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Chapter 5

Mid August 2007

Hearst campus was hectic with students getting moved into the dorms. Mac had parked in her green Beetle next to Logan's SUV and got out. Dick had already opened the back and was loading his arms with her stuff.

"You know this would be quicker if Logan wasn't a scaredy cat and would have come helped." Dick mumbled.

Mac grinned. "He's scared that Parker will be here. It's not like they broke up on the best of terms. At least he let us borrow his SUV so it would only take one trip from my parents."

"I understand the reasoning, but the dude seriously needs to grow a pair."

When they arrived at the dorm room Mac noticed the door was already opened and jogged down the hall.

"Parker!"

"MAC!"

Parker turned around as Mac placed her suitcase on the ground by the door. They enveloped each other in a hug.

"Girl, I've missed you." Parker pulled back to look at Mac. She ran a hand through Mac's hair. "You're hair has gotten so long and it's lighter. I'm guessing you've been spending time in the sun."

"Dear Penthouse. I was helping my friend moved into her dorm room, when I suddenly walked into hot girl on girl."

Mac turned around to look at Dick who was standing in the doorway. "Down boy."

Parker confusingly moved her finger between Mac and Dick. "Why's Dick here?"

"He's helping me move my stuff in."

Parker shook her head obviously more confused than before. "Why?"

"Well you see, all my friends abandoned me over the summer. You went home, Veronica went to Virginia, and Wallace was in Africa. So I made new friends." Mac pointed at Dick, who in turn waved at Parker.

"That would be me. I'm the new friend." Dick sat Mac's computer tower on her desk.

"Neptune must be in short supply of people if that's who you make friends with."

"Be nice. He's sensitive." Mac staged whispered to Parker.

Dick walked to the door. "I can just leave. I don't have to help you."

Mac quickly scurried over to Dick and grabbed his arm. "Wait. I'm just kidding. Don't leave. You, Dick Casablancas, are my favorite guy friend. By helping me move you have knocked Logan down from his spot."

She also realized in that moment that he had become her best guy friend. While she still spoke with Veronica on a regular bases, she found herself talking to Dick more than Logan as the summer went on especially after Logan got mad at her. Luckily, Logan only stayed mad for a few days and then was back to hanging out with her, but during that period where Logan avoided Mac, she found herself hanging out with Dick a lot.

"What about Wallace?" Parker asked.

"He forfeited his spot when he went to Africa." Mac waved it off like it was obvious.

"Let's get the rest of your stuff." Dick smiled at her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders leading her out the down the hall.

It took an additional four trips to bring all of her things into the dorm. Mac began setting up her computer as Dick began hanging posters and unpacking boxes. There was a knock at the door and Mac lifted her head out from under her desk to see Wallace and Piz standing at the door.

"Hey Mac, Parker! I'm looking for the hottest sophomore ladies at Hearst and was told I could find them in this room."

Mac got up and walked over to give Wallace and a quick hug. "Welcome back, Wallace. I'm glad to see you made it back safely." She turned to Piz and gave him a small hug as well. "Hey Piz. How was your summer?" Parker came up behind her and gave each of the guys hugs as well.

"My summer was fine. I did the internship in New York, which was amazing." Piz turned his head and noticed Dick. "Hi, Dick isn't it?" Dick gave him an awkward wave.

Wallace's head whipped around. "Dick. Hey man." He held his hand out and Dick shook it. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"You mean you don't know about me and Mac?" He turned to Mac and placed a hand on his chest. "Mackie, I'm a little hurt that you haven't told your other friends about…" He jumped over the bed and enveloped Mac in a hug. "Us."

Mac laughed at first but then placed her hands on his sides and tickled him. "Off."

Dick laughed as he backed away. "What?"

When she turned back to Wallace and Piz, they were standing with their mouths hanging open. "He's joking. We're just friends and he is helping me get settled in to the dorm room."

"But you didn't freeze up when Dick like full on body hugged you." Wallace was confused. "You don't like people in your space." He walked over to Mac and gave her a tight hug.

Mac bent her arms and awkwardly patted Wallace on the back as she rolled her eyes.

