River trotted along the buzzing campus; thick heavy books held in her too-small arms. She stabilized them with her chin adding to her vision as she could see over the top of them. Despite not being able to see where she was placing them her feet moved steadily over the gravel covered ground until she spotted her target. Her pace increased despite the load she carried.

They spotted her coming. River smiled at the many varieties of voiced that called her name, welcoming her to the group. She dumped her books and sat happily, getting hugged by the nearest presence.

"It's my little mouse!" Amanda exclaimed, hugging River's shoulders. She was getting thumped on the back at the same time as she laughed.

"How are you River?" Jeremy asked her. River smiled.

"Glad to be back," she said honestly. Amanda beamed.

"Yeah, because Uni is so much fun."

"Where'd you go anyway? I missed you company in Theory of Physics," Troy punched her lightly on the arm. River wrinkled her nose at him.

"My parents took me to Shinon for my birthday," she sighed, "which ended up being one of Dad's business meetings."

"It was your birthday?" Troy asked incredulously, "you should have told us, we could have hit the town!"

"Hey, Tiny Tam can't drink yet!" Jeremy reproved. Troy slumped sheepishly.

"Right… sorry, mousy."

"Then again she could start early…"

"You are not turning my little mouse into a lush!" Amanda pulled River to her protectively. River giggled.

"Troy," She said seriously, "I've heard stories of you and sake… and honestly I think you'd have had more fun than me." Whoops and laughter broke out as Jeremy and Amanda high-fived her to acknowledge her score.

"How old are you now?" Amanda asked.

"Thirteen," River said casually.

"Oh my…" Jeremy covered his mouth, trying not to laugh, "Guys, our Little Mouse is a teenager!"

"Look out, she's gonna go moody on us," Troy laughed, earning himself a light beating from River.

"Anyway," River said, settling the noise, "I'm having a party in a week; a real one, and love it if you guys would come."

"We'll be there," Jeremy affirmed. Troy and Amanda agreed wholeheartedly.

"Hey, Mousy, we've got to get to calculus," Amanda tapped River's shoulders. River nodded, gathering her bundle once more.

"Cya guys later!" The two girls' chorused. Troy and Jeremy waved them off.

"So, with this party next week," Amanda asked slowly, "is your bother going to be there?"

River smiled to herself.

"Yes," she said with equal casualness in her voice before stealing a cheeky glance at Amanda, "and were you to engage him in conversation I'm sure you'd find him nervous but eager."

"Stop speaking nonsense," Amanda muttered teasingly, but River noted the flush creeping up her face. She smiled to herself, thinking that she was definitely glad to be back.