Upper Classman Energy

The sun is just beginning to filter through the autumn leaves, casting a golden hue over the campus. It's been a few days since I met Amy. Now, it’s a quiet Saturday morning, the usual weekday bustle replaced by the calm serenity of the weekend. I’m just arriving at the campus coffee shop, desperate for a latte. Time to start the day!

As I navigate through the coffee-scented air, my eyes sweep across the shop in search of an open seat. Suddenly, they halt, catching sight of someone I recognize. Someone who sends a spark of excitement coursing through me. It's Amy, nestled in a quiet corner, her attention fully absorbed by a well-loved paperback. Her beautiful blonde hair cascades around her face, a content expression on her face. There's an aura of tranquility about her that somehow makes the world feel a little quieter.

A thrill of anticipation surges in me, and a smile begins to play on my lips. I'd been quietly hoping for a chance to run into her again after rescuing her from jock-boy a few days ago. And here she is, like the answer to a question I hadn't realized I'd asked.

Emboldened by my excitement (not that I need it), I decide to seize the moment. I set my face in a serious expression, and walk over to her with a confident stride.

"Excuse me, ma'am, do you have a moment to discuss an urgent squirrel-related emergency?" I ask, trying to keep a straight face.

Amy startles, her eyes wide as she looks up at me. The book slips from her hands, landing with a soft thud on the table. For a moment, she just stares at me, completely taken aback. I can't help but laugh, the sound echoing around the quiet coffee shop.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist," I apologize, trying to stifle my chuckles. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Slowly, recognition dawns on Amy's face and she begins to laugh too, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Jo, you nearly gave me a heart attack," she says.

I slide into the chair next to her. "I'll make it up to you, promise. Room for one more?" I ask, though I've already made myself comfortable.

"What are you up to, blondie?" I ask. That was a weird thing to say. Huh. I wonder why that came out.

Amy shrugs and reaches to cover up the book that's now lying closed on the table. She tries to hide the gesture subtly, and does a bad job.

"Just enjoying some quiet time, I guess." She looks nervous as she responds, for some reason. I’m not that scary!

I cock an eyebrow, a playful smirk on my face. "Want some company to ruin that quiet time?"

Amy smiles, nervousness very much still present, but cracking at least a little. She nods. "Yes, I think I wouldn't mind that."

"Great," I reply and push myself out of the chair. "I'll be right back. Need to get my caffeine fix. If you think I’m scary now, you don’t want to see me in caffeine-deprived mode."

I make sure to give her a good view of my butt as I head to the counter. What? I really can’t help myself…

As I get in line, I find my mind drifting back to how I felt when Amy and I met. There's something about her that's... different. Different from the girls I've known, but also different from the usual flurry of emotions I feel around hot guys. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's a feeling that's both strange and... surprisingly comfortable.

I shake my head, attempting to dispel the thoughts. This is stupid. The only thing I hate more than not getting what I want, is not knowing what I want. That’s like, my thing. Knowing what I want. Yet, around Amy, I find myself in unfamiliar territory. Other than the mini-identity crisis, it's not really a bad thing. In fact, it feels... intriguing.

Fuck it. I’ll go with the flow.

“What’ll you have?” It’s the barista.

“You know, I think I’ll just go with the flow.”

The barista stares at me with the most flat expression I’ve ever seen. Practically 2d.

“A latte, please.” I clarify.

She starts to pull an espresso shot. The rich, comforting scent of coffee fills the air, grounding me in the moment.

Once my order is ready, I thank the barista (who is not very good at going with the flow) and head back to our corner, the warm cup making my hands tingle. As I sit down across from Amy. I'm not sure where this is going, but I'm ready to find out.

"Soooo,” I say, drawing it out, “how's your first quarter of college going?" I ask, wrapping my hands around my warm cup. Amy seems to be hiding behind her coffee mug, using it as a shield from the world. Or maybe just from me. I’m learning that some people might feel I come on strong. How weird is that?

Amy peers at me over the rim of her mug, her eyebrows raised. She sets it down and stutters, "Actually, I'm a senior. So that makes this my… twelfth quarter. I took some summer quarters in there, I mean, not that I don’t get out in the summer, I just wanted to get more done." Her voice trails off as she finishes the sentence. She looks embarrassed.

I practically spit out my coffee. "What? You're a senior?"

Amy nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah? Why, what do you-"

"Wow, that's so cool!" I exclaim, leaning back in my chair. "You're the first upperclassman I've met. Ever!"

Amy ducks her head, evidently flustered by my enthusiasm, and maybe a little embarrassed that I’m kind of maybe a little bit yelling in the coffee shop. In any case, her reaction is adorable, really. I bet guys love this demure thing she’s got going on. I should take notes.

Oh, hold on. All of this is really starting to make sense. My weird reaction to her? Maybe it's the fact that she's a senior. That must be it! It's the Upper Classman Energy. UCE. I mean, it's got to be something like that, right? After all, I'm Jo. I don't get flustered over girls.

But as Amy lifts her head, her eyes meeting mine, there's a warmth in her gaze that makes my heart flutter. Yup. Powerful UCE. Simple explanations are usually right, it’s an Oxford’s Razor sort of thing.

