One fine day

A few weeks after you took Dawn to the book store your baby sister came home from college. Grinning broadly at you as she put her bag down, she sat down next to you on the couch.

"What?" you asked. "You get a good grade or something?"

"Rachel asked after you" your baby sister said.

"Yeah? Good for her" you said, smirking.

"Shut up" Dawn said, that grin still on her face. "She asked if you're single."

"What did you tell her?" you asked.

"That you are, of course. I doubt you even remember what what's-her-face looks like. See? I don't even remember her name" Dawn told you.

"You know her name is Alison, Dawn" you said, frowning. "You know that she was my girlfriend as well as my best friend."

"I'm playing, you dummy" Dawn told you, giggling. "But wouldn't you rather get someone with a little bit more...spunk?"

"How is Alison not spunky?" you asked.

"John, your relationship with her is over. Why are you still defending her?" Dawn wanted to know.

"Look, nothing happened between us. You know that" you replied.

"Yeah, but you should move on" Dawn said.

"I know just the way, too" she added.

"Let me guess. You want to hook me up with Rachel?" you asked.

"I wouldn't mind" Dawn said with a grin. "In fact, there's a good opportunity coming up at the end of the month. There'll be a mixer for everybody. That includes alumni. You know, like you."

"You are the worst" you said.

"Just because I want you to be happy?" Dawn teased.

"You try to hook me up with pretty much everyone you like" you told your baby sister.

"Why shouldn't I? Do you want me to hook you up with people I hate? Because that's one way to never see me again. Imagine if I hated your wife" Dawn said.

"I think me liking her is more important" you replied, laughing.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll sign you up" your sister told you.

"Hey Leah" you said as you saw your ex-classmate.

"Hey, hot stuff" she said with a smile, hugging you.

"Good to see you again" you told her, looking her over. "Still a little cocktease, I see."

"Actually, I'm engaged now" Leah told you. "So not on purpose."

"Congrats" you said, a little disappointed.

"You're sad to hear that, huh?" she asked.

"A little" you admitted. "I thought..."

"What? That I'd wait for you to get over that blonde you used to pork so that I could take over for her? I did, for a while. But you took too long, sorry" Leah said, though not unkindly.

"Nah, it's fine" you said, not letting on it kind of stung. "I'm happy for you. Is mister Lucky around?"

"Not a student or alumnus, so nope" Leah said. "But we can dance."

"Hi John" you heard a voice say, interrupting your answer to Leah. You turned around and saw Rachel standing there, all smiles.

"Oh, hey Rachel" you told her.

"Who's this, John?" Leah asked.

"One of Dawn's classmates" you said. "Leah, meet Rachel. Rachel, meet Leah." The two said hi and shook hands. Grinning at you when Rachel couldn't see her face, Leah winked at you.

"I'm going to see if I can find Jill, so you guys have fun. I'll see you around. Nice meeting you, Rachel" Leah said. After saying bye to Leah, the young woman turned to you.

"Hi" she said with a big smile.

"Hi again" you said. "You having fun?"

"I am now" Rachel said with a grin.

"Dawn put you up to this, didn't see?" you asked.

"Hey, you're single, I'm single, she figured she'd try to make us both happy" she replied.

"I suppose so" you said with a shrug. "So, how are you liking sociology?"

"Oh, it's awesome. It's just what I thought it'd be. Of course, hanging out with your baby sister helps" Rachel told you.

"Yeah, she is great" you agreed with a smile.

"You bet. She's so smart and happy all the time, it's great" Rachel said. She looked you in the eyes and smiled. "But what about you? You're polite, sure, but are you smart and happy?" she asked.

"Given how I'm an alumnus of this place, I'd say the first one is answered" you told her.

"I dunno! You might have seduced your professors" Rachel told you.

"Even the male ones?" you asked.

"I don't judge" the young woman said with a grin before sipping from the drink in her hand.

You smirked and nodded.

"How progressive of you" you told her.

"What can I say? My country's not like they say in the news" Rachel said.

"What country might that be?" you asked, curious now.

"Guess" Rachel said, smiling, a twinkle in her eyes.

"Based on the name it could be anywhere, but I think you're from Israel" you said.

"Ding ding ding, well done" the young woman said with a grin. "Now don't go telling me you have an opinion on that."

"I don't particularly care either way because it's none of my business. I've never been so I can't make a call on it" you told her. Rachel came forward and hugged you very unexpectedly. "What was that for?" you asked.

"For not judging" Rachel said. "Thank you."

"Thanks..?" you said, confused but not entirely ungrateful for the hug. "That's some upper arm strength you got, by the way."

"You like?" Rachel asked, grinning. "Military service is mandatory back home" she said, "plus I did a lot of boxing and Krav Maga."

"Huh. So you'd kick my ass, huh?" you asked.

"Probably" Rachel confirmed. "Don't worry, though. You're good in my book, so far" she added.