Wallace stepped back. "Yeah, you've relaxed on the touching thing, but I would like to make the observation that you were still more comfortable with Dick and even tickled him."

"Well yeah. I mean no. Yes?" Wallace and Dick both raised an eyebrow at her. "Grrrr. I've hung out with him a lot this summer and Dick is just touchy, so I guess I'm used to it."

"I leave you alone for the summer and you go a start becoming more chilled. I never thought I'd ever say that Dick Casablancas was a good influence."

Mac swatted him. "Oh shut up."

Dick laughed from where he was standing to the side. "You should see her when she's stoned."

"DICK!" Mac eye bulged our and mouth dropped open.


Three Days Later

It was dark while Mac made her way across campus to her dorm from the research lab that she had been setting up new computers in. Mac was back to her old job of working IT on Hearst Campus. Mars Investigation had just recently hired a new receptionist, but Mac still helped Mr. Mars with his tech needs.

There was a lot of shouting and yelling coming towards her on the sidewalk and Mac noticed a gaggle of boys running towards her. She jumped off the sidewalk and on to the grass to keep from getting run over.

She laughed as she watched the boys in their underwear running past in high-heels. There were at least 15 guys, so Mac assumed this was a Hell Week hazing.

"What are you doing out this time of night?"

Mac jumped at the voice standing behind her and very close to her ear. When she spun around, Dick was standing in front of her in jeans and a Pi Sig t-shirt.

"I just got done installing some new equipment in one of the research labs and was heading to my dorm, but was almost trampled by guys in heels."

"Just goes to show you that it isn't safe to walk around alone this time of night. Let me walk to your dorm."

"Don't you have some ritual hazing to be doing to those poor unfortunate, lost souls?"

Dick laughed. "The rest of the brothers are with them. They're fine. Besides, they end their run on that side of campus, so consider it a shortcut." They began walking towards the dorm. "Are you normally out this late working?"

Mac shook her head. "No. But the tech I was working with had to bail on me. Something about taking his roommate to the hospital for having a testicular contusion from jumping on the mascot statue with the idea that he was going to try riding it."

He grimaced. "Ouch."


Late August 2007

"So explain to me why you're wearing a miniskirt and the color pink. Plus you have on more make-up than usual and you haven't curled your hair since high school."

The three friends were walking towards the Pi Sig house for the annual party that they throw at the end of the first week of classes.

"Well Wallace. I lost a bet to Logan and he decided to have me dress like a girl as payment." Mac was wearing a short jean skirt and a low-cut hot pink silk top with light pink lace trim. Luckily, she was able to at least wear flip-flops instead of heels, which Logan tried hard to convince her to put on.

Piz chimed in. "What bet?"

"That Dick couldn't pick out which picture was mine on the Grade My Ass website. I still think Logan cheated and gave him a clue."

Wallace laughed. "Or he stares at it enough in real life that he would recognize it anywhere."

"I doubt that." Mac swatted him on the chest.

At the front door to the party, some of Dick's frat brothers were selling cups. Mac turned to the boys before they went up the steps.

"I got these back for you." She handed the boys the fake IDs Veronica had made them last year. "But they are to only be used at frat parties. No going to legit businesses and buying drinks."

"Did Mr. Mars give these to you?" Wallace asked.

"Not exactly." Mac gave a guilty grin. "More like handed them to me and told me to destroy them."

"Man, Veronica rubbed off on you." Wallace gave a wide mouth laugh. "Time to party."

They purchased their beer cups and walked into the house. Mac looked around for Logan, so she could go ahead and let him see her.

"Hi there." Some guy was standing in front of her.

"Hello." Mac moved to go around him, but he moved to block her.

"Are you new to Hearst? I'm a junior. My name's Kyle."

"No, I'm a sophomore and I'm looking for someone." She moved passed him.

"I'll see you around sophomore."

Mac walked up to Logan who was talking to a tall brunette. "Hey Logan."

"Mac. The bet looks good on you." He grinned and gave her a whistle.

"Thanks. I still think you cheated." The girl rolled her eyes at Mac and walked away. "I think I just cock blocked you."

