Soo, there's a weensy bit of, uh, stuff in this one. Ha. Enjoy ;)

Aiden

I dreamt that I was surrounded by water. It was clear and warm. I marveled at the beauty of my turquoise colored surroundings as I floated. It seemed so real. I could see other people, swiftly swimming back and forth across the…pool? I could feel the warmth of the water, the water moving across my limbs, the tightening of my lungs as I held my breath. Lost in the dream, I began to panic as I realized that I needed to go up for air. I tried to swim up and break the surface but I couldn't move. I could move my limbs, but I wasn't going anywhere. I began to panic. I flailed my limbs. The tightening of my lungs became more painful. I was going to drown. Thoughts of my family filled my mind's eye. I remember all the Christmases with my family, seeing my little cousins playing with their new toys, my grandmothers cooking a large dinner with the other females of my family while the males were outside, playing football. Christmas was always a magical time with my family. Both families got on shockingly well. It was beautiful. Things started going hazy for me as visions from last Christmas faded. Soon, I saw another Christmas scene. This one had other, unknown people in it. It was set in a beautiful old house. My mother, father and grandparents were there, mingling with the strangers. Everyone seemed to get along well. The scene faded again. I tried again to break the surface. Nothing happened. Things started to get darker. Realizing that fighting was futile, I gave up. Silently wishing my family farewell, I looked around again. I saw that there were still people swimming. Trying one last time to survive, I started to wave my arms at them. No one saw me even though some swimmers were passing right over me. Feeling the blackness coming closer and closer, I opened my mouth and screamed, letting out the last of my air. No one heard me. Giving up again, I relaxed thinking that this wasn't so bad. Then the blackness took over.

October 7, 2006
11:49 a.m.
Dorm Room

I awoke the next morning to the lovely music of Cass vomiting into the bathroom. I rolled out of bed and padded to the doorway. "Are you okay?" I asked, yawning. The creepiness of my dream still had a hold of me. I've dreamt that before. I hated the drowning dream; it always felt so…real. I always awoke gasping for breath, checking to make sure that I was soaking wet. And I always thought of Christmas for some reason. I shook my head, turning my attention to Cass.

She groaned in reply and made another offering to the porcelain god. I walked over to her and crouched down, pulling her hair out of the way. "Too much to drink last night?"

She moaned and nodded, resting her sweaty forehead against the cool toilet. I pulled the ponytail out of my hair, sending my tousled curls cascading down my back. I twisted Cass's long hair into a messy bun, securing it with the hair tie. "Do you want me to get you anything?" I asked gently, rubbing her back.

"A priest? I feel like death," she said weakly, lying down on the cool linoleum floor and curling up into the fetal position.

I chuckled. "I was thinking of some sort of food. Like a bagel? Some cinnamon toast?" Cass groaned again and shook her head. "I'll at least get you a 7-Up."

I folded a towel and placed it gently under her head. I got up and pulled a blanket off of her bed and covered her up. Not bothering to change out of my low-slung yoga pants and tank top, I pulled on a pair of Uggs and slipped into my striped zip-up. I grabbed my keys, wallet and phone and left after checking on Cass one more time.

12:09 p.m.
Cafeteria

I entered the nearly deserted cafeteria and got in line. After only a few minutes, I paid for a bottle of 7-Up, some cinnamon toast and an apple.

As I was getting ready to exit the building, I heard someone call my name. I turned around and saw Reid waving me over to the table he shared with a brunette guy. As I walked over, I figured the other male was Tyler. I schooled my face to not show anything but genuine interest.

"Hey," Reid said once I sat down in an empty chair. Tyler was staring at me with a funny look on his face. Reid glanced over at him and shook his head. "This weirdo here is Tyler Simms."

"Right," I said smiling. "Mahoney's boyfriend."

Tyler slightly shook his head. "Yeah, hi. You must be the infamous Aiden. I've heard a lot about you," he said, shooting Reid a sly look.

Reid colored a little bit. "So, what are you up to today?" he asked me.

I bit into my apple and chewed before answering. "I came to get Cass some food, she's not feeling well. And I'm going to your swim meet later this afternoon. Other than that? Nothing."

"Well, later tonight we're hitting up the club in Gloucester. Wanna join?" Tyler asked, shooting Reid another sly look.

"Sure," I said, grinning. I took another bite of the apple.

"Great," Reid said, holding my gaze.

"So, Aiden," Tyler began, smiling widely. "Where are you from?"

"Montreal," I answered.

"Cool, I've never been."

"It's beautiful," I said wistfully, feeling homesick.

"Why'd you move here?" Tyler asked, taking a long drink from his water bottle.

"My dad got a job teaching at Harvard. My mom and I were going to stay behind, but I wanted to move," I explained. I wanted to see why my dreams were drawing me to this place—and to you guys, I thought.

"Are you planning on going to Harvard?" Tyler asked.

"I don't know," I replied honestly. "I'd always hoped to go to Julliard."

"Really?" Reid asked. "For what?"

"Either musical theatre or to become a concert violinist. Or pianist."

Tyler looked impressed. "That's really cool. That sure beats my want of becoming a history professor."

