“Lookout!” I hear in the distance.

Considering I can barely see an inch in front of myself, I’m unsure of what I’m supposed to be looking out for. I find out quickly when I tumble to the ground with my bags and boxes scattering on the grass around me. Shocked stupid, a box of clothing rolls to the bottom of the hill spilling hangers with each jostling tumble. Next to me I find the culprit—a crashed skateboard with a small TV lying next to it.

“Holy shit! I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I say as I regain my footing and start picking up my things one by one. Thankfully this trip didn’t include any of my bras and underwear.

“I really am sorry. I set the TV down for half a second.” He scratches his head and laughs. “I was gonna let the skateboard do all the work, but it got away from me and before I knew it, you were on the ground.” He reaches out his hand to help me stand up. “Are you hurt?”

“I’ve got it. I’m okay.”

“You’re sure?” he questions.

“I’ve taken much harder falls than this one. I’m used to it.”

Concern etches his bronzed features as he blows a piece of sandy blond hair out of his eyes. “Why do you say that?”

I start walking towards the rest of my fallen items. It’s entirely too hot out here to chit chat. “I’m a gymnast.”

“No kidding. Impressive.”

“Thanks. I should get my stuff inside. I’ll see ya around.”

“I’m positive you will.” He winks at me, but there aren’t any butterflies from his flirtation. I do catch myself watching the bare muscles of his back flex as he runs back to his TV. He’s not bad looking. Clumsy, but hot nonetheless.

Seven painstaking trips later, all my belongings are safely inside. My roommate hasn’t arrived yet, so I leave the furniture where it’s at and pick a side of the room along with a desk. I already know Cara and I are going to have a lot of late nights. We’ve spoken on the phone and have texted back and forth several times since receiving each other’s information in the mail. Originally I had intended to have one short talk to discuss who was bringing the big items, but Cara has so much spunk in her, we ended up talking for at least an hour. Surprisingly, the conversation flowed naturally and we’ve talked a couple times since. While our worlds may be vastly different, with her coming from a wealthy family here in Alabama, complete with a country club membership and designer labels I’ll never be able to afford, we discovered we have several things in common—country music and chocolate peanut butter everything. Hopefully she’s as awesome in person as she is on the phone.

Now that everything’s inside, I don’t know where to begin. I glance at each labeled box, deciding to go with the most important items first. Considering I’m lost without my electronics, I try setting up my computer. Part of me hoped my mom would be here to help me today, but she said she couldn’t get the day off. I’m not sure how hard she tried, but I give her the benefit of the doubt as usual.

Since my parents’ divorce, I’ve been dreading leaving her all alone. She’s been low and agitated trying to piece back together the shambled mess that is her life. At least at my old school I was only a short fifteen minute drive away should she need me. The five hours that now separates us will take a while to get comfortable with. Guilt is the only word I can use to describe my new found freedom.

Dying of thirst, I realize I left my case of water in the car, but what’s one more trip at this point. The elevators are all packed with students moving in, so I take the stairs. I round the first flight and stop dead in my tracks on the landing. A gorgeously tanned male body is stretched out on the concrete staircase sans shirt. Careful not to disturb the resting hunk, I scoot as far to the right as I can and tip-toe around him. Two steps down and his hand shoots out to grab my ankle. I scream and hold on tightly to the paint-chipped railing before I lose my balance.

“Shit! I’m sorry, Sophie. I thought you were someone else.”

I release my death grip on the railing, restoring blood flow to my white knuckles. “You’re making my day far too interesting, whoever you are.”

“I swear I’m not usually this big of an ass.”

“I’ll take your word for it. The day’s only half over though. For your safety and mine, can we not meet like this again?” I hop down two stairs and freeze. “How did you know my name?”

“It’s on your door.”

“What are you the welcoming committee?” I jokingly ask with my hands placed on my waist; my hip cocked to the side.

His smile lights up his face when he realizes I’m not upset with him. “I guess I am the welcoming committee. A hazard or perk depending how you look it.”

“Definitely a hazard, so far. You don’t strike me as the welcome wagon type though. Not with all of that going on.” I gesture towards his sweat glistening torso and chiseled chest that’s covered in a few intricate tattoos.

“Then you don’t know me at all,” he says as he crosses his arms over his chest making his biceps bulge even more. Jesus, someone find this kid a shirt so I don’t drool. I don’t do underclassmen or boyfriends.

Quickly diverting my eyes, I play it cool. “You’re absolutely right. What do I know?”

He laughs and shakes his head, “You’re different. I dig that.”

“Not the first time I’ve heard that,” I murmur, mostly to myself but don’t care if he hears me either way.

“So what’s your story, Sophie?”

“I don’t have that kind of time.” And I never will. I start down the rest of the steps and as I pull open the rec room door at the bottom, I hear his voice bounce around the small stairwell, echoing off the brick walls, “See you soon, Sophie.”

I don’t doubt that.

BY LATE AFTERNOON, I’M COMPLETELY exhausted. Between the long drive and unpacking, I’m in need of a shower and a nap. My roommate is still nowhere to be found so I grab my shower caddy, flip flops, and towel. I’m a little nervous about testing out the communal showers. It’s always a toss-up about what you’ll find on the other side of the plastic curtains. Considering it’s the first day on campus, this is as good as it’s going to get.

There’s only one open, so I don’t waste any time hopping inside. It feels incredible to wash the sweat off my warm skin. I’d stay in here longer if there weren’t others lining up to do the same. As I come to terms with shorter showers, I wrap my hair and body in my fluffy pink towels and flip flop my way down the hall, leaving a puddle in my wake.

Just as I put my hand on the door knob to my room, it swings open sending a rush of chilly air with it. My face immediately heats, yet my body shivers. Standing in front of me is an absolutely mouth-watering specimen. I openly gawk, words failing me when I need them most. Guys don’t come this built and sinfully sexy where I come from.

“Kippy, move! Let her in!”

He moves back, and watches me enter my room. This is my space, but it seems as if I’m the intruder.

“Cara, I’m going to get the last few boxes. You good?”

“Yeah, thanks. Scoot, she needs to change. Knock when you come back.”

“I will.” He looks down at me and I pull my towel tighter around my body. Suddenly it isn’t enough of a barrier from his wandering eyes. “Lucky towel.” He gives me a scorching smile and walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Cara runs over to me and throws her arms around my damp body, hugging me so tightly I can barely breathe. “It’s so good to finally meet you, Sophie!”

She finally lets go and air begins to travel back to my lungs. “Who was that guy?”

“Don’t mind him. He won’t be here long.” I don’t mind at all.

“He’s your boyfriend?” I ask, while hurrying to my closet to get dressed. I hop around on one foot, trying to get my leg into my underwear while still holding a towel around me. I’m not self-conscious of my body considering I’m usually in a leotard, but it’s going to take some time to get adapted to this small space and its lack of privacy.