The smell of freshly cut grass and newly fallen leaves reminds me of where I am.

My sophomore year of college is the liberation that I've always wanted. And now, can realize.

"Rude..." I hear from the young woman at my side.

"Ah," I say, recognizing my lost train of thought. "You said you wanted to go to the game. Right?"

Her blonde hair catches the wind and flies into her face before she brushes it aside.

"Yeah. You're coming, right?"

A rueful smirk claims my face, "Hmm, should I or shouldn't I?"

Her lips make a line.

I throw my hands up and say, "Of course I'm coming, Lily."

Triumph gleams in her eyes as she pushes me away.

"Don't be late."

With Lily departing, I am left to seek out my last class of the day.

The brick-built building permeates with an aura of history.

As I enter and find my room, I see several familiar faces. But I can't give them names.

My classroom is the standard size with desks facing the front.

A few acquaintances note my entry. Some nod. Some go back to their own business.

I take my seat and wait for the professor.

I don't have to wait long before a Hindu woman with a red dot on her forehead settles at her station.

The class is a cultural studies class, and the teacher speaks to what she is familiar with.

"Welcome back, everyone." Her accent is subtle, and her English is fluent.

A few of my classmates return the greeting.

"I believe we left off on the god Agni. The priest of the gods."

I nod when her eyes land on me.

"Can anyone tell the class something about this god?"

Several hands go up. The answers are simple.

"He's the god of fire."

"He is the mouthpiece of the gods."

The answers pour out, and the instructor nods her satisfaction.

"And, why is he special among the other deities?"

The room grows silent for a moment.

Her eyes scan through us before settling on me.

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"William," she smirks. "What do you have to say on the matter?"

She's not catching me blind. I always pay attention to her lessons.

But speaking up in groups is something I've always struggled with.

"It's the purity of fire."

Her smirk turns into a satisfied smile.

"Yes, thank you."

She draws up images of fire rituals being carried out by Hindus.

The class is interesting, and I come out of it refreshed.

The autumn wind caresses me as I find my way to the commons.

The building is broad and open, with several small shops to eat or play at.

The hands of the clock that decorates the building grow longer by the second.

My thoughts turn to Lily. I only have a short time before the football game starts.

As I think of our meeting, I think about why I look forward to seeing her.

We're not technically dating. But, the signs of a couple hang on us whenever we're close.

I know she wants me to make it official. But, I find my nerves failing time and again.

My eyes return to the clock as I find a place to study.

I wish my classes were as interesting as the cultural studies class. But dry mathematics and science require constant attention, or I'll need help.

When the time comes, I walk with a skip in my step. I'm looking forward to what could be called a date.

As expected of a college football stadium, thousands came out in padded coats. A number of them drink warm cups of hot cocoa.

Finding one person would be a vain effort in the masses. But I feel my phone vibrate.

"Will, where are you?"

Through some effort, we find each other.

Her smile is sweet, and I can't hold back my own.

"Well," she says, "You finally came to one of these."

I shrug. "Needed a reason."

There is a rosy tint to her cheeks, I'm unsure if it's related to the cold.

She averts her gaze before drawing up close to me. Her arm loops through mine.

"Come on. Let's find seats."

The build-up to the game takes some time. The marching band and cheerleaders build up excitement in the crowd.

As Lily and I sit, I feel my heart pounding.

She rests her head on my shoulder while we watch the pep rally.

"What," she asks. "What are we?"

My heart skips a beat. But, my eyes never leave the field.

"What do you want us to be?" comes my cautious response.

I feel her sigh and can't help but think she's disappointed.

"Will," she sits up and turns to me. "What do you want us to be?"

There is no room to run.

"Boyfriend and girlfriend," I say sheepishly.

Her disappointment is replaced by satisfaction.

"Good."

I look into her green eyes, framed by beautiful blonde hair, and lean in.

Our first kiss is slow and delicate.

As if waiting for that moment, cheers ring out as the teams come onto the field.

We part, our cheeks redder than before.

Her head returns to my shoulder, and we watch the Eagles face the Knights.

I'm sure that it is an amazing match. But I can't stop thinking about kissing my girlfriend again.

Lost to our surroundings, we watch with blind eyes.

Inevitably, the game ends. Cheers break out on one side of the field. Their team's efforts surpass our's.

Lily straightens her posture, and we stand.

Her fingers lace through mine. Her face is just inches from my own.

I can't help but find her lips more beautiful than before.

"We should," she says. "We should go."

As if having remembered where we are, I look to the exit.

Her apartment is close, so I walk her the way.

At her doorstep, we look around awkwardly.

"This is me..." she says uncertainly.

"Yeah," I say dumbly.

A moment passes before I see the smirk on her face.

I scratch the back of my head and smile ruefully.

Our kiss carries more passion than the previous one, our tongues dancing with each other.

We part with some effort, and I step back from her.

"Good night."

"Good night."

I watch her turn away and hastily enter the building. She takes one final look at me before the door blocks her view.

The night is cold and quiet. Thousands of fans have spent their energy. Or so one would hope.

I catch the sound of a heavy engine revving.

It all happens too fast for me to process.

A truck swerves back and forth on the street.

I am caught blind by the vehicle. And intense pain spawns as my bones crumble under the weight of the impact.

The scream of brakes sounds out as I fall into a heap.

"Shit!" I hear through my fading consciousness.

"Dude, you hit someone."

The two men exit the truck and look at me while I gasp for air.

"We should call 911."

"No!" the driver roars. "Get back in. We're leaving."

I haven't the strength in me to beg for my life.

All I can do is gasp for bloody breath after bloody breath while the truck backs up and floors it to drive away.

I feel colder than I've ever been on this autumn night.

I feel my death and enter a world of shadows.