Episode 1 (1/4): It’s a feeling.

The morning sun was already bringing the heat as well as a glow to a light sheen of sweat. An open hoodie revealed the muscle shirt straining to do its job. A hand running through short hair couldn’t affect it. At the base of his neck, Ty’s fingers worked to massage the tense muscles. His workout this morning had been tough.

At the edge of the parking lot, three girls whispered, “that’s the guy, isn’t it?”

“The one on the university’s page?”

“Yah, the guy that fights all the time.”

“He’s so HOT!”

Despite their comments, it would have been simple to ignore these girls. But they had other plans. Boldly they crossed the parking lot to intercept him. He glanced their direction.

“Hi, you’re Ty, right? The captain of the rugby team?” Hair was pulled behind small ears.

“That is the rumor,” one shoulder shrugged indifferently.

“They say that last year you stepped in when one of the freshies almost died! Is that true?”

Delicate, decisive footsteps announced the arrival of someone very important to him. Someone he trusted to come to his rescue.

As always, Jaz was a vision. Immaculately straight hair framed her delicate face. A pencil skirt accented her long legs. The blazer she wore was uniquely hers because she always put her personal touch on everything she wore. She took his hand, and he bestowed a kiss upon her soft cheek.

She turned to the girls to address their question on his behalf, “Ty certainly did step in when the bullying went too far last year.”

“Let’s not bore them, beautiful,” he put his arm around her to hug her close. “Or me.”

From behind them, a lighthearted comment, “but it’s a great story.”

“Court,” the warning shot over his shoulder.

Court was a lighthearted goof at most times, but especially so when his brother was the recipient. “It’s the first time I’d ever seen Geo lose his cool.”

“And you think that’s funny?” Geo slapped the back of his twin brother’s head.

“I thought it was hilarious,” Court’s grin was a signature of his.

That grin was wiped away when an unwelcomed voice noted, “hilarious enough to ruin my reputation and put someone in the hospital over a simple hazing.”

The two brothers known for their loyalty and notorious for their vengeance, stepped up as one in immediate challenge. It was one thing for brothers to pick at each other. It was an entirely different thing when someone else had an opinion.

“Simple hazing, Kurt? You left my brother tied to a tree and blindfolded in the woods overnight without a jacket or a cell.” Court made it very clear, “if anything had happened to him, it wouldn’t have been a hospital your friend ended up in.”

Ty stood back with his arm around Jaz. He watched closely because beneath Kurt’s designer clothes was one hell of an entitled attitude.

And a fragile ego. Sneering, Kurt addressed the girls without looking at them, “let me give you some free advice; don’t waste your time with these assholes. They’re nothing but a stain on our school’s reputation and a danger to sweet young things like yourselves.”

“There isn’t a single complaint against us from any woman,” Geo pointed out.

Ty winked at the girls, “unless you count my sister, but I still claim that Halloween candy was mine.”

Soft laughter and grins from the girls showed that he’d won them over.

“Hardly makes you suitable to be the rugby captain,” Kurt sneered.

“That’s what you came to pick a fight about?” Ty scoffed. Nothing made him quite as happy as beating the perfect out of that smug appearance in any shape or form, “thought it’d be the bruising around your nose from our last fight, or did you finally get a nose job?”

“Son-of-a-bitch,” Kurt’s fists were rising. “Last time, I was the one that won.”

“Cheap shot on the court doesn’t make you a winner. Besides,” Court sneered a grin, “we won the game.”

“By a lousy call from the refs,” one of Kurt’s friends spoke up. “By rights, we won, Fumble.”

It was about to erupt in a fight that both parties were only too happy to have. But a delicate, unwavering new voice interrupted, “Kurt Everly, on the surface, an upstanding, model student. Nearly voted in last year for Student Body President, which would have put him as the youngest to achieve that status. But his popularity took a dive after a near-fatal freshie incident. And then there’s the rumors. Given his educational path, I’d say politics are a likely career. However, it would be a waste of time running for any office because he simply doesn’t poll well. Unless he has mafia-level influence, but that ignorance would definitely get him killed with them.”

