Chapter 1

"Rocky, there is no way I'm doing that for you," Adam said as he slammed the locker shut.

"But, what else am I supposed to do?" Rocky whined.

"You're just gonna have to find another date."

"Come on, we're best friends. What's the big deal?"

"It's just…" Adam said, his thoughts seeming to scatter.

"It's what?"

"It's too weird!" Adam retorted as his face twisted in mental pain.

Rocky looked down the hall, his mind drifting to a classroom at the end and a moment in the past, "Adam, I don't have a date for this dance now."

Adam looked down the hall, following Rocky's gaze toward the physics department, "What happened to Nicole?"

Rocky looked at Adam and leaned back on the lockers, sullen. "She's going with Jared."

"Really? Good for them!" Adam said, as if he expected the news.

"Dude! Why can't you just ask Aisha for me?"

"No way, Rocky! I told you-" he paused to think. He rubbed the back of his neck and finally finished his train of thought. "-it's too weird. I feel like you're forcing me in an awkward spot. You're gonna have to do this yourself if you want to ask her. I'm not doing it for you."

Rocky rubbed his eyes in exhaustion, "You always have my back. We're all friends…you talk to Aisha about everything else."

"Not this time," Adam grew increasingly uncomfortable, "Besides, you're only asking her because you don't have another date."

"But…"

"Rocky, I gotta go. Tommy and I are supposed to meet Billy at ten for some help with our calculus midterm."

"Okay," Rocky said, visibly upset.

Adam patted Rocky's shoulder reassuringly. "Look, we'll talk later this evening. I promise,"

Rocky stood silent watching Adam as he grabbed his sweatshirt, gathered his books, and walked out the doors of the science building.

That wasn't the reaction I expected, Rocky thought.

Adam walked into the library, passing the circulation desk, and headed left toward the stairs under the large skylights. He stood in the atrium as he decided which flight of stairs would be the logical choice. The library was three stories with study rooms and tables on both the ground floor and third floor. However, Billy usually opted for the third floor since it was the only level that contained reference books and journals. He made his decision and ascended the flight of stairs. Walking through the open breezeway, he could see Tommy sitting at a table on the west wall of windows.

"Hey man, what took you so long?" Tommy asked as Adam slung his bag to the floor.

"You won't believe what Rocky asked me," Adam said as he sat in the chair across from Tommy.

Tommy watched as Adam rummaged through his bag and slammed his notebook on the table in front of him. Since Adam and Rocky were prone to major disagreements about minor infractions, Tommy was always careful to consider both sides before offering advice. As in this case, he continued to observe his friend and allowed him to further divulge. Adam, however, did not speak. He hadn't even looked up at Tommy after slamming the notebook down.

"Alright, what happened?" Tommy finally asked.

"He, um…" Adam looked up at Tommy and sighed, "he wanted me to ask Aisha to his fraternity dance."

"Really? That's great!"

Adam gave him a wry look. "Tommy, he wants me to ask her for him."

"Oh…"

"I can't do it." Adam sunk into the wooden chair and leaned his head back.

Tommy looked back down at the book, ignoring Adam's clear exasperation as if he was not surprised by the reaction. "Why don't you tell him the truth? Doesn't he know?"

"No. You're the only one I've talked to about it. I thought he would have figured it out by now. We've been friends forever, but he can't see it." Adam said with an air of sarcasm.

"Rocky isn't dumb. If he doesn't see it now, he will sooner or later. But honestly, you may have to just tell him outright."

"I don't know, Tommy. I'm not even sure who else I want to find out just yet." Adam said, getting more upset.

"Find out what?" Billy asked as he walked up.

Tommy looked up and at his watch, "Find out the solutions to these problems. Billy where have you been? There is no way I can pass this exam without your help."

"Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out why my major even needs calculus," Adam said, visibly relieved of a change in topic.

"Sorry guys," Billy slid into the seat next to Adam and placed two companion calculus references on the table. "I've been having trouble with the PCR protocol my lab manager wants me to use. I've had to run the same samples three times to get the expected results. It's wasting a lot of time and materials."

"It's no big deal. We were just working out the latest dust-up between the fun-loving roommates," Tommy said.

"I assume you are referring to Rocky and Adam here?" Billy asked.

"Of course he is," Adam said waving his hand in surrender.

"Hang in there, Adam. Living with friends takes adjustment to maintain the friendship," Billy said.

"So, Billy, did these books take you that long to find?" Tommy asked, picking up one of the textbooks.

"Actually, it was another roommate situation that held most of my time. On the way over from my lab I ran into Katherine."

"Who did she decide to move in with?" Tommy asked.

"Well, she stated that she and Tanya would be moving in together this weekend. She seemed quite overwhelmed as a matter of fact. They are moving into a new apartment on Saturday but it did not seem that her details have been worked out."

"Did she say anything about needing help?" Tommy asked, curiously.

"She didn't mention it directly. Apparently, they are using a moving company." Billy said.

