3 days before my college classes start, my cab drives away, I'm standing on the sidewalk with two cardboard boxes, a large suitcase, a backpack and a man-sized stuffed teddy bear.
I look at the long sidewalk to my dorm; I was in a dither, how am I gonna get all this to my dorm room? I can't possibly carry it all; I can't leave anything unattended.
I spot a guy about 30 feet away, sitting on the grass, it appears he's taking a video of me with his phone.
{'Do I ask a stranger for help?}
While getting up the nerve to ask, he, the picture taking fellow, is approaching, "Taylor?" He asks, with an elated smile.
"Huh?" I looked at him puzzled.
"Are you Taylor Swift?" He was still recording, he had a very anxious, impatient gaze, like he was awaiting to hear the final number to win the lottery.
"No, I'm Elize." I giggle, "If I was Taylor Swift, my entourage would have all this" waving my arm over my belongings. "No... no wait... I wouldn't even be here... do you think Taylor would be rooming on campus?"
"Elize, I'm Troy," He rolled his hand before him, as he bowed in a curtsy, mimicking a gesture done in the medieval royal courts.
"You sure look like Taylor; please allow me to be your entourage of one, to assist with all of this;" he waves his arm over my belongings. "I'll also be Elize's number 1 fan."
I'm not upset he's checking out my body, I'm not egotistical, but I know I'm sexy, it's why I wear t-shirts without a bra, and these flattering daisy duke cutoffs.
He's quite handsome, seems friendly, doesn't look like a serial killer. I sling the backpack over my shoulder, "Thank-you, that'd be great." Picking up 'Teddy' put him under my left arm and take the handle on the rolling suitcase; he picks up the 2 boxes. "Lead the way Elize."
I knew he was staring at my ass, so I walked slower than usual and added a bit more bum wiggle.
As we were walking, he asked, "Are you here for a good time, or a long time?"
I stop, turn slightly, give Troy my best smile, "I'm here for my degree, hopefully that doesn't take a long time, and I'm not objectionable to a good time." I tip my head slightly, giving him a seductive gaze.
Troy stepped quickly ahead, grabbed the door and swung it open for me, we exchanged smiles, it was a neat vibe we shared at that moment.
{'That impressed me, a gentleman, I've not met any of those.'}
Everything in my dorm room, boxes by the desk, suitcase and backpack by the closet, Snuggle Bear propped up against my pillows.
"Can you sing?" Troy quizzed, "only to 'snuggle bear', he doesn't judge my lack of talent."
Troy sat on the edge of my bed, rubbed the top of Teddy's head, "Snuggle bear, huh... that's a position I'd like to audition for." He had a devilish grin, and a glint in his eye. I understood his connotation, he was definitely flirting, and I was relishing it.
"So, would you give me the pleasure of your company for a coffee, maybe lunch? He stands, "Or do you need to get unpacked?"
"Unpacking ALL this," she made an exaggerated arm movement sweeping across the room; "Might take 20 minutes." She giggled. "Ok Troy, but you're buying."
"Of course." He held the door for me.
He treated me to a Latte and pastry. We laughed a lot, shared a bit of family history... discovered we live in the same small city, went to rival schools. We then took a leisurely stroll in the park... then a pizza and a couple beers.
Late evening, we were holding hands, sauntering back to my dorm, we made a date for the next day. At my dorm room door, he took both my hands, our eyes locked, I was sure he was about to kiss me; "If I could borrow a kiss, I promise I will return it with interest."
It was so sweet, it melted my heart; we briefly, tenderly, kissed. He let my hands go "G'nite Elize," and started to walk away.
"Troy," I paused as he turned, then I spoke softly. "Thank-you today was wonderful. Don't take too long to return that kiss, we didn't discuss any terms, my rates are astronomical." I giggle, "Interest is already accruing." He hurried back to me, my arms went around his neck, his around my waist.
"It could never be too much, I'm filthy rich with kisses." Our tongues met before our lips; I'd never been kissed so passionately. He lifted me, twirled my around. After several minutes, I know we both considered me inviting him to my bed, I reluctantly sent him on his way.
I flopped on my bed, grabbed 'Snuggle Bear' laid him on top of me, squeezed him tightly; "looks like you're gonna have to get used to sleeping on the floor." I kissed his black plastic nose. "Someone had a very favorable audition to take your place."
Our date turned into an all-day excursion, investigated the campus, and the entire neighborhood, a local restaurant and brewery.
Other than classes we were always together, Troy did get 'snuggle bear's" place, we started sleeping together (well that's what it's called) in my dorm in early October.
We attended a Halloween dance, as Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn; we won second place; Darth and Chewbacca won first.
We ordered in for Thanksgiving, because of covid. Christmas was coming up fast, but both our families were worried about us flying home, so we decorated my dorm room. A small tree, streamers, Troy bought me a cute little Santa that danced and played music. We were cuddling in bed, listening to it; Cuddle Bear watching from his new spot beside the desk.
"Conner invited us both to his parents for Christmas. They live about an hour away; they offered to pick us up."
"Why haven't I met Connor?" I queried.