(A/N: I probably should place this at the start of every chapter, but I do not own Star Wars, all companies mentioned in this story, any music or licenses and certainly not any colleges. I'm just playing in my little sandbox over here and having fun.)
Ctrl – P.
Hitting the keys, I then pop out of my little office setup and start walking over to the printer before checking my phone impatiently.
"Sorry I wasn't there yesterday. School trip, mandatory."
"School trip? Isn't this college?" I ask her.
"Yeah. I didn't really have a choice. Did I miss anything?"
I replied "Just a lecture on some common ways freshmen drop out of school. Calhoun's obsessed with this drug and opioid epidemic."
As he should be. The Temples are spending considerable time trying to wean people off the stims and deathsticks and various other horrible drugs that they resort to.
Things are bright and sunny here, but out there in the real world? Between New York and here in LA? Masters, Knights and Padawans alike are saying that people feel left behind and lied to by Palpatine's government.
"Sounds thrilling."
Arriving at the printer, a slight twinge of irritation of the text that I sent just a few minutes ago floats back to me, giving me a brief high.
"I took notes on the whole thing. You won't be behind too bad."
"Can I borrow your notes?"
My most recent message, the one I typed just before hitting print on this spreadsheet is floating on the second to last line of Sabine and I's texts.
"I don't know, I think you are capable of borrowing them."
Three grey dots float there, rolling over to signify that she's typing something as the printer spits out my two page report on any and all students that have been arrested in the first month of classes, their schedules, professors and contact information.
Perfect.
I swipe over to Cayle's text thread.
"Mission accomplished. You won the over/under. Not quite 120 tickets. Only 50 or so arrests though. Not counting the traffic tickets and warnings."
Sabine Wren – New iMessage
"You're making your point. Sorry I didn't text. I forgot, got busy. I did say that I'd see you Monday and that we'd eat afterward."
I roll my eyes at the text and start toward the stairs, past the student worker corner of the Academic Affairs Office. "You're still mad?" Briana asks, sounding near laughter as she says it.
"Tired." I smile at her, then hustle up the stairs towards Dr. Renee's office.
Oh, she's talking with other professors. Bad time.
Just as I move to stick the spreadsheets in her box, one of the professors turns and smiles. "You from downstairs my boy?"
"Yes sir." I smile.
"How big are we talking Ezra?" Dr. Renee calls out to me in her normal, boisterous voice.
I let out a quiet breath. "Big enough. 113. I excluded the parking tickets because, well you know them."
"The entire freshman class would be on my lists then. Damn parking bastards." She shakes her head and accepts my paperwork. "Told you he'd be cool with it."
"Not a personal slight, just surprised you gave him that rope, now." The older man confesses, then turns to me. "Howard Murphy."
"Pleasure to meet you Dr. Murphy, Ezra Bridger." I smile and shake the man's hand.
The middle aged woman beside me turns to Dr. Renee and asks "What access did you give him?"
"Connected him to the Police Department's arrest database since the year started, and gave him cursory access to the student master list so he could build a equation and weed out the arrested parties from everyone else." She responds, then looks to me. "Right?"
I nod. "It's an algorithm."
"How long did it take you?" She asks.
"Two days. I sculpted the original equation out of something old I made in high school, just took me awhile to fine tune it." I confess.
Shouldn't have taken me this long.
"Wow." She looks to Dr. Renee. "Where'd you find him?"
"Recommended to me by Dr. Dume over in Academia Administration." She smiles.
Dr. Murphy claps on my shoulder. "I might have to ask if he has anyone to spare to grade my tests."
"Worth a shot." I joke as everyone else laughs before I wait until the laughter dies down. "Pleasure meeting you sir."
"All mine, my boy."
"Dr. Overstreet." I nod at the woman before I turn to smile at Dr. Renee. "Anything more?"
"Actually, yeah. Can you go to the University Center's Copy Zone? I made flyers for the tutoring center." She asks me.
I nod. "Of course. No problem. Be back as soon as I can."
"Take your time!" She calls back. "I'm running out of things for you to do that you'll like!"
"That's the plan!" I joke back, eliciting more laughter before checking my phone.
Cayle – New iMessage
Sabine Wren – New iMessage (2)
"Figured. Probably a lot of Greek life, Fraternities and sororities wanting to assert dominance over pledges."
"I didn't dig that deep." I smile and reply, then swipe over to my conversation with Sabine that I didn't reply to right away.
"And don't you start using your grammar Nazi/psych brain on me. That's not fair. Save that for down the road."
"About to go to dinner, DAD. I'll TTYL."
Talk to you later. One of the endless random acronyms I'm learning.
"I heard laughing." Briana comments before Drew pokes his head up beside Bri.
"She loves you."
I shrug. "I just work."
"That's why she loves you!" Drew smiles and Bri nods.
"And sends me off to pick up…flyers. Yay." I joke, scooping up my wallet and student ID.
Bri laughs. "Fun!"
"Grab me a snack? I'll pay you back with my points?" Drew asks.
I shake my head. "Maybe next time."
"But I'm hungry!"
"You're always hungry." Bri retorts as I open the door and walk onto the sidewalk.
Out into the depths of campus.
Sabine left me with really no avenues to continue the conversation, especially after the whole "Dad" thing. Which really isn't necessary, especially since she's the one who got my hopes up, mentioning plans yesterday before being a complete no-show.
