Chapter Two:A Helping Hand
1086 Words
The Vice-Chancellor's office overlooked almost the entire campus.
From the tall windows behind his desk, Aria could see hundreds of students making their way between lecture halls, their laughter drifting through the warm summer air.
It was everything she had imagined.
Chaotic.
Lively.
Real.
"...and if there's ever anything you need," Professor Jonathan Whitmore said as he handed her a dark blue folder, "my office door is always open."
"Thank you, Professor."
He smiled warmly.
"I hope Redwood gives you the university experience you've been looking for."
"So do I."
He escorted her to the office door himself.
Outside, her driver was already waiting with her luggage while two members of the university residence team prepared to transport it to Maple Residence.
Her head of security stepped forward.
"Miss Sinclair."
Aria smiled.
"You don't have to call me 'Miss Sinclair' anymore."
The older man chuckled.
"I don't think your father would approve of that."
"My father isn't here."
"Unfortunately for me... he still signs my salary."
That earned a genuine laugh from her.
For a brief moment, she forgot she was one of the country's most recognised actresses.
The driver closed the boot of the Range Rover.
"Everything has been moved to your residence."
"Thank you."
Margaret adjusted the strap of Aria's backpack before brushing an invisible speck of dust from her shoulder.
"You've got your phone?"
"Yes."
"Wallet?"
"Yes."
"Student ID?"
Aria raised the blue folder with a grin.
"Right here."
Margaret smiled.
"I suppose there's nothing left for us to do."
"There is one thing."
"And what's that?"
"Go home."
The three of them exchanged surprised looks.
"Miss—"
Aria interrupted with a playful smile.
"I'm serious."
She looked around the campus again.
Students hurried past without anyone telling them where to go.
Some looked completely lost.
Others looked like they owned the place.
"I came here because I wanted a normal life."
Her expression softened.
"If I spend my first day surrounded by security guards and staff..."
"...then nothing has really changed."
The head of security studied her for a moment before nodding.
"I understand."
"If you need us," Margaret added, "one phone call."
"I know."
Aria hugged her briefly before stepping back.
"Thank you... all of you."
One by one, the vehicles pulled away from the administration building.
Aria stood quietly, watching them disappear through the university gates.
For the first time in years...
No assistant.
No security detail.
No cameras.
Just her.
She smiled.
"This is exactly what I wanted."
Adjusting the strap of her backpack, she unfolded the campus map.
"Orientation Hall..."
She frowned.
"Where exactly is that?"
Five minutes later...
She was even more lost than before.
Every building seemed to look the same.
Students walked confidently in every direction while she stopped every few steps to compare the map with the signposts.
"I swear that building wasn't there a minute ago," she murmured.
As she turned another corner...
Someone recognised her.
"Wait..."
A girl stopped walking.
"You're Aria Sinclair."
Aria smiled politely.
"Hi."
The girl's eyes widened.
"Oh my God!"
Within seconds...
More students turned around.
"Is that really her?"
"It is!"
"I loved your last film!"
"Can I get a selfie?"
The small crowd doubled in less than a minute.
Then doubled again.
Students appeared from nearby walkways, curiosity spreading across campus faster than gossip.
Aria tried to remain calm.
"I'm really sorry," she said politely. "I'm trying to find the Orientation Hall."
"We'll show you after one picture!"
"Please!"
"Just one autograph!"
She laughed nervously.
"I promise I'll meet everyone later..."
Nobody moved.
If anything...
The crowd grew even larger.
Aria looked around helplessly.
Great.
I'm officially trapped.
Just then...
A voice beside her said quietly,
"You look like you're regretting becoming famous."
Aria turned.
Standing beside her was a young woman with curly brown hair, warm brown eyes, and a relaxed smile that somehow made the whole situation feel less overwhelming.
"I'm Emily."
She extended her hand.
"I think you need rescuing."
Aria stared at the young woman for a second before a relieved smile crossed her face.
"I was beginning to think nobody was going to save me."
Emily laughed.
"I almost walked away."
"What changed your mind?"
Emily glanced at the growing crowd.
"You looked terrified."
"I wasn't terrified."
Emily raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"...Maybe a little."
That earned another laugh.
Emily looked back at the students surrounding them.
"Alright, everyone!" she called, raising her voice just enough to be heard. "If you keep her here any longer, she's going to miss orientation."
A few students hesitated.
"But we only want one picture."
"And you'll get one," Emily replied. "Just not before her first class."
Someone from the back muttered,
"She's right."
Another student nodded.
"Let her go."
The crowd reluctantly shifted, creating a narrow opening.
Emily leaned closer to Aria.
"When I say run..."
Aria blinked.
"Run?"
Emily grinned.
"I'm kidding."
She took Aria gently by the wrist.
"Walk... quickly."
The two slipped through the opening before anyone could change their mind.
A few students started after them.
Emily pointed toward another pathway.
"This way."
They crossed the courtyard, turned behind the library, and disappeared into a quieter walkway lined with tall oak trees.
Only when the voices behind them faded did Emily finally stop.
Aria bent forward slightly, laughing as she caught her breath.
"I can't believe that actually worked."
Emily folded her arms proudly.
"Second year."
"What?"
"I've survived one full year at Redwood."
"So you're basically a professional?"
"I'd like to think so."
Aria smiled.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
"No... seriously."
Emily could see the sincerity in her eyes.
"I've spent years surrounded by people."
She looked down for a moment.
"But very few ever tried to help me."
Emily's smile softened.
"Well..."
"You've got one person now."
For a moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Emily clapped her hands together.
"Right."
"Enough emotional speeches."
"We're going to be late."
Aria laughed.
"I still don't know where I'm going."
"I know."
Emily pointed toward a large brick building in the distance.
"Orientation Hall."
"You were heading in the complete opposite direction."
Aria covered her face.
"Please pretend you never saw that."
"I'll try."
"I'll buy you coffee."
Emily smiled.
"Now you're speaking my language."
The two girls continued walking side by side, talking as though they'd known each other far longer than ten minutes.
For the first time since arriving at Redwood...
Aria felt something she hadn't expected.
Comfort.
Maybe university wouldn't be so lonely after all.
- Writer
