C2 CHAPTER 02

A little past 10 am when the Freshman Walk lead by the Seniors were finished. As Akira was walking around, getting to know the campus better, she remembered what her Mom told her about the textbooks and materials she needs to get at the University's Registrar Office. Luckily, she went pass by that building earlier so she had no trouble finding it. As much as she likes to catch up with Jayden to carry on with their little 'catch-up', she feels like she needs to get those materials even before the class starts.

"I just remembered, I need to pick something up from the Registrar's Office," Pointing at the building behind her using her thumb. "How about you? Did you get yours already?"

"Yeah, I got mine even before the Freshman Walk started. I picked it up first before going to the Gymnasium," Holding up the clear envelope that contains printed handouts, a small notebook, a few pen, spare tracing and template papers, mechanical lead replacements and different kinds of rulers that are in demand for his course.

Right, why didn't I think of dropping by the office to pick it up even before the Walk? Oh boy.

"Is it okay if I go ahead?" Much to her dismay, they have to part ways.

"Sure, no problem" He smiles. "Can we meet tho? Like after classes in the afternoon?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll message you whether if I am done for today," Akira smiles too. She can clearly see that he hesitated. It's nice that they get to see each other again. She just hopes that in the long run of being schoolmates- they may not be classmates, they would still the same for each other.

With that, Akira went to do her 'errands' if you call getting textbooks and materials that. Leaving Jayden to walk towards the opposite direction.

Akira would be lying if she says that she did not miss her best friend. Truth is, she does miss him- A lot. Being best friends for 4 years, Akira missed a lot a lot about him especially the bond they shared. The silly things they do, all the playful teasing, everything. The 2 years that went by, Akira never really reached out to anyone to necessarily meet new people. She was alone. She had no one during her Senior Year in High School. That's one of the reasons why she was nervous, almost to the point of being scared upon entering college. Knowing what she had been through during her Senior Year.

Knocking before even peeking at the office door, waiting for the sign from someone inside the office to let her in before completely stepping inside the cold room. "Good morning," She greets.

"Come, Akira" Says the woman she knows too well, walking close to her table that's filled with papers and unclaimed materials. Just like what Jayden is holding. Boy, what a mess.

A smile came across Akira's face when she called her. "Hi, Auntie!" Akira gestures respect by reaching for her Auntie's hand and letting back of her hand touch Akira's forehead lightly. It is a sign of paying respect to elders that also serves as greeting them politely.

"I am so happy to be seeing you around the campus starting today!" She holds Akira's hand, lightly shaking it out of excitement. "So, how are you? How are you and your Mom?"

"We're doing okay, Auntie. Actually, today is also Saiko's first day of school"

Her auntie lets out a smile, a smile that screams she longs to be with her best friend's two daughters that she treated as if they were her own. She was not blessed to have a child and hold the responsibility of becoming a mother. That's why she longs for the feeling of what was it like to have your own blood and flesh in a form of a child. Nonetheless, her high school best friend- which was Akira's mother never withheld her two daughters to her. In fact, she was even significant to the two girls' lives growing up. She was the one that helped Akira's mother raise them, given the fact that their father was mostly not around and was working abroad.

So they were no different from their Auntie.

"Aww, I would love to sit and catch up with you two at our favorite café. Hopefully one of these days I could visit you guys and your Mom. I miss you girls so much!" In a teary eyed state she says. Having a high position in the University, she usually has a lot of work to do ever since classes were announced to start around September. Robbing her off her time from visiting people close to her.

Akira lets out a light chuckle. "We'd love that, Auntie. Saiko and I misses you too, a lot."

"Ohh, anyway..." Letting go of her godchild's hand to look for the materials she needs before she forgets. The reason why she went there in the first place. "Here's your stu-"

"Ms. Vergara? The Dean is asking for you. She would like for you to go to her office immediately for an urgent matter before class starts this morning,"

Ms. Vergara furrowed his brows A.K.A Akira's Auntie when one of the office employees suddenly comes in her office to give the command. "Okay, I'll be right behind you" The employee nods. " Kira, here's the clear envelope containing what you need then go straight to your first class hmm?" Hurriedly giving her the clear envelope from one of the boxes labeled as 'Business Administration'.

