Vanessa's POV

Hello 2017 and hello SCU! Classes are about to start pretty soon so the majority of the students is already back at campus. Including me and Alice. We both came this morning and I can say I have missed her a lot. Alice has evolved to be a very close friend of mine, almost taking Emma's place now that she is away. Since both journalism and linguistics' departments are located at the same building and we both have to pass by, we walk over there together while catching up.

"Can you believe that our second semester is about to start?" I tell Alice enthusiastically raising my hands up in the air. She is wearing a dark blue coat and underneath it a warm white sweater with blue jeans and tall boots with a small thick heel. Her hair is in its natural state and she has put on a light makeup, using only mascara and eyeliner.

"Nooooo! I just want holidays to come back! Why do they have to be over so soon?" Alice complains like a toddler and I think it's adorable.

"Well, look at the bright side of it. We are back at being roommates and we can stay up all night watching our favourite shows!" I wink at her. "There's a tiny problem though since all of them are on hiatus now, so maybe we should just start watching a new one?" I propose.

"Of course we should start a new one! That's what we have to do when a show is on break." Alice says firmly like being the USA president.

"It's settled then! Woah, it's getting really cold, isn't it?" I button my coat all the way up. Thank God I put on my red one. It's the warmest of them all. It helps that I am also wearing my black scarf, I have it since forever and it always does its job keeping me warm as well. I forgot my beanie but my hair is straight and down so it covers my ears at least. "I think I heard something on the news about snowing. That would be so amazing! It rarely snows in Delaware! White Christmas almost never happens. It's a shame. I love snow, it is so romantic!"

"Vanessa, you're such a romance trash!" Alice teases me. "I know you're imagining yourself now with your prince charming, sitting on the snow."

"I wouldn't sit on the snow because even if I love it, I hate the cold and guess what would happen to my butt if I did that!" I giggle. "But it is romantic, you have to admit it! Did you have any White Christmases so far?"

"Many, because as you know I've been living in London, but I had some in other cities like Prague." Alice says with a smile and I see her eyes become dreamy. I guess she's remembering her time in Europe.

"It's almost annoying, you know, the fact that you have been almost everywhere!" I say shaking my head. "You will show me pictures when we get back to the dorms. How was your Christmas this year? Did you have a good time with your dad?"

"I really enjoyed my Christmas. Ren came, who I missed so much. My dad cooked my mum's turkey recipe and it was delicious. Thankfully he took some days off due to Christmas and New Year, so he was home." Alice says enthusiastically and her face is lit. "What about yours?"

"That sounds wonderful!" I smile at her. I know it means a lot that her dad did his best to stay away from his work and that they had some family time just the two of them. Alice was really sad on Thanksgiving when he had to cancel their plans. Thankfully, we all had a good time at Robin's. "Was it Ren's first Christmas in the USA? I had a good time as well, the whole family gathered for the holidays and I have missed everyone so it was really nice seeing them all and just spending time together."

"I am so happy to hear that! Yes, but Ren has been in USA again. Actually he was here last summer and we went together in Cali for vacations. Now that I am thinking about it, he was the reason that I've met Joseph that night." Alice ponders as she speaks.

"Really?" I lift my eyebrows up surprised. "I had no idea. I hope to meet Ren soon in person, I have heard so much about him! When is he planning to pay you a visit again?"

"I don't know! I hope soon. His schedule is very demanding and you know in Japan it is way stricter than here, but Ren is obsessed with his field and there is no way he won't pull it off." Alice has such a sweet face, when she's talking about Ren.

"I admire his ambition!" I tell her with a smile.

"Yeah, he's very intelligent too. Freaking Asians." she giggles. "Anyway, I haven't asked you how was hot Ashton's Xmas Party?" Alice asks with a simper.

"Honestly, it was indeed kind of hot in there considering he opened the door naked." Alice stops walking and looks at me with eyes wide open. "Oh!" I facepalm. "I always fail to say what I really mean." I chuckle. "I meant the temperature when I said hot, he must have put on the heating. Like really high." I raise my hand up to show... um high, I guess? It's kind of stupid. "Oh!" I point a finger at her before she speaks. "And when I said naked, I didn't mean naked like naked naked. I meant he was like not wearing a shirt. He was shirtless. From waist up. He was clothed waist down. And he had his shoes on. So he was almost fully clothed. Technically."

