I walk up the stairs towards Dr. Corban’s office. I was supposed to meet Autumn at the fountain in the middle of campus twenty minutes ago to head to a party but she didn’t show. I figured I’d head over here to make sure she was okay since she wasn’t answering her phone. It wasn’t like her to be late nor answer her phone.

It’s been about a month since she began working for Dr. Corban and she’s been acting different. Not enough to worry the others in our group, but enough for me to notice. I tap my thumb against my leg and hurry down the hall. As I reach his door, raising my fist to knock, I see movement through the window on the door.

I drop my hand and peer in. My stomach falls to the floor. Autumn is wrapped around Dr. Corban in a hot and heavy make out session. I freeze, just staring. I can’t look away. There’s no way…Not Autumn. She barely knows this guy. She also doesn’t make out with people she barely knows. She doesn’t make out with anyone. She’s never even had a boyfriend before.

I feel like I’m going to be sick and I finally tear my eyes away from the scene. I turn and race down the hall, down the stairs, and into the fresh air outside. I sit down against the wall and take in deep breaths, trying to clear my spinning mind. Once I can see calm down and sigh in frustration.

This was bound to happen eventually. Autumn’s the same age as I am. She’s not a stone wall, she has feelings. Of course she was going to fall for someone eventually and since I never told her how I felt it wasn’t going to be me. But why did it have to be Dr. Douche. I shake my head and stand, beginning to make my way across campus to the party. I need a drink, or ten.

*****************

The party is going great. I’ve managed to successfully do multiple keg stands with Cal and my mind is at the perfect fuzziness. I’m not even bothered by earlier. In fact, I’ve figured out exactly what I have to do. If Autumn shows up, I’m going to tell her everything. It’s perfect. What could possibly go wrong?

I stand up and walk over to the keg, filling up my cup and taking a drink. I was stupid to hide it before. I laugh aloud and take another drink. This was nice. Carly comes up to me and smiles.

“Hey there.” She says.

“Oh, hey Carly!” I exclaim, pulling her into a hug.

When I’m done she steps back, laughing. “We’re starting the bonfire.” She tells me.

“Great. Just great.” I smile, heading out to the backyard. A bonfire sounds like a great idea.

I find Cal and Aron lighting the bonfire. They wave to me and I walk over. We throw stuff on the fire then step back to watch it grow. As the flames begin to lick at the sky I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Autumn.

“Autumn!” I exclaim, wrapping both my arms around her waist and pulling her off the ground into a hug.

“Woah there, Levi!” She laughs as I put her down. “Had a little much to drink yet?”

“What? Not at all, just enough actually.” I slur with a smile.

“Okay. Sorry I’m late. I got held up grading papers.” She says.

I remember earlier as well as what I decided to do when I saw. I take her hand and pull her away from everyone.

“What is it?” She asks me.

“Autumn, I need to tell you…” I begin, trying to talk a little slower so I don’t slur my words. I need her to hear this. “It’s important.”

“What? Is everything okay?” She asks, beginning to worry.

“Yea, everything is amazing. I just want to tell you, Autumn. You are the most beautiful woman in the whole world. I love you so much.” I say.

“I love you too, Levi.” She smiles, looking at me strangely.

“No, Autumn. I love you.” I say, putting emphasis on the word love.

She lets out a little laugh. “Okay, Levi.” She smiles, “How much did you have to drink again?”

Her question throws me off and I get distracted. “Uhm, I don’t know. A lot.” I say, then look at her, confused. What was I just telling her? It was something important.

“Okay, well let me take you home. You can barely stand.” She puts her arm around me.

That sounds like a great idea. I’m suddenly really tired. “Yea, okay.” I mumble, letting her walk me to her car.