Introductions

(Author's note: I'm setting up this story as though Ethan and Theresa went to college together. For sake of reason, some characters may be altered from the show into this story. Enjoy!)

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Hitting her alarm clock, Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald yawns and stretches in her bed, seeing that a new day has come to Harmony.

"Today is my first day of college. I can't believe it!" Excited, she jumps out of bed, and starts to put on her outfit for the day. After she combs out her long black hair, she runs downstairs to the kitchen, and is greeted by the smell of eggs and pancakes, her favorite dish.

"Morning, mama!" She says as she kisses her mother's cheek.

"Morning, Theresita. I made your favorite breakfast today in hopes that this will be a great first day for you at college." Her mother, Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald, states.

"Mama, you're the best."

Staring at her daughter, Pilar smiles. "Do you know how happy I am that you are continuing your education? You make me so proud, my little girl." She kisses the top of Theresa's head and then goes to put on her coat to head to work.

"I love you, mama."

"And I love you, mi hija. Take care and I can't wait to hear about your day later."

Once Theresa finishes her breakfast, she calls her best friend, Whitney Russell, to see if she is ready to be picked up.

"All set, girl."

"Great, I'll be there in 10."

After Theresa picks up Whitney, they discuss their first day. "I'm so nervous. I hope I get classes that I'll like."

"Me, too. Hopefully, we can get together for lunch at the Book Café, or something."

"Of course."

Once they arrive at Castleton University, they give each other a quick hug, and then make their way through the registration lines. An announcement is made that classes will officially begin at 11 a.m. Looking at her watch, Theresa realizes she has about two hours to kill before her class.

"Maybe I'll just go find the classroom, and sit outside."

Once she finds the classroom for her first class of Chemistry, she sits outside the door, and begins doodling on her notebook.

As she gets up off the floor, she is suddenly whacked in the shoulder by a backpack. Turning around, she sees a guy running down the hall. "Hey, jerk, watch where you're going!" "The nerve!" She thinks to herself as she gathers her things and heads into the classroom.

Meanwhile

Ethan Crane hated being late. More important, he hated being lost. It was another year for him at Castleton University, where he was studying law. He arrived at the university an hour before his Chemistry class was to be held. Since he was early, he figured he'd head off to the library to look up law cases for his future classes he was bound to have. Seeing that his Chemistry class was not until 11:30, Ethan quickly scanned the campus map to see what building his class was in.

"I know this already, why am I acting like a freshman?" He thought to himself as he put the campus map into his backpack. Feeling confident that this year was going to be the best, he headed off to the library. Engrossed in reading law cases, Ethan looked at his watch and saw that it was already 11:20.

"Damnit, I have to run!" He thinks to himself as he gathers his books and runs off to the Davis Building, home to the science classes. Once he arrives there, he runs through the corridors in such a hurry looking for his classroom, he never sees the girl against the wall. He hears her yell something at him, but at the rate he was going, he didn't feel like apologizing.

Going down one hall, he realizes his classroom was on the other side. Making a run for it, he finds his classroom, and is one of the last people to arrive. Seeing that the class is pretty full, Ethan looks around and finds a seat next to a brown-eyed beauty, and heads for it.

Meanwhile

Theresa has found her seat in her Chemistry class. She has her notebook in front of her, and begins doodling again, when she looks up and sees that someone is sitting next to her. Recognizing the color of his sweater, Theresa realizes the man sitting next to her is the one that bumped into her in the hallway.

"Great, what a way to start off my year!" She thinks to herself as she moves away from the guy.

"Wow, this girl is pretty cute, I wonder if she'll talk to me." Ethan thinks to himself as he looks at Theresa.

Becoming annoyed with his stares, Theresa looks up. "Do I have lipstick on my teeth or something?"

"No, why?"

"Well, care to explain why you're staring at me?"

Ethan smiled inwardly as he realized this girl had a fiery temper. "No real reason. I just think you're pretty."

"Pretty enough that you had to slam your backpack into my shoulder in the hallway?" Theresa asks with a look on her face.

"Oh, God, tell me I didn't..." Ethan thinks to himself. "I'm so sorry. It's just that I hate being late, and I didn't know where this room was located. Can you forgive me?"

"I don't even know you, so how can I forgive you?"

Sticking out his hand, Ethan continues, "My name is Ethan. What's yours?"

"Theresa."

"Nice to meet you, Theresa." Ethan says as he kisses her hand.

"Well, it's good to see that chivalry hasn't died yet." Theresa replies, and the two share a laugh just as the professor walks into the room.

Coming Up

Ethan and Theresa begin a friendship

What will Theresa's reaction be to learning Ethan is a Crane?

Please RR