentioned that we might meet up Saturday."

Was this girl for real?

"You really think that such a good idea? I mean, the guy cheated on you."

Once again, he sounded almost angry. His indignation on her behalf seemed to light a spark of defiance in her.

"Like that's any of your business."

She actually stomped her foot in indignation, in a way he found utterly adorable.

"Besides, we're not getting back together. We're just going to talk. He's been away all summer, and he's never been available. Not until now."

Nick sighed, trying not to sound too patronizing.

"You realize why he's suddenly interested in talking to you, right?"

This seemed to calm her down a bit, though she stilled looked apprehensive. Man, she would be easy to play with. He decided to be gentlemanly however, and resisted the urge to rile her up again.

"What do you mean?"

Jess' eyes were wide and innocent, like she honestly didn't know what he was talking about. And there it was again, the slight tugging in his guts, as if it suddenly had a life of its own, and were trying to escape. Suddenly he felt embarrassed, and the thought of saying what he was about to say, seemed unbearably forward and rude.

"Nothing. I don't mean anything."

Jess' eyes narrowed.

"No, come on. You were about to say something, so say it. I won't get offended."

Well, maybe she wouldn't, but that didn't make it any better. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he gathered his nerve. This was not supposed to be that difficult.

"He wants to sleep with you."

Jess halted, her eyes widening. And then she smiled. Her lips had a nice color. They were so red, and Nick found himself wondering if she used lipstick, or if that was actually her natural color. Jess gave an embarrassed laugh.

"No, he doesn't. We broke up."

"So? I mean, if anything, that makes it worse."

"How so?"

Jess resumed walking, though it was at a languid pace. She meandered down the idyllic campus-street, flanked on both sides by old trees that might be oak or chestnut, Nick didn't really know. She seemed to have forgotten everything about the library. He matched her pace, not entirely certain where they were headed. Both literally and figuratively.

"The only reason for a guy to keep in touch with his ex, is because he wants sex," Nick explained.

Jess laughed again, this time with more confidence.

"That's not true. I don't want to sleep with him."

She blushed. Nick observed that this was quite cute on her, but it did nothing to convince him that her intentions were pure.

"I don't believe you."

"What? Why not?"

Jess had stopped, once again. They were standing outside the philosophy institute. The only thing Nick knew about that particular institute, was that it was nowhere near the law library. She seemed a little disconcerted, while his confidence had returned with full force. It was a relief to notice that in this instance, she was actually more embarrassed than him.

"You just don't seem like you're over the guy."

"I am. I am over him," she protested, her voice rising in volume for every syllable.

"Okay. But you know, when you shout it, it's a little less convincing."

Jess resumed walking at a furious pace. Her fists her balled up, her hair flying out behind her. Why were girls so emotional? He called after her, but she wouldn't stop.

"Hey, Jess, wait!"

Running after her, he grabbed hold of her shoulder. She shrugged it off with an angry gesture. But at least she'd slowed down slightly. He could see the tears brimming in her eyes. Despite knowing full well that this was not worth the trouble, he placed his hand lightly on the small of her back. She stiffened slightly at his touch.

"Look, I'm sorry. I don't really know you. But I do know that you shouldn't be having drinks with your ex. Especially with someone who cheated on you."

And just like that, her face transformed. It softened, the corners of her mouth tugging slightly upwards. She seemed to be leaping from one emotion to the next.

"I'm sorry. You're right."

His hand was still placed on her back. She didn't seem to mind though, so he steered her in the direction of a bench. She sat down without question or complaint. The street was as good as deserted. Jess took a deep breath, then sighed. She seemed content, resting her head against the back of the bench, looking up towards the sky and the canopies above them.

"How come you got to be so wise?"

"You know." Nick shrugged, "I've been dumped a lot."

Then they laughed together, and it was nice.

"Do you ever wonder what you did wrong? I mean, if there was something you should have done differently."

"Sure, all the time."

Jess turned towards him, attentive.

"But," he added, "I think that if it was right, then I would probably have made the effort. Right?"

"That's so romantic of you, Nick."

They laughed again. It was only moments later that he realized that she might have been making fun of him.

They sat on the bench for a while, staring lazily at the passersby, taking it in turn to make fun of them. One poor sap was actually riding a mono-cycle. Apparently Jess could ride one, which at this point shouldn't come as a surprise. She was a sophomore, and basically knew everything one needed to know about the campus, and a lot of things one didn't really need to know. She told him where to get the best ice cream, and the cheapest beer, and he told her of his disastrous attempt at studying, and why he'd moved.

"How come you chose San Francisco?"

