Chapter 2

After getting acquainted, they agreed that their nicknames sounded better. The rooms where quickly divided and both girls started unpacking. Abby didn't have much with her. Her father would bring her stuff the next day. This way Abigail was done sooner than Michaela.

While checking her cell phone for messages, she walked in to Mike's room and lay down across her bed.

"Where are you from?"

"Boston."

"How come you picked Colorado Springs to go to college?"

"My oldest sister lives here."

Meanwhile, Michaela had unpacked some pictures.

"Hey, I know that lady," Abigail suddenly exclaimed.

"Really? That is Rebecca, my sister, the one who moved here."

"Does she have two boys?"

Michaela nodded and began, "Eric…"

"…and Frank," Abby finished Michaela's sentence.

"Yes, how do you know?" Michaela asked surprised.

"My parents own a store and your sister comes there often. Sometimes the boys come in, to run an errand. I help there on Saturdays."

"What a coincidence! It must be fate!"

Abby laughed. "Why don't you stay at your sister's place?"

"I would love to, but I don't have a car and as you know with the public transportation it will take me hours to get here."

"You can say that again," Abby rolled her eyes. "That's one of the main reasons I wanted to stay on campus too. Of course I must say, I also love to get out of the house. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents but they can drive me crazy." Michaela giggled, "I know what you mean. There are plenty of colleges in Boston but I don't mind doing without my mom and sister for a while."

"Oh you have another sister?"

"Actually, I have four."

"Wow. Five girls, you must have had a lot of fun growing up together." Michaela was still unpacking and laughed,

"Well it depends on what you find funny. Arguing, chasing each other, having to share everything," Michaela sighed. "Sister's can be very annoying."

"Well, I would have loved to have a sister. Being an only child can be boring."

Michaela also sat down on the bed, "I can lend you one of mine."

Abigail giggled.

Michaela looked around, putting her hands on her hips, "I think I'm done."

Abby was checking her phone again and sighed. Then she looked around the room, "Wow, you're tidy!"

"Are you expecting a phone call?" Michaela wondered.

At that moment Abigail's phone rang. "Hey Myra. Mmm sure, Okay, I'll meet you in ten minutes. "

Michaela didn't want to eavesdrop but it was difficult because Abigail still sat on her bed. She was disappointed and felt a bit left out. It was as if they were getting to know more about each other and now Abby was leaving.

"Okay, see ya at the café," Abby closed her phone and got up from the bed. "Come on daydreamer, lets see if we can find some food around here."

"I thought you were meeting your friend?"

"I am, and you're coming along."

"Really?"

"Of course sleepy head, let's go."

Michaela figured out that Abby was from Colorado Springs, she noticed that Abby knew a lot of students. After walking through a small park they came to a cafe. Grace's Café.

"Here it is, let's see if we can find them," Abigail said, showing Michaela inside.

It was a cozy café. A few small tables in the front and in the back was a cozy lounge area. It wasn't that busy yet so Abby spotted her friends fast.

"Hey all, this is Mike, my roomy," she crouched down next to a red head. Michaela shook hands with all of them.

"This is Dorothy," Abigail pointed to the girl next to her. "That's Grace and this is Myra."

"Nice to meet you, come sit down," Myra said.

"You have an unusual name," Grace asked.

"It's actually Michaela, my father was expecting a boy. But friends call me Mike."

"Okay. Mike it is."

"I like your given name," Dorothy smiled.

"Either name is fine with me," Michaela smiled shyly.
"So whom did you get?" Abby asked.

Myra hugged Grace, "We're lucky; I got Grace, but Dorothy got one of our 'best' friends," Grace rolled her eyes.

Looking behind her, Dorothy pointed with her head, "I got Catherine."

"No, you're kidding!" Abigail took a leap forward and sat on the edge of the couch.

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Dorothy said angry.

Abby looked backwards also. "It seems as if you won't see her that often, she's very busy with her boyfriend."

Michaela also took a peek and saw a blond girl sitting on a boy's lap. She couldn't see the boy clearly because they were kissing. Abby giggled, "Maybe you should buy some earplugs, the way they are kissing, I can hear them over here, ieuw."

Myra chuckled, "It's a good thing boys aren't allowed after nine."

"Yeah, just make fun of it, I have to live with her," Dorothy rolled her eyes.

Abigail hugged her, "You still have us who you can complain to."
"Speaking of boyfriends, how is it going with Sully?" Dorothy wondered.

"Where's your mom Grace? I'm hungry." Abigail was avoiding the question.

"Still no progress?" Dorothy insisted on an answer.

Abby replied, "I don't wanna talk about it right now. First, I need some food."

Her friends knew that if Abby didn't want to talk she meant it, so they dropped the subject.

"Do you have a boyfriend, Mike?"

"No, I don't have time for a boyfriend."

"You're kidding."

Michaela blushed. "I did allot of voluntary work and helped my dad at the hospital."

"Your father is a doc?"

"Yes, I want to become one too."

"I want to be a writer," Dorothy said.

"Great! What do you want to specialize in? Books, newspaper?"

"Mrs. Danes, can we order something?" Abby was getting bored.

"Of course girl. Ah, a new face. Hello, I'm Caitlin Danes. Grace's mother. If you need anything just call."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Danes."

"What can I bring you?"

"I would love an orange juice and a chicken salad."

"Me too," Myra said.

Dorothy and Abby also ordered. Then they chatted about what was in store for them the next week. The classes didn't start until next Thursday. First, they would have an introduction week. The girls were speculating what they have to do. A lot of scenarios came along and they laughed quite often. Michaela felt as if she belonged and chatted along.

Mrs. Danes brought their orders and sat down with them for a few minutes. "I'm glad you are Grace's roommate, Myra. Maybe you can help her with mathematics; she sucks at it."

Myra laughed, "I'm the one who's happy that I at least don't have to share a room with Catherine." Dorothy pouted.

"I heard, poor you. She really is a bad influence. I tolerate kissing but what she's doing goes too far."

Mrs. Danes started walking away to say something to the couple but remembered she had to ask Abby something. "Abby, Mrs. Cooper asked me if you could baby sit this Saturday."

"Aww, we actually wanted to check out that new club."

"Yes mom, I told you." Grace said irritated.

"Oh I forgot. I'll tell her you can't."

"Maybe I can baby sit," Michaela offered.

"Don't you wanna go?"

"No, I'm not that fond of clubbing."

"Are you sure? You're 18 and not 30," Abby asked.

Michaela felt odd and blushed.

"If she doesn't like it, it's her choice," Dorothy said.

Myra nodded, "Maybe if you want you can join us someday. It's fun."

"Maybe," Michaela said quietly.

"So, you wanna baby sit?"

"Sure, I'll write my number down so she can call me about the details."

"I'll be back in a minute," Mrs. Danes said, "I have to separate those two."

The rest of the evening went by fast. As they retired to the dorm they found out all the girls where on the same floor.
While Abigail and Michaela where back in their room, Abby was checking for messages again.

"Are you expecting a text from Sully?" Michaela wondered.

"No," Abby replied fast. "Um, actually yes, he said, he might come by for a drink after he helped his friends moving into their dorms. I doubt he thought of me, it's already eleven pm. He's probably busy with his friends."

"Maybe he thinks it's too late to call, afraid to wake you." Michaela tried to lighten her mood.

"Maybe," her new friend sighed. "I'm gonna go to bed. Sleep well."