In every season, Your purpose is unchanging.
In every moment, You're working for my good.
- It Is So, 
Elevation Worship

...

It takes 15 minutes to drive from my home in Paddington to the Education Council in Lisson Grove, and that is if you're driving leisurely. It takes exactly 7 and a half minutes to drive from home to the council, if you're driving nonstop, with a constant speed. So, please tell me why - after having texted Nathan a good half hour earlier – am I still at the gateway of the council building? I am two minutes away from walking home from this place which I would very much like to leave when a very familiar voice I had never heard before today calls out and I internally groan. Not this guy again... Please, I can't deal with his smart-mouthed attitude right now.

"Ruby?" Rayden takes his seat next to me on the bench outside the walls of the campus. Odd place to have a bench, but I think it was placed there exactly for seating people whose brothers arrive late to pick them up. "Ah, I knew it was you!" The impertinent Rayden Jonathan has the nerve to smirk. He actually, smirked. "So, did we meet by accident? Or did your God allow us to meet again? Will you be my friend now?"

I am about to say that I don't have the patience for his sass and carry out the plan of taking the bus home when his words stop me. He said your God.

"You're not a Christian?" I ask him, curiosity taking over my ill mood.

"I don't know," he sighs, running his hand over his black hair. "I mean, my dad and my step mum are firm believers. And so is my sister. They help with the church activities and all that. Me... I'm not so sure."

"Why not?" I prod. This was one thing to keep me from thinking about what happened inside the council building – hearing someone else's story.

"I don't know. My mum died when I was fourteen. Cancer. And I..." he trails off. Suddenly, I feel like I'm intruding too much.

"I'm sorry," I tell him. I know that an apology is not what he needs now, but I have no clue what to say. I know what it feels like to lose a parent. I've seen Nathan walk around aimlessly a countless number of times, I've seen him struggle in his relationship with God, pondering over the loss of his father; even though Uncle Brandon died when we were two. At least Nathan has us – mum, dad, Nia, aunt Lily, Joy... I wonder what Rayden's family is like.

"I usually don't share all this with anyone, yet here I am, sharing my story as if we've been lifelong friends. Why am I even telling you this Ruby?" Rayden asks, running his hand through his hair again.

"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" I ask, smiling. Rayden just shakes his head in response, but a hint of a smile stays on his face.

"So what happened inside?" He asks, motioning towards the council building, "You attended the interview for the medical schools in England, didn't you? Did you get into one?"

I sigh. I don't know what happened there. And it wouldn't be just me. Even Rayden couldn't have got in too. I'm contemplating whether I should ask him what happened when Nathan pulls up. 

"Couldn't you take the bus? I had to pause Netflix for this!" He complains.

"If you had told me you were so busy, I would've walked home instead, you doof," I say rolling my eyes.

"Whatever. Now, get in!" It is then he notices Rayden and he narrows his eyes. "Who are you?"

"G' day mate," Rayden offers a small salute, "The name's Rayden."

"I am not your mate," Nathan glowers at him. I'm surprised that Nathan seems irritated; he usually loves meeting new people. Whatever he paused on Netflix must have been very interesting. He then looks at me, "Are you coming or what?"

I roll my eyes before looking back at Rayden. "Well, this is it. Pleasure meeting you."

"Will we meet again?" Rayden asks.

"Maybe, maybe not," I reply in a sing-song voice, "We'll never know." I smile at Rayden before getting into the car and Nathan drives away. I look at him, asking the million-dollar question.

"So... what were you watching on Netflix?"

...

"Birmingham?? You got accepted into the University of Birmingham?" Nia shouts.

"Not exactly. I got accepted into Hargrove, which is in Birmingham."

"Hargrove? As in the university that Nathan wants to attend?" Nia asks and I nod my head in response. "So you're leaving?" She asks, hugging her knees. When I was given the acceptance letter, I hadn't thought that leaving would be a problem. But now, seeing the look in Nia's eyes, I feel like I should rethink that decision.

