CHAPTER-8 (Part-2)
761 Words
A Question No One Expected
The laughter slowly faded as Ryan helped Dr. Emily Carter rebuild the cardboard DNA model.
"I swear," Ryan said, holding one of the pieces upside down, "it attacked me first."
Emily folded her arms, trying not to smile.
"Mr. Parker..."
"Yes, Professor?"
"DNA doesn't attack people."
Ryan looked at Noah.
"You hear that?"
Noah sighed.
"I've been trying to tell you that since the first year."
The hall filled with another wave of laughter.
Even the professors seemed more relaxed today.
The Welcome Festival had a strange way of making everyone forget deadlines—at least for a few hours.
Near the exhibition booths, Ara wandered away from her friends.
She wasn't particularly interested in the decorations.
What caught her attention were the research projects.
Tiny robotic arms.
Artificial organs printed with 3D technology.
Microscopes connected to computer screens.
Students enthusiastically explained their work to anyone willing to listen.
Ara stopped in front of one project.
A senior student smiled confidently.
"Our research focuses on rapid bacterial growth."
He pointed proudly at a culture plate.
"We've successfully reduced the observation time by forty percent."
Several students clapped politely.
Ara looked at the display for a few seconds.
Then tilted her head.
"Can I ask something?"
"Of course."
"If your temperature changed by even two degrees during incubation..."
She pointed toward the graph.
"...wouldn't these results become unreliable?"
The senior student's smile slowly disappeared.
"I..."
He looked back at his data.
Professor Benjamin Hawthorne happened to be passing by.
He overheard the question.
Instead of answering himself...
He looked at the student.
"Well?"
The senior hesitated.
"...She's right."
A few students exchanged surprised glances.
Benjamin nodded thoughtfully.
"Always check the variables before celebrating the results."
The senior thanked Ara quietly.
"I honestly didn't notice that."
Ara smiled.
"Happens."
She turned to leave as if it were nothing.
But several people had witnessed the exchange.
Including...
Dr. Nicholas Sterling.
Standing only a few meters away.
He hadn't interrupted.
He hadn't spoken.
He had simply observed.
Professor Hawthorne looked toward Nicholas.
"Interesting student."
Nicholas replied calmly,
"She pays attention."
"More than she lets people believe."
Nicholas didn't answer.
His eyes followed Ara for only a brief second before returning to the next display.
Meanwhile...
Ryan had somehow entered a science quiz competition.
"Question one," the announcer said.
"What is the powerhouse of the cell?"
Ryan immediately pressed the buzzer.
"The library."
The audience burst into laughter.
"No," the announcer said, smiling.
Ryan looked disappointed.
"I was so confident."
Noah buried his face in his hands.
"I don't know him."
"You absolutely do," Mia replied.
"I wish I didn't."
Logan laughed so hard he nearly dropped his drink.
Even Ara couldn't stop laughing.
Ryan bowed dramatically to the audience.
"I'd like to thank everyone who believed in me."
"No one did!" Noah shouted.
"Exactly."
More laughter echoed across the courtyard.
As the afternoon continued, music filled the air once again.
Students danced near the stage.
Others sat on the grass sharing food and stories.
For a little while...
Assignments...
Deadlines...
And exams...
Didn't matter.
Blackwood felt less like a university.
And more like home.
Just before sunset...
Professor Benjamin Hawthorne stepped onto the main stage.
He adjusted the microphone.
"May I have everyone's attention, please?"
The conversations gradually faded.
"I hope you've enjoyed today's Welcome Festival."
Cheers erupted.
Benjamin smiled.
"Before we conclude..."
"I have one announcement."
The large screen behind him lit up.
A single image appeared.
The Blackwood Innovation Challenge.
The biggest academic competition of the year.
"The winning team," Benjamin continued,
"Will receive a fully funded research internship."
Excited whispers spread through the crowd.
"The finalists will also represent Blackwood University at the National Undergraduate Science Summit."
Ryan's eyes widened.
"...That's huge."
Noah nodded.
"Very huge."
Benjamin looked across the audience.
"Registration closes next Friday."
"We hope to see your best ideas."
The applause lasted nearly a minute.
Students immediately began discussing possible projects.
Ara stood quietly, staring at the screen.
A real competition.
A real opportunity.
Not just another classroom assignment.
Somewhere nearby...
Dr. Nicholas Sterling watched the crowd disperse.
He noticed the determination on many faces.
Especially one.
Ara Mitchell wasn't smiling anymore.
She was thinking.
And for the first time...
Nicholas wondered what she might accomplish if she ever stopped trying to prove everyone wrong...
...And started trying to prove herself right.
Far above them, the evening sky turned shades of orange and purple.
Blackwood University glowed beneath the setting sun.
The festival had ended.
But the real competition...
Was only just beginning.
- Writer
