Game of Love

Chapter One - Winter in Hartfeld

Emily's POV

On the first day of winter quarter, my mom parked the family car in one of the campus parking lots and got out to help me with my luggage. "Brrr! It's so cold here!" Mom exclaimed. "Good thing I took you shopping for winter clothes, huh? Told you you'd need them."

"Yup, I'm eternally grateful, Mom," I said.

"So... are you glad to be back?"

"Of course! I really missed my friends!"

"You're so lucky your roommates are nice. I still have nightmares about the girl I lived with my freshman year... I'll never get the sound of her toenail clippers out of my head..."

"Yikes... something tells me I don't want to know."

I looked around the snow-covered campus, shielding my eyes against the winter sun. "Let me guess... looking for that special someone?"

"Maybe..."

"So, is it, you know... official? I know you young people 'don't do labels,' but you did go to formal together, right? I'd say that's pretty official. Well, if your trip to L.A. together is any indication, I'd say you mean a lot to him. Might be time to get official, Emily." Just then, I spotted Chris approaching through the snow. He waved at me, a big smile on his face. "Wow, the pictures you showed me did not do him justice..."

"Mom! Just be cool!"

"Sorry!"

Chris jogged over and swept me up in a big hug. "Whoa! Down, boy!"

"Sorry... just happy to see you," Chris said. Chris put me down and held out a hand to my mom. "Hi, you must be Emily's mom. I'm Chris."

"So handsome! And a strong grip, too..." Mom said.

"Mom, what did I just say? You're gonna creep the poor guy out..." I said.

"Heh, no harm done. I certainly don't mind being called handsome," Chris said.

"I'm starting to see why Emily never shut up about you the whole time she was home..." Mom said.

"Really? I wouldn't mind hearing what she had to say, exactly..."

"Agghh, stop!" I exclaimed. "This meet-and-greet is officially over. Goodbye, Mom."

"All right, I'll leave you two alone. It was nice to finally meet you, Chris," Mom said. "Emily, make sure to call home at least once, okay?"

"I'll do my best. Bye!"

"Bye, sweetheart."

As my mom got back in her car and drove away, Chris grinned and shouldered my duffel bag. "C'mon, let's get you back to the suite. Everyone's been dying to see you," Chris said.

"Awww, I can't wait to see them either!" I exclaimed.

"They'll be happy to hear that."

I took Chris's hand in mine, and the two of us walked across campus toward our suite together. As Chris and I crossed the quad, I spotted a glamorous young woman looking around campus, clearly lost. She hurried over to us as we drew nearer, an ingratiating smile on her face. "Hi there, you couldn't possibly direct me toward the faculty offices, could you?" she asked.

"I think you're a little more familiar with those than I am, right, Emily?"

"Hold up... you're Emily?!"

"Uh... yes?" I asked. "Do I know you?"

"Not yet... but I certainly know you." The woman looked sidelong at Chris, a sly grin tugging at one corner of her mouth. "So... that must make you Chris."