“Is Western Civilization in Sims Hall or Waverly Hall?” she muttered to herself, peering at the map.

“Waverly,” came a pleasant male voice from just behind her. “Come on, I’ll walk you over. I’m Randy. Randy Miles.”

“Michelle Godfrey,” she said, shaking his hand and smiling. “Thanks. Are you in my class?”

He shook his head. “I’m a junior.”

“Should you be talking to me?” she teased. “After all, I’m pond scum.”

He stopped and smiled. He had dark hair and pale eyes. He was a little pudgy, but nice. “No. You’re not pond scum. Trust me.”

“Thanks.”

“My pleasure. Are you from San Antonio?”

“My family is from Jacobsville, but I lived here with my parents while they were alive.”

“Sorry.”

“They were wonderful people. The memories get easier with time.” She glanced around. “This is a huge campus.”

“They keep adding to it,” he said. “Sims Hall is brand-new. Waverly is old. My father had history with old Professor Barlane.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “Just a word of warning, never be late for his class. You don’t want to know why.”

She grinned. “I’ll remember.”

On the way to Waverly Hall, Randy introduced Michelle to two of his friends, Alan Drew and Marjory Wills. Alan was distantly pleasant. Marjory was much more interested in talking to Randy than being introduced to this new student.

“You’re going to be late for class, aren’t you?” Alan asked Michelle, checking his watch. “I’ll walk you the rest of the way.”

“Nice to have met you,” Randy said pleasantly. Marjory just nodded.

Michelle smiled and followed Alan to the towering building where her class was located.

“Thanks,” she said.

He shrugged and smiled. “Those two.” He rolled his eyes. “They’re crazy about each other, but neither one will admit it. Don’t let them intimidate you, especially Marjory. She has...issues.”

“No problem. I guess I’ll see you around.”

“You will.” He leaned forward, grinning. “I’m in the class you’re going to right now. And we’d better hurry!”

They barely made it before the bell. The professor, Dr. Barlane, was old and cranky. He gave the class a dismissive look and began to lecture. Michelle was grateful that she’d learned how to take notes, because she had a feeling that this class was going to be one of the more demanding ones.

Beside her, Alan was scribbling on scraps of paper instead of a notebook, like Michelle. He wasn’t bad-looking. He had dark hair and eyes and a nice smile, but in her heart, there was only Gabriel. She might like other men as friends, but there was never going to be one to compare with Gabriel.

After class, Alan left her with a smile and whistled as he continued on to his next class. Michelle looked at her schedule, puzzled out the direction to go and went along the walkway to the next building.