This time, I brought Molly with me to Ground Central. She promised me that she wouldn't talk my ear off as I try to study for the English Composition pop quiz on Friday.

"I can't believe you made flashcards," she says, shaking her head at me as I scribble down on them. 

"I need to ace this quiz, remember?"

"Yes. I remember. You've only told me 20 times."

"Well, as Benjamin Franklin once said, 'by failing to prepare, you're preparing to fail'."

"Oh, no. Not Benjamin Franklin," she whines, rubbing her temples. I start laughing even though she's serious.

When I look straight ahead, I notice Henry in view. "Hey, Mol, why does Henry work here? Doesn't his dad own some major tech company or something?"

"He does. But Henry likes his job. He's always been adamant about making his own money and not having to rely on his dad's."

"That's amazing."

"Yeah. It's pretty impressive."

Henry walks over to us with two cups of coffee in his hand. "Hey," he says, setting them down, along with a plate of two chocolate chip cookies. "On the house."

He surprises us when he takes a seat on the cushioned chair across from us. "You don't have to go back to work?" Molly asks him.

"My shift just ended. Finally off the clock." He tilts his head at me and then asks, "What's with the flashcards?"

"Stassie is gearing up for Withers' pop quiz on Friday."

"You do know that she steals her pop quizzes from a random website, right?"

I sit up straight and drop my jaw. "And you've actually looked at them beforehand?"

"Of course. Me and everyone else at SP."

"That's cheating."

"Hey, if it's online, it's public domain. That's how I look at it."

"Well, keep the answers to yourself. I don't want to know a thing."

"Damn, girl," Molly calls out. "Dartmouth should let you in just for your faithfulness alone."

"Tell me about it."

"Oh, hey, that reminds me," Henry says, snapping his fingers. "I spoke to my cousin the other day. The one that goes to Dartmouth. He said that his frat is having a house-party on Saturday. I told him about your interest and he invited us. Even said he would give us a tour of the grounds."

"Are you serious? Count me in."

"Great," Henry smiles, but it's Molly's annoyed expression that captures my attention.

"Mol, what do you say? Day trip to Dartmouth?" I ask her.

"I, uh, I can't. I have to babysit," she says.

"What? No! You can't find a replacement?"

"No. I already committed. But you guys go. It sounds fun." Even though she's encouraging us, she doesn't sound convincing. But I'm not going to pass on this opportunity. So, when Henry asks me if I'm down, I say:

"Hell yeah, I am."

***

It took lots and lots of convincing my dad to let me go with Henry to Dartmouth, but he finally conceded. My argument was that it's only a day trip, but he didn't like the idea of me driving down with someone that I've only known for a few weeks.

Luckily, we don't hit any traffic, so it takes us a little under 3 hours to get to New Hampshire. We meet Henry's cousin Josh right outside the Student Center and he immediately gives us a tour of the property. We start at the College of General Studies and work our way to the Athletic Center. The security guard loves Josh so she doesn't give him a hard time when he swipes us into his dorm building.

"So, what do you think?" Josh asks me. We're sitting on the main field, drinking smoothies that we grabbed from one of the dining halls.

"I need to get in," I eagerly say, which gets Josh to chuckle.

"How are your grades looking?"

"If all goes well for the rest of the year, then I'm on track to graduate Sinclair Prep with a 3.8 GPA."

"A-minus," he nods. "That's a start."

"A start?" I shriek, my eyes widening.

"Listen, I'm not going to lie, it's competitive. You're talking about one of the top 10 schools in the country. But I think it's great that you're ED-ing. It shows Admissions that you're committed."

We spend the next several minutes talking more about Dartmouth, how their Business school is my top choice, and Greek life on campus. Josh loves being a part of Sigma Chi and tries to convince me multiple times to join a sorority if I get in. I kindly shut him down.

"You guys are coming tonight, right?" he asks, and I turn to Henry, who tips his head at me.

"Whatever Stassie wants."

Josh gazes at me, waiting for my decision.

"Yeah," I state.

"Great. The theme is neon," Josh informs us.

"Neon? I didn't bring a change of clothes with me." I'm dressed in the opposite of neon. A white short-sleeve blouse and jeans, to be exact.

"Same," Henry says.

"Don't worry about it," Josh says. "No one pays attention anyway."

***

Well, Josh lied, because the person guarding the door of the Sigma Chi party is definitely paying attention. In fact, he's not letting me and Henry in.

That leaves Henry no choice but to dial Josh's cell. Next thing we know, he's at the door, coming to get us. Fun fact that Henry forgot to mention – Josh is the pledgemaster of his fraternity, so we're currently being treated like VIPs.

Josh offers to grab us some beers from the kitchen, but Henry declines because he's driving and I decline because I don't drink. I told Henry we shouldn't stay late because of the long drive back, but all he kept saying was, "Whatever you want".

One of Josh's frat brothers is handing out these glow necklaces that people are wearing on their heads, so Henry and I take one to fit in. We're having a good time dancing, laughing, getting to know each other more. I like Henry. I have from day one. He's warm and makes me feel noticed. I feel like I matter when I'm in his presence and it's a refreshing feeling. For most of my life, I've been this wallflower. But when I'm around Henry, I want to break down these walls that I've built around myself.

We walk outside to the front deck, where it's empty, and hang our hands over the top part of the railing as our bodies crouch over.

"Thanks again for bringing me here," I say. "It was sweet of you."

"Of course. I'm happy you're having fun."

I smile back and then say, "You know, I never asked you...where do you see yourself going to college?"

He looks at me and then says, "Brown."

"Nice. Why?"

"It's where my dad went. And my dad's dad. I'm not a super conventional guy, but I'd like to keep the tradition going. You know?"

"Yeah. Your family must be really proud."

"They are. They mean a lot to me." His gaze sweeps me over as he studies me. "How about you, huh? What's your family like?"

"My dad's the best. I know that everyone says theirs are, but mine truly is. He's selfless and just wants me to be happy. I'm an only-child so I'd like to think that I'm his favorite," I joke.

"I'm sure you are. And your mom?"

I knew that question was coming. It's what usually happens when someone asks me about my family and I answer with just my dad. Wanting to bypass it as best I can without coming off as rude, I say, "Uh. Not in the picture."

I think Henry detects that I don't want to talk about it because he leaves the subject alone. "Her loss," is all he says and my lips curve upward into a faint smirk. I don't need him to say anything more than that. Even nothing would be enough.

"Thanks." I center my body and look ahead, taking it all in. The sight before me, my emotions, this day with Henry. "We should probably head back soon. It's getting late."

"Whatever you want," he says again, but every time that he says it, it feels like the first time.