During finals, Mandy focused on nothing but getting the highest marks she could. Her room, which had become a hub for her friends, was closed off even to Gabby. No one was allowed in while she crammed.

When she was finally finished with everything, she used every bit of energy she had left and spent it all on an appreciative Gabby. "Damn it, frosh!" She exclaimed.

Their sweaty bodies untangled clumsily and Mandy held the wet toy, removing one end from her girlfriend before pulling the other end from her pleasantly aching pussy. "Oh, my God," she called out pushing her hair back and rolling over to kiss Gabby who helped her get on top, sitting up and attacking her chest. As she took her time with Mandy's nipples, the latter rocked her hips slowly, throwing the covers off and kissing down the junior's body searching… wanting… needing.

"Babe, no, I'm done. I can't… I need a break," Gabby giggled before her girlfriend could reach her target. Mandy licked her lips and flopped beside the other woman. "I've created a monster."

"I was always this way," the younger one countered, turning on her stomach, yawning. That wasn't a lie. Once she'd gotten comfortable with having sex—even with Tucker, she was able to really let go. And she would admit it only when asked, but this was different.

Gabby pouted and it was so adorable, Mandy couldn't help but to kiss her face. They both lay silent, the rain hitting the window was soothing. They'd be leaving the campus soon and she didn't know where they were going from here. And if this was one of the last times they'd be with each other until they met up in the summer, she wanted to memorize as much as she could. "Gabrielle?"

"Yes, Miranda?"

"Why… why me?"

"Huh?" The junior dragged a finger over Mandy's back; the sweeping motion put her into a trance.

Mandy inhaled slowly, anxious. "Well, I know that you know that you could have any girl on this campus."

"And I got the one I wanted. From the first time I saw you in your car which you haven't moved since you got it."

They laughed. "Shut it. I have. Loads of times," she lied, with a gleam in her eye. "But, seriously, Gabby, you could have anyone."

"I don't want anyone. I want you." Mandy listened to the rhythm of the rain, thinking of the millions of songs she knew about rain. "I love you, Miranda."

Mandy hid a blush behind a smile and turned to her girlfriend. She didn't tell her how much she'd miss her over the summer going into the next school year. That was a given. And anything else she tried to squeeze into these moments would get lost; would be filler, so she just said: "I love you, too, Gabrielle."

Kevin came two days before the semester officially ended to get Scotty. Mandy thought she'd be a mess, but they had plans to visit because, thankfully, they didn't live very far from each other. And phone calls were mandatory. As she hugged her best friend, Gabby ran up to them. "Scott! I know you're not about to leave without saying goodbye?"

Scotty smiled. "Well, if you didn't get your ass here before we left, I would have."

The two of them hugged. And Mandy really couldn't fathom that the year was over. When she'd first gotten to campus, she didn't know what was what. Scotty and Gabby had helped her more than she could ever thank them and she prayed her friendships with them would last. The last hug between Scotty and Mandy caused a lump to grow in her throat. "Call me when you get home."

"Will do," Mandy replied softly. "And just think about the name thing, will you?"

The two of them cracked up loudly ignoring the confused looks of Gabby and Kevin. Mandy held Gabby from behind as their friends pulled away. "So," Gabby said turning in her arms, "I was thinking…"

Their foreheads met gently. "What were you thinking?" She asked, wanting to kiss her, but being patient.

"Well, it's our last night together on campus and I was thinking we should go out tonight."

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

Mandy closed one eye, smirking. "You never let me surprise you."

Gabby licked the fullness of her pretty lips captivating Mandy. "You want to surprise me?"

She shook her head. "Not if you already had something planned."

"Mmm-hmm." Gabby kissed her and Mandy fell into it, moaning. She couldn't believe that only months before, she wouldn't have been caught dead kissing someone so publicly—never mind another woman. Her heart smiled. They'd come so far. She'd come so far. Checking her watch, Gabby told her that she needed to be ready at six. "And like ready to go at six, not putting on pants or shoes or something."

Mandy grinned and watched her girlfriend walk away. In her dorm room, most of everything had already been packed up for the last week, so she didn't have to worry about much. The only thing she hadn't done was pull the beds apart. With a date with Gabby on the horizon, she wasn't ready for that yet. Plus, her dad was coming in the morning to help her move. Several times she'd tried to dissuade him from that exact thing because she had it all handled, but it had been futile. "I'll be there tomorrow at 9 AM," he'd said to her when she'd called. "I love you."

