That Complicated Connection, Part 2

Fall 2032 - Britechester, Illinois
University of Britechester: Caleb Gates is 20, Isabella Smith is 19, James Gates-Watson is 18

Isabella Smith has never been one to spend a lot of time around other people. She's always kept to herself and would go out with her cousin Emily sometimes, but many times she likes to be alone.

But of course, college life and living in a dorm with several other students makes it almost impossible to have that time alone anymore.

“I don’t know if I’ll make it through this semester,” James Gates-Watson says, groaning loud. 

“You’ve been working at your family’s restaurant for years,” Isabella says. “You ought to have a good feel for economics.”

“I just want to make some money,” James tells her. “That doesn’t mean I actually know how.”

Isabella sighs as James pouts with a loud cry again. She’s learning more and more each day that getting some time to actually focus while living in a dorm is almost impossible.

So she tries hide in her room when she can, hoping her roommate will stay gone so she can focus for a few minutes at least.

Caleb Gates is in his third year at University of Britechester. He’s still dating Emily Smith and this year he loves that she is now attending Foxbury Institute. 

They may not be at the same school, but they can at least find some time and places to spend time alone between classes.

***

When he's not struggling to do assignments, James spends time alone to practice his charming smiles and flirts. His attempts at flirting didn't work with Christy back home and then he and Cheryl ended up at different schools. And so now this is a new chance to try to find the right person.

James is working hard at learning how to flirt again, and how to do it at college. This is different than high school back in Arcadia. This requires new techniques.

But those techniques aren't working easily in this new part of life.

Flirting with random people is not part of Isabella's plans for her freshman year. Sure, it would be nice to have a guy show her interest and to spend time with outside of classes. But freshman year is also busy and a lot of times she feels like she just doesn't have time for some guy right now. 

 

 

Maybe later on in college life, but at the moment she needs to focus.

"What is that?" James asks, looking over her painting for art history.

"I don't expect you to understand," Isabella says. "It's a look at the worlds outside this one, but in a math formatting style."

He stares at her silently for a moment, his forehead creased as if in concentration. Finally he says, "It's, um, nice."

Isabella rolls her eyes at his attempt at flattery. It's not common knowledge that part of her dad's family is from outside Earth, it's a secret they've tried to keep. But she knows that James knows the secret with them living next door and his sister dating her brother. But still, she doesn't expect him to ever understand what life outside this atmosphere might really be.

***

Caleb holds a party at their dorm one night. Emily comes across town to be there of course. She's not letting him be at a party with other girls drinking too much alcohol. 

It's James's first time at a university party. Caleb lifts him at the keg to help induct him into party life.

It doesn't exactly work out well.

Isabella laughs while James groans as he stands. That wasn't exactly the induction into college life that he had planned.

But the fall doesn't keep him from having a little more to drink. Maybe a little more than he needs. After a few drinks, he feels like dancing in the rain. So he pulls on his jacket, grabs his umbrella, and heads outside.

Isabella doesn't know why she feels the need to check on him, but she knows he's a little drunk from that keg and so she goes out there. He's dropped his umbrella and stands there getting soaked.

"Get your umbrella and get back in the dorm," she tells him.

James smiles and tries to give her one of those flirty looks he's practiced. Only he really has had too much to drink and it comes out looking kind of weird. "Why? You want to get some private party time with me?"

Isabella gives a fake swoon. "Oh, yes, I can't handle another moment without you."

He laughs. "Ha! I knew you were falling for me."

Something shifts inside her, but she won't show any evidence. "Get back inside before I call your sister. She may still be on the other side of the Atlantic, but she can yell at you over the phone."

"You're just trying to keep secrets," he says.

Isabella rolls her eyes and grabs his umbrella. "Here, if you're going to stand in the rain at least use this." She shoves it into his hands and then turns to head back to the dorm. She's not standing outside all night even if he is.

***

James doesn't remember much about the rest of the party. He came inside at some point and then passed out in his bed. But what happened in between he doesn't remember exactly. He just knows that there was some encounter with Isabella at some point.

But it's too embarrassing to think about. He avoids her the next day, pretending he's focusing on his classes. He will put his work into passing this semester and not get himself drunk at another party like that.

But he's still too embarrassed to say anything to Isabella about it, and so he turns to go back inside the dorm and back to his room to hide.

——————

They did all pass, though I was worried.

 

And James did feel the need to flirt after drinking from that keg, lol.