I guess Natalie was right about settling down and that, my nerves would go away. I've been at the university for two weeks now. I've fitted in, made some friends and I'm enjoying being a student again. Today, I'm doing coursework, while my alleged mature boyfriend is having a video game contest with his best friend. Their cries of outrage as one of them "cheats", puts an amused smile on my face

"You're worse than a couple of kids" I state without looking up. "What have I got myself into?"

" What? You don't like that I'm still a kid deep down inside?" with a smile on his face

"No, I absolutely hate it" I tease

Turning to her, "Well, too bad because I'm sure you'll like this..." and lean in and kiss her softly and then reach down and tickle her

"Ewww, get a room if you guys are gonna do mushy stuff"

As I manage to push Brian off me, I look up at Nick. "You're just jealous" I say with a smile

‘Yeah, more than you know” I thought, but I wasn’t going to let them know. "I am not. I just don't want to be entertained by my friends' PDA , unless I have someone else to compete with" with a fake but sly smile

I laugh. "Oh, come on, Nick. You're telling me that there's no one out there who wants to date you or who you're interested in?"

"You know as well as I do, the millions of girls that would love a chance with me. Right, bro? " looking at Brian. "But that doesn't necessarily mean that I want to be with them. But there is one girl that I am very much interested in, but it's the wrong timing. So... you know, life goes on... "

"Why is it the wrong timing?" I ask, leaning into Brian's arms

"She's with someone"

She's with someone? Nick's comment unnerved me but I didn't know why. Where had I heard something similiar... I remember Natalie saying that she met him for lunch one day and...OMG. I raise my hand to my mouth...

"Omg...you still like Natalie?"

Her comment made me think that maybe they thought I was nuts. Maybe I am, but I couldn't help what I felt. Giving her a look, " Yes, I know I'm probably crazy and wasting time on something that might be hopeless, but I can't help it. "

"I'm not saying it's crazy Nick. You seem like a genuine guy and I think that's what Natalie needs right now"

"But she's still with that guy... Ben"

"She's not..He got offered a job in NY and basically demanded an answer from her" I blantly informed him

"I don't think that he was that good for her anyways. About a month ago, I had to go out and get her at Steely Fairgrounds, because I guess, they had had a huge fight. She didn't give me any details but I think she's better off without him. So.. dude.. here's your chance.."

"Yeah, but I don't want to be that rebound guy either. I might wait a little while and then try"

"Why not try and be her friend? That's what she needs right now. I mean, granted you can't be a better friend than me, but you can give it a shot" I said

"Wanna bet?" laughing.. " No, I'm kidding.. but yeah, I might as well start there..."

"I'll do what I can, but I swear if you hurt her...I will hunt you down and kick your ass"

"Yes ma'am.. I promise.." playfully backing away