The next day was a whirlwind for Crissa, getting up early to register for classes and sign up for an academic advisor. Trisha was even more serious about things, rising earlier to take a morning jog. Meeting later in the food commons around noon, the two had a chance to further connect and share their activities.
"Your guy seems really cool," Trisha finally said, while picking through her salad.
"Yeah, he's a very good guy," Crissa answered, a bit reluctant to share any more information about him.
"He's your first real lover, isn't he?"
"What? Why do you say that?"
"I can just tell. The way you two are. It's cute."
"No. Really, Trish. What makes you say that?"
"Well . . . he is, isn't he?"
"OK. My first serious relationship, yeah. But we've been through a lot, already. You can't believe. No one really would. We've just become really close from it."
"In Germany?"
"Yeah. So . . . tell me a bit about . . ."
"Robby? Yeah. It was a high school romance from the beginning on steroids. He's still my boy."
They both smiled.
"He wasn't my first though. I had two serious boyfriends before him. God. Back when I just started high school."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah. When you're a cheerleader in the States . . .any state . . . you get a lot of attention."
"I can imagine."
"Dean was my first. He was the captain of the football team. A total animal. And totally about sex. He was a senior and I was just a freshman. A poor little virginal freshman. But that all changed pretty fast. It was good though, I guess. While it lasted. He taught me a lot about guys. But after that year, I totally changed. Fell in love with this quiet, sort of . . . I don't know, poetic guy. You could call him a nerd, I guess. But he was so sweet and smart. Kevin kept my head on straight during that next year. Got me serious about my studies. My parents couldn't believe the change. Thought I found religion or something."
She laughed.
"Next, Robby comes along that summer of my sophomore year. A college guy to die for. We've been together ever since. But now comes the long-distance part. It's going to be tough, Crissa."
"Yeah, I can see how it will for you."
"I don't even know how it will. We've never been apart. In like two and a half years! Trust me, girl. You are so lucky. David probably lives close enough that you can sleep with him half the time."
It was a thought which Crissa had obviously considered but didn't feel comfortable discussing. There were also other elements which always took precedence when David came to mind. Things she would never discuss with anyone.
"So, wow," Crissa interjected to change the subject. "I guess you'll be taking mostly bio and chem classes here, huh? Once you've finish the required courses. A pre-med program, right?"
"Definitely. That's the plan. Mostly my parent's plan. But OK, yeah."
"And you? Pre-med too, right?
"Just biology for now. I'll have to see where it leads. Research maybe? Genetics? Possibly medicine. Too early to tell, yet. My parents are cool with my choices, thank goodness."
"Well look, Crissa, I have to go check out the gym over here on campus. And the evening courses for dance or aerobics. I'll have to be doing something heavily physical each day to stay in shape. That, and to work off my sexual energy. Seems I was just born with a lot of that."
Crissa wondered about a girl who could be so confident. So bold as to make a statement like that, even to another girl without feeling embarrassed. Perhaps as a roommate, she thought, Trisha was going to be good for her own self-confidence. Watching her walk out of the commons, Crissa couldn't help but notice how the three guys sitting next to them didn't take their eyes off the girl all the way out of the dining hall. Did she ever remember any guys looking at her like that?
* * *
When Crissa got back to her room that afternoon, she called David on his cell phone to see how his own relocation not far from the campus was working out.
"Crissa? It was so nice seeing you last night. I was just about to call. To see if you got the classes you wanted."
"I enjoyed our meeting too, David. Actually, it was a pretty straight block of courses. At least for this year. And yeah, I got into all of them. Not a perfect weekly schedule. But it's going to be fine. How did you spend your day?"
"Looks like I'll be bartending at this place near the campus in a week or so. It's called Albatross. Kinda hip, noisy. Mostly a student hangout, from what I can tell.
"That's great, David! It will give us time during the week to see each other."
"Yeah, until I get that fishing boat job."
"Are you serious about that?"
"Totally. For the next few months . . . while I'm waiting for a transfer, I could make some real money there. Tuition is not as cheap down here as it is in Alaska."
"I know. A least your mom will be helping you, right."
"As much as she can. Help with the rent is the main thing right now. So, look. I don't know how the dorm food is over there, but you are cordially invited to a dinner at my place this tonight. That is . . . if your calendar is not filled up yet."
Crissa laughed. "Really? And who's doing the cooking?
"We are."
"As in . . .we?
"That's right. How does spaghetti with white calamari sauce sound for a main course?"
"Are you serious?
"Perfectly. Went to the market today to get the stuff. So . . . can you make a green salad?
"Of course, I can!"
"Can you pour red wine and slice fresh Italian bread?"
"I think so . . ."
"Well, the rest is my part."
"How fun!"
"OK, then. The guy on the motorcycle will pick you up at nine o'clock. Can you be ready by then?"
"In two hours? I think so. David."
"Then it's a date. But don't be late. From what I know, you have to be back in the palace by midnight."
No silly, that's only for guys . . . in the palace. They have to be out by then."
"So, let me see, then. If Cinderella stays up pretty late tonight . . . the Canadian Mounties won't be out looking for her?"
"Not if she's having a good time . . . with the guy she loves."
"Well, then I guess the Mounties get the night off then."
Crissa's laugh sounded almost like a giggle.
"Be careful on that bike," she said. "I hear it's brand new . . . Shall I bring anything, David?"
"Just your appetite. And maybe . . . your willingness to . . . get better acquainted as neighbors now."
"Well, that will depend a lot on your cooking, I'm afraid."
She heard him laugh a boyish laughter as he clicked off the phone.
* * *
At nine o'clock sharp, Crissa went down the stairs of the dormitory and passed out of the front doors. There she found David handsomely dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a black leather jacket. His hair was combed back, and he had a look of awe on his face when he saw her with her hair brushed out full, wearing in a loose-fitting wool sweater and a pair of skinny jeans tucked into Timberland boots. As the two sped away on his motorcycle, toward the more commercial side of Vancouver Island, the moon was just rising over the peaks to the east. To both of them, it was a menacingly large and bright moon, certainly not more than a day or so before being full. Crissa just held on tighter to David waist and chest, hugging him affectionately as he revved his bike up and sped more thrillingly toward his new home.
Crissa knew as they entered the small but quaint living quarters, that there would have to be some serious and workable plan in place to allow David to soon morph into the curse he had recently inherited. She had thought of this incessantly over the past week, even before leaving for college, and now felt content she had envisioned a solution. It would be revealed as one of the discussions she had hoped to have with him over dinner and before what she also expected would make the night so special. For David's unknown cooking aside, they both knew a very romantic evening was in store for them. Truly their first together—all night, and unobstructed.
* * *