It is always scary to start something new. Does that mean you shouldn't? Of course not. Leaving for college is one of those life-changing moments that you will never forget, and the beginning of my freshman year will go down as one I will never forget.
I was desperate to make new friends in those first days. My roommate had a girlfriend and wanted nothing to do with me, and the rest I tended to miss the bulk of the dorm bonding activities the RAs set up. So what was I to do? High school tended to be a lonely time for me, so it was no strange thing to set out on my own.
Club Day was the last day of freshman orientation, and I took full advantage of it. Dozens of clubs, frats, and sororities were set up across the quad, and I had a good time looking around. I had matured a great deal in my last year of high school, and by the time I reached college I had reached my maximum height and potential. I was just over six feet and well-muscled from my time on the swim and track team, confident in my abilities to meet new people.
I searched through the crowd, stopping at different stations and gathering information. Nothing struck my fancy, though, until I found the trail-running group.
I had just about given up when I saw the sign above one of the farthest tables from the academic buildings. Trail running? I had been an active runner throughout high school, and enjoyed getting out on my own. Maybe this group would be an avenue for a few solid friendships.
The sun was high and hot, and the crowd had already started dispersing when as I headed over to the booth and my eyes fell on a true vision of beauty. This being a college, an attractive girl in shorts and a t-shirt was nothing new, but this girl almost took my breath away. A few inches below my height and blonde, her body toned and lithe, she drew me in from across the open square. I forced my eyes to hers, a sparkling blue, and smiled when I drew near.
"Hi, so you guys have a trail running group?" She smiled and my heart melted.
"Yeah! The mountains aren't much more than a half hour from here, and there are some great trails up there. Do you have much running experience?" I smiled, trying to match her beaming gaze.
"Yeah, I ran through high school, but never did much off-road. I'm Jake, by the way." I held out my hand, and the girl shook her head and took it in both hands.
"Of course! Sorry, this is my first year running the group. My name's Callie. Great to meet you!"
She was bubbly and gorgeous. I was hooked.
"I'm already sold. Have many others signed up today?" Her smile faltered.
"Not really. Last year most people came out later in the year, especially after New Year's. Got to keep that resolution, right?" I laughed.
"I guess. Did they hang around long?" She sighed.
"No. we only had about seven show up on a semi-regular basis last year. Four of them were seniors, so we are starting over almost completely new. You said you're in, right? Can I get your information?"
She could have asked for my soul and I would have handed it over without another thought. I wrote down my name, number, and email on her sheet and was met again by her dazzling smile.
"Great! Thanks Jake. We're shooting for our first run in about two weeks. I'll email the time and location."
I smile and thank her before moving on. I stop at a few other booths, leaving my info at a few. When I get back to my dorm, however, it's Callie's face that crowds out all other thoughts.
--
Ten days later I get an email from Callie.
"Hey guys! Hope your first few weeks of the semester have been going well. Our first run is going to be this Sunday along the Jones Cavern Trail up in the Appalachians. It's really beautiful, with the turn-around point at a waterfall. The forecast calls for a light rain, but don't worry about that. We'll be running rain or shine! Can't wait to see you there!"
She posts the meeting time and location. After a heavier course load than I had expected for my first few weeks, there is no place I'd rather be.
--
I pull in to the meet-up location, a trailhead about a half hour from campus. There's only one other car. Callie jumps out of it as I leave mine.
"Hi! Jake, right?"
"Yeah. Where's everybody else?" I regret the question as soon as I ask it.
"Well... it looks like it might be just us. Not much interest yet, you know?" She looks troubled by the fact, and I scramble to lighten the mood.
"No worries! We'll still have a good run. How far is the waterfall from here?"
"About four miles up the trail. Gonna be a pretty good run." She grins, shaking off the doubt of a moment ago. "You ready for it?"
She looks towards the trail and I seize the opportunity to give her a quick look over. Long legs intersecting beneath tight running shorts that just cover the flesh beneath. Her shirt is tight and sporty, the outline of her sports bra visible beneath the white fabric. Her breasts are sizable but well-proportioned, jutting out above a trim torso. Her blonde hair is pulled into ponytail, revealing along neck that tapers off beneath a truly beautiful face.