Pine Hollow: Springing into Confusion

Spring 2033 - Foxbury Institute, Britechester, Illinois
Matthew Lloyd is 19

One thing Matthew loves is when he runs into Hailee Beltran around campus. Not that it's always a surprise run in. He won't admit it, but he has taken note of Hailee's class schedule and when she might visit the student union to do some studying.

He's still not sure what Hailee might think of him. Does he come across as a stalker? Is she not interested in possibly dating him?

But they have a lot in common and she laughs at his jokes, so maybe there could be that possibility of something happening there.

He tries not to think about it too much. His classes keep him busy, but many times it's just too hard to focus.

He and Olivia Gates are both studying biology and so they have classes together. He likes her, but not in the same way he likes Hailee. Matthew thinks of Olivia as a good friend he's made during his time here at Foxbury.

And she can play a mean game of table tennis, often beating him. That's another way of getting his mind off Hailee every second.

But that time not thinking about her doesn't last long. She's there again every other moment of his days.

"Hey," Hailee says one afternoon, giving him a smile. "You want to go get some lunch? It's that time of day and I don't think I can go much longer without something to eat."

Is she asking him out? As a date, or just hanging out as friends? He's not sure, but there's no way he's going to say no.

"Yeah," Matthew says. "Let's go. I'm buying."

***

University of Britechester, Britechester, Illinois
Isabella Smith is 20, James Gates-Watson is 19

This semester is different than the last one had been. The things that had happened right after the new year have been kept secret.

They promised that it meant nothing except a fun way to use their spare time. And so James and Isabella act as if they are normal college dormmates. As if nothing else is happening.

But it's okay, James tells himself. He can handle it. He can be noncommittal if that's how Isabella wants things.

Isabella isn't sure how she wants things. She confessed the secret to her cousin Emily and swore Emily to secrecy.

"If he's getting you into bed, he better be ready for the possibility of a surprise," Emily says. She pats her stomach. "Trust me, I know."

Isabella had tried not to think about that possibility. Things between her and James would go onto a strange road she didn't even want to consider.

"We're just friends," Isabella tells her. "That's all."

"Friends with benefits," Emily corrects her. She sighs. "I'll be happy to get back to those benefits without this stomach in the way."

Were they just friends with benefits? That's what they had agreed to earlier this year. But now she's not so sure what she wants.

"Nice drawing," James tells her. He gives her a smug smile that she knows is meant as a joke. "That's me, right? My sexy body. I know you can't resist drawing it."

Isabella rolls her eyes. "You wish you looked that good."

"You wish too, don't you?" he asks.

Actually, Isabella doesn't mind the way his body looks at all. And maybe that drawing was inspired partly by him, though she'll never actually admit it.

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