The dorms we’re busy with students getting settled in. Between the crowded hallways and the never ending wait for the elevator, Mack was overwhelmed with how much there was to do and in little time to do it.

He needed to meet with the RA in order to get his room number and key. Speaking of key, he needed to get his school ID which granted access to pretty much everything on campus. There was a tour around the campus he was interested in because he hadn’t a clue of where anything was. Aside from all that he still needed to move his stuff into his dorm, meet his roommate and suitmates, buy his books as well as register with the on campus gym. At some point he needed to find the admissions department and meet with the head coach of the University’s football team.

It was daunting as the list of things to get done was growing constantly.

“Whew! College,” his father said.

Mack looked at his Dad and noticed he was the only one who brought along a parent. Perhaps that was a mistake.

“Dad, you don’t have to stay,” he said. Trying to get his father to simply just go as a group of attractive college girls began giggling as they passed.

“What? Nonsense. I came to get you settled in.”

“I know, but –,”

“Oh I see,” Mr. Haven smiled. “Can’t stand to be seen with your old man, huh,”

“No, it’s not that —”

It was all of that and more.

“I see you eyeing the pretty girls. I’m not blind. I’ve been a college coed myself. How do you think I met your mother?”

“Dad, please no not the thing —-”

“It was the summer of ninety-five, I had just moved into my dorm and there she was —”

Mack couldn’t bear to hear the story of how his parent’s met again. It was cheesy, boring and unnecessary. He had lost count of how many times he had actually heard the story. His parents met in college. They became college sweethearts. They had their ups and downs. Broke up on plenty of occasions and ended up getting back together. Eventually got married and the rest is history.

“ — and that’s why I —

“Only had eyes for one girl! I know, Dad.” Mack sighed.

“Son, listen, there will be endless temptations here but remember —,”

“If I’m not responsible enough to pay my own phone bill then I’m not responsible enough to have sex. I know, Dad.” Mack rolled his eyes.

“Keep that in the forefront of your mind, Son. Especially being here.”

Mack felt slightly embarrassed. Did anyone hear his Father’s ramblings of the history of his marriage, or the highly irritating ‘sex talk’ Mack and his brothers have heard over and over again?

Mack secretly prayed that no one did.

“Come on, let’s find out where you’re going to be staying.”

After meeting with the RA Mack finally got his room assignment. He was staying in the Boyd Hall Dorms on the third floor room 345. His father went to the car to get his belongings and after waiting for the elevator for what seemed to be twenty minutes, Mack finally made it to his room. The door was open and inside was another student. Mack knocked on the door to get the boy’s attention.

“Mack?” asked the boy.

“Tommy?’ Mack smiled, “No way, you’re my roommate?”

Tommy smiled. “I guess so!” The two boys clasped hands.

“Dude, that's wild!” said Mack.

Tommy was one of Mack’s friends from high school. Not only that, he was also on the football team and was one of the few players who still talked to Mack after the accident.

“I didn’t know you got in,” said Mack.

“Yeah man! I figured why not? You know? East Coast fresh start. Trying something new.”

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“Absolutely.”

“Knock! Knock!” Mr. Haven came through the door lugging Mack’s suitcase. “Tommy! This is a surprise!”

“Hi Mr. Haven,” Tommy shook hands with him.

“You’re Mack’s roommate?” Mr. Haven asked.

“Looks to be that way.”

“Well what a coincidence.”

While Mr. Haven and Tommy did a bit of catching up, something suddenly hit Mack. A black hole opened up and sucked in all the excitement of being in college. The reason he chose this school was to make sure he didn’t run into any of his old teammates. Obviously that was a stupid idea. No one from the team knew Mack had a full ride. This was going to prove extremely difficult considering one of them was not only attending the same University, but also his roommate. How would he keep his athletic life on campus a secret from Tommy. It only takes finding out Mack is playing for the university to guess he’s on scholarship.

“ – right Mack?” his father said.

Mack broke free from his worry. “Oh, yeah, right!”

Mack was swept back into the conversation and talks of exploring the campus as a group became an option. Tommy was excited that someone else he knew was there. He was dreading having to figure out where to go on his own.