“Hmm, you lose the voice with that last line. And are you sure, ignorance not arrogance?” A second young woman asked as she mulled over the wording.

There was a thoughtful look on a young face, “arrogance with the right temperament can be hot. This guy just sucks!”

That had the others laughing. Ang they knew well. She was a close friend to Jaz, and someone they were happy to have around them. The younger girl next to her wasn’t familiar, but her proximity and resemblance to Ang meant that she too would be welcomed.

Kurt stepped forward, “I don’t know who you think you are…”

“She’s family,” Ty figuratively stepped in. His countenance was a threat, “and you know how protective I am of family.”

“Family,” Court seconded the statement. Geo’s cold visage backed them up.

“I don’t care who she is. She should care who I am,” the challenge was tossed Ty’s way.

Court replied flippantly, “sounds like she’s already got you pegged. You do suck!”

Jaz moved around them before Kurt could respond, “as a Student Body Representative, it is my duty to report incidences such as these even if they happen off campus. I think, Kurt, that your reputation stands to lose far more than the boys who stand at my side. You are hoping to follow in your father’s footsteps, right?”

Kurt’s lip twitched, “need your girlfriend to fight your battles for you?”

When Geo stepped forward, Ty stopped him with a hand on Geo’s shoulder. He stared at Kurt, a smile beginning to play at his lips, “no, but she looks so damned adorable doing it, I’m not about to stop her.”

Nothing in her posture was aggressive, yet she commanded authority in something as simple as the way she looked down her nose at men that were taller than she.

“Girls, orientation will begin soon. You shouldn’t be late,” she gave the girls their escape.

“Oh, um, yah. Yes, okay.” the trio stepped around Kurt hesitantly, “thank you.”

The way she trailed off had Jaz replying, “I’m Jaz. I’ll be one of your seniors this year. You’ll see me later this morning at orientation. And I’ll be sure that the information I give you ensures you have a successful and safe first year here.”

Slender arms moved to cross over her small waist. Immaculately manicured nails bit into soft flesh as she glared up at the much taller Kurt.

A small group of people were standing on the outskirts of the parking lot. Kurt’s friends pulled at his shoulder, encouraging him to let it go, “come on man, it won’t look good.”

“Shut the hell up!” Kurt eyed up Ty, “this isn’t over.”

“This didn’t start it,” Ty’s reply interrupted Kurt’s comment.

Kurt’s friends dragged him away. The girls went a different direction.

Which is when Jaz reprimanded her friend, “Ang, you’re supposed to watch out for your sister.”

Ang put her arms around her sister’s shoulders. Holding her in a hug that was welcomed, Ang was beaming, “but Crys is taking after mom so awesomely! Mom’ll be proud. Besides, Kurt’s just a spoiled rich kid. And I’m tired of how he treats my girl and her boys.”

He understood the reluctance Jaz had to explain the danger Ang had just put her sister in. So, she chose to turn her focus on Ty, “and will you stop engaging Kurt? You made your point to him last year.”

“I’m in no mood Jaz,” Ty cautioned.

Court was making a move on new territory, “hello, Ang’s sister!”

Ang pulled her sister back, “don’t even think it, Court. This is my little sis, and you know how protective I am of her.”

“I’m aware you haven’t brought her around me before,” he was smiling broadly. “That also makes her more tantalizing. And Ty doesn’t joke about family. She’s one of us now!”

Jaz was ignoring the side banter, “why are you picking a fight with Kurt on our first day back?”

“He started it,” Ty reminded her. He moved to walk away.

“Jaz,” Geo’s tone was a soft warning. He was parallel to Ty as they walked, which kept Jaz between the two of them.

Behind them, Court was defending himself to Ang, “you know me!”

