CHAPTER-7 [ PART-1]
624 Words
Rumors Travel Faster Than Truth [ PART-1]
The first rule of Blackwood University was simple.
If something happened on campus...
Everyone would know by lunch.
By nine o'clock that morning, the story had already spread across every department.
"Did you hear? Someone actually argued with Dr. Nicholas Sterling."
"Apparently she walked into class nine minutes late."
"No, ten."
"I heard he threw her out."
"I heard she smiled while leaving."
"Who is she?"
"Ara Mitchell."
"Oh... that explains everything."
The campus café buzzed with conversation.
Students stood in long lines waiting for coffee while others occupied nearly every table.
At the far corner, Ara sat comfortably with her feet resting on the empty chair beside her.
She stirred her iced coffee lazily.
Noah arrived carrying two muffins.
"I bring peace offerings."
Ara looked up.
"Chocolate?"
"Double chocolate."
"You may live."
He dropped into the chair.
Moments later, Mia and Ryan joined them.
Ryan dramatically placed his tray on the table.
"I've been personally attacked."
Noah didn't even look up.
"Again?"
"The cafeteria raised sandwich prices."
Mia sighed.
"Ryan..."
"What?"
"You own three pairs of designer sneakers."
"Exactly."
"I'm saving money now."
Ara laughed.
"I'll donate fifty cents."
"I accept."
Before anyone could continue—
A voice interrupted them.
"So..."
They looked up.
Standing beside the table was Lena Brooks.
Third-year student.
President of the Student Council.
Known for getting involved in absolutely everyone's business.
She folded her arms.
"So you're the famous Ara Mitchell."
Ara raised an eyebrow.
"Depends on who's asking."
"The entire university."
Ryan whispered to Noah,
"Here we go."
Lena smiled politely.
"I've heard interesting things."
Ara smiled back.
"I'm sure half of them are true."
"The other half?"
"I started them."
Noah nearly choked on his coffee.
Even Mia laughed.
Lena looked at Ara for a long moment.
"You know..."
"Most students try to avoid getting noticed by professors."
Ara shrugged.
"I'm not most students."
"No."
Lena nodded.
"That much is obvious."
Without another word, she walked away.
Ryan stared after her.
"... Was that a compliment?"
Ara took another sip of coffee.
"I honestly have no idea."
Across campus...
Inside the Biomedical Research Center...
Dr. Nicholas Sterling wasn't thinking about rumors.
He was reading.
His office was quiet except for the sound of rain tapping gently against the windows.
Bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling.
Medical journals covered one wall.
Scientific awards lined another.
On his desk sat a microscope, a laptop, and several thick research files.
A knock broke the silence.
"Come in."
The door opened.
A woman in a navy blazer stepped inside.
"Good morning, Nicholas."
He looked up.
"Emily."
Dr. Emily Carter, senior lecturer in biomedical sciences and faculty mentor for the Science Exhibition, placed a file on his desk.
"The committee approved your research proposal."
Nicholas nodded once.
"Good."
Emily smiled.
"You always sound excited."
"I am."
"You have an unusual way of showing it."
A brief silence followed before she added,
"And your class?"
"They're capable."
"That's high praise coming from you."
"They're also undisciplined."
Emily laughed softly.
"So... a normal university class."
Nicholas closed the file.
"Some of them have potential."
Emily noticed something unusual.
"You've already formed opinions after only three lectures?"
"I observe."
"And?"
He thought for a moment.
"One student asks thoughtful questions."
"Another hides exceptional ability behind laziness."
Emily tilted her head.
"And Ara Mitchell?"
Nicholas didn't answer immediately.
Finally, he said,
"She challenges everything."
Emily smiled knowingly.
"Sometimes those are the students who surprise us the most."
Nicholas looked back at the research proposal.
"We'll see."
Outside the office...
Unseen by either of them...
A figure stood quietly around the corner.
Listening.
Then disappeared down the corridor.
The mystery at Blackwood had already begun.
To Be Continued...
- Writer
