Chapter 3 - Samantha

LAX Airport

Los Angeles, California.

A pair of bright brown eyes looked stern at the clock. As if a mental power could speed up time. She would be working until noon, she had arranged it with her boss. She had to take her SAT's. In just a few more minutes, she would have to get up from there and get in the first cab she could find in order to make it in time to Campus.

That was plan B.

She decided to apply for Art and Architecture at UCLA as her second —and most realistic— option after applying for Archaeology at the American University in El Cairo.

She knew how hard it was to make it in AU, so she decided she would also pursue a safe goal, regardless of her passion for past civilizations and ancient hidden treasures.

Since she was a child, she dreamed of exploring the pyramids and discovering mummies. Her dreams faded to the background as the years passed. Nevertheless, she had nothing to lose by trying.

It was a busy day at the airport. People would come and go, rushing in or out. Typical international airport. But that day seemed a little more hectic than usual, which was to be expected since, in a couple of days, a major event would begin. An event that would gather millions of people sharing the same passion.

The Football World Cup was to be disputed shortly and the United States was to host.

The Stub Hub Center in LA was chosen for the opening ceremony and the first match, which was scheduled between The US and Germany.

She knew all about it because Carlos, her best friend and sports fanatic, told her.

Carlos and her were great friends of 4 years. Samanta came to the US when her older sister, Teresa, having widowed, asked her to come from Mexico, where their parents live. Teresa had married an American man who lost his life in the battlefront in Afghanistan. Teresa devastated and with help from the American government, managed to get her only sister to the United States.

 Samanta was excited to move in with her sister, besides she had many more chances at getting to study what she had always dreamed of.

Sam and Carlos first interactions happened during grade 9, when they learned they were neighbors. Carlos lived with his mother 3 doors down from Teresa. They became inseparable ever since, to such extent that whenever either of them was looking for a part-time job, they would both do it together.

And that was how they started working at the same place five months back.

Samanta, like always, is listening to the costumers while pouring their coffee. It was inevitable. Listening about what they did in their last business trip, how they miss their families and how exhausted they were after their long flights.

“Samanta?” her friend's voice made her turn around. “It's time. You should go or you'll be late.”

As she looked at the clock, she realized the minutes had gone by quickly.

She took off her apron and waved at Gordon, their boss, letting him know she was leaving. The man nodded and mouthed something Sam did not even see well. Sam could not see it, but she knew what he had meant.

Good Luck.

She took her bag, picked up her affairs and said goodbye to some of her co-workers.

Carlos gave her a big smile and gave her a big hug saying:

“You got this!” he believed in his friend blindly.

“Thank you” Sam said and hugged him back, just as tight.