A/N: Thank you for the steady flow of reviews I got for the last chapter. It made me smile, and because I'm in a good mood I'll give you Chapter 8. Thanks and keep read and reviewing.

Chapter 8: Catch Me When I Fall (Part 1)

I looked up. Oh my God! He is soo cute! Like not even Orlando Bloom or Leonardo DiCaprio cute. He has these amazing blue eyes! Did I tell you how blue they are? He had the cutest brown hair too. And Logan thinks he's hot? Beat that, Logan. Well, Logan's cute but he's a really big jerk…like mega sized, so it cancels out. Someone pinch me! Oh God, he's smiling at me. I smiled back, and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.

"No one's sitting here! You can totally sit here," I replied, sipping on my smoothie.

He sat down on the stool next to me, and ordered his Mango Explosion smoothie. That voice makes me just melt…

We didn't say anything and then he turned to me. Oh, God, those eyes. I'd better not stare in them to long or I'll get blubbery and all stuttery.

"Hey, I'm Stanley Crowe, but just Stan Crowe for short," he said, smiling and showed his straight, perfect teeth. "What's your name?"

"I'm Nicole Bristow. Are you new because you look new. I've never seen you around before," I said, sipping my smoothie. He laughed and sipped his too.

"Yeah, I'm new. I just transferred from Boston. I think I'm in Branford Hall, Room 33 (A/N: The guys are in room 32, so Stan is next door. I thought I needed to clear that up. We'll just say that Stan gets a room to himself. Ok? Ok.)

"Oh, that's so cool. I'm in Brenner, Room 101. Oh, these smoothies are awesome. Don't you think?"

He did that laugh that made me weak in the knees, "Yeah, the best."

We were done our smoothie and we talked for a while. He is so number one on my cute lip chart. He's not moving from that spot. Not ever. He makes my heart beats really fast and he had the cutest smiles. He's fun too. Not like that Nicholas guy. Never again. I can't stand the guy. Stupid Nicholas.

I'm in love.

Nicole Crowe.

Nicole Bristow-Crowe

Mrs. Nicole Crowe

Mrs. Nicole Bristow-Crowe

Mrs. Stanley Crowe.

Yeah, it really is love.

Nicole is so interesting. Unlike any other girl I've met. She's sweet, energetic, and she has a cute personality. Nicole is incredibly pretty, and she has this little giggle thing. I find it quite attractive. We were getting ready to leave, so we threw our smoothies away and we were walking. I get a whole room to myself this year. Is that cool or what? I think I should ask Nicole out like on a date. Please, make her say yes...please…

"So, Nicole? It's Friday night. We should do something. You know, get to know each other," I said, as my lame attempt of asking Nicole out.

"Ohmigosh! Sure, I'd totally love to," she answered, hugging me.

I was surprised at first, but wrapped my arms around her, gently and hugged her back. She's so adorable when she does that. Damn it, stop blushing, Crowe! We pulled away, and she smiled at each other.

"So, what do wanna do?" she asked me.

I shrugged and smiled, "I don't know. Curfew isn't until midnight on Fridays, right? So I was thinking dancing and hanging out. I know a place."

"That is so cool, Stan. I'll meet you in the girl's lounge in a bit," Nicole said, with a cute smile.

"Ok, give me her arm and a pen?" I asked, bashfully. God, I'm such a softie.

She gave her arm and her pen. I didn't know she was ticklish, because she was giggling the entire time I was writing my number on her arm. It made me laugh a little too.

555-7826

Stanley Crowe

xoxox

I gave her the pen back, and we walked and talked for a while. I found out we both like the Black Eyed Peas, so I'm thinking next time we go to one of their concerts. I had to go to my dorm to unpack. I shoved my hands in my pockets.

"So I guess we're here, right?"

"Yeah," Nicole said, in a happy-go-lucky tone, "but it's okay because I'll see you later."

"Ok," I replied.

"I'll see you later. Bye Stan," Nicole said, throwing her arms around me for the second time. I really got to stop with the blushing.

I hugged her back. "See you later. Bye Nicole.

