Chapter 5 : the club fair

Solmere State University lay in the heart of Solmere, one of the greatest universities in the country. It welcomed students from across the nation and even from overseas.

With the new semester beginning and freshmen flooding the campus, every club had camped outside, proudly displaying banners and posters to attract new members.

It was a vibrant day — especially for Gabriella, who found herself drawn into the lively atmosphere. Music played from different booths, students laughed and shouted invitations, and colorful flyers fluttered in the air. Everywhere she walked, people tried to pull her into their world.

Some urged her to join the cheerleading squad, praising her slim figure and natural beauty. Others encouraged her to try the science club, insisting she looked intelligent and reserved. Gabriella smiled politely and kept moving.

She wanted to join a club — but neither cheerleading nor science appealed to her. She was searching for something different. Something adventurous.

Her steps slowed when she reached the photography club booth.

Unlike the others, its members were calm and quiet. They weren’t shouting or waving banners. They simply sat there, talking softly among themselves.

And somehow, that silence drew her in.

A brunette woman with her hair tied in a neat bun sat beside a blonde guy who noticed Gabriella immediately and smiled warmly.

“Hey,” the blonde guy said. “Would you like to join our club?”

Gabriella smiled back. “Yes. Where can I sign my name?”

“Right here.” He handed her a clipboard.

Before Gabriella could write anything, the brunette woman stood up and snatched the clipboard from his hand.

“Hold on, Blake,” she said firmly. “We need to know why she wants to join our club.”

Blake groaned. “Amanda, stop it. You’re going to scare her away like you do with everyone.”

Amanda shot him a sharp look. “We can’t just accept people who have no real interest in photography.”

“But your attitude is too—” Blake struggled to find the right word.

“Too responsible?” Amanda snapped.

“Too harsh,” Blake corrected.

“Excuse me…” Gabriella interrupted gently, glancing between them. “I really do want to join. Sincerely.”

Amanda crossed her arms. “That’s what everyone says. Then they disappear after a week.”

“Maybe because you interrogate them like criminals,” Blake muttered. “Soon our club will be disbanded because of you.”

“Oh, shut up, Blake. I’m not the one recruiting people who don’t care.”

“Hey,” Gabriella said quickly, stepping forward. “I’m not going to leave the club. I want to join because I want to follow my dad’s journey — just to understand how he felt taking photos.”

Her words softened Amanda slightly, though suspicion still lingered in her eyes.

“See?” Blake said proudly. “She’s serious.”

Amanda studied Gabriella’s earnest expression for a moment longer before finally handing her the clipboard.

“Fine. Sign here.”

Gabriella signed her name, relief warming her chest.

“By the way,” Blake said cheerfully, “I’m Blake — Vice President of the Photography Club. And this is Amanda, our Treasurer. As you’ve probably noticed, our club doesn’t have many members, so on behalf of everyone — welcome.”

Gabriella smiled at his enthusiasm. “Thank you. I’m Gabriella.”

“Aww. Can I call you Ella?” Blake asked playfully.

She laughed. “Sure.”

Gabriella glanced at Amanda, who met her gaze silently. The quiet tension made Blake shift awkwardly.

“We have our first meeting at one this afternoon,” Amanda said finally. “You should be there.”

“I will,” Gabriella nodded. “Thank you. See you later.”

“See you later, Ella,” Blake called, blowing her a playful kiss.

Gabriella shook her head with a smile as she walked away. For a first day at university, things were going surprisingly well.

Once she disappeared into the crowd, Amanda dropped into her chair with a heavy sigh.

“Can you believe it?” Blake said excitedly. “Our first recruit this year!”

“I’m tired, Blake,” Amanda muttered.

“Well, at least we have Ella. She’s cute. I think Xander is going to like her.”

Amanda rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath.

Gabriella searched for her lecture hall until she found Eco 102. Just as she reached the door, another student rushed toward it from the opposite direction.

They collided lightly, and the girl’s books scattered across the floor.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” Gabriella said quickly, bending to help.

