A Semester Abroad- Part 2

A Semester Abroad- Part 2
by RogerGirl

  Sasha walked into her first class carrying her notebook and her laptop bag.  She was wearing a t-shirt with the university's mascot on it, a pair of flared jeans, and a pair of white Keds.  This being her first day, she didn't want to dress too over the top and draw too much attention to herself.  She looked around the crowded lecture hall for a seat that wasn't next to too many guys and found an open seat next to a girl wearing shorts and a tank top.  She made her way over to the girl and asked her if the seat next to her was being saved.

"No," the girl said moving her bag, "it's all yours."

"Thanks," Sasha said as she sat down, "Today is my first day here.  I'm doing a semester abroad."

  The girl asked her where she was from and what she was taking.  They discovered they had the same discussion group for this class and she told Sasha she would be glad to show her around campus if she had trouble finding anything.  The professor entered the room and they stopped talking.  After class, Sasha walked with the girl to their discussion period.

"My name's Katie," the girl said as they walked.

"Nice to meet you," Sasha said, "I'm Sasha.'

"How do you like L.A. so far?" Katie asked.

"It's nice," Sasha answered, "I haven't had a chance to go out much yet though.  I only got here this weekend."

"Well," Katie said, "remind me to show you some of the local spots sometime."

"Thanks," Sasha said as they walked into their class.

  They sat down with the other students in their group and chatted while they waited for the T.A. to arrive.  Sasha found Katie very attractive, but unless Katie was a lesbian, she thought it was best to just be her friend and not blow her cover.  The T.A. entered and began passing around some introductory materials.  

"Hey everyone," he said as he passed around some index cards, "I'm Mark.  I'll be your T.A. for the semester.  Before we get started, let's go around the room and get to know each other.  I also want you each to put up a small card with your name on it to make things easier the first couple sessions.  It usually takes me a couple weeks to get to know everyone's names.  I guess I'll start.  I'm Mark, I'm a grad student, I'm from Fresno, and I recently got married."

  The students took turns telling each other their names, major, hometown, and an interesting fact about themselves.  When it was Katie's turn, she told the group that she was in a sorority and on the dance team.  Sasha was next and told the group that she was part of the semester abroad program and that she played volleyball.  Both of these were true since Sasha didn't want to make up too many fake things about herself.  After everyone had gone, Mark gave an overview of the course and took any questions the students had.  After they had gone over everything he let them go early.

"Want to get some lunch?" Katie asked as they left the room, "This will be your first introduction to some of our favorite off campus spots."

"OK," Sasha said knowing her next class wasn't for a few hours.

  Katie called one of her friends and they walked to a small sub shop in the village off campus.  Inside, Katie's friends waved her over and introduced them all to Sasha.

"These are the girls from the dance team," Katie said, "Most of us are in the same sorority together and really good friends."

  The girls introduced themselves to Sasha and Sasha told them about the semester abroad program she was doing.  The girls told Sasha their favorite sandwich and Sasha decided to try it.  

"Hi," Sasha said to the guy at the counter, "I'll take a small #6 please."

  The guy at the counter made her sandwich and she paid for it.  She sat down with the other girls and noticed the guy at the counter checking them all out.  While Sasha would normally be checking out these girls too, right now she was thinking of herself as one of the girls and tried not to stare at any of them.  

"So do you have a boyfriend back home?" a girl named Becca asked.

"No," Sasha replied trying not to blow her cover, but deciding it was too soon to pretend Cameron was her boyfriend, "I've been too busy with school to date."

"Well," Katie said, "in that case you should come to our sorority party on Thursday.  There will be lots of hot, single fraternity boys there.  Even some athletes."

"I'll think about it," Sasha said not wanting to turn them down, but not yet ready to go to a college party, "I'm still getting used to all the changes.  Maybe next time."

"OK," a girl named Tara said, "we'll add you on Facebook so we can send you an invite."

"Oh, I don't have a Facebook," Sasha said.  

"Don't worry," Katie said, "we'll help you make one."

  She took out her laptop and had her enter her information.  Once she had entered her information, Katie took a picture of her with the laptop camera.  She gave the laptop back to Sasha and had her fill in some hobbies and interests.  The other girls took out their smart phones and sent Sasha friend requests, which Sasha quickly accepted.  Sasha was a little surprised at how friendly these girls were and wondered if all girls in California were like this.  She would eventually realize, however, that this was just a friendly, outgoing group of girls and that not every girl was as friendly.  