"Nah. I wasn't that interested in her anyway. Not my type." He took out his phone and took a step back. "Picture time." She stuck her tongue out at him and he took a photo of Mac. "That one's for the scrapbook." Logan finished his beer. "You're cup's empty. Would you care to accompany me to get them filled?"

Mac nodded and followed Logan to one of the beer kegs that was being manned by Dick.

"Hey Dick. Look who I found." Logan handed him the two cups.

Dick looked around Logan to the girl in the jean skirt and pink top. Then his eyes traveled up to her face and he recognized Mac. "Wow." Dick shook his head. "I mean hey Mac. You look slammin'."

Mac blushed at the complement. "Thanks."

Dick filled the first cup and handed it to Mac and was filling Logan's cup when Charleston came up next to him. "I'm here to take over."

"Sure thing dude. Just let me fill a cup for me and then I'm off." Dick quickly filled a cup and joined Mac and Logan. "So having fun?"

Logan eyed a girl that was walking by. "I'm about to be." He walked away and followed the petite blonde.

"He certainly has a type." Mac laughed and shook her head.

Dick nodded. "So this is the getup that Logan put you in? It's smokin'." From where he was standing he could see a little down her shirt and gave Logan a silent thank you in his head.

Mac nodded. "Be honest with me. Did he tell you which picture to pick? Like use a signal of something?"

Dick shook his head. "I told you, I'm an ass expert." He didn't want to mention that he stared at her backside enough that he's sure he could pick it out of any line up.

The house was packed and Mac was pushed against Dick. "Sorry. It's a little too crowded in here."

Dick nodded. "I can fix that." He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the stairs. Once they were upstairs, he pulled her into Charleston's bedroom.

"Um…why are we in someone's bedroom? Granted it is less crowded."

Dick pulled her by the hand to the far wall and let go while he opened the window. "We can hang out on the roof and listen to music without being pushed and shoved."

Mac smiled up at him. "Smart thinking."

They climbed out the window and sat down on the rooftop just in view of the band performing in the backyard, but also far enough away that they could still hear each other over the music.

"How are you holding up since your dad went to prison yesterday?" Mac looked over at him.

Dick knew she was worried about him, but didn't really want to talk about it because he was actually better now that his dad was gone. "I'm good. It's a relief. No more trying to force a relationship with him. Can we not talk about that though? This is a party." He gestured to the people below.

She gave him that knowing smile she had that always made Dick feel understood, which wasn't something he had ever felt from anyone but Logan.

"So, why aren't you down there scamming on chicks?" Mac motioned to the mass of people in the backyard as she leaned back on her elbows.

"Excuse me. Chicks? Don't you mean women or ladies?" He looked down at her. The way she looked made his pulse race. Her hair fell and the ends skimmed the roof below her. He noticed she added more blonde highlights to her hair and her skin had become tan over the summer from how long they spent at the beach. But mostly it was the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled that always got him.

Mac imitated a surfer voice. "Dude, I was using your lingo." She laughed. "This is a frat house, aren't you supposed to say chicks? Anyway back to the point, why are you up here with me when you would be down there finding some girl with loose morals?"

"Maybe I'm changing my ways." He hadn't been with anyone since before his dad got back. In fact, Dick was sure that it's been nearly five months since he'd had sex, which is the longest he's ever gone since becoming sexually active.

"Oh yeah. How's that?" She took a sip of her beer and look at him expectantly.

"Maybe I want someone who I can have more than sex with. Like a meaningful relationship." What he really wanted was to be more than just friends with Mac, but he was scared she would laugh at the idea.

"You were married, that wasn't meaningful enough for you?"

Dick hung his head in embarrassment. "I hate that I told you that. Marrying her was a drunken, stupid idea." He chanced a glance back at her and saw she her sit up straighter. "What's the matter?"

"It's my ex, Max and he's girlfriend, Wendy." Mac pointed down to the crowd. "He must be here networking his study guide business."

Dick looked down at the couple Mac pointed to. "His loss. You're way hotter than her."

Mac laughed and gently pushed him. "You're deluded. How much have you had to drink?"

Dick rolled her eyes. He couldn't believe that she didn't know how attractive she was. "Seriously Mac? You're beautiful. Anyone can see that." He took a sip of his beer.

Mac turned her head to look at Dick. "What?"

