When they finally got back to the dorm, Rachel paid the cab driver and Chris pulled her out of the cab, hands still intertwined.They walked slowly up the steps, Rachel basking in the amazing feeling of hope. For the first time since before the entire Mike incident she really felt like something exciting might happen.

But even then, the feeling hadn’t been the same. She remembered the first time he had asked her to hang out. Of course, she never thought about saying no, but even then it was only about his popularity and his body-it was never about anything deeper than that. Their conversations never went past his winning touchdown or what they were doing that night.

With Chris it was different. She already felt like he knew her, body and soul. He already felt like an important part of her past, present, and future. He wasnt just someone to make time for, like Mike had been.

When they reached the room, he gently pulled his hand away to push open the door. Already, she felt lost without it.