Fearless Freshman

One

"Yes, mom. I'm headed to my suite right now," I say. She is nervous for me, even through the telephone I can feel her eyebrows furrowed.

"Okay, sweetie, let me know when you get all settled in. And send me a picture of your room so I can see all the decor."

"I will, mom. I have to go though, I think I'm getting close and if any of my roommates are there yet I don't want to be on the phone when I meet them."

"Alright, goodbye baby. I love you."

"I love you too," I say, tapping the end call button and sliding the phone into the top of my suitcase.

I walk past Hamilton suites and can see Carter suites two buildings down. I check the road before crossing and continue down the sidewalk, staring at the campus to my right. Somehow it seems even bigger now the. When I toured last year. The scholars suites seeming ten miles tall instead of three stories high. And there aren't many people in sight, they're probably already moved in and out socializing, but I chose to come on the second move in day to try to stay out of everybody's way.

I'm squinting at the giant fraternity houses when SMACK! I am knocked off balance and crushed by what seems to be a semi truck, a very damp semi truck.

I try to see what is on top of me, but the sun is obscuring my view. I blink a few times and I hear someone clear their throat.
"Uh, sorry."
I can see him clearly now: perfectly carved jaw, piercing blue eyes, full lips. My heart starts pumping loudly in my ears, and my cheeks feel hot. AND HES STILL ON TOP OF ME FOR GOODNESS' SAKE!
His arms are on either side of me, and I feel a sudden twist in my chest. This is it. This is when I can choose to do or say something bold, or I can just do what Anna Lance would always do and apologize and leave in embarrassment.

I don't know if it is the Anti-Anna pact I made myself, or the fact that nobody is around that made me so dauntless but I say:
"Don't be."
I move my hand from under the small of my back and grab his chin. Tilting his face closer to mine, our lips meet and suddenly my fears wash away, because he is kissing me back. But it ends all too soon, due to my shortness of breath from having him lay on me.

Fuck. A complete stranger is laying on me! And I kissed him! I kissed a guy without knowing his name! I've got to tell Kat!

Kat and I met in the fourth grade, she has always been the outgoing, fun one. Pushing me to do more and be more, while I was more of the sidelines girl cheering her on. Not that I minded, Kat is amazing and I'm lucky to have her as my Best friend. When we decided on different colleges we were upset, but she told me this would be the perfect time to break out of my shell, and i vowed to myself--but mainly Kat-- that I would make more daring decisions in our time apart so I'd have great stories to tell her when we're together.

I smile, he stands up quickly and offers me a hand up.

My inner Anna kicks in and I tell him I'll catch up with him later, and grab my suitcases.

"Maybe tonight?" He smiles, cocking his head to the side.

"We'll see." I turn quickly back in the direction of Carter and take a few steps before I hear him start jogging again.

Every part of me is screaming internally. I can't believe it. I remain calm though as I head to Suite 43. I step into the elevator and I resist the urge to call Kat.