My birthday is in late August so I had just turned eighteen when I arrived on campus for my freshman year. After getting everything up to my dorm room I took a walk around campus with my parents. Later, after they left for home, I spent some time getting settled. My roommate, Alison, was a sophomore and wouldn't arrive until the following day.
It was an exciting time for me. After getting most of my things put away I went out with some of the other girls and we toured the campus, stopping at the student union for pizza. I got to bed late and wasn't thrilled when Alison arrived at seven a.m. She dragged me out of bed and said, "Wow, Kate, you're cute. Now come on and help me get my stuff up from the truck."
For a brief moment I hated her with a passion. I'm small and slim with blonde hair and hazel eyes and I hate being called cute. Mostly, I guess, because it's accurate and I've always wanted people to think of me as pretty. I also hated her because I'm 5' 2" and 105 pounds and she was 5' 10", maybe 135 pounds, and drop-dead gorgeous. Black hair, big brown eyes, smooth olive complexion, a figure to die for and long, long beautiful legs.
I pulled on a t-shirt and shorts and my hate faded as I helped her bring her things up from her father's truck. Her father couldn't help much because his left ankle was in a cast. It took an hour to get her stuff in and situated and by then I found myself really liking her. She was smart and funny and full of life.
Like many freshman I was inclined to party more and study less. But I was lucky. Alison wouldn't allow it. She sat me down and talked to me about being responsible, about not wasting the opportunity my parents were giving me. When that didn't work she grabbed me, dragged me across her lap, and spanked me until I was sobbing like a baby. When I promised to stop partying and study hard she let me up.
As soon as I was free I yelled and cursed and told her I was going to report her. Then I stormed out of our room and headed across campus toward the police station. I came to my senses about halfway there and turned around. I realized that Alison was right. I was cheating my parents out of money they'd worked hard to earn.
I walked back to the dorm and apologized to Alison for being such a brat. She smiled and shrugged. "Don't worry about it. We all have our moments. How does your ass feel?"
"It hurts, you big oaf. You don't realize how strong you are!"