A new semester has begun at the university. The chatter of students broke the silence that had lingered over the summer. After the long holidays, old friends reunited, their voices filled with excitement and laughter.
The freshmen wandered around looking lost, struggling to find their classrooms. In the middle of this chaos stood a new student. Unlike the others, he seemed calm, almost too calm.
New Student: Just one step away from my dream.
He adjusted his bag and headed toward his first lecture. The professor spent the entire class reading the attendance list and introducing the course.
The boy, however, was restless. He fiddled with his pen, waiting impatiently for the lecture to end.
Professor: "That's all for today. See you next week…"
The moment the words left the professor's mouth, the boy bolted out of the room. He had only one thought in mind: don't be late.
Students in the hallway watched in surprise as he ran past them. He didn't notice the stares or the whispers. When he finally reached his destination, he stopped in front of a door. Straightening his hair and clothes, he prepared to go inside.
A sign on the door read: "Club Registration."
He opened the door and scanned the room. His eyes lit up when he spotted the banner of the club he had been dreaming about. Without hesitation, he rushed toward it.
Club Member: "Hello! Do you want to join our club? Please fill out this form."
The boy sat down, grabbed a pen, and quickly completed the form. When he handed it back, the club member smiled.
Club Member: "Tim, welcome to our club. We'll contact you this evening to discuss the details."
Tim: "Thank you! Goodbye."
Tim could hardly contain his happiness, his dream was finally within reach.
Later, when he got home, exhausted but thrilled, he decided to take a shower. Warm water trickled down his dark hair. Though he hadn't trained in a long time, his body was still in great shape.
He was drying his hair with a towel when a notification appeared on his phone. It was a message from the group chat:
The Marksman Society
Logan: "New members, if you have any questions, ask here. Our first meeting is Thursday at 16:00."
Seb: "Hi! If you need anything, you can reach out to me or Willy."
Tim stared at the screen.
Tim: Willy? Why does that name sound familiar?
His mind raced, trying to place the name. Then it hit him.
Tim: He's one of the top 10 shooters in the country.
1. William
2. Sebastian
3. Alexander
4. Logan
With shooting gaining popularity, the club's elite members had become minor celebrities. No wonder so many people had joined. Tim muted the chat he had already gotten the information he needed.
All he could think about now was Thursday's meeting. Shooting was the most important thing in his life. Nothing else mattered. He would do whatever it took to achieve his dream. Ever since childhood, he had dreamed of being number one, and now that chance was finally here. He was in the same club as the best shooters in the country. He was just months away from making his dream come true.
Only one person stood in his way, Willy.
Tim checked his schedule for the next day: morning lecture, then practice. Suddenly, another message appeared this time from an unknown number:
Unknown Number: "Do you remember what I told you?! The sooner you leave, the better for you!"
Tim deleted the message and pretended nothing had happened. He was used to threats like this. But he wasn't going anywhere, not until he reached his goal.
Restless at home, he couldn't sit still. He didn't know many people here yet only Ethan, a first-year student he'd met by chance. They became close after realizing they went to the same university.
Tim: "Ethan, are you busy? I'm tired of being alone. Let's go out."
Ethan: "Not surprised you're bored, Timmie. Meet me at the mall in 20 minutes."
Tim: "K."
He threw on a black T-shirt and jeans for comfort, grabbed his phone, and headed out. Just as he was about to lock the door, he realized he'd forgotten his keys and rushed back to get them.
When Tim arrived at the mall, Ethan was already waiting.
Ethan: "Timmie! Over here."
Tim: "I saw you from the car."
Ethan: "Hungry?"
Tim: "Starving. Let's eat."
Ethan: "Where? You pick. You're so picky."
Tim: "I'm too lazy to choose. You decide."
Ethan: "Seriously? Fine. I want a salad. So, salad bar?"
Tim gave him a sad look.
Tim: "You know I hate salad."
Ethan: "That's why I told you to choose."
Tim: "Italian, then?"
Ethan nodded.
They headed to their favorite Italian spot on the third floor.
Waiter: "Hello! What would you like?"
Tim: "Ciao, una pasta cacio e pepe, una pizza margherita e del vino rosso. Per il mio amico, una pizza alla diavola e un po' d'acqua." (Hello, one pasta with cheese and pepper, one pizza margherita and some wine. For my friend, pizza diavola and some water.)
Ethan: "Love your Italian accent. You only know how to order food, right?"
Tim: "Exactly. And in other languages too."
They laughed. Tim loved food, he often joked that all his money went into eating well.
They were enjoying themselves when Tim suddenly spotted someone familiar.
Ethan: "Who's that?"
Tim: "Members of my club."
Ethan: "Go say hi."
Tim: "No way. I'm not in the mood to talk."
Ethan: "You'll have to spend time with them anyway."
Before Tim could protest, a voice called out:
Logan: "Tim! Join us! Bring your friend."
Ethan grinned, grabbed Tim's hand, and dragged him over.
Logan: "Tim, meet Seb, Al, and Willy, our club members."
Tim: "Nice to meet you. This is Ethan. He's a student at our university."
Ethan: "Nice to meet you. Take care of Timmie, he doesn't have many friends here. Just me."
Tim: "But you're the most wonderful thing in my life."
Ethan placed a hand on Tim's shoulder. They always flirted playfully, and people often assumed they were a couple. The club members noticed too. Fans even had a name for them: The Shooting Stars.
Willy: "He still has to pass the test before joining."
Logan: "Don't spoil the mood. I believe in him."
Al: "Want to make a bet?"
Tim: "I'm not into bets."
Ethan: "I'll bet for him. He'll get the highest score."
Al: "Who else agrees?"
Everyone raised their hands except Willy. Exactly what Tim expected. He needed a rival like him.
Logan: "What's the prize?"
Willy: "Name your price."
Seb: "Not fair. You're the richest among us."
Al: "Yeah, no money bets."
Seb: "If we lose, we do all your work. If we win, you do whatever we say."
Willy: "Fine."
They laughed and joked about what they'd make him do if they won.
Tim checked his phone: five missed calls and several messages from his mom.
Mom: "Tim, how was your day?"
"If you change your mind, you can come back. Everyone's waiting for you at the university."
"Your friends miss you too."
"Please come back."
"We're worried about you."
Tim clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. Nobody understood him. Suddenly, he stood up.
Tim: "Sorry, guys. I have to go. Ethan, I'm sorry to cut our plans short."
Ethan: "It's okay. Is everything alright?"
Everyone looked concerned.
Tim: "Don't worry. I'll leave my car with you. I won't be on campus for a few days, but I'll see you Thursday. Thanks for everything."
Willy: "Need a ride?"
Tim: "No. You guys have fun."
After he left, the mood shifted. No one felt like hanging out anymore.