"Becca!" In a flash, my arms were around her. "It's so good to see you again. There's someone I'd like you to meet. Becca, this is Alison. Alison, Becca," I introduced the two girls to one another.
Alison extended her right hand. "Becca, pleased to meet you. I've heard so much about you."
Becca took Ali's hand. "All good things, I hope." I could tell by the look on her face that she was sizing Ali up.
"How did you know we were here already?" I asked her.
"Zac called me."
"Oh."
"So, Becca, Ike tells me you go to UCLA," Ali said. "What are you majoring in?"
"Psychology."
"Criminal psychology?" I asked. Becca's dad has his own law firm, and has always wanted his daughter to work for him. I think, ultimately, he wants to hand the firm down to her. Becca, on the other hand, isn't all that interested by the prospect.
"Nope. Just psychology. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet," she said, shrugging, "but something will come up I imagine."
"You should become a psychiatrist. That way, there'll be two doctors in your family," spoke up Zac.
"Med school? I don't think so. I plan on finishing my schooling during my fertile years, thank you."
Taylor laughed. "Don't you think you're getting a little carried away?"
Becca shook her head. "As a matter of fact, no, I don't."
I rolled my eyes. Becca could be so stubborn. Once she made up her mind, there was no changing it. "So, tell me," I said, leading her to the couch and indicating for her to sit, "how's school going? How are your classes?"
She shrugged. "School's okay. Classes are okay."
I frowned. "You don't sound too sure. What's wrong?" I asked, concerned.
"It's just... Lisa's pledging. I see her about a total of four hours a week, if even that. I miss her."
"We're here for ya, Bec!" Zac said, offering her a hug. Taylor and I followed the suit.
"So, what have you been keeping busy with, other than schoolwork?" I asked.
"I'm a consultant in a computer lab," was her response.
"Computer lab?" Tay came to life with this piece of information. His computer has a special place in his heart. I swear, I've never seen ANYONE so attached to a piece of machinery before.
"Yes. It's nothing exciting, though. Just realigning the paper in the printer and showing everyone where the reset button on the disk drive is." Becca made her last statement through a yawn.
"How can you be tired? We're the ones that are supposed to be suffering from jet lag," Zac teased her.
"Well, I wouldn't be tired if I could sleep through the night. For the past three weeks, Lisa's sisters and pledge sisters have been calling and knocking at all hours. I haven't had a decent night's sleep in three weeks." Becca rested her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes.
"Ewwww!" Zac made a face.
"So, spend the night here," Tay suggested. "We've got plenty of room, and I'll lend you something to sleep in."
"Oh, no, I couldn't," Becca began to protest.
"Just say yes, Bec. If you don't, I'll run upstairs and tell Mom you're giving us a hard time. She'll see to it you don't get anywhere NEAR the front door," said Zac.
She threw her hands up in the air and surrendered. "All right! All right! I'll stay."
"Good." Taylor grabbed her hands and pulled her off the couch into a standing position. "Come on, let's go find you something to wear."
"With that mess, you're gonna need some help." Zac rose to his feet, and the trio headed upstairs.
As soon as we were alone, Alison turned to face me. "So, that was Becca, huh?" she asked, tracing the collar of my tee shirt with her finger.
"Yup, that's Becca."
"She seems real nice."
"That's because she is."
Ali remained quiet for a moment, still gently tracing my collar. "You really care about her, don't you?" she asked softly. Her question took me by surprise, but I didn't hesitate with my answer.
"Of course I do. Aside from my brothers, she's one of my best friends. I can't help but care."
"How long have you known her?"
"Two years."
"Oh."
"Is something wrong?"
"No."
"'Cause you know if something's wrong you can tell me, right?"
"I know, but nothing's wrong."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," Ali said, offering me a smile. She yawned. "I think I'm gonna go to bed." She leaned in and gently kissed me. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."