"Kat?" Tommy said as Adam and Billy turned to follow his puzzled gaze.

"Hi guys," Kat greeted as she walked up to the table.

"We were just discussing your move. Billy said you and Tanya are moving into an apartment together," Adam said.

"Oh, yeah. That's why I came over after Billy said he was headed here. I hope I'm not interrupting," she said.

"Not at all. We have yet to open the books he lugged over," Tommy pointed to the larger book labeled 'Calculus and the Universe: A Fundamental Approach'.

Katherine winced at the textbook and made a shudder. "Well, if a few of you guys are free on Saturday, we could really use some help with our move."

"No moving company?" Adam asked.

"Unfortunately, they finally called me back with the quote as soon as Billy and I finished talking. It's going to be a bit too much for our budget. We can afford them for two hours during the early morning, but not after noon or one o'clock. If you and the rest of the guys are free say about one? We're letting the movers handle the large stuff and we will take care of the boxes."

"Sure, I'm free," Billy chimed.

"Yeah, you know you can always ask me," Tommy said.

"Me, too," Adam said.

"Oh thanks guys! You don't know how much of a relief this is," Kat hugged each of them. "I have a dance class in thirty minutes and I still haven't had anything to eat. I'll see you guys Saturday." Kat ran off toward the staircase.

"Jason should be able to make it, too. I think this is his off weekend," Tommy pondered.

"I thought he was on call this weekend?" Adam asked.

"No, last weekend he was on call. He woke me up when he left out late Friday night. I was looking forward to sleeping in without his equipment beeping by my room door. I keep telling him we need to switch rooms."

Adam smirked, knowing where Tommy's usual complaint would end. Jason's work as an EMT gave him great exposure to emergency medicine, however his weekends were usually spent on-call. As a result, Tommy did not enjoy the amount of equipment that Jason inadvertently dropped at the door every morning he came in. Tommy also stole every opportunity that presented itself to make polite complaints about his friend and roommate.

"What are you smirking about?" Tommy poked Adam's arm from under his chin.

"And you talk about Rocky as a roommate," Adam laughed, repositioning his arm on the table.

"It seems you both are experiencing friendship challenges," Billy said. "Speaking of which, it seems that Kim and Aisha are working out great as roommates. Their dinner party was quite enjoyable."

Tommy looked surprised and confused, "Wait, did you guys hang out with them recently?"

"Yeah. Billy, Rocky and I went over Sunday for a movie night," Adam said.

"Why didn't you call me?" Tommy asked.

"To be honest, it was a little impromptu. We all live in the same complex, so they invited us over after Aisha cooked," Billy said.

"Aisha cooked? Was it that tomato rice dish with the peppers and onions?" Tommy asked as if he were imagining a plate in front of him.

Adam tried to play off the meal, "It wasn't as seasoned as she made it a few weeks ago."

Tommy didn't buy it. "I bet she made the stewed chicken with it, too," he sulked.

Adam sighed, "Tommy, I need to head over later this afternoon to talk to Kim. I can ask if they have any leftovers if it bothers you that much."

Tommy looked at Adam with resignation, "Fine. But next time, you guys call me."

"We didn't think you would be comfortable around Kim," Billy said. "You do seem as if you are still harboring some unresolved emotions."

Tommy was surprised by this observation from his friends. He thought for a moment without looking at either of them and then spoke, "Guys, I'm fine. I've had three years to work things out in my head. I didn't expect her to show up here for college with us. Honestly, I thought she would have gone to France with her mom or stayed in Florida. But, hey, I don't think we expected to see Aisha back so soon either."

Adam watched Tommy and knew he was still emotionally connected to his past. But unlike Kim, Aisha had moved back to California after only about six months away.

"Well, next time we hang out we will call," Adam said.

"Alright, we need to work through some of these problems on your study guide because I have to get back to the lab to finish an incubation. I'll stick around until about noon and then I won't be able to help you again until tomorrow evening," Billy said.

"You're right. I have class at one anyway and tomorrow we need to catch up on chemistry," Tommy said.

Billy glanced over at to Adam. "Adam, when will you see Aisha again?"

"Maybe this afternoon after I leave the dojo. Why? Did you want leftovers, too?" Adam smiled.

Billy let a chuckle escape before returning to a somber expression, "Not exactly. I was wondering if you could tell her to stop by my lab when she has some free time. I know she has quite a few biology classes in the building and being that she is a senior she can work with us on this project. My lab manager is looking for another research tech and I recommended her," he stopped and thought, "and…I need her help on something this week."

Adam considered Billy's question before responding. "Sure. If you don't mind, what kind of project?"

Billy took a deep breath and became visibly uncomfortable. "I would try to explain it, but I'm still not sure what I am observing."

"No worries, I'd probably have to ask her to explain it anyway. I'll mention it to her before I head to the dojo," Adam said.

"Hey man, don't forget my leftovers," Tommy shot Adam a foreboding look.

Adam, unfazed by Tommy's intimidating hunger, laughed, "I got you."