Becky sat in the back row of the auditorium fiddling with her now switched off phone. It had been hard leaving all of her friends. She knew each and every one of them were beginning their new lives just like she was. Some were taking a year off to travel, a few had found apprenticeships and others were attending different universities.

She jiggled her leg as she thought about them. It was her best friends, Trin and Drew, who she was going to miss the most. They had helped her a lot during the hardest two years of her life. Having lost her parents, one to suicide and the other in a car accident, both due to drug addiction, had its pros and cons. Becky took a breath and pushed those thoughts aside. It was a new year, a new day and she was going to make the best of what she had.

Lifting her head she scrutinized the room. The seats were placed in an arc. Polished timber walls were hung with portraits of people Becky assumed were honoured students or professors.

A tiny Korean girl was sitting in the seat beside Becky. Her beautiful sleek black hair hung over her shoulders.

As she smiled, her whole face lit up. She leaned toward Becky and whispered, "I am so freaking nervous."

Becky couldn't get over how pretty her dark almond eyes were. "Me too. This is a big class."

"Yes. I was told not all are first years." The girl smiled again as she scanned the room. "Some are second years and up. Apparently this is like a school parade. The faculty heads are going to talk to us all."

"Oh." Becky looked around the auditorium, and then back at the girl. She held out her hand. "By the way, my name's Becky. Becky Bridgestone."

"Demi." She took Becky's hand, tittered and jiggled her eyebrows. "Demi Chung. Future coroner or crime scene investigator at your service."

"Same, or maybe biochemist and research." Becky chuckled. She liked this girl already. "Are you living on campus?"

"Yes. I'm in the Pods. What about you?"

"Pods. Second floor," Becky said, and then added, "Room 247, although, I haven't moved in yet."

"You're shitting me right!" Demi laughed. "I'm in 249. That means we're right next door to each other." She lifted her pen. "Write down your mobile number because I want to put it into my phone as soon as I turn it back on." She grinned some more. "You and I are going to be great friends. I'll be your wing girl and you can be mine. There are so many hot guys here. This year is going to be a cracker."

"No." Becky laughed and shook her head as she took Demi's pen and wrote down her number on a piece of paper. "I have a scorching boyfriend so all those other guys can be yours."

"Pff." Demi waved Becky's words away. "Is he studying here too?"

Becky sighed and shook her head. "He's going to be in Victoria."

"Well. What's your problem? When the cat's away the mice do play."

"Sorry to ruin your fun, Demi, but this mouse is not a player."

"I hope he's worth it." Demi cocked her head. "I had a boyfriend too but, when we found out we weren't going to the same Uni he broke it off with me." She shrugged, and then smiled. "It hurt at first but now I see the sense in it. Distant relationships are hard enough but even harder when temptation is constantly shoved in your face." Demi lifted the side of her mouth. "Alvin says if we're meant to be together it'll happen after all our study is over. He says fate will bring us back into each other's lives." She nudged her head at Becky. "So, what's he like this boyfriend of yours?"

"He's the best thing to have ever happened to me in my whole life." A warm feeling washed over Becky as she thought of Rob. "He wants to be a fighter pilot." She smiled. "I was shattered when we found out we were going to be in different states but Rob says it'll work and I believe him."

"Mm..." Demi looked at her doubtfully. "I hope it does but, be prepared just in case it doesn't."

Demi's words hit Becky hard. She was sure the girl wasn't meaning to be hurtful but they tugged on a string of thoughts Becky had already been contemplating. What if Rob met someone else? Four years apart with a few catch ups was a long time. What if she met someone? No. It wouldn't happen. They loved each other too much. Becky studied Demi. Maybe her boyfriend had done the right thing. If you loved something, set it free and all that jazz. "What was he like? Alvin. As a boyfriend. Was he faithful to you?"

"He was a great boyfriend. Always looking out for me though sometimes I wished he was a bit more spontaneous or wild. You know." Demi laughed. "He looks at life through a thirty year old man's eyes and not an eighteen year old."

"Wow." Becky covered her mouth. "Oh my God. He sounds just like Rob." Although Becky laughed she couldn't help but wonder if she and Rob were doing the right thing. After all they were both going to be super busy with their studies.  

She smiled to herself as she faced the front. The speeches were about to begin. Yes. They were definitely doing the right thing. When they had discussed this exact same question Rob had said they would let future Becky and Rob worry about it. For now they would continue to love life together. She thought of Rob waiting back at the motel. They had one more night together so she wasn't going to spoil it with thoughts of breaking up.

"Hey." A tall blonde guy with dreadlocks slipped into the seat beside Becky. She had seen him lounging on the grass in the university grounds when Rob had dropped her off earlier. It was because of his sun bleached hair that she had noticed him. He looked like a surfer. Becky wondered if Adelaide had surfers.

"Hi." She smiled, and then immediately faced the front. A year ago she and Trin would have probably harassed him. The thought of who she used to be made her cringe. A little knot of pain caught in her chest.

Demi leaned across in front of her. "Hello there," she chirped and held out her hand. "I'm Demi."

"Hey." He jerked his head, shook her hand and faced the front once more.

A quizzical expression crossed Demi's face as she slunk back in her seat and looked at Becky.  She lifted her shoulders, crossed her eyes and pulled a face out of dreadlock's line of sight.

Biting her lip to stop from laughing, Becky shrugged her shoulders a fraction to let Demi know that she too thought he'd been a bit weird. He hadn't even offered up his name.

As the University Dean stepped up to the podium. The hall went quiet.

I wonder who this weirdo is?

I do love Demi.  I hope you do too. ♥

Thanks for taking a look. Keep your eye out for more coming in late February, early March.  In the mean time, you know what to do. Vote or comment and you'll make my day. ♥♥♥

Image belongs to the University of Michigan.