Never Without You │ BOTW modern AU fanfic

While We Were Gone

"Did I get kicked out of the frat?" I ask straight forward.

"You didn't know?" He asks confused and the whole world comes crashing down on me. I really hoped he'd be as confused as me or tell me Ravioli was messing with me.

"No I didn't know, no one told me! Why'd I get kicked out?" I ask. "This is my home!"

"It's because you got expelled. You can't be a frat at a school that you don't even attend."

"I still go to HU, they let me back in," I explain, trying to sound calm.

"That's great, man! Happy for you! But... I don't think you can just rejoin the frat like that. Having bad grades is one thing but getting expelled is more serious, y'know? I don't know if they'll let you back in after that."

"What?" I heard him but I don't know how else to react. "You think I can explain it to the President of the fraternity and he'll let me back in?"

"Nah dude, don't even bother. They never let people back in just like that. You should come to rush week though and pledge again," he tells me. "Maybe they'll allow you to come back."

"Screw that, rush week is the worst." I shake my head and rub my back. What the hell am I supposed to do now? "Is my stuff still in my room?" I ask him and thankfully he nods.

"Nobody else has claimed your room yet. But I'd definitely clear it out before rush week just in case."

"Okay..." I say and let the news sink in.

"Sorry bro," Teli grabs my shoulder. "Let me know if there's anything you need."

"You got an apartment for me?" I joke but I can't bring myself to smile.

"Sorry man. Maybe try student housing. It's cheap and close to campus."

"Okay," I say again because there really isn't anything else to say.

Shit, does this make me homeless?

Zelda is still waiting with the driver so I walk back to the car and put the suitcase back into the trunk. When I get into the back, Zelda gives me a weird look like she already knows something is up. I don't want her to worry or offer to pay for my apartment, so I just fake a smile.

A second later I realize how stupid that is and that there's literally no point in lying to her about this. I take a deep breath and tell her, "Apparently I got kicked out of the fraternity while we were gone."

Her jaw drops and in the most British way she says, "Wot?"

"I have to find a new place to live," I add.

"You're... Are you joking?"

I shake my head. "I don't want to worry you or make you stressed out about this but I thought telling you is still better than to hide it..."

"Absolutely," she nods and takes my hands. "Thank you for being honest about it."

On the whole ride back to Zelda's mansion, she thinks about my options.

"Do you have money to rent an apartment?" She asks but she already knows I don't, so she goes onto the next option. "Perhaps you could live in the dorms? Most of them will be taken by now but I'm sure international students are given priority."

"That's still mad expensive. Like a couple K's per semester."

"Well... Honey... Any place will cost that much. This is California..."

"Yeah, I know." I lean my head against her shoulder and close my eyes. This is so messed up. I only have one week to find a new place to live? Are you kidding me?