An enemy is made

"Come on Joseph, let us help you. Be practical." Rachel said, "You're the only one left. We've got to move on."

"Fine. Here you go." He handed out a paper to her. "Last two, that's it, rest is done."

"Here you go." She handed it to Luke and Nora.

"It's not going to take long." Luke said.

The next few hours were chaotic, and everyone was running around getting their things done.

"It's finally done." Joseph said. "We've gotten the project ready, we managed time really well. Now only beautification. It will not take long."

"Yes. So let's get started?" Nora said.

Everybody turned to look at her with opposing faces.

"The sooner the better." She added.

"20 minutes break. Then we get back." Luke said. Everyone nodded.

"I'll go look around." Nora said. "Let's see whom we are going against."

The auditorium was bustling with students and it wasn't a safe place to stroll around. Nora chose a spot, which was a little elevated and stood there, looking around. Someone bumped into her and then there was a crashing sound, a laptop had fallen on the ground, she turned to look at the person, it was a girl, before Nora could say anything, the girl pushed her and she fell down from the spot and landed on the ground.

"Are you blind, you broke my laptop!" The girl shouted.

"It was your fault, you bumped into me." Nora said getting to her feet.

"Really? I never make a mistake." The girl smirked. "And you, I'll make sure to get you disqualified."

"For what?" Nora asked.

"You cheated, you broke my laptop so my team couldn't complete the project." She said moving towards her.

A lot of students had gathered around, to look at the scene.

Nora picked up the laptop and switched it on, it was still working. "But it's totally fine, not a single scratch." She said.

"No one's gonna believe you little girl." The girl smiled.

"Julia step away from her." Luke stepped in front of Nora.

"Get out of my way, I can handle it." Nora insisted.

"Believe me, you really can't." He said blocking her. "Julia, stop it. Take your laptop and move." He took the laptop from Nora's hand and gave it to her.

She took it and smiled, "Didn't know she was on your team Luke. All the best." She turned to leave and so did the crowd.

"Why did you that? I could handle that too. I am not helpless, I can fight for myself." Nora said frustrated.

"I am well aware of that, but you really have no idea who she was. Let's just say she is someone we should not mess with." Luke said.

"What.."

"No more questions, let's head back." He said and paced towards the table.

"Tell me what the hell was that about?" Nora nagged.

"Look, complete your work and I will tell you everything. I promise." Luke sighed.

"Tell you what?" Rachel asked.

"Julia, she already started." He told her.

"Oh shit! Stay away from her. No questions asked." Rachel said.

Luke looked at Nora, "Believe me now? Get back to work."

Nora sighed, "Fine."

***

"All done. Now all we have to do is prepare for the presentation and apply a few patches. Then we're done." Luke smiled. "What's the time?"

"Almost midnight dude." It was Edward.

"Hey man." Luke said.

"So you guys done?" He asked.

"Almost."

"Sad. We are. Only left with the presentation." He smirked. "Heard you met Julia. What happened?"

"Nothing as such, actually it was Nora she met." He motioned his chin towards her.

"Woah, so she threw her laptop or bumped into you?" Edward asked her.

"Both. How do you know?" She looked at him.

"It's not the first time. This happens most of the time, somebody ends up becoming their victim. You were lucky though." He said. "So see you guys tomorrow, good night."

Nora turned to look at Luke, "Don't ask me anything." He said, Nora sighed.

"I'll stay here and work on the patches." She said.

"You're going to sleep." Luke announced.

"I don't want to sleep yet, and no one can me do it." She gave him a cold stare.

"As you wish." He got up. "I'm sleepy, I'll leave."

"What about you guys?" He looked at Rachel and Joseph.

"We'll sleep." They said in chorus. "Bye Nora."

They all left, but Luke returned, "Patch up directly in the finished product." He said handing her the USB drive.

"No. You take care of that. I'll do that later." She pushed it back to him.

"You sure, it'll only increase the work."

"Yes, I'm afraid I'll lose it, keep it safely with you." She said.

"Fine. Good night." He stuffed the drive in his pocket and left.

"Damn. What's the matter with everyone? And who the heck is that Julia, is she that scary?" She muttered to herself. "No Nora concentrate on the code. Get it over with."

Back in the dorm, Rachel and Joseph were fast asleep while Luke was tossing around in the bed, "Nora, she'll never let me be at peace. What I am supposed to do?" He put his arm on his head and sighed.

It was around 4 in the morning when the door opened, someone stepped in, Joseph woke up half asleep, "Nora, is that you? Shut the door." He said.

"Hmm." The reply came and the door closed. He went back to sleep. There were some rummaging sounds across the room and sound of footsteps. Then it went silent, the door opened and then was shut behind.