Author's Note: Thank you for the feedback on my first story. I hope everyone who enjoys this story leaves some feedback as well, as well as anyone who didn't like it and why. This story is a sequel to Rachel's Cold, and although it is not necessary to read that previous to this story, I would recommend it. Thanks to Rei for inspiring me.
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Rachel was so excited she could barely sleep. This time tomorrow she would be on a college campus for the first time in her life. It had been nearly six months since she had seen him. That was Christmas, it seems like ages ago. College had treated her brother right, he started dressing better, he had more confidence, and he even had a girlfriend. Rachel didn't really like to think about that, and her brother Brian had spent most of his time home at Christmas visiting old friends from high school. The truth was, Rachel's feelings were more than a little hurt. Sure, they never even so much as kissed the rest of the summer, but she felt like she was closer to her big brother than ever. After that night at the cabin a few weeks before he left, Rachel beamed at the memory. Her first time, shared with the man she loved most, and he would barely even make casual conversation with her at Christmas. Rachel had looked forward to seeing him for months, and all she got was a quick goodbye hug.
The next day all hard feelings were a distant memory as Rachel bid her parents goodbye. "Promise me you'll call when you get there" her dad worried.
"I promise dad. I love you guys, I'll make sure to let you know if Brian's wasting your money at the big university" Rachel kidded. She loaded a weekend's worth of clothes and started her three hour journey to the big city. The university Brian had chosen to attend was located directly in downtown, and was a big engineering school. On top of that, Brian had been a fan of their sports teams for as long as he could remember, although he was not talented enough to compete. One thing he could compete for was a civil engineering degree, and judging from his first semester he was off to a quick start. Rachel smiled as she thought of her brother's accomplishments. He seemed like a different person when she saw him at Christmas, she couldn't wait to see him in his new environment.
The Naruto ring tone on her cell phone broke her reminiscing. "Hello?" Rachel asked.
"Hey girl how are you? Are you on the road yet?"
"Hi Brian. Yes I'm about an hour away, do you have a good time lined up for me?"
"Yeah of course, I've been looking forward to seeing you. I've got bad news though, Steve didn't go home this weekend."
"Oh" Rachel said.
"Yeah but don't worry, we'll find a place for you to sleep. Tara has an extra bed if nothing else, maybe we'll both sleep there." Brian responded.
"Oh...well, we'll figure out something, I'll call you when I get there and can't find a parking spot" Rachel joked.
"Ok beautiful, drive safe and I'll see you when you get here."
The next hour Rachel wanted to just turn around and go home. She couldn't believe that her brother was passing her off to his girlfriend. And like she is going to sit there and listen to them have sex! Rachel was nearly in tears, she couldn't believe that her brother was being so selfish and inconsiderate. As she entered downtown she decided to just make the best of it. Maybe she would feel better once she saw her brother, perhaps she was just overreacting. It's not like she wanted to have sex with him again, she didn't really know why she was getting so upset. She just wanted some attention though, and it seemed like Brian wouldn't even be able to do that for her.
As she looked for a place to park, she noticed the campus for the first time. It surprised her, although it was located in the middle of downtown, there seemed to be trees and rolling grass hills everywhere. Dorms were well maintained, there was the football stadium, Rachel marveled at the architecture. Even though she had to park a decent walk from Brian's dorm, Rachel didn't mind. As she inhaled she smelled the first risings of summer, birds and little animals were active, as were the students. Various pockets of people playing Frisbee, hackeysack, and just reading added to the atmosphere which refreshed Rachel. By the time Brian buzzed her into his dorm she was intoxicated by the intellectual college atmosphere.
"Hey sis, wow you look amazing!" Brian exclaimed as he leaned in to hug her.
"Hey" Rachel blushed. "I didn't know you could make eye contact with me anymore since you're a big college guy" she teased.
"Oh come on, you know I love you, my baby girl" Brian proclaimed.
"I guess" Rachel pouted.
"You're serious? Come here and sit down." Brian shut his dorm door behind his sister. For the first time Rachel looked around the dorm. From the inside college life didn't seem quite as great. This room was pretty small, and he shares it with a guy named Steve? Rachel smiled as she saw the loft beds. Her brother was always so smart like that. The two beds were raised about five feet in the air, allowing for a small common's area below, complete with a futon and couch and television. If the beds had been on the ground like most, there would have never been enough room for that much furniture, computers and stereo equipment.
"Here, sit on the futon with me Rachel. I think we need to talk."
Rachel sat down and looked up at Brian with her big blue eyes. She sniffled, betraying her true feelings. "Rachel, you know I love you. I love you so much. I love you so much I could barely look at you during Christmas. I think about you all the time. What we did was amazing, it was so special to me, but you know we can't be together."
"I know" Rachel whispered.
"I wouldn't trade it for the world, I'm so glad it happened. But I don't want it to mess our relationship up."
"I don't either" Rachel choked out.
Brian leaned over and kissed a tear as it rolled of his sister's cheek. She started to weep openly as the two embraced. "I know" Brian whispered, "it's ok, let it out." He gently stroked her long straight hair all the way down her back as she just held his broad chest.
"Why do you have to smell so good" Rachel whined as they both shared a laugh. All of a sudden the two were rudely interrupted by the door flying open.
"Whoa, sorry man" Steve exclaimed as he quickly backed out of the room.
"No it's alright, come on in Steve" Brian said. As Steve entered the dorm Rachel smiled. She didn't know Steve was Asian.
"Hey I'm sorry about that Brian. Oh, right, this must be your sister. You didn't tell me how pretty she was."
"Yeah I know, because you were supposed to go home, charmer"' Brian retorted. "Rachel, this is Steve, my roommate. Steve, this is Rachel, my sister" emphasized Brian.
"I'm very pleased to meet you. Your brother has told me so many nice things about you" Steve exclaimed as he kissed Rachel's hand.
"That's funny, he hasn't told me anything about you Steve" Rachel teased. Brian interjected "what's there to say? He's Steve, he's the smartest guy on campus, never has to study, and has more girlfriends than an average frat."
"Brian that is not true. I never kiss and tell, and I'd certainly never brag about any academic achievements. Don't mistake my flirting for any promiscuity, I'm merely out to show women a great evening and hoping to find the woman for the rest of my life."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night buddy"
"Usually that's your girlfriend" Steve quipped back. Rachel laughed out loud at that one. "Whoops, I forgot I was in the presence of a lady, my apologies" Steve bowed.
"Yeah, and she's in high school too pervert" Brian stated in a mocking manor. "Don't let his smooth manner or skin fool you Rachel."
"I think I can make up my mind on how smooth his manner and skin are for myself" Rachel teased as all three broke into laughter. The rest of the afternoon was spent with the two gentlemen showing Rachel around campus. They showed her the various commons areas where people hung out. Sometimes there would be some people with acoustic guitars, sometimes people were reading poetry. Steve and Brian seemed to get along great, despite their earlier lighthearted teasing. The three laughed and walked their way around the campus, seeing the several cafeterias, the pool hall, the bowling alley, and eventually settled down for some dinner at the dining hall.