  After lunch, the girls headed back to campus and went off to their classes.  Sasha didn't have Katie in her next class, so she walked alone hoping she would make a friend in the seminar course that was as nice as Katie.  She entered the class and found there were mostly guys.  The only other girl in the room was sitting at an end seat next to a guy, who Sasha would later find out was her boyfriend.  Sasha sat down at the other end seat next to a guy who smiled at her as she sat down.

"Hi, I'm Jeff," he said as she took out her notebook.

"I'm Sasha," she said not wanting to come off as rude.

"That's a nice accent," Jeff said, "Where are you from?"

"Thanks," Sasha replied but not wanting to give him too much information about herself, "I'm from Europe."

  Luckily for her, the professor came in before Jeff could ask her more questions.  She introduced herself to the students and like the T.A. asked everyone to introduce themselves.  Once they were finished, the professor began going over the course and led the group in a discussion to get them started on some of the topics they would be covering in the course.  As the class went on, Sasha noticed Jeff was very smart and brought up many interesting points.  Soon the class was almost over and the professor asked everyone to find a study partner for the rest of the semester.  Not knowing anyone else in the course and finding Jeff to be the most knowledgeable student in the course, she agreed to be his partner and added him on her Facebook.  

  After class, Sasha tried to leave quickly to avoid Jeff.  While Jeff was very smart, he was still a guy and made no effort to hide his attraction to her.  Throughout class, Sasha constantly noticed him checking her out.  While she knew she'd have to study with him, she would try her best to limit their study time to the library or some other public place.  Since it was her last class of the day, she stopped at the bookstore to buy her books then took the bus to Susan's apartment.  Susan had agreed to let her use her apartment to store all of her female clothing, shoes, and accessories to avoid any awkwardness when Susan and Cameron's parents returned from their business trips.  The apartment was pretty secluded so she didn't have to worry about any neighbors seeing her change genders.  She went to the apartment and changed back into her male self.  He grabbed his bike and rode to Susan and Cameron's family's house.  

"How was your first day?" Susan asked as he walked in carrying his bags.

"It was fine," Sasha said, "Some of the attention from the guys was a little awkward, but I met some cool girls."

"Cool," Susan said, "maybe tomorrow you can wear some shorts instead.  I won't force you to dress too sexy, but in this weather shorts are a lot more comfortable."

"Thanks," Sasha said, "I really don't want to show off my legs too much, but those jeans were pretty hot.  I felt like I was the only girl in long pants when I walked around campus."

  Sasha took his stuff upstairs and took a shower.  When he went back downstairs he showed Susan his new Facebook and his new friends.  Susan sent him a friend request and Sasha discovered that Susan was friends with some of the girls he had met today.

"I was on the dance team too when I was there," Susan said, "You're lucky you met Katie, she's a cool girl.  Just don't let your male side come out when you're around them."

"Yeah," Sasha said, "she's pretty hot, but I was able to hold back.  I didn't want to blow my cover the first day.  Besides, they were all very nice to me."

"Oh, by the way," Susan said taking out a box, "we got you a smart phone."

"Thanks," Sasha said, "I admit I felt a little weird being one of the only people without a cell phone.  I wouldn't want to spend the rest of the semester as the girl in jeans with no phone."

  They both laughed and Susan gave him some more tips on being a girl.  Soon they heard Cameron coming in with his parents.  They came over to Sasha and told them how glad they were to welcome him into their home.  

"I'm sorry that we won't be around very often," Mr. Collins said, "Our jobs keep us away from the house most of the year.  If you need anything though, don't be afraid to call or ask Susan or Cameron.  We want you to feel welcome while you are here."

"Thanks," Sasha said, "everyone has been very nice.  Thank you again.'

  They all went upstairs and changed to go out to dinner.  Mr. and Mrs. Collins took everyone to a nice restaurant for a steak and lobster dinner.  They spent the evening asking Sasha questions and sharing their experiences traveling through Europe.  After dinner they returned home and went to bed.  Sasha woke up early the next morning to drive to Susan's apartment and change into his female stuff.  This time he put on a pair of short denim shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of flip flops.  While the shorts were cooler, he decided a t-shirt would attract less attention than a tank top.  Now a girl again, she checked her makeup and headed toward campus.