"Shut up! You saw Ashton naked and you say it like it's everyday news." she exclaims. "Please tell me you took a picture!"

"A picture? Of course not. How could I do that? Should I have just said to Ashton Hey Alice, will kill me if I don't take a picture of you naked, so grab a pose?" I ask sarcastically. "Not to mention it took me awhile to get used to having him naked around me. I mean shirtless."

"Damn it!I can't believe I missed this!" she exasperates. "Give at least a description, a grade, something..." she moves her hands all over the place.

"A grade? He is not some kind of... um, I don't know, meat for me to grade him?" I shrug. "I never do that. I do grade the sweets I eat though." I remark thinking about it while rubbing my chin. " I mean, I am an expert when it comes to sweets as you know."

"I have so many things to teach you!" she huffs.

"Keep it for another time!" I tell her as we enter the building. "So I'll go meet my advisor and you will go to ask about the things you want at your department's secretary and we will meet here after we are done?"

"Sounds good to me! See you later!" she says and leaves my side.

I turn left and I am truly thankful when I don't see many people waiting. I obviously have arranged a meeting but there are many people who don't do that and show up out of the blue. I spot Kelly with whom I share many common classes inside the office talking with Miss Tisdale, the lady who is like our guardian angel. She is our advisor and always comes in the rescue whenever we have a problem with our classes and schedule. Miss Tisdale is actually pretty young and insists that we call her Maggie. She was also a student here so she knows all about it. Her office's door is open so before I take a seat choosing one of the chairs outside, I greet them both discreetly since Kelly seems like she is about to explode. She must be having a hard time choosing classes. I take an informative leaflet from the table in front of me just to spend my time waiting. I shouldn't bother them and especially when I have no reason to. I am totally prepared and I know exactly what classes I am taking. I examined every detail during the Christmas break and Ashton had given me a hint on what class I should and should not attend. I just wanted a second opinion from Miss Tisdale and to discuss with her a little more about my classes. My eyes search for them among the full semester academic program on the leaflet. I am taking Video Reporting & Storytelling, History of Documentary, Interactive Narratives...I believe New Media Visuals will be very interesting as well. What was the last class I wanted to take...

"Happy New Year, special friend." Nathan wishes me with a huge smirk on his face as he pulls the chair and sits next to me. Nathan is here.

Nathan.

I almost convinced myself I had forgotten about him. He was barely in my thoughts during the vacation. I spend some peaceful family time with my parents and played with my little cousins since aunt Betty stayed with us almost for a week. I guess being away from Nathan made my mind find other things to be occupied with. I hope I can still figure a way to do that.

"Happy New Year to you too, Nathan." I can't fight my smile. I am really happy to see him. He is changed somehow. It seems like he is growing a beard. I can't decide which way he looks better but what I can tell for sure is that he is very attractive both ways. "What's this?" My hand touches his chin before I really think of what I am doing.

"This is me being bored to shave" He leans closer. "You like it?"

"It is okay... I guess." I shrug. There is no way I am making him any kind of compliment. Last time I saw him, he didn't actually hesitate to do that to me. He told me I was stunning and that my lips were tempting. Well, to quote his exact words he said they were fucking tempting. I don't know what got into him really but I like what he said to me. I pull away my hand from him and bring it to my lips to hide my smile. What has this boy done to me? Did I just admit that I like his dirty talking?

"It is okay, huh? Your drooling makes me think you find it more than okay." He caresses his facial hair with pride.

"What? I am not drooling! What are you talking about?" I don't know if I was, what I am certain of is that now I am blushed 100%.

"It happens, no one will judge you for it." He raises an eyebrow at me.

"I see that your new year's resolution was not to be less of a peacock." I eyeroll trying to change the subject.

"That's one of my charms as you know." He smirks and I burst into laughter. "How was your Christmas vacation, Vanessa? Did you have any fun?" He asks curious.

"It was good. I spent it at home with my parents, I babysat my little cousins, I ate a lot of christmas cookies and I did some reading." I inform him briefly about it.