I didn't want to text her because maybe she overslept or something. Went long at the gym. No reason to ask or wonder. I've known her a month, no reason to dive into conspiracy mode.
I aimlessly check Twitter and the trending topics to help pass the time on this walk.
Dead celebrity, quote from Palps' last speech, an article on environmentalism, nothing too exciting. And I don't need to read about how 'Security should be our greatest priority' right now.
I'm in college to get away from the government and its inner workings and to learn. No need for me to read publically available quotes when the facts are buried.
Cayle – new iMessage
"So, did we ever hear from Sabine?"
\I glance up ahead, where a group of students are talking amongst themselves before one spots me near the door of the UC and grabs it for me. "Thanks man." I smile.
"No problem." He replies.
Copy Zone, downstairs.
Taking the left, I drop down the stairs to the artificially lit and banner filled UC Underground, home of a small food court, specifically to be used with our ID Cards and the "Points" we were given to start the year.
"Hi, can I help you?" An older woman asks me, settled near the Copy Zone's counter.
I smile and nod. "Yes, I'm here to pick up some flyers for Dr. Cambiare over in Academic Affairs?"
"ID please."
I comply, handing over my ID and move to sit down.
"Yeah, I did." I text Cayle back. "School trip. Said it was 'unavoidable'."
Three instant grey dots.
"School trip? In college? That's weird bro."
I nod to myself while looking at the posters for the official USC Football, Men and Women's soccer teams
Yeah, it…is.
Quickly, I shift in this chair and peer closer at the women's soccer poster.
Why does that look like Sabine?
"Actually, hang on," I text Cayle, just as his response comes in.
That's really weird. She said it's an unavoidable trip. But she's never mentioned a team or anything, just a lot of friends.
Which is weird for a Freshman girl. Is that why she had so many Twitter followers?
I tap on my browser and hit my homepage, the official USC school site, scroll over to the tab labeled "Athletics" and tap it.
Teams…blah blah blah. Women's soccer.
The page loads up, showing the team's most recent game, yesterday against Northwestern University, a 2-0 win. I tap on the button for the roster, and wait for the page to load again.
Don't know her, her, her, her…
Number 5. Sabine Wren. Forward. 5'8. Hometown: Chicago, Illinois. Major: Undecided.
I'll be damned. Soccer.
The ticker reads "USC Women's Soccer is back in action tomorrow in Champaign, Illinois against the University of Illinois at 3 PM EST."
11 AM here. Meaning she'll be gone tomorrow as well. Assuming they flew in, she'll get back here Thursday in time for another game on Friday against Long Beach State.
That's a long week.
"Sir?" The woman asks, breaking me from my trance looking at my phone.
I hop up and smile. "Yes?"
"We were unable to complete the full order. We're backlogged and another order had priority. I do apologize."
Oh give me a damn break.
I nod in false understanding. "Have you emailed her about it?"
"I can if she'd like." The woman offers.
"I'd do that." I smile. "Otherwise I might be back, and with a bad message."
"Understood. Sorry about that." She apologizes again.
Incompetence. Something else had priority? Give me a break.
"I understand. No issue." I smile, taking the incomplete flyers in their Bankers Box and turn back toward the stairs.
"So apparently she's on the soccer team?" I text Cayle before climbing the stairs and balancing my phone on top of the box.
Makes sense about the gym, and the friends, and how she never texts on Friday nights. Rarely, always late on Mondays and Wednesdays. I never text her on Sunday because I always see her Monday morning bright and early.
The gym sessions are probably her practices or something. But why lie about it? Why not just say 'Hey! I play soccer, which is kinda cool!'
"Really? And she didn't say a word about it? How'd you find out?"
I respond to Cayle "Boss asked me to run an errand to this copy place. Nearby were these flyers, one of the girls on the women's soccer flyer looked like Sabine. Dug into it, and it's her.
Dr. Helton in Comp is always offering up free quiz grades to anybody who buys a ticket to an on campus event. Might have to cash that in.
My phone, which briefly dimmed due to inactivity lights up, still on Cayle's texts and displays Sabine's team photo.
"That's her." I reply.
So weird. It makes me mad. Madder than I should be.
"Maybe she doesn't actually play. And she's only there for her grades. You did say she was artsy and could draw. Maybe she's not that good."
I answer "I don't know."
I have seen and heard about people that say they play football here, which is a really big deal. But the one in Comp admitted that he's there for the GPA of the entire team and gets a bunch of free 'swag' he called it.
Basically shirts and stuff. Woo hoo.
"Nope." Cayle texts back with a screenshot. "She's good."
8 games, 10 goals, 7 assists. All in USC wins.
"Is it bad that I'm kind of mad? Trying to curb it, but it's kind of working." I ask him as the Academic Advising Building hones into view then let out a breath.
I know a few people here. But Sabine's the one that I'm actively trying to be friends with. Everyone else I can take or leave. They're cool, but Sabine's different.
"No, makes sense. How's she been hiding it?"
"Saying it's the gym." I sum it up easily then walk inside work and up to Dr. Renee's office.
"They screwed it up. Something about another order." I frown at her, anticipating her wrath.
Dr. Renee looks away from her screen. "I know, they just emailed me. Idiots."
"Sorry." I apologize.
Dr. Renee waves me off. "Not your fault kid. Go sit down, only 25 minutes or so left."
Really?
I glance over at the clock and notice that indeed, it's 4:45.
7:45 for Sabine in Illinois.
