Hey Everyone – I hope you are all enjoying this story. I know it is hard to see Sandy & Kirsten acting this way since we are so used to seeing them as professional parents. Believe me, it is only going to get worse. So I just ask for your imagination to run with mine a bit.

Disclaimer: Josh owns all!

As confident as Sandy came off to everyone else in the world, he actually had a sensitive side. He rarely showed that side to anyone, but when someone challenged his sense of character, it actually pissed him off. He always walked to the beat of his own drum, not caring what anyone thought of him, grounding his self-confidence. Kirsten challenged his sense of self and that was what he could not get out of his head. He saw her last night at The Black Oak and she didn't look his way once. Could his actions actually repulse her? Why did she have to be so judgmental?

"Where are you going this early in the morning?" Paul, of his Sandy's housemates, questioned. It was way to early on a Saturday to be up in this town.

"Its Alumni weekend, in case you forgot. I am part of the meet and greet. Figured it was a good way to meet the Berkeley success cases, hoping I will be one of them."

"Yeah, okay. Well you have fun and if you meet any successful lawyers, make sure you take them to The Black Oak and show them what they have been missing since they crossed over to the Alumni side."

Sandy just laughed as he left. He lived close to campus and decided to walk, the whole time thinking of why he cared so much what Kirsten thought of him. These thoughts occupied his mind until he arrived at the law building. He pushed thoughts of Kirsten out of his mind, put his game face on, and did what he did best...exuberate self confidence. He knew this is what he needed to do to make a good impression.

Kirsten, Emily and Allison were on their way to campus to participate in Alumni weekend as well. They were all a little hungover from their Friday night excursion to The Black Oak. Allison, probably the most promiscuous one of their group, was trying to piece together the events of last night.

"I don't remember much, but I do know that Sandy Cohen kept his stares coming Kirsten's way." Allison loved teasing Kirsten about this kind of stuff. It was no secret that she was easily embarrassed, even though guys were throwing her attention since the day she arrived at Berkeley.

"Kirsten, this is perfect. Maybe he is interested in you. We should put our plan into effect." Emily said it so fast she forgot that their plan was just between her and Kirsten.

"What plan? Whatever it is, it sounds like fun."

Kirsten couldn't let them have this conversation like she wasn't even present. "There is no plan, guys." She gave an evil look in Emily's direction as she continued, "Besides, I doubt Sandy Cohen has any interest in me. After the conversation we had earlier this week, I can tell you without reservation, his only interest is getting a rise out of me."

They both laughed simultaneously. "Why wouldn't Sandy be interested in you? He hooks up with girls way out of his league all the time."

"It's simple really. He told me. Not that I asked, but he felt the need to make sure I knew his stance on the subject. He is so irritating." Kirsten was getting mad thinking back of the awful conversation that day in the quad. Even though she got the last word in, she felt like screaming at him on the top of her lungs.

"Oh, this game is going to be so much more fun to play if he makes it a challenge. The harder the challenge, the harder he will fall." Emily loved leaving guys high and dry.

"Again, what game plan is this? Because if it involves Sandy, I am in. He is so damn hot, I want to play."

Kirsten just laughed as Emily explained the whole thing to Allison. Kirsten just half listened as the thought of being physically close to Sandy was something she could not deny that she wanted to experience. He was something she never had. The bad boy who was smart in his own way and was a challenge to every girl he was with. Kirsten, being as competitive as she was, knew the challenge alone would be something worth experiencing. She just didn't want to hurt his feelings in the process. Who was she kidding? His feelings couldn't run that deep. She just had to make sure she kept her own feelings in check.

"So, you can be one of the girls Sandy plays games with, except, you will be playing a game of your own on him, except he will never even know it. Plus, you will get to have some of your own fun. Its classic! I love it. One question though, why Kirsten?" Emily knew Allison would ask this. She would wonder why it couldn't be her.

"Because who would turn down Kirsten?" Emily thought it was a simple enough answer.

Sandy was in the middle of a conversation with two lawyers who were on opposite professional sides of the spectrum. One worked for a prestigious law firm making well over six figures living the American dream as he called it. He was trying to persuade Sandy to go that route and "make his life easier". The other man was someone he respected a whole lot more. He worked for the PD's office in Los Angeles county representing low income families and unprotected children. The pay and hours were terrible, but Sandy could tell that this guy's life was rewarding. It was something he wanted to consider.