"Oh, well, I guess it's not that cool," Amy says, her gaze dropping to her coffee as her cheeks grow even redder. "I'm just a bit older."

I laugh, shaking my head. "You're hot for an old lady," I joke, winking at her. Amy looks shocked for a moment, and then she bursts into laughter, her blush deepening.

For some reason, the sight of her laughing makes my heart feel lighter.

"So, what are you majoring in?" I ask, eager to keep the conversation going.

"Astrophysics," she answers, her voice soft.

Astrophysics. I blink, surprised.

"Wow, that's amazing!" I say, leaning forward. "So, have you ever seen a shooting star?"

Amy nods, smiling shyly. "Yeah, I even have my own telescope."

My eyes widen in surprise. "Really? Seriously cool. Can I see it sometime?"

She seems taken aback by my request, but she nods, her blush returning. "Sure, I guess."

I grin, pleased, and decide to change the topic. "So, as a seasoned upperclassman, you must know where all the cool parties are, right?"

Amy shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Parties aren't really my thing."

"Well, there's a costume party tonight," I say, hoping to persuade her. "You should come. We could go together."

Amy blushes again, but she shakes her head. "I appreciate the invite, Jo, but I think I'll pass."

"Alright," I reply, hiding my disappointment with a grin. "But you're missing out on the party of the year."

"So, what are you into, then?" I ask, gesturing towards the book she's been hiding since I sat down.

"Oh, it's nothing," Amy says, a bit too quickly. She tries to cover the book with her hands again, but I've already got it in my hands.

"Huh, Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. Oh, it’s fantasy! I've never read any fantasy before," I confess, trying to make her feel more comfortable. "But I've always wanted to."

This seems to pique her interest and Amy glances back at me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "Really? You should. It’s good."

"Yes, really," I say. “What’s so good about it?”

"So, 'Guards! Guards!' is actually part of a larger series called Discworld," Amy begins, her fingers tracing the cover of the book. "It's set in this fantasy world, and there’s lots of humor and stuff. The book is about the city watch in Ankh-Morpork, which is the main city in Discworld. The main character is a man named Sam Vimes, who's the captain of the city watch." Her eyes light up as she gets going, and for the first time, I’ve seen her really feel comfortable.

I stick my hands behind my head, lean back, and let her cook.

”So yeah, Vimes, He's cynical and world-weary, but he has a strong sense of justice. And he's surrounded by a cast of hilarious characters, like a six-foot-tall dwarf, and of course, a human who thinks he's a dwarf. There’s all sorts of intrigue, a summoned dragon, political commentary, total chaos.”

Suddenly, she trails off, biting her lip and looking down at the book in her hands. "Sorry," she mumbles, "I must sound ridiculous."

"No, not at all," I assure her, reaching across the table to touch her hand. "I think it sounds great. I didn't know fantasy could be like that. I always thought it was all chaste damsels and swords and stuff. So, it's a mix of fantasy, comedy, and political intrigue?" I say, my interest piqued.

"Exactly!" Amy exclaims. She looks relieved, like she was worried I was about to get up and leave. Her eyes light up again, her excitement palpable. "And that's the beauty of Pratchett's work. He uses humor and satire to tackle complex social and political issues. It's hilarious, but it also makes you think."

"Sounds like my kind of book," I say, genuinely impressed. I can see why Amy loves it — she's passionate, intelligent, and has a great sense of humor. Just like the book she loves so much. “Does it have revolutions? I love revolutions.”

“I mean, not really…” Amy says.

"Eh, who cares. I think I’ll read it!" I tell her, my eyes meeting hers.

Amy looks at me for a moment, and then she holds out her worn-out book. "Here," she says, "you can borrow my copy."

"But you're still reading it," I protest, glancing at the bookmark poking out from the middle of the book.

Amy laughs, a soft, sweet sound. "Oh, I've read it before," she admits, her cheeks flushing a light pink. "And I have another copy at home, a nice one. This is just my 'going out’ copy."

I can't help but laugh at that. "You're such a super nerd," I say, but I mean it in the best way possible.

Amy just smiles, clearly encouraged by my reaction. It's nice, seeing her so comfortable and open.

"You know," I say, leaning back in my chair, "it's cool that you like something so much. I wish I was passionate about something like that."

Amy looks surprised. "You’ve got to be into something," she says, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

I shrug, grinning at her. "Well, maybe sex," I say, watching as her cheeks turn a deep shade of red. Oh I’ve got her clocked.

As I take the book from Amy, an idea strikes me. "You know, I need to get your number," I tell her, "so I can make sure I can give the book back."

Amy pauses for a second, and then she quickly rattles off her number. I punch it into my phone, a strange feeling settling in my chest. Something important just happened, I'm sure of it, but I can't quite put my finger on what. UCE. Obviously.

"You get into anything else? I want to plumb your depths!" I ask, turning the conversation back to her.

Amy laughs at that and smiles at me. She hesitates for a moment, and then she seems to make a decision. It’s like, she didn’t trust me before, but now that I’m holding one of her books, I’ve passed a secret test. "I do some writing," she confesses.

