CHAPTER ONE

BANG BANG BANG! I was so sick of my new neighbor. Whoever it was was always partying. I definitely had better things to do like study for finals, and clean my dorm room than to confront a rude neighbor. I had a 10 AM class the next morning, and at this rate I would never get any sleep. I'm sure I'll find a way...

The next morning, in Communications, things were going as boring as usual, with Professor Salendar going on and on about the human gift of communication. Just then, a new figure walked through the door. Wearing baggy khakis, a tight wife beater, and a large oversized fishing vest, he strolled in gracefully. He was quite a sight to be seen. Dark, wild hair with eyes to match. A smile that lit up the room. Sunglasses to conceal some hidden identity.

"Well, well well Mr. Martin, you decided to show up today," Professor Salendar barked sarcastically.

"Yeah, I'm sorry sir. Got kinda held up," the stranger replied, tugging on the waist of his pants, in an effort to keep them up.

"Well, class, I'd like to introduce you all to Sean Valor, he's new to UCLA," Professor Salendar went on, "Everyone give a nice late welcome to him." He put an emphasis on late.

"Good morning Sean," we all repeated mechanically. I glanced over at the beautiful stranger, and he noticed me staring. I quickly looked away, and automatically started playing with my long brown hair, the way I did when I was nervous. I was definitely nervous, but it put me at ease a bit to see him smiling...

The walk home was long and tedious. Since my car had given way about 2 weeks prior, every day had been a long one, walking to and from all classes and then back to the dorm. None of my friends went to UCLA with me and unfortunately, making friends just wasn't my specialty. I just wanted to get my degree.

"Need a ride?" came a voice out of nowhere. Startled, I turned around. It was the stranger from Communications.

"Uh..." I started nervously. "Um, sure. That would be great," I said insecurely. I did the hair thing again. Damn.

"Dope. Hop in!" he said smiling. I threw my bags in the back of his silver convertible BMW, and hopped in the front seat.

He looked over at me and smiled, after the first few moments were filled with silence. All I could hear was my own heart beating and the drum of the engine. I had such an attraction to him.

"So how long you been here?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"About 4 days. Its been rough. But I can handle it," he said with a grin while quickly taking his eyes off of the road, and onto me.

I returned the smile happily. Maybe I was making a friend, something UCLA didn't seem to offer me. When my sister went here 4 years ago, all she talked about was the friends she made. But we're so different. That reminded me.

"Oh, I just remembered. Would you mind dropping me off at the Market City Cafe, if its not too much of a pain?" I asked sheepishly. "I have to meet my sister there today at 2 for lunch," I stated matter of factly.

"Oh, no problem girl. Its on my way," he said friendly.

"Thanks. That's very sweet of you," I said smiling quite flirtatiously. It wasn't normally my thing to be this forward with a guy, but there was an air about this one that made me feel comfortable with him.

"No problem girl. Well, you know me, I'm just Mr. Sweetie," he said while laughing. There was a brief pause. "Well, actually you don't know me, and I was wondering if maybe you'd like to change that," he said a little softer than before. "I mean, I know we just met and all, but..."

’Come, on spit it out!’ I thought impatiently.

"What are you doing later on tonight?" he asked hopefully.

’Yes!’ I thought. My first real date in college, not to mention my first real opportunity for a friend.

"Umm...I am actually going out to dinner tonight with a friend," I replied. Out of all nights I could have picked to have dinner with Vic, my best friend, I of course picked tonight.

"And who would that be?" he said slowly.

"Oh, no one.." I said laughing. I shot a glance his way.

"So its that kind of a no one..." he said quietly. He looked at me, and I just smiled and replied.

"No! Not at all! Just my best friend Victoria. She doesn't go to school here, so I hardly get to see her."

"Oh! Ok, tight," he said smiling. He seemed relieved. I hoped I was gauging his reactions accurately. I didn't want to be disappointed.

"Well, aren't you going to ask me what I am doing the night after that?" I said flirtatiously. I was surprised at how outgoing I was being. It wasn't normally something I'd do.

"I was about to.." he said with a grin.

"Well, as a matter of fact, I am going out that night too," I said, slyly.

He looked disappointed. "Oh, thats cool. Don't worry about me."

"With you," I said smiling. I looked up at him. "Right?"

"Of course!" he said grinning. "Of course!" he repeated.

"Why thank you! What time?" I said trying to hold back my excitement.

"Anytime girl. You tell me," Sean said.

"How's like 8?" I said.

"8 is great!" he said laughing at his own corny joke. I couldn't believe how well we were getting along. I mean, I'm not the most socially adept person I know but I was faring pretty well, from what I could sense.

We arrived at Market City Cafe about 2 minutes later. We walked in together and he held the door. ‘Quite the gentleman too,’ I thought to myself. I spotted my sister, waved to let her know I was there, and then turned to him.

"Ok, she's here. Thanks for the ride. I appreciate it."

"No problem. Anytime you need a ride, you let me know," he added with a smile. Not one to be rude, I returned the smile whole heartedly. "Well I better get going, I have a lot to do tonight," he explained.

"Okey doke. So what is it that you have to do tonight?" I asked curiously.

"If I told ya, I'd have to kill ya!" he said jokingly.

"Fine, fine. I'll see ya at 8 tomorrow then," I said, slapping his arm for his cheesy joke.

"Yeah, remember, 8 is great!" he said. He winked at me, and began walking out the door. I started for my sister, and then turned to watch him leave. As he approached his car, he was stopped by a trio of teenagers. They must have been like 13 years old. I shrugged, thought nothing of it, and walked away.

Chapter 2 ¤

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