“Which is the problem. That devilishly handsome face doesn’t fool me,” Ang laughed.

“I had no idea you saw me as handsome,” Court feigned a humble attitude.

Geo slapped the side of his brother’s head again, but he spoke to Jaz, “he went home.”

“You gave in to your mom?” Jaz held concern for Ty.

Court rubbed his head and grumbled, “we’re identical twins. She was technically complimenting you too.”

Ty held her arm to assist stepping up from the parking lot, “she begged. And she paid for another year of school. It nearly ended in murder.”

“Your brother wasn’t there?” Jaz was surprised. The soft click of her heels sounded out as she stepped off grass onto the sidewalk. She continued to hold onto his arm.

“Away being a camp counsellor. He was smart and got the hell out of there.” He moved past the anger and asked, “how was Europe?”

“Lovely, of course, though I wish you could have stayed longer. Dad loves having his honorary son around,” she held a hand to his arm.

Court was busy plying Ang’s younger sister with questions, “you’re in journalism?”

She nodded, “I am!”

“Crys is following in our mom’s footsteps,” it was clear that Ang was proud. “Show ‘em, Crys.”

“Show what?” Geo asked after he shared a few glances. This conversation now had their attention.

Though clearly shy about being put on the spot, there wasn’t any hesitation from Crys, “sophisticated with a deadly edge. A very stylish dresser. That would be Geo. He’s the elder of the twins by almost five minutes. The brother with the fierce grin and casual style goes by Court because the game is the only thing in life, other than his family, that he takes seriously.”

Court took up a delicate hand, “I take your beauty very seriously.”

Ang slapped Court’s hand away, “I haven’t prepped her. This is all her research.”

“And this handsome man?” Jaz was having fun. Since it was at his expense, he raised a single brow in mute question.

“Dark hair, smoky eyes, and a fierce countenance. Seen most often in hoodies because he’s often working out. That is Ty, the controversial new rugby captain and focus of the university’s gossip page.”

“Right,” Ang nodded pleased. “Don’t listen to anything that stupid gossip site says. Jaz is my best friend, and these are her boys. You can trust them absolutely.”

“Absolutely,” Court emphasized the word.

“And you can absolutely trust that if anything happens to my little sister, Jaz will be coming after you,” Ang told him with a stern look.

“And for that, I’ll be coming to Geo,” Jaz warned with a laugh.

“Brutal,” Court looked wounded.

There was cruel amusement from Ty and Geo.

“Court! Court!” A squeaky voice running up behind them was calling out eagerly.

Court got more than one impatient glare sent his way.

Turning her head so that she could take a look, Ang was alight with curiosity, “who is this?”

“A Court problem,” was Ty’s answer that Geo nodded to.

Court rolled his eyes, “that’s Todd, my junior from high school.”

“He followed you to university?” Devilish delight sparkled in Ang’s eyes.

“Sorry to disappoint your little boy’s love fantasy,” Court laughed at her, “I like insightful girls.”

The remark had been made to Crys, who was now blushing!

“And Todd just has the same interests as me.”

Geo helpfully added on, “so he followed you to university to take the same course as you.”

Court’s face said a lot to his brother. There was amusement all around. It took Jaz stopping for the others to do the same. With polite patience she waited for Todd’s short, thin legs to catch up to them.

As Todd ran up, his eyes bounced the small distance between Court and the girls. Breathless and flushed, he asked, “who are these girls?”

Ty reclaimed Jaz’s arm, and once again they all began walking.

“You ready for your first day, kid?” Court avoided the question because it was unimportant.

It left Todd to stare questioningly. But, unless he wanted to run once again to catch up to them, he was going to move his feet. Hurried steps of stiff dress shoes had a hollow clack that was somehow lost among delicate high heels, expensive loafers, and quiet sneakers.

“Since we’re in the same faculty, will you show me where my classes are, Court?”

Walking next to her sister, Crys asked him, “will you be coming to orientation?”

