Chapter 1

By the Light of Dawn

Connor quickly strode across the Stanford campus, desperately hoping he wouldn't be late for his first day of Organic Chem. This was the class he had been dreading since being accepted to the University. It was easily considered the toughest class on campus, and the fall semester's class had suffered a 70 percent fail rate. But he needed this class if he expected to get into Med school.

Connor arrived to class just before the professor began speaking, and quietly slid into the chair closest to the door. As the professor went through the role call for the first, and most likely last time of the semester, Connor noticed a girl attempt to slip unnoticed into class.

"Excuse me, yes you there in the back, brown haired girl," the professor barked. "Wait, don't sit down. Class I would like you to turn around. This is the first and last person you will ever see walk into my class late. Although, out of the goodness of my heart, I will allow her to stay today. However, note that if any one of you cannot make it here on time, then don't bother attending at all."

"Um, I'm sorry, I-"

"I can guarantee that completing that sentence will do nothing more than solidify your idiocy."

Connor watched as she slipped into the seat just in front of him, sinking low, in an attempt to will away the rest of the class's stares.

Instead of paying attention to the lecture, Connor couldn't take his gaze away from the beautiful brunette sitting in front of him. He had noticed her legs first, displayed to full advantage in a mini jean skirt that ended just below her ass. She had paired it with a tight summer mid-drift top. She was breath taking, and he was smitten. It was strange; he felt a strong pull toward her that went beyond sexual attraction.

Finally the professor finished his dull monotonous lecture, which Connor believed would have put him to sleep if the mystery girl hadn't encompassed his thoughts. He didn't join the class as they began to gather their belongings and leave the room. His gaze never left her, his heart was transfixed. His mind was so occupied in its search for something to say to her, that when the book hit him squarely on the foot he barely felt it.

"Oh God, I am so sorry," she exclaimed as she bent to retrieve her books. "I have never had a clutzier day than this one." She smiled up at him, her big blue eyes stealing his heart.

"Uh…that's ok, here, let me help." He was stammering now, in his usual innate ability to talk to girls.

"Thanks," she replied as he handed her her books and helped her stand. "I'm Dawn."

"Oh, I'm Connor. You know, everyone on campus says that guy's a dick, so you really shouldn't take anything he says personally."

"No worries, I've had worse days, really."

"So…where're you headed?"

"Back to my dorm, this is the only class I have today. I'm over at Moore Hall."

"That's my dorm too. I'm also headed that way." He dropped into a nervous silence as they fell into step with one another towards their shared destination.

Dawn finally broke the tension. "So, I'm a freshman. I just started this semester, though the complete lack of coordination was probably a gimme."

An uncomfortable silence once again fell between them before Dawn broke the silence with a sweet giggle under her breath.

"Ya know, its funny, my sister dropped a book on her soon to be boyfriend's head her first day of class, guess we do share more than DNA." He watched her blush at this last statement, figuring she was reacting to the very same thing he was; the mention of boyfriend in relation to the book dropping incident. She cleared her throat, "So, what about you?"

"Uh, what about what?"

"Your class level."

"Yep, also a freshman, though I started in the fall. Which means you missed my earlier bout with gravity, it easily rivaled yours. So, did you transfer from another University or something?"

"Or something."

"Is that all I'm going to get?"

"For now." He smiled at her not so subtle insinuation that there would be a future encounter in which he could gain this information.

Dawn and Connor walked while engaged in comfortable conversation. A few small silences broke their discussion from time to time, but they became less nervous and more companionable. It was nice. Connor was astounded at how easy it was to talk to her. He wasn't suffering his usual cold sweats and stumbling speech. It was nice to actually feel comfortable with a girl.

"Well, this is me," Dawn said pointing at the door that read '214'. "Thanks for walking me to the door."

Connor nervously looked down trying to think of something to say to continue their friendly meeting. He knew he needed to just go for it, not overanalyze it, like he was right now, shit, here goes.

"Hey Dawn, I was thinkin, why don't I give you my number, and you give me yours, so that we have someone to call if we have any Chem type emergencies." I am so incredibly lame.

"Yeah, sure," she replied as she pulled out a notepad and wrote out her number and handed it to him. She then wrote out the one he recited to her, before placing it back in her bag.

"Well it was really nice meeting you," she said as she opened the door to her room.

He struggled with the thought of whether or not to ask her out, again with the over thinking, just do it. "Hey Dawn, listen, you think you might wanna get a cup of coffee later tonight? I mean, if you're busy or somethin I completely understand, it's no big deal." He stood there waiting for the inevitable shoot down. I mean, look at her hotness, there's no way she's sayin yes.

"No," And there it was and he felt deflated.

"I completely understand, really, don't sweat it."

"No. Yes. I mean, not doin anything, so yes, to the coffee."

"Really, that would be great, so, six then?"

"Sure, yeah, six is perfect."

"See ya then." He waited until she closed the door before he bounded his way up the stairs.