She wore roses on her feet. That was the first thing Julia noticed about her. She walked onto the stage looking like she was ready to bolt at any second. It was the opening ceremony and worship service of Andrews University’s new school term and Julia was within the audience taking it all in. The poet seemed very nervous yet then she looked out into the crowd and seemed to weigh the crowd. After this action she began.

Her voice took one on an adventure. Julia felt as if she were careening through the streets of the places mentioned and saw the things through the speaker’s eyes. As Julia looked around she noted that she was not the only one experiencing this effect. With a flip of her elegant brunette braids, and a smile utilized at varying intervals, the speaker had them hooked.

Who was the poet? Julia wondered to herself as the lady with the roses seemed to captivate the audience. She was obviously younger than Julia, she looked barely over twenty two, obviously much more friendly with her audience, she had them eating from the palm of her hand. As Julia looked up at the speaker, she noted that the speaker also seemed to be taking her in and dismissed her. In many ways Julia felt as if she had been weighed in balances and found wanting. There was something different about this one.

Julia after a while remembered her face. It was from the last visit she had made up to Andrews University from Oakwood College a few months back when she had flew in to visit Nicholas, hoping to patch up their ills. The girl Julia had been introduced to then had only been a shell of this young woman, the girl then had stood on the sidelines during everything, yet now she seemed to be forefront. The girl then had been shy, average, plain and nondescript. She had been no match to herself, yet now the rose had opened fully. It scared her. She hated others being her match in anything. She had always been superior.

She turned to her friend in the seat next to her and whispered to him, “William, who is she?”

“You mean Tatania Sands? She is the best poet we have on campus. She never liked public orations, she usually doesn’t do this. I think one of her lecturers conned her into it.” William chuckled then added. “It was rumored that she and your Nicholas were together or talking. But you know that his folks from upon the bi-racial relationship thing, and it doesn’t help that she is from the Caribbean. But she is a very good poet isn’t she?” he responded.

“Yeah, I guess she is.” She sighed and looked up at the poet once again. Tatania, the name conjured up images of a beautiful young woman who would have some strangely enchanting effect on those around her. Yet this Tatania wasn’t a stunning or drop-dead beauty yet there was still something about her that had a mysterious sensual appeal. She seemed to draw one to her with her almond shaped eyes that were wide and soft brown like a doe’s. She had a soft caramel complexion, and the prettiest smile that had graced any of the faces she had seen. She seemed to glow from the inside out, almost as if she knew a secret that no one else knew.

Nicholas had said that there had been someone else he had liked during their break, yet never had she imagined such a vibrant personality. Tatania gave any woman a run for her money. Especially herself, it had been a long time since she had found one to be fearful of. This one was in many ways vastly different, and real. Almost perfect in the way she spoke and the way she carried herself. Why had the other woman turned out to be her?

Later on outside of the auditorium as she was walking around she noted Tatania walking over to Nicholas, there was something in her step that said she was on a mission. She knew that walk well and decided to head her off. She would not let her Nicholas go without a fight.

Tatania was walking towards James and his crew about to ask James a favor when she noticed him. Nicholas Shane Young, future psychologist and scientist extraordinaire. He stood amongst his friends laughing and talking so easily. Nick was in all senses her dream. Yet he saw his Julia as his dream. If only he could realize that it was meant to be him and her. It was so hard loving him and knowing that his heart was elsewhere. It was extra hard knowing that her race was the major hindrance to their ever having a relationship.

“I don’t need to ask James tonight,” she began stumbling as she turned to her friend Jordache Jordan whose look of fierce determination cut her off.

Jordache was by no means taller than Tania’s 5’10”, and was more on the thin side, yet could be a very formidable opposition if she decided to be. And at this moment chose to be. Jordache stood at average height, with a smooth caramel skin complexion, and a round face with almond shaped eyes and a winking dimple within her right cheek. She had lovely unrelaxed brown curls that she loved to twist or tie in a sarong.