"Got it. Thank you, Auntie!"

Inspecting the clear envelope when she got out the office. Pulling out the paper that contains her class timetable behind her phone. She immediately went to her designated room to the subject written on her class timetable.

It was the last five minutes when she got into the room of her subject of the day. Since the Freshman Welcome Walk was held earlier, classes assigned during that time was cancelled to give way for the Walk. That's why she has one more class left before having time to take lunch. It was also the last minute when she notices that there was something wrong on her Clear Envelope that she has been carrying.

Huh???

Her name was not the one written at the back of it, instead a different student's name.

She furrows her brows as she silently reads the name written. No matter how many times she reads it, the name doesn't ring a bell. Due to panic of having to grant the command given to her, her auntie hurriedly gave her the materials on the labeled box without actually checking if her name was written on it or not.

The real problem here is, how and where will she even start to look for the person with name written behind the clear envelope? And where could hers be?

The whole orientation, Akira's thoughts were not on the class. She was too occupied thinking about what will she do? She can't keep the materials that isn't hers. Just by thinking of it, it's enough to make her miss the whole point of the class orientation. All because of the stupid mismatch.

As classes were over, she walked the same path to the registrar's office to at least look for her aunt an explain the situation. To also pick up her materials with her name on it.

But unfortunately for her, the registrar is closed for the employees to take their lunches. "Who even is this Dwayne Kenzie Alvera anyway?" Furrowing her brows is her new habit now. Once she does not get something, it is as if her brows automatically furrows. This time, he takes a look at the name again. "Does it look like my name is Dwayne Kenzie Alvera?"

"But I do,"

Akira stopped in her tracks and in ranting to dead air when he heard the guy's response. The guy has been standing at one of the steps leading to the registrar's door making phone calls to God-knows-who. "I'm guessing that's mine?" It was also noticeable that he too, was holding a clear envelope just like what Akira is holding.

The guy that goes by the name Dwayne Kenzie Alvera was wearing a white polo, folded in 3/4, while tucked in a black slacks with some rubber shoes. Fair skinned dude was wearing glasses that seem to be transitioned to black when it gets hit by sunlight. And the bag with only one strap on one shoulder? Please, he's like every arrogant leading man on a stereotypical romantic novels you read when you were just about to start puberty! Harsh. But you get the point, right?

Nevertheless, Akira can't seem to stop staring.

He looks so decent wearing such clothes. She never thought she would see someone that could pull a plain button-up and look fresh even under the heating sun?

"Hey, I'm asking you if what you're holding is mine?" His voice asking that was enough to bring Akira back to reality. And his voice, his voice was not that husky, but it's not too small either. It was just right.

Once again, Akira furrows her brows. "Here," Giving the clear envelope to its real owner- Dwayne.

For some reason, Akira take one last look at this Dwayne dude's face as if remembering it before turning to leave. Taking a mental note to not cross paths with him again if he doesn't want to get irritated by his ungratefulness again. HMP!

"Wait a minute,"

She was once again halted, stopping on her tracks.

"By any chance, are you Akira-..." He takes a look at the name. "Akira Venn Buenesco?"

Akira was surprised at what was happening. Does. this always happen during college??? If it is, this thing is scary. "What? You were the one who got my envelope? Is this some kind of joke??" Of all the people that could get her name, the one that got mismatched with her is the one who got it. Is this all a coincidence?

After claiming the envelope with her name, the whole day was all a blur to Akira. She still went and met up with Jayden after class to catch-up with one another. But she just can't get her mind off what just happened today. It's her first day in college, and an incident already happened. What more in the long-run?

What a day. Talk about coincidence...