The midday turned into afternoon and then into the evening. Between exploring the campus and getting to see its landmarks, Mack and Tommy were able to attain their school ID, buy their books, learn where the Dining Commons were and discover where their classes were going to be. All in a matter of a few hours. Mr. Haven had treated them both to dinner and then dropped them back off at the dorms.

“My flight heads out early tomorrow morning. If you need anything just call.” Mr. Haven said from the driver seat as Tommy and Mack got out.

“Sure thing, Dad,” Mack replied.

“And Mack, remember what we talked about!” Mack rolled his eyes. “Don’t roll your eyes at me, boy. Control yourself.”

“Sure, Dad!” Mack replied as respectfully as he could.

“Good seeing you Tommy. Stay safe!” Mr. Haven rolled up his window and drove off.

“You’re Dad is still cool and strict.”

“I know,” Mack smiled, almost feeling embarrassed, but it was easier with Tommy because Tommy knew Mr. Haven somewhat. “What do we do now?”

“There’s a freshman mixer happening at the Student Union. Wanna go check it out?”

Mack shrugged. “Sure, why not!”

The Student Union was packed. It felt like the entire incoming freshman class was there.

“Dude, check out all the hotties!” said Tommy, eyeing girls from every angle. “This is the beginning of the rest of our lives.”

Mack could feel his face getting hot. “Yeah man, I’m gonna go get something to drink!”

“You do that,” said Tommy. “I’m gonna go talk to her over there.” Mack saw the fair skinned blonde Tommy was referring to. He did not hesitate.

Mack saw all the drinks off in the corner, but he had to brave an ocean of unfamiliar people to get to it. It wasn’t that Mack was a loner, it was more that this was something outside of his realm of comfort. For the first time in his life he didn’t have any parent’s keeping up with him, or siblings looking over his shoulder.Which meant he could literally do anything he wanted, but how would the peer pressure at the college level treat him?

Would he succumb to wild parties and drinking?

What about promiscuous encounters with the never ending options of girls? He could hear the voice of his father bouncing around in his head. It was all so tempting, but also conflicting as that behavior wasn’t in Mack’s nature, but how long would that last?

He grabbed a cup and helped himself to some punch. When he took a sip he immediately spat it back in his cup. A hoard of cheers immediately erupted with half of the party looking his way.

“FIRST ONE!” yelled a random student from across the student union. Mack was almost embarrassed but he soon realized the party goers were cheering for him, not against him.

With a disgusted look on his face he looked at the punch bowl and back at his cup.

“What is this?”

“That would be the spiked punch bowl.” said a girl off to the side. “No one drinks the punch at these things.”

“I didn’t know.” Mack set the cup down.

“Uh oh,” she said.

“Huh?”

“Oh geez, you’re the gullible type aren’t you.”

“Um — no?”

“The fact that you’re questioning how gullible you are lets me know you’re gullible.”

“I’m not gullible.”

“Interesting. Never thought someone with your build would be gullible,” The girl grabbed a cup and scooped up some of the punch. She sipped it as though the burning alcohol in it didn’t phase her.

“Didn’t you just say no one drinks the punch?”

“Sure, but these things are such a drag. I needed a drink.”

“If they’re a drag, why are you here?”

She chugged the rest of the drink and looked at Mack. “Where else am I going to find gullible pretty boys to torment all year?”

She slammed the cup on the counter and lightly touched Mack’s face as she floated off. “See you around.” she smiled.

Mack, being taken in by the girl’s wits almost immediately, didn’t notice anything else about her until she was walking away. Her deep black hair braided down her back. She wore tight jeans and knee high boots with a dark red tank top. Her features were exotic; sharp, almond shaped brown eyes, luscious lips coated in bright red lipstick, her skin a light brown and a walk that made Mack almost fall over. She didn’t even look back as she disappeared into the crowd.

What was that all about? He thought to himself.

When he looked around he instantly saw Tommy making out with a girl. Mack sighed and bee-lined for the doors, heading for the dorms. This wasn’t his scene. At least he knew that already.