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