Chapter One

I was like any other typical University student. Young, hot and carefree. I was living my life the way I wanted to. I had my friends, a good job and my dreams of the future.

I went to study at Cambridge; I desperately want to become a veterinarian, with a focus on endangered animals. I felt that it was my calling in life. My parents wanted to save the world and I wanted to save what was in it.

Although there was a lot to learn I enjoyed every bit of it and University life was everything that it's rumoured to be. We had mad hall parties, and drunken games of twister and of course we had the student bar.

It was (though rather not typically) my first real time away from home. Oh I'd had the odd night at a friend's house here and there but my parents, thinking that I was a fragile child, had always liked to keep me near and under their guard.

Now you would think that being restricted to such a sheltered life, where I was doted on and looked after (being the youngest and the last to leave home) and then suddenly leaving to live with so many strangers so far from home, would have me running for my duvet and Mr Paw-Paw, my old stuffed dog, who yes I do still sleep with.

But NO I loved it.

The first couple of days, I'll admit, were a bit scary, but after meeting my hall mates and figuring out were everything was and where I was suppose to be. It all just sort of fell into place. Uni life just felt really natural so much so that I seem to totally forget I had another life.

Oh I got a great verbal bashing when I remembered three months later that I hadn't spoken to my parents since the day they dropped me off. But to be honest there was so much going on; lectures, demonstrations, both in the classroom and around campus and social activities, that I just didn't have the time for lengthy repetitive conversations of; are you eating enough, are you managing your lectures okay let's us know if you want anything won't you?

I know parents are supposed to care but having them turn up in one of my lectures because they were "worried about me" was just too much. After that experience I remembered to call them every Wednesday and Sunday night just to keep them happy and my embarrassment at sub level.

Anyway back to the amazing life of a student. Everybody knows that you absolutely HAVE to go clubbing if you're in Uni and I was no exception.

It was getting near the end of the term, when we would all break up for Christmas and we'd all go home and do nothing. The time honoured right you might say, when mum's are handed a huge pile of washing and a lazy "tired out" university student who sleeps all day.

Well, my hall mates Taz, Sasha, Leo and I, decided that we'd go out and mark our last days together.

We usually haunted two of the best Nightclubs around, Zips and Punch. They both had top DJ's and strict dress codes. Which meant there was no riff raff allowed and we always got to dress in our flashiest and best partying outfits.

I preferred Zips usually, they served good cocktails and the barman was a real hottie. But since a crucifyingly embarrassing (drunk) mishearing of the phrase "Nick hers", I refused to go in there again on the nights he worked. That happened to be tonight.

I still cringe to this day in memory at how stupid I'd been. I'd gone staggering up to the bar with Taz, in my mini skirt and spaghetti top and asked for another Vodka shot. Fittie, seeing I was drunk as a skunk already, refused and told me that I'd have to nick hers if I wanted a drink. He meant Taz's drink but my stupid boozed up brain convinced me that he'd said "Show me your knickers". So right there and then I pulled down my pants and twirled them around my finger for him to get a good look at.

That would have been the worst part of the story if the pants hadn't then gone flying behind the bar to smack into his face. I was so mortified by the sudden look on his face that I ran out of the club and haven't seen him since.

Anyway that little incident has earned me the nickname of "Knickers" from the bouncers at the club and by most of the boys from my Uni who were there that night.

I'm not too bothered by the name really, it's funny now when I think of it and it's always better to have at least three drinks inside of you, and that's exactly what I had planned for that night.

Taz and I were dressed in our best party girl skirt and top combos. I always wore a mini when I went out dancing and usually a cami top but tonight what with the cold wind I chose a beautiful red long sleeved top and a pair of leather trousers (borrowed from Taz) and I was looking pretty damn good even if I did say so my self.

I always wore my black hair long and straight; it was good to flip around then and would draw guy's attention a lot better than my dancing skills.

"Yeah looking good," I told my self-giving my reflection an affectionate kiss in the mirror.

I bounced down the hallway where Taz was waiting and together we ran down the hall giggling with high spirits to bang on Leo's door.

"Oh my god I'm so glad you're here," he screeched as he opened the door and pulled us in.

"I like, have NO idea what to wear."

I shook my head giving him a loveable grin. Leo is the camp-est guy I know and I love him so much. He was so open about his sexuality when I met him, and his lifestyle, that it made me like him instantly.

He was so easy to talk to about anything and everything that it was like having another sister around. And I know for a fact that he won't mind me calling him that because he loves women. But yes he is drawn to the "sexual powerfulness of the male". He has such a great sense of humour too and he loves to shop even more then me. So it was easy to see why we because very close friends.

I swear that boy had more clothes than the rest of our hall block put together.

"Well sweetie, what about this one?" I said pulling out his favourite pink shirt and handing it to him. He stood in front of the mirror and held it up to his chest. He frowned, and then grimaced.

"No it's just not right for tonight." He held up his hands as he tossed the shirt on to the bed. He rummaged in his wardrobe.

"I just want to look absolutely fabulous tonight." He stated dramatically with a swish of his hand. Taz smiled and jumped off the bed.

"Ahhh" she said knowingly"You hoping that that dishy bloke with the long hair will be there tonight?"

Leo blushed scarlet and grinned sheepishly.

"He was really cute," I added. "He had a really nice butt," I laughed as Leo reddened further and hit me with a pillow.

"Hey, you should wear this one tonight" Taz was holding up a nice crisp white skirt with slightly flared sleeves and a nice upturned collar. He brought it back from Italy when he went and I can tell you that not many men would have been able to pull it off, but on Leo, with his black trousers and dark hair it looked great.

"Darling you're such a pimp." He laughed as he grabbed the shirt and whipped it over his body. "Oh he won't be able to resist THIS tonight!" He strutted up to the mirror and posed sexily. He knew he looked edible.

Taz and I whistled loudly and a huge grin spread over his face.

"Okay let's go party" I yelled jumping off the bed and promptly wobbled to the side. Bloody high heels. I never really cared for them much but these were too beautiful that I couldn't resist buying them. Red strappy stilettos. They went perfectly with my shirt.

"Are you okay on those shoes?" Taz asked me steadying me with one hand.

"Yes I'll be fine, just got over enthusiastic." I grinned back feeling klutzy.

"Awww I love those shoes. Leo murmured. "Hey if you can't wear them can I have them?"

"Ohhh Leo" I laughed pushing him playfully on the shoulder out the door.

"Come on, we'll discuss footwear another time."

All laughing, happily we scurried down the hall and grabbed a taxi on the corner of the campus.