Our different worlds

A typical party

Friday arrived at last, bringing with it a free day from classes and the first time I'd had a moment to myself since arriving at Kingsford. Max's words about fitting in-or more like, surviving-still played on a loop in my mind. It was unsettling, the idea of being judged based on my scholarship status, but more than that, the tension I'd created with Max lingered uncomfortably. He was only looking out for me, and I'd probably overreacted.

To clear my head, I decided to wander around the nearby village, hoping to shake off the heaviness of the week. The village, like the university, had an old-world charm; cobblestone streets, ancient stone buildings, and a sense of timelessness hung in the air. Yet unlike the formality of campus, the village had a laid-back energy. Students from Kingsford were scattered around, laughing and unwinding, almost as if the social hierarchies of campus had been left behind here. It was... freeing.

I strolled through a small garden at the village's edge, where a few animals roamed around: a family of ducks in the pond, pigeons pecking at crumbs, even a few squirrels darting up trees. Just then, I noticed an ice cream stand, a small relief from the lingering summer heat. I waited behind a strange-looking man wearing a heavy coat, glasses, and a wide-brimmed hat that shielded most of his face. It struck me as odd, given the September warmth.

When it was my turn, the vendor-a jolly man with a contagious smile-handed me a chocolate cone with a friendly wink. Ice cream in hand, I wandered deeper into the garden, crossing a little stone bridge where I stopped to watch a pair of swans glide beneath. Eventually, I found a shady spot beneath a large oak tree, and I let myself sink into the peace of the moment, dialing my mom.

Hearing her familiar voice brought a wave of comfort, and I filled her in on my week, telling her about Max, the campus, and the whirlwind of new experiences. I admitted to her, maybe more to myself, that I'd misjudged Max's intentions. He was just worried about how I'd fit into a world that was, admittedly, different from my own.

Just as I ended the call, something unusual caught my eye-the man from the ice cream stand. He was moving quickly through the garden, disappearing into a hedge maze at the far end. My curiosity got the better of me, and before I knew it, I was following him through the winding paths of the maze. The hedge walls towered around me, and after a few twists and turns, I lost sight of him. By the time I reached the maze's edge, I caught a glimpse of him climbing over a fence, heading straight into the woods.

There was no way this guy wasn't up to something odd. Without thinking, I found a gate and followed him down a dirt path that twisted through the trees. The trail ended at a fallen tree that had been fashioned into a crude bench overlooking a steep cliff. The man was there, his back to me, watching the sunset.

I froze. What was I doing? Panic welled up as I realized I might have walked straight into danger. Before I could turn back, he whipped his head around, locking eyes with me. My heart raced, but I forced myself to stay calm. I put on the bravest face I could muster, managing a shaky smile as I walked up to him.

"Uh, mind if I sit?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

He nodded, barely acknowledging me, and turned back to the sunset. I followed his gaze, pretending the whole thing was completely normal.

After a few silent moments, he let out a quiet chuckle. "You're not scared?" he asked, his voice deep and curious.

I hesitated but decided honesty was my best chance. "I am. But one of my rules is not to show it."

"Interesting," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You have rules, huh?"

"Yeah, they keep me grounded. I don't know if they're foolproof, but they work." I hesitated before adding, "Like... never assume people's intentions. And... always walk into a room like you're supposed to be there."