I think you did a great job in this chapter! The way you wrote how Pam felt at having to go through this away from home and without the comforting presence of her mother was spot on and exactly how I think many in her situation would react. Even if an appendectomy is super simple, I would be nervous too. And I even worked for a few years as a surgical tech and I *know* that there’s nothing to it, but it’s scary to go under anesthesia and to have something happen emergently and add to that being away from home.

Anyway I am terrible at reviewing consistently but I wanted to say I thought you wrote this experience in a realistic way and I liked that Jim was there as the caretaker! I love him in that role, he fits it so perfectly!

Author's Response: Oh my gosh I love that you’re here and reading! I always wonder who is when they haven’t reviewed so thank you so much for leaving kind messages! Surgery is really scary no matter how many times you’ve done it, so I truly appreciate how understanding the people around Pam are. She’s not going to have an easy time with anesthesia and it’s a good thing Jim will be there for that too.

Again, I think you’ve done a good job exploring something between them that this AU provides a unique opportunity to get into: that awful experience of getting really sick for the first time far away from home. This is a really lovely moment between them with him helping her through the fear of that and just being there for her when she needs him.

(Also, PLEASE tell me he got her work to the showcase???)

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I had this happen to my college roommate and it was so hard for her. Her parents were on the other side of the country. And we were all there for her through the entire process. She was scared to death but she pulled through even though it was something so routine. I thought this was be a great way to start maturing our two young love birds.

And into the drama we go. Karen seems like in her last year of high school she was queen bee and everyone knew it. She got what she wanted and would dare anyone to get in her way. However it also seems Jim is more than over this posessive streak of Karen's. He's clearly more into the softly beautiful Pam and it's lovely. The build-up over a few weeks before a kiss also seems nice. They take some time to get to know each other before taking further steps. Love it. Also love the fact that Jim is instantly on board with supporting Pam's art. Lovely scene to envision. Nice job.

Author's Response: You are spot on with Karen, Eric, and we’ll continue to see that throughout some of this story. But Jim, who may be holding back a little bit of the truth himself, has become quite smitten with Pam. That perfect little thing, gosh I love writing them young. Thank you for your reviews, I LOVE them.

Okay, so that soothes some of the sting from last chapter. Kind of interesting to see Jim like that with Karen. Last chapter I got the feeling he wasn't really all that into Karen. Though he could just be friendly and was laughing at a good joke. He is a nice guy after all.

Pam's internal thoughts are about where I'd expect. Kind of doubting herself, especially with what she's gone through. I did kind of like it that she didn't get into a huge fight with Karen. She could have, but didn't. Though that could also be Pam's inclination to avoid conflict.

Looks like Jim got her message. Nice of him to try and make up the missed meeting. Especially with a kind of secret spot. I hope they explain everything behind the missed coffee date. They do still seem to be throwing off all kinds of sparks and that's nice to see.

A nice secret spot, good company, feels like a good place to have a heart to heart. Pam's insistence that Jim can do what he wants feel like the seeds for such a conversation have already been planted too.

Nice job with this update.

Author's Response: I’m glad I was able to soothe the wound a little! I think Jim has fallen into an easy routine with Karen, I kind of imagine how easily Pam can be persuaded by Roy in the show. She doesn’t love him, but he’s comfortable and Karen is comfortable for Jim I like her internal thoughts a lot, It’s very fun to write, and I’m excited to write this little heart to heart they’re going to...attempt :)

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This starts with a gutpunch for Pam, albeit a totally unintentional one - and one a more confident person might be able to detect isn't as bad as she's assuming it is. Poor girl - her insecurity is really running rampant right now and it's leading her astray.

I really like the choice to turn from their blown-up real date to the beats of their fake date in The Client. And that Jim is convinced the whole thing was his fault - oh, these two. At least at their age in this story it seems a little easier to understand.

But what I really like is the ending for this. The idea of them both wanting more for each other was one of the things I loved about JAM (well... early seasons JAM), and the way they bond and Pam offers Jim some necessary guidance here is lovely.

I will also note Toby's playing this like Pam and Jim's little drama just isn't casting much of a shadow over his day... but I'm on to you, Flenderson.

Author's Response: I think the storyline from the show works well with the will they won’t they when they’re young and vulnerable and have no idea how to communicate because they’re 18. I love the idea that they’re being honest with each other but not actually talking about what both of them are bothered by in typical Jim and Pam fashion (some things are just off limits for some reason) ahaha I love that you’re on to Toby, that poor kid, he needs to watch himself lol

Oof. There's always something isin't there. So Karen and Jim have history. That's an interesting turn. Especially with Pam and Karen being roommates. I really get the feeling that Jim doesn't really want to be in that position with Karen. Like she sees him as a target, sees him as James, when he really wants to be Jim.

I kind of hope Jim and Pam can bounce back from this, but who knows. It does seem like a set back to be sure.

Great job in bringing in a lot of emotion to be sure.

Author's Response: Thanks Eric for the review! I usually shy away from too much conflict, but they’re young and vulnerable, and especially when you’re trying to create a new sense of self at college, and let your past go. They’re both hiding from parts of their pasts which will come to light, but don’t you worry about Jim and Pam, they’ll be just fine :)

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This is some VERY strong and efficient characterization of Karen and Roy - I'm liking what I see of Karen's backstory in this. And Pam's inner monologue is just so tellingly self-critical. Please have someone give her a hug for me?

Obviously, she's captivated Jim just like he captivated her, and I love the little moments you've worked in where you see the cracks in his facade of nonchalance - he's sweating bullets. Oh, these kids.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! They’re so young, and so vulnerable, and 18 year old Pam really does need a hug, or five. She’ll be alright though, she just needs a little boost of confidence. So many roommates just ultimately “co-exist” together and don’t really ever become friends. That’s how I always saw Pam and Karen in S3, so writing them as roommates actually came so easy to me from their vastly different personalities and the way neither of them ever became catty. And oooh Jim, you’re right, he might have some smooth moves, but that’s boys a hot mess inside. There will be far more of that in the next chapter. Thank you so much for your reviews, you know I love them!

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Absolutely sweet as heck. The way he knocks on the door? I. love. It. I cannot wait to see how their date goes. And the whole pre-med thing? I'm so interested to see where you take this!

Author's Response: Ahaha would Jim be Jim if he wasn’t sure what to do with his life? Of course not lol. We gotta keep things interesting for him, and UVM is a pretty good school so I like to think he’s a lil smarty. I can’t wait to continue writing more of this and to hear your thoughts!

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Oooooh!!! I love a College AU! I wasn’t expecting Karen as the roommate. Their personalities are already clashing.
And the cute meet with Jim was fantastic! I really hope Laren doesn’t come between them.
Can’t wait to read more!

Author's Response: I thought Karen and Pam as roommates would make a very interesting dynamic and I’m excited all of the different paths this can take! I love a good College AU too, so I’m so excited to write this one! I can’t wait to hear more of your reviews as we continue along!

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I love the whole premise of this already! I'm intrigued to see if he goes for Pam automatically (which it seems like the answer is yes) or if he ever goes after Karen at all. I can't wait to read updates on this!

Author's Response: Thank you so much Beth! There will be some twists in this one, but of course, so much fluff too. I can’t wait to hear more of your reviews! And thank you!