We pulled away again, as much as I didn't want to. She waved as she walked and I waved back. I walked back to my room. You know, the one I got all to myself. I've only met Nicole a day, and I think I love her.

Mrs. Nicole Crowe

Mrs. Stanley Crowe

Nicole Bristow-Crowe

Nicole Crowe-Bristow

That has a nice ring to it. I think I'm in love.

Yeah, I've got it bad for Nicole…

What the hell is up with me? I'm usually the one stopping a fight, not getting into one. That's just how Logan is. He brings out the worst in everyone, even Chase (especially when Logan tries to flirt with Zoey, then you see the green-eyed monster in a literal sense as well), but I mean it. I love Vanessa and would do anything for her. I didn't leave because I wanted to. No way in hell did I want or was I going to leave Vanessa with…Logan. He's the world's biggest asshole in the world, and trust me. Dana's taking care of him right now.

Two things will happen.

A. Dana will either dismember him and then will call us to help bury the remains.

B. He's getting yelled at.

God, I never want to see Vanessa cry like that. Tears make her more beautiful than she already is, but it makes me mad to know that Logan caused them. My thoughts were interrupted by a voice heard above me. It was beautiful… I looked up and Vanessa was there. She sat next to me. I'm sorry, but she is FINE… Logan's an idiot for letting this go, but it's all good because she'll be all mine for the taking. Hey, I don't sound like Logan there.

"Hey, stranger," I greeted her, smiling.

"Hey yourself, Mike," she replied, smiling back. I love the way she says my name. Oh, wait. She has more to say. "Oh, you know you didn't have to defend me...back there."

"'Nessa, I'm cool with it. I know I didn't need to but I wanted to. Nobody should have to go through that. You're a good person and I know it hurt, but hey. You win some. You lose some. You're beautiful inside and out, and anyone who doesn't see it is crazy. You have a good heart so don't let anyone tell you any different."

Oh, man. Thank God, I have dark skin or she would've seen me blush. No, wait. I don't blush. Chase blushes when he's all over Zoey. I wish they'd hook up already. Logan blushes when he's all argumentative with Dana, and we catch it, but I, Michael Barrett, under any circumstances do not blush.

My cheeks feel warm but it's not blushing…it's not.

Vanessa threw her arms around me and hugged me. I was taken aback but I hugged her back just as tightly, and I hesitantly pulled away.

"Thanks. Really Mike. That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me," she said, affectionately tapping my knee.

"Well, you know…you know how I do," I said, trying to play it off. I meant every word I said though. I love her. Yes, I sound like Chase. I got to stop doing that.

We both chilled out on the bean bags beside each other. God, she has nice legs.

Seriously, where has Michael been all my life?

He said the sweetest things to me today, and it made my day. I don't know what came over me, but I hugged him, and he hugged back! Now we're getting somewhere. Michael has the best hug. It made me feel safe. Like nothing bad could ever hurt me. For now, I was going to forget about Logan. Besides, forget the shampoo, I have a new game plan in store for our jerk. Dana's taking of him right now. Yeah, still the same from New York. It's great.

"So?" Michael asked, breaking the silence between us.

"So?" I repeated, giggling a little. Oh, God. I had a Nicole moment. That will never happen again.

"Tell me about yourself. Favourite colour, sports team, movie, TV show and food," Michael playfully rattled off.

"Ok," I started laughing a little, "Came from new York. Dad's a movie director just like Logan's…mom was a supermodel, Natalie Stevens."

"Ah, I see where you get your good looks from," Michael pointed out. If I didn't know better, I'd think he were coming on to me. I liked it. I smiled.

"You're just the charmer, aren't you Michael," I asked with one of my flirty smiles.

"Maybe I am," Michael said, laughing a little. "You know how I roll…"

Yeah, we were flirting. It was fun. He's cute when he's blushing. Yeah, I noticed.

"As for favourites," I continued, "my answer in that order would be: Blue and black, Miami Heat, Underworld: Evolution and Ultraviolet, Chappelle Show all the way and food would be pizza. How about you? Same question."

