Chapter 1

"I don't know about this Mac." Richie looked nervously out of the T-bird's window. Dozens of people were heading up a small flight of stairs in front of the old building while others stood around in small groups chatting. "If I'm immortal, then why can't I take a few decades off before going to college?"

Duncan looked at his young friend and smiled. "Because the best weapon you will ever have is your mind. You need to get really good at using that before you can truly be a good fighter. You have to be able to out think your opponent and anticipate his next move. And that means learning everything you can about as much as you can. This is the best place to start." Duncan patted him on the shoulder. "Trust me, you'll thank me for this someday."

"How did I know you were going to say that?" Richie rolled his eyes and stepped out of the car. He pulled a backpack out of the back seat and flung it over one shoulder. In the coolest voice he could muster he said, "higher education, here I come."

With a final wave MacLeod pulled away from the curb. Richie watched him drive away until the car was out of site. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he whispered to himself as he turned on one heel and headed toward the main entrance.

As soon as he was inside the smell of old books and coffee hit him. He looked in every direction trying to decide where to go first. Not really making a decision, he let his nose guide him to the coffee in the cafeteria. He poured himself a cup and walked over to an empty table. He sighed loudly before he sat down and took out his class schedule. "Now where am I going?" He asked himself. "World History. Great! I'd probably learn more listening to Mac than I will in this class." With three large gulps, the cup was empty and he was back on his feet heading for the main hallway. "Room 403, room 403, where is room 403?" Not expecting an answer he was surprised when he got one.

"It's three doors down on the right."

Richie looked up to see a beautiful woman smiling at him. She was a little shorter than him and had auburn hair and deep green eyes. She was pointing down the corridor in front of him. "Wow," was all he could say at first. "I mean, Thanks." He flashed her a big smile.

"Is this your first day?" the beauty asked him.

"Is it that obvious?" he smiled sheepishly.

She let out a little laugh and smiled again. "Well, you do look a little like a lost puppy. My name is Celeste." She held out her delicate hand.

Richie took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Richie."

"It's nice to meet you Richie."

"Well, it is nice to be met by someone as beautiful as you."

A shy smile broke free from her lips even though she tried to hide it. "I have to go to class. I hope I see you again Richie." She started walking away.

Richie watched her back side as it disappeared down the hall, "I'll be around," he called out to her. I think I'm going to like college he thought to himself before he started heading in the direction she motioned to.

Later that day:

"Did you have a good day?" Duncan McLeod asked when Ritchie climbed into the passenger side of the classic car.

"Well, that all depends on what you consider to be good. I had three classes. I attended all three classed. But I couldn't tell you a single thing that came out of any of the professors mouths. History I'm not worried about. I've learned enough from you to fill a dozen text books. Speech…I can handle speech. I've always been good at talking myself out of trouble, with or without an audience. Calculus, totally different story. I was lost as soon as I was supposed to open my book to page 115." Richie looked annoyed. "Do I really need to learn Calculus?"

Duncan just gave him a serious nod, "Yes, yes you do."

Richie sighed, "Well, there's no way I'm going to pick that up. It is way too confusing and there are no cool pictures in the book."

McLeod chuckled a little. "It's just your first day. Give it some time. I know you have it in you."

"Well, I'm glad one of us thinks so. I'll give it a week. If I am still lost after a week, I think I should take a different class."

"If you're still lost after a week, then I'll try to help."

Richie grunted under his breath. The rest of the ride home was quite.