"Miss Noa, welcome to Stanford Law School," Abigail said as John, our driver, opened the car door for us.
As I stepped out of the car, I was left in awe of the school's breathtaking architecture. The grand buildings, with their intricate designs and towering archways, stood proudly against the clear blue sky.
"Is this your first time here, Miss Noa?" Abigail asked again, her tone was curious.
"Please, just Noa. You can call me Noa," I replied, my gaze is still fixed on the stunning campus. I was completely mesmerized. "I honestly don't know... I can't remember most of my pasts."
"Oh... I'm so sorry, that was insensitive of me," she said, her voice laced with guilt.
I offered her a small smile, brushing off her concern. At this point, I was used to people tiptoeing around my memory loss. Instead of dwelling on it, I let my eyes wander, taking in the prestigious school that—perhaps—held answers to a past I couldn't recall.
"Shall we?" Abigail asked, and I quickly nodded.
As we stepped into the building, I couldn't help but stare in awe. I still couldn't believe I was finally here. The grand architecture, the intricate details, the very air of the place—it all felt surreal.
"This way, Noa," Abigail said, gently guiding me forward as I remained mesmerized by my surroundings.
Before I knew it, we had already reached the room where my interview would take place. I hadn't even realized how far we had walked. Abigail gave me a reassuring smile before opening the door for me.
Inside, a distinguished-looking man immediately stood up from his seat and greeted us warmly.
"Hello, you must be Miss Noa," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.
"Yes, I am. And you must be Atty. Cortez," I replied, quickly reaching out to shake his hand. His grip was firm yet welcoming.
"Yes, indeed. Your father is a good friend of mine—it's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said with a kind smile.
Wanting to acknowledge Abigail, I turned slightly and introduced her. "By the way, sir, this is Miss Abigail—my father's secretary and a proud graduate of this institution." I said, a hint of pride in my voice.
Atty. Cortez nodded in recognition. "Ah, wonderful! It's always good to see alumni returning. Welcome, Miss Abigail," he said warmly before gesturing toward the seats. "Shall we begin?"
Abigail quickly handed my credentials to him, carefully guiding him through each document. She explained the contents with precision, ensuring he understood the significance of every paper. Her professionalism and confidence were evident, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for her support.
Atty. Cortez nodded as he reviewed the documents, occasionally glancing up at me with an approving expression. "Everything looks in order," he remarked, flipping through the pages. "You've had quite an impressive academic journey, Miss Noa."
I smiled, feeling a mix of pride and nervous anticipation. "Thank you, sir. I've worked hard to get here."
Abigail gave me a subtle, reassuring glance before stepping back, allowing the conversation to proceed.
"So, you attended the Manhattan School of Music and completed the conservatory program," Atty. Cortez said, scanning my credentials.
"Yes, sir," I replied politely.
"You have an outstanding academic record, and I see you were one of their top musicians," he noted, nodding in approval. Then, he leaned back slightly, his expression curious. "Tell me, Miss Schmid, why the sudden shift? Why do you want to become a lawyer? Was this your father's idea? After all, he is one of the most respected attorneys in the country."
I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the question I had anticipated. "No, sir. This was entirely my decision. Music has been a significant part of my life, but I realized that my true calling lies elsewhere. Law isn't just my father's legacy—it's something I genuinely want to pursue."
Atty. Cortez studied me for a moment before offering a small, intrigued smile. "Interesting. I'd love to hear more about that."
"Well, before your dad called me, he told me about your medical condition," Atty. Cortez said, glancing up from my documents. "You have retrograde amnesia, correct?"
"Yes, sir," I replied with a slight nod. "There are gaps in my memory, and I barely remember most of my past. But I assure you, this will not affect my ability to pursue law."
He leaned back in his chair, observing me with a thoughtful expression. "That's quite a transition—from being a musician to studying law. It's not an easy path, especially given your circumstances."
"I understand, sir," I said confidently. "But I'm ready for this. If anything, my past only strengthens my determination to succeed in this field."
Atty. Cortez nodded slowly, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Determination is a good trait for a future lawyer, Miss Schmid. Let's see if your passion matches your potential."
He stood up from his seat and motioned for us to follow him. As we entered another room, I noticed several people working diligently at their computers. Their focused expressions told me they were part of the administrative team.
"Everyone, this is Noa Ysabelle Schmid, daughter of Gregory Schmid, and this is Abigail, her assistant," Atty. Cortez introduced us. We acknowledged them with polite nods. "Please guide Miss Schmid through the LSAT procedures and regulations."
A woman who appeared to be in her forties approached, giving me a professional but kind smile. She handed me a thick stack of papers—the test questionnaire—while another staff member took my documents from Abigail for processing.
Atty. Cortez turned to me with a reassuring nod. "I'll leave you in good hands. Do your best," he said before stepping away.
As the woman began explaining the test instructions, I quickly skimmed through the questions. The sheer number of pages was intimidating, but as I read, a sense of confidence settled over me. I could do this.
After finishing her explanation, she gestured for me to follow her into another room. Just before entering, she instructed me to surrender all my belongings, except for a pencil and sharpener. I complied, handing over my things before stepping inside.
