"That was too close, why was he standing that close? I almost kissed him.... No, no, no. I didn't. It was an accident and he understood that too. He was cool with it. Oh Nora why are you so clumsy?" She muttered to herself looking at her reflection in the mirror. "Now get ready, we're up for a good show."
She got into a pair of fresh clothes, combed her hair and put them in a ponytail, washed her face and was ready to go.
The auditorium was in a havoc, students were running around, Nora looked at the clock, one and a half hour to go. She paced to the desk, Luke was sitting alone, still working on the laptop. "You did it?"
"Just working on the video. Your laptop does have a beautiful set of tools." He said.
"I see. How long is it gonna take?"
"A few minutes." Nora settled down on the chair beside him looking around them, at the students who were freaked out, while some were busy with the presentation.
"Hey guys, what are you doing, building a new solution." It was Julia.
"Doesn't concern you, just leave." Luke looked at her.
"Okay, I will. You see I got to submit the project before the deadline." She waved at them.
"I feel bad for her." Nora sighed.
"You do?" Luke quirked at an eyebrow.
"Nah, of course not. She deserves it." She gave an evil smile.
Luke let out a little chuckle, "You really are something."
"Did you tell Rachel and Joseph about this?" Nora shifted in her place.
"I already did, they'll apologize to you." He said.
"But I don't need it."
"Yes you do, also you deserve it, they were too much, putting allegations on you and you're gonna accept it. End of the day we still are a team."
"Looks like you have everything under control." She murmured.
"I do, but not everything." He muttered. "There they are." He shut the laptop.
"We are so sorry Nora." Rachel almost shouted as soon as she made it to the table.
"Me too." Joseph muttered. "I was just acting unreasonable, didn't even give you a chance to speak, sorry."
"It's cool." Nora said with a smile.
"Okay, now that's a one happy reunion. Everybody clear with the plan. Everything goes just the same, we only wish that their team is up just before ours, and then we're going to have a good show." Luke said.
"Wait, but I did not prepare anything for the presentation." Nora said anxiously.
"Don't worry, you're going to take the technical questions, and I am afraid you're really good at it." Luke looked at her. "So shall we submit our final project?" He opened the laptop and the screen displayed the last step to submitting the entry.
"Let's get it." Nora whispered and pressed the submit button.
***
"Students, all of you have participated with all your might. Now it's time for the presentations. The list for sequence of the teams presenting is put up outside the hall. Students are requested to be seated in the auditorium as the presentation phase begins, which will, in the next few minutes." The announcement was made.
"Let's go, can't wait to see their faces." Joseph said.
"Students!" Someone called out, all of them turned to look, it was Mr. James. He moved towards them, "So how was it? What do you think about the others?"
"It was great professor, as for others it's unpredictable." Luke said.
"Good. Go check out the list now, I'll be at the backstage. And for the record, all of you look good in those jerseys." He pointed out. "All the best everyone. See you on the stage." He left, with the other professors.
The luck favoured them, they were in the last slot, with the Republican University placed just above them. It was indeed going to be good show.
Every team was given fifteen minutes to present their final solutions in front of the judging panel which consisted of two of the sponsors and the rest three were renowned scientists in the field of technology. The projects were great and so were the presentation. Students did bring out the best solutions to climate change and it was going to be a tough call.
After what seemed forever, the final slot came up, there were five teams in it, the previous year's winners, and out of the rest two one was Republican University.
The first team had a simple yet attractive layout, they skilfully covered the problem but their project had a few glitches.
"That was a beautiful project, up next we have Republican University." The anchor said.
Julia's team went up the stage, there were two guys along with her and the blond girl. They made it to the center stage and set up their laptops.
"Here we go." Nora murmured.
"We have made an introductory video, which will walk us through the highlights of our project." One of the guys said. The blond girl pressed the key and the video began.
It was anything but an introductory video, it showed Julia and the blond girl. They inserted the USB drive in the laptop and went through it, "Man that is so beautiful, better than ours at least." The blond laughed. Their team was taken by surprise, they tried to close the window but it didn't.
It continued, "With this who knows we might win." The blond girl said.
"Possible. Just make sure to put it on that girl, what was her name again?" Julia asked.
"Nora, I think." Blond said.
"Yes that Nora, I don't know why but I just hate her." She smiled. "Here you go, the files are copied.." They pulled out the projector cable and video ended.
"We're being framed." Julia shouted.
The judges stood up, "May I please request Miss Nora to step out." One of them spoke.
"Nora don't." Luke said.
"There's no way out, they mentioned my name in the video and we already knew this would happen." She stood up and stepped out of her seat. Their team was seated in the last row, the corner seat was taken by Nora.
"Are you Miss Nora?" He asked.
She nodded. "If that's so, please step forward and proceed towards the conference hall, same goes for the Republican University."
The anchor was back again, "The presentations shall be delayed. Everyone please remain seated."
"I'll be back." She hurried out. The judges and Julia's team was already outside. "It's her she did it." Julia shouted.
"Calm down, Miss. We are here to handle this." One of the judges spoke. "Did you do that Miss Nora?"
"Yes l did." She said, her voice firm.
"You're from University of Nuezelea, was your team involved?" He asked her.
"No. It was just me."
"The disciplinary committee is on its way. They'll take it from here, please move to conference hall." He said.