Title: All That I Am Part 2: Thoughts (William White) Author: Rissa85-stargazing85 E-mail: rissa85@collegeclub.com Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: I do not own Sweet Valley University series. Author's Note: Like the title implies, my part 2 is going to be about the mindset of my two characters being focused on. William White and Maria Slater. Enjoy. --- She had long legs, and though she was not tall, her lithe frame and natural grace made her seem so. She was dark, with skin a shade or two darker than the espresso mocha coffee he drank in the morning. Her eyes were honey, the color of that sweet syrup he had always loved when he was a child. And her voice was smooth, reminding him of a gentle rain.

This embodiment of perfect physical attribute sat across from him, at an elaborate restaurant, early in the morning. A small grimace had replaced her previous day's smile, and her half-lidded eyes appeared as if they would droop shut at any moment, but none the matter. Her aura was one of expressed grogginess, though she was languid, she still managed to manage her customary simple elegance, until he was sure she was capable of making sweats and a t-shirt appear suave.

The waitress appeared as soon as they were seated, in an elegant restaurant, four star and serving delicious morning food. Perhaps it was because he had high tastes, and an even more critical eye. He was as always, simple in the morning but sophisticated in dark slacks and a clean collared and long-sleeved shirt. She was as lovely as always, donning a black knee-length skirt and a silk, green and sleeveless blouse.

He had ordered a cup of Kopi Luwak, expensive coffee, certainly. But satisfyingly tasteful, and with a caramel aftertaste. He watched as Maria looked up at the waitress, with a small smile, and replied that she would like orange juice.

William stared at her, "Are you sure you don't want what I've gotten?"

Negatively, she shook her head, and as the waitress left she replied. "I won't waste my money on something I'm not sure I'll like."

"I'm paying." He answered her quizzically, as if she had forgotten he had told her it was his pleasure to take her out to breakfast.

"That won't be necessary." She smiled warmly, almost too warmly.

His smile almost made her laugh, "I won't let you pay."

She was very still for a moment, then she replied. "You sure?"

"It would be stupid of me to ask you to breakfast and then watch you pay."

His comment was reasonable, and feeling pampered and a little spoiled, she sat back into the soft cushions the chairs where made of until she realized William was gazing at her intently.

Feeling as if she had done something out of place in such a nice restaurant, she sat up fluidly. "What are you looking at?" she replied, a hint of half-hearted annoyance presented in her voice.

"You." His eyes were piercing hers, and his voice was soft.

She shifted, "I must be dull to look at. I'm pretty sure I don't change from one moment to the next."

His coffee and her orange juice were brought in crystalware that shone through the windows, depicting the morning dew on the fields of flowers in the scenery. Maria almost wondered why she was not asleep in her dorm room, but then reminded herself that unless she did not want to study extra to make up for time lost later in the morning, it was better to wake up early to meet with William. Even if that meant waking up before 9 a.m.

As it was, she was having trouble keeping her eyes open, and it was only 8:30 in the morning. The steam from William's coffee was rousing and the smell was delectable but she was sure that it was probably expensive, and not wanting to seem unsophisticated, she took sips of her orange juice.

"Fresh orange juice." She muttered, positively.

"Yes, I liked it also when I was a child. Until coffee was introduced to me."

She looked over at his cup, "You like it then, black too?"

He nodded, tilting his head. "It isn't coffee unless it's black. It's such a lovely color."

She attempted to follow his thoughts. "Ah! Now I've found out why you smoke."

He saw her smile and felt himself lost in it. "That's the first genuine joke I've heard you say."

"Who said I was joking?" she was playful. "Your lungs are going to turn black, and then you'll be flirting with emphysema."

"Two corrections. One, I only flirt with women I entertain. And two, I think black is sexy."

She felt his eyes on her and hearing the implying tones in his voice, she felt herself at once belittled and exalted. Opting for a display of emotion that would not cause his attention and would be neutral, she forced a tight- lipped smile.

"Why did you ask me to breakfast?" she questioned curiously.

"I want to entertain you."

"Why entertain me when you could have any of the other girls on campus. Like Denise Waters, Isabella Ricci, Alison...."

"What makes you think I could connect with them?"

He had her at that point, and speechless she sat in silence. He smiled at her silence, her full lips forming an almost invisible pout, and he reached across the table and laid his hand on top of hers, loving the contrast.

"Come now, let me see your smile. It must've been that which caught my attention."

His comment forced her to laugh against her will and she replied. "Well, is it possible to be jealous of my own features? Who would've thunk that my features could be dated independent of me?"

"Maybe your smile is the link to you." --- Stars. He had always been fond of them as a little boy. Especially when his father took him to the White Observatory in the mountains, usually during the summer when he grew bored at home with his nanny. He remembered that his always wanted to be an astronomer when he grew old, as "old as you" he used to say to his father. Physics had been a relatively difficult course, especially since he wanted to excel at everything, be sophisticated at nearly everything. It was in the White family history.

High school had been so easy, usually his tutors and the Academy had been docile with him and the subjects usually bored him, especially business subjects, though he performed unusually well at Statistics. It had been easy to find dates, beautiful girls from well-known families he attended the Academy with, characteristically easy girls.

The first couple of years of college, he was met with his customary awed teachers and students. Everyone thought they knew the prestige of the White family, not knowing that the only White son belonged to a secret society that boasted to aid those races which were uppity to the White race, which was naturally supreme. Everyone in the society typically was guaranteed excellent jobs soon after graduation. He was not exception; in fact many in the corporate world supported the society, for their jobs were based on their performance in the society in college.