The exam room was quiet and sterile, with a single armchair positioned in front of a large whiteboard. She directed me to take my seat while she positioned herself beside the board, facing me—ensuring there would be no opportunity for any form of dishonesty.
Before allowing me to begin, she carefully set the timer, her sharp eyes scanning the room one last time. Then, with a firm nod, she signaled me to start.
After an hour of carefully answering the questionnaire, I finally put my pencil down, exhaling a quiet breath of relief.
"Please wait outside for the results," she said politely, collecting my papers.
I gave her a respectful nod before standing up and exiting the room. As I stepped outside, I felt a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement. This was just the beginning of a new chapter, and I could only hope that my efforts would be enough.
Abigail gave me a reassuring tap on the back. "That was quick, Noa," she said with a proud smile.
I let out a small chuckle, feeling a bit more at ease. "Well, I just answered what I knew."
She nodded approvingly. "Let's wait for the results here. But honestly, I have no doubt you'll pass." Her confidence in me was unwavering, and it made me feel a little lighter despite the anticipation building inside me.
I took a deep breath and sat beside her, silently hoping she was right.
After another hour of waiting, the results were finally out. A staff member called us, instructing us to proceed to Atty. Cortez's office.
As we stepped inside, my eyes immediately landed on him, seated behind his desk, holding my test paper. This time, it was no longer just a blank questionnaire—it had been graded. My heart pounded in anticipation as I exchanged a quick glance with Abigail, who gave me a reassuring nod.
Atty. Cortez flipped through the pages, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched between us, making the tension in the room almost unbearable. Finally, he placed the papers down and looked directly at me.
"You finished the test quite fast, Miss Schmid," he said, tapping his fingers on the desk. "That alone was impressive."
I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. I could feel my palms sweating as I waited for him to continue.
He exhaled slowly before sliding the test paper across the desk toward me. "Take a look at your score," he said with a small smile.
With a shaky breath, I picked up the paper, my eyes scanning the result at the top. The moment I saw it, my heart skipped a beat.
"Congratulations," Atty. Cortez said, his voice filled with approval. "You passed—with one of the highest scores we've seen in years."
Abigail let out a small gasp beside me, gripping my arm excitedly. I could hardly process the words. I had done it.
A surge of relief and pride washed over me. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.
"Congratulations, and I guess welcome to Stanford Law School, Miss Schmid."
"Congratulations, and I guess welcome to Stanford Law School, Miss Schmid," Atty. Cortez said with a proud smile.
The words echoed in my ears, and for a moment, I was too stunned to respond. Abigail squeezed my arm excitedly, her eyes gleaming with pride.
"Thank you, sir," I finally managed, my voice slightly shaky with emotion.
Atty. Cortez nodded. "Your father will be pleased. He had high expectations, and you certainly lived up to them."
I smiled, feeling a mix of relief and excitement. This was it—the beginning of a new chapter in my life.
"Please proceed to enrollment processing so you can start as early as possible," Atty. Cortez said with a warm smile as he handed me the official documents.
I stood up, still processing everything. "Thank you, sir! I truly appreciate this opportunity," I said sincerely, giving him a respectful nod before stepping out of his office.
The moment we were outside, Abigail turned to me with an excited grin. "Congratulations, Noa! I told you!" she said, giving my arm a playful squeeze.
I exhaled, a wave of emotions washing over me. Relief, excitement, and gratitude all mixed into one. "Thank you! I honestly didn't expect much, but God gave me more than what I prayed for," I murmured, tilting my head up, silently thanking Him for this moment.
Abigail chuckled, nudging me forward. "Well, you deserve it! Now, let's get you officially enrolled."
She led the way to the enrollment office, expertly handling most of the process while I followed, still caught in the whirlwind of emotions. Watching her confidently navigate the paperwork, I couldn't help but smile. This was really happening. I was about to begin a new chapter in my life—one I never thought possible.
As we reached the final step of enrollment—payment—I decided to step aside for a moment, giving Abigail space to handle the process. I walked at a leisurely pace, taking in my surroundings, scanning the grand halls of the university that would soon become my second home.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice someone rushing toward me until it was too late. A sudden force collided with me, nearly knocking me off balance.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" I snapped, my voice laced with irritation.
The impact sent his bag tumbling to the floor. Without even looking at me, he quickly crouched down, hastily gathering his things as if he were in a hurry.
"I'm so sorry, Miss," he muttered, barely sparing me a glance before rushing away, disappearing into the crowd.
I frowned, watching his retreating figure. Something about the encounter felt… odd. But shaking off the thought, I turned back to Abigail, who was already waving me over, signaling that the enrollment process was finally complete.
"Hey, what happened there?" Abigail asked, her brows furrowing as she glanced in the direction the guy had disappeared.
"Don't mind it," I huffed, shaking my head. "Probably just a student running late to class." My voice still carried a hint of irritation, but I tried to brush it off.
Abigail studied me for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. "Anyway, congratulations! You are officially a Stanfordian!"
The words instantly lifted my mood. The frustration from the earlier encounter melted away, replaced by excitement. A wide smile spread across my face as the reality of it all sank in.
"I still can't believe it!" I said, unable to contain my joy.
"Believe it, Noa! This is just the beginning," Abigail cheered, wrapping me in a brief but tight hug.
And just like that, my journey at Stanford Law officially began.