I knew I was out of my element. I was twenty three and a freshman in college. I was just a stupid Marine. I'd spent the last five years in and out of the sandbox. That is until an IED almost killed me and sent me home. Now instead of being a career Marine like my dad I was back to square one. Trying to figure out what I was going to do with myself. My GI bill seemed like the right place to start and now I found myself nervously wandering the Virginia Tech campus looking for my first class.

Anatomy and Physiology okay found it. Taking a deep breath I pushed open the glass panes door and made my way into the lecture hall. The room was large with deep pit seating for eighty, most of the seats were already filled. Spotting an empty seat towards the back I made my way over, awkwardly excusing myself as I maneuvered my bulk down the row. "Hey uh is this seat taken?" I asked the pretty brunette in the seat next to the vacant chair.

She gave me a startled look as she shook her head no, her rainbow earrings swaying against her cheek. She tucked her long legs to the side and moved her book bag to the floor.

"Thanks!" I said gratefully as I took my seat. The chair groaned under my weight but held.

"No problem." She replied cautiously.

I tried to get comfortable stretching my leg out so my muscles wouldn't cramp. I accidentally kicked her battered converse. "Sorry." I said lamely noticing the cartoonish unicorn tattoo on her calf. "Cool unicorn! I have one too."

She raised her eyebrow skeptically, "Seriously?"

I laughed quietly as I showed her my forearm the grim reaper on a rearing unicorn with an AR slung across his back. The unicorn had a rainbow mane and tail and K-bar knife in its mouth.

"That's fucking fantastic!" She smiled. "I'm Elizabeth."

"Garrett."

"You know, I did not expect that when you sat down. You look like you eat nails for breakfast and stuff kids into lockers."

I grinned at her, "They do that here?"

Her smile faltered, "Some people aren't exactly accepting."

I nodded "Hey as far as I'm concerned we both like the same thing short skirts and tall socks am I right?"

She laughed and nodded as the professor walked in.

"See you get it!" I tentatively held my fist up.

She fist bumped me then opened her textbook as the lesson began.

I had made a friend.