Carmela University was one of the best schools to study business, law, and many other major courses. It occupied almost nine thousand acres of land, and the structure was as rustic yet modern style as it could be.

It was said to be the largest school in Quinn City and enrolled over twenty thousand students each year. However, what were the odds that two people out of that twenty thousand students were destined to meet?

Oddey arrived just in time before her class started. She saw her best friend, Rita Cortez, waiting for her by the lecture room while reading a textbook.

"Hey!" Oddey greeted yet it startled her friend and sat next to her.

"Oh! you scare me," Rita expressed. "Where have you been? I thought you were gonna be late, and what happened to your hair?"

Oddey touched her hair and could tell that it was a mess, so she took a brush from her bag and then combed it. "I still have ten minutes to spare, and it's so windy outside that I thought it'd blow me away. Plus, I had to stop by the computer room to print my assignment that I had to submit for Bio class next period. The line was a bit long, though. Monday is the worst... aside from being back in the dorms to be the best roommate for my bestie."

"Smooth. What's this?" Rita snatched the book from Oddey's hand.

"A book," the art student answered as if it was obvious what she was holding in her hand.

"Isn't this like the hopeless romantic novels for those who can't have boyfriends?" Rita snorted as she snatched from her hand.

Oddey quickly took the book back from her best friend. "It's not that kind of book! Look at the cover again."

"Oh, my bad." Rita then noticed the snag on Oddey's sleeve. "Hey, what happened there?" she pointed at it.

"Oh no," she moaned.

"What? What happened?" Rita was taken aback by that.

"Uhm... an accident."

"What?! What kind of accident?"

"It's kind of a weird story. Although, thankfully, I was saved by a guy."

"A guy?" Rita gasped in excitement. "Is he cute?"

"Thank you for your concern about my safety, but yes, he's very... very cute."

Rita chuckled. "Well, I'm glad he saved you and that you're in one piece, so aside from that snagged sleeve sweater, you sure you okay?"

"Yeah, I mean, yeah, I thought I was gonna get hurt, but the fear went away when I saw his face after he saved me."

"That cute, huh?"

"I guess," Oddey was bashful.

"Do you know who else is cute? My baby niece."

Oddey noticed something in Rita. "Uh oh, I know that look, you need something."

"Well..." Rita seemed hesitant to answer.

"What?"

"My niece's first birthday is coming in a month, and I'm in charge of making the backdrop of her party."

"You don't sound very excited," Oddey snickered.

"I am, it's just that they gave me the budget but I spent it all to buy... to pay my rent."

"Oh no, Rita, why didn't you just ask your parents that you need money for that instead of lying to them and taking what is supposed to be for their granddaughter?"

"Because I already asked them for a lot of things lately, and I don't want them to think that I'm, you know, mooching them or something."

"Seriously? You have a part-time job."

"I know, I'm the worst aunt ever but pleeeaaasssse... help me make the backdrop, I know you are a creative, talented, and very resourceful artist."

"Okay, I'll do it," Oddey reluctantly agreed to help her best friend.

"Yay!" Rita gleamed then hugged her because she felt so grateful. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"But I need a deposit this Monday, no extensions."

"Shut up." The two giggled for a bit until their class professor entered the class.

Later, it was their lunchtime, "There was a surprise quiz in Bio today, just to let you know," Oddey said to Rita since she would be having the same class later on.

Rita cringed. "Oh! How'd you think you did?"

"Let's just say, at least I was able to answer some, but I'm not sure if I'll get a passing score."

"It's better than nothing."

"So what's the theme for your niece's birthday party?"

"Farm, she likes the animal noises in her storybook, which, by the way, I have to give you so you can have an idea about the design."

"Alright."

"Don't worry, I'll help you. It's the least I could do since I can't give you a deposit," Rita joked, and then she and Oddey laughed about it. "And for throwing you the work when it should be my responsibility."

"It's okay, I don't mind doing it, and besides, I love painting anyway."

"Thanks, bestie." Rita hugged her. "I want to eat before I prepare for that surprise 'quiz', I'm really hungry."

"Me too."

Once they got to the cafeteria and bought their food, the girls found a seat, but before they were about to eat, a guy approached them with a clipboard. "Would you two be interested in being in a play?" he asked them.

"A play? I thought theatre clubs are not accepting members anymore," Oddey said.

"This is just temporary, we need some people to play extras and help out with props and set designs, we're low on people right now since there are a lot of students who are getting dengue."

"Sorry, no thank you."

"So what's the play gonna be?" Rita quipped.

"Oh... it's a secret," the guy answered. Oddey and Rita weirdly looked at him. "I know it's stupid, but we haven't even told our members yet and also scheduled an audition, so that's why it's hush-hush for now."

