Syndicate

Chapter Three

The last exam of the year had been a hard one, but Ren was satisfied she had done her best to pass it. Walking out of the exam hall, it was hard to not enjoy the rush of excitement of finally completing her third year of college. Noises and shouts surrounded her, and she smiled at her classmates for their enthusiasm.

"Get off me you psycho," Libby, the blond-haired girl next to Ren, shouted.

Playfully smacking the tall nerdy looking guy hugging her around her middle.

"Are you both going to the party at the weekend? It is going to be epic. One last party before summer," the nerdy guy, Tom, said looking at both of them.

"Probably not. My flight is really early the next morning. I don't want to face a 19-hour journey home hung over," Ren said with a smile.

"Bummer," Tom said, then looked at Libby with a grin. "What about you? Care to join in the debauchery?"

"Of course. I will be staying here over the summer, so I need as many libations now before working at my summer job."

They both went off on a tangent about working over the summer and Ren lost focus. The college was very diverse, but a large percentage of the campus was Caucasian. When she first arrived in California, it was the first time in the life she was not singled out. She looked just like any other white student. The stares and looks she had accepted as part of her life in Japan, didn't happen here. But that was the easy part. Adjusting to American life had not been quick for her.

It was a big culture shock, learning that the mannerisms expected in Japan was seen as over-formal if not unusual in America. It was always a struggle to keep up with fast English speakers, especially when they use slang Ren didn't know. A lot of the time, she found herself spacing out during group conversations, unable to really keep up. That aloofness was often seen as coldness or indifference. When really, Ren just didn't understand what was going on. The friends she made were few. And the ones that really stuck around, like Libby, never truly knew who Ren really was. No one in America did.

Ren's mobile vibrated in her pocket. She had it on silent during the exam and wanted to text her mother when she came out but got caught up in Libby and Tom's conversation. Checking the phone, it wasn't a message from her mother. It was her PO box company. She had a parcel to collect.

"I am going to head out," Ren announced to the other two.

"Really?" Libby said, sounding disappointed. "Promise we will get together before you leave?"

"Promise," Ren smiled, waving as she headed over to the college campus postal room before heading back to her dorm.

Inside was busy. The postal room was a small square building, and it facilitated the entire campus. She finally reached the desk and showed the message of collection she received.

"Oh, you have something else in your box too," the post guy announce as she signed for her delivery.

Ren frowned but nodded thanks. She was expecting the box of American candy she now held in her hands. Ren always bulk buy's them before she headed home for the summer, as some of the guys in her grandfathers compound loved them. They begged her to bring them back every vacation. But there was nothing else she was expecting. Opening her small p.o box, she saw a slightly crumpled yellow letter at the back.

"Do you know how long this has been in here?" Ren asked as she reached for it.

"Couple of days," he shrugged. "It didn't get pinged on our SMS messaging service because it fits in your personal box."

She checked the postal return. It was from her grandfathers house. Something shifted in her mind, as she felt the letter. There was something small and firm inside. Quickly putting it in her jacket pocket she grabbed her box of candy and headed to her dorm room. It was strange. Her grandfather never sent her things. They spoke once a month at a designated time and date. Always prearranged in advance.