Though his mother did not know, his father took great pains to keep the secret from her. She herself was a closet racist, not wanting to appear so but very much having racist thoughts and having no trouble voicing them quietly over dinner. Though, he was raised with his parents, who obviously considered the White race superior to all the other races, because naturally they were smarter and more physically attractive.

All through college, he had been met with beautiful girls, some brunettes, and most blonds with light hued eyes who fawned over him. Always being aloof and urbane, he used them when he needed to cool his manhood's desire. Then as if they were tissues, he usually discarded them. Women were nothing to him, really, just for his own use.

He had been exposed to pretty girls, of other races. Most of them, he knew were less intelligent than the fairer ones he dated. He never had a second thought to date them, they were beneath him, much like off-brand merchandise that was sold in those cheap stores near the University.

Except when he saw that dark girl with curly hair and light-hued eyes, the color of honey. She had breezed across campus in expensive smelling perfume, crisp and light. All dressed in casual jeans and a fitted t-shirt which molded itself to her upper body, and sandals, she seemed to love the outdoors. Her hair stopped a little past her shoulders; usually she wore it brushed into waves.

He did not want to see her, but her smile had shone when she met up with a black boy, his name was Bryan. The boyfriend of their mutual friend, Nina Harper who he had overheard was in the library. They were good friends, he against his better judgment followed behind them, pretending to be heading elsewhere. Her accent was soft and Southern. It made him think of Celine, which in itself wasn't such a pleasant thought. Decidedly, she was much more polished than Celine with her wild hair and audacious clothing that screamed for lecherous attention. No, this girl was refined, and struck with her in his thoughts...and those of Elizabeth, save but for lust. He wanted to know about this new girl.

Tracking her on the school records was fairly painless; she was from Alabama, Birmingham. Her parents were not rich, in fact, it seemed that she was in college because of academic scholarships. She had a younger sister, young enough to be her daughter, only three years of age. She was nineteen, two years his senior and a college freshman. He had found her birthday to be in August, she was a Leo. His first time speaking with her had been to offer her a white rose, which she had commented it wasn't necessary on bestowing on her.

He had nearly been disgusted at himself, giving her, a black girl, a bouquet of roses. His family would've been appalled, the secret society would've been disgusted. Wanting to date a black girl, they would've had relatively no commotion if they found he had been sleeping with her, after all the infusion of white blood would help the potential resulting bastard. And while her physical features were not unnoticed by him, he knew that her head held intelligence.

And so it was, she was one of the top students in the University, maintaining a 4.0 all through high school, she was involved in school as student body secretary, treasurer of the African-American Female League and prom princess. She volunteered at the hospital and local seniors' home and the Boys and Girls Club.

And through all these accomplishments, she remained modest. Never boastful and never bringing attention to her accomplishments. She had wanted to attempt a pledge of the Theta sisters' sorority, but he had found she was to shy to pledge. Alison, the president, had been indifferent about pledging her, and by the insistence of some Thetas, he was sure she was going to be in a sorority.

Other than that, he closest friend seemed to be Nina Harper and her boyfriend, Bryan. Another young man, though, had set his eyes on her. Calvin Brooks, another black boy, and on the college basketball team. He was a college senior, a year older than himself and three years older than she. He came from a semi-wealthy family with substantial business ties, and was also from the South Georgia. She was nice to him, as nice as she was to just about everyone else. Though, she did tutor him in arithmetic.

His thoughts settled, and sighing, he checked his watch and knew it was late. His had a scheduled early class in the morning, and it was already past midnight. But, he could hear some of his dorm mates through the door, yelling to each other about the wild party that was just barely ending. Smiling, for he was popular also, like these yelling men, he rolled over and slept. --- The party was interesting to say the least; plenty of girls had been dressed in low cut, short attire and drinking or smoking cigarettes or weed. Some were Theta sisters, some belonged to other sororities and some others were campus grazers, not belonging to anything but mingling with all.

Most of his buddies had decided to set their eyes on a 'special' girl of the evening, and attempt to get in good with her. He, himself, was beginning to tire of the loose girls which under alcohol and cigarettes could be found in his bed, at fastest, an hour later. He still could smooth talk, when he wanted to, but the girl he wished to see wasn't there. In fact, he had only seen her at one party the whole semester, and there had been plenty to go around.

She did not like parties, so she said. She was quiet, modest, and generous. Dorm parties did not seem to go hand-in-hand with her personality at any rate. But it was hard to forget that first party, when she waltzed in like a dazzling apparition; wearing a simple blue sundress and khaki sandals. Her smile was soft, and her words were softer. Talking to her on the balcony had been pleasant enough, he had not seen her drink, and she hated to smoke. She was there with a friend, Denise Waters-a Theta.

She was intoxicating, everything she said and did seemed to go to his head and make it spin like drink. He wanted to see more of her, and finding out she was a member of the Black Student Union was all the information he needed, for he too was involved. He had sat with her at a meeting, and offering her coffee, he managed to begin a friendship.

He had noticed a certain supremacist that seemed to have his eye on her, he was popular and from an extremely wealthy family-William White, of New York. She had commented that he seemed nice enough, had conversed with her quietly and nicely enough. Then she had declared him jokingly, to be silly and jealous. He had swung her around and stated that she was too lovely to be swept up in the arms of any other man but him. And her resulting laughter was a cherished memory. ---