The Freshman - book two

one: Winter in Hartfeld

First day of winter quarter. 

My mom parked the family car in one of the campus parking lots and got out, helping me with my luggage.

She shivered and put a jacket over her knit sweater. "It's so cold here!" She exclaimed. "Good thing I took you shopping for winter clothes, huh? Told you you'd need them."

"Yup, I'm eternally grateful, mom."

"So... are you glad to be back?" 

"Of course! I really missed my friends."

"You're so lucky your roommates are nice." She sighed, thinking back to her own college days. "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 shielded my eyes against the bright winter sun, looking around the snow-covered campus.

"Let me guess..." My mom nudged against me, following my gaze and smiling. "Looking for that special someone?"

I smiled, feeling a slight blush creep up my neck. "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." She gave me her mischievous smile, the one she usually has on her face when looking for gossip. "Considering he took you to a masquerade ball over break, I'd say you're very special to him. Might be time to get official, Mia."

Not knowing how to answer, because, well, it wasn't something I'd thought about, I simply rolled my eyes and looked away. Just then, I spotted James approaching through the snow. He raised a hand to wave at me, and I could see a slight smile playing across his face. 

Mom gasped and elbowed me in delighted shock. "That's James? Lucky you..."

"Mom!" I said, pushing her elbow away. "Just... be cool."

"Sorry!"

James strode over and planted a kiss on my cheek, then extended a hand to my mom.

"You must be Mia's mother. I'm James Ashton."

I looked at him, raising an eyebrow. He seemed really cool with meeting my mom this early, when we weren't even an official couple. Then again, I did meet his parents. Even if it was a pretty unconventional way of doing so.

Mom looked completely delighted with James' mannerism. "What a gentleman! Where were guys like you when I was a freshman, huh?"

My mouth fell open at her deliberate flirting. "Mom, what did I just say? You're gonna creep the poor guy out!"

James chuckled. "On the contrary, it's an honor to meet you, ma'am."

I raised both my eyebrows at him this time. An honor?  Well, okay. At least they were getting along.

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

I looked up to the sky. They were getting along a little too well. 

James glanced my way, a teasing smile on his lips. "Is that so?"

"Agghhh, stop! This meet-and-greet is officially over. Goodbye, mom."

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

"I'll do my best. Bye! Love you!"