Chapter Text
“Bilbo, are you ready yet?”
“Yeah, just coming down now Gandalf!”
Bilbo sighed a looked at himself in the long mirror on his bedroom wall. It was his first day at a new college, due to Gandalf changing location for a job. Since is parents’ death from a young age Bilbo has been under Gandalf’s care. He was now 18 and attending a brand-new college in a new town. The college Gandalf had enrolled him to was also where his ‘new job’ was at – Erebor High.
Bilbo frowned down at himself judging his appearance…he was never a popular kid in any of the other schools and colleges he has been to over the years, but today he wanted to change that. He wanted to make decent friends, friends he actually wanted to be around for once.
Because today was an important day (first impressions and all). Bilbo decided to put on what made him most comfortable, a pair of black skinny jeans, his white converses and an over-sized emerald hoodie. Knowing he will be the centre of attention today Bilbo thought it would be best to try and fit in with the crowd… dressing too smart would look strange. Ruffling his long golden hair once more Bilbo nodded at himself and picked up his brown rucksack from the floor and hurried down the stairs to where Gandalf was waiting for him at the door.
“My dear boy what was taking you so long? “
“Ahh…sorry just nervous, new people and all.”
Gandalf smiled warmly down at him and place a hand on his shoulder.
“You have nothing to fear, Erebor High is a friendly place. I’m certain you will fit in perfectly.”
With that Bilbo and Gandalf headed out the front door and into the car. It wasn’t a far drive to the college. Bilbo had been there once to be shown around and knew it wouldn’t take long to arrive. Secretly he wished it did. Anything to buy him more time to calm his nerves. He continued to look out the window of the car from the passenger seat. It was a cloudy day but thankfully there wasn’t any rain. He watched as they passed a few cozy looking cafes and restaurants. It seemed nice here. The neighbourhood looked a lot better from where they had come from. Bilbo knows for sure he won’t be missing his old college. Thinking of college Bilbo feels himself getting worked up again. I really hope no one thinks I’m weird or different…please, please be a good first day.
Sooner than Bilbo is happy with he and Gandalf arrive at the college car park where Gandalf quickly parks up.
“Here we are boy, need me to walk with you to your first class?”
“Umm, can do thanks.”
With that he and Gandalf head towards the main entrance to the college. He briefly looks around and everyone is busy with their friends laughing and being normal teenagers. No one is looking at him. Bilbo smiles and pushes on.
“Ah, Bilbo what is your first lesson of the day?”
“Oh, yeah sorry Gandalf one second I’ll grab my schedule out.”
Bilbo quickly hurries through his rucksack to find his time table and pulls out the white book with the Erebor High logo on the front. It’s a blue logo with a mountain and trees on either side.
“Here it is, looks like I have history first with Mr Fundin.”
“Brilliant, Mr Fundin is wonderful. Perfect first lesson of the day.”
Gandalf winks and continues towards the doors with Bilbo tagging behind. As Gandalf guides Bilbo along he mutters the corridors locations and names which Bilbo knows already he’s going to have trouble remembering. They come to a stop by a classroom door which has Mr Fundin written on metal in the centre. Seems this is where my class is.
“Here you are Bilbo, looks like everyone is in there already so quickly get seated. Mr Fundin already knows about your arrival today.”
Alright here it goes.
“Thanks, see you later then.”
With their goodbyes for the day Bilbo walks into the class. It’s a reasonable size classroom with about 20 tables and a lot of side windows letting in the view from outside. He stops just after the threshold and waits. Mr Fundin quickly notices him and smiles warmly.
“Ah it is Bilbo, Bilbo Baggins?
“Yes, that’s me, I’m a new starter today.”
Bilbo felt the need to imply that but knew Mr Fundin already was aware of this. He couldn’t help but nervously smile back.
“Of course, everyone can I grab your attention! We have a new student starting today Bilbo, please make him feel welcome.”
With that Bilbo turned to the class and again smiled at all the strange new faces. There were a few mummers of hellos and welcomes from his now new class mates.
“Go and grab the seat next to Bofur by lad – Bofur can you wave your hand please! – there he is, he will help with any questions you have.”
Bilbo mutters a thank you and quickly sits down in the seat next to Bofur. It’s two rows from the back which is perfect for him. He hates being sat at the front. As he sits down Bofur turns to him with a huge warming smile, something that shouldn’t be allowed this early in the morning.
“Hey, I’m Bofur but sir just told ya that. Pleased to meet ya.”
