"Unbelievable, so far we have played about 20 matches and you've lost all of them! " said Professor Warda with a frown.
"It's not my fault that you're merciless!" Said Battol with a pout.
"I told you that I wouldn't go easy on you!
You can't win a trophy at this rate, no forget about the trophy, you won't even make it through the first rounds" said Professor Warda.
"I knew it, it was nice meeting you, I will drop out of this course," said Battol as she got up and started collecting her things.
Professor Warda stopped her and said
'Have patience, most of my previous students were the same, after all, I'm a professional chess player.
The gap between our levels is no surprise to me.
What I was talking about is your attitude rather than your skills.
Instead of watching your opponent's moves and searching for weakness you completely give up.
Seriously what happened to your spirit?
I thought you said you were persistent!"
Battol looked down and said
"Sorry!"
She sighed and got back to her seat, then she exclaimed passionately
"Let's try again, I promise you to do my best this time"
Professor Warda smirked and said
"Alright, but before that, I will explain to you my secret tactic
I've only shown a few people my true potential, you are a unique student, after getting to know you I can see that.
That's why I will use all my secret weapons to make sure you achieve something in chess."
Battol smiled widely and said
"Yes, that's what I want to hear let's get back to work"
The table tennis training was going better than expected, several students were making progress.
"Good job Maya, in a short period your skills improved remarkably
However, you need to work on your speed, You're a bit slow against players with better reflexes"
Said Coach Zaid to Maya.
"Yes, Sir, I will work on that, there is nothing that I can't achieve with this passion of mine, I breathe sport"
Said Maya confidently.
Coach Zaid smiled in approval and said
"That's the spirit!"
He walked towards Nora, she was in a game against a girl
"Now, as for Nora, I believe out of everyone here you train the hardest yet somehow you developed the least.
Don't get me wrong, you're one of the best players here, but, for some reason, your development is slow in comparison with the others.
But, I believe if you think of a smart way to cover up all your weaknesses this won't be a trouble at all.
You're a good player already, I advise you to learn new tactics, I will show you the ones I already know"
Nora nodded her head and said
"Thank you, coach, I promise you to do better"
"Take it easy, overworking and exhausting yourself will lead to bigger problems, an injury is the last thing we need, You don't need to train harder, just smarter," said the coach
"I understand," said Nora as she sat down to rest and drink water.
The coach turned his attention to the other players and said
"Alright, now that I have my remarks let's get back to work"
After the training ended Battol and Nora met at lunch break, both of them were exhausted.
"My head hurts, please make it stop!" said Battol as she rested her head on the Table.
"Battol's head I demand you stop hurting," said Nora in an annoyed tone.
Battol raised her head and said
"Lol, I didn't know you were a comedian!"
She sat up and sighed, and then she said
"I need to do something about your bad humor, it's not healthy for you.
you're only 18 how are you planning to live your life with this gloomy attitude?"
Nora rolled her eyes and said, "Are you my mom?"
"No, I'm your roommate, I have no choice but to put up with you!" Exclaimed Battol.
Maha arrived just in time for their little Quarrel could have turned into a fight.
"Hi girls, how are you today?" She said with her usual smile.
"I have a headache and I'm starving!" said Battol dramatically.
"Same here, we didn't order because we were waiting for you" added Nora.
"Sorry, I always keep you waiting, I will make it up to you and buy you lunch," said Maha.
"Maha, you are such an angel!" exclaimed Battol happily.
"So tell me, how is the course of the sport going?" Asked Maha.
"Please don't ask," said Battol.
"Don't worry girls, I'm sure you got this, by the way, I heard that this year they will make you compete in the Olympics" said Maha.
"Yes, I know," said Nora.
"It's not being held in a faraway country, which is good for you, you won't lose so much time traveling," said Maha.
Nora nodded her head and said "Correct"
Maha had to go soon so she wanted to tell theme everything she knew before she left.