"Well, I came from the ATL, Georgia. Mom's a school teacher. Dad's a doctor, and my answers in that order would be: silver, L.A Lakers, Date Movie, I also like Dave Chappelle, and food would be potato chips," Michael answered.

"Well," I started, "you know the Lakers would lose to the Heat…"

"Oh, yeah. How?" Michael playfully smiled, and raised an eyebrow.

"Two words, man: SHAQ ATTACK."

He rolled his eyes as we argued, only in good fun, "Oh, please. Without Shaq, the Heat are gone."

I retorted, "Yeah, just like you guys were without Kobe, and lost. BURN!"

I laughed. "Now, now, Mike. Don't pout."

"Man, I am not pouting. L.A Lakers will kill the Heat on the upcoming game. Wanna bet?"

I raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Sure. The loser has to do what the winner say all day? I like a nice foot rub after the game."

"Girl, you're on," Michael betted, holding out his hand to shake. I shook it, and a smile tingle went up my spine. His hands are soft for a guy. Does he use lotion?

"Vanessa?" Michael asked.

"Hmm?" I replied.

"Wanna do something. Curfew isn't till midnight, and it's only seven right now…so you know…you don't have to if you want to—"

I laughed a little bit. "Mike, it's cool. I'd like to go out with you tonight. What did you have in mind?"

He turned to face me and those brown eyes seemed to light up. "I was thinking clubbing. You know, I got a few moves…"

"Cool. I know a place. So I'll see you in a bit. I can tear up the dance floor, you know," I said smirking.

"We'll just have to see, won't we?"

I feigned being surprised. "Is that a challenge, Michael?"

He stuck his tongue out at me. "Maybe it is, maybe it isn't."

"Well," I laughed, "I'm going to go freshen up a bit before we go. We'll meet up here, ok? Wait, I'll give you my number."

He gave me his arm and I wrote on his forearm.

555-2587

'Nessa Stevens

x3 Call me, Mike LOL

"Cool," Michael said, after I put the pen on the lounge table. "Now, it's your turn."

I gave him my palm, "Just to warn you, I'm ticklish."

"Oh, really, it's even more fun, then."

He began to write on my palm and I couldn't help but laugh. It was very ticklish. Oh, God. Michael, stop it. You're tickling me! Haha! After seven numbers and a name, the tickles seized. I looked at my palm.

555-3268

Michael Barrett

:D Call me, 'Nessa! You'd better LOL!

God, is Vanessa ever fun! I only made that bet to be closer to her. Only she does know it yet. I hope she likes me back. Oh, snap, I'd better go get some of the good clothes on. I just challenged her to a dance-off.

Cool. Vanessa's voice is sounding again. Man, I never get tired of that.

"I'll see you in a bit, ok Mike?"

I nodded, smiling, "Yeah, you too."

This time, it was I who hugged her, and she hugged me back. We pulled away, smiling at each other. She's such a great person and that, people, is my future wife, and the mother of my children. There's nothing wrong with planning ahead, so there!

She waved at me and turned to walk away. I watched her walk away until she was no longer in sight. Isn't life just great?

Now to raid my closet to look fresh for 'Nessa…

Where has Vanessa Stevens been all my life?

Again I ask: Where has Michael Barrett been all my life?

As I walked back to Brenner, I can't help but feel in my heart of heart that Michael is the one for me. He makes me laugh when I need it. He hugged me again! His hugs feel great.

Yeah, he is definitely "the one". I hope so. I really do.

That is my future husband and the man my kids will call "Daddy." It'll be great. I love Michael so much. I've only met for a day, and I have these great feelings of love for him already. It's like a sign.

Anyway I'm off to fix myself for Mike…

Clubbing should be fun, tonight.

A/N: Hello! Sorry for the long update.

Any spelling or grammatical errors I make, I'm sorry. It's 1:00 am. I'm dead tired. Next chapter will be the couples you've been waiting for. Dana and Logan. Chase and Zoey. We also got to meet a new character. Stan Crowe.

Part Two is coming up really soon. Sit tight, and please review and maybe give me a rubber duck or two LOL. If you don't review, my army of sock puppet are coming after you.

So, review. Pretty please?

---Tears On My Pillow