From the front, Jaz mentioned, “it’s a good idea. Ang and I will be helping out. We’ll be leading small groups about to show you everything.”

“Pfft,” Court waved this off, “don’t waste time on that. I’ll be happy to show both of you around.”

“Including your room?” Ang’s direct question was laughed, much to her sister’s embarrassment.

“I’d never,” he feigned innocence!

Several dry looks were tossed his way.

And so, he completed his thought, “never waste my time brining Todd there.”

“There it is,” Ty gave a soft laugh.

Jaz shifted their focus, “I’ve already got Ty’s updates. But what about my other boys. How was the summer?”

“We took mom to the coast,” there was a note of sadness in Geo’s eyes.

Worry touched hers, “is she feeling better?”

There was a nod, but it was a silent one weighted by an unspoken truth.

“Was she sick, Court?” Todd inserted himself between Court and Crys. “How come you haven’t told me? Do you need my help with anything?”

Court simply smiled as he continued to walk.

“East coast, or west coast?” Crys’ question was soft and light.

Geo turned his head back with a soft smile, “mom likes the mountains.”

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” Her smile reflected this. “Some people say that spending time in the mountains can heal you. I don’t really believe that. But then, I also think that anything that can make your heart smile can be healing. So, maybe I’m wrong.”

Geo cast her an appreciative smile, “our mom says the same thing.”

Court physically shifted Todd to his opposite side so that he could once again be walking next Crys. With his coy grin, he noted, “nice Jedi mind trick. I can’t even get Geo to talk about our mom. What kind of journalism are you getting into?”

There was a happy, shy smile emerging. Clearly, Court was evading the topic of their mother. Was Crys falling for his trick, or allowing his trick? Either way, she was ensuring her spot within the family.

“I took extra classes for photojournalism in high school. But I think I’m like our mom; I prefer finding out the truth behind the gossip and fake news.”

“That’s mom’s specialty,” Ang was proud of their mom. “Her articles normalize celebrities. They’re just people too and we need to stop putting them on a pedestal of our making and not expecting them to fall off.”

As the interaction was unfolding, Ty’s attention had wandered. His look turned dark as something up the lane caught his eye. Kurt and his friends were stopping long enough to rudely kick a beggar sitting on the side of the path. The beggar had done nothing to warrant the aggression, and yet took the abuse as though he were accustomed to it.

Someone crossing the street had also seen the encounter. Waves dancing into curls of brown hair framed pierced ears and provided shade to intense eyes. A shapeless jacket couldn’t hide the truth of a great body. Appearing to be on the lean side of well-built showed care and not just good genes. A sexy vision in ripped jeans and a faded plaid jacket.

Piercing was the glare from intelligent eyes. Even if Kurt didn’t realize it, he’d just made another enemy. Yet rather than call Kurt out, he chose to kneel next to the beggar. The long sleeves of his worn-out jacket hid kind hands which helped the beggar to sit upright. A bottle of water and a sandwich in a powder pink baggie were turned over. Gentle words were exchanged outside of Ty’s hearing.

“You’ve tuned me out,” Jaz had given up. But then, he hadn’t heard a word she had said. Her whisper hit his ear as she leaned into him with a hand playing upon his shoulder, “now that is delicious!”

“And if it were to me, do you think having you pressed up against me is helping?”

The guy was now following in the wake of others making their way to the university. As he passed on by, their eyes met. A blurred memory fought to surface in Ty’s mind, but it was gone just as quickly as the guy in faded plaid was. Those hard eyes moved away, releasing a prisoner that didn’t want to be freed. Narrowed eyes watched as he moved on up the path.

“It’s called atmosphere,” she purred.

He glanced with dry amusement at her.

Her grin grew, “every guy wants what they can’t have.”

“We should get to class,” he ignored the comment.

“Yah, I could use more sleep,” Court wasn’t joking.