And the only thing she could do was smile and say: "I can't wait and I love you, too."

While getting dressed for her date with Gabby, butterflies roamed in her stomach as if it were their first one. Mandy looked in the mirror at the newly minted sophomore staring back at her. She'd gone for a mustard yellow ruffle-hemmed dress that stopped just above her knees. It was her favorite pickup from the last shopping trip with Scotty. The darker yellow against her skin was perfection. A knock on the door had her opening it without even asking who it was. "You look good, girl," Callie said strolling in. She flopped in a chair. "You're going out?"

"Yes. One last date with Gabby."

"Awww. You look cute."

Mandy rolled her eyes in jest, thanking her. "Arizona is gone?"

"Yep," Callie sighed. "Halfway around the world."

"And?"

"And we've settled on doing the long-distance thing."

"Oh? Do you… think it's going to work? You know, between you two?"

Her friend's face was hopeful and Mandy knew that look. "Yeah! We're committed to one another, so, uh… I think we'll do the best we can and whatever happens… happens. You know?"

They looked at each other. "Y'all will be good. I know it," Mandy said promising her friend something that she couldn't even promise herself.

"What about you and Gabby?"

"Uhh… we're still on the same side of the continent, so the summer should be easy… er for us." She took a breath. "It's next school year that will be challenging." Mandy had told Callie about Gabby transferring schools. The fact still made her dizzy, but there would be more than enough time to get used to it.

"Well, I'm sure you two will be fine."

"I really hope so." Turning toward her friend, she continued: "So, I don't know if I ever said it, but thank you for your help this year."

Callie looked puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

"For stuff… for being there… for everything." Mandy pushed a stray curl behind her ear and sat down on her bed. "I don't know if I could have done this year without you." Her eyes were watering now and so were Callie's.

"I owe you just as much thanks. You're a good friend, Mandy." The other sophomore moved next to her. "So, uh, I should be leaving later on tonight, but my parents also don't know how to keep a schedule, so it could very well be tomorrow." They giggled through their tears. "So, if I don't get a chance to see you again before I leave or… or before you leave…" Callie smiled her smile. "I just wanted to say bye."

"Nooo," Mandy said grinning. She held open her arms and they hugged. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you, too, girl."

"Uh, maybe we can get together this summer," Mandy offered, not wanting their friendship to be put on hold.

"Oh my God! That would be amazing," Callie said hurrying to one of the desks, searching for paper and a pen. They both jotted down their information, exchanging it. "And I'll just put my address in case you make your way down to Florida."

Mandy took it and folded it up, sticking into her newest literary acquisition, "Sister, Sister". "I just might," she said. "I'll see you next semester."

"Yeah, next semester."

The two of them hugged a second time as Gabby came into the room. Mandy held her breath, but Gabby smiled, chill. "Hey, Torres! Have a great summer."

"You, too, Gabby."

When they were alone, Gabby asked: "Are you ready?" Mandy took in her girlfriend's outfit, her eyes trailing from her feet upward. The tightest pair of blue jeans she'd ever seen on the new junior was paired with a black tee that gave Mandy a perfect view of the tops of her breasts and she had a purposely faded yellow hooded sweatshirt in her arms. Damn, she looked good. They smiled at their unplanned coordination. "I could get a different hoodie," Gabby said, wrapping her arms around Mandy. These were the times she was going to miss. They'd been around each other nearly every day for the last eight months and that was all about to end. Seeing this beautiful woman's face was now going to be a rare occurrence.

"No, don't. I like this," she said standing on the tips of her toes to kiss her girlfriend. "Where are we going?"

"Uh, somewhere fun, can we use your car?"

Excitement brewed in her stomach as she put on her sandals. "I'll get my keys."

"Oh, and I have to blindfold you."

"Why?" Mandy pouted and Gabby laughed, kissing her protruding bottom lip.

"So you can't figure out where we're going."

Mid protest, Gabby slipped the blindfold around her eyes, tying it. "Gotcha," she chuckled.

"You're lucky I love you," Mandy said as Gabby drove to their destination. She couldn't believe this would be their last date for weeks. The butterflies morphed into elephants and she stiffened, no longer even dancing to the music.

"What's wrong?"

She turned to Gabby. "N-nothing. Just happy."

"Oh okay."

The car stopped and Mandy used her other senses trying to figure out where they were. Gabby helped her out of the car, putting her lips to the side of her head. "Okay, stay right there for a second."