“It’s my fault too,” the girl replied as she knelt beside her. “I was in a hurry. Are you okay?”

Gabriella smiled. “I don’t think you’re strong enough to knock me out with one bump.”

The girl laughed.

They stood and entered the lecture hall together. Only two seats remained at the back, and they sat side by side.

“I’m Andy,” the girl said, extending her hand.

“Gabriella.” They shook hands.

“Freshman?” Andy asked.

“Yes. You?”

Andy nodded. “Same.”

The lecturer entered, and the class began.

Gabriella sat beside Andy, listening quietly as the lecturer spoke. Three long hours later, the lecture finally ended, and students began packing their bags.

Andy smiled at her before leaving. After arranging her own books, Gabriella pulled out her phone and saw a message from Krista.

How is it going?

— Krista

Gabriella smiled faintly and typed a reply before checking the time. She had just an hour before the photography club meeting.

Okay… I’ll grab something to eat first. I’m starving.

No one had warned her how lonely university could feel without familiar friends. She missed Krista deeply. If Krista were here with her, they would probably already be causing trouble somewhere on campus. Thinking about it only made the ache worse.

This city was new. Everything was unfamiliar.

Then Norman crossed her mind.

At least she wasn’t completely alone. There was still someone she knew.

Her thoughts drifted to the memory of last night — the teasing, the closeness, the ridiculous punishment.

That was so unfair, she thought, shaking her head.

Sitting alone at the cafeteria table with her food untouched, she opened her message app and stared at Norman’s name.

She hadn’t seen him that morning. He was twenty-four — probably busy with work.

Without thinking too much, she typed:

What are you doing?

Her eyes widened.

“Oh no… I sent it.”

A moment later, the word Seen appeared under her message.

“He saw it…”

She poked at her food, waiting for a reply.

Nothing.

One minute passed. Then another.

Her lips curved into a small pout. If he read it, why isn’t he replying?

Annoyed, she closed the app, cleaned up her tray, and headed toward the photography club.

The photography room was tucked away in the humanities building — quiet and slightly forgotten, reflecting how small the club was. It took Gabriella a while to locate it.

When she entered, the first person she recognized was Amanda, arranging chairs and setting up a table.

“Hey,” Gabriella greeted nervously, remembering Amanda’s strict personality.

“You’re early,” Amanda said, slightly impressed.

“I didn’t want to be late on my first day,” Gabriella explained.

Amanda studied her. “Honestly, I didn’t expect you to come at all. So whether you’re early or not, I’m surprised you showed up.”

Gabriella swallowed awkwardly. “I’m glad I didn’t disappoint…”

Amanda gave a short nod.

Just then, the door opened from the other side of the room. Andy walked in carrying a dusty box.

“Amanda, I found the box of old photos in storage,” she said, placing it on the table — and then noticed Gabriella.

“Gabriella? Is that you?”

Gabriella smiled brightly. “Yes. Hi, Andy.”

“You two know each other?” Blake asked as he emerged from the storage room and casually wrapped an arm around Gabriella’s shoulders.

“Ella?” Andy repeated in confusion. “Her name is Gabriella. And yes, we met this morning in class. She’s really nice.”

“I gave her a nickname,” Blake said proudly. “Ella.”

“She’s our new recruit,” Amanda added, pulling Andy closer.

Andy’s face lit up. “Really? Then welcome, Gabriella!”

“Ella,” Blake corrected firmly.

Andy laughed. “Ella is cute. Short and beautiful.”

“I agree.”

A young man stepped forward, his voice smooth and confident.

Gabriella turned — and nearly froze.

He didn’t look like an ordinary student. He was dressed sharply in a grey shirt and black suit trousers, his presence polished and commanding. And undeniably handsome.

He smiled warmly at her and extended his hand.

“Hi. I’m Xander, the club president.”

Gabriella hesitated for half a second before reaching out to shake his hand, her heart fluttering slightly.

She couldn’t believe her luck.