Silently I comply, walking downstairs and back to my station before logging back into my computer and pull up the student database.
One benefit of Dr. Renee trusting me is that I can occasionally look up students if I wanted to. Unlike the Council, they don't monitor my activity that I know of. And if they ask, Sabine is my friend.
If she's not going to be back until Thursday, probably after classes are over, she won't know what's coming on Friday. Calhoun did mention today that he had a conference to attend, and that we'd have a test worth 5% of our final grade due online on Sunday night.
I can copy my notes for her, drop them at her room so she doesn't get completely screwed over by being across the country all week.
"Half-truths are the greatest lies." Cayle sagely says.
"Thanks Master Yoda." I answer him.
"Master Kenobi."
Or him. Here it is!
Sabine Wren. Chicago, Illinois.
Completely full file. Phone number, parents phone numbers, home address, date of birth, siblings, social security number, FAFSA filing, everything.
Sabine Wren (Trojan Hall)
615 Childs Way
Room 404
Los Angeles, CA 90089
And that's where I'll need to go. I'll find out where that is compared to my apartment later.
(Three Days Later)
"—so there's the reading for Monday, reviewing the two per posts on Blackboard. Who all is going to the San Jose St, Game on Saturday?" Dr. Helton asks the class. Most everyone raises their hands. "Great, lots of free 100's. That's what I like to see. Well, have fun, don't get arrested and I'll see you all Monday!"
And that's that.
I smile happily, sliding my notebook into my backpack and check the time.
3 PM. Perfect.
Everything is coming up Ezra today. Comp was pushed back for everyone who could make it because Fisher had a mandatory staff meeting during our normal class time. She was merciful with our reading because literally everyone showed up.
Now if I've done my math right, I can drive straight to Trojan Hall and drop off Sabine's notes. Her game is at 6. I'm willing to bet good money that she goes early to get her mind right if she's anything like me. Whenever I go on missions I always find a quiet hall or room, throw some music on and jam out as long as I can to prepare, then go and wreck shop.
Moving with the crowd from my class, we walk towards the front door as I check my phone. "Everything is coming up Ezra." I jokingly text Cayle.
Every day should be like this. Maybe it's because I drove. Parking was terrible, but since I had an early lunch I kind of cheated.
"About damn time. Things are boring here. Somebody stole from the kitchens and we're on edge kind of. Can't text much. You know how the masters are about outside tech. Keep baby safe."
Cayle's basically a Jedi Knight, this is ridiculous. Kanan basically opened him for the trials by coming here with me.
"Fun. Send the Masters my regards." I answer, knowing he'll pick up my sarcasm.
Baby. That name's not sticking.
Crazy to think I own a car. All mine. 2016 Lexus LC Hybrid.
Maybe I should drive every day.
I try to keep the bounce in my step to a minimum as I slide off to parking lot D and towards where my car is parked near the exit.
People drive like idiots in parking lots, like the rules of the road don't apply. And they park away from the entrances and exits, like they don't want to leave and trap themselves there.
Pressing the unlock button on my keyless entry keypad, I open the door and slide inside, tossing my backpack into the passenger's seat then hitting the 'Push To Start' and the engine purrs to life. My paused song resumes, picking up right where I left off.
Good song, not quite feeling it as much as I was coming into class.
I slip my phone out of my pocket start going through my music.
What song, what song…
The song fires up, no words initially but just an instrument I don't recognize before I put the car in reverse, check my backup camera then slide out of my parking spot and fall back into the groove that I'm in.
Too easy. Too fun. Yeah I've got a decent amount of homework waiting once I'm done with all this, but it's the weekend.
If the maps are right, I've just got to endure two lights, then I'm at Trojan Hall.
Behind me the parking lot starts moving spastically, followed by an angry honk, causing me to smirk.
I'll never understand people.
If I have time, I probably should go to the gym and really get a good workout in this weekend. I've gone here and there, but never really tried pushing myself. I can't do my 10/100/1000 but I probably need to work up a good sweat.
I did notice that my abs are kind of disappearing. And next week I am having dinner with Kanan, Hera and the kids, so they'll at least test my basic fitness, probably by having me chase Mira and Jacen around.
That'll be fun.
I hit my blinker and slide into the village parking lot, past a white SUV blasting a popular R&B or rap song.
I don't know which one. I just know I don't get the appeal.
Parking in the first open spot I see, I hop out and pull my backpack on as the SUV continues bumping the song obnoxiously loud, waiting to take a left towards the athletics complex.
That won't be easy. They'll have to cross two lanes. Have fun!
I turn my attention to the doors, slide inside and duck up the stairs four floors, then walk out onto the floor.
404.
These dorms are nice. Nicer than I was expecting. I heard many stories from the Masters about ratty carpets, broken appliances and vomit in corners from illicit partying.
I don't think they're partying here though.
I lazily walk down the hall, counting 401, 402 and 403 before arriving at a plain white door marked 404. Politely, I knock three times then take a step back.
"Coming!" An unfamiliar voice calls out before footsteps drift under the door and it open to a small, blonde haired girl who instantly smiles at me. "Hi!"
"Hi, sorry to bug you. Is Sabine home?" I ask before glancing to the left.
Open door, some clothes and stuff around but it really doesn't seem too lived in. Even though she may never be here, seeing how she's cross-country trekking.
"No, she's not." She smiles. "I think she just left for her game. I can text her if you want?"
