Author's Note: Hey guys! Long time, no updates. I know, I'm a terrible person. But I have returned. I had to think for a really long time how I wanted this story to go, so it took a while to get this chapter out to you. You know, in the between period when I don't give you guys any updates, I have two other stories that I think you'd enjoy! So please, read and review! Thanks!

Count Me In

The sun had set long before I was finally released from my training session. I had never worked so hard in my entire life than I had tonight. My muscles ached and I wanted nothing more than to curl up in my bed and read a book, if I had any new ones to read. I was still angry at myself for forgetting the new book I bought when I rushed out of the bookstore this afternoon. If I had to, I'd just watch T.V. or maybe watch a movie on my computer. It didn't matter, as long as I was securely underneath my warm blanket.

When I stepped outside I felt the considerable drop in temperature. I shrugged on my black NorthFace fleece and was instantly glad that I'd decided to bring it with me. I wish that I had brought a pair of sweat pants along with me as well---my legs were clad only in a pair of shorts. I felt my new iPhone buzzing silently in my pocket (another unnecessary gift from my parents...all of my brothers wanted them, so it must have meant I wanted one too).

"Hello?" I answered, not bothering to look at the caller I.D. I could hear the thumping beat in the background that only meant one thing---a party.

"Hey Blair-bear." It was Mitch, my 20 year-old brother. "It sounds quiet. Why aren't you at a party?" I could tell there was a smile on his face as he said this.

"Don't be stupid, Mitchel. I just got out of training. What's up?" I hadn't talked to him in a few days.

"Aw, our own little super-star athlete in training. So, are you busy tonight?" He knew what the answer was before he even asked the question. Obviously I wasn't busy.

"Nope." It felt like I was answering a rhetorical question. "Why?" Whatever he was planning, I didn't want to take part in. But I probably would just to spend more time with him. He's been distant ever since he started college.

"Well, you see...Mom and Dad are gone for the weekend. And I just picked Danny up from the airport. And Adam is probably only twenty minutes from here. You're about an hour away. We're all too close not to have a little homecoming party tonight."

"Mitch, I can't. Curfew is in like two hours. I'd never have time to go to a party." I was actually disappointed---I liked it when we were all together.

"Already had that taken care of. Mom called your school around four today to give you permission to come home for the weekend. So, bring a friend. I'll see you soon." He ended the call with another joke. I didn't have any friends here.

I had no excuses not to go. I didn't have any essays to write, and I had plenty of time to study for my AP Physics test on Saturday or Sunday. I probably wouldn't be bringing anyone with me---who would I bring? I knew when I got there I'd just end up sitting on the couch watching my brothers thrive in the excitement of a party. I decided that I should go and just be there, with my brothers. They'd all be happy to just see me.

I took off into a run, trying to get through the empty parking lot and to my dorm to change out of my gym clothes as quickly as possible. There were very few cars, maybe ten, left in the parking lot. When I reached the Dorm Circle, it was also empty. Did everyone leave campus tonight? I saw only a few lights on in the three dorms that incircled this common meeting place. The circle itself was dimly lit by the lamps hanging over my head. I slowed myself to a walk and shoved my hands in my pockets.

"Excuse me." I was startled by the voice and I almost jumped. I spun around in a circle and examined my surroundings. I thought that the circle was empty. I could see no one.

"Hello?" I answered back timidly. I felt stupid, answering to someone that I couldn't see.

"Hi," the boy that had ran into me today, and who had been watching me practice appeared in front of me, "I know you don't know me, I'm Tyler." I knew his name. Tyler...Simms I believed. He's one of the sons of Ipswich. All of his other friends graduated last year though, and he was spending his senior year at Spencer alone. Kind of like me.

"Yeah, um, I'm Blair." I introduced myself hesitantly. I bit my bottom lip and crossed my arms across my chest. This was slightly awkward, I wanted to get back to my dorm as soon as possible. He seemed to think it was awkward too. He began rocking on his heels.

"This is weird." He said quietly. I nodded in agreement. "But, I, um, I have this for you. You left it at the bookstore." He handed me the book that I had bought this afternoon, I had forgotten about it. I was instantly grateful. He looked anxious. "Um, I was wondering if maybe you want to hang out with me? I want to make up for this afternoon."

"Actually," I started (was I really going to say this?), "I'm going home tonight. My brothers are, um, throwing a party." He looked slightly disappointed. "But if you have permission to leave campus over night-," I was cut off.

"Oh, of course I do. My parents live 15 minutes from here, they gave me permission to leave whenever I wanted to go home, or usually go to the other guys' houses."

"Then I guess I'll meet you at my car in fifteen minutes." Did that just happen? Did I make plans with someone who wasn't in my immediate family? "It's the black Range Rover."

"I guess it's a date." I felt my heart skip a beat. What was that.

A date?