Laboratory Work

|| Maryl

"I can't believe you finished this research! I didin't expect you'd be able to make a research paper about the hypebeast culture flawlessly!" Dr. Faustino complimented.

We were at the 5th floor conference room of Alexandra University Research Centre and just had an intense defense regarding on this thesis paper. Yeah, I'm currently taking a double degree and I'd be graduating next year, and this is for the partial fulfillment of our IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma. I'm only 19 so I'm glad I still have some time to squeeze this on my schedule.

Dr. Faustino just scanned the main copy of our thesis and gave us some comments. Gladly he gave us 100 percent. I thought it would be around 75% since making it felt like shit and unreliable. He is the dean of our college; College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, so I'm currently praying for my soul.

"It was kinda broad sir, but I am looking forward for this study to be a useful RRL in the future. It was hardest to find." Jinyoung agreed and I nodded my head.

"It was a quirky study, but it was fun. I enjoyed the process."

Dr. Faustino gave me a mocking look "Are you sure of that, Miss Liu? Your eyebags are getting more visible. Don't tell me you were bar hopping at BGC everyday? Chilling in the bar then going to classes the next day?"

We all laughed about it.

"Seriously sir. I find this study absurd at first, but I learned a lot from it. And I find it such a hassle to go bar hopping every single day, it wasn't enjoyable in my opinion." I answered.

"You can just say 'in my standards'. It doesn't sound believable if it's just your opinion." he replied.

"Luh." and gave him an awkward smile.

He looked at Jinyoung. "How about you Mister Shin, how many girls have you flirted with?"

"Nothing sir." he answered. "I'm not into girls who don't prioritize their studies."

I stared at him and mumbled. "Harsh..."

"I heard that." he answered.

"You're handsome Mister Shin, you're quite intelligent as well. May I ask why?" Dr. Faustino answered curiously.

"Well sir, he's courting Reign as of this moment." I answered and tapped Jinyoung's shoulder after giving me a glare.

"Ah, so you're into dangerous women like Miss Midford huh." and Dr. Faustino nodded with this new information. The blushing Jinyoung cleared his throat, trying to be serious.

"Alright. Congratulations for finishing this research." Dr. Faustino greeted and gave us a handshake. Jinyoung and I grabbed our bags and got out of the conference room after.

"Congrats Maryl. All of those flirting with Montecarlo were worth it." Jinyoung teased, and I rolled my eyes in cringe.

"What the fuck... you could still remember that?"

"Yes." he smirked. "You've flirted with someone, don't at me."

"So, you're taking revenge?"

"Yes."

I crossed my arms. "At least I'm not simping on someone, what about you?"

"I know my efforts will be worth it in the end, after all I'm a handsome Korean boy." he confidently answered, as if there's a dazzling aura surrounding him.

"Hm... let's see. I can't assure you that." and gave me a look.

"I am confident that I'd be able to make Lawreign my loves say yes."

"Ew, my loves. My loves your face." the cringe crawled onto my spine. I can't imagine them together, frankly speaking.

"Welp."

I looked at my black G-Shock for the time. "I have to go. I have to review for the next lesson."

"A review or a flirty session?"

I gave him a deadly glare for his mocking question, but he just gave me a ridiculing smirk.

"Alright, you can go study for the next lesson, whatever that is."

"Good. Byeee." I put my hands in my blazer's pockets, turned around and walked away from him. I immediately went inside the elevator. I went out at 10th floor, where our laboratory is based.

The only reason why I wanted to escape because I don't want Jinyoung to either tease me or ask about Reign. It can get annoying sometimes.

I opened the lab door with my AXU-RC ID and entered. I saw Reign sitting with her legs crossed on a L-shaped sofa, scrolling through her phone. I approached her and asked. "Is anyone else here, Reign?"

She looked at me and ignored my question. "Why are you in a business attire? Where have you been?"

I am currently wearing a gray blazer, pink blouse, beige pants and beige ankle-strap heels. Had to look clean for defense, y'know.

"We just finished our thesis paper. Now I can sleep in peace and quiet!" I delivered a good news and sat beside her.

She placed her phone on the coffee table, and her eyes sparkled in enthusiasm. "Really? You don't have to deal with that jerk anymore?"

"Yeah. I could finally take a break from his questions about you."

"Ah gladly." and she sighed in relief. "I don't even know why he is so consistent."

"I am certain that I could take a break from him, but how about you? I know he'd take you to expensive dates."

She gave me a look. "I want to reject him, but I don't know how to tell him nor to deliver it."

I tapped her shoulder. "Good luck on that. I am praying for your soul."

She sighed. "Yes, please do."

Reign stopped for a while and changed the topic. "Oh wait, you guys will upgrade the spycams today, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, what about it?"

