twice the size of our hometown, but probably had just as many college students as our hometown had total residents. Ben had decided that we’d relive some of our old days and get as many of our old group back together as possible for not only an all-nighter like we pulled off back home, but a full weekend of gaming. Believe it or not but the whole gang made it! Even those that were going to college elsewhere drove in simply because I was in town. They were a great group! Everyone of them straight as an arrow, but as comfortable around me as ever. It was really quite touching, and still is to this day.

Of course, being that they were all in college now, all of them either 19 or 20, I already expected to be asked to pick up the booze, but was pleasantly surprised that half of them showed up with a stash to share. If only I had been that resourceful back in high school! I got stuck getting the pizza, oh well.

The weekend was set. Seven guys, seven computers, a small library of RPG books, booze, limitless pizza, and a three care-free days. Despite this all taking place in my brother’s small, dingy, run-down apartment, it was going to be a weekend to remember.

As the weekend wore on from Friday night into Saturday, occasionally the guys started dropping off to sleep around 2:00-3:00 early Sunday morning. Eventually only me, Ben, and Hunter were still up. My brother muttered something about losing consciousness and meandered to the tiny bedroom. An audible flop followed by silence told us that he was asleep before he hit the pillow. Hunter and I looked at each other grinning at how even in a sleepy stupor my brother had the ability to be the center of attention. The two of us played some space shoot-em-up game for another 20-30 minutes before I spoke.

“I should probably get some sleep. I’ve got to drive back to the airport before my flight.”

“Probably a good idea. I think I’ll hit the hay too.” Hunter closed the laptop he had been playing on, leaning it against the wall.

We looked around the darkened room seeing huddled masses that were the rest of our clan asleep in various blankets and sleeping bags across the floor amongst the endless network cables and computer equipment strewn about the room.

“I call the couch.” I said quietly. I had been sitting on it with my own laptop while we had been gaming.

“Damn it.” Hunter’s disappointed look was faked, but he leaned over to one side and got comfortable on the floor where he had been sitting.

I tossed him a pillow from the couch. “Here, take this one.”

Hunter said something quietly as he caught the pillow, probably a ‘thank you’, and repositioned himself with his back facing me. I stretched out on the couch, getting comfortable myself. Soon I was asleep, fast asleep.

* * * * *

Ah, Hunter. I had always secretly had a little crush on him. He was certainly one of the closest friends to my brother. In fact, my brother had dated Hunter’s younger sister somewhat seriously back when they were seniors at our high school. Well, shortly, but still seriously. In any case, Hunter was the whole package. He was very intelligent and well spoken. He had short dark brown hair that he didn’t do much with, which I always thought was cute. What I