PROJECT PARALLEL

file holders in their hands. Like diligent ants on duty, they entered or exited lecture theaters as introverted individuals or in chattering groups, only stopping in their tracks to greet the

ade various sketches and jotted down various observations, only to make a mistake, feel dissatisfied and repeat the process! He had been there for hours, tearing new sheets, calculating on them, and squeezing th

essed out!" the stra

softly as he raised his head to note who had approached him. His eyes fell

e asked him, raising a brow a

"Just trying to complete this project so I can gra

guy repeated, sounding sho

sed up my earlier years in this school. If I don't ac

re to show me what you've been working on?

in a split second, deciding to grab his chances for help. He arched his back, st

nics and Robotics student? That's so cool, man! I study Quantum Physics," he told him, nudging him with a one-sid

followed suit, soundin

dea. It's clever and inve

o?" Mark declared, sliding close

nued to praise his work, looking k

ixed feelings. Who was this guy? He asked himself. Could he be of help?

a little help if you're not

lacing his hand on his chest. "As if! I have cleared

ngly assuming that his acquaintanc

ned him. "I was about to say that I would gladly help you. We're gonna creat

sh of optimism in his system. "Outstanding!" he

ded him, then bowed his head to scribble something on the paper Mark had giv

y, stretching out for a handshake, which the taller man reciprocated.

of you! I'll ju

nded like a very smart guy and had so much confidence. While they were chatting away, a very gorgeous young lady walked past them to the counter, giggling in the company of her almost equally gorgeous mates. Steve lost his focus the minute she entered. She was tall and had a delicate figure. He cou

whistled, having found who had s

the Student Union and best student at different le

turned to him then back to the coun

elplessly blurted, still unab

you ask her out?" Mark urged

urned down by her since the first y

ng confidently a few hours ago? "You stand a fat chance, man!

ickered, meaning at his new friend fo

to her!" Ma

lled him up and pushed him towards the table t

r games!" the girl snapped

ed, rescuing Steve from further humili

nladylike laugh. "Why would a queen like Sylvie want t

take him to his grave. He was going to kill Mark for making him

om here!" With that, the girls calmed dow

tically at Steve. "They can be a little i

, scratching the back of his head. He couldn't

Fleming, right

as still watching from behind. The latter shrugged helplessly. He couldn

with her fingers. "You helped us work out some electrical issues in soph

ly for the latter to shrug his shoulders again. Wh

rsation elsewhere?" she asked as she rose to her feet. "I d

snapped her fingers in his face. He agreed to walk with her after bot

an interest in you recently," she con

he exclaimed

to his eyes. "Don't tell anyone I told you this, but nerds

stered face from her, still very surprised by all

ie asked flirtatiously, deliberately e

caught. "I just wanted to know if you were f

we'll keep in touch," she said. "

hing a bit in dissatisfaction. S

" she waved and went b

with a bored and disa

is waist and pulling him to his side. "How

nswered, still slouching. "S

r guy on the shoulder. "If you ask me, I

u s

ow let's leave the birds and

papers that Mark squeezed last from the bin and lef

tory would be envious of his achievement. He felt challenged to get something even better than Steve's as soon as possible. All he had to do was make sure this project worked. He also had to stick with this new friend of his, as he seemed to be a smart person. They

. "Please, make yourself comfortable. I have some water i

rk appreciated. "

eah, it's not so much, but thanks. Woul

chipped in, startlin

ckled, eyeing Mark w

ned invention and its functions. After about half an hour of modification, they soon got an idea that satisfied them, much to Mark's delight.

I get this much money?" Mar

native. Luckily for them, he got it a few seconds later. "Why don't w

's a great idea!" he beamed. "I d

the yard was a stone's throw from the house. Thankfully, the rusty spare parts were still working. After picking u

, Mark was welding metal. If Mark was handling the mechanical operations, Steve was handling the electrical operations. Throughout the hours of that long night, the two worked in focused silence, screwing and bolting and sweating buckets! Of course, they took abrupt breaks to drink up energy boosters so they could go on without

roaned, rubbing his forehead soothingly, too ti

umbled, still lying down. A few seconds after trying to go back to sleep bu

hone. The number calling was unknown, but they had called up to four times and continu

needed to tell him who owned the mesmeri

orry I missed your call

ung man. "So, remember I told you I'd kee

Steve asked, sounding char

s, the Student Union, with a day of fun before we

amazing!" Ste

ould guess. "Anyway, we're heading first to a theater to se

mber of Student Union! Yo

of the Student Union is down with bird flu

he was also unsure what to do with the information. "

in for her," she stated, making Steve cringe a little. Wasn't the Vice President th

ho would like to come

he'll be fine. He comforted himself. As for him, he had always wanted to see the movie and he couldn't wai

are many people who would want to go out on a date with

as teasing him. He played along. "Oh, great Queen Bee

l. Thou art permitted an outing with me, the wise Q

hine kind heart! Thy servant

to laughter, unable t

ed in between girlish cackling. "The loca

opped. "That's quite dista

We'll be taking the

, o

minutes!" she s

tening contentedly at their conversation. He slowly whizzed like a whistli

mock applause. "You just got yourself a date wi

sitioned as if he had seen a ghost. "She'll b

up and be yourself," Mark advised. "The girl

d's advice. He put on a plain white vest and a pair of

, Casanova!" M

e just went into the bedroom with a one-sided grin plastered on his face and came out with the black lea

ciate," he appreciated his friend.

rk replied. "Now go

graduation is in two days. Whe

sort it out later." Mark

for an embrace. He then walked outside where the bus w

t. He tried to shake her hand when he finally got close, but she embraced