(August 2001)

It was the first day of class and Dana was already running late.  What the hell was I thinking scheduling an 8am class? Dana asked herself as she rushed from the dorm elevator. 

“Hey Girl!”

Dana turned toward the front desk of the dorm as she opened the door.  It took her a second to realize the girl behind the desk was talking to her.  “Hey!”  Dana quickly said as she walked out the door.  Dana was caught off guard by the strangers greeting.  She had seen the girl a few times before in The Planet, but had never really spoken to her before.  Dana shrugged and continued to class. 

Dana was starting her third year in college and finally taking classes in her major.  She had debated for two years on a major and finally settled on Criminal Justice.  She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with in the field, but she always had an interest for criminal justice and thought it was a good choice.  Dana was surprised that most of the seats were already taken when she entered Mr. Homer’s class.  She found an empty seat halfway down the first row and took it.  There were a few seats at the front of the class, but Dana hated being in the front row.  As she pulled her books out she was greeted by the woman sitting next to her. 

“Hey.  My name’s Shane.”

“Hi…Dana.”

Shane recognized Dana’s shyness and continued to talk.  “Have you had any classes with Mr. Homer before?”  Dana shook her head.  “Me either so this could be interesting.  One of my friends said he is a hard ass if you miss his class or sleep through it.  So wake me up if I start snoring.”  Dana looked at Shane with raised eye brows.  They both began to laugh when she saw Shane’s smile. 

Dana turned toward the door when she heard it open.  She was surprised to see the girl from the dorm walk in.  Their eyes met for a brief second and the girl gave Dana a shy smile.  Clearly she was as surprised to see Dana as Dana was to see her.  The girl took one of the last seats in the front row just before Mr. Homer came in and started class.