The next year was great. I had did good in my classes, passed my horrible exams, and made it to the next year. I still had the same group of friends that I had become pretty close to. Luis had broken up with Tiffany and Quinn. Now he wanted to take a break on the dating. That was good choice on his part. He didn't know what dating was.
I had seen a lot the last year and I was glad to saw that it wasn't in a bad way. I didn't see no deaths, wounds, or anything related to hunting. I had seen Becky start to date a guy. I had seen Zach and Emily get very close. All of us suspected that they were dating quietly.
The classes were challenging and I was happy. The first semester I had Economics 1 with Makler, Greek Mythology with Driscoll, Intermediate Latin: Introduction to Literature with Klopacz, and Justice with Lee. I loved the Economics and Justice. I got to learn about government and law, which was why I was here. Also, I enjoyed Greek Mythology. My least favorite, but still liked, class was Latin. I did like to learn Latin, but it also reminded me of hunting, Dean, and my Dad.
Everything was so…normal now. I was going to school and I wasn't the new kid. In college with adults of very different backgrounds I was weird. It was unusual that I knew about fighting, guns, and things like that. About everyone classroom had one or two people who knew it. I wasn't looked down and seen as poor or not good enough. Many kids, including Luis, had gotten here based on smarts and not money.
The only somewhat bad part was when I had my bad moments. I would get really mad or frustrated. My friends seemed shocked, but not scared really. Becky even made a joke that I could defend her one day. And I did. I was hanging out with Zach, Emily, and Becky. We were leaving a bar and standing in an alley.
"I forgot my jacket." Zach said. "I'll run in and get it."
"Hurry back or Sam will drive off and leave you." Emily yelled after him.
"He is the only probably sober enough to drive." Becky laughed.
"Hey. I'm sorry if I don't want to get dog drunk. A buzz works for me."
"Whatever." She rolled her eyes.
"What's this?" I heard an unfamiliar voice say.
I whirled around and saw three men standing there. The one who spoke was standing under the light. I didn't see if flickering or see black eyes. So he wasn't a demon. I stood straighter. The others stepped forward.
"Leave." I said in a hard voice.
"I don't think so. We want the girls." He said like they were things.
"No way!" I growled. "Go or you will regret it."
I heard a door open behind me and knew it was Zach. My ears picked up on them whispering.
"Let's go, Sam." Zach touched my arm.
"Yeah, Sammy. Listen to your friend." He taunted.
"No calls me Sammy, but my brother." I replied.
"Oh. We are so scared. It's what? One against four. I doubt that loser could take us. Why don't you date real men?" He asked them.
"Shut up! Zach is ten times the man you are."
"Really? Well what about you?"
"Doesn't matter." I said.
I turned to leave, but the man grabbed my shoulder. I spun around and hit him in the face. The man hit the ground. Suddenly the other two came out of the darkness and jumped me. I easily fought all three of them. Soon, they were scrambling off the ground and running.
"Wow." I heard Zach say.
"Yeah." I said awkwardly.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" He seemed in awe.
"My Dad was a Marine." I told him.
"Awesome. Let's go, Superman."
I was shocked that no one asked questions. It seemed fine to them. Of course, they were drunk. I noticed Brady and Luis looking at me in awe the next day. Zach must have told them. I waited days for the questioning, but it never came. It was just seen as cool here. I relaxed.
The month went by fast after that. Just a whirl of classes, friends, and loads of coffee. I didn't get in another fight. I still stared off into face, suddenly got angry, or just had to be alone. No one seemed to want to question me about it. They had to wonder. I wondered if they made a connection that it was probably from my Marine father.
Soon, it was time for the holidays. I hated this time of year. Things sped up, got crazy, and I didn't celebrate the holidays. Dean had done the best he could when I was growing up, but it still sucked. Mom was dead, Dad wasn't there, and were had nothing. One he stole gifts and they ended up being for a girl. The only somewhat good Christmas was only good in retrospect. It was the Christmas I gave Dean his necklace. The necklace he never took off.
"What do you plan to do for Halloween?" Zach interrupted my thinking.
"Um, I don't really like Halloween." I mumbled.
"Oh. Is someone superstition?" Becky teased, elbowing me.
"Oh Lay off. Not everyone likes the holiday." Emily said.
"But you are coming to my Halloween party?" Brady asked.
"Maybe."
"Yeah. It's better than last year! By the end of college, it will be your favorite holiday!" Emily seemed really sure of herself.
"Whatever."