"Where am I going while blindfolded, Gabrielle?"

They chuckled. "Right." Hand in hand, they walked across asphalt and then they were on grass. Mandy inhaled and she could smell water. They hadn't driven far enough to be back at the lake, but there was definitely a body of water around. "Okay. We're here."

"Where's here?" Gabby removed the blindfold and Mandy's eyes had to adjust before she realized they were at a park. To her left, there was a manmade pond with a well spouting out water. And there were a lot of people around though none of them were too close to where they were. Looking at her girlfriend, she saw a basket next to her feet. "What's going on?"

"It's a movie in the park," Gabby said pointing to the large screen in front of them.

Mandy put a hand over her mouth. She'd read about dates like this and seen them in movies, but experiencing it was something she'd never expected. "Wow, Gabby."

"I got the blanket and basket and food and—" Her sentence was cut short by Mandy kissing her passionately. Gabby grabbed her waist, making her dress rise a little.

"Thank you. This is perfect."

"You are perfect."

Mandy blushed and kissed her again. They put down the blanket and got themselves settled. "What's playing? 'Casablanca'? 'Decks Ran Red'?" She laughed at herself.

"Nah. 'The Rock'."

"Who's in that again?"

"Connery. And Nick Cage."

"Oh yeah!" Mandy yelped clapping her hands. She'd wanted to see this movie ever since it came out and she'd missed it. Practically tackling her girlfriend, they kissed once more. "Thank you."

Gabby shrugged nonchalantly. "You're so welcome," she said, touching her hair to finish their kiss. As the night continued, they leaned against each other, eating their lukewarm pizza and drinking some apple pie moonshine that Gabby was able to get her hands on. "Are you having a good time?"

"I'm having an amazing time," Mandy said softly.

"Anything for you."

When Mandy got chilly, Gabby picked up a second blanket and put it over their laps. "Thanks."

"You know something?" Mandy raised a brow. "I'm going to miss being with you."

"I'm going to miss being with you, too." The intensity in the movie heightened and Mandy grew bold and slid her hand across Gabby's lap under the blanket. The slightly older woman didn't flinch nor did her face react. An aggressive squeeze of her thigh had the junior opening her legs. Mandy fumbled with the button of the tight jeans and Gabby just let her, sipping her drink casually. "No help?" Mandy whispered.

"With what?" Gabby asked, reaching for a couple of grapes and offering one to Mandy who declined because she was concentrating.

Got it, she thought as she was finally able to wiggle her hand inside of the pants. Her mind flashed at tonight being their last time together for weeks and then to what her parents would think of what she was doing and she pulled her hand out. If she and Gabby did manage to survive everything—or even, God forbid, they didn't—could she ever tell her parents about the love she'd found during her first year at Wellesley? A love so strong she was filled with joy each time she saw the brown-skinned girl with the long braids.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," Mandy answered, grabbing a few more grapes.

Gabby looked at her. "Miranda?" She said, her tone shifting to assertive. "Why'd you stop?" Not wanting to explain her train of thought, she returned her hand between Gabby's warmth, allowing it to explore within the restriction of denim. "Ooohh…" Gabby moaned, setting her drink down and slipping her hand up Mandy's dress easily, swimming a finger past the band of her panties.

"God." The other woman chuckled and it mixed with a soft whimper. The young couple continued to finger each other, playing their favorite game: Who Will Be the First to Orgasm? To date, Mandy nearly always lost because the simplest touches by Gabby made it so that it never took long for her to finish. And while Gabby was often just as wet by the time Mandy felt her goodness, skilled, she was able to control her explosions. Mandy said her girlfriend's name softly.

"Y-yes?" She sputtered. Mandy took her hand out a second time and licked her fingers looking around quickly making sure that no one was getting a free show. "Damn, that's hot."

"It'll be even hotter when you come for me."

"Shit, Frosh."

Rubbing Gabby's silky clit slowly, made it harden and Mandy's movements became swift and forceful. Her breaths were steady and she knew she was about to let go, too, but she pushed that thought from her head. She wanted Gabby to come first. A long kiss and soft praises broke the junior and she climaxed easily falling into Mandy's chest. "I think I won," Mandy laughed as she wiped her fingers with a napkin. Gabby still had her hand between her legs, but her efforts were erratic. Mandy began touching herself needing to take the same trip her girlfriend had taken seconds earlier.