"Woah! You’re so fucking cool! An astrophysicist and a writer? Really? What do you write?"

She looks down into her nearly empty coffee with a little embarrassed smile. “Well, I’m not an astrophysicist yet, and I haven’t published anything, so I’m not really either… but I write romance. Just for fun, for me. I haven’t really shared it with anyone”

I look at Amy, my eyes wide with excitement. "Seriously? Like, sexy romance?"

Amy blushes even deeper, but there's a hint of a smile on her lips. "Yeah," she murmurs, looking down at her hands.

"That's amazing," I tell her. I mean it, too. I’ve tried writing smut before, and it was just… hard to do it in a way that was sexy, and not just like, endless descriptions of cocks. Which, for the record, I am great at writing. I decide not to tell her this or her heart might explode. Blushing this frequently can’t be good for you.

I try a different tack."You have to send me some of it! I want to read it!"

Amy looks up at me, surprised. "Really?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t know, I mean it’s not done yet,"

"Come on, send it to me!" I say, unable to keep the grin off my face. "I bet it's awesome. It doesn’t have to be done or anything. I’ll give you feedback!"

Amy seems to hesitate for a moment, her eyes darting around the room as if she's looking for an escape route. But then, she takes a deep breath and nods, a small yet genuine smile appearing on her face. "Okay," she says. "I'll send you something."

I feel a rush of excitement. I've just met this girl, but I already know we're going to be good friends. I pump my fist, and she laughs.

"You know, you've given me a ton of homework now," I joke, raising an eyebrow at Amy.

"What?" she exclaims, looking genuinely surprised. "I did not! I mean if it’s too much you don’t have to-"

I laugh at her reaction, cutting it off.. "Don't worry, it's all fun homework, you goober. And isn't it the duty of upperclassmen like you to educate the new students?"

Amy can't help but laugh at that. "You really do have a unique perspective, Jo," she says, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Everyone always tells me that," I say, my smile beaming. "But when they do, they make it sound like an insult. You're different."

Amy looks at me, her gaze sincere. "It's a compliment, Jo," she says softly.

I feel my heart flutter at her words. Without thinking, I declare, "That absolutely makes us friends, then." I stand up and start to head out. I know to leave them wanting more Jo.

Might as well try my luck one final time. "Are you sure you don't want to come to the party?"

Amy shakes her head, confirming her decision to stay in. I shrug. "Your loss," I say, heading towards the door. "See you later, hot stuff."

Amy waves to me, her words barely audible over the noise of the coffee shop. "Bye, Jo," she says, a bright, adorable smile on her face that she's trying to suppress.

As I step out of the coffee shop, an unfamiliar yet pleasant feeling settles in my chest. I find myself humming a tune under my breath, the world seeming a bit brighter than it did before. I pull out my phone, dialing Laura's number.

"Hey, Laura," I say when she picks up. "Listen, I've got a surprise for you and your new boyfriend - the party of the century! Tonight! … No I’m not going to tell you what it is …"

I’m smiling as I hang up. Tonight is going to be fun, but I find myself already looking forward to when I get to see Amy again.

Time to go pick up some costumes for Laura and her beau.

≋ ≋ ≋

Waking up from a brief post-party hangover nap, I find the dorm room silent. Laura and her new boyfriend are gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I lay in bed, comfy in my pajamas, scrolling aimlessly through my phone when a new notification pops up. It's a message from Amy.

She's sent me her manuscript.

Excitement surges through me, a blush creeping onto my cheeks as I download the attachment. This is an intimate gift, a peek into Amy's mind and imagination, and I intend to savor it.

Ensuring my door is locked, privacy is paramount for what I'm about to do. I discard my pillows and reach into my bedside drawer, my fingers wrapping around my favorite toy. A shiver of anticipation runs down my spine as I turn it on, the soft hum a promise of what's to come. I set it to the side for now.

I take a moment to run my hands down the soft cotton of my pajama top, feeling the slight ridges of the fabric under my fingertips. My fingers move to the buttons, slowly undoing them one by one.

Slipping the top off, I let it fall gently to the floor, the fabric pooling around my feet. I catch my reflection in the mirror, my chest covered by the simple lace of my bra. Next, I reach for the elastic waistband of my pajama bottoms. I slide them down slowly, taking my time, feeling the fabric glide along my legs until they too join my top on the floor. My underwear follows suit, leaving me standing completely bare in the soft glow of my room.

I take a moment to admire my reflection, appreciating the curves and lines of my body. A soft smile graces my lips - I am comfortable in my own skin.

Time to get warmed up.

I arrange the pillows to support my back, and then I open Amy's manuscript on my phone, my other hand reaching for the toy I had set aside. "Jackpot," I whisper into the quiet room, my eyes gleaming with excitement as I open the file on my phone.

As I start to read, I let my mind and body fall into sync with the rhythm of Amy's words, each line a new pulse of excitement. The room fills with the quiet hum of my vibrator as I find some personal pleasure between Amy and I, even if we aren’t here together.