Akutu stared at her phone screen, her thumb hovering over the reply button. "Hey, I'm Naa. Heard you're new here. Let's talk sometime. Maybe I can help you settle in. ;)" The message felt both inviting and dangerous, like an open door to an unknown world.
She had heard enough about university life to know that certain friendships could either elevate or destroy a person. Was Naa just a friendly senior looking out for freshers, or was there something deeper beneath her confident exterior?
Jenny's voice echoed in her mind: "People who roll with her never struggle."
With a deep breath, Akutu decided.
"Hey Naa. That sounds great. When can we meet?"
The reply came almost instantly.
"Tomorrow. 7 PM. Meet me at the SRC lounge. Let's talk."
The SRC lounge was different from what Akutu expected. It wasn't just a casual student hangout—it had an air of exclusivity. The dim lighting, soft music, and small groups of students huddled together in deep conversation made it clear: this was where connections were formed.
She spotted Naa immediately. She sat at a corner table, sipping from a tall glass, her long braids draped over one shoulder. She was dressed simply, but somehow, she still stood out. Power and confidence radiated from her.
"Akutu," she said with a smile as Akutu approached. "I'm glad you came."
Akutu took a seat, suddenly feeling small under Naa's sharp gaze. "Thanks for inviting me."
"You're new, and I like new people. Fresh minds. Fresh energy," Naa said, tapping her nails against the table. "And I hear you're smart."
Akutu's heart skipped. "Uh… I try."
Naa chuckled. "I like that. Humble, but ambitious. Good mix." She leaned forward. "Look, university is a game. The ones who play it well win. The ones who don't? They drown in stress, deadlines, and failure."
Akutu swallowed. "And… how do you play it well?"
Naa smirked. "Connections. Knowing the right people. Having access to things others don't. Some of us have figured out how to make this place work for us, not against us. You could be part of that."
Akutu hesitated. There it was—the offer, the unspoken promise of an easier path.
"Think about it," Naa continued. "The first semester is the hardest. But with the right people around you, it can be the easiest."
Akutu nodded slowly. "I'll… think about it."
Naa smiled, satisfied. "Good girl. Take your time. But not too much time."
As Akutu walked back to her hostel that night, her mind buzzed with uncertainty. Jenny had warned her about Naa, but now that she had met her, Akutu couldn't deny the pull.
Would she struggle through university the hard way, or would she take the shortcuts offered to her?
The pulleys of life were turning once again.