September- It's

It is a frequently observed phenomenon that you might live within thirty meters of a stranger and spent time in the same area everyday and never see that person, but once you become acquainted with the said person, you see them EVERYWHERE.

Such was the case with Zach and Mike who, after their wayward introduction (having no other words to describe it), discovered with some amazement that they would see each other very frequently on campus. Mike developed the habit of dropping in when Zach's in his room, or in the usual spots where he normally went, study group or no. Zach, being the usual creature of habit that he was, stuck to his habit and welcomed Mike to become a part of it and have, in the course of events, had many long and drawn-out discussions about life, the universe and everything, including but not limited to the book and movie production that bears the name.

Thus Mike dropped in one day while Zach was with his math study group. As that they were not in the same math classes, Mike usually hung about and talked with the not-studying half (well, more like three forth, observing the laws of the college students) of the group. That day Nick, who was in the same math class as Zach, decided to drop by and had stayed to moan over the utter inability of the math professor to deliver an even mildly-intelligent lecture.

Both Nick and Zach were relatively mistake-tolerant when it comes to people, but they agreed that someone who repeatedly made mistakes at the 2 x 3 = 8 level does not deserve to become a college math professor.

"It's sad how we get along further when we don't listen to the teacher," observed Zach with a sigh. At this point, they were the only two left in the group of eight who were still attempting to make any headway with math.

"Yeah," agreed Nick, who was picking up the more relaxed form of American speech. "It takes her an hour to do a problem.... Have you finished problem five yet? What did you get?"

"You're in my PE class," said Mike to Nick, having wandered over a few minutes earlier.

"I am?" asked Nick with some surprise, accepting the paper that Zach gave him, along with the muttered "it might be wrong."

"Tuesday and Thursday morning at ten, right?" prompted Mike, and proceeded to give a quick, if slightly cynical, description of the teacher and their classmates.

"Nick, what'd you get for problem four?" asked Zach. He'd been listening in with some interest but felt obligated to continue his struggle with his math homework, against the ineptness of his math teacher.

"Probably the wrong answer," said Nick cheerfully, handing over both of their papers. "I must be in your class then." He told Mike.

"You're French," concluded Mike.

"I am," returned Nick, eyeing Mike with some curiosity. "You speak French?"

"Oui, monsieur!" Replied Mike with a wicked grin. "Suffered through four years in high school and I'm insane enough to be taking it now."

Nick looked delighted. He promptly launched into a rapid-fire speech in his native tongue and Mike, after listening for a moment, responded likewise. Zach glanced at the two for a moment and, satisfied that if math's not being done at least the two have found something to occupy themselves with, handed Nick back his paper and launched back into his homework.
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Hm. I picked 'Fowler' and 'Calais' for different reasons, of course, but it's good to know that I'm getting the right kind (as in they-name-college-buildings-after kind) of names.

Two chapter's good enough for introduction, right? Er. Introducing characters and setting, I mean.