Chapter One

Valerie carefully slid her fingers across the bumps that protruded from the pages on her book, occasionally stopping to pick up the micro cassette recorder to make some notes for tomorrow's world history class. Every so often she would also reach down and scruff Max's ears just to reassure herself that he was still there by her side. Having been blind from birth, Valerie's life line to the outside world had at first been her parents and siblings, but as she became older and more mature, those duties were turned over to her trusty guide dog who not only gave her mobility, but also became the best friend she ever had. There were several other blind students at the university, and while you would have thought they would have banded together to commiserate or for companionship just the opposite was the case as they all tried to blend in with the normal campus life. Valerie was just about finished with her reading, and since the library was about to close anyway, she began packing up her study materials before heading back to her dorm when all at once she sensed someone else sitting down at her table.

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"Who's there," she asked while zipping up her backpack?

"I thought you blind guys were supposed to have these heightened senses that figured these things out," the young man teased.

"Nick," she replied happily, "how have you been?"

"Real good," he said, "and I might say that you're looking very pretty tonight, my dear."

"Why thank you, kind sir," she said in a mocking tone, " care to walk me to my room?"

"Sure thing," he replied," but I don't wanna take the place of old Max there."

Val reached down and gave the pup another scruff on the head and replied softly, "Don't worry about that, it'll never happen."

The night air was cool as the two sophomores wended their way across the quad to Valerie's dorm on the other side of the gigantic campus. Even though they were just good friends, Nick slipped his arm around Valerie's back and held her close while they chatted away about this and that.

"Here we are," Nick announced, "do you want me to see you all the way inside?"

"That won't be necessary," Val replied quickly. "Max can take it from here."

Expecting as usual for Nick to give her a hearty good night, Val was a little puzzled when he was silent for a second or two before asking softly.

"Val, could I please ask you for a favor?"

"Sure," she replied brightly.

"I-I'd like to kiss you good night."

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She was absolutely taken aback by the out of left field request as her heart fluttered wildly at the suggestion, but before she could reply, she felt warm soft lips pressing against her own causing her legs to grow weak and shaky from its intense passion.

"M-my goodness," she stammered after they broke apart," what brought that on?"

"You don't know how long I've wanted to do that." He whispered softly while taking her into his arms and kissing her again, but this time with more intensity, "You're so beautiful and pure of soul, I-I think that I love you Valerie Poole."

While she had had a few dates in high school, and even a kiss or two, this was the first time that a man had passionately treated her like a woman. The feelings that roiled up inside of her almost frightened her, but she still managed to keep her head and reply.

"How could you love me, Nick, you hardly even know me?"

"I know all I have to know, " he answered firmly," and sometimes a person just knows when it's right, and I've never felt more right about anything in my whole life!"

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Finally back up in her room, Val sat down on the edge of her bed contemplating what had just occurred between her and Nick, and while she knew that it was happening very quickly, her heart told her that she wanted him as much as he did her. Her experience with sex was next to nil, but the feelings burning inside of her was like a wild fire raging over the plains. With a trembling hand, she undid her jeans and plunged her fingers deep inside of her vagina, quickly bringing herself to a shuddering climax that left her collapsed limply on her bed dreaming about Nick's lips on her own. As blessed sleep began to over take her, she was jerked awake by the loud jangling of the telephone, and much to her glee, the voice on the other end of the line was Nick's.

"I didn't wake you did I," he asked.

"Oh no," she lied, "I was just doing a little reading it's no problem at all."

"Uh good," he replied nervously," well the reason I called, uh was, I was wondering if you'd like to take a ride out to the lake tomorrow after class. We could have a picnic and maybe do a little swimming?"