"Sorry," Gabby said, regaining normalness and grabbing the sophomore's hand, stopping her and pissing her off. "Anybody watching?"

"Huh? Why'd you stop me? It's my turn," She asked, her brows dipping.

Gabby spoke slowly: "Is anyone looking at us?"

Mandy's eyes darted around the park. They were sitting in the back and no one was paying them any mind. "I don't… I don't think so." Gabby nodded and dove beneath the blanket and between Mandy's legs. "No, no, come up," she whisper-shouted frantically. They couldn't do this out—"Come… Oh, my—God!" Gabby was kissing her pussy, driving her to a satisfying finale. Dropping her head back, Mandy moved her hips against her girlfriend's mouth. Her stomach rippled with heat. "I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming." She put a hand to her mouth to stop the scream that was determined to come out. "Oh, fuck! Damn you… get… up… here." Poking her head through the blanket, Gabby smiled up at her. "I hate you."

Assuming her original position, Gabby kissed her. "Taste that?" Mandy closed her eyes and nodded, accepting the longer embrace. She felt so good. "I will never get tired of having you."

The two of them focused on the movie again polishing off their fruit platter. All packed up and ready, Mandy drove them back to campus where, stumbling with passion, they made their way to her bedroom. Her dress was over her head, quickly. While she watched her girlfriend, Mandy found the blindfold and with little coaxing, was wrapping it around Gabby's head. "Can you see?" She asked.

"No," she laughed. "But I know where everything is."

Mandy sucked her teeth before grinning widely. A quick hand fondled her clit, making its way upward. Soon, they were back on the bed, their bodies crashing into each other. "I love making love to you," Mandy said before kissing Gabby's breasts, suckling on the buds and making her release the most divine moans.

"Miranda…" Hearing her full name during sex did something to Mandy and she sat up more entering a finger into Gabby's juiciness. "Yes!" The junior's hand went to the sophomore's neck, applying slight pressure as they moved.

"How's that, babe?" She asked.

"I like that." They shared another kiss and Mandy put her fingers to Gabby's mouth. Moving downward, she kissed between her thighs, the scent sending her into a tailspin. "Can I take this off? I want to see you." Mandy stuck out her tongue and shook her head slowly. "Jesus..."

Kissing her clit, she asked: "Does that answer your question?"

The usually dominant Gabby's body tensed as she uttered a weak "Yes." Soft kisses led the way as she licked her girlfriend tenderly, unrushed. Gabby's hands were in her hair, wrapping her curls. "Baby…"

"Yeah?" Mandy asked knowing there was nothing else following that.

"Baby!"

She smiled, adding another digit, feeling Gabby pulsing, ready to unravel perfectly for a second time. Pushing open her legs, she watched eagerly, thrusting hard. Is that what she looked like? Her mouth went back for more as Gabby's hips bucked, rewarding Mandy for her efforts. "Mmmhmm." The oldest of the two tried squirming away, but Mandy wouldn't let go.

"Come here," Gabby whined. "Please." Doing as she was told, Mandy came up and pushed up the blindfold as they kissed. Their mouths moved together and Gabby pushed two fingers inside of her and Mandy's body popped.

"Oh, my God," she said in a low tone.

"Let it out, babe."

Closing her eyes, she swiveled her hips halfway there. She looked down at her girlfriend who was staring at her, biting her bottom lip. "You are so pretty, Gabby."

"And you're so fucking beautiful, babe." They both inhaled. "God, I want you." Mandy's breaths were staggered and she groaned. "I like that sound, frosh."

"Shut up," she laughed as Gabby flipped them over kissing across her torso.

"Turn over."

Mystified and excited, she turned and cried out when Gabby began eating her from behind. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Holding her body up with one hand, she played with herself. The pleasure was overwhelming and it wasn't long until she was helping to bring herself to a hard orgasm throwing her ass back on Gabby's face. "Fuck me!" She moaned. The junior drew a line between Mandy's legs with her tongue. "Yes, Gabrielle."

Gabby smacked her ass, licking and biting it before they both collapsed on the bed. One couldn't stop laughing and the other joined in; their combined sounds echoing off the wall. "I love you."

"I know," Mandy answered pushing a handful of Gabby's braids to the side. She was so comfortable and felt so loved. How was this all going to be ripped from her tomorrow? "I love you, too."

"So, how'd you like that?"

"Do it again and then ask me that question," Mandy told her with a sly grin.

"My pleasure."