~*~
Cover the mirror
Hide in your dreams
Forget what they told you
Forget what it means
~*~

The door swung open, and Zac, my RA, stood before me in his boxers. "Again?" he said through a yawn.

"I'm sorry. Nevermind. I'll sleep in the lounge," I said, suddenly feeling guilty and turning around.

"Wait!" he said, gently taking my arm. "Don't be so sensitive. How many times do I have to tell you you're always welcome? Come on in," he said, making the grand gesture of sweeping his arm, directing me into his room. "So, your roommate's at it again, huh?"

"God, Zac, I swear, she's taking aphrodisiacs every morning instead of vitamins. Nobody has sex that much, not even Madonna." I flopped down on his bed dramatically.

"Then I guess you're lucky that I'm such a cool RA, and I let you bunk with me." He grinned as he flopped down next to me on the bed, and rolled onto his side. "So, how did your blind date go last night?"

I shuddered. "Omigod ... awful. Never again will I go on another blind date. If someone tries to set me up and I agree to it, would you please remind me I'm never to go on a blind date as long as I live?" I closed my eyes, and images of last night crept to the forefront of my mind. It was not what I was expecting, to say the least.

"I warned you," Zac reminded me, wearing a smug look. "I knew it was a bad idea," he went on. He stood up and walked over to his alarm clock. "I have an 8:00 tomorrow, but you're welcome to stay and sleep in," he told me, knowing I didn't have any classes on Fridays.

"Thanks," I said, sighing. Yes, Zac had warned me about the blind date. Yes, he knew it was a bad idea, even though everyone else thought it was a great one. Then again, Zac knew more about me than everyone else. He was the only one I could be completely open and honest with. Well, almost completely...

"You know, Liz, you never would have been in that position if you had just been honest from the beginning..." he started to say as he tried to pull the comforter down. However, the fact that I was still laying on top of it made his task a bit difficult.

"Zac, don't even start," I told him, rising to my feet so I could climb under the covers. "I thought you were understanding."

"I am," he said, turning off the light and climbing under the covers. "But I don't want to see you hurt, either."

"I can take care of myself," I told him, although my snuggling in his protective arms seemed to indicate otherwise. "I'll be fine."

"What about tomorrow night, though? I'm not going to be here, you know. I'm going home for my brother's birthday."

"I'll sleep in the lounge," I told him simply.

"Or you could come home with me," he suggested.

"Zac, I really don't think that's an option."

"Oh, it most certainly is. That settles it. You're coming home with me, Liz. No ifs, ands, or buts. Now get some rest. My family has a tendency to wear people out," he said. And even in the dark I could see the hint of a smile playing on the corners of his mouth.

"Fine. Whatever you say. Good night, Zac." I kissed his cheek.

"Good night, Liz."

"Liz, why are you so nervous?" Zac asked me on the way to his parents' house.

"I'm not nervous. What makes you say I'm nervous?" I asked, staring straight ahead. I couldn't bring myself to look at him. If I did, he would surely see I was lying.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe just because you're clutching the door handle so hard your knuckles are turning white." A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Relax, Liz. I promise this will be painless."

I resisted the urge to scoff at his statement. How little did Zac know ... I had butterflies in my stomach and my palms were beginning to sweat. This always happens when there's a chance I'll come face to face with a person I'm attracted to. Many nights spent in Zac's room allowed me to see the walls littered with pictures of his family. I knew all there was to know about each and every member. And there was one in particular who occupied the majority of my mind.

"Okay, before I ring the doorbell I want you to take three deep breaths," Zac said as we stood on his front steps. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder to make sure I was steady on my feet.

I did as he asked. "I'm fine. You can ring the bell now," I told him.

He rang the bell, and the door swung open. My eyes beheld the most beautiful sight in all my life, and I sucked in my breath as I tried to memorize every detail. The little yellow flecks in those crystalline blue eyes, and how they seemed to shine brighter when their owner smiled. Long blonde hair, forming a golden halo above the angel standing in my midst. A perfect porcelain complexion, accentuated by high cheekbones with a natural blush to them. And then there were those lips ... lips slightly parted that I would just love to feel pressed against my own. I finally exhaled and then mustered up all the courage I could find. I smiled my most dazzling smile and extended my hand. "Hello. I'm Liz O'Conner," I said, introducing myself.

I got a brilliant smile and a handshake in return. "Nice to meet you, Liz. I'm Jessica."