"Sandy!" He heard his name being called from across campus. It was Paul running toward him, waving a white envelope in his hand. Sandy excused himself from the debate he was listening to and made his way over to Paul.

"What the hell has gotten you to campus so early?"

"This came for you today. It's a letter from Berkeley Law" He handed it to him and waited impatiently for Sandy to rip it open. Sandy has been waiting for this letter for days now. To his disappointment, Sandy just slipped the letter into his back jean pocket"

"Aren't you going to open it?"

"I will later, but right now I have to get back. I appreciate you bringing it all the way up here. I will see you back at the house later." Sandy walked away thinking of how his entire future was written on something shoved in his pocket. He was so nervous about the prospect of going back to New York to continue his education. He was accepted to NYU Law but really only applied as a back-up, in case things didn't work out at Berkeley. Well, that was part of the reason. His mother wanted him to have the option to come home.

"I'll stop and pick up some beer for the celebration we are going to have later." Paul called out to him as Sandy went back into the law building. He just smiled thanking God he had friends that had faith in him.

By three o'clock, the Alumni events on campus were dying down. Kirsten figured she would go to the Library and get some studying hours done before she went back to her dorm. She knew she would never get any work done there, plus she also knew there was going to be some plan to go out tonight. She walked in and found a quiet table on the second floor. Hours must have passed because when she finally looked up from her books, she noticed Sandy sitting diagonally across from her. She never noticed him come in, but now she couldn't help stare at him. She glanced at her watch and it was half past six. The first thought that entered her mind was why was he at the Library? He didn't seem like a Library kind of guy. But then she noticed he had no books with him, just an envelope. An envelope he could not pull his eyes away from. She took in the whole sight of him...the slumped shoulders and the fearful look in his eyes. She had never seen him this way.

Sandy sat there for what seemed like hours. He just couldn't bring himself to open the envelope. He didn't want to leave Berkeley, but if there wasn't an acceptance letter in there, he didn't have any other choice. He had never been so scared in his life. He didn't want to go home to this warm welcome he knew his friends probably planned. He didn't want to disappoint them.

At a quarter after seven, Kirsten started packing up her stuff. She tried to make a little bit of noise to get Sandy to look up at her. She couldn't help it, although she knew it was childish. When he wasn't giving her the attention she desired, she decided to walk over to him. Part one of the plan, she tried to convince herself.

"You know, if you stare at it long enough, it will magically open." Kirsten said as she put her books down on the table he was sitting at. She then decided to make a bold move, something he would do, and pull out the chair and seat herself across from him.

"Well what do I owe this honor? Kirsten Nichol gracing me with her presence. It's shocking actually."

"Actually I am the one surprised to see you here. I don't think in the 3 semesters I have been attending Berkeley, I have seen you in the library."

"Contrary to what you think Kirsten, I actually do post decent grades. I have to so I can keep my scholarship." Sandy was not really in the mood for her constant judging and felt the need to set the record straight.

"You? Sandy Cohen are on scholarship? Here at Berkeley?"

"What can I say, don't judge a book by its cover. Oh, I forgot, you have probably been doing that your whole life".

"Now who's judging who?" She actually smiled when she said this, knowing she got him cornered. It was the first time her lips curved in that direction when she spoke with him. He melted. He actually felt like her smile was contagious.

"Fine. It just feels like every time we exchange some kind words, you look down on me, and put yourself even higher on that pedestal of yours."

"Sorry, you bring out the worst in me, I guess"

Sandy took another look at the envelope in his hands and couldn't take his eyes off it. Even if the great Kirsten Nichol was sitting across from him. The fear in his eyes returned, not that he wanted her to see it.

"So, what's with the envelope. You know I was joking before about it magically opening."

"It's nothing, really." He shoved it back in his pocket and Kirsten took this as her cue to leave. She started to gather her books and get up.

"Well it must be something. You have been staring at it for awhile now."

"So you have been staring at me for awhile?" Sandy loved backing her into a corner. He loved to watch her squirm.

"Why must you do that? I express concern for the scared look on your face and you have to turn it into a pick up line. It's frustrating really."

"Kirsten, it's not a pick up line. It just something I do. Most girls find it charming."

"I'm not most girls."

