One Night-Prologue

A warm summer breeze engulfed the nation's capital, while the night sky blanketed everything and everyone in it. Two young college students stepped out at the Federal Triangle metro station. They were there for a conference and were unable to take in the sights during the day. So taking the opportunity of freedom, they took on the night. Neither one wanted to sit around their hotel room, while their roommate played on her computer and then went to bed. It was ten at night and neither felt it was late enough to go to bed. 1

On the other side of the street, right behind the Washington Monument, two other college students stepped out of the Smithsonian metro station. They were in town for different reasons, but they had the same problem, they had no time in the day to sightsee. Both were engineer majors and had been sent to D.C. to work on a project. 2

Michelle and Nicky wandered through the Korean War Memorial, taking in the feel of it. At night, both agreed, that it had more feeling, with the lights shining on the faces of the frozen men, one couldn't help but stop and look. It was breathtaking. 3

Kyle and Scott stood outside of the memorial, scratching and turning their heads, searching for the Jefferson Memorial. 4

"I swear I saw it as we were leaving Lincoln." Kyle proclaimed as he tried to see through the patch of trees blocking the view of the Potomac.5

"Not calling you a liar, but, dude, I don't see it."6

"Maybe if we just keep walking...." Kyle tried. 7

"Or we could ask someone." Scott suggested, his eyes settled on two girls heading their way.8

"Dude, directions? Come on, this is our manhood we're talking about."9

"Exactly." Scott said with a grin. Kyle followed his friend's gaze.10

"Oh." he replied in realization.11

Michelle was about to mention something about going over to the Jefferson Memorial when two guys came their way. She instantly took a liking to the taller one. His light brown curly hair and what she thought to be blue eyes, just took her in.12

"Do you guys know how to get to the Jefferson Memorial?" Kyle asked, directing the question at both of them. He was taking a liking to the tall blond girl, though, the other girl answered.13

"It's across the Potomac, you have to go around, I think." she answered with a smile. It was a nice smile Scott thought.14

"You sure it's there, we thought we saw it, but then it disappeared." she laughed15

"Yeah, it's there. We saw it too."16

"Yep, we were thinking about going over to it." Michelle told them.17

"Cool. Hey you want to walk together and hopefully not get lost?" Kyle asked, a bit hopeful.18

Nicky didn't reply, mostly because even though she liked the idea, she wasn't sure about going with these two guys whom they just met, and didn't even know the names of. Michelle didn't seem to mind though, she told them yes.19

"I'm Scott by the way." he said, reaching out this hand to Nicky first.20

"Nicky."21

From there the group of four started walking. It wasn't long before Nicky had to laugh at the boys.22

"See, there it is, I told you." Kyle said to Scott as they walked through a tiny grove of trees to get to the side of the river.23

"Dang, you really weren't joking." Michelle and Nicky were looking at them, slightly confused.24

"Lightening bugs, don't have those in Arizona." Kyle explained. After introductions they'd told the girls where they were from and visa versa. Both boys went to University of Arizona, while the girls went to Kent State University in Ohio.25

"You missed out." Nicky commented with a grin.26

The river soon came to their side and for a while the four of them walked side by side. First Kyle and Scott on one side and then Scott on one side, Kyle on the other side of the girls. Kyle said he was protecting the girls from any possible muggers. Nicky who wasn't one for the over protectiveness only rolled her eyes and chuckled. Then, and Nicky wasn't sure when it happened, they split off. Scott and her walked in front, taking the lead and Kyle and Michelle walked close behind them. It was sort of right for Nicky to be in the lead as she had a better idea of how to get around the city, but at the same time she was only guessing on out to get there. She enjoyed talking with Scott, he made her laugh and he was comfortable. She could tease him and he could tease her, neither one minding. 27

"So what are you two majoring in?" Scott ask they walked.28

"Business." Michelle told them29

"Justice Studies." Nicky replied.30

"So I get in trouble, you'll help me out?" Scott questioned grinning.31

"Sure, why not?" she answered with a chuckle.32

They continued on, after much complaining from the boys about never making it to the Jefferson Memorial and threatening to swim across the Potomac to it and after much rolling of the eyes and laughter from the girls, they finally made it. Pictures were taken, few of which were actually good. 33

Nicky’s camera held two blurry pictures of her and Michelle, both taken by Scott who claimed he was a phenomenal photographer, Nicky wasn’t so sure. 34

It was time to go, all four knew it. The guys led them in the way, they assumed was their metro station. It took them awhile to find it and when they did it was closed. Michelle couldn’t get a hold of the busses, so they all made a final decision to get a cab. Within minutes the cab pulled up to the girls’ hotel. They said goodnight and then just as they were walking away, Scott called to Nicky. 35

“I’m holding you on that legal help later on.” He said with a grin. 36

“I’ll be there, just don’t need it.” She jabbed.37

“Yeah, we’ll see.” She only chuckled. 38

“Night, Scott, night Kyle.” The cab pulled out from the hotel. Both girls were sure they’d never see either of the boys again. 39