Ch. 4 Just us 5

"Hola Senorita," greeted the customs manager in Spain.

"Buenos dias," Corrine greeted as both her and Marshall entered Spain. Marshall was gently squeezing Corrine's hand. They crossed the French-Spanish border, and gasped.

"Beautiful," Corrine gaped at the sight around her. There were hundreds of people, each going into small shops or buildings or walking along old, cobblestone streets. Words and Spanish phrases filled the air. As they both stared around at everything, Marshall squeezed Corrine's hand.

"Come on, lets go find a hotel," Marshall called after Corrine as they ran down the street .

"Are you Corrine Baxter?" called the English-speaking-mail-carrier.

"Yes, I am," Corrine got up off the desk she was working at to pick up the envelope the man was holding.

"And does a Marshall Wheeler live with you?" he asked, holding up another envelope.

"Yes, he's not here right now," Corrine explained, taking the envelope.

"Sign here," the man said lazily. Corrine did, then shut the door.

Opening up her envelope, (which was identical to Marshall's) she gasped.

Dear Corrine Baxter,

We are pleased to inform you that we have accepted your application to the University of Chicago. We have enclosed all the information you need, and you are expected on Campus on the 20th of August.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Deneska,

Head of Freshman Office

Corrine let out a squeal of delight and ran outside, where Marshall was taking part in the country wide siesta

"Marshall, we're going to the same college!" she squealed, making him wake up and tumble out of his hammock.

"Huh?" he mumbled.

"We're both going to the University of Illinois!"

Marshall gasped and got up. Running over to Corrine, he picked her up and twirled her around. Corrine laughed and made him stop.

"You're literally THAT excited?" she laughed holding his arms at his elbows as he did the same thing.

"Seriously, you'd think after last year-" Corrine laughed and placed her head on his chest.

"Right, sorry, I forgot," Corrine laughed. Marshall shook his head in mock disappointment.

"I'm disappointed in your and your intellect," and he tickled her. Corrine shrieked with laughter and made him stop.

"Come on, lets go upstairs," Corrine gently grasped his hand and they ran up to their room.

"Here Marshall, your envelope!" Corrine laughed, giving him his identical envelope.

He opened it up and smiled, "Dear Marshall Wheeler, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into our school," Marshall stopped at that, and hugged Corrine. They were both grinning and laughing.

"I have to call Josie!" Corrine gasped, breaking the hug and running to the room phone.

She dialed the number and Josie then picked up.

"Hey Corrine."

"Hey Josie, guess what!"

"What?"

"Marshall and I are going to UIC together! Did you get in too?"

"Yeah, I was just about to tell you, and Lucas did too!"

"That's excellent!" Corrine squealed, "so I'll see you on the 20th?"

"Definitely, my graduation is on the 19th!"

"Great, I'll see you at school!" and Corrine hung up grinning.

"We're all in!" and Marshall hugged Corrine and twirled her again. Kissing, Corrine and Marshall broke apart and hugged again.

"Next year will be the best year, there's no mystery and we're all here," Corrine sighed.

"Yeah! I'll call Vaughn and see if he was accepted to UIC or the other Illinois colleges, and Lucas is coming in the Second Semester because he estimates that he'll have enough money by then, he's moving into my Dorm Room with me by request beforehand."

"I requested Josie in my room too," Corrine laughed. Marshall grinned at her.

"But we're going to try to get an apartment, right?"

"Just like on Friends!"

"It will be like old times, Corrine. Just us 5," Marshall sighed.

"Just us 5."

"Corrine!" screamed Marshall. Corrine watched in horror as the drunk driver crashed into him, and it was only she saw that Marshall was unconscious did she scream.

Corrine woke up with a start, panting. Beads of sweat were on her forehead, and tears were on her cheeks.

Looking over at the sleeping form of Marshall beside her, a rush of relief spread over her. Oh my God… that was horrible! Even though it really had been a dream, she still felt tears fall down her face and she continued to shake.

To reassure herself that Marshall wasn't unconscious (or dead) Corrine shook him awake.

"Mmm?" Marshall asked, rubbing his eyes and sitting up.

Corrine collapsed on him, hugging him for comfort.

"Corrine… what happened?" Marshall asked confusedly.

"I had the most horrible dream… I was waiting for you to come home or something like that, and this drunk driver swerved in front of you… you screamed out my name before you crashed and I saw that you were unconscious… or d-dead!" Corrine cried, still clutching Marshall. Marshall comforted her, seeing this dream was very lifelike.

"Shh… I'm alive; it was just a dream…" Marsha said soothingly.

After a while Corrine stopped crying, and looked at him.

"I'm sort of afraid now… I don't want you to die… I l-love you too much…" she stammered.

Marshall looked at her with the kindest of eyes, "I know, and I feel the same."

Corrine smiled a little and kissed him, and let the kiss linger for extra comfort.

"I don't want to ever have that dream again."

Marshall nodded, "and if you ever do, and I'm not in the same bed, don't feel guilty to come running to where I am, even if these dreams end up being nightly," Marshall explained.

"Thanks love," Corrine whimpered. They both laid down, Marshall still holding Corrine, and they fell asleep.

(943 Words) The drama begins in 3… 2… 1… NOW!