The snow was almost gone. 

Given Christmas was over, that was expected, but clearly not by January third. The shocked looks on the college student's faces when they returned to NYC was a big enough explanation. Few white chunks littered the brown and dirtied grass, trees were bare, and gusts of wind knocked the limp branches to the ground. 

Classes started back up on Wednesday, January seventh. Professors were yet to be seen on campus, most likely trying to enjoy their last few days of winter break with their family. Students were unpacking their belongings, showing their friends the things they received for Christmas and ogling at the bare ground. 

Alex was the first to strangle Hope in a hug. 

"Holy shit! YOU GOT YOUR CAST OFF, GIRL!" she shouted into her roommate's ear. Hope flinched, but returned the hug with a smile. 

"I missed you too," she laughed, letting the younger girl go. A gust of wind nearly blew Hope's beanie off of her head, and Alex clapped a hand on top of it, grinning. 

"How was your holiday?" Alex asked as she took Hope's bag to carry along with her own. She had been so used to doing this when Hope was crutching around, and didn't realize she didn't have to anymore. Hope didn't mind, to be honest. She was just happy to see her best friend again. 

The two headed back to their room, Hope limping with her brace, dropping off the duffle bags they had lugged from the other side of the country. Alex was bundled up in three jackets, two pairs of pants and two hats, having come from California. She struggled to pull the layers off of her body, throwing each to the bed with a sigh of relief. 

"Did you hear about Tobin?" Alex asked, pulling her hat pressed hair up into a new tight ponytail.

"Yeah," the keeper responded, watching her best friend in the mirror. "It's horrible. First Kelley, now her- yeeh, sorrrry Lex," she finished, stretching out the last two words as she saw the forward look down and her mouth press into a straight, tight line at the mention of her girlfriend's attempt, her mouth pressed into a flat, sharp line at the mention of the circumstance when her girlfriend had tried to commit suicide.

Alex shrugged. "It's fine, Hope. Bound to come up at some point." 

Hope nodded, looking around the room in discomfort. 

"Hey," Alex said, dragging the girl's eyes back to her own in the mirror. "Have you seen Carli yet?" 

Hope blushed. "Uhm, no, why?" 

Alex smiled mischievously, "Just thought I'd ask." 

Hope glared at her. "Alex Morgan! What do you think?" 

The brunette chuckled. "Nothing, what should I think?" she asked, fake innocently. Hope's glare hardened, and Alex simply laughed more slipping an Adidas headband over her hair and grabbing Hope's dorm key from the side table.

"That's mine," the keeper whined, pointing at the piece of plastic that Alex was clutching. 

"Come and get it," Alex teased, raising both eyebrows and letting the door slam behind her. 

Her laughter could be heard from down the hall. Hope groaned loudly and reluctantly followed her. 

-

Alex and Hope were the first to run into him. 

"Hello there," was all he said, smiling down at the two. He wore a light grey sweatshirt and denim jeans. He had light brown hair that stuck up a little in the front with gel. Overall, the man was very handsome. 

"Hello." The two said in unison, looking up at the guy in shock. "You're not allowed to be here," Hope said. "This is a girl's only dorm."

The keeper noticed the black suitcase trailing behind him and the brief case balanced on top of it. Based on the fact that it appeared he was about to move in somewhere, Hope figured he was either a transfer or was just switching dorms. Not recognizing him, the woman assumed he was a transfer. 

The man's smile grew. "What are your names?"

They exchanged a look, and Hope felt a sudden sense of danger and suspicion about this man. "I'm Alex, and she's Hope," the forward replied before Hope could tell her to ferme la bouche.

"This is a girl's dorm. You're not supposed to be here."

He looked down at the crinkled paper, his schedule, that he was crushing in his hand. "I'm supposed to be in Dorm A7. Can you point me where that is?" he asked with a hint of sarcasm. 

Hope's brows furrowed. "Uhm, that's upstairs. Floor six. I don't think anybody's staying on that floor. Bu- but you're not allowed to." 

The guy smirked. "Bye, ladies." Just as he was about to turn out of view, he called, "My name's Brian. Brian Hollins. Nice to meet you." 

Hope scowled at him. Alex looked at her. 

-

"Tobin, what the fucking hell is wrong with you?" Allie said angrily, glaring at her best friend. 

The midfielder shrugged, laying down on Kelley's bed with an agitated groan.

"Get off my bed," Kelley said, hitting Tobin with the nearest pillow. Tobin winced and sat up. 

"Al, I have no idea what you mean when you say, "What the fucking hell is wrong with you?" Please explain."

The blonde rolled her eyes, and Kelley and Tobin shared a look of confusion. 

"Don't you see?" Allie asked, though it was obvious neither of them did.  "Toby, have you talked to Christen yet?" 

Blushing a little, Tobin nodded, unsure of where this conversation was going. "Yeah, I called her when I was in the hospital. Like you told me too." 

Allie sighed. "Have you talked to her since then?" 

Tobin shook her head. 

"I'm lost," Kelley commented from the bed she had just kicked Tobin off of. Both midfielders ignored her. 

"You need to go and talk to her," Allie quipped, following Kelley's lead in hitting her friend repeatedly with a pillow.  

"Ow!" Tobin exclaimed, throwing her hands up in an attempt to protect herself. "Jesus, Christ, guys! I called- ow- her last night! We're- ouch!- meeting in the lobby -oof- at seven! Give me a - ow!- fucking break, please!" 

Allie smirked, sitting back in contentment. She yanked out her blonde ponytail and re did it tighter. "I'm good, Kels," she said, turning to her roommate.

"Get out," Kelley laughed, snapping her fingers towards the door. 

"Gladly," Tobin agreed, snorting and shaking her head. She left, Allie and Kelley laughing loudly behind her.