Learning To Let Go

Nic Taylor - Sophomore Year: February 2nd, Nic's Birthday

"Looks like the weather might hold out." Will hauled in the last brick of Coors and set it on the kitchen floor. "We've got ribs marinating, fruit salad, French bread, music, and a special treat for dessert." With a wink and the flash of his devastating smile he encouraged his roommate, the birthday boy, to get ready. "You going to wear your briefs to this shindig? Come on, man, I've got shit planned for tonight. You've got to snap out of this funk!" Nic returned the smile, a half-hearted grin that did not reach his eyes. He wasn't in the mood for whatever Will had planned but knowing how much trouble he had gone through, Nic intended to show his appreciation.


Heading upstairs to get dressed, Nic glanced at the frames that perched in the center of his dresser. They weren't recent but they definitely held good memories for him, taken when everything was less complicated. His thumb stroked the frame with a reverent caress, as the two teens in the picture smiled back. Nic sighed knowing the object of his affections was out of reach right now, perhaps she always would be.

Their friends had already begun to arrive as Nic descended the stairs. "Hey sis," he embraced Randi warmly.

"Happy birthday Nicky!" Randi squeezed him tight. "Looks like a nice turn-out!" Randi let her eyes wander around the room, settling on Will for a long moment before shifting her attention back to her older brother. She smiled warmly and urged him to mingle. "I'm going to say hi to Will and grab a drink; please try and lighten up tonight Nic, have some fun and don't worry about...things. Mingle." Giving him one last hug Randi took his hand, gave it a reassuring squeeze and walked away.

He laughed inwardly; it was no easy task to not worry especially when that "thing" was Rayne. He was flat out in love with her, always had been and he always would be but Nic was beginning to realize she didn't return the feelings, at least not in the same way. Regardless, he would always be there for her.

Nic watched as his sister made her way toward his roommate. It surprised him that Randi and Will were still an item. They had been dating since high school and even though they both had occasionally dated other people, they always found their way back to each other.

In the meantime, neither Will nor Nic lacked attention from girls. "Find anything interesting my friend? There is a lot of prime tail at this party!" Will passed him another beer as he scanned the room. "See anything you like? I know I do..." He winked at a slender blonde who immediately flushed at the attention and then looked around warily, probably in search of Randi.

"You know you will be in deep shit if my sister catches you doing that right?"

Will tossed his head back and laughed, "Trust me, I can handle Randi. Besides I am not dumb enough to attempt it when I don't know exactly where she is. She'd have my balls in a vice."


There had been a cake and, as promised, excitement in the form of a stripper. Several hours later the party began to wind down and only the hardcore partiers were left. Nic wandered upstairs wondering briefly if he could escape the rest of the night in his room. He made it as far as the top of the stairs when a lilting voice coming from the direction of the pool table stopped him. "I wondered where you guys kept the pool table. I've always wanted to learn how to play; do you think you might like to show me?"

Hallie Dodson. Nic's eyes swept over her. She looked wholesome, misty green eyes and silky red hair that stood out against her pale soft skin. He remembered seeing her one Friday night at the quad during a free concert. Nic had flirted with her and now she was here in his house doing the same thing to him. He smiled; why not, he thought as he moved in closer to her. She smelled nice, like lavender. If he'd wanted to, Nic could probably show her a lot of things. Maybe he would; it was his birthday after all. "Sure, I could show you. First thing you need to do is learn how to handle the stick properly. A nice, steady stroke and you're halfway there."