"What?" He was genuinely confused.

"You think I'm beautiful?" She seemed skeptical.

"Well yeah. Wait. You don't?" Normally when he told a girl she was attractive, she would just accept it as fact. But since Mac truly seemed to not realize how pretty she was, Dick thought she was even more beautiful than before.

Mac shook her head. "Cute maybe, even a little pretty, but beautiful and hot…"

"You really don't see it do you? See you're beautiful both inside and out." Dick placed a hand on her cheek and pulled her to look at him. "You have no idea how gorgeous you are?"

Mac's breath caught.

Dick took a chance by leaning down and gently placing a kiss on her lips. When he pulled back, he watched her face to gage her reaction. He was optimistic that she didn't push him away again, but also prayed that she wouldn't jump up and run away.

Mac touched her lips where Dick had just kissed her. She knew that she was attracted to Dick and that they had become close over the past couple of months, but she had never entertained the idea of Dick as more than a friend. Now though, he had kissed her, which changed everything. She wasn't sure what exactly she felt for Dick now or whether she wanted to be more than friends, but she did know that she wanted to kiss him again. Figuring that was a start, Mac leaned forward and placed a kiss on Dick's lips.

She ended the kiss and slowly pulled away. "Well that just happened." Mac felt a blush cover her cheeks.

"Yeah it did." Dick's face lit up with his goofy grin.

Mac's phone began to ring and she pulled it out of her pocket to see Wallace's face. "What's up Wally?"

Don't call me that. Where are you?

"Hiding."

Yeah, I figured that since I couldn't find you. Where?

Mac looked down into the crowd in the backyard. She could see Wallace standing on a chair looking through the crowd directly in front of her. "On the roof, behind you."

Wallace turned around and looked at her before hanging up his phone. "Hey. So we're heading out. You coming or can you get someone else to walk you back?"

Before Mac could answer Dick spoke up. "I'll walk her back."

Wallace knowingly smiled. "I thought you might say that. Good night you two." He waved before jumping off the chair and walking away.

Mac leaned back on the roof and bit her lip thinking about what had just happened and how it changed everything. After what felt like an hour of silence, but realistically was probably about two minutes Mac stated, "What excellent boiled potatoes."

Dick laughed. "I think that dinner was more awkward than this."

Mac turned in shook. "You understood a Pride and Prejudice reference?"

"We went to the same high school. I had to read it too." She gave him a look that said she didn't believe him. "Okay fine. I watched the movie." He downed the last of his beer. "You want to head back to your dorm?"

Mac nodded.

They left the Pi Sig house and began walking towards the dorms. At first they tried to talk about normal things, but after a while they walked in silence. Dick was trying to figure out what to say to Mac. He was thrilled when she kissed him back, but he knew he had changed everything when he kissed her and may have just ruined a friendship that he depended on.

"Soooooo." Mac stated as she avoided making eye contact. "You kissed me."

Dick looked at her. "You kissed me."

"Yeah. Why did you kiss me?" Mac wasn't sure what he's motive was and was trying to figure out how he felt about it because maybe that would help her figure her own feelings out.

"Because I wanted to. Why'd you kiss me?"

Mac bit her lip. "Because I wanted to."

When he kissed her, Mac's heart began to race and she had butterflies in her stomach. While she had been kissed before, she had never experienced something so mind-blowing as kissing Dick. She thought about all the times they had spent alone together and how Dick was always a gentleman, well perverted gentleman. Sure, she liked him, but now this was more than just as friends, but she wasn't sure if that was what Dick wanted. Mac wasn't a one night stand kind of girl.

They arrived in front of Mac's dorm room. She took out her key and opened the door before walking in and turning on the light. Parker was at a friend's apartment and told Mac that she may stay over. Mac turned in the doorway to see Dick standing in the hall.

"I guess good night." Mac bit her lip thinking about how much she wanted Dick to kiss her again.

Dick nodded. "Good night." He turned and began to walk back down the hall.

Mac began to close her door when a hand stopped her. She looked up to see Dick standing in front of her. He pulled her towards him and crashed his lips onto hers. Mac fisted his shirt and pulled him into the room before closing the door with her foot.