"No, that's okay." I smile, going for my backpack. "I'm in her University Strategies class and have her notes."
Her roommate steps aside. "Oh! Well her room's right there if you want to put it on the desk or something."
"I'll do that then head out. Sorry for just randomly stopping by. I have a class right nearby and figured I should probably come by." I ramble, setting the notes packet down while quickly scanning her room.
Yeah, it's clear she's not here much. But when she's here it is home.
"No problem. I'm Ryan by the way." She extends her hand.
"Ezra. Thank you Ryan."
"You're welcome. Have a good one!" She says as I slide out the door.
"You too." I smile before she shuts the door.
Well that was easy. Confirmed most of what I've thought. Now to go home, clean up and head to this game for the quiz grade.
As easily as I came, I take the stairs down to the lobby, slip out to my car and right back into the traffic. This time it's not as easy navigating because I'm basically at the wrong end of the university.
I'm up at 12, and Sabine's way down here at like 4 or 5 if you think of a clock. And the way the roads work I basically have to go out of my way even further to go counter clockwise, so I have to take the long way.
I focus in on the music, the rhythm and beats on the way home, opting to throw my headphones in when I park in my designated spot before bouncing up to my room, tossing my backpack into the living room where I'll dig into my homework before walking back to my closet.
I should probably wear a school shirt, since it is a university team event. Jeans, shoes and I'll be good.
It isn't until I'm in the shower, halfway through before a thought hits me.
I'm actually choosing to go out and be among people. I swore I'd never really do this while I was here. I'm here for school, not to have fun. I'll have to think about that later I guess. The thought never even occurred to me before now.
Hopping out of the shower almost as soon as I hop in, I dry off, make sure my hair is okay even though it's still pretty close to the buzz cut that I got before Cayle and I came here and throw on my clothes before I get back into my car, stopping only to snag my water bottle.
I'll need it. The sun's going down, so it's in the 80's but that's still warm.
To the Athletics Complex!
Still bouncing around, the drive down there flies by, and I find a close parking spot without too much trouble, sliding in between two sedans before hopping out, making sure my permit is visible so I don't get ticketed and grabbing my water as I head over to where the soccer field easily marked with overhead lights.
This is nice. Flags, grass is perfectly manicured, lights bearing down, fair amount of people here…
"No outside food or drink at University events. Thank you for your cooperation." – University of Southern California Athletic Department
Damn it. I guess my bottle counts even though it's clear and the only thing on my person. Guess I'll have to go back to my car.
In irritation, I do just that, stopping at my car just long enough to toss my bottle at my passenger's door before spinning back around and walking back to the front gate.
"Ladies and Gentlemen…please rise and remove all hats as we honor our nation with the playing…of our national anthem." The public address announcer calls out over the speakers, stopping the few people around me.
Well I guess I'm late.
I respectfully bow my head as the national anthem plays, clap when appropriate then slide behind a husband in wife in line to buy tickets.
At least it's cheap.
"Hi!" A student smiles at me inside a booth. "Just the one?"
"Yup." I smile, then laugh for no real reason.
So awkward.
Thankfully she smiles and laughs along with me. "Here you go! Enjoy!"
"Thanks." I nod, taking my ticket and walking inside to see the perfectly prepared field with nine or ten girls in blue with the same number in white opposing them. A harsh whistle sounds out, the ball is kicked and the girls begin running everywhere, in no discernable pattern.
I aimlessly walk around for a few minutes, looking for a place to sit in the bleachers, set perilously close to the side line on our side, with both opposing benches on the opposite side of the field.
I can't easily pick out Sabine and there's nowhere to sit. Awesome.
Eventually, around the time the clock hits 15:00 I settle in on the left side of the bleachers and watch the action go back and forth before there's finally a stoppage and my hunch is confirmed.
We're in white, they're in blue. Still no Sabine though.
The ball is thrown in on our side before it's sent flying up in the air, gets redirected towards the goal just as the goalie misses it completely, everyone around me yells and starts celebrating while a siren starts blaring.
We scored!
The goal scorer immediately sprints towards the far corner where a flag is and violently kicks it down before everyone on the bench mobs her in celebration and a song plays in the background.
"SCORING! For USC! Number FIVEEEEE…SABINE WREN!" The PA announcer calls out before another cheer sounds out, Sabine raises her hand to the crowd and the whistle sounds again, causing more frenetic movement.
So…she might be good. And it makes sense that I couldn't see her, she's on the other side. I never even saw her hit the ball, just saw what she did and the celebration.
The game continues, this time seemingly settling in right about the halfway line before I pull out my phone to text Cayle.
"So I'm at this soccer game. She already scored. She might be good man."
I need to snag a water here in a second.
I watch the action on the field for a minute more before my phone vibrates.
"You're out and about? Hell yeah! And why am I not surprised? How'd she beat the keeper?"
Keeper?
"I think she hit the ball with her head." I answer as somebody screams in frustration, the ball exits and I glance up in time to get a good look at Sabine before she gets jostled, then shoves her opponent back, slingshotting around her and sprinting towards the net.
OOH!
Her teammate finds her right in stride before she fires off a—
The crowd instantly starts booing and yelling randomly as Sabine sends the ball screaming into the net and she circles back towards the opponent's end.
"What happened?" I ask nobody, raising my hands in confusion.
I might need to learn soccer.
"They called offsides, she was EVEN!" Somebody in a lawn chair on my left says, clearly annoyed.