"That's your idea of fun? We should do something to change it 'cause let me tell you something, special friend; your idea of fun sucks." He is really in a mood today.

"It was fun for me." I chuckle. "What did you do? Everything okay at home?" I ask him concerned. Nathan always avoids to serious talk about home but in some way he admitted to me that something is wrong on Thanksgiving.

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting it but it was alright. Unlike you though, I actually welcomed the new year in a proper way attending a huge New Year's Eve party, hanged out with some friends, did some small trips here and there. That was fun." He remarks.

"I am glad for you." And I mean it really. I am glad that whatever problem used to bother him doesn't exist anymore. "Why are you here really?" He can't have any business at the journalism department.

"You remember Bill? From the frat house?" I shake my head no. "The guy who fucked with my schedule big time last semester and got me stuck with International History I?"

"Oh yeah, now I remember."

"He is here to take care of his ΚΕΓ brothers' asses as usual but I wanted to make sure he won't do anything like that again." He leans his back on the chair.

"Even if you didn't actually take the class intentionally or even liked it in the first place, you did an amazing job, Nathan! Who knows, maybe Bill knows what's best for you." Nathan is so clever and creative yet he keeps on ignoring his true abilities. I can't say why though.

"Well, I wasn't by myself. I got stuck with you at that damn class. So that was thanks to you." He places his hand on my shoulder and I welcome his touch. I hate that it can have this effect on me but I can't help but await for it eagerly.

"I don't deserve all the credit." I look down giggling.

"Yeah, you do." His fingers leave little trails from my shoulder to my neck giving goosebumps all over my body. My heart beats like crazy and by the smirk on his face I can see he noticed too.

"I'd better go find Bill before he does anything stupid." I am relieved he had no comment on my heart beating like a drum but at the same time I find myself wishing he could stay more. "See you around, special friend." He smiles at me and leaves.

It takes me about 10 minutes to calm down which is the ideal time since 10 minutes later Ashley gets out of Miss Tisdale's office. Our meeting doesn't take long so after awhile, I meet with Alice at the front entrance like we said. The weird thing is she mentions she saw Nathan after her and I separate ways telling him we came here together which makes me wonder if he wanted to see me as bad as I wanted to see him.

Joseph's POV

I leave the student restaurant behind me, after I finish lunch with Matt and Grant. They left first, to go to their new classes for the new semester. Me, on the other hand, had back to back classes until 1pm and now, I have two hours blanc until my next class. I think, the people in charge of this semester's schedule classes are drunk or high. There is no other way to explain this mess, I have to call a schedule. Not to mention, I have to go to Mr. Roberts' lab for our usual project, late in the afternoon.

Mr. Roberts is very satisfied by my skills and he encourages me to do my best. I have adjusted perfectly into the team, which is really good and I get along really well with them. Well, two guys are a bit weird, but anyway I can adjust in any social environment easily.

I am walking at the university campus and the temperature is really low. The sky is dreary and it has many gray clouds. Thankfully, there is no wind, but it started snowing a bit time ago. To be honest, I prefer the summer as a season, but I like snow. Unfortunately, Delaware doesn't belong to the states, where the snow comes to stay, so I haven't lived what they call 'White Christmas'.

As I keep walking some people pass by me, all dressed up in heavy coats with beanies and gloves. Despite that, the campus is pretty gaunt. Then I see her, sitting on a bench. Alice. She's wearing a dark blue coat, which is tied up until the neck, surrounded by a scarf and jeans with black flat boots. A beanie is on her head and her brown hair falls loosely underneath it. She's so beautiful sitting casually like this, enjoying the winter weather. I haven't seen her since Sophie's birthday, but I have to admit I brought her back in my mind from time to time during the holidays.

I am going near her,where I can see she's having her hands in the coat's pocket and a white handsfree cable is messed in her hair. She's gazing around, listening to music and she seems lost in her own world. Snow falls on her and she's like a cover of a literature book.

When she sees me, she looks a bit surprised. Then a wide smile crosses her face and she waves her hand at me.

"Happy New Year, Alice." I greet her with a beam as well.

"Happy new year, Joseph." she says, taking off her handsfree.