“Late night?” Ang asked.

“We hit the bar last night. I don’t remember much of it. But I woke up on the kitchen floor. Then Geo woke me up super early to go to mom’s.”

“That good and you didn’t invite us?”

Jaz cast a concerned look at Ty. He again ignored.

They moved up the street as a group. Ty’s attention was unfocused until his ears caught the tail end of a comment from a passing student who was rummaging through a bright pink bag, “I know I packed a sandwich.”

“Maybe you forgot it at home?”

“But I know I put it in my bag,” she was adamant! Her pink glasses were pushed up as she lifted her head. “Where did it go? I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry,” her friend laughed.

Ty looked back at the beggar, who was greedily consuming the treasure given to him. The pink baggie lay on his knee. With an approving smile beginning to emerge, Ty turned his focus back to his friends.

The first day of school was always a waste. Orientation took up a huge chunk of time, meaning classes didn’t start till later. It was a good excuse to lounge around outside enjoying what was left of the good weather. Ang and Jaz were off making good on their volunteer duties. Crys and Todd had followed them. And for the next hour the guys caught up, reconnecting with familiar faces as they passed on by. Until it was time to go to their first class.

“Thanks for walking me to class, Court. The university is so big,” Todd held his books tight to his chest.

“Didn’t we walk here too?” Geo muttered to Ty.

A caustic smirk was Ty’s response. He couldn’t possibly care less if Todd didn’t notice him.

Court snubbed his nose at them. When he turned to Todd, “no prob! Do you know you’re taking the same electives as I did when I first started?”

“I am?” Excitement shone!

“You didn’t know?” Court was kind of preening with this revelation.

“It would be creepy if he knew,” Geo was leaning against the wall. Ty was mirroring. A group filing down the hall were slowing down to admire.

An eager shake of the head was Todd’s reply.

Court jutted his chin, “well, if you need any help, I got decent marks last year so I can lend you my notes from first year.”

“Aren’t those Tanner’s notes?” Ty asked Geo.

“Yep,” was the drawn-out reply.

Court mimed a threat at them.

“You’d do that?” Todd was trying not to look at them.

“Course,” was the easy agreement. “We’re buds.”

Rolling his eyes treated Ty to an unexpected encounter. The guy in the faded plaid jacket was approaching. They made eye contact again. That nagging feeling was back in stronger force. You didn’t forget eyes like that, and yet he couldn’t place where he’d seen them before. Was he losing it?

Moving past without a second glance, the guy walked into the room Todd was standing next to. If the guy in the faded plaid jacket shared Ty’s feelings, he was keeping it well hidden. Court sent Todd off with a gentle shove. Then he turned towards his brother and Ty, “we got time for a coffee.”

Pushing away from the wall, Ty asked, “what class is this?”

“Uh, Art History,” Court nodded as they fell in step. “Why?”

Ty glanced over his shoulder at the door that was now closed. He said nothing.

Side Story

Immediately upon walking into the classroom Todd was accosted as several hands gripped his arms to lead him to a seat in the center row.

“You are someone we are dying to meet,” the girl on his right spoke with excitement. “Name, now.”

“Me?” He was timidly pointed at himself. At the collective nod, “Todd.”

To his left, “everyone wants to know why such a clean-cut cutie is seen with the school’s most notorious bad boys!”

“They dropped you off,” the guy at his back was holding his shoulders.

Todd’s eyes were wide as he was forced into claiming a seat mid row, mid classroom. He was the center of attention!

“Details right now,” long hair was tucked behind ears, as though afraid of missing out on important details. “Geo seems so sophisticated and dangerous!”

A subtle snort of laughter caught their attention. Down the row, a student was slowly flipping through a textbook. The plaid jacket he wore nearly covered the hand which his head rested upon, concealing his face.

“So, what’s the DL?”

“The DL?”

“Come on, the deets! Spill!”

Overwhelmed by the pressure and attention, “umm…”