"I'm learning that." He smiled back at her. As an apology, he figured he would let her in a bit. "It's a letter from Berkeley Law School that I have been waiting for weeks to arrive. Now that it's here, I can't seem to open it."

"You applied to Berkeley Law? So I am assuming is you are hoping for an acceptance, but dreading a rejection."

"Yup. Almost rather not knowing although the suspense might kill me."

"Well, why don't you consider both sides so at least you know what to expect either way." She actually felt bad for him. She knew if she were in his shoes, she would be panicking.

"Well, if I do get in, then everything's great. I get to stay here in Berkeley and I really really want to stay here. The alternative is just not even an option I want to even consider."

"What's the other option?"

"Go back to New York and attend NYU Law. I have already been accepted into the program."

Kirsten looked shocked, but then recovered and almost laughed. "Sandy, the alternative does not sound that bad. You still get to go to law school at NYU Law, which is a great school, and continue your education. Besides, New York is a great place to live." She couldn't believe he was making such a big deal about it when he still had something good on the back-burner.

"I know it doesn't seem that bad to you, but I grew up in New York and I really don't want to go back. You wouldn't understand."

"Well, if anyone understands not wanting to ever go back to where they came from, I can." She actually felt sorry for him. Who knew he could be so sensitive?

"Kirsten, no offense, but I am sure your life was a fairytale next to mine"

"There you go again, judging a book by its cover. You really need to keep that in check. If you want me to do the same I can. Everytime I have been to New York, I loved it so I don't see what your problem can be." She smiled knowing she said something true to her heart. She knew he understood where she was coming from.

"Fair enough"

"Well why did you come here to discover your future. Why not go somewhere else? Anywhere else?"

He laughed at her when he said, "I figured it to be quiet. But you know what, you're right. I should go where I always clear my mind."

"And where's that?"

"The beach, the one of many things Berkeley has that New York doesn't."

Kirsten started picking up her books again, and was about to leave him to it when he said, "Kirsten, wait."

She stopped and looked at him like she was waiting impatiently. He didn't seem to notice. "I just wanted to say thanks. And what I am about to say does not have any dirty agenda toward you, but do you want to come with me? Take a stroll on the beach, be there to call the cops when I want to drown myself in the ocean?"

"Um..."

"No one-liners, I swear! We can be civil enough to be friends, can't we? And I have to think you will be a little upset if I committed suicide, right?"

"Sure, I'll come, but only because I don't need you to make me feel judgmental and guilty all in one day."

It was that simple. Sandy never thought she would have agreed to go with him, but maybe this girl was not as much of an ice-queen as he thought. As he walked next to her, he made sure that he didn't dare make any physical contact with her. He opened the door for her, but that was about as romantic as he would even think of getting.

Kirsten was pretty much silent the whole way down to the beach. She was still carrying her books and he didn't even offer to carry them for her. Not that she was struggling with them, but he did open the door for her. She scolded herself for being deceived that he was a gentleman.

He broke the silence because that was just his personality. "Whatever happens when I open this envelope stays between us. Well I guess if it is good, I am going to scream from the rooftops, but if it's bad, no snarky comments. Promise?"

"Sandy, as much as I thrive on your downfall when it comes to girls, I wouldn't want to see you fail professionally."

"Thanks, I think" He still looked at her skeptically, but he needed to know, "And why is it that you think I am so successful with the ladies?" He tried not to smirk because he really wanted an honest answer to the judgment she passed on him. He couldn't get it out of his head for weeks.

"Please, Sandy, I know your type. I have seen you in action."

" In action?" He really needed her to explain.

" I have seen you leave The Black Oak with a different girl every Friday night. I don't even want to think about how you spend the other 6 days of the week."

"I can see how that must look to you, but just because I leave with them doesn't mean what you think it means all the time."

"Yeah, well, it makes no difference to me. You asked so I told. I am not passing judgment this time. Just being honest on how it looks."

"Fair enough, but one more question and then we can drop it?" It was like he was asking her permission to ask this, but there was no stopping him. "Haven't you ever wanted to loosen up a little bit an act on your impulses every once in awhile?"

"Contrary to what you think of me, I do loosen up when I want to. If the mood strikes, I always do what I want without any inhibitions." She said it as to leave him wondering what that meant and it seemed like it worked.