"YOU SUCK!" A group of students yells at the referee in question.
Agreed.
"Ahh. She is tall for a girl. That's badass though."
I reply "Almost scored again. Referee called her offsides and people aren't happy. Where can I learn the basics?"
I need that water. That should buy Cayle enough time. I assume there will be a halftime or something.
I turn away from the action, spot a tent with two girls in matching USC Women's soccer shirts and shorts sitting and watching the action leisurely. When I'm close enough, one of the girls look over and pop to her feet. "Hi!"
"Hi." I smile back. "Can I get a water and a program?" I ask spontaneously.
Why not? I'm having fun.
My phone goes off in my pocket as the girl nods "Of course." And her partner in crime grabs a program off a table in the back.
"Do I know you?" the other girl, a redhead asks as she eyes me curiously.
"I don't think so?" I admit nervously. "Sorry."
Thankfully she smiles widely. "It's fine. You look familiar though."
"You're right." The first girl comments. $4.50 please."
I hand her a $5. "I don't know how. Sorry."
"Do you know anybody out there?" The redhead asks.
"Only Sabine Wren." I admit. "I have a class with her. I've never been to any of these before this though."
The girls seem to accept this, their faces blank before I take my change. "Thanks."
"You're welcome!" They both smile and I turn around to walk back to my spot.
"Ezra?"
Huh?
I stop and glance around, looking for who called my name as a blonde haired guy, hair tousled waves me down. "It is Ezra, right? Sabine's friend?"
"Yeah?" I answer blankly. "Do I know you?"
He instantly shakes his head. "No, well, maybe. I'm Matt. Do you follow football?"
"Not really." I reply.
"Okay, then you don't know me!" he smiles. That's cool though. Where you at? I don't want to stop you from where you were going…"
This guy…
I guess he's not bad? But how does he know me?
I walk back to where I was camped as the clock shows 39:00. "How do you know me?"
I purposely don't know strangers.
"I've heard your name from Sabine. She's mentioned it a fair bit."
"She has?" I ask.
Matt quickly nods as the action as focused on our end unfortunately. "Yeah, people have gotten ideas. And since you're not an athlete, they want to know who you are."
But why? That makes no sense unless you're just nosy.
"Okay. I'm nothing special." I make fun of myself, then shrug.
"Nah man, you're not what I pictured. I thought you were some five foot nothing brain. No man, you're…I see it now." Matt smiles.
I don't. We're close to the same height and weight. He looks like a football player.
"You're lost, aren't you man?" He cuts to the chase.
I nod and laugh. "Sorry."
"It's all good. I'm gonna walk to softball at halftime. I can explain it if you come with me?" He offers as I unscrew my water bottle.
"Sure." I shrug, then glance at the clock. "it's not bad is it?"
45:00. Wonder what Cayle said.
"No bro, not at all. But if you don't know what's going on, better you hear it from somebody like me than a frat boy or something."
"The Greeks?" I fill in the blanks.
Matt nods. "Basically. They're stupid and hate us."
Us.
"That would be a problem."
"Sure, I got you." Cayle replies, then threw in a link below the text linking to presumably a soccer site.
"Hate to ask, but can you look up a 'Matt' on the football team? Dude just approached me out of nowhere." I text back, then watch as multiple white players fight a blue player for the ball, which flies towards the bleachers, slams into the sheet metal and makes a violent noise before bouncing back into play and they all hustle after it crazily until a whistle blows a few times.
"Halftime!" The PA Announcer calls out. "At the half! Your USC Trojans 1, Long Beach State nil."
Blankly, I turn to Matt, who smiles. "Follow me, we'll get away from this crowd."
Okay.
He slips through a side gate, holding it open for me as people start walking everywhere. We're the only ones that completely leave the field area, instead walking toward a small, illuminated field that I assume is softball.
"Sabine's kind of a big deal. Do you know about recruiting?" Matt starts off.
"No." I shake my head.
"She was the best soccer player of her age. It was a big deal that she chose to come here. We've never had the #1 Forward in High School commit here. Football maybe like me, but yeah. So when after a few days of classes, she starts mentioning your name. Then she goes and ditches her teammates to eat with a mystery guy who everybody assumes is you."
"It's a mystery." I put the pieces together, then check my phone.
"Uhm, YEAH. You're with the starting Quarterback. Where do you find these people?!" –Cayle
"I don't know. But apparently Sabine's a BFD." I reply, then look to Matt. "Sorry, my bad."
"All good. But yeah. I know you already know, but she likes you a lot. Mentioning you and saying how chill you were. Things are crazy, you have to be trustworthy to get in the door. And you're already there for Sabine. Twitter, Snapchat. You really didn't even know?" he looks to me, looking surprised.
I smile. "No clue. I just found out she played soccer. When she missed class Monday she said it was for some trip."
"Yeah, she got to go home. See her family. Score a fuck ton of goals in front of the whole crew. Didn't you check her Instagram?"
I quickly start opening up Instagram on my phone. "No, I don't think I follow her on there…"
Nope. And there they are.
A picture of a beaten up but thrilled looking Sabine holding a soccer ball with who must be her parents, sister and brother with the caption "So thankful and lucky to travel home, play two games in front of my friends and family!"
Well, I guess I need to follow her.
I hit the blue 'follow' button and look back to Matt. "Well hopefully I'm not in trouble."
