To relieve my own mourning that TB is being axed, I had to write for a bit. I was going to not have Smithy in this sequel, but since he's no longer going to be on my telly, I had to add him in. This first chapter is basically setting the scene- with extracts from Jo's POV.

Big thank you to all the lovely people that reviewed Boys Like Girls! Lots and lots of luv you're all stars :)

This sequel will be answering unanswered questions and be aware this is a few years in the future... but not too far ahead. Enjoy!

Chapter 1- This is the future

'Dive in and swim away
From your loneliness and miserable days'

Jo threw her suitcases down onto the bed that she had bagged, and ran back out the room into the main area of the apartment. She looked at it, taking it in: It was a warm terracotta room with two big cream sofas and a flat screen telly that the other girl to be in their room had provided. Must be a snob. Who else can afford tuition fees AND a plasma screen?

Then Jo remembered.

Shit.

What if she's here already?

For a moment, Jo looked at the spare room. There were three- one was to belong to Jo, the second for this posh girl, and the third... Joanne Masters, why the hell are you standing here reminiscing like a lemon?! Go!

Closing the door, Jo ran down through the corridors of the hall to the front steps, jogging down them and waiting at the side of the car park in front of the London-based University. It was a warm day, so she wasn't cold even though she stood waiting for hours, never seeming to get bored. Every car that slowed past the point she stood, she stared at it, but when it turned out to be a random person getting out of the car, looked back to the road again. Another one… ooh nice car, if that's hers then god, she's done well for herself… Sleek, black and low to the floor. Sporty. Door's opening- first an ugly brown shoe, followed by corduroys. It is so not her. Nope. Some old windbag of a professor instead. I've always said that a bloke with a posh car isn't getting any at home.

My god.

Corr, blimey. That is one red head of hair. A petite little woman stepped tentatively out of the deep blue Vauxhall up the road, her bright red heels a welcome contrast to the dull grey of the pavement. A black fitted suit jacket flattered her slim body and she wore a matching skirt, just above the knee. Her just-over shoulder-length hair fell in a sexy red sheet down her back, straight and glistening by the sun.

"…Thanks, Annie. I'll see you later." No way. No flippin' way!!

"OI!" Jo shouted across the pavement, getting up. She'd recognise that voice anywhere.

The woman span round to Jo's voice and a grin appeared on her face. She abandoned the car and ran towards her old mate, grabbing her and pulling her into a bear hug.

"I can't believe… Oh Jo it's so good to see you!"

"How late did you want to be?" Jo laughed heartily, "I've only been sitting here for three hours."

"Sorry I had to… Ah I'm so excited!!" She turned and waved at the car, pulling her suitcase up to the steps. "I've really missed you, Jo."

"None of that soppiness- come on Miss! Guess who pulled a few strings and got you into my room?" Jo grinned, tugging her along the corridors to the room they would now share.

"Love the new hair by the way."

Sam grinned and followed Jo into their apartment. She smiled around at the cosy room, her new home for the foreseeable future.

"If you want to have a shower or something before everyone gets here…"

"Everyone?" Sam swallowed, looking across at her friend.

"They don't know you're here, of course. I didn't tell them, thought it would make a nice surprise! But they kind of invited themselves here for a first-night party- can you blame 'em? We got the best apartment of the lot!"

Sam smiled a little, "Fine. I'll take a shower and get changed. I don't really look like I'm ready to party, do I?"

"So," Jo smirked, changing the subject, "You still a lightweight?"

"Hell no." Sam grinned, "Toughened up since then." She laughed lightly, crossing the room and dragging the suitcase with her.

Jo picked up the latest letter, two months previous to this day.

Hey Jo! How's life been recently? Any new girlfriends you have yet to tell me about? I will weasel it out of you somehow!

I'm so excited to come to Uni- especially a great one like Hendon! I know you won't be on my course, but it doesn't mean we can't hang out and go to all the raving parties, eh!
I'll admit I'm a little frightened too; I haven't spoken to any of the others in three years. Have you told them I'm coming? I can't wait to see you! I know it's been years, but you'll be able to tell it's me- I've not grown an inch! I'm still my legendary five-foot-three. Though I have made a few changes you might just notice! For one thing I'm not covered up with those ugly hoodies anymore, I hope to think I've grown up a bit since I was at school!

I can't wait to start this course, I've read all the books we were told to, to prepare. But don't worry- I have done more than studying! I got in touch with my father too. You might not be surprised to hear, but after I left, his drinking only got worse. He's banged up in Priory Road now, doing a ten-year stretch for knifing a bloke outside a pub.

So here it is: My future career plan. I suppose I have something to thank him for; I've decided that when I leave University (hopefully with a degree!) I'd like to become a police officer. You decided what you want to do yet? If not, you should have a think about joining me! You don't need a specific qualification or anything- so after your three years at Hendon studying the whole English Lit thing, (Still have no idea why you picked that, but hey.) I think you'd be good at it. (Plus it means working with a load of women in uniform!! How's that for persuasion?)

Write back to me soon- stop me going out of my mind here in Ireland. (I've had enough of all the Paddys over here!)

Love, Sam

Unzipping her black case, Sam allowed a smile: She couldn't deny that she was a little excited to see all her old friends again. Especially following what Jo had told her on their phone calls and in her letters. She pulled a towel and her toiletry bag out of the case, going to the bathroom and undressing to take a shower.

Stepping carefully out the shower, Sam towelled herself dry and roughly twisted her hair up in the towel before starting on her makeup.

An hour passed and Sam looked up at Jo when there was laughing outside followed by a loud knock on the door.

'Let your hopes go and they'll survive
cause this is the future and you are alive
you're headed home'

So there you go! First chapter done and dusted. I will take ideas for this, so please review if you liked or not! Luv, Kelly
Song is 'This is the future' by Owl City