At eighteen, I applied to the Utrecht Metropolitan Self-Development School. I scored a perfect 100 on the entrance exam. Shortly after, I received a personal invitation from the school's principal.
He wanted to meet me in July—a full month before the academic year began.
At first, I assumed it was because of my perfect score. But I was wrong.
I stood before the school gates, pressing the bell. A small camera was attached beside it, and from the speaker, a woman's voice called my name.
"Hannah Katz?"
"Yes," I answered cheerfully.
A woman approached the gates, unlocking them with a welcoming smile.
"Welcome, Hannah Katz."
"Thank you," I replied.
She led me on a tour of the entire school, showing me everything—the sprawling school complex, the modern dormitories, a shopping mall, a park, and so much more. The sheer size and grandeur of it all left me speechless.
Our tour ended in the school park.
"So, what do you think?" she asked.
"This school is... incredible!"
"It truly is," she agreed with a smile. "Oh, by the way, Sansula Badila, the other student who scored perfectly on the exam, arrived before you."
Sansula? The name struck a familiar chord.
I remembered him—from years ago, when I gave a ballet lesson at a primary school.
She pointed at a large tree, and there he was, napping peacefully in the shade. He had grown—taller, stronger, more mature. Handsome, even.
"He's part of the DMYD, the Dutch Military Youth Division," she explained. "He's assigned to guard Princess Maeve while she studies here."
"So, she applied to this school too..." I murmured.
"Could you wake him up?" she asked. "The principal just arrived at his office, and I need you both to meet with him."
"Sure!"
I walked over to Sansula, watching him sleep.
He looks so peaceful... I almost don't want to wake him up.
Instead, I waited beside him until he stirred. Slowly, his eyes opened, landing on me. He stared for a long moment, blinking in confusion.
"Am I... seeing a hallucination?"
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" He sat up abruptly, suddenly realizing I was real. "That was rude of me."
"It's okay!" I smiled. "I came to pick you up, Sansula."
"Yeah?"
"But you looked so comfortable sleeping, I didn't want to wake you."
He stretched, rubbing his eyes. "Where are we going?"
"The principal's office. We both got invited."
"Did anyone else get an invitation?"
"Not that I know of."
"So... you also got a perfect score?"
"Yep!"
He gave me a long look, then tilted his head. "Wait... how do you know my name?"
I pouted slightly. "Don't you remember me?"
He thought for a moment. Then, his eyes widened in realization.
"Hannah?!"
"Bingo!" I grinned. "I'm so happy to see you again, Sansula. I've missed you. You've grown so much..."
"You too!" he blurted out, his face turning red.
I smirked. "You still get flustered around me, huh?"
"That's because you're standing too close!" he mumbled, looking away.
"Right," I teased sarcastically.
He cleared his throat. "Anyway... did you get a tour?"
"Yep! Zipporah just showed me around. It ended here in the park. She told me to wake you up and then head to the principal's office."
"Wait, who gave you the tour?"
"Zipporah. Didn't she give you one too?"
He suddenly looked shocked.
"Do you... happen to know where the principal's office is, Hannah?"
"No," I admitted. "Didn't Zipporah tell you?"
He hesitated. "She... didn't."
Something felt off.