"Nia, I won't be leaving. I'll be just two hours away," I say, smiling at her. However, she doesn't seem convinced, I get up and walk to her bed, pulling her into my arms. Nia and I have always been close, really close. So I can understand what it feels like to be away from each other. "I'm just a phone call away Nia, and I'll be home on the weekends too. Birmingham is just a two-hour drive away from Paddington. You know that, don't you"

"I know, it's just... you're always here. It's tough to imagine a scenario where you're not here," she mumbles. "I don't understand. Why do you have to go to Birmingham? Doesn't Westminster have any universities offering psychology?"

"They do, I guess... I don't know Nia," I sigh, "but I think this is the only way I can get into med school now."

"What exactly happened there?" Nia inquires, looking tired. I sigh as I think back to this morning and what happened.

...

I walked into a white-clad room and the first word that ran through my mind was 'Wow'. Like, literally, wow. The entire room was filled with white from the floor to the ceiling. Even the window panes were white. If this weren't real life, I would've assumed I'm in an illusion. And since it wasn't, I realised that My red cardigan and dark blue jeans feel out of place in all this white.

"Good morning! I'm assuming you're here for the interview for medical school admissions, am I right?" I looked towards the front of the room to find four men and a middle-aged woman seated at a long table. They all wore different colours too, making me not feel like the odd one out there.

Mustering the best smile I could, I went up to them. "Good morning Sirs, Miss," I said, nodding at them. "My name is Nerissa James, and I am indeed here for the medical school admission interview."

"Have a seat, Ms James," An elderly man, with greying hair gestured towards the white chair. I passed the file containing my certificates to the panel members before taking a seat in the said chair. I wondered what Nathan would say if he were here. He probably would have asked what's up with all this white and would've gotten himself kicked out before the interview even started. The thought brings a smile to my face as I watched the panel members talk among themselves after having gone through my file.

"You've secured the first rank in the SSC exams in Great Britain. Congratulations. We're very much impressed. Securing a rank in the SSC exams is difficult, and you've obtained the first grade. Could you tell us how you worked towards securing the rank?"  The woman asked.

"Sure, Miss. I knew that securing the rank would be a hard task, but I knew I shouldn't give up. I read books that would inspire me to work hard and I did not let failure pull me down. Encouragements from my family and friends helped me too."

"Good, good" Another panel member said, "Ms James, tell me why do you want to become a doctor?"

I took in a deep breath before answering. "I've always wanted to help other people in some way: be it helping someone cross the street or volunteering at a self-help home. As I was growing up, I realised that this was what I wanted to do as a profession. Being a doctor means whole-heartedly giving your service for the good of others. And that is what I want. To offer my service to them so that they can be happy."

"That's a very remarkable answer," The elderly man said. "What field of medicine would you want to study?"

"Cardiology," I answered without hesitation.

"Could you tell us why Ms James?" A panel member enquired. 

I nodded before answering. I didn't want to tell them about Nana, but I could tell them something else. "My Uncle passed away in an accident when I was two. No one knew how the accident happened then. They told me that he had a heart problem and it took his life while he was driving, but they still didn't know what it was. I realised what his medical issue was only after learning about the heart and its functions in biology. Let's just say I've had an interest in cardiology since." I think back to the time when I learned about the human heart in biology in year 8 and wondering which one of the heart problems Uncle Brandon had suffered. I think about the time I told Nathan about it, wondering if he would want to know what happened to his father. But it hurt him more and I never mentioned it to him after. 

The interview panel discussed among themselves before looking at me. "Ms James, we're very impressed with your answers and the fact that you secured the rank. But we're very sorry. You did not get in."

My heart started to beat rapidly and tears pooled into my eyes. I did not get in? Why? Keeping my voice as steady as possible, I voiced my thoughts. "Why? I've got a perfect grade in Biology and-"

"We're aware of your perfect grade in biology, but your medical entrance test score is below the par." A panel member said, slipping forward a few sheets of papers stapled together towards me. I picked up the paper -which seems to be the mark list of the medical entrance - and scanned it for my name, finding it on the third page. It sat just below the names of the candidates who made it, the first name outlined in grey. Besides my name was my percentile I scored: 74%

 And below my name sat another familiar one: Rayden G. Jonathan.

"One per cent. You didn't get into the race because you fell short by one per cent," the lady smiled, apologetically. "But it's okay. There are other courses out there that may interest you."

I smiled weakly in response, but my thoughts were racing. What was I going to do now? Did I have a plan B? Will I get to follow my real dreams? Would Mum and Dad be disappointed? What would Uncle Gale say? Am I a disgrace to the James' family now? 

