only know you love her when you let her go

That’s good, that he’s close enough to here but far enough he can’t pounce on you all the time. I actually commute to LA. It’s only like half an hour or so though, it depends on the traffic. I couldn’t be picky, since it was my cousin’s job that got the place for him. I’ve accepted it, plus being forced to drive is helping me with that car fear I’ve had since the accident. Oh, rush events are interesting. Have you decided on your major yet or are you still mulling with your options? Aw, usually I only accept invitations like this with a few flowers, but I guess for you I’ll make an exception. Oh no, if it were an actual date we wouldn’t be out for fifteen minutes, and it would involve some sort of cheesy Disney song. 

I've decided, my major would be architecture. Not sure about my minor yet. Yeah, we only had a few minutes' notice about this, no time to really make preparations or get flowers. Blame the RAs, not me. Once it's not Hans' song from Frozen, because that was a big cover-up. Come on, then. The house is only five minutes away. 

I was actually running up to a small store behind all of the frat houses and sorority houses. Did you join one?

No way. I mean, I've been approached by one but I don't know if I'm comfortable with the concept of hazing. I started classes this week, I think I picked the right field.

I hear it’s not for the faint hearted, but it can’t be nearly as bad as boot camp. Which one approached you? Oh, I’m here for work, and my, uh, girlfriend actually moved here. 

Well, it seems as though it's an effective event, seeing as everyone goes all out for it. Kappa Sigma did, but I don't know if I'd be rushing. The hazing doesn't sit too well with me. Your girlfriend? Well, that's great for you. Are you enjoying it so far?

"Oh, I see. I can’t say I’ve heard much about you…Raime didn’t mention you were coming to L.A. Have you seen her recently?"

"Really? I've been planning this since I got accepted to UCLA. Seen her recently? No, not since I left Deering. I told her that I might be back for Christmas though. I have to call or write her one of these days, find out what's going on on the other end of the country."

I was going to be offended, Nate. [She teased him lightly.] 

And her name was Fiona too, similar name even. Are you rushing a sorority, by chance? I know that this area is Greek row, and I have zero idea what I'm doing here.

People do it everywhere, it’s like speed dating…but way more awkward. It’s a nice place, the owner’s are great. Ah, well have you spoken to your roommate or are you going to meet him for the first time when he arrives? Orientation week, also known as the drink hard before you study week from what I remember. There will be lots of parties, Nate, and as a freshman you’re expected to go to at least one. Oh, your dad got a place out here too? That’s good. 

Not here, in Tempe. It's a town in Arizona, he's working there now. But he's only a six hour drive away from me, so I could visit him on long weekends. Yeah, I'm going to the Phi Gamma Beta rush event later. I'm not sure whether or not I'm going to rush, but I figured I'd go. Hey, I know this is awkward, but if you have about 15 minutes to spare, would you do this date dash thing with me? I promise, it's not like an actual date. And once you come back to the main house with me, you could leave whenever you want.

Is that what they make you do in fraternities? 

Not just fraternities, apparently. This is an icebreaker for the dorms. If this is what we do here, I don't know if I want to rush a frat. Although one has already approached me. What brings you to LA? Are you going to do your masters here?

"Wait, are you Nate?"

"Yes ma'am, that's me. Sorry if I confused you, I've just heard about you from your cousins. Nothing bad, just that you were abroad for a while."

"Oh, you didn’t scare me, or offend me, I didn’t think you were talking to me, is all…Uh, yeah? You know my cousins?"

"I dated Annabel and I am a close friend of Raime's. I wasn't too close to your siblings, though."