When it came time to apply to college, Stephanie and Sam made a pact. Knowing that they didn't want to be separated for 4 or more years, they applied to the same schools, and promised each other that they'd only go to one that accepted them both. When Stephanie got her acceptance letter from U of M, she didn't tell Sam, just incase he didn't get in. A week later, he got his letter as well, and they were all set. Even their majors were impossibly similar. Hers was pediatric medicine, and his was dentistry. They toured the school together, shopped together, and shared their excitement and fears about going to college.
They moved in to the dorms a week before their classes, and spent so much time together, that everyone around them just assumed that they were *together*. They even had math, literature, and Spanish classes together. As their 18th birthday came closer (they had the same birthday), they considered how to celebrate. A party in the sorority house, or the frat house, Stephanie thought. Sam had other plans in mind. He wanted to spend their birthday alone. He'd been having romantic feelings towards Stephanie for awhile, and wanted to tell her how he felt, on their special day. He told her he was starting a new tradition this year. No party. It would be just the 2 of them, sharing the day. He obsessed for weeks over how this had to be perfect. He'd been best friends with Stephanie since middle school. He had dated other girls, but he just didn't like them as much as he did Stephanie. She was the gold standard in girls, as far as he was concerned. Stephanie had dated other boys as well, but she just preferred the company of Sam. She didn't have to worry about anything when she was with him. She had recently started to wonder though, why he'd never asked her out, or tried to kiss her. She considered asking him if he was gay. But it didn't make sense. She had seen him kissing girls a few times.
When their birthday arrived, they both felt different. They were awkward and nervous, which they had never been around each other before. Stephanie was going to ask him if he was gay, but not today. She didn't want to ruin their birthday. The day that they were to share turned into a weekend at one of their favorite places, Universal Orlando. They always drove, instead of flying. They enjoyed the car ride (with at least one of their parents). This was the first time that they were going alone. Stephanie had agonized over this while she packed. Would he see her underwear? Even if just in her duffel or a drawer, this idea made her tingle with excitement. She couldn't get the idea out of her mind, and had even pictured Sam trying them on. Gladly, he hadn't seen how embarrassed she was at the thought. When they checked into their room at the Hard Rock, Sam had arranged for her favorite flowers and chocolates to be in the room. He knew he had to make his move. If he didn't, he would never know if Stephanie could ever have the same feelings for him. He also was nervous about giving her the gift he had gotten them. It was fake IDs, so that they could go to any bar or club they wanted. He'd only had 1 beer, ever, and knew that Stephanie had tried alcohol once before at a friends house.
Stephanie loved the flowers and candy that he had ordered and thought they were his birthday gift to her. She opened her bag, looking for his gift, a bottle of Eternity, his favorite cologne. Soon, she saw that it wasn't in her bag, and she must have forgotten it. She explained to him what happened, and he told her to forget it. He'd get it when they went home Sunday. Sam said he wanted to talk to her for a minute before they went down to the parks. He nervously took Stephanie's hand and told her the truth about how long he'd been feeling differently about her. How he wanted them to be lovers, as well as best friends, and asked her if she thought she might feel the same. Stephanie laughed with relief before reassuring Sam that she wasn't laughing at him. He brushed her hair out of her face, and then tentatively kissed her buttery soft lips. Stephanie closed her eyes, and kissed him back. It didn't feel like any kisses they had ever had before. It made them tingle inside, and their toes curl. Sam encircled Stephanie in his arms and kissed her deeply, finally tasting the sweetness of her mouth on his. His hand slid up her top as they kissed, and then he suddenly stopped and backed away. He apologized to Stephanie for going too fast. She told Sam it was okay. Really, she had liked feeling his hand on her, but she was embarrassed to say it.
Feeling awkward, Sam said they should get down to Islands of Adventure, and dared Stephanie to ride The Hulk twice in a row. Hardly one to back down from a challenge, she accepted, taking his hand as they walked out. They spent the afternoon as they usually did, enjoying the rides and shows, snacking on junk food. As the sun was setting, He asked Stephanie where she'd like to eat dinner. She laughed and told Sam they should be holding a table for them at Emeril's, since it was their birthday. Of course, you can't get in there w/out a ressie, so they settled for Margaritaville. As they were being seated, they felt a little nervous about using their fake IDs for the first time. He needn't have worried. The server hardly looked at their IDs, and gladly brought them their first round of margaritas as they studied the menu. Dinner, dessert, and another margarita later, they were both feeling a little dizzy, and knew it was time to get back to their room.
