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</div></div><br/>Carter was entering his senior year at the university. There was an undeniable buzz in the air for him, and those in the same educational arch that he was on. Many of the people were content to attain their Bachelors and move on. This was of course, tradition, the four year degree being the hallmark of College level education. Carter knew his journey wasn't complete and he'd either be pursuing his masters or going into a graduate program to focus on a doctorate one day. That didn't mean that he wasn't going to be just a touch more human this year. So yes, instead of spending time crushing the books on the first month of his semester. He decided that a party was just what he needed.<br/><br/>It was hardly his first, just that he was typically only going to these things at the end of the year once the final grade for each class was practically assured. Not at the start of the year. So standing atop one of the balconies of the massive dorm house. He let his gaze drift across the landscape before him. The lamplight style posts, the brushes that flanked the walking paths, the large trees who's limbs seemed to droop a bit lower than normal. The occasional flutter of a leaf falling from it's limbs. It was oddly peaceful.<br/><br/>Raucous laughter and loud music broke his drifting thoughts, it came from the open sliding glass doors behind him that housed most of the party-goers. One of his buddies burst through the door and bumped hastily into his shoulder. Carter's eyes briefly widened as he held his red solo-cup full of beer at arm's length quickly. A splash of the concoction narrowly missed the the navy colored long sleeve shirt he wore. A nervous chuckle came from him before he slung an arm around Ryan's shoulder.<b>"Dude, it's literally 9 o'clock. You can't possibly be smashed already, that, you need to slow down I'm not driving you to the hospital for alcohol poisoning."</b>He was giving his friend a hard time, he knew the man would do what he wanted. Carter's free hand placed on his friend's shoulder and shoved him back between the sliding glass doors.<b> "Go dance that shit off."</b>A smile appeared on his face, and it was impeccably perfect. The glint of pearly teeth, the slight dimple on either side of his face. He turned his attention back towards the walking path. That's when he saw her, she was just a woman walking. Or so he thought to himself.<br/><br/>Yet that's when he<i>saw </i>her, as in really noticed her. Even from the balcony he was inwardly shocked by her beauty, it's not that he didn't see a plethora of young fresh-faced women walk into the college life every year. There was something different about her, the sweep of her chestnut hair and how it bounced with each step. The way the cool evening air seemed to kiss her cheeks almost too perfectly, leaving the faint tinge of pink at the apple of each cheek. He exhaled, looking down at the cup still in his grasp.<b>"Did you have too much?"</b>He chastised himself in a whisper soft voice, likely not audible to anyone but himself. He knew he wasn't drunk, this was only his second cup. It was really an outward expression of calling himself for feeling like a high school kid again, smitten by a pretty girl strolling his way. He raised his back to a straight posture and with that movement he brought the cup to bear to his lips. Downing the rest of the amber colored liquid, after all, he needed a reason to be inside right?<br/><br/>Fingertips clasped the rim of empty cup that was now exceptionally light. He breezed through the double-doors of glass and weaved his way through the crowds. Only occasionally pausing to greet or sling an arm in greeting around someone's shoulders. He made his way towards the drinks, and that's when he saw her again. A little laugh welled up his chest and came out like a chuckle.<i>"Well, at least she knows these parties are better with alcohol."</i>He thought to himself. The beat of the music had fallen into a constant but low thrum, not too terribly loud but what felt like a never-ending wave of bass. Someone must have put on club-rave style music, he wasn't surprised. Was it the bass or the nervous energy that made the hairs on his arm stand on end as he approached the woman? He stood shoulder to shoulder to her, intentionally allowing his elbow to brush hers. It felt like the most non-intrusive greeting he could give instead of forcing her to swing her torso to face him.<b>"The music will get at least 50% better if you drink at least two of those."</b>He gestured towards the large whiskey and coke she was pouring herself. The hint of a smile caught the corner of his mouth, lips slightly upturned there.<b>"Hi, by the way. I'm Carter."</b>Again, non-traditional. As opposed to extending his hand and forcing her to put her drink down to greet him. He just brushed his forearm against hers, some modified version of a hand-shake, fist bump, something to genuinely greet her.<br/><br/>That and body language spoke volumes, it spoke about of a young man with confidence. Who had every intention of getting to know the pale beauty who'd caught his eye.