"Yeah, By the way, thinking about it, keep what she said between us. Not everybody needs to know her life. She's got enough people trying to worm their way in." Matt smiles.
"That bad?"
He winces and nods. "People want this, that, whatever. Just a piece so that later on they can say they own you. People suck, don't take offense."
"No, they do." I laugh, getting him to loosen up.
"Sorry I jumped you back there." He smiles sheepishly. "I really thought you knew what was up."
"I'm the one that should say thanks." I confess, then sip my water.
"Least I can do for her. We're in the same boat. Just avoid the frats and srats as best you can, don't listen to what they say, and ignore the drunken confessions of, well, anyone." Matt smiles, then points back to the field. "I think they're almost ready to start back up."
Already?
I gesture for him to go first. "Lead the way."
"You know, there's a party going down tonight. I can't go, the game tomorrow and everything. But I think she'd like it if you go. You're staying after to see her right?"
No.
I shake my head quickly. "No, I don't want to make a scene. I'll text her."
I don't want to be well known at all. That's the last thing the Council wants.
"Fair enough. It's fun. Kinda sucks on my end, but I get the other side of it." He smiles.
"My buddy says you're supposed to be good too?" I ask as we reach the gate.
Matt shrugs. "I don't care about that. I just like winning. That's all I want. Sabine's the trained killer."
"The what?" I snap.
"She' s a predator. You keep coming to these, you'll see it. If a defender hurts their ankle, she'll pick and pick and pick until bang! She beats you. And keeps doing it." Matt says, sounding almost jealous. "She's a killer. Hella lethal."
Predator. Trained killer. Lethal. I guess that makes two of us.
A slow, super rhythmic song greets us as Matt and I settle in where we were before halftime, causing Matt to bounce on his heels. "Have got to play this at kickoff tomorrow…"
Football.
"You mind if I chill with you? Nice not having a thousand eyes on me." Matt smiles.
"Sure, I don't mind."
Matt beams. "Awesome. I'll grab a water. Be right back."
And just like that I'm alone again.
Well, we're playing again.
Long Beach, the team in blue is defending our side now. Things are still in the middle.
And I think that we've flipped sides of the field too. I think Sabine's on my side now.
Seconds later, the ball is kicked in my direction at a spot of empty grass, just before Sabine pounces on it, dribbles quickly before being shoved.
"Get the—off—me!" Sabine snaps, then pushes at air after passing it off not ten feet away from me.
She's got grass stains all over her uniform along with pink tape on her right arm, a hole in her socks, revealing padding and only a wristband on one wrist.
I think it's supposed to be a match set.
"Is she always that beat up?" I ask Matt, who nods.
"Girls play dirty dude. Ever wonder why Sabine's got her hair that short?"
OH!
"So they can't pull it." I tilt my head,
That would really hurt.
The action continues, not that I really pay attention. I keep watching Sabine as she weaves around and around, never staying still so her opponent can grab onto her yet still is constantly getting jostled before she finally gets hit in the side of head with an elbow.
"HEY!" I scream angrily at the same time as matt and seemingly half the crowd, just before a referee blows his whistle.
"THANK YOU!" The students chant, causing Matt to laugh.
"Bunch of savages. You should head down there one day. They're constantly chirping. Last week we forced UC Santa Barbara's defender to switch sides. Almost made her cry." Matt smiles.
Doesn't sound all that great.
"Part of the game?" I assume.
Maybe it's like how 'Winner gets to talk' after a fight. Even though I took pride in never saying a word.
"Totally." Matt informs me then yells "C'mon 'Bine!"
Sabine barely smirks, lining herself up behind a line of players and setting up for a kick.
WHOA!
The siren goes off, louder than last time as Sabine starts running around, the opponent's goalkeeper is SCREAMING at the wall of girls who jumped and missed before Sabine curled the ball over them and into the net.
"THEY CANNOT STOP ME! CAN'T DO ANYTHING!" Sabine suddenly just appears as Matt sticks out his hand and Sabine violently slaps it. "NOTHING!"
That's not my Sabine. That's a different girl.
"SCORING! For USC! Number FIVEEEEE… The PA announcer calls out before the students and Matt yell with him "SABINE WREN!" Sabine, in response points right at them and uncorks a smile before the whistle blows. "USC leads TWO- Nil."
What does nil mean?
I absent-mindedly go to check my phone, then freeze up.
Cayle – New iMessage (9)
"Crap." I mutter to myself, getting Matt to glance over briefly.
"BFD?"
"Nevermind. I looked it up."
"Yeah, he's important. Be his friend."
"He approached you?"
"Oh, I guess you're too cool to answer now."
"KIDDING. Have fun with your new friend. Get more. Make all the friends. Ask if he has any female friends that are single."
"Again, kidding."
"Found the live stats because I'm bored monitoring padawans."
"GOALLLLLLLL! Your girl!"
I smile while texting back. "She's good. That last one…I don't know she did it."
I really don't. I think she had to put it in one spot and did it. Hence the fire and fury from Long Beach.
Matt quickly hits me with an elbow seconds before Sabine approaches and immediately puts her hands on her hips. "Doing work as always."
"Always!" Sabine beams. "I'd have a hatty at least if these refs would call shit. They could press assault fucking charges for this shit!"
"Talking to your boyfriend? Wait til after the game!" A massive girl in blue snarls as she walks up.
Sabine makes a disgusted face. "I'm beating your whole damn TEAM. Tie it, THEN TALK."
