Andy arrived as a freshman, being indoctrinated into the team almost immediately. It was obvious he would be starting or playing serious minutes as a freshman. There were high hopes for him. Good for him, but bad for Jeremy Bartlett. Jeremy had been the star point guard since sophomore year, and he was in his senior year. He tried to put on a good face, but everyone knew the score. Jeremy would be going into his senior year with Andy breathing down his neck. Jeremy went out of his way to play the cruelest of tricks on Andy.
Regardless, the team took Andy in. He went through all the rookie hazing. His locker had been broken into at least ten times. Sometimes a “present” was inside, like once a garter snake. Sometimes his clothes were missing, only to be found in a toilet, a park bench, or anywhere in between.
But in truth, Andy played basketball with a purpose. He paid for his education with a scholarship, and he was a great student. His real goal was to be a successful premedical student. He even came to this school because of a program for early admission into medical school. Instead of four years undergraduate, early admission essentially got you out of undergraduate after your third year. Your senior year would be the equivalent of your first traditional year in the separate medical college. Andy didn’t have much money, and so this early admission program was the ultimate goal of Andy in college.
Andy was serious. When others went out to party, Andy stayed back in the library. Often his friends would see him coming home from the library hours after a party started. He would use the back door to the dorm to climb to the fourth-floor single room he had. Often, Andy would close the door and go to sleep. Leaving his friends waiting.
In November, Andy met a cheerleader in the back halls of the stadium. They were both headed to get therapy in the training facility. Andy was shy. But he managed, “Hello, how are you.” It was all she needed, as she lit up. She said, “Hey you, I am Savannah Jones. It is so nice to meet you finally. You are Andy Anderson, the freshman basketball player everyone is talking about. Wow, you are big guy. Say, I am a freshman too! Where do you live? Are you dating anyone? Maybe we could grab a cup of coffee. I will be cheering for some of your home games this year. Don’t be a stranger. Call me!”
Before Andy could answer even one question she was gone with her friends. He didn’t know what to do with all that. Yet, her bubbly energy was attractive. Her body was petite, but she had curves in the right place. Her blonde hair was wavy and seemed to flow down to her lower back. Andy liked her appearance, but his real attraction was what she had that he didn’t. She was outgoing and had joy in her soul. He was deeply attracted to her, the person.
Andy would clumsily try to bump into Savannah. To intercept her in a cafeteria food line. To engineer any interaction to create the first meeting. He wanted to talk and ask her out. But Savannah had a jet pack on. She started on one path and then changed courses two or three times. He finally got her telephone number.
One Fall Day, Andy got the courage to call Savannah on the phone. “Savannah, it is Andy … Andy Anderson.”
Savannah immediately warmed up. “Andy, it has been a few weeks. I expected you to call sooner. Please tell me you are calling to ask me out.”
Andy was taken back, but realized this was going to be easy, “Yes, Savannah. I thought we could go to Sauces Pizza. Get a pizza and maybe a pitcher of beer. How about Friday at seven PM?
Andy picked Savannah up. He was wearing Jeans and a white and green striped dress shirt with an open color. He had showered, shaved, and a bit of cologne. Savannah watched Andy as Andy walked to her dorm. She admired his athletic presence, his styled hair, and his big smile. She waited in a blue sun dress with a form fitting top and flowing bottom. She wore black high heels and carried a black handbag. Andy picked her up in his Ford Pickup Truck. It was run down on the outside, but spotless on the inside. She slid over on the bench seat to the middle. Right next to Andy. He put his arm around her without thinking. Savannah pressed into his arm, and complimented him, “Andy you smell nice.”
Andy replied, “Savannah, you look so pretty. Thanks for coming out.”
They had a good night. Eating pizza and drinking beer. Andy and Savannah laughed and joked and complimented each other. Andy joking, “You look like a little munchkin compared to me.”
Savannah replying, “You look like a big King Kong, idiot.” They laughed.
As Andy drove Savannah home, she got serious just for a moment, “Andy, can you imagine us as seniors. Still together as boyfriend and girlfriend.” Andy smiled, this is something he thought was real. When they parted that night, they were starting to fall for each other. Andy kissed her softly. She kissed him back. She slid her tongue in his mouth and played with his tongue. He hugged her closer. The kiss lasted at least a minute. As they separated, Savannah was looking up at him with gorgeous blue eyes, almost tearing up.
Andy’s heart was beating a mile a minute. Andy said, “I will see you soon. Maybe next Friday night.”
Savannah said, “Sure Andy. Friday night would be lovely.”
They part and both are thrilled with finding each other. Two Freshman, just starting out, full of hope. Both at college, away from home, and starting to be in love. They went out on a few dates and things were great. Andy was very respectful. He wanted things to turn physical, but he was inexperienced and brought up by good parents. Savannah cautioned him she wanted to take it slow. He took it slow almost counting down dates until sex might be worth trying.