All Chapters of Gifted Shadows: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

So the racial makeup of Stanford wasn't exactly heavy with black students. I want to say it's mostly white with the next largest percentage being Asian and then maybe Latino. I didn't really see a whole lot of black kids, but apparently Fletch knew quite a few. We took a cab to a house party. My guard was immediately up, remembering to be cautious about my drinks. I felt like I could trust Fletch, but again, I really didn't know him. Hell, I didn’t even know his last name. We got out of the cab and he took my hand in his. It was pretty much twice the size of mine, but it was so warm. He led me into the house, saying hi to several people on the way to find the bar."What’ll you have sweetie?" That southern accent...damn hot. 

When I saw Fletch later that night, I told him about my conversation with Chris. He laughed and said, "why are you so nervous about me meeting them?" I said "I don't know it's not like they're my real parents ... but in a way they are. I mean I had a boyfriend in high school but everyone already knew him and nobody poked around and asked questions really." He came from behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, and nuzzled his face in my neck, making me melt. "Well really, meeting Chris and Mary is going to be a walk in the park compared to my real family. So yeah, I guess I don't know why I'm nervous about it." He laughed and said, "well I'm going to put off having you meet my family foreve

Tuesday was finally here and I was a nervous wreck. I was dressed in my most “adult” looking outfit, which Fletch said looked like a job interview suit so I was feeling pretty good. I had already emailed some of my latest work to the professor. I didn’t even notice I was shaking until Chris snatched my hand and held it in his. “Calm down Rae, he’s just a person like anyone else,” he said with a smile. “Yeah yeah sure, easy for you to say,” I whispered. The call started up and the Swedish translator was going on and on, I had no idea what they were saying. Suddenly, there he was, Dr. Karlsson, looking like Einstein. He basically was Einstein to me, and to so many. 

The weekend away was exactly what we both needed. I was sometimes so caught up in the grown-up business of school, of thinking already about my career, about how Fletch and I would manage if his NFL dreams came true. I forgot that we are both still horny college kids and we have to work out our urges. It was by far and away, the best weekend of my life. We walked on the beach, hand-in-hand and played in the water. We tried to build a sandcastle, but it was a big fail. We had a couple of really incredible meals when we could get out of the room long enough to eat. We basically humped like rabbits the entire weekend and it was unbelievable. I was absolutely addicted to him. I was addicted to the high I had with him, and the confidence he gave me. I have always had body issues and hated my size. But a

Fletcher went to see his mom later that evening. He was upset that the first time we met didn’t go so well. Fletch had spoken with his dad and they had already booked her a return flight for the next morning. They both felt nothing good would come of her staying any length of time and Fletch was embarrassed about how she acted, and knew she wouldn’t apologize.His dad talked to me a bit on the phone and it went infinitely better than with Bree. His dad seemed quite nice, and funny, I could tell Fletch got his swagger and romantic side from his dad. I went to meet up with Noora since she was leaving in a couple days. Dr. Karlsson, however, was staying through the end of the semester since apparently a “younger” science professor in her late 60’s caught his eye. As it tur