"What are you doing in the cold by yourself?" I ask curiously. It's unusual to see Alice sitting without a friend or at least an acquaintance, so it raises my curiosity. If it was Sophie, it wouldn't be so weird to me.

"I guess I am having one of those times, that I want to be alone and just relax. I enjoy the winter scenery with the snow falling and adding some music to that; it's the perfect way to calm yourself."

I thought that she might feel sad about something, but her face is peaceful.

"So do you want me to leave? Am I ruining your Dalai Lama moment?" The truth is I don't want her answer to be positive.

"If I say yes, would you?" she asks in a jovial way.

"Well, my presence improves every scenery." I joke and she chuckles. "But if you want, I will."

Alice looks sceptical for a second examining me carefully.

"There is no need. Stay." she finally says and I beam to her.

"So what music are you listening to?" I take her one handsfree and put it on my ear without asking. She's listening to Adele's 'Set fire to the rain'. "That's really gloomy! You will get depressed at the end." I remark with a smirk and she eyerolls, but I can fully understand now that I don't irritate her anymore. She enjoys it.

"This song is awesome and it matches the weather."

"The song that matches this weather is 'Snowblind' by Black Sabbath." I turn to look at her with a know-it-all grin, still having the handsfree in my ear.

"Rock fanatic?" she raises an eyebrow.

"Mostly, but I am open minded to other kind of music. It depends on my mood. The 9 and a half weeks soundtrack is really catchy for example." I say in a casual way and she bursts out laughing, remembering the quip she threw at me the day we met. So much has changed since that day.

"It can be your soundtrack for sure. Do you leave your hat on or do you toss that too?" she asks with a smirk.

"You have to come and see for yourself." I say in a flirtatious voice. Did we say that we're going to be friends? That's impossible. The moment I see her, my flirtatious mode is activated automatically. How can you be just friends with a woman like her? Well, she made it pretty clear, so I have to respect her boundaries, even if I have this nagging feeling inside my chest.

"There is no way to waste my money like that." she teases me and I chuckle.

"You lose!" I tap her nose. "Let's see what you have in your music library." I press the handsfree button to change the songs.

Wow! It's like scrolling on Billboard Hot 100.

"You're such a pop trash!" I tease her and she hits me lightly on the arm.

"Don't tell me you're one of those irritating rock/heavy metal fanatics, who despises anything else that's not their genre?" she says in a judgemental way.

"Of course not! Everybody can listen to the kind of music they like. I listen to pop/mainstream sometimes, mostly when I am with company in a car or at a party. I have to say some pop singers are very talented with a great voice." I state and she relaxes a bit.

"I enjoy this kind of music and I don't care what people say. As long as it makes me feel good, that's all I care about." She defends her taste in music and I liked the way she did that.

"Shall I continue or it's the same all over again?" I continue teasing her and she eyerolls.

"Just continue without the comment section."

As I keep going, I listen to songs that I am not that familiar with. It sounds like salsa. I keep on listening and the singer starts singing in...spanish.

"Do you dance salsa?" I raise an eyebrow intrigued.

"I took up a few classes, but I just know the basic steps." she shrugs. "I really liked the music though. Also bachata has many beautiful songs."

"You should teach me someday." I turn to her. The snow still falls and melts on our faces, but I don't feel the cold. I enjoy sitting with her like that and just talking.

"I thought these intimate dances would be among your techniques to lure women into your cave." she simpers and I chortle lightly.

"I didn't have to until now, but I have to get updated." I wink at her and she eyerolls once again.It has become her default reaction to everything I say.

"What you need is an overall upgrade.Let's throw away the useless parts and keep the good ones..." Then, her eyes examine me carefully and I stare at her suspiciously. "Now that I am thinking about it, let's throw you away just the way you are." she sneers and I try to keep a wanna-be-irritating look, but I can't.

"What you see is what you get!" I wink at her and she stays still for a second. "Anyway, put a song you like on." I say, as I am sitting more comfortable on the bench.

She puts her phone out and she's searching in her playlist for a song. Then she switches it into a ballad. The piano sound echoes in my ear and I wait to hear the first lyrics, but when the singer starts singing, the language is not english. This is not spanish either, but it's similar.

"An italian ballad?" I turn to her surprised. She puts her index on her mouth and makes a 'Shhh' sound.