"But, we're ready to offer you a choice," The elderly man with greying hair said, breaking me out of my thoughts. "My name is Joe Hargrove Jr. My father, Joseph Hargrove Senior was the founder of Hargrove University. I'm very much impressed with your scoring in the SSC examinations and with your answers, I would like to offer you the chance to study at our university. I've never come across anyone as brilliant or hardworking as you, Nerissa, and I feel it would be a mistake to let you go."

I feel a blush creeping into my skin as I registered his words. I'm not as brilliant or hardworking as he says I am. Only then did I realise something; he had said Hargrove University. The very Hargrove University that Nathan had applied for. 

"Would you like me to continue?" Mr Hargrove Junior asked and I nodded in reply. "So, here's my offer. An undergraduate degree in Psychology for four years. And then a postgraduate degree in medicine. How does that sound?" 

Confusion filled my face. How does an undergraduate degree in psychology help in getting into medical school? When I voiced my concerns, Mr Hargrove smiled. "My dear girl, you need to study a biology-related subject for your undergraduate to get into medical school for a postgraduate degree. However, I think psychology be the best for you. But there is only one issue. You will have to move to Birmingham."

I think it through. Would my parents approve of this? "My parents, they-"

"Don't worry about your parents, my dear. Hargrove is one of the most sought-after universities in England. I'm sure they'll be happy if you get accepted there. Moreover, you're getting a scholarship too. What more could you ask for?" I'm sure I still looked conflicted, because Mr Hargrove asked me, "Do you want to ask your parents?"

I closed my eyes for a minute and prayed to God. 'Is this the plan You have for me, Lord? What do I do now?' Suddenly I remember the words of the song I listened to in the morning: 

"Your word is settled in heaven
It will be done
Father, let it be done
Yours is the kingdom foreverYour will be done
Let it be done"

A smile finds its way to my face as I answered him. "Sir, I don't want you to think I'm a dependent person who has to do everything according to her parents' will. My parents trust me and they want what's best for me. And I know that every choice that you come across in life is an opportunity to learn something new. So, if I'm getting an opportunity to enhance my knowledge and get me closer to my dream, why would I put it away by doubting? I would like to think that this may be an opportunity given by God. Who am I to turn away from what He has spoken. I do have one question: When do I start?"

Mr Hargrove smiles at me before answering. "Two weeks from now, on the 12th of September."

...

"Did Mum agree to this?" Nia asks me, picking up her guitar.

"Mum was elated. And so was Dad. Sure, they were a little sad when I told them I had to move to Birmingham, but they were so happy that I got into Hargrove. I mean, it isn't easy to get accepted there. I think Aunt Lily was the happiest of all. She said that Nathan wouldn't be alone if he gets accepted there."

"And did you talk to Nathan about this?" She inquires, playing a tune I don't recognise. 

"I did. I think he said something along the lines of 'Same thing as school. Same university, same class, different friend circles'. Something like that." I shrug.

Nia laughs, muttering under her breath "Of course, he would say that." She continues to strum the tune in her guitar.

"What song is that? Why don't I recognise it?" I ask. 

Nia beams at me. "You like it? It's something Sarah and I came up with."

"It's great," I tell her. I watch for a while as she continues to play the new tune on her guitar. Suddenly, I couldn't help but blurt out a question. "Nia, how do you feel about me leaving?"

"Honestly, I'm sad. But I cannot be selfish and keep you here with me forever. You need to go out there and discover what's good for you. And what's best, I get this room to myself," she grins. "Like you said Grace, if it's God's will, then let it be done."

I smile proudly at my sister, "You know I love you, don't you?"

Nia winks at me. "The feeling's mutual, Sis. But don't you dare get mushy on me!" She says with a threatening voice and I laugh, causing her to laugh too.

"So, we've got two weeks, yeah?" She asks, once we've calmed down.

"Yeah." 

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get you ready for university!" She grins, excited, "We are going shopping!"

...

Author's Note:

Hello guys! How are all of my dear readers??

I hoped you loved this chapter! I loved writing the relationship between Nerissa and her sister! What do you think?

Please do vote and comment. And stay safe. I'm praying for you guys!

Love,
Grace