It would be dark soon. The sun was already setting, the air slightly chilly. The street-lamps were lit, and cast a soft glow over the streets and the bushes below.

"I don't really know," Nick admitted. "It wasn't like I thought it all the way through. I just knew that I had to leave, and San Francisco just popped into my head. It was just fate, I guess."

Damn, what a douche he could be. He didn't even believe in fate.

"I love San Francisco. I've always wanted to live here. My mum used to take me and my sister here every summer. Then she would leave us with our aunt, so she could go out and drink. But we still had a lot of fun."

Nick snickered.

"Sounds like quite the harmonic family life."

Jess shrugged, and continued, unflustered.

"My parents are divorced. And they're a little crazy. But they love me," she stated matter-of-factly. "I guess it never mattered to me that we weren't normal. But I must admit that it's nice having a state-line to separate me and all that crazy."

Nick nodded in sympathy, but didn't delve into his own past of family-insanity. One thing was for sure; Jess would never ever meet them.

When the sun had finally set, and they both began to feel the chill of the impending autumn, Nick got up, deciding it was time to call it a night.

"I really wasn't lying, you know. I actually have to study."

"I know. Law. That sounds exciting."

She must have been facetious, he could see it in the way she smiled.

"How come you ended up with such a boring subject?"

They meandered towards the dorms, none of them in any particular hurry to get there. Nick scoffed.

"Like teaching is so exciting."

"It is!" Jess protested. "Anyway, I think so. But it doesn't seem to me like you actually care about what you do."

"No, no I don't," Nick conceded. "But I need to take care of my family. I have quite a few brothers, and they haven't exactly got their shit together. Now my dad is paying for college, and they're all kind of dependent on me succeeding."

"Yeesh, that sounds like a lot of responsibility."

"Not unlike a teacher."

Jess shot him a furtive glance. There was something in her expression that he couldn't quite place.

"Yeah, I'm in no hurry to grow up, put it like that. Zero responsibility is enough for me now."

"Then you're lucky."

She lived in the other side of the building, on the third floor. He followed her to her door. It seemed like the right thing to do. On the way he found that she was probably the only other person in the building that found brown wallpaper and linoleum floors homey. Needless to say, they both had weird taste.

They reached her door, and she bid him goodbye.

"See you around."

It was a lame attempt at being cool, and of course, neither of them suggested any specific plans for hanging again. But in Nick's opinion, there was no need, they were already friends.

III

The library was completely deserted. Just like he liked it. Perhaps it was time to give in to his natural sleeping-rhythm, and just study at night. He knew full well that he shouldn't have wasted his time today, what with basketball games and hanging with Jess. He knew that he's friends wouldn't much care for her, but he found that he didn't mind. Perhaps he was maturing, finally managing what he'd set out to master at the age of ten, namely not caring what other people thought.

It was with a heavy heart he opened his books, letting the heavy binding hit the table with a loud 'thunk'. It wouldn't matter, there was no one else here. His eyes were scratchy, and felt foggy with sleep. Studying went painfully slow. It was more a matter of staring at the words, rather than reading them. And when he actually read, the words just passed right through his skull without making much of an impression. It was past two o'clock by the time he had finished the chapter. With a feeling of foreboding, he packed up his stuff. He probably wouldn't remember any of this in the morning. He might just as well have gone out tonight, considering.

When he arrived back at the dorms, he found his room empty. Thankfully. The last thing he needed right now,was a drunk Schmidt telling him about every single girl he'd met. Or rather, stared at. Schmidt wasn't much for talking to the opposite sex. He might like Jess though. She was weird and brazen and easy to talk to.

Stepping inside, he felt something crumple beneath his foot. Turning on the lights, he found that someone had stuffed a piece of paper (folded into the shape of an origami-frog) under his door. A frog. That didn't exactly leave much doubt about who it might be from. He picked it up, and unfolded it. Inside, scribbled in messy writing, he read:

I had fun today. Give me a call if you would like to hang again - Jess

Underneath she'd scribbled her phone-number. With it followed a familiar feeling of uncertainty. What exactly was it that she wanted? He wasn't interested in her. She was obviously still into her ex, so she wouldn't be interested in him. He knew that, but nevertheless granted himself a few seconds to fantasize about what it would be like if she were.

A/N: First of all, thank you to Captain Crunk for betaing this chapter. Also, you might have noticed that the dialogue is not quite up to snuff. I don't think writing is the best medium in which to replicate the easygoing and funny banter of the show. Even so, I'm trying my best. Also, this story takes place at a time when Schmidt is still obese. This makes writing him rather difficult, since I have no idea what he was like at that time. Please make allowances for that. Remember, this story is AU.