I beamed at him. "That's what my dad is." I checked the time on my phone. "Crap. I'd better get back to Cass. I left her sleeping on the bathroom floor."

Tyler laughed. "Did she drink too much?

"Probably. Who knows? She's extremely hungover. She keeps asking me to party with her, but I don't think I'd survive it." A laugh escaped both boys as I stood up. "I didn't even hear her come in last night. If I don't see you before the meet: good luck!" I grabbed the 7-Up, toast and apple core and turned to leave.

After I tossed the core in the trash, I headed outside. Once I'd walked a few yards, I heard my name again. "Aiden! Wait up!" I turned around and saw Reid jogging towards me. "I'll walk you back."

I smiled. "Okay. Where'd Tyler go?"

"He went home for a few hours, his aunt is visiting," he explained.

"Ah, I see," I said. I looked up into the clear blue sky and took a deep breath. "Mmmm. Fall is my favorite."

"Mine too," Reid said, falling into step with me.

"What school are you competing against?" I asked after a brief, comfortable silence.

"Salem," he answered.

"I've never been to a swim meet," I mused aloud.

"Really? They didn't have a swim team at your old school?" he asked, glancing sideways at me.

"We did, I just never went to one. I was always too busy with plays, soccer or cheerleading."

Reid stopped in his tracks. "You were a cheerleader?" he asked in disbelief.

I stopped and turned to face him. "For two years. Why?"

He shook his head. "You just didn't strike me as the cheerleader type."

"Thanks. I think," I said, laughing.

He laughed. "Don't worry, it was definitely a compliment."

I smiled up at him and our gazes locked. I felt butterflies in my stomach and a definite tingle of awareness. That scared me. I didn't want any relationship, not with anyone. Not after Stephen. I shuddered inwardly as I remembered. Even though Reid seemed totally different than Stephen, I now knew that looks can be deceiving.

"So, what are you doing after you check on Cass?" Reid asked suddenly, starting to walk towards the dorms again.

"Probably nothing," I said, following his lead.

"Want to come over to my dorm and watch a movie?"

I raised an eyebrow. "'Watch a movie'?"

"It wasn't a euphemism or anything, I'm being serious," he laughed.

"Euphemism? Damn, look who's the unexpected smarty pants," I joked. Reid playfully shoved me and I laughed. "Sure. I'll innocently watch an innocent movie with you, the not-so-innocent, if my sources are correct."

"I guess you'll find out, huh?" he teased.

We got to the dorms and Reid held the door open for me. I gave him a slight curtsy before I entered. "Why, thank you kind sir," I said in a British accent, fluttering my eyelashes at him.

He bowed at the waist. "The pleasures all mine, my lady," he replied in a flawless accent.

I laughed and headed down the hallway, towards the main staircase, and climbed up to the second floor. I pulled my keys out of my sweatshirt pocket and stopped at room 203. I signaled to Reid to be quiet and cautiously unlocked the door and eased it open. I saw that Cass had moved from the floor to her bed. I crept to the side of her bed and set the 7-Up and toast where she could find it on her nightstand. She stirred in her sleep and I shushed her, smoothing the hair from her forehead and tucking the blankets around her more snugly.

I turned around and saw Reid leaning against the doorjamb, arms crossed over his chest and a peculiar look that was aimed at me on his face. I gave him an inquisitive look and he just shook his head and smiled slightly. I shrugged and walked back out into the hall, quietly closing the door and locking it behind me. Reid slung an arm around my shoulders and led me to the dorm he shared with Tyler.

3:45 p.m.
Reid and Tyler's dorm

"I can't believe that you've seen this movie, but not Requiem for a Dream," I said to Reid as the credits rolled for one of my all-time favorite movies SLC! Punk. I was sitting on Tyler's bed, leaning against the headboard.

Reid shrugged. "Never had the opportunity."

"Well now you do. I own it so now you have to watch it," I said, rolling over onto my stomach, my head at the foot of the bed.

Reid laughed as he took the DVD out of the player. "Yes, ma'am."

I stuck my tongue out at his back, thinking I was safe. Reid saw my reflection on the screen of the large LCD TV mounted on the wall. He spun around on the spot, a devilish grin on his face. "Did I see what I think I just saw?"

I backed up so I was against the headboard again. "No?" I said uncertainly.

"Really now?" he asked, one eyebrow cocked. When I nodded, he stalked towards the bed I was on. I launched myself off of Tyler's bed and onto Reid's. He swiftly changed directions and headed towards me. I jumped onto the floor, on the far side of Reid's bed. We stared at each other, only the bed separating us.

"Are you scared?" Reid asked, sounding amused.

I scoffed, trying to sound braver than I felt, hoping he wouldn't guess the reason behind my duck and run. "Of course I'm not scared. Why would I be?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out," he said, seeming to get ready to leap over the bed. I ran around the bed and towards the door. Only I didn't make it. I felt two strong arms wrap themselves around my waist and the next thing I knew, I was flying through the air and onto Reid's bed. Reid hovered over me, each knee on either side of my hips and his hands on either side of my head.

"So, what are you hiding from me?" he asked huskily, his clear blue eyes locked on mine. I felt butterflies erupt in my stomach for the second time that day.

