“Just a few more days. And then it's home for

Christmas and two weeks of lovemaking you'll never forget."

“Men," E-Beth giggled. Our first quarter together had gone well.

The next day, I was coming home from my second-to-last final. Cherys was on the couch, her class materials sprayed out around her. From the haphazard pile, it didn't look Like she was getting much studying done.

I knew from the schedule that Danielle was out at her own final for the afternoon.

The beautiful brunette looked up at me the moment I walked through the door. "David!"

“Hey, gorgeous,” I remarked off-hand. It was a casual comment I'd started making to her over the last few months. It simultaneously let me show my true appreciation for her beauty and neutered the intensity so she didn't feel Like I was really hitting on her or anything.

Cherys just walked straight up to me and slipped my bookbag off my shoulder so that it fell to the floor with a heavy thump. Then her hands scooped beneath my arms and around my back, and she hugged me tightly.

With a moment's delayed reaction, I wrapped my own arms around her and patted her back.

“You okay?"

It took a moment for her to squeeze me even tighter. I had to admit, the warm hug felt really good. At Last she sighed, and released me.

“Yeah, I'm alright. Just felt Like a nice hug." Then she turned and went back to her books, a new focus in her eyes. "That felt really good. I think I'm going to make a habit of it.”

“Anytime. Glad to help." I started off for my own bedroom. I only had a couple of hours before I had to meet E-Beth for dinner.

WINTER QUARTER, SOPHOMORE YEAR (January 2000)

“Damn it's freakin' freezing out there," I muttered to no one in particular as I stomped into the Sciences building. A cold front had moved in, and it was practically freezing on the first day of classes for the Winter Quarter. Then there was the half-snow/half-rain coming down and drenching everything in sight.

We were just getting back from a pleasant Christmas break, where I'd rapidly gotten used to sleeping in and not having any homework. I'd also gotten used to being able to spend every waking moment with

E-Beth. Coming back to school after that wonderful time off and in this miserable weather was just cruel and unusual punishment. And to top it all off, my first class was my eternally hated subject, Chemistry. It was a general ed requirement for my Engineering degree, but one I'd procrastinated as Long as possible.

The Linoleum floor was a little wet so I had to be careful of my footing. So most of my focus was on the floor as I headed into the lecture hall. Now if you put a ball in my hands and give me a purpose then I can tightrope my way down the sidelines without stepping out of bounds and avoid tacklers all at the same time.

But when I'm not paying attention? I'm the biggest klutz in the world.

And so it was that I managed to body-check the thin blonde I didn't see as I tried to get through the door.

“Hey!" she shrieked. I automatically reached out and grabbed her arm just before she fell to the ground, jerking her back until she fell against my chest instead. I caught her easily and then her stormy, pissed off face looked up at me.

“Watch it, dickhead!"

“aAmber?"

"David?" Her voice lost its edge. She looked up at me and I couldn't help but think how cute she looked. She wore a stylish little snowcap and her blonde hair was in two braids that fell behind her ears and over her shoulders.

“I'm so, so sorry. I wasn't Looking where I was going," I apologized. I felt the press of people behind us as more students tried to move into the lecture hall, and I started walking. Somewhat to my surprise, Amber followed along.