"Also, I heard that Professor Walid's favorite topic is biology
If you write an impressive topic related to biology he will give you a full 50/50 mark!"
"Really? a
Thank you, that's a very useful piece of information" said Battol.
Nora raised her eyebrow and said
"Where did you hear that? I thought you had different courses last year.
"It's true but, a lot of people here know and hear things about the professors, naturally, some information would be leaked," said Maha.
"I didn't get it, but thanks anyway!" Said Battol.
"One more thing, don't just create a social media account for the online course, they say it's ok to do so but they give lower marks to those who do it," said Maha.
"Damn, I knew things can never be so easy in this darn institution," said Battol in disappointment.
"I know it's annoying, but I'm sure both of you can handle it," said Maha in assurance.
"Thank you, Maha, for everything you've done for us so far," said Nora with a faint smile.
Maha's eyes widened, that was the first time she saw Nora smile, she smiled and said
"I haven't done anything really, you don't need to thank me"
Battol held Maha's hands and said
"Nora is right, ever since we arrived you've been guiding us around and giving advice, thank you so much
You are like our guardian angel"
Maha blushed deeply and said
"Oh, I'm very honored that you think of me this way"
After lunch the girls went separate ways, Maha went to meet Ahlam to discuss things with her and Battol went to study while Nora decided to practice more.
On the other side of campus, Karim was showing off his skills.
"Well done Karim, that was a new record, if you do this well in the Olympics I can guarantee that you will at least win a silver medal"
Said his swimming coach.
"Thanks, couch, I guess all those private lessons my parents forced me to take didn't go to waste." Said Karim.
"If you shine in the Olympics there is a high chance that sponsors and agents will offer to sign with you.
You can become a professional athlete and compete regularly" Said the coach.
" I don't know, I've only competed in small competitions so far, I never thought about taking this seriously," said Karim with a shy smile.
"But your skills are way above average, you have the opportunity and the skills to become a professional, you should think about it." Said his coach.
"Alright, I will think about it, thank you so much," said Karim.
After training ended Karim decided to meet up with a friend.
"What took you so long?" Asked his friend.
"Sorry, training took longer than expected," said Karim with an apologetic look.
"I see, let's get going or else we're going to be late,e," said his friend.
"Can I ask you something?" Said Karim.
His friend raised his eyebrow and asked.
"Why are you speaking in a low voice?"
"Because I don't want the cameras to record this," said his friend.
"I want you to meet me in the garden, it's important, let's take separate paths and meet there ok." Said Karim.
"Ok," said his friend.
When they got there his friend asked
"So what do you want to tell me?"
"I want you to know that I already know a little bit about the second year," said Karim.
His friend didn't look surprised, he only looked him in the eye and said
"How did you find out?"
"Relax, it wasn't you, you didn't give anything out" Karim assured him.
Then he explained
"I heard a group of girls talking, they are not the best in their faculty, I feel sorry for the girls who will join them"
His friend smirked and said
"I see, I thought I was the only one who noticed where the cameras were located.
Good job picking this place to talk, it's the only place on campus that has no cameras or microphones"
Karim carried on and said
"As I was saying.
I already know so you can talk straight forward with me about your plans.
I talked to the other upperclassmen and I had a second-year student look it up for me, it's evident that you are the genius of the med school, I want to join your group next year"
Said his friend
"What makes you so sure that I want you in my group?"
"Isn't that why you befriended me and started helping me ?" Asked Karim.
His friend smirked and said
"Don't get me wrong I'm interested in you, but you are not the only candidate, there are many others"
"Come on man, I'm smarter than I look and I'm athletic and charming, there is so much that I have to offer," said Karim
His friend turned to him and said
"Indeed, but our group already has me the genus, The others are not useless either, what we need is a social person who can sugarcoat everything we do and make us more appealing"
Karim sighed and said
"Man you had me worried for a second, if that's what you need you must know I'm the perfect person for that role"
His friend smiled faintly and said"Then prove it, I will not give you my answer till I see your result "
"I see, you're a strict guy aren't you?" Said Karim.