The whistle blows, Sabine crushes the girl when she's looking away with a shove, then darts past her, receives a pass and puts it in the back of the net.
WOW.
Hats suddenly start flying down onto the field as the song and sirens blare deafeningly. Sabine, running around in celebration away from her teammates catches one, puts it on backwards and poses for a bank of cameras before handing the hat to a little kid with a huge smile.
"SCORING! For USC! Number FIVEEEEE… The PA announcer calls out then pauses for everyone to yell.
I join in with everyone in yelling "SABINE WREN!" before allowing him to finish his call and for Matt to roughly massage my shoulders.
"You're gonna fit in great! And you have to come every time if she's gonna go off like this!"
I shrug, truly at a loss for words before texting Cayle. "She takes everything personal. On my side. She got insulted, shoved her, got the ball and scored. In seconds man."
Aww man, it's 87:00?
"I assume it's 90 minutes since 45 was halftime?" I ask Matt, who nods.
"Passes WAY too fast." He beams. "Usually there's stoppage but this is a Sabine ass-kicking. No need. Once we reach 90—"
Before Matt can finish his sentence, the referee is blowing his whistle, the clock reads 90:00 and people are standing and clapping. Joining I, I can't help but smile.
This was super fun. And Sabine killed it.
"That's it. Ezra, man, glad to meet you. Come say hi if you see me around. You feel me?" Matt smiles, extending his hand in a different way than a handshake.
I've seen a lot of people do like a clap, hug thing. I think that's what he's going for.
"Absolutely." I smile and play along, Indeed, Matt does the clap, hug thing.
"My man." He smiles and waves before disappearing into the crowd as it starts toward the exits.
Wait, I know the easiest way out!
I smile to myself, duck into the crowd, through the gate towards softball and suddenly find myself all alone and heading toward my parking spot with a bounce in my step. I throw on a good song and jam all the way home, beating the crowd to their cars and out of the complex.
Too easy.
All too soon, I pull into my apartment complex and hop out.
She's so good at soccer! Like…wow! Why would she ever hide something like that from anyone? It's a true talent!
That girl talked, and Sabine put her in her place. She was right. Sabine beat their entire team single handedly.
Now where are my headphones? I need to clean the kitchen and that's my excuse for not doing my homework right away. I'm too hyped up!
Humming Sabine's goal song to myself even though I don't know the tune, I start picking apart the living room, looking for my headphones.
I had them in here. I was jamming earlier too. Retrace my footsteps. Last thing I did was shower and change.
I walk back to my room, find the shorts I wore to class, feel in the right pocket and promptly find them.
HAH!
Cayle – New iMessage (3)
"Take a video!"
"GOAL! AGAIN!"
"She beat them by herself!"
I laugh to the empty apartment and smile. "It was incredible."
Now what's that song?
Let's Google.
As I'm typing out my question, a notification pops up at the top of my screen.
Uh oh.
Sabine Wren – new iMessage
I'm in trouble I think.
Suddenly feeling nervous, I let out a breath and open the text.
"You were at my game?!"
She didn't think I knew.
"I was. Good game. That was fun." I reply, then start digging around for my cleaning supplies. Before I get anywhere, my phone vibrates, almost as soon as it's in my pocket.
"I, uhm owe you an explanation. Katiye and Grace said they saw you, then Matt said he talked to you?!"
In a moment, my emotion swings from happy, to irritated.
You're damn right you owe me an explanation.
"I don't need an explanation. Matt explained it all." I answer, then toss my phone onto the counter.
I just don't ge—
My phone vibrates again, indicating a new message.
ALREADY?!
"I…can explain. Monday?"
If you're there, you mean?
"Matt explained it. Top recruit, you're a BFD. I didn't mean to make a scene. Sorry I did in the food court." I apologize.
Now that at least makes sense. They wanted to know who I am. Now they all think something's up when there's not.
I fight off the instinct to shut down the conversation with Sabine and start on the dishes from this morning that I tossed in the sink out of laziness.
Again?
I toss my brush aside in frustration and read Sabine's next text.
"How'd you find out?"
Well, she opened herself up.
"On my own. Got blindsided. 'school trip'? Something something that saying about half-truths." I answer angrily before I try again to bank my anger.
She just had an awesome game and killed a team by herself.
Before I can stop myself, I add "And to answer your question, I saw a flyer running an errand for work."
I'll be surprised if she remembers where I work.
Miss Big Girl on Campus. Why me?
Why me? Is it really as simple as she sat by me in Strategies?
"Oh. Sorry."
I toss my phone aside, close to the knives and put my headphones in.
There's nothing to say to that. Yeah, you're sorry. Cool.
Cleaning my cereal bowl and glass from this morning, I scoop my phone back up and move to the living room.
Okay, I've got Strategies, Spanish homework, Comp discussion boards, some of that bookwork for Comp Sci and Chem problems.
YAY!
One problem at a time. Let's start at the top. I'll do Strategies first.
Grabbing my backpack, I pull out my notebook, which feels very familiar after copying two days' worth of notes for Sabine, log into my laptop and start logging into the class on Blackboard before my phone vibrates again.
Fine. I should let her apologize.
Sabine Wren – New iMessage
Before I can open the app, the message repeats itself.
Sabine Wren – New iMessage (2)
Sabine Wren – New iMessage (3)
"EZRA."