"Just get lost in the music, even though you can't understand the lyrics." she tells me in a soft and low voice and I keep on listening.

When it gets into the chorus the song becomes more intense and the singer's voice goes higher. The singer has a really good voice. Clean and crystal clear. I like the sound of it. I can't understand the lyrics, but the music really travels you away. It looks like a break up song, but I enjoy that its music has this huge impact without understanding a single word.

"So?" she asks anticipated, after the song ends.

"I liked it... A lot actually!" I answer honestly. Her face lights up immediately. "What does it say?"

"Well the title means 'Loneliness' and as you assume it's a break up song." she replies, looking at me directly in the eyes. "It's one of my favourites!"

"So do you relate to that song?"

"No! Not really. I like the music and the lyrics, but I don't relate to the break up story." Her voice is soft. What is she trying to say with that? She didn't have any boyfriend to have any break up experiences?

"I think I am feeling a bit cold now!" She rubs her arms.

"Let's go get a coffee." I propose and I think she's a bit resistant to it. Why? Finally she nods yes.

"So how was your Christmas?" she asks with a grin, as we are directing to the nearest cafeteria

"It was nice. I rested and I ate a lot. I can't resist to my mother's cooking." I remark with a beam. "Also my brother is getting married."

"Seriously? Congratulations!" she wishes with a wholeheartedly smile. "Are you sure you're related?" she jokes and I chuckle as I made the same thought myself.

"Do you think they took the wrong baby from the hospital?" I joke as well and she laughs.

"What can I say? You haven't even shown a little potential in having a one month relationship, let alone a wedding. If you ever get wed, I will even believe that the earth is square." she points out sarcastically and I chortle.

"Don't worry, you won't have to change your scientific beliefs." I beam at her. "Anyway, that was the huge Christmas news in the Nelson's house. On other news, I saw my hometown best friend Chris and we went out a lot... I hung out with Sophie sometimes as well..." I continue saying, but I haven't said yet the most important thing. When we arrive outside of the cafeteria, I stop in an instant, which makes Alice stop confused.

"Thank you!" I say in a soft voice. At first she looks a bit puzzled, but right away she figures out what I am talking about. It's about the text she sent to me on Christmas. Towards the end of the holiday, I tried to have a civilised conversation with my father, if that's even possible, but it ended to the battle of Waterloo. When my father heard about doing an internship somewhere else but his company, he became furious. He started saying that I don't appreciate what he has done to educate me properly and that this company needs someone to run it and that someone has to be me, since I am the IT guy of the family. I had to burden this as well, without him asking me what I want to do or what I want to be and on the other hand, his precious Daniel can do whatever he wants. Why does my father treat me this way? In the end, I made it very clear to him, what I am going to do with my life is my decision and not his. He barely talked to me after that incident and my mother tried to do anything to conciliate us, without any significant result. She wasn't present in the quarrel, until the very end, when she returned home and tried with everything she got to smooth the current situation, but it was impossible.What done is done. What mattered is that I found the courage to do that and Alice played a huge role.

"I didn't say anything you couldn't do." she answers with a smile and she opens the door to the cafeteria. She managed to surprise me with her reply again and also she was very discreet about it, without asking me anything.

Alice's POV

The moment we enter the cafeteria, we go straight to order our coffees. Joseph proposed if I wanted any chocolate sweet, but I refused, because no matter how high my metabolism is from the work out and the martial art training, I ate way too much during Christmas. Plus, the chocolate cake, me and Ren devoured the day I told him everything about Joseph.

The moment Joseph appeared, I decided to choose option B, which was to be friendly with him. Everything was fine, but when he proposed to go for a coffee, I declined option A, to get some distance, and I accepted wholeheartedly. Well done, Alice. Keeping up this rate and you will never be able to get over him. At least I still keep it friendly with him, so that counts, right?

When I put on the Italian music I was nervous if he was going to like it. I really wanted him to like it and I was so enthusiast, when he told me so. His question,if I relate to the song got me off guard once again and I told him the truth. I don't. I had a boyfriend and we broke up, because he went to Europe to study, but I didn't feel sad or heartbroken, when he left.