“Yeah... I’m Bilbo but you already knew that too.”
“Ha-ha yeah seems like were getting on to a flying start eh? What are your other lessons for the day?
“Oh, I haven’t really looked. I’ll show you now quickly before the lesson starts.”
Bilbo pulls out all the stuff he will need for the lesson along with his time table. He hands the white book over to Bofur to have a look at.
“Ummm, oh we have all our lessons together today! That’s cool, I can show ya around if ya like?”
“Oh really? Yes, thanks that would be great. I honestly think I’d get lost on my own.”
“Great, I can introduce ya to some of my friends at lunch too. They’ll be happy to meet someone new.”
Bilbo smiled is appreciation as Bofur handed his timetable back over the desks. Seems like the people here are friendly. The lesson begins on a topic Bilbo has a feeling he’ll need to catch up on in his own time, Tudors. He mentally sighs and takes as many notes as he can. The hour passes by quickly and before Bilbo notices the first bell rings signalling the end of first period.
He and Bofur make a move to their next class together – Physics. Bilbo stops around a corner and quickly gets his time table out to have a mental note on what lessons he will be attending today. He calls out to Bofur who’s up ahead.
“Hey Bofur, wait a minute just having a look at my schedule.”
“Oh yeah sure sorry.”
Bofur walks back over and they both stop in the corridor a peep down at his time table together. For today Bilbo reads that he had History first now Physics and then English, Maths and PE. Not too bad for a first day.
“So, I have Physics now and then its lunch, English, Maths and finishing with PE. Not bad.”
“Yeah, well you have me now so I’ll keep you safe during lessons.”
Bofur winks at Bilbo and chuckles softly as they continue to make their way through the long corridors towards their next lesson. Bilbo feels a little confused about Bofur’s comment but ignores it as just friendly banter.
The morning goes quickly for Bilbo, there’s so many things he needs to remember like locations, names and all the notes for the lessons. By lunch time Bilbo’s head is spinning. Bofur leads them to the café where all the hot food and sandwiches are found. Bilbo did bring his own lunch but he guesses we could do with some coffee.
“So, this is food paradise! Me and my mates will eat lunch in here when its like today but normally we’re all outside.”
“Ahh right that’s cool, and food paradise? It’s just college food.”
Bilbo chuckles as Bofur pretends to look wounded.
“Don’t knock it until you try the food here! Come on lets look for the others.”
Bilbo follows behind as Bofur weaves through the groups of college students, looking around to find the others. Bilbo starts to feel anxious about meeting more people but if they’re anything like Bofur he knows he will be fine.
“Ah there they are…hey clot heads!”
Bilbo watches as four heads spin round looking for the culprit and land on Bofur who is waving through the crowd of students. They all wave back.
“Come on Bilbo I’ll introduce you.”
As they come closer to the small group Bilbo takes in their appearances. There are two students who seem very close – one has long blonde hair tied in a low ponytail and the other has similar hair but jet black and wearing his loose around his shoulders. They seem happy to see him when he arrives at the table. Across from them there are two ginger students one has a bowl cut and has a stack of books next to him. The other has some sort of weird hair do going on. Reminds me of a star…how would he even get his hair like that?
“Hi everyone, we have a new person to add to our group. Meet Bilbo he started today.”
“Hi!”
Bilbo smiles shyly as everyone greets him. They all do seem really friendly, nothing like my old college. Bofur then turns to introduce everyone’s names. He first points at the blonde guy and goes around the table.
“So, this is Fili and then we have Kili, Ori on the far right there and his brother Nori. Oh, and Fili and Kili are also brothers.”
“Hi everyone, nice to meet you all.”
They all smile again and Bilbo starts to feel awkward until Ori asks him a question.
“Bilbo what lessons do you have today?”
“Oh, I just had History and Physics and then I’ll have English, Maths and PE.”
Suddenly Fili and Kili pipe up and smack their hands on the table making Bilbo jump. They both look excited as Fili questions Bilbo further along with Kili after.
“PE! Who do you have Bilbo-“
“Oh, please say you’re with us!”
“Hang on I'll check, I haven’t remembered all the names yet.”
For the third time this day Bilbo hands over his timetable to the two – Fili and Kili – and watch as their eyes literally bulge out their skulks.
“Yeah, you’re with us Bilbo!”
“Honestly PE is such a blast.”
“Oh, that’s good, who is my teacher anyway?”
