Tuesday morning I crammed a final study session in before class, and I was glad I had. The test was as hard as we'd assumed it would be, if not a bit harder. It wouldn't have been nearly so hard if the teacher actually taught us rather than just handing out worksheets that he never seems to collect. Still, I think I did alright. We'll find out next Monday.

My phone rings after class ends and I send Elijah ahead without me when I see it's my mom. "Hi Mom," I say softly into the phone as I make my way to a secluded spot near the pond. It's getting chilly so there are few people sitting there today. I lean against a tree and watch the geese flying overhead, hoping they won't land near me. My mom is talking excitedly about some new deal her company is signing off on, and I'm proud for her.

"How is the new campus working for you, Adrian?"

"I think I settled in pretty well," I say with some pride. I really am adjusting well.

"Have you made any new friends?"

"Just Elijah so far," I respond, quickly adding that I just have been focusing on getting used to classes and will try to socialize more once I get used to things more, which she deems acceptable. Mom, like Kai, worry about me being too introverted and socially shy.

"How about any new beau's?" I can almost hear her devilish smile through the phone.

"Mom! You know, none of my friends' parents would so unabashedly ask their sons about possible boyfriends," I say, my face surely resembling a tomato.

"Oh, but baby I just want to make sure you're staying safe. Using protection-" I try to interject but she speaks over me "Just because you're both guys doesn't mean there's not still an STD risk, you know."

I grumble, embarrassed. I'm just glad no one can hear what she's saying. Kai walked in on one of her many safe sex talks back in high school, and she roped him right in. It's funny now, but it was so mortifying when it happened.

"Yes, Mom, I know. I'll be safe if I find a boyfriend, but honestly I haven't been looking."

"Oh? You haven't even seen one hot guy since your first day?"

God, if my face heats up any more I'll be able to cook toast on it. "I- I mean, sure I guess there are some, uh, hot guys-"

"Nanna said you mentioned someone with nice muscles and a sexy voice on more than one visit," she teases.

Nanna, I'm going to have to have a big talk with you later today. "I n-never said he had a sexy voice!" I manage to squeak out. Okay, it came out more like a whine. Mom laughs vibrantly and I have to hold the phone away from my ear until she calms down.

"I hope you'll tell me about him when I come back. Or, better yet, bring him home for dinner sometime."

"Mom, it's really not like that. I - he - I don't see it going that way. We don't even know each other. Besides, it takes more than a pretty face to persuade me."

She giggles and changes the topic, which I am more than thankful for. Before we disconnect she asks me to pick up a package that should be delivered today and bring it to Nanna after my last course.

I love my family, I really do. But sometimes, I just don't know how to live through the embarrassment they like to put me through. I am thankful, though, that they're so accepting of me.

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The thing I need to drop off to Nanna turns out to be a radio and a lot of old cassette tapes. She is overjoyed, and we spend an hour chatting and listening to songs she grew up with. She had a nurse bring another resident to join us, and it made me happy to see Nanna making friends. Mrs. Hebrum is quiet but has a very loud laugh, and she and Nanna get into a discussion about some old western show that I admit I have no interest in, so I say my goodbyes for the night.

~~~~DEMIAN~~~~

"What a pleasant young man, Mary," Mrs. Hebrum is saying when I walk into Mary's room to give her her lunch.

Mary has a massive smile on her face as she informs me that her daughter bought her the wooden radio that's currently playing soft music in the corner. She always gets so happy when she talks about her family. Right now she's busy explaining how her grandson was kind enough to set up the radio for her, and that he's going to bring over some old board games when he comes by next, so she and Mrs. Hebrum can play together.

"You are welcome to join us, of course, dear."

I can't help but smile at the kindly woman, and I tell her that I'd be glad to join in but they'll likely have to teach me how to play, since I know very few board games.

~~~~ADRIAN~~~~

"Mom says she ordered you a blueberry pie, and to ask for it at the front desk tomorrow. It should be here by noon," I whisper to Nanna when I stop by on Friday. Her face brightens up. This weekend I won't be able to come by because I'm finally going to visit Kai and Seamus, so Mom decided to do something special for her.

"I hope you have a great time with your friends, Sugarcube," Nanna says, kissing my cheek. I promise I'll give her an update on how everyone's doing back in Freidberg when I come back.

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When I finally pull into Kai's driveway, I am ready to pass out. It's been a long drive, and apparently everyone wanted to get out of the city for the weekend because the highways were backed up. I really hate driving. But, I quickly decide it was worth the drive when Buddy comes bounding up to my car with Kai not far behind. I let the dog lick me all over, his oversized fuzzy body shaking with joy. Kai eventually shoves his way between us and gives me a hug, letting me know Seamus will be coming over after the restaurant closes, and that his mom made beef pie. At that I perk right up and follow Kai into the house. His mom is an amazing cook, but only for a select number of dishes- beef pie being my personal favorite. I'm sure she made it because I was coming over. I feel a pang of sadness as the memories of all the years we'd have dinner together flooded my mind.