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of using free weights at the campus fitness center. His hair was dirty-blond, styled in the intentionally-messy look that was considered cool. Like any showman, he was quite popular and liked to be the center of attention.
    Taylor and her brother had never been close. While James tended to be protective of her, he seemed to view it as more of a duty of an older brother, rather than something he genuinely cared to do. She was glad that he had moved off campus for his third year, while she would be in the university dormitories, a safe 30-minute walk from James’s apartment.
    While she was still thinking about her family, the images from her dreams suddenly flashed through her mind, like an alarm clock set to go off just then. As usual, she was losing control of her thoughts, as more and more they shifted subconsciously to Gabriel, his easy-on-the-eyes smile, and how “he genuinely seems interested in you”, as Sam had said during dinner. Enough was enough. She couldn’t wait any longer. Taylor unlocked her iPhone and pulled up his number. She thought, what the hell, I’m at college, meeting boys is part of the deal , and then typed a simple text message:
     
    hi gabe, it’s taylor. now u have my #. would like 2 hang out sometime if u still want 2.
     
    She reread the message, happy with herself. It didn’t sound desperate, showed a bit of her personality by calling him Gabe again, and left the ball in his court. She pressed SEND. To her surprise, he replied in less than a minute:
     
    hi taylor, so glad u txtd me. i’m actually just sitting around right now if u aren’t busy?
     
    Taylor was surprised to feel butterflies dancing through her stomach. At first she thought it might be a sort of uneasiness, like she had experienced before, but then she realized that they were excited butterflies, like she was some damn boy-crazy flirt. Get a grip , she thought, he’s just a cocky guy like your brother . Even so, she needed to talk to him, if only to determine who he really was. She replied to his text:
     
    sounds good gabe. where should we meet?
     
    He replied:
     
    north side of commons
     
    They agreed to meet in ten minutes. Not one to primp, Taylor pulled on a pair of mismatched socks—one gray, one red—and a pair of old sneakers. She didn’t bother to put on any makeup or change her clothes, opting to remain dressed in her sweatpants and t-shirt. She was about to leave when Sam walked in with a towel wrapped around her body.
    Sam said, “I love that the showers are always nice and hot, although the pressure leaves something to be desired. Where are you off to, Tay?”
    “I’m just meeting up with Gabriel for a few minutes.” She tried to sound casual.
    “What!? When did this happen?”
    “Just now. I sent him a text and he replied and asked if I wanted to hang out.”
    “You go, girl! I think this college thing is going to be good for you.”
    Reaching for the door, Taylor said, “It’s not like that, I just want to ask him a few questions. I’ll be home soon.”
    “But not too soon, hun, enjoy yourself!” Sam replied with a smile.
    “Whatever,” Taylor said.
    Taylor walked swiftly to the Commons. She was trying to time it perfectly, so that she arrived right on-time. She didn’t want to appear desperate by being early, but she was also not the type to be rude by making someone wait. To her relief, the area was deserted when she arrived. A lone bench was waiting, unused at the moment. She sat down to wait. Within seconds, she heard a melodious voice from behind.
    “Hello, Taylor,” he said.
    She jumped a little and turned, startled at how easily he had snuck up on her. “Son of a—can you not sneak up on me like that? Where’d you come from?”
    “Oh, nowhere in particular, I kind of just swooped in!” He laughed, a beautiful smile spreading across his face. “Thanks for texting me, I was really happy when you did.”
    She didn’t hear a word he said as she stared at him, completely