“You have avoided Nick for too long. You will have to talk to him someday. He and Julia will not always be together baby girl.” Jordache responded prodding her along. “The good guys always win, don’t forget that.”

“But good guys like bad girls. I am a good girl. He even told me that he thought that I was good.” She sighed turning to face her friend trying to turn off.

“When they young yeah, but as they mature, they learn.” Her friend whispered to her as she nudged her along.

“Good evening gentleman.” The ladies greeted in unison as they came up to the crew of gentlemen. The gentlemen, five in number turned to the ladies and smiled and greeted them in return.

“Lovely poem tonight Tatania, it was probably one of your best.” James commented smiling at her.

Jordache looked at James and smiled realizing that James liked Tania yet knew that both realized that those feelings were not returned. James Michaels was a very handsome young man from Michigan towering over both Jordache and Tatania. James was tall and wiry looking more like someone who had run track and been athletic all of his life. He had a beautiful smile and a quiet efficient manner. To say that he was genius was an understatement; James was simply gifted and blessed by God with the ability to excel at anything he put his mind to.

“Thank you! I am trying to improve on them. Uhmm… James I was wondering if you could help me with some killer Chemistry homework? We all know that it is not my fave or best subject.” Tania kidded.

“Oooh, chemistry homework eh; are you sure that it’s not just a ploy to get some alone time with Andrews University’s most eligible Grad student?” Hector Jamieson one of the gentlemen there said smirking.

Hector was from California and a regular surf bum claiming to miss the beach and the surf as much as he missed his family. He was average height and had been blessed with the bluest eyes and lovely corn silk blonde hair. His build was well toned with washboard abs and muscles, testimony to his days spent on the beach either surfing, rowing or some other activity where he was close by the water. He had deep dimples within the cutest cheeks any of the ladies had ever seen and was the easiest guy friend they had to hang around. He always had a word of encouragement and a zany joke to riddle off. Yet Hector was planning to be an International Banker so he also could at times be very serious.

The girls had been shocked to realize that he hadn’t gone into the ministry yet knew that he planned to use his banking genius as a missionary to those within the corporate world who did not know Christ.

“No Hector, I don’t see James that way. I truly do need help if I am to pass this Chemistry class.” She responded a bit irate trying to get the favor as soon as possible so that she could leave. The other guys chuckled softly realizing that she was in a hurry to leave.

The other guys present were from left to right Marc, Isaac and Nicholas next to Jordache. James was on the side of Nicholas with Hector on the other side of him. They were a crew of ragtag misfits. They had met up at Andrews and became fast friends.

Marc Joseph Montigo was a twenty three year old dark olive toned Architectural major present at Andrews from Brazil. He was tall toppling 6’2” with the beautiful Greek Adonis look to him. He was a mixture of Spanish with his father and mother both from Spanish backgrounds yet his mother had been half Portuguese. He spoke Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, and English fluently. He was at present also studying French and Italian as electives. He was easy going and fun to be around.

Then Isaac Graham was an average build medium height Engineering major from New York. Isaac was black and from the streets of Harlem and had found God by chance when he was fourteen, there had been a Camp Meeting in his community for a few weeks. Had it not been for his meeting Jesus he’d have been still in the ghetto on the blocks as many of his friends who had walked away from the gift of eternal life. Before he had met the man named Jesus he had been in and out of Juvenile hall so many times that it was like a second home for him. Yet the day that he mat Christ he had made a 180 degree turn, committing his life to Christ and had ended up excelling in school and working his way through Community College until he was able to apply to Andrews. He was by far the most awesome testimony of God’s changing power the young ladies had heard.

Next to him in the middle stood the object of Tatania’s hurts and confusion, Nicholas Shane Young. Nicholas was from Kentucky and had a deep southern drawl, his dark raven tresses fell in front of his face and at times gave him a rakish appearance. His facial features were sharp and chiseled, his jaw bone alone was sharp enough to cut the toughest piece of filet mignon steak one could have. His eyes were a deep piercing green that reminded Tania often of the lawn that surrounded the school in the spring. Nicholas stood at just about 6’4”, the tallest one amongst all of their friends, with a well toned athlete’s body. He had grown up on a ranch, the oldest child of six, and although he was used to noise and being rowdy when needed, he was the most reserved. His major was Psychology and would make a great psychologist someday.