"Okay... well, unless you're willing to give me a tiny hint, then I'm not interested either."

"I understand. Thanks for your time," he left after that.

"At least he doesn't expect us to sign up for something that we have no idea what it's about."

"True, but I wonder what's the play gonna be?"

-------

Gage was in the other building having his class, and the professor in the unit was discussing a topic. "I'm so lost, I don't get this," Courtney whispered to him as she whined about the subject while taking notes.

"Maybe because you're not paying attention," Gage whispered back to her.

"Very funny, I want to be in Broadway not be stuck in boring math class."

"You'll get there. Just hang in there."

"Maybe I should start searching for casting calls and go through auditions, and once I got a role, I will be out of here," Courtney ranted. She was a theatre major, and she wanted to be an actress once she graduated, but there were times she wanted to start her career early to avoid the grueling life of being a college student.

Gage chuckled at her plans and shook his head. "You know that that's a long way to go, right?"

"I know, but you'll be there to help me rehearse."

"Of course."

"And once I get cast in whatever TV show or movie, I'll be famous and rich, and I'm counting on you to make my dream mansion."

"Design your mansion, I don't build it in my own two hands," Gage corrected.

"Sorry, I get confused about that."

"Right... but I can help you in math too, so we can pass and graduate, and we'll get a degree, and then you'll probably get more chances on having an acting job."

"Fine," Courtney groaned. "We'll go your way, but mine is better."

"We've been in the theatre club together for two years now," Gage responded. "To you, it's like the stepping stones to your acting in Broadway career."

"Yeah, but I just wish for once I get a lead role in a play, not some small roles. It's better than rock number three or no roles at all."

"You'll get your chance."

"It's just that I always got the lead roles back in high school," Courtney whined.

"We're in college. It's like the pre-big leagues. There's gonna be a bunch of competition along the way. All you can do now is do the very best we can to win," Gage advised.

"Ugh! this sucks. I could barely understand math back in high school. Now, it's like total gibberish."

"I can tutor it to you later."

"I need that, thanks."

"It's not gonna be easy but at least you don't get to have billions of things to do for school I have to apply for this internship but I know it will be worth it, anything for our dreams, right?" Gage added.

Courtney looked away and tried to contain her euphoria towards him. "Yeah, anything," she mumbled.

They got out of their classroom once their classes were over, and unexpectedly, a guy went to them with a video camera. "And these are my two best friends, Courtney and Gage," he said. "This one will be an architect, so if you need someone who can design you awesome cribs with pools, he's your guy."

"Hi! Felix," Gage said to him.

"And any word for the future Oscar-winning actress."

"Dude, don't point that thing in my face," Courtney put her palms on the lens.

"Relax, it's not even turned on, and you know my interest is more in animation than live-action," Felix told her, then put the camera down and walked together with them in the hallway. "And... I thought you liked having a camera on your face."

"Unless you are handing me a script or holding a cue card and providing my trailer, you don't have the right to film me."

"It's fine, I am making a short claymation movie anyway for the film club, so unless you're made of clay, I am not interested."

"Cool, you joined a club," Gage expressed.

"Yeah, have a very long break time, and I want to spend it doing what I love to do," Felix explained.

"So what's this claymation story will be about?"

"Hmmm... I have no idea, I still can't decide whether it'll be a zombie or an alien movie."

"Whatever it is, let me know if you need someone to make a set design because I know a very amazing guy who can do it for you." Gage then winked at Felix and pointed at himself.

"Sure thing, man." Felix gave Gage a fist bump. "But aren't you going to be preoccupied with the theatre club?"

"It's cool. You know I only do small, very micro roles."

"You boys are weird." Courtney rolled her eyes at them.

"Because we like zombies and aliens? Maybe you can try voice acting. I think you can do a killer alien voice," Felix joked.

"Or zombie moans," Gage added.

The two boys laughed after that, except for Courtney. "Real supportive there, guys," she answered bluntly.

"We're kidding."

"I'm not," Felix snickered. Gage lightly punched his arm. "Ow! Come on, it'll be fun and funny at the same time."

"Not doing it. Period," Courtney grumbled. Then suddenly, she and Gage received a text at the same time, so they took out their phones to check it out.

"Oh, it's the theatre club. There's gonna be a meeting in a couple of days," Gage said after he read the message. "Wonder what's it about?"

"Duh, there's gonna be a play," Courtney squealed excitedly.

"You think so?"

"I know so, whatever it is, I hope I'll get a lead role, please, please, please."

"What about you, Gage? Are you going for the lead this time?" Felix questioned.

"Pass, I don't feel like doing anything that's facing the audience, I'll just work on props or set designs," Gage answered.