The Meet
In a quaint village nestled between rolling hills, a girl named Elizabeth dared to dream of a brighter future. Life had been simple, her aspirations confined to the close-knit community she had always known. But everything shifted when she received a scholarship to attend Elima International University in America—a prestigious institution she never imagined she would be accepted to. Initially, she had let go of her dreams, resigning herself to a more conventional path. Yet, three months later, the unexpected acceptance letter arrived like a ray of sunshine breaking through a cloudy sky, igniting a fire within her.
With financial support from her village, Elizabeth packed her bags, her heart a whirlwind of excitement. On the day she arrived in America, she stood outside the grand university entrance, marveling at the sprawling campus. “I am here,” she laughed to herself, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Stepping into the bustling halls of Elima, she felt a mix of trepidation and exhilaration. The elegant surroundings felt foreign, filled with students of affluence and confidence. As Elizabeth navigated the maze of pathways, she spotted a tall boy with distinct Asian features. “Excuse me,” she called, tapping him on the shoulder. “I’m looking for the admin's office. I’m new here.”
The boy turned, a skeptical look crossing his face as he assessed her. “I’m new too. Let’s check the map together,” he suggested, his voice surprisingly devoid of an accent.
“Sure,” Elizabeth replied, intrigued by his curiosity. They soon found their way to the admin's office, laughter bubbling between them as they shared their mutual bewilderment over the campus’s size.
“I’m not gonna lie, this place is enormous,” Elizabeth exclaimed, her excitement palpable.
“Yeah, it really is,” he responded, squinting at the floor plan.
“Wait, I didn’t catch your name. I’m Elizabeth,” she introduced herself.
“Lee Know,” he replied. “From South Korea.”
“Wow, I’ve always wanted to visit!” she remarked, her eyes brightening.
"You might want to get a new wardrobe before you do," he muttered under his breath, eyeing her attire, though she couldn’t quite catch his words.
“What was that?” she asked, a puzzled frown appearing on her face.
“Nothing, just thinking it’s wonderful,” he said, flashing a smile as he entered the office.
As they submitted their forms to the administrators, Elizabeth couldn’t help but glance at Lee. He had an air of confidence that both intrigued and intimidated her. Suddenly, one of the admins gasped, “Wait! You’re the nephew of Matin Know?”
“Uh, yeah,” Lee replied, a hint of annoyance crossing his face.
“Have a seat, please,” the admin insisted, moving quickly to accommodate him.
Elizabeth stifled a thought. ‘Of course. He looks rich at first glance.’
A few minutes later, Lee and Elizabeth emerged from the office, and the tension from before hung in the air.
“Are you going to be a boarder?” Lee asked, breaking the silence.
“No, it’s too expensive,” she replied, her tone defensive.
“So you’re… poor?” he smirked, the words dripping with arrogance.
“Excuse me? What do you mean by that?” Elizabeth's voice rose a notch.
“Just kidding,” he shrugged, clearly unfazed.
“Right. Well, don’t. Bye.” With a mix of frustration and embarrassment churning within her, Elizabeth walked away. The anger wasn't solely directed at him; it stemmed from her own vulnerability, her voice betraying her true feelings.
For the time being, Elizabeth opted to live off-campus, the school offering her more affordable accommodations.
--
The next day, as she stood outside the university gates the next day, scrolling through her phone, a sudden honk jolted her. “AHH, oh, sorry, sorry!” she exclaimed, waving as she stepped out of the way of the luxurious car that pulled in.
Inside the vehicle were Matin and Lee, deep in conversation.
“What a careless fool,” Matin scoffed from the back seat, casting a disdainful glance towards her. “I hope you aren’t as reckless as she is?”
“Of course not,” Lee replied, his tone indifferent as he stepped out, slamming the car door behind him without a thought for the damage it might inflict.
“Driver,” Matin commanded, leaning forward, his voice edged with an almost possessive urgency, “I want every detail about that girl on my desk by tomorrow. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” the driver replied, understanding the unorthodox affection Matin held for those he admired. It was peculiar, yet familiar—love disguised as obsession, the kind that often left others bewildered.
As Elizabeth brushed off the encounter, little did she know that her journey was just beginning, woven intricately into the fabric of friendships, rivalries, and maybe something unexpectedly deeper amid the hallowed halls of Elima International University.