A small, half smile tugged at my lips as I shook my head. His eyes narrowed and he half-growled. "I will get it out of you."

I smirked. "Give it your best shot," I challenged, my voice a little breathy despite my bravado. I mentally cursed as I noticed that the change in my voice did not go unnoticed by Reid.

He dipped his head lower so only a few inches of air lay between our lips. I felt my breath hitch in my chest and I was sure he heard it too. "So, you going to tell me?" he whispered. I could see something cloud his eyes.

The butterflies in my stomach had evolved into flying elephants. There was most definitely a tingle of awareness as he brought his face closer to mine, his eyes the only thing that filled my vision. Feeling a break in my defense, I heard myself answer his question.

"T-t-ticklish," I breathed out in a lust filled whisper.

A mischievous glint lit up his eyes. "Ticklish? Really now?" he moved one hand from the side of my face and slowly moved it down to rest by my ribcage. "How ticklish are we talking?"

"Really ticklish," I admitted, dazedly.

A slow smile spread across Reid's face as the hand by my side darted out and danced along my ribs. I started to laugh uncontrollably as I tried to squirm out from under him. It didn't work. He raised himself up on both knees, freeing up his other hand. Now he launched a full-frontal assault on my ribcage. I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe. He noticed and slightly let off his assault to let me kind of catch my breath.

Gasping for air, I managed to wriggle out from under him. I rolled off the bed and ran to the door and tried to open it and escape only to have Reid run up behind me and use the weight of his body to pin me against the door. "You're not going to get away from me that easily," he breathed in my ear, causing shivers to run down my spine.

His large hands closed around my hips. His grasp was strong and hot, I could feel the heat of his body against my back. Energy flowed through my body and my breathing quickened, for a very different reason than physical exertion. My nerve endings felt on fire. "I thought we were having fun," Reid mused. "Why do you want to leave so soon?" his hot breath tickled my ear.

"B-because," I breathed, unable to think of a single, valid reason. Reid's hands gripped me tighter, almost painfully so, as I felt him lean in again.

"Because why?" his hands turned me around so we were face to face, his body still pressing me up against the door. My arms automatically circled his broad shoulders.

"Because, because…" I breathed, unable to finish my sentence as one of his knees slowly slid between mine. He grabbed my left leg and hitched it up around his hip, successfully pressing us together even more. I swear, I almost moaned but I thankfully held it in, though only barely.

Reid closed his eyes and took in a deep, shuddering breath. When he opened his eyes again, I could clearly see the lust and desire swirling in them. I didn't doubt that mine held the same. "Because, because…?" he prompted, his hands leaving my hips and skimming up my sides.

This time, it didn't tickle, I thought as I bit my bottom lip. I felt even more heat pool between my legs and a strangled whimper escaped my lips. Reid's hands travelled higher, his thumbs barely skimming my breasts. When I allowed a small moan escape, I could hear Reid suck in a large breath as he pressed himself harder against me, sending tingles shooting through my body. My hands clenched his shoulders, bunching the material of his t-shirt. Once his hands left my breasts, they ran up my arms, carefully pulling my hands away from his shoulders and moved them up above my head. He held both of my hands in one of his, keeping them pressed against the door. His other hand slowly trailed back down, lingering on one of my breasts, first being gentle, teasing me and then adding more pressure.

I let out another moan, this one louder than before. Reid groaned and pressed himself against me so hard, it almost hurt, but in the good way. I arched my hips into his and I could feel just what exactly I was doing to him. Reid took in a big gasping breath and dropped his hand from my breast. He cupped my ass in his large hand and ground his hips into mine. When I cried out, he let his grip on my hands slacken. He plunged the other hand into my hair and my hands went back to his shoulders. I dug my nails into his strong shoulders as he brought his face a few centimeters closer, lust filled eyes glancing from my lips to my eyes, silently begging permission. I nodded faintly, eyes unfocused, trying to control my breathing. He slowly, tantalizingly brought his mouth closer to mine. Right before our lips met in what was sure to be a toe-curling, mind-blowing kiss, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come on Reid! Coach wants us there early for warm-ups!" I heard Pogue call out.

Reid cursed silently and dropped his head onto my shoulder. He took a few deep, calming breaths before slowly stepping away from me. I ran a shaky hand through my hair and re-arranged my clothes, attempting to look presentable.

Another knock sounded at the door. "Come on man, we gotta go!" Pogue called out again.

Reid looked at me, his raised eyebrows silently asking me if I was okay. I saw a hint of regret in his eyes. Whether it was for what just happened or because we didn't finish, I didn't know. I didn't want to know. I nodded at him and he opened the door, keeping me out of sight behind it.

"Hey man, you ready?" I heard Pogue ask Reid.

"Just about. I'll meet you here in a few, okay?"

"Alright. Later," Pogue said.

Reid closed the door and turned to look at me. We stared at each other for a few minutes before Reid spoke. "Sorry," he said in a strangled voice, a strange look on his face. He grabbed his keys off the desk and walked out, pausing to look back and to give me weird look.

As the heavy door shut I wondered, what is he sorry for?