“Well this is something I haven’t seen in a while.” Megan was saying as they walked into their Ecology exam.

“What’s that?” Brianna was confused and was looking around the classroom for something different.

“No silly. You with a smile. You’ve been so serious lately. I’ve missed that smile. So you gonna tell me what’s up? Is it Nick?”

Brianna’s smile grew just a little bigger. “Yeah, he’s part of it.” That was all she said before taking her seat.

“So, are you gonna tell me what’s up or do I have to drag it out of you?”

Brianna cut her eyes at Megan and simply said, “He called last night.” That was about all she could say because just then the instructor started talking and giving instructions for the final exam. Two hours later the two girls were walking out of the class happy to have one more class complete.

“So, what did he say?” Megan asked.

“What did who say?” Brianna was playing ignorant.

Pushing her friend gently Megan went on, “Nick. What did Nick say? You’ve been moping about him for weeks. What did he say to make you smile?”

“Oh, just that he misses me and wants me to come out and visit him again when my finals are over.” She really was bubbling over at the thought of seeing him again. Of course she was nervous, too about how things were going to be between them once she got there. And she had still to talk with her parents and one, patch things over with them, and two talk to them about going to see Nick.

“Well if that is only part of why you are smiling what is the rest of it?”

They were nearing the parking lot and out of the corner of her eye Brianna saw something that caught her attention. Looking up her smile grew causing her friend to look in the same direction.

“What? What is it?”

“Come with me, I want you to meet someone.” Brianna grabbed her friend by the arm and pulled her along to the second row of parked cars. As soon as they started to walk up to the car Brianna was looking at a tall, good-looking man opened the door and stepped out. “How did you know I’d be here?”

“I have my ways. Did you get the flowers?”

“Yes I did. They were beautiful. Thanks so much. But you didn’t have to.”

“I figured you needed something to brighten your day after the horrible weekend. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Tired, but that’s nothing new.”

During the entire conversation Megan was looking back and forth between Brianna and the un-named man. Finally she had waited long enough and cleared her throat to remind her friend that she was still there. It worked.

“Oh, Megan this is Mitchell. Mitchell this is one of my best friends, Megan Pierce.”

Mitchell took Megan’s hand in his and kissed the back of it. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you.” And then Mitchell’s attention was back on Brianna.

“I was hoping that maybe you’d let me take you to dinner, that is if you don’t already have plans.” He looked briefly at Megan and then back to Brianna.

“Um, well I need to study for an exam on Thursday, but after that.” She trailed off.

“Thursday? Do you really need to study now, it’s only Tuesday?” He was smiling at her.

**Sigh** “Yeah, I really need to. It’s a big exam and I really need a good grade on it.”

“Well, then, what time after you study would I be able to take you out?”

“Um, is 6:00 o’clock okay?”

“It is if you say it is. I’ll pick you up at six. Dress comfortable.” He smiled once more at Brianna, nodded his head and Megan, got in his BMW, and drove off.

“Where did you meet him? He’s gorgeous!” Megan was all but drooling.

“Put your tongue back in your mouth. John took me to a party this weekend, I met him there.”

“John? As in Mr. Jerk himself? What were you doing out with him?”

“Making a mistake. But it all turned out pretty good in the end, don’t you think?”

Megan nodded and the two girls went to find Brianna’s car. Just as they were pulling out of the parking lot Megan asked, “Brianna, um, what about Nick?”

<~ Chapter 51 or Chapter 53 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003