The Genius’ War

Xavier was waiting at the railway station, keeping an eye on the bustling crowds. People were hurrying to the platforms, dragging their suitcases and trying to find their carriages. Everyone had a destination, and it was heartwarming to see everyone so excited to get going. Xavier was going too, leaving his past behind.

Xavier glanced at the ticket he held tightly in his hand. Winchester to Cambridge. One way. No return.

As he watched the train pull into the station, he felt a slight flutter in his chest. He had grown up in this city, but he had never really felt like he belonged there. Winchester had never been home to him. Now, for the first time, he was really leaving.

When the train stopped, the doors opened and passengers began to disembark. Xavier adjusted his rucksack, took hold of his small suitcase and entered with a heavy heart. He made his way inside the carriage and took his seat by the window. Looking out of the window, he thought about his past for a moment.

Just then, someone stood next to her. It was a middle-aged, elegantly dressed woman. Her skirts were fluttering a bit, and she had a pretty handbag. She sat down in the empty seat next to Xavier.

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. After a little while, the two of them sat in silence. Then, she smiled.

'Excuse me,' she said. 'I don't want to interrupt, but... Can I have a moment of your time?'

Xavier looked up at her. He could see that she was studying him intently.

She reached into her bag, pulled out a small business card and handed it to him.

"Mina Hathaway. Hathaway Casting Agency."

Xavier took the card, feeling its texture with his slender fingers.

The woman narrowed her eyes. "I have an acting agency in London,'"she said, her voice soft but confident.

"I noticed you at the station. Your face... Your posture... You have a natural charisma."

Xavier raised his eyebrows slightly, taken aback by the directness of her assessment. The woman continued.

"I don't know, maybe you've never thought about it before, but... If you're interested in acting, I'd love to work with you."

Xavier tilted his head in interest. He had never thought of such a thing. He wasn't the kind of person who liked to be in the spotlight. He wasn't keen on all the attention.

"Thank you so much for your kind offer, but I'm afraid I'm not interested in this particular opportunity," he replied, his voice warm and gentle despite his firmness.

The woman blinked her eyes. It was as if she hadn't expected such an answer. She laughed gently.

"I'm so sorry, but... What?" His eyes twinkled with surprise.

"You're not joking, are you?"

Xavier nodded. "Quite"

Mina Hathaway folded her arms across her chest and tilted her head to the side. "Think about it. This is an opportunity millions of people dream of."

Xavier smiled warmly. "Whether it's an opportunity is debatable."

Her eyebrows rose. "Really? Tell me, why?"

Xavier twirled the card between his fingers. Then he looked into Mina's eyes.

" I just don't want to waste time living other people's dreams, you know? I have my own plans."

The woman looked at Xavier for a moment, her eyes full of surprise. Xavier was taken aback by her boldness. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

'Hm,' she said, her voice warm and friendly. He took a deep breath and shook his head from side to side. "All right, Mr Man With His Own Plans. But please, keep my card, okay? You might change your mind one day and decide to call me."

Xavier gave a little nod, putting the card in his pocket. "If I ever say 'if only', you'll be the first person I call."

The woman laughed gently, then looked out of the window, and that was that.

The train began to move with a jolt. Winchester became a blur of green and yellow as the window changed. Xavier took a deep breath, leaning his head against the glass.

This journey would only be over in a few hours. But for him, it would bring the change of a lifetime.

As the train wound its way along the tracks, Xavier leaned back against the glass, taking in the beautiful scenery outside. The familiar stone buildings, old churches and narrow streets of Winchester were being left behind. The city that had shaped him was now a memory left behind.

Trees, fields, green hills... As the train sped up, the images blended into each other, and the outside world flowed like a painting. This wasn't just a change of city for Xavier, it was a change of life. Xavier had been trapped here for years, but now he was finally free. Now he was tasting freedom for the first time.

But it was strange. He didn't feel the lightness he expected. It was as if there was a knot inside him, a knot waiting to be untied but not untied. It was a strange mixture of peace and uncertainty.

He put his hand in his pocket and felt the business card he had just received. He smiled slightly.

Mina Hathaway... She wasn't one to be rejected. But Xavier was never going to drag her into a life that didn't interest her. His path was clear.

As the train approached London, passing through several small towns, the city lights began to appear on the horizon. After the calm and well-organised atmosphere of Winchester, the bustling energy of London was a bit of a shock to the system.

London King's Cross StationWhen the train finally pulled into King's Cross Station, the crowd inside the station was immediately noticeable. Xavier gathered himself, picked up his suitcase, and made his way to the door. When the train stopped, the heavy doors opened and the hum of the station filled his ears.

The station was absolutely massive! High arched ceilings, wide stone floors and a constant flow of people... It was like the beating heart of London. People hurried out of the carriages, announcements echoed, children ran about, suitcases scratched the concrete floor with the sound of their wheels.

Xavier stopped for a moment to take in the bustling scene around him. No one seemed to care about anyone else here. It was possible to get lost in the crowd of people. That's what he was looking for.

But first he had a problem: finding a place to stay.

As soon as he got off the train, he checked a few adverts he'd found for houses to rent in Cambridge on his phone. It wasn't easy, but with his scholarship, he had some great options.

He threw his bag over his shoulder and headed towards the exit of the station. The vast streets of London stretched out before him. There was just one more thing he needed to do before getting the train from here to Cambridge: To finalise his accommodation.

His new life was starting.