“Don’t mind him. Of course I will help.” James responded smiling. “Can you meet me Monday afternoon in the Library in the study group area?”

“Sure.” She responded taking out her planner. “Is one in the afternoon okay?”

“Uh… yeah, that should be a good time. You really love your planners.” He teased just as Julia walked up to them at that moment and came behind Nicholas and placed her arm quickly into his. Julia was a pint sized blonde with large amber eyes. Her build was on the thin side with milky white skin that appeared to have never seen or felt the caress of the suns rays. She seemed innocent and very sweet on the outside yet on the inside was a different story.

“Yeah, of course I cannot live without them dude.” She giggled not yet noticing Julia and still feeling at ease. “Life is so cluttered and disorganized without it.”

“I heard a rumor of you being published quite soon?” Isaac asked smiling.

“Yeah, it’s just a few of my stories in an anthology of sorts. It should be cool.” She smiled as she was writing in her notes for herself for the next week.

“So Nick who is this lovely lady hidden behind you?” Hector asked turning to Nick.

“This is one who is like family to me. This is Ms. Julia Amber Simmons. She is here from Oakwood to visit. We grew up together in Kentucky and went to the same schools.”

“We live like next door to each other. You may remember me; I was up here last year in October visiting my Nicky.” Julia added smiling. Jordache and Tania stood quiet allowing the men to be taken in by Julia.

“Well, uh Jordache where is Toni and Monet?” Marc asked trying to change the topic from Nick’s girlfriend knowing well Nick and Tania’s history.

“Around here somewhere.” Jordache responded just as she noted their other two friends walking over. “Oh, here they come now.”

“Isaac, this is your chance at the illusive Ms. Toni Quinn. Tania why can’t you hook up Isaac here with your girl Toni? You two are best friends right?” Hector added smiling.

“Yes we are. But Toni is not into dating anyone right now, she seems content in her singleness.”

“Why aren’t you two more alike?” Julia asked in an innocent tone.

Jordache’s eyes glowered dangerously, and she was about to respond when Tania’s comment beat her to the quick.

“Well to each one of us we are able to choose our own ideologies. I am also not into dating at the moment because men seem to think that the proverbial pint sized innocent looking blondes are oh so perfect when we both know that as Solomon said ‘it is all like the wind, a passing vanity.’ And until they realize that or I find one who knows this fact, I shall be here not dating at present happily single.” Tania stated in a tone that could cut. “Well gentlemen I must you bid you adieu and keep Second Timothy 1 verses 6 and 7 in your hearts. I will be at the cross praying about this situation, until Monday James.” She added as she turned to her friends who were approaching and began walking towards the door.

“Tania put it in the right way. Next time Nick, please leave your little gem home in Kentucky. Good night gentlemen, young girl.” She added following Tania’s lead.

“Hi guys, bye guys!” Toni called out as she and Monet followed Tania and Jordache.

The gentlemen turned to Nick and gave him a look that said it all, they had not been with is decision to get back with Julia and at this time especially didn’t.

“What did you tell her man?” Isaac asked frowning as he watched the ladies walking off obviously angry and hurt.

“He didn’t have to tell me nothing, Will told me the rumors and she of course just confirmed it.” Julia sighed not seeing the reason why the gentlemen seemed to be upset over her departure.

Nick sighed pulling his hair from his eyes. He had stood by quietly listening and observing Tania with his friends, Julia had obviously noticed.

“Did I say something wrong?” Julia asked in an innocent voice that no one bought for an instant.

“Not right now Julia.” Nick sighed as he watched the retreating figure of Tatania. She was hurt and he didn’t know how she would react to him now. He really valued her friendship, and had seriously wanted to date her more than anything. Looking down at Julia’s widely imploring eyes he realized that she loved him and matched him in so many ways yet something was missing in her heart.