R.U. Screwed
is a webcomic written and illustrated by Kimmikala. The story is centered around the relationship between Howie Daniells and Casey Sooch, friends and floormates at Raisley University.
Kimmikala first published the work on Tapas on September 11th, 2016, where it's listed as a slice-of-life school romance story. Since 2018, it's also available to read on WebToon. Readers can support the author via her Patreon.
The story first follows Howie, a closeted 20-year-old student living in the dorms of Raisley University. Aside from succumbing to exam stress, he also struggles to deal with his feelings for Casey, who most people refer to by his last name 'Sooch'. The two had become close friends during freshman year, but Howie also developed an attraction to him in that time, despite Sooch being "as straight as they come". Following Howie's coming-out and subsequent confession to Sooch, the two drift apart. Realizing that that's what neither of them want, however, the two reconcile over the summer break. From this point, the perspective shifts to that of Sooch. As of now, the story is still ongoing.
This work provides examples of...
- Attention Deficit... Ooh, Shiny!: In one of the creator's notes, Kimmikala confirms that Sooch has undiagnosed ADHD. While never explicitly stated in the comic itself, it's stronglu implied with Sooch's lack of focus during studying.
- Closet Key: Howie agrees with his floormate Molly's comment that their dorm mate, Joshua, is cute. She thinks he's joking at first, but is surprised when Howie comes out to her right after.Molly: Oh. I never met him before... He's really cute.Howie: So fucking cute.Molly: Wait, what?
- Coming-Out Story: With Howie and Sooch, the comic depicts both a character who's already accepted their sexuality as well as a character who's just discovering that part of themselves respectively.
- I Don't Want to Ruin Our Friendship: Howie at first does his best to hide his feelings from Sooch, because he knows that he doesn't feel the same way, and that it would sour their friendship. After he finally confesses, Howie distances himself from Sooch, in the hope that he would get over his crush and restore their friendship.
- Interrupted Intimacy: Sooch and Howie seem to be allergic to locking doors, as they're often interrupted whilst kissing or being intimate with each other, especially by Joshua in their shared apartment.
- Kissing Under the Influence: Howie, drunk and stoned after a long night-out, lets his feelings take over and kisses Sooch on the lips. Sooch, while surprised, shrugs it off as just an accident. He does tell Howie the next day, as he had seemingly forgotten what happened.
- LGBT Awakening: Sooch had thought of himself as being straight his whole life, until he realizes he didn't mind kissing Howie.Sooch: I... really am here with a man, huh...
- Of Course I'm Not a Virgin: In a chapter 3 extra, the author states that, despite his relatively innocent appearance, Sooch is absolutely not a virgin and is actually quite experienced.
- Older Than They Look: Sooch is 20 years old but his short stature, combined with his baby face, make him look like a 15 year old at most.