"If I'm strict then I must be perfect for this institution, don't you agree?" Said his friend with a smirk.
"I guess so," said Karim in a sarcastic tone.
"Don't worry, I will keep giving you advice and supporting you
I will introduce you to the other members as well, but you can only meet them here in secret,
It would be suspicious if you met all the members of our group in public.
we are doing better than all the groups so far but I still don't want to lose points" said his friend.
"Got it. Thank you so much bro" said Karim in gratitude.
His friend frowned and said
"Don't call me that, let our relationship be formal"
"But you just told me you wanted someone social, how can I befriend you if you treat me like that?" asked Karim.
"I want you to be social in public not with me, Be professional!" Said his friend firmly.
"Ok, I get it.
Can I ask you one more question?" Asked Karim.
"Sure," said his friend.
"What exactly are you required to do in the second year?" Asked Karim.
"Even if there are no cameras around, I still prefer not to tell you.
Just focus on your current courses" said his friend.
"Come on, at least give me a hint!" pleaded Karim.
"I need to go now, see you later," said his friend as he walked away.
"OK, see you later, boss," said Karim.
The next day Nora and Battol got up early and headed toward the science class, they were tired, sore, and sleepy, the only thing that changed was that they got used to it.
"Do you think we should tell them?" Asked Battol.
"Tell who? and what?" Asked Nora.
"Tell our colleagues in the science course that we should make the project about biology because it's his favorite subject," said Battol.
"It's an appealing idea, but" said Nora.
"I know, if they all find out that it's his favorite idea all of them will write a biology paper too," said Battol with a sigh.
"And then he will notice and give us lower marks" added Nora.
"Then, what should we do?" Asked Battol.
"I don't want to be mean," Said Battle
She paused for a few seconds then she found her voice again and said
"In high school, I was that girl who helped everyone and stayed after school to tutor others but this situation is different.
It's difficult for me to do that, but I guess we have no choice"
Malak approached them and said
"Hi girls, how are you today?"
"We are fine, thank you," said Nora politely.
"Last night on the group chat we agreed to delay working on the project till next week, you've seen the messages right?" Said Malak.
"Yes, I have" said Battol.
"No, I haven't," said Nora.
Battol turned to Nora with an annoyed look on her face and said
"You need to keep track of the group, you can't rely on me to tell you everything"
Nora looked puzzled and said
"Why not, we have all classes together you will tell me all the news eventually "
"Idiot, what if it's something very important and urgent and I forgot to tell you!" Battol yelled
Nora rolled her eyes and said
"I'm sure you won't forget"
Battol gritted her teeth and said
"Stop talking in that annoying tone and manner or I will slap you!"
Malak couldn't stop laughing, she tried to calm Battol down, and then she said
"You two are like mother and daughter!"Nora nodded and said
"True, she is the mom_friend type"
Battol pouted and said
"Why are you looking happy talking about it?"
"Because sometimes I get lazy, I need a mom_friend to remind me of things and motivate me" explained Nora.
Battle sighed in defeat and said
"Damn, as if I didn't have enough on my plate already!"
Malak clapped her hands and said
"Good luck parenting your best friend Miss Battol"
"Stop encouraging the idea!
She might take it seriously if you joke about it any further" Battol said with a pout.
"I'm serious about it," said Nora with a serious tone.
"You stay quiet!" Exclaimed Battol.
"The class is about to begin, Let's go girls." Said Malak as she ran to class.
"Coming," said Both Nora and Battol as they followed her.
"Good evening, Today, we will read the introduction to chemistry. We were able to finish the introduction to biology in 2 weeks, at this rate you will have enough time to just focus on the project and the paper"
Said Professor Walid.
He paused while looking at his students' research papers, He carried on and said
"You're doing well so far, keep going"