Goléta, Friday, October 1, 2021; 10:00 AM

Knock knock… The soft sound on the door made the receptionist stop his work. The man sitting behind the desk glanced up distractedly at the visitor and then straightened up.

— Good morning, sir, said the young girl. Excuse me, I’m here for some information.

— Good morning, how can I help you? The man was in his forties, with a stern gaze and a bald head that was no longer concealed.

— I would like to know if the results for the file review are available. The man stared at the new student for a few seconds and then began rummaging through a pile of documents on his desk.

— Name and surname, the man said in a mechanical voice.

— Ossey. Ossey Angela. He suddenly looked up again and resumed eyeing her as though she were a rare specimen. And here we go again, Angela thought.

— Ossey, like OSSEY CORPORATION? the man asked.

— Yes…

— I see. He returned his attention to the stack of papers.

— Angela Ossey, he said after a moment.

— Yes. — You’ve been admitted as a paying student.

— Okay, she replied simply.

Angela was surprised that he didn’t show more interest in her. Usually, people would start asking about her father. How were his businesses? How did he become one of the richest men on the continent and the wealthiest in the country? Most of the time, she answered bluntly that she didn’t know and wasn’t interested in her father’s business. People were always disappointed and left her alone. But the man behind the desk had acted differently. This wasn’t something that happened every day. Angela thought that he was probably not the type to talk too much. That suited her just fine.

— Come by tomorrow for pre-registration, said the receptionist. Here’s what you’ll need.

He handed her a small piece of paper with a list of the documents required for her pre-registration.

— Welcome to UST. — Thank you, sir.

Angela left the room, relieved. Since Will had told her he had submitted her documents, she had feared she wouldn’t be accepted. Fortunately, it was more fear than anything else. The knot in her stomach that had been there when she entered the room had now disappeared. She was smiling. She looked around and was immediately charmed by the decor.

The first administration office of UST was right at the entrance of the campus. Two others were located further along, on the east and west wings. Since she had been too stressed about the results, Angela hadn’t had time to take in the place. The campus was very clean and beautiful. Coconut trees lined a large paved walkway that cut through the campus. There were students in the courtyard and others in a small green space to her right. Angela thought that it was probably a relaxation and entertainment area.

The administrative buildings and dormitories stretched out across several square meters in front of her. The place seemed as large as a neighborhood. Would she have time to visit it all? She noticed trash bins at every corner of the campus, which explained why everything was so clean inside. Angela wondered how such a beautiful place with such a high level of excellence could be located in a town as remote as Goléta. She was absorbed by everything she saw. So this was the campus, she thought?

It’s true that she could have just continued her studies in America as her father had wanted, but right now, she was rather pleased with what she saw. She would thank William later when she saw him. Her brother had driven her here himself to inquire about the file review results. Since their last conversation, Angela had noticed that something had changed within her. Something she couldn’t quite explain in words. In fact, she was now certain that the prayer William had said for her had had an effect.

For nearly a week, she seemed to radiate good humor and joy. It had been two days since she had cried or felt sad. Yesterday at dinner, she had been the one to spark all the conversation. Naturally, it had been focused on the university Angela was about to start. After researching the school online, she had been impressed by the setting shown in the photos. But she hadn’t imagined that seeing it in real life would be even better.

It was 10:00 AM, and the sky was covered with metallic gray clouds. The perfect weather for a walk. A cool, light breeze blew across the campus. Angela’s phone rang. She picked it up on the first ring.

— Are you done? It was her brother, William.

— Uh… no, she replied. I was thinking of taking a look around the place.

— Today? No, we have a lot to do, Angie. Come on, you can do that another time. What did they tell you inside?

— He said I was accepted as a paying student.

— Okay, that’s great. Come on, let’s go before it starts raining.

— Did you know that the tuition for this school costs 2.5 million a year? Angela asked.

— That much? William said, pretending to be surprised. Well, let’s just say Dad will be happy to spend his money, he added humorously. Angela silently laughed.

— If you say so. Alright, I’m coming. Anyway, I need to be here tomorrow for pre-registration.

— Alright.

Angela hung up and reluctantly headed toward the exit. Before leaving the campus, she took one last look around and whispered, “Wow. Still…”

***

James and Jerry Dimaro were sitting in the garden of UST at the entrance of the university. Earlier, they had walked around the campus searching for Ahmed, a friend of Jerry’s, who was supposed to return some computer logic books he had borrowed a few days ago. After meeting him in the computer lab, Jerry had suggested they head home, but James had opposed. He convinced his brother to stay with him while he dealt with “certain problems.”

In reality, James wanted to chase, as he liked to say. The pre-registration period, when the campus was busiest, was the perfect opportunity for a Casanova like him to make a new victim. The Dimaro brothers had settled in the green space provided by the UST administration to allow visitors to rest at the entrance of the campus, so they wouldn’t have to walk long distances to find shade inside.

Another identical space was built near the university restaurant. A third was near the soccer field. UST had at least five such spaces, not to mention a basketball and volleyball court. The university had invested a lot of money in creating entertainment areas on campus.

A cool breeze was blowing through the UST courtyard that Friday morning. Jerry Dimaro was attentively reading a manga on his phone, and James was lazily scanning the courtyard while enjoying a ham sandwich he had bought at the entrance of the second gate. The two brothers had spent a somewhat boring week. Indeed, everyone at the university was captivated by the results of the file reviews, which should be out soon. As a result, activities on campus had slowed down considerably.

James and Jerry had already started their third-year classes, but nothing particularly serious was happening yet. It felt like they were still on vacation. James hated inactivity. He felt like he was going to go completely crazy when he didn’t do anything concrete or fun with his time. He finished his sandwich and gave his brother a disdainful look.

— I can’t believe you’re reading the scan of Attack on Titan, man. Seriously? The scan, man. The scan! You’d spoil all the suspense and emotions of the anime? As an anime fan, I’m ashamed to be your brother.

Jerry ignored the provocation. He had no desire to engage in this debate this morning. He simply asked without looking up from his phone.

— Can you remind me why we’re forced to hang out in the garden on a day like this?

— I’ve already told you, man. Today is the day when the new recruits come to inquire about the campus. If I want to find love like you’ve always suggested, I think I should look among the new ones. Don’t you think?

— No…

— Don’t be an obstacle to your own brother’s happiness, man. Just finish your manga, and tell me the rest at home. As for me, I’ll try to find us two nice little girls. Aren’t you tired of eating at the cafeteria every night? They could come cook for us often. Think of the good life, bro.

— You’re crazy. You know that?

— Yeah, you tell me that often… Oh shit! Who’s that?

— Who?

Jerry followed his brother’s gaze and saw what had caught his attention. Or rather, who had caught his attention.

— Who is she? Jerry asked.

— I don’t know, replied James. But I think I’m in love!

Jerry looked at him, shocked.

— What? James said, I have a heart too. Damn, look, he continued. Have you ever seen such a beautiful specimen?

— You do know you’re talking about a person, right? You don’t even know her, and you’re already in love?

— I’m in love, bro. That’s all I know…

Jerry looked at the girl walking toward the exit and thought that his brother wasn’t entirely wrong about this. She was very pretty. There was something pure and authentic about her beauty. She was the type of girl who didn’t need to try to look beautiful. She wasn’t just pretty. It was as if she embodied so much more. Her luxuriously curly hair fell over her delicate shoulders. She wore a pink floral dress that reached just above her knees and pretty heeled sandals.

— This girl is not meant for you, Jerry said, watching his brother obsessed with Angela.

— In that case, let’s hope I’m meant for her, James replied.

Before Jerry could retort, James jumped to his feet and headed toward the exit. He caught up with the girl just before she left the campus. As he approached her, he immediately noticed that she had the air of a rich kid. She exuded luxury in her simplicity. He knew the type.

— Hello, beautiful young lady, he said, flashing his usual Casanova smile.

Angela turned around and her gaze fell on a boy with a charming smile. She wondered what he could possibly want from her. He was probably an older student.

— Hello, she replied. Excuse me… I’m in a bit of a hurry…

— You’re new here, I see? James asked right away.

— Yes, replied Angela. I’m here for some information.

— And did you get the information you needed?

— Yes, I’m fine, thank you.

— Forgive my intrusion, dear, James continued, I’m the Secretary-General of the Student Office. It’s my duty to check in with newcomers, or in your case, a new female student. We’re conducting a survey to see if students were satisfied with the campus reception service.

— I understand, Angela said. That’s great. I am new indeed. But I can’t spare you much time this morning. The reception wasn’t too bad, although I wasn’t served any fruit juice. I’m expected outside, and I really need to go. If you don’t mind, we can meet tomorrow. I’ll come back to finish my registration. And I plan to take a small tour of the campus. If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind being my guide…?

There’s no doubt, she’s a rich kid, James thought. Here she is asking her elder to be her guide. He had to hold back from bursting into laughter. Only daddy’s girls think like that. Anyway, he didn’t mind at all. In fact, it suited him just fine.

— But of course, dear, he said. Could I have your phone number just in case we don’t meet in the morning?

Angela hesitated. Even though he seemed trustworthy, she didn’t know him.

— Why don’t you give me yours instead, she said. That way, I can call you when I’m done with my registration.

Ah, James groaned inwardly. We’re dealing with a sly one here. Just looking at her, you can tell she’s the type who thinks she knows everything. The hunt will be even more interesting.

— Okay, he replied. He gave her his number, and Angela saved it.

— What name should I put?

— James, like James Franco.

Angela smiled and shook her head. What a character, this James.

— And you? she asked.

— My name is Angela.

He whistled.

— It couldn’t have been a better match, he said. You’re definitely angelic.

If Angela had paler skin, her cheeks might have turned red. The young girl, a bit embarrassed, only managed a shy smile.

— Thank you. I have to go, she said.

— Yes, of course… Text me. I’m on WhatsApp.

— I’m not promising anything.

— I know.

— Alright, bye.

— Bye…

Angela walked away, and James watched her leave. She still walked as gracefully as ever, but her stride carried a strong personality. She crossed the road, and James saw her talking to a man who was waiting for her outside, leaning against the door of a Lexus LX that looked like it had just come from the dealership. He whistled again, almost silently. Not just anyone.

— Who is that? Jerry asked, arriving beside him.

— She said her name is Angela, James replied absentmindedly. Angela…

— Is she the one who got you all worked up, or have you finally realized how useless your existence is?

— I don’t know…

— What did you talk about?

— Not much. I put on the charm, but not like usual. This time, there was something special… Do you believe in love at first sight?

— No…

— Of course not! I thought you were a romantic. Anyway, I think she was charmed, and we’ve planned to meet again tomorrow. I gave her my number.

— Do you think she’ll call?

— No, not sure. She’s the type who doesn’t open up easily. But I’ll make it my personal mission. Plus, I’m in the student office. If she really wants to continue her studies here, I’ll have her contact in no time.

— Meh… So, can we go home now?

James nodded.

— Yeah, I think with a gem like her, I don’t need to hunt anymore. Let’s go…

This text is an excerpt from the book “SENTINELS: FIRST WATCH” written by Charles SANDAH.

We invite you to read the following article: “THE BLACK MAGE.”

THE GIRL AND THE TWINS. THE GIRL AND THE TWINS. THE GIRL AND THE TWINS.

THE GIRL AND THE TWINS. THE GIRL AND THE TWINS. THE GIRL AND THE TWINS.