Disclaimer: I do not own the characters who act in this story. I only borrowed them from Beth Sullivan, CBS and whoever is holding the rights on them.

Chapter 1

Michaela was reading her checklist over and over. Did she really have everything? It would be a long time before she would come home again. She wasn't dreading to leave. Her mother always argued with her. She was eighteen but still treated as if she was a child. Yes, she was the youngest but didn't want to hear it all the time.

Now she was leaving for Colorado Springs.

Her eldest sister Rebecca moved there two years ago because her husband had gotten a job offer they couldn't refuse. Michaela had visited them a few times already. While searching for colleges, it was the first thing that came in her mind to go to Colorado, too. She loved the countryside and would be close to her sister again. They had shared a special connection, but since her sister had left, there was a part missing. She always went to Rebecca for advice. Now she had the chance to see her every day again. Michaela was happy, and with a last look around the room she checked if she hadn't missed anything. "Michaela are you ready?" her father called from downstairs.

She sighed; it would be the hardest to leave her father. They had shared a special bond. He was her teacher in many ways. He was the reason that she wanted to become a doctor. Watching him has been fascinating even when she was still a child.
Lost in thoughts, she didn't notice her sister walking in. Marjorie was only one year older but she wasn't in college yet. She had traveled through Europe last year and just had gotten home a few weeks ago. Michaela didn't mind that she had been alone that year. She loved the quietness.

"So, are you ready? We're all waiting," Marjorie asked indignantly.

"Yes, I think I have everything," Michaela sighed.

She took her laptop and the last two bags which where missing with her other luggage.

"Give me one", Marjorie said.

Michaela wanted to walk downstairs but her sister held her back. "Wait! I want to give you something."

"Oh Marjorie, you shouldn't."

"Yes I should, here take it." She gave her a package wrapped in glitter paper and a pink ribbon. "Don't open it yet, no need for mom and dad to see it."

Michaela was curious. She thanked her sister and put it into her handbag. She didn't see the grin on Marjorie's face.
Checking again if she had her cell phone and her passport, they at last walked downstairs. There was the whole family waiting for her. Her other two sisters with their husbands and children beside her parents. Michaela kissed everyone goodbye when she felt an arm on her back.

"Michaela we have to go; otherwise you'll miss your plane," her father said.

She nodded and let go of her sister while giving her a peck on the cheek. "Do you have your passport?"

"Yes mother, I have."

"And don't forget to call when you've landed."

"Mother, Dad is flying with me. I'll be alright. Good bye, mother."

Some hours later, waiting for the luggage, Michaela was thinking of what she could expect. It was exciting and scaring at the same time.

"There they are, you sure packed allot," her father pointed at her bags. She looked at him and smiled. They had a great talk during the flight and she knew he was proud of her. It would take a few years but hopefully they'd be working side by side in the future.

"Are you ready?"

She sighed, "I hope."

"You'll do great, I'm sure."

It was not that Michaela was scared of classes and the studying. No, she was willing to do a lot of work. It was more that she was in a different city where she didn't know anyone. Making new friends wasn't her strongest quality. Yes, she had friends but her study always came first. Her plan was to become a doctor and nothing or no one could keep her from it. Hopefully she would get a roommate that was also focused on school. She sighed. She just would have to wait and see. She would find out soon enough.
Rebecca and the kids where waiting for them in the arrival lounge. She had tears in her eyes when she saw her father and her little sister. It had been half a year since she saw them. Now she would have the opportunity to speak to her sister every day.

Fortunately, Rebecca had a big car otherwise they would have never managed to get Michaela, her father and all that luggage with them. While driving to the campus, Michaela felt butterflies in her stomach: she was almost there and couldn't believe it.

After registering, her father helped her with her bags. Entering the room, Michaela was relieved. There where two bedrooms and they would only have to share living room, bathroom and kitchen. This way she at least could have some privacy. Who knew what kind of roommate she would get.

"Looks nice," Joseph said, looking around. "In which one should I put down your luggage?"

"Just leave them here, I want to wait for the other girl."

"Mike this is it, I have to leave. Rebecca is waiting for me and my flight leaves at midnight," her father announced.

She looked up at him and saw the sadness in his eyes. She would miss her father terrible but most of all, she would miss talking to him. "I'll miss you daddy."

Yes, she was eighteen but would always be his little girl. He hugged her, "Be careful and remember what I said on the flight. Not only work, you should have some fun now and then, too."

"Yes, sir."
When her father left, Michaela felt a sense of sadness. All alone.

In Boston, she had been alone only seldom. There had always been people around; even when she was alone in her room she knew Martha would bring her cookies and milk when she returned home from school. But now? Now there would be no one.

She sat down on the couch and remembered Marjorie's present. She took it out of her bag and noticed a small note with it. It said, "You never know when you might need it."

This message confused her. She opened the package and instantly let it fall again. What had Marjorie been thinking? Michaela's cheeks grew red while picking up the little box.

"Condoms," Michaela thought, "she gave me condoms!"

At this moment, she heard a knock at the door, and quickly the package disappeared in her bag again.
While walking to the door she was looking back to see if she had hid her 'present' properly. What would her roommate think of her when she saw them?

Sighing loudly she let out her fear. Opening the door she looked at a friendly face. The first thing she noticed, were those blue eyes. They stood out because of the dark hair.

"Hello, you must be Michaela. I'm Abigail Bray."