The worst was when he thanked me for the Christmas message. My heart beated like Vienna's symphonical orchestra. Why does he have to be like that? It makes me fall even more and I don't want that.

When Joseph gets the coffees, we sit to a distant table, near a window to watch the snow falls. It has become stronger now. I take off my coat, beanie and scarf as Joseph does the same. He is wearing a blue sweater that brings out his eyes. I observe that he had his hair cut and his bangs fall perfectly on his forehead. Also his beard is the ideal quantity for me. Does he do it on purpose?

"It's your time to tell me about your Christmas!"

"I spent it with my dad and Ren in DC." I answer casually.Maybe too casually than I had too.

"Your japanese friend came from Tokyo to see you?" he sounds surprised and I nod. "You didn't joke when you said you were really close."

"We don't have any siblings, so we found one to each other. Also he helped me after my mother died, so I owe him more than I can count." I tell him, looking at him and his eyes lost their shine when I mentioned my mother's death. Just like Thanksgiving.

"It's rare to find people like that. Like Ren or Sophie. So, what did your best friend gave you as a present? Sophie gave me some expensive gaming headphones." He asks, taking a sip from his coffee.

"Actually it was a present from his whole family, but he chose it." I say and he looks at me in anticipation. "He gave me a Katana sword to decorate my room." I answers enthusiastically "In DC!" I add, when I see his puzzled expression.

"I guess you have displayed the japanese sword prominently at your room."

"Of course! You should come and see it!" I blurt. What did I do? I invited him to my home in my enthusiasm.

"There is no way to miss it! DC is like 2 hours driving from here. It's a deal. Ι'm stealing you for an excursion." he says enthusiastically and I almost choke in my coffee. Him in my home? "I hope you won't allure me just to cut me into pieces with the sword." he smirks and I laugh.Then he crosses his hand through his hair. I love it when he does that. I am worse than screwed. "It means something like good luck or similar?"

"No!But this is!" I say raising my sleeve to show him my left hand,which it's covered with bracelets of different types. I point one at the colour of wood with japanese symbols on it. "Ren gave me this bracelet as good luck, before I start college. He bought it at a temple there." Joseph takes my hand take a better look at it. The moment he touches it, a chill passes through me and I try not to express what his touch does to me.

"It's really cool. You have plenty of bracelets. Why?"

"They are all presents from people that I care about and they care about me. My dad, Ren, Ren's parents and my closest friends give me bracelets as presents in my great occasions. Like when I graduated or I left Europe for good. It's like carrying around lucky charms and the positive energy of these people in a stylish way. They may look insignificant to the eye, but they are very important to me. When I feel down, I look at them and I know that there are people out there who love me." I fumble non-stop, going back the memory lane. Joseph looks at the bracelets and then at me without saying anything. Then he crosses his index finger at the back of my arm, since my palm looks at the ceiling, just above the spot, where the bracelets are. That familiar chill runs through my body again, but it's so nice. I don't want it to end. Joseph keeps doing that and we lock our eyes to each other. His finger keeps shaping abstract lines on my skin and it's like electric power passes through it. His hazel eyes don't leave mine. I have to do something and fast. "I just said another cheesy story, didn't I?" I joke, trying to distract him and he stops the movement. I don't like it when my skin loses the contact with his touch, but I have to snap out of it. I immediately bring the sleeve down.

"In the scale of cheesiness, it was a little bit above the average, but the narration was pretty good. You had the listener really hooked!" he gives me a wide smile.

Suddenly his phone rings.

"Hey Mark." I can't listen well to the other side, but it's not my business. Joseph looks at his watch,as he's talking. "I am coming now!" he hangs up and he puts his coat on.

"Alice, I gotta go, I have a mandatory lab and I am running late! I totally lost track of time!" He did?

"And then you're accusing me of having my head up in the atmosphere." I quip at him and he chuckles a bit.

"Write down the italian song." He gives me his phone and I gawk at him for a second. I take it and I type the title and the singer. "And you promised me an excursion!I don't forget things like that." he winks playfully at me and then he leaves taking his laptop bag and wearing his scarf. I stay there looking at him astonished. Does he really mean it or he's fooling around like always? I epically failed on applying my two options. Bloody Hell!

A/N: Thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote and comment.