Undercover

Creating Chances

The door hasn't yet stopped its motion, when Nate was already standing in the doorway, giving stares to Mr. Fischer.

"What was that?" He asked rudely and firmly.

Returning a gentle smile, Mr. Fischer immediately answered back, "That was a phenomenon."

"Yes, I've noticed that", Nate muttered.

Sighing and nodding his head, Mr. Fischer began to lecture, "Nate, this student is at the top of Dean's list. Have you ever checked it once? There are some very diligent students attaining this title, but this one is truly brilliant". Not waiting for a response, as he anticipated Nate to disapprove, he continued, "As I said, all average students do the same. Bina is far beyond average, she created her opportunity."

There was nothing to disagree about, Nate was a below average student on the paper, and although he had never bothered to look at the Dean's list before, he had no doubt that the creature that had just left the room indeed was mentioned there.

After a few moments of silence, thinking of better arguments to make, Nate finally uttered, "I want to create mine as well". He knew his arguments were irrelevant since he had already gotten too many changes which he had thrown away with contempt, but he was willing to be a part of something bigger, something important, and get himself back on the right path in his career.

"Nate-", Mr. Fischer hasn't even started his foreseen speech as Nate immediately exclaimed, "I want to take a part in that project", pointing to the door, to the same direction Bina left to. Before Mr. Fischer could say any additional word, Nate added, "You told my father once I could do better in school, so I did and I found myself here. I want to do better now too."

With a hopeless face and the understanding that the twenty-three years old grown up kid who had spent his past two years in the academy partying won't be leaving without satisfaction, Mr. Fischer replied, "Your father is a friend, but he is definitely the first to agree with me about your achievements", and after a short silent glare, he stressed, "But next time will still be the academic committee."

Relieved, Nate was ready to leave the office with a smile, as Mr. Fischer stopped him with a fake cough.

"I thought I was free to go", Nate hesitated.

"Yes, you are. You are free to go and ask the girl her permission to join her," Mr. Fischer leaned to his chair turning his head slightly to his side, as to imply that the decision still wasn't made.

Frustrated at first, Nate let his shoulders downs and sent a glare to Mr. Fischer. After a few moments of complete ignoring from Mr. Fischer's side who turned to his engagements on his computer, Nate straightened up and gained confidence.

"Fine," he said. "I will talk to her and inform you."

Mr. Fischer waved Nate goodbye, and the latter left the room.

Easy, Nate thought and began his search process after the creature that he wasn't sure of its looks or even its name.

***

Nate stopped by the announcements board and looked at the poster congratulating the excellent students of the Dean's list of the last semester. He came across a few familiar names, some of his own friends, and many others that were completely foreign.

"This is absurd", he muttered to himself, regretting not paying any effort to remember the girl's name. It could have been easier if she was a little bit more outstanding, he thought.

"What did you expect to see?" A familiar voice struck him from behind. It was Nate's childhood friend, Benjamin, who was about the same age and lived just next door to him all his life. Their parents were on good terms as well, both pushed the boys from young age to pursue success. "Jonathan Miller, first place?" He giggled.

"Very funny, Ben", Nate mildly smiled and greeted Benjamin with a friendly handshake. "I am actually looking for someone, and she could be anyone from these". Nate swung his hand in front of the poster and looked desperately at Benjamin.

"Well, if it's a 'she', I don't recall the great Nate had ever trouble finding one", Benjamin widened his smile and opened his arms in demonstration.

Letting out a light laugh, Nate covered his face with his hand and explained, "No, listen, this is serious", Benjamin was just about to inject a word when Nate quickly stopped him, "Fischer gave me my last chance. I have to convince her to let me join her project and for a change improve my grades."

Benjamin knew about Nate's academic state and wasn't very surprised. In fact, he was more amazed to hear that Mr. Fischer actually gave his best friend another chance. "You're a quiet lucky dude..." He said. "But... I must ask," Benjamin continued hesitantly, "You actually took an unknown project with some random person? I mean, there's a chance you wouldn't be able to be the ghost-partner you are used to be and your new-year-chance will - poof!" Benjamin made an explosion motion with his hands.

That's right. Nate was a ghost-partner: A participant that never participates, whose partners carry out all the work for him. It's not that he had some magical powers or mind controlling abilities, it's just that he made sure to find the right partners to cover him up. 

"I'm going to actually work on this one."

Benjamin raised a brow in question.

"I'm dead serious, I need this!" Nate looked determined and it seemed that he really meant it. "I heard them discussing the project's details and it actually sounds real good," He continued, "but I have no idea even what's her name to find her."

"Well, she's obviously from around here, isn't she?" Benjamin checked his surroundings hoping Nate would follow and they'll both have a clue.

"Yeah, definitely, but I guarantee you wouldn't notice her even if you had seen her already." Nate sneered.

As if it took a few moments to hit his head, Benjamin shook his head with amazement. "Wow, that bad?"

Nate shrugged his shoulders and paid the list another look. "Benny, do you know any of these?"

Benjamin took a look at the board, carefully reading names, "Well," He started after giving a thought, "I do know all of them, but none of them personally except our pals."

"Anyone who takes Fischer's classes?"

"Why didn't you just ask her name?"

"Well, Fischer mentioned it once or twice, but I wasn't really paying attention."

Benjamin stared at him with criticism and started going over the names, pointing out some suspects. "Well since it's a 'she', it obviously cannot be a Matthew", He tried to make a joke out of Nate's lemons. "There aren't many girls here... Shirley? possibly? But she's pretty decent looking, you probably wouldn't miss her. I'm Also not entirely sure she take Fischer's class. She's pretty dull even though she appears here."

Nate just remembered Fischer saying a word about diligent but not so bright students.

"Then there's Bina, I had seen her in Fischer's class, but she's - "

Nate's eyes sparked. "Yes, that's it! That was her name!" He remembered.

"... Kind of a freak". Benjamin lowered his voice and seemed uneasy.

"Yes, exactly! Exactly what I need for this year. Thanks, Benny!"

Nate took off to the 'Open Space', as its name might imply, it was the faculty's open space studying area with a cafeteria. He ordered a nice cup of cappuccino, grabbed a chair and opened up his laptop to do some detective work.

Although Bina had kept low profile in all social media, it was pretty easy to track her activity in the courses' groups, and so Nate found out what her next class for today would be.

Waiting patiently to the end of the day, Nate headed to the entrance of the conference hall, where he waited for his prey. He listened carefully to hear when the professor dismisses his class, and took a step back to observe all the people coming out in a flood.

Strange. Although Bina was not as outstanding as he would want her to be to be able to notice her easier, he could've sworn none of the gallopers was her. Waiting another minute, he stepped inside to check for signs of life, which to his very relief, he found in the same odd girl from the earlier.