April arrived fairly quickly and with it came the start of a new term. Bret and I were both up early and sat in the lounge, flicking through our text books and notes. This was our third term and we'd be going in for exams in May.

"Next year we get to do a research paper." Bret said, shuffling through the notes.

"Sounds kind of fun." I smiled, and he rolled his eyes.

"You would say that." He stuffed the notes in his bag.

We grabbed our bags and left for our first lecture. The campus was quiet at this time of the morning and I could hear birds in the trees. Jenna jogged by, waving as she did.

"Bit early, ain't it?" She laughed.

Bret shook his head and we carried on walking. I looked round, following Jenna's retreating form. She always spoke to Bret and her face lit up when she talked to him. As though sensing my thoughts Bret smiled.

"Jenna asked me on a date the other day."

"Awh, congrats." I said, and he looked away to hide the blush.

We got to the lecture hall and took our seats. The rest of the class began to arrive and Sue appeared soon afterwards.


*****************

"This is so exciting." Holly gushed.

I had gone to my parent's house and was waiting for Jake. It was Thursday and I had finished lectures at three thirty. He would be here around quarter past five. Holly was giddy with joy. She had been talking non-stop.

"Try not to scare him." I laughed.

She pouted and sat on the bed. Holly sighed loudly. She and Alicia were still best friends, but Holly had broken up with her boyfriend recently. I sat down next to her and patted her shoulder.

"He's dating Aimee Van Dorn now." She murmured.

"He doesn't deserve you." I replied, and she smiled, wryly.

"You're supposed to say that. You're my sister." She huffed.

I pretended to be offended and Holly giggled. She sighed and laid her head on my shoulder.

"You wanna play some Halo with me?" She asked.

I looked at her and she waggled her eyebrows. Holly loved games and her Xbox, but she would always beat me. I think she only challenged me so she could win.

"You always win." I pouted.

"I'll let you beat me," She pretended to think. "Once."

"You're on."

We set up the console and started playing. As usual, Holly didn't keep her word and kept killing me. I lifted my hand and tickled her. She let out a shrieking laugh and the controller nearly went flying. We continued to play for a while. The doorbell went and I was gone like a shot.

"No fair, I was winning again." Holly shouted.

I got downstairs before she did, narrowly missing Dad. I could smell Mum's dinner already and I could hear her in the kitchen. I opened the door and flung myself into Jake. He opened his arms and hugged me.

"At least let him through the door, Kota." Dad chuckled.

I pulled back and felt my face heat up. Dad closed the door behind us and set his paper down.

"It's been a long time," Dad smiled, holding out his hand. Jake laughed and accepted.

Mum appeared in the doorway and walked over. She looked like she might cry at any moment, but she managed to keep control.

"Jake, look how you've grown." She said, hugging him.

I covered my mouth to stop laughing. Mum seemed to remember what she was doing and pulled away.

"Thanks, and it's great seeing you again." He replied.

Holly was standing at the bottom of the stairs and Dad walked over, pressing a hand to her shoulder.

"And this hellraiser is Holly. Don't let the shyness fool you. Once she starts talking, she never stops." Dad grinned.

Holly huffed in annoyance and glanced at Jake, murmuring a very small hello. She quickly disappeared from the room. I took Jake upstairs. We ended up in my old room.

"I remember this." He chuckled.

"Yeah, so do I." I laughed, looking at the pink walls and bed. I only stopped in this room when I was home from uni. Mum had kept it the same.

"Do you remember when I pulled off all the heads from your dolls?" He laughed.

"Yes, I do actually," I replied, glaring at him. "You put gum in my hair once too."

"Did I?" Jake chuckled, and he looked a little surprised.

"And that time you put a spider down the back of my uniform." I reminded him, sitting next to him on the bed.

"Now I definitely remember that. It was so funny."

I went to elbow him and he moved back. The door opened a little and Holly poked her head round the door.

"Hey Hols, you can come in, you know." I said, laughing.

"Shut up. I just wanted to make sure you weren't sucking face." She replied.

I could hear footsteps ascending the stairs and Dad strolled by. He paused, glancing at Holly.

"Hols, don't be a nuisance." He warned her.

"I wasn't." She whined, and proceeded to follow Dad.

"Jesus, Holly. I'm trying to go toilet."

I covered my face and Jake laughed. I was glad when Mum shouted up the stairs to come down for dinner. Mum was plating everything up and she smiled when we walked in.

"Where's your father? And Holly?" Mum asked.

"Still upstairs."

She sighed and set the plates on the table and we sat down. Mum seated herself and Dad appeared shortly after, followed by Holly.

Mum chatted about her day and Holly listed various accidents she'd had recently. Dad wasn't much of a talker. He preferred to listen.

"How's your dad?" Mum asked, glancing at Jake.

"Yeah, he's good." He replied.

"Let him know I asked after him and-" Mum paused when Holly started talking.

"Jake, Kota said you have a motorbike." She blurted out, as though it was the last thing she'd ever say.

"Yeah, I do. Kota's been on it." He grinned.

"Kota, you rebel." Holly smirked.

The conversation seemed to shift into more of Dad's territory. He liked motorbikes and he and Jake talked about it for the rest of the meal. Mum didn't seem to mind. She cut in a few times when it sounded like Dad might try and buy another motorbike.

The evening continued as normal and when it started to get late, I decided to head back to the dorms. Jake offered to drive me home. We stopped at the door and Mum hugged me and Jake. Dad gave me a hug and shook Jake's hand again. Holly waved goodbye and we left.

Notes