"Fair enough. I would just love to see it sometime because as much as I want to believe you for your sake, I don't"

"Well that's too bad"

They arrived at the beach and they took their shoes and socks off as they strolled toward the shore. The sun was just about to set and the view was amazing.

"This is what I am going to miss the most. These sunsets always look this incredible. "

"Do you always think this negatively?"

"Expect the worst so you are never surprised."

"That's just depressing. Just open the envelope Sandy."

Sandy pulled the envelope out of his pocket and looked at it one last time before he opened it. Kirsten watched him pull the paper out with his shaky hands. She tried to read any expression that crossed his chiseled features. He really was handsome when he concentrated. He took his eyes off the paper and stared straight up at the sky and took in a deep breath.

"Sandy, the suspense is killing me"

Without even thinking, he took a step toward her, took the books out of her hands and threw them onto the sand. He was so relieved about being accepted that he wasn't even thinking straight. He opened his arms and pulled her into them and spun her around. He screamed, "I'm staying" with so much enthusiasm that although caught off guard, she couldn't help but laugh and truly be happy for him. They separated from eachother rather awkwardly.

"See, you did all that worrying for nothing!"

"I know! God, what a relief! You can't even imagine how I feel right now."

"I can imagine" she said as she thought abut him spinning her around.

He took notice of what she said and immediately felt self-conscious. "Sorry about that. I just got caught up in the moment. It didn't mean anything"

"I know. I am excited for you too. Enjoy this moment because things like this don't come along often in life."

"I am just going to lay here and let reality sink in." He laid his body into the sand and made an indent in the sand with his body. Kirsten just looked at him like he absolutely lost his mind. He looked up at her and saw her look of disapproval.

"What?" He asked.

"Well for one thing, you are fully dressed and rolling around in the sand."

"Don't knock it until you tried it!" He said with a smile that was not going to leave his face anytime soon.

"No thanks. I'll pass. Besides I should get back before it gets completely dark out. I think a bunch of us are planning to go out tonight."

"What did you just say before about how you loosen up if the mood strikes? For me, just lie in the sand, it feels incredible."

She couldn't resist proving to Sandy that she could be somewhat carefree. She decided to lie down but used her books as a headrest. She didn't look very comfortable and Sandy figured he would try to help the cause. He got up and leaned over her. She got nervous because she was in a very vulnerable position. He started to trace the outline of her body with his finger in the sand.

"Get up for one second and I promise you will thank me!"

"Why should I trust you now?"

"I have no idea!"

She respected his honesty and got up. He started digging a hole in the sand within the tracing lines of her body. When he was satisfied, you told her to lay back down. He was right, she was much more comfortable. He started digging a little hole for himself to get settled into.

"Wow - Thanks, that's a lot better. Do you do this often? Lay on the beach like this?"

"Yeah, sometimes."

They settled into a silence and Kirsten completely forgot about the time. They just watched the sunset. Sandy eventually broke the silence and they discussed everything under the sun. It was truly refreshing for him to be with a girl and not have the agenda of getting into her pants on his mind the entire time. Well, of course the thought entered his mind. She was a truly beautiful girl and smater than most he has come across. Her long legs and gorgeous smile was what made her a knockout. But he pushed those thoughts aside as they spoke for hours.

She laid there and listened to him discuss how he wanted to change the world. It was truly refreshing to hear someone speak with so much hope in his voice. It made him so much more attractive than she originally thought. He was a beautiful person on the inside. She had to guess that most girls didn't see that side though. She pushed those thoughts aside and they spoke for hours.

Sleep crept in on them around midnight and neither made the attempt to move. They were both so comfortable. Kirsten stirred at about three in the morning and for a second forgot where she was. She looked at her watch and then over to her left. There was Sandy sound asleep not making an noise. She couldn't believe it was the middle of the night. She picked up her books and shoes and left as quietly as she could. She didn't want to have Sandy wake up and have to walk home with him. She felt they left on pretty good terms and was not in the mood for another round of sparring.

At around six thirty, Sandy finally woke up and leaned over to his right. All that was left there, was a hole in the sand. He couldn't believe she left, but he really shouldn't have been surprised. Sandy chuckled to himself as he thought, that's a first. He gathered his stuff and eventually headed home himself.

Since this is my first fanfic, please review. I know it might not be as good as the others, but at least let me know there are people out there reading it. Thanks!