"You FOUND MY FUCKIGN ROOM?!"
"What the hell man! And dropped off your notes?!"
Sigh.
"You're going to need them for Strategies." I reply evenly. Immediately, she responds.
"If I didn't know better this would be creepy AS HELL Ezra! How'd you find my room? Don't do it again!"
And this is where I get her.
"From my work. I didn't have any ill intent. You're gonna need those notes."
"OH! I forgot! You're the no show! I thought it all was a prank this morning when I showed up for class and was the only one there before I checked my emails! So thanks for that."
I smile and reply "You're welcome!"
"Your work? What on campus job gives you information like that? I don't know where you work!"
"I told you. Last week after class."
I really need to work.
"This is ridiculous Ezra. I see your point and take it. Now we're off sync. Focus."
I am focused. On doing my homework.
Just as I set my phone down a new massage comes through, causing me to groan in frustration and say "I'm trying to work Sabine!" to an empty apartment.
"Which day last week? Over coffee when you got that milky frap crap thing?"
Milky frap crap?
"That drink was good! And yeah!" I reply.
I liked my Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. And I don't drink coffee so what else was I supposed to get?
"I don't remember. Where do you work?"
Idiot.
"Academic Affairs. My boss trusts me. That's how I got it. No shenanigans Sabine. You'll need those notes. You're. Welcome." I snap off.
Why is she so dumb sometimes?
I open up University Strategies and open the assignment, only to see that its assigned bookwork involving definitions and long form questions.
UGH. This is going to be a lot of work. And I don't want to do it and it's a Friday and I just had a lot of fun at Sabine's game and now I'm pissed at her because of how STUPID she's being!
"Oh. I forgot about that."
Yeah, you did.
"Just opened up the Strategies' homework. You're really gonna need those notes. Glad I got them to you." I reply honestly.
It might take me the rest of the night just to finish this one class. My weekend is going to disappear on me isn't it?
"Thank you for getting them to me. The handwriting is great, super detailed. Great work."
"What are you doing right now? There's a pre Football party going on. Matt said he told you about it. Stop by, I want to talk to you."
"Parties aren't my scene."
I don't trust myself around alcohol. Never have drank before, don't think I should start now.
"Ezra."
No.
A few seconds later she sends another text. "Ezra…please?"
"I'm at home, working on Strategies."
"So boring. Come hang out. It'll be fun."
Way too many people. I don't trust myself.
"No thanks. I appreciate the offer though." I try to politely decline before opening up a Word document.
"Stop being a damn square! Come on! I haven't seen you in a week! Matt said you were right by him but I had tunnel vision and missed you."
She then adds "Sorry about that. I get in a zone during games."
Yeah, that was kind of weird. I was standing right beside him and she ignored me like she didn't see me. I guess she didn't see me.
Shows how important I am.
"It's fine. I thought it was weird but no big deal."
"I didn't mean anything by it. You really were right next to him?"
"Yup."
"Damn. I'm sorry. C'mon Ezra. I'll drop a pin and everything."
What does drop a pin mean?
I guess I'll find out if she does it.
"I'm working."
"EZRA."
"Sabine." I smile as I type back.
This is taking forever.
"Come ON!"
"I'm working."
"It'll be fun! I need to talk to you!"
Want? Or need? She's said both.
"I'm up to my eyeballs in homework Sabine. Sorry." I tell her honestly, and then sigh.
I don't want to go to this party, I don't want to do all this homework, I just don't want to do anything.
"Oh my god why are you so stubborn."
"I'm not being stubborn."
Instantly Sabine responds.
"Dammit yes you are! I can't go full on creeper mode and find your damn place Ezra! Otherwise I'd barge in there and drag you to this thing!"
OH. Okay then. I take initiative, bail you out and save you on this test. You're welcome.
I toss my phone fully across the room, landing it face down near my desk and start drilling down on this homework.
1. Name a core skill for college success. In addition, describe a situation in which you've used this skill in the past.
(Five Hours Later)
"Okay!" I laugh to myself, exhausted. "Done!"
35 ridiculous, stupid word problems that I had to extract the answers from my book and notes. Not a single one was word vomit.
After all that complaining I did, turns out I missed it. It was easier that way.
What time is it anyway?
Tilting my laptop shut a bit, I crawl across the room to where I tossed my phone after Sabine and I's…
Argument, I guess. Fight or an argument.
1:52 blinks back at me once I hit the lock button.
Sabine Wren – New iMessage (4)
Instagram: Sabine Wren (sabinewren5) and fifty eight others started following you
Twitter: Matt Saracen (saracenFBLMatt) and 118 others started following you
Dear…LORD. I guess it's a party on Twitter and Instagram now.
"I'm sorry. That was a low blow. And totally uncalled for. You were being nice and went out of your way just for me. I appreciate it." 7:50 PM
"Ezra? Hello?" 8:01 PM
"You're probably working on your homework." 8:24 PM
"I'll let you work. Sorry again. Shouldn't have said what I said. Have a good night Ezra." 8:30 PM.
I let out a sigh, set my phone down on the carpet and rest my head on my knee, instantly causing my back to twinge with pain, probably from the awkward position I sat in for the last five hours.
I have a desk and everything! Right over there! I'm an idiot.
I give myself a moment, then look back to my phone.
I'm not dealing with that tonight. I'm tired and I've worked really hard. I could fall asleep here on the floor if I tried hard enough. I need to go to bed.