Pepe insisted on walking Vienna back to her dormitory, even though he lived in the other first-year building that was on the other side of the campus, the same one as Marshall, Rosalie, and Joshua. Vienna promised him she would be fine alone, but it was "too dark" and it "could be unsafe," so they walked side by side through the snow that had fallen earlier in the day.

"So where are you from?" asked Vienna, trying to break the ice. "Sorry but a name like Josep Maria Martí doesn't exactly scream English."

Pepe laughed, tilting his head towards the night sky. "How did you figure out my full name?"

Vienna's face warmed. "It was written on your notebook," she explained.

"Oh right," he said. "Well, it's Spanish. Catalan, actually. I go by Pepe because it's shorter. What about you? Are you named after the city?"

Vienna nodded. "I'm not sure. Neither of my parents have been there. I think they're just kind of weird like that."

"We all have our quirks," said Pepe with a shrug. "So is your middle name also a city? Like Budapest or something."

"No," giggled Vienna. "It's Máire, the Irish form of Mary."

"Máire, Maria. We match," noted Pepe, eliciting another laugh from the auburn-haired girl.

"Do you have any siblings at home?" she asked.

"Yeah, two older sisters. What about you?"

"A little brother," replied Vienna.

"What's his name? Rome?" joked Pepe.

"Damn, you really have it out for my family," said Vienna, but her tone was humorous. "He's got a normal name. William."

"So you got the short end of the stick," suggested Pepe.

"I don't think so. I like my name," said Vienna.

"So do I, it's pretty," said Pepe. He looked like he was about to say something else, but stopped himself.

"Thanks," Vienna said softly.

The two walked in silence for a few more paces. Pepe was much taller than Vienna, and every once in a while, he'd take a few steps that were too large, and he'd pause for a moment to let her catch up with him. It was starting to flurry again, so Vienna pulled her hood over her hair to shield it from the precipitation. Pepe removed a knit beanie with a familiar logo from his pocket and put it on.

"You're a Red Bull drinker?" asked Vienna, pointing to the logo on the hat.

Pepe turned his head to look at her with confusion. Realizing what she was referring to, he grinned. "Eh, not really. They sponsor me. Actually, I'm part of their junior team, so-"

His voice trailed off, but Vienna was curious. "Oh right, Rosalie said she thought you were an athlete."

"You know Rosalie?" asked Pepe. "She's dating my roommate."

"So Marshall is your roommate," confirmed Vienna. "He and Rosalie are two of my best friends."

"Really?" asked Pepe, looking genuinely surprised. "How have we never met before today? I love those two."

"You should hang out with us sometime," said Vienna. "Unless you're too busy with whatever sport you've been alluding to but won't tell me." Her tone made it clear she wanted him to give her more information.

"Oh, right. I'm a race car driver," said Pepe.

Vienna's eyes widened. "Like those go-kart things?"

Pepe chuckled. "Not anymore. Formula 2."

"Isn't Lewis Hamilton in that?" asked Vienna.

Pepe had to stop walking because he was laughing so hard, his body hunched over.

"What did I say?" asked Vienna, looking at him with concern.

Pepe looked up, his smile the widest Vienna had ever seen it. "You have a lot to learn, Vienna, oh my God. Hamilton's in F1. I'm in F2, which is right below that."

"So why are you here studying?" asked Vienna.

"Can't hurt to have a backup plan. I'm majoring in mechanical engineering, so I'm hoping to get to F1 either way. Preferably driving the car, but building them would be fun too. What are you studying?"

"Biology and veterinary science," said Vienna. "I grew up on a dairy farm and I've grown up with animals, so I want to be a livestock veterinarian."

"That's really cool," said Pepe. "Do you still have the farm?"

Vienna nodded. "It's a bit smaller than it used to be, we downsized after- actually, that's not important. But we still run it, even if it isn't as spectacular as it was when I was a kid."

"I've never been to a farm," said Pepe. He made a face. "Sorry, that was a really random thing to admit."

Vienna laughed. "Well, if we're admitting weird things that are surprisingly relevant to this conversation, I've never seen a Formula 1 race."

"Wow, I never would have guessed, Miss 'I thought Lewis Hamilton was an F2 driver,'" said Pepe sarcastically.

Vienna threw her hands up in exasperation. "Well I'm sorry that I'm uncultured," she said. "At least I know who he is."

"I guess," said Pepe. "Hey, Vienna?"

"Yeah?"

"Sorry if this is a bit personal, so you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but how did you meet your boyfriend?" he asked, his voice a little quieter than it had been before.

"We went to school together," said Vienna. "We were in the same homeroom during year 11. We've been together pretty much ever since. When we were applying for universities, it was only natural that we'd end up at the same place."

"That's really nice," said Pepe. "Long distance would probably be difficult."

"I would assume so," said Vienna. "But thankfully we've never gone more than two months without seeing each other. Are you dating anyone? Or are you too busy for that?"

Pepe sighed and pulled his hat lower over his ears. The wind was picking up, so Vienna tightened her coat around her body. "It's not that I'm too busy, it's just that I- well, I don't know how to explain it."

"Well if you're looking for someone, my roommate Ivory's single," suggested Vienna. "She's the blonde girl from physics, the one who sits next to me. She's absolutely lovely. I think you'd like her."

"You think?" asked Pepe.

"I mean, maybe. I'm not known for my matchmaking skills," said Vienna. "But you should sit with us at dinner tomorrow, you can officially meet her there. It'll be fun."

"I might take you up on that offer," said Pepe. "I still don't know too many people on campus."

Vienna grinned. "Great! I'll let you know the time once I talk to everyone else."

The two had finally reached Vienna's dormitory. They stood huddled under the door frame to finish their conversation, out of the storm still swirling around them.

"I'll see you at dinner then?" asked Pepe.

She nodded. Pepe turned to go, but Vienna stopped him, reaching out to grab the sleeve of his jacket. "Wait, you never told me where you were from."

"Barcelona," he said. "What about you?"

"Tipperary," said Vienna. She smiled upon seeing Pepe's look of confusion. "It's in Ireland."

Pepe nodded in acknowledgment. "That explains the funky accent."

Vienna scoffed. "My accent is not funky," she complained.

"I'm just messing with you, Vienna," said Pepe. "I should go before the storm gets too bad. Have a good night."

"Thanks, you too," said Vienna.

"Oh and could you text me when you get back to your room? I know you'll be fine, but it would make me feel better if I knew you made it back alright."

Vienna laughed. "I think I'll be fine walking up two flights of stairs, but if it makes you feel better, I will text you."

"Perfect," said Pepe. "Good night, Vienna."

"Good night, Pepe."

Vienna smiled to herself as she scanned her ID to let her into the building. As she waved to the security guard at the desk, she couldn't help but think of Joshua. He almost never walked her back to her dormitory, even if it was late at night. Vienna knew she was fine going alone, but it had been nice to converse with Pepe, and she felt comfortable in his presence. Next time she went out with Joshua, she figured she could ask him if he could walk her all the way to her dorm, not just the fountain in the center of campus. In fact, she should probably text him to let him know she was heading back to her room for the night, even if he was being a bit of a prick with his overprotectiveness when it came to her study habits.

...

an: they're so dear to me. also, new cover? i'm not sure if i like it but oh well. -willow <3