"Have you guys considered putting those spy cams on everyday items, like adaptor, o or even a coat hook?"

Our thoughts are synchronizing with each other. We could do our operations smoothly with that idea.

"I have actually thought of that, but we have to check those spy cams that we bought the last time."

"Alright! Just let me know whenever. I'm the secretary, of course I should know."

I giggled. "Will relay the results to you after, Miss Midford." I stood up and was about to go to physical science lab when I remembered something, so I looked at Reign again. She was scrolling on her phone again.

"You didn't answer my question, were you the only person here?"

"Oh... About that... Actually, the only person I noticed was Carlo. About Ian, I'm not sure. I think he's inside as well?" she answered whilst scrolling.

"Ah." I nodded and went to physical science lab.

-----

|| Carlo

I've been on my laptop since I got inside this laboratory and it has been around an hour. I was busy programming a new application that 5 of us could use. I have been working for this for an entire week, and I hope I could finish this today.

Adriano was beside me, making some blueprints for the spy cameras, including the blueprints for every section so we could assemble some parts in our homes. I think we would improvise those? I don't know, I'm just waiting for the commands.

"Hiii." Maryl entered the room with her cutesy yet mature voice. We both looked at her, she was wearing business attire.

"Where have you been? It's unusual for you to wear light make-up." Adriano asked.

"From a date." she answered in a serious manner.

My heart beated fast and loud from her answer, as if it's going to break apart.

She smirked. "Kidding! I already finished my thesis! Jinyoung and I just defended our paper. Also, I'm not wearing any make-up, this is a clear, naked face. I forgot to put some red lip tint because I woke up late."

"Oh noted." Adriano nodded and complimented her look. "Either way, you look stunning."

Maryl smiled sweetly. "Thank you!"

Thesis? We're second-year students, but why is she working on a thesis? And Jinyoung happened to be her partner?

I asked about it confusingly and out of curiosity. "Thesis? I thought you were a second-year biomedical engineering and medical technology student?"

She nodded in enthusiasm. "Yeah? It was for my IB diploma."

"Oh yeah! You were one of the IB Diploma qualifiers that were given a second chance. How was it?" Adriano asked.

Honestly, I have no idea what the fuck they were talking about.

"I thought you got yours when you were just 16?" she asked Adriano.

"I just want you to share your experience since you're making this when you're already taking two undergraduate degrees."

"Frankly, it was fun. It was a regret to feel skeptical about it. I was afraid that anyone would talk shit at my back for it. Now that I'm done, I could include that for my credentials."

"Oh wow. I didn't know you're a credential collector." Adriano gave him a glare that made Maryl flip her low ponytailed hair whilst approaching us.

"But I don't blame you. Our employers suck at times." he added.

"What's IB diploma?" I asked, confusingly. I seriously don't know what it is.

Adriano looked at me and explained "It's a two-year program and an internationally accepted qualification for higher education. If you wanted to take a bachelor's degree in other countries, you could use that."

"Oh..."

Adriano's answer got me staring out of nowhere. Why didn't I hear this before?

"If that was a college requirement, then you should have taken it in senior high school?" I asked again.

"That's the problem." Maryl answered. "A lot happened back then, gladly Dr. Faustino signed my retake."

Adriano looked back at Maryl and shook her hand. "Anyways, congratulations in advance."

"Thanks bruh!" she replied and looked at the blueprint. "Is that for the spy cameras?"

Adriano faced at his work. "Yeah, you are in charge of motion sensors, Carlo is in charge of the application."

I faced my laptop again and re-focused on programming, but I can still hear their conversations of course.

"Have you considered putting those cams on everyday items? You know, it's an easier disguise."

"Some of the spy cams we bought are disguised as everyday items. We can get idea from those, and improvise."

"We should make sure the quality is in high-definition, of course."

"Exactly. The footages will be automatically sent in our app and the command center. I made a travel-sized one, and we could test it in our upcoming event."

"Yeah, everything's currently going fast. Ate Florence asked me to make the invitations yesterday, and I finished the copies for us five."

"I can't believe your hands were that fast. Copperplate calligraphy part can be pretty exhausting."

"Yeah but it's for the party so I don't care. Are the equipment done by next week though?"

"Hopefully, we have 10 spy cams available. Let's see which type works the best after we improvised all of those."

They seem close, I'll try not to distract myself while listening.

"I have to go. I have to finish my project in Physics. I'll leave the blueprint behind so that we could start tomorrow."

I look in his direction. He stood up and grabbed his bag. When he left, Maryl and I looked at each other.

"Hey..."

"Oh, hey." she replied

"Congratulations on getting that diploma. You're smart, you deserve that." and I smiled.

She smiled back. "Thank you. I appