Sarah stood before the faculty of her dreams, the Faculty of Electronics Engineering, and pinched herself in excitement. It was Open House Day at Charnock Beadon University of Technology and Sarah Zacharia was here to hand in her application form. This had been her dream, to follow in her brother's footsteps. Petite and cute, several heads turned in her direction as she spritely ran up the steps and stopped short. Where was the office again? She wondered, fishing out her phone from her jeans pocket.

"Hia I am here, where is the faculty office?"

Somebody abruptly bumped into her and a hurricane of papers cascaded around her. She looked up at the tall and skinny girl frowning at her.

"I am so sorry!" she exclaimed as she hastened to pick up the papers for the other girl. After chasing down all the pages, she handed them over to the girl who was rudely staring at her.

"Sawasdee ka," muttered Sarah, "Those are all the papers, I think. My name is Sarah and I am here for the Open House."

"Sawasdee ka," replied the other. "My name is Gia. Next time watch where you are going."

Sarah turned red with embarrassment but did not point out that it was indeed Gia who had banged into her and not vice versa.

Sarah smiled apologetically. "Sorry P'.Could you point out the faculty office to me?"

"Take the first right from the staircase and then turn left," replied Gia brusquely before stalking off.

Sarah nodded to herself and turned right from the staircase but after she turned left, she was met with the door of the male washroom. Had P' Gia purposely led her wrong?

"Hi beautiful, what are you doing here? Are you lost?" asked a group of leering boys that had just exited the washroom. Sarah quickly backtracked even as the boys pursued her, catcalling. Tears sprang in her innocent eyes. She never expected to be harassed her first time here. Busy glancing back at her pursuers, Sarah ran into a solid body.

She looked up to find a tall girl with the sternest expression she had ever seen. The newcomer swiftly pushed her behind herself and stood protectively before her just as the jeering boys came into view.

The freshmen chasing after Sarah stopped short, met with the frightening visage of the strictest Student Council member.

Rachel took out her phone and took a snap of the boys cowering before her and sent it to Lily.

"Freshmen, right?" she drawled. The boys shook their heads in agreement.

"How dare you harass a girl? How dare you soil the reputation of this university? I will be reporting you to the Student Council. You are hereby suspended till further notice. Leave now, before I get your parents to escort you from the campus."

The four boys ran away in fright not even daring to put up an argument for Rachel had earned herself a nasty reputation amongst the freshmen. Rachel then turned to the girl shivering behind her.

"Hi? Are you okay?" she asked concerned.

Sarah shook her head in agreement though her teeth chattered. Rachel sighed and pulled her in for a hug, tucking her petite form under her chin, she silently stroked the frightened girl's head. When the spasms that wrecked her tiny body subdued, Rachel let her go.

"My name is Rachel. I am a sophomore here. Are you new? Have you come for the Open House?"

Sarah hiccupped, "Yes, my name is Sarah. I was looking for the faculty office but P' Gia directed me wrong."

Rachel frowned. Were the humours true, did their class president Gia have a hidden dark side?

"She must have made a mistake. Never mind, I shall escort you myself," replied Rachel kindly.

Sarah wiped her tears and smiled. "Sure, P' Rachel".

As Rachel led Sarah to the office, the two became fast friends bantering back and forth as though they knew each other for ages.

Rachel stopped before a huge wall adorned with pictures of students past and present, who had brought accolades to their university. Sarah was excited to spot her brother's handsome face on the wall with a small plaque describing his achievements. She pouted as realized that Hia had never told her about this wall. When her eyes slid to the next picture, she stopped short, it was the kind P' that had escorted her here and even now waited behind her.

"Your picture is up there!" stammered Sarah.

Rachel shrugged, "I forgot about it. I am so used to seeing it there that it doesn't make a difference anymore, I guess".

Sarah looked at her in awe before looking back at the picture. "Someday I hope my picture will be up there too."

Rachel ruffled her hair warmly, "Sure, just work hard in whatever you choose. There's no point in doing something if you don't give it your best."

Charmed, Sarah smiled back.

"That is the office door. I have to go now. Just return the way we came. Okay?" asked Rachel concerned.

Sarah shook her head in agreement and watched with admiration as Rachel walked away. She turned back to study Rachel's plaque, a huge smile adorning her face. Rachel might not be aware as yet but she was now Sarah's idol. Taking a snap of the wall in her phone, Sarah knocked and entered the Faculty Office.

She couldn't wait to join here next year.

...............................................................................

Ben stood at the entrance of the faculty, waving off the juniors he had just accompanied around the campus when he spotted Rachel coming down the stairs. A huge smile lit up his friendly face.

"Hi, Rachel!" he called out.

Rachel distractedly looked around and walked up to him. "Have you seen Gia?"

"Yes, I just saw her leaving. She seemed to be in a bad mood," replied Ben with a raised brow.

Rachel sighed, "Never mind. I guess it must have been a misunderstanding".

"Are you done for the day?" asked Ben hopefully.

"Nope," replied Rachel pinching the bridge of her nose. "I still have to inspect the club rooms."

Ben quickly grasped the opportunity that presented itself, "I can accompany you."

Rachel shook her head in denial, "Nope, it's fine. I can manage. You take on the batch of newbies heading this way."

Ben turned to see the approaching youngsters and groaned. His throat was already sore.

Rachel laughed and slapped his back. "All the best, basketball captain."

..............................................................................

Danish struggled to breathe, surrounded as he was by a gaggle of excited girls posing beside him with the swimming pool as the backdrop whilst Niam helpfully took snaps. Milan minded the long queue of girls waiting their turn though as far as he could see Milan was just flirting and distributing a phone number like free food. God! He hoped Milan hadn't betrayed him by sharing his number without approval. He shuddered at the thought.

Rachel watched a while, before striding in, somehow irritated by the way the girls were clinging to Danish while the man himself looked prepared to jump into the pool to escape them.

"Is this how the swimming club is run? Is there a fan meeting going on?" she asked with a frown.

Danish was quick to run and stand behind her, preferring to use her as a shield to protect his mangled dignity. Niam and Milan let out a laugh before being overcome by a spate of coughing.

"Out," bellowed Rachel. "Niam and Milan escort these young ladies out now."

The girls waiting in queue began to protest angrily. Niam and Milan hesitated, wondering how to make them leave. What had started as a prank on Danish had backfired badly.

"Well, if they refuse to leave on their own, I can have security escort them out," stated Rachel coldly.

It had the desired effect. There was a mad scramble to exit the doors of the swimming club.

Danish sighed in relief till Rachel turned on him. "Is this how you assist the newcomers on Open House?"

Danish shrugged, "I have no idea. I have never attended an Open House to date. I was just doing what those two advised me to do."

Rachel turned to the guilty-faced duo, "Niam and Milan since both of you are free, why don't you go offer your services to our faculty? Poor Ben is currently overwhelmed."

Turning to Danish, she glared. "Do you have anywhere else to be?"

Danish swallowed in fear at Rachel's scary expression before he remembered his sister Sarah must have already come. "I do. I have to meet someone important. Thanks for the assist." He dropped a kiss on Rachel's hair and ran from there.

Rachel stared at him surprised. What did he mean by someone important? When Rachel turned to ask his friends, she found Niam and Milan slack-jawed. Rachel blushed a deep red before beating a hasty retreat.

...............................................................................

Monica sighed as the last batch of newcomers left.

"Quick, barricade the debate club door. I can't do this publicity stuff anymore," moaned Marisa.

"Barricading the club door would completely defeat the point of us being here all morning," retorted Monica.

"Then you deal with the next group."

"No way it's your turn," grumbled Monica. "I am about to lose my voice."

"Where is Rache? Why isn't she here yet?" complained Marisa. "She is the captain."

Monica let out a laugh, "Believe me, she has it much worse. She was decorating the faculty room till late last night and today, she has been patrolling the campus from the morning."

Marisa groaned, "P'Lily sure knows how to guilt trip Rache into overworking."

"True, but I guess Rache is just trying to pay back a favor."

A deep red stained Marisa's porcelain cheeks. Her wounds had healed enough to be left open, but all around her, her friends were struggling to keep up. Rachel was trying to work her way out of the pile of debt they owed the Student Council. Monica singlehandedly ran the debate club whilst Danish and his friends patiently kept a watch on them despite their busy schedules. This Saturday, Hans's inquiry would formally be over and they would all be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

"It's my fault. Everything is my fault. If I had noticed Hans approaching me and swerved out of his way, nothing would have happened," whispered Marisa wretchedly.

Monica embraced her friend. "We are only responsible for our actions, not that of the others. After some time, everybody will forget about this incident, but you will be the one bearing the scars. So, stop feeling guilty, none of it is your fault."

Marisa smiled tremulously as a single tear slipped down her cheek. "You're a good friend, Monks."

Both were distracted by Rachel barging in. Plonking herself beside them she dropped her head between her knees and panted hard. Alarmed by her red face, Monica got up to fetch her water.

"Here, drink water Rache. Why are you so red? Did the sun get to you?" asked Monica concerned.

Rachel gulped down the water before slumping back and closing her eyes.

"You're right Monks, Rache has it worse than us," commented Marisa glumly.

...............................................................................

While Danish drove Sarah home, he kept remembering the scene from the swimming club. What had possessed him to peck her hair like that? What would she even think about him? Why was it that when he was with Rachel, he kept surprising himself? Danish groaned loudly.

"Hia, watch out!" yelled Sarah loudly.

Danish braked just in time as the signal turned red. "Sorry!"

Sarah eyed him suspiciously, "Are you sure you're, okay? You have been so preoccupied."

Danish nodded, "I am fine, Nong. Just over exhausted."

Sarah studied his dark circles, "Stay home with us for a few days, Hia. Take leave from office. You need a break or you will burn out."

Danish ruffled Sarah's hair, "Let the semester exams get over, I will take a break and return home for a few days."

Sarah smiled happily and chattered like a magpie. Danish forced himself to focus on the road. Once they had reached home and he had safely parked, he took out his vibrating phone and read the notifications.

WhatsApp Messages (2)

Swimmers for Life Group

Niam: What was that bro?

Milan: Why would kiss your enemy? Are you into her, man?

Danish: It was just a peck, not a kiss. I was just grateful to her for saving my life.

Danish: Who needs enemies with friends like you? I still haven't forgiven you.

Danish sighed, that would keep them off his back. But he was still perplexed by that unintended peck. A sharp knock on the window caught him by surprise. He found his sister staring at him through the window. He gestured for her to wait as he took off his seatbelt. He still had no idea when she had alighted.

I love the friendship that Danish shares with Milan and Niam. Don't you? Let me know in the comments. Please vote if you like the story so far.