Already on his way to Bloomington, Brandon was happier than any other moment in his life. He was admitted to more than one university, but he opted for the program at Illinois Wesleyan University, a very nice place to live, a small city and the most important: far from Helena, Montana. 

After he made himself home, he had a good night of sleep. By morning, he woke up feeling happy, full of energy, even if his body was still recovering from the beating two days earlier. 

Maybe in Bloomington, Brandon ws about to get his fortune.

During his first class, he was just sitting there, waiting for the professor. He got used to being alone, no one wanted to sit with him in high school.

But today, a pretty girl came into the classroom, she looked around and chose to sit beside Brandon.

“Hi, My name is Erika. Nice to meet you!” The girl greeted Brandon, which made him very nervous.

“H..Hi, I’m Brandon.” He replied.

Looking at the nervous boy, the girl smiled.

“Could you tell me about this lesson? I don’t know much about it, I’m afraid that professor would ask me some questions.” Erika said to Brandon.

“OK…” 

Brandon never met a girl like Erika before, and gradually he forgot to be nervous. He was a very good student, so he started to be very confident teaching Erika.

Soon the professor came in, Brandon had to stop his teaching, but all his attention was paid to Erika.

It was the first time Brandon forgot to listen to his lesson. 

After the class, Brandon stood up and was about to leave, but Erika stopped him.

“Hey Brandon, have you got any time in the evening? I want to have dinner with you, to thank you for teaching me. I never understood the professor so easily in class.” Erika said smiling.

“Ah… are you asking me out?” He asked, then he just wanted to slap himself on the face.

‘You can’t talk to a girl like this, Brandon!’

“Yes. So would you come or not?” Erika answered with a great smile on her lips.

She was not angry! Actually, she seemed pretty happy. 

They waited for the class to be over and they went together to a place she said she knew. The girl said she used to spend her vacation period in that city, although she was from Helena, just like him! It was only natural that she knew a nice restaurant and so, he followed her. They arrived at a big hotel and walked to the restaurant on the second floor. 

“I hope you like italiano!” She looked at him with shy eyes and bit her lips, putting a stray of her hair behind her ear. 

“Yeah, I… I really like it!” He looked at the prices when they received the menu and he felt really awkward. 

"What 's it?” She asked, noticing that he was feeling uneasy. Her brows were furrowed. 

Brandon didn’t feel good by having no money with him. Not enough money with him. And it would be better if he let her know before they ordered anything. 

“Ah, I’m sorry. I think I can’t afford this place.” He said, looking down and moving his lips nervously. 

“Well, this first time is on me, then!” She replied with a big smile and touched his hand. Brandon’s heart was beating like crazy. She… she didn’t mock him! And more: she offered to pay for him, without using a condescending tone. 

‘Is she real?’, he thought, his eyes clearly showing his infatuation. ‘As I thought, my life is starting fresh!’.

After they ate, Brandon didn’t order anything expensive. Even if she was nice, he didn’t want to seem like he was taking advantage of her, by any means.

“Ah…” She started to speak and blushed crimson. “Hmm. I have a room booked for tonight. Would you like to…?”

For a moment, Brandon didn’t know what to reply. Actually, he was not even sure he heard her right. Was she inviting him to go to the hotel suite with her? That was too intimate! Did she want to do… that with him? He had never…

“Sure!” He answered, finally. 

“I promise I won’t take too long. We can just have more privacy, you know?” She said and he nodded, very excited. 

She paid for the bill and held his hand, while they went up in the elevator, towards the room Erika had booked. 

Once inside, they sat on the bed and started to talk a bit, and then, she approached him more and her face was very close to him. 

“I want to kiss you, Brandon…” She said. He, who had never been so close to a woman, one that wanted to kiss him, only nodded. He was already a man and longed to be with someone. 

The kiss started very lightly, nervously. Brandon held her waist and her scent was intoxicating him. They started to take off their clothes and she was now without her t-shirt. 

“I’ll go to the bathroom… You can start taking off your clothes. I’ll be right back.” She said and kissed his lips lightly, before she went through the door. 

Brandon couldn’t believe how things are going so great! He felt weird by taking off his clothes, but he believed the girl was going to clean herself before they did anything. He wanted to do the same. ‘Maybe when she leaves the bathroom.” 

He took off his pants and, at that moment, hell broke loose. The door was opened with a bang and Brandon was startled, incapable of moving. 

“Look who is here! I bet you thought you’re going to get aid, huh?”

Brandon would never forget this voice.

It was Kayle!