“You remember what you said to me then?"

"Yeah. That Monica is more than just another fish."

“Damn straight she is," I looked intently at my best friend. "Now I

KNOW I didn't deserve her. I haven't decided yet whether you do, either."

“Easy for you to say. You and Ellie are both going to Uni. You've got all the time in the world to figure it out. Me? I gotta send out

Letters of Intent in less than a month!" Nate sighed and started kicking the bridge post absent-mindedly.

“Where else are you thinking?"

“Coupla Big 12 schools. And that's the fucking thing. You subtract

Monica from the equation, and I'm taking the Texas scholarship, no question. Put her in... and I'm not sure anymore.”

“Do you Love her?"

"I... I think so."

“She Love you?"

“Fuck if I know. I mean, I think-"

“Look, man," I interrupted.

“We're eighteen. Thinking is not our strong suit. How does she feel about you?"

“I'm not sure."

“Then what the fuck are you doing here with me? Drop me off at home.

Drive over to her place and find out! The last thing you want to do is choose Berkeley without talking to her and THEN find out she wants to see other people.”

He was already circling around to the driver's seat of his car. I tossed my half-full can over the railing and went to the passenger door. Someday we'd learn about recycling and environmental impact. Back then we were still dumb teenagers.

Three days later, Monica mailed her Letter of Intent to Stanford and

Nate mailed his to Berkeley. They were going to give being together a shot.

SECOND SEMESTER, SENIOR YEAR (April 1998)

In late April, Nate and I pooled together our money and rented a stretch Limo. Everything was arranged and we arrived at Ellie's house on time, dressed in our tuxedoed best.

As expected, Monica and Ellie were nowhere near ready to go. Ellie's mother left us in the living room and went upstairs to check on the girls.

Nate sat down on the couch next to me, visibly sweating. He kept wiping his hands on his handkerchief while his right knee bounced uncontrollably.