“Mr Oakenshield, but that doesn’t matter you’re with us and Bofur!”
Bilbo practically hears Ori squeak and turns to Bofur mentally hoping this Oakenshield isn’t all that bad.
“So, do I need to be worried?”
“Nah nothing like that…its just well with Mr Oakenshield its best to keep ya mouth shut during his lessons. He doesn’t like messing around.”
“Ahh right, I’ll keep that in mind then.”
With that they settle for lunch. Bilbo sits next to Ori and begins to dig into his lunch. He’s hungrier than he thought and mentally thanks Gandalf for making this for him. Once everyone is finished eating the conversation kicks in and Bilbo finds himself laughing along with others while learning a few things about the college.
They all bring up Mr Oakenshield again and it seems mostly everyone here apart from the girls keep their distance from him. From what Fili, Kili and Bofur are saying he’s got quite a temper. Bilbo just wishes last period doesn’t drag. He looks around and notices a stall with hot drinks and feels his mouth water just thinking about coffee.
“Hey guys, does anyone want a hot drink? going to grab a coffee.”
“Nah”
“Nope.”
“No thanks Bilbo.”
He grabs his rucksack and slings it over his shoulder and makes his way through the crowd of students for coffee. Even though its midday coffee sounds like heaven. Once in line he pulls out his card with the funds on and waits patiently. Looking up at the board they have all sorts of hot drinks to offer, hot chocolate, different herbal teas, normal English tea and coffees. At least I have a good choice for the morning.
“Yes please?”
“Oh hi, can I have a latte please, erm medium?”
“Anything else?”
“No that’s it thanks.”
“That will be £2.50”
Bilbo scans the coffee on the funds card and moves along to wait for the drink. In a few minutes the hot cardboard drink is passed over to him and he can’t help but take a deep breath. Coffee cures everything. He goes to walk back towards the table to meet the others but feels his phone vibrate in his front pocket. Ah that’s probably Gandalf checking in on me. He transfers the coffee in his right hand trying to get his phone out to check the message alert all the while still walking. Stupid phone, I just want to drink some coffee!
Before Bilbo even notices he collides with a firm body making him suddenly look up into bright blue angry eyes. Shit.
“Ooof – “
“Oh, shit I’m sorry…”
“You stupid – what are you doing – just brilliant look at my top!”
From the stranger’s outburst Bilbo notices his black top is covered in coffee. Great no coffee for me.
“I – I’m sorry I didn’t see you- “
“Yes, that’s because you weren’t looking, eyes should be up here not down at the floor!”
Bilbo just stares. He’s never had anyone talk down to him like that. He can guess the person he has irritated is a teacher just from his appearance but can’t help his annoyance build.
“Yes, I am aware sir but it was an accident.”
“An accident you could have prevented if you were using your head! What’s your name?”
“Bilbo Baggins sir.”
“Well Bilbo, lets hope we don’t bump into each other again today, for your sake.”
With that the teacher who Bilbo has no idea who is he walks off in a huff, the crowd of students parting as he makes his way out of the café. Bilbo just watches still baffled by what happen. The man was so rude! What teacher talks to students like that?
Bilbo’s thoughts go a million per second and is quickly pulled out by his phone again vibrating. He looks down and remembers his coffee cup now hasn’t got any coffee in it. Great. He sighs and looks for a bin and wipes down his hand with some tissue. He then makes his way back to the table while looking at his phone. This time a bit more careful of others.
Bilbo boy, hope your morning is going well. Any problems let me know – G
Will be late home later – please make sure you eat! - G
It was Gandalf like he expected, no one else texts him now a days. He smiles softy and types a quick response back when suddenly Kili is shouting over to him.
“Bilbo! Bilbo!”
He looks ups to see Kili waving frantically at him while the others look like someone had just die. What’s wrong with them? He quickly walks over to find them all staring at him.
“What? Has something happen?”
“Well, you tell us! What just happen over there.”
“Oh that...well nothing really, bumped into a moody teacher and split coffee all over him.”
“What the teacher who just walked out?”
“The man with long black hair like mine?”
“Ahh yeah that was him, why?”
Bilbo watches as they all turn to look at each other and then back at him horrified.
“You say ya split coffee on him”
“Errm yeah I did, but not on purpose!”
“Well call it an ice breaker, that teacher ya split coffee on was Mr Oakenshield… our PE teacher.”
Ahh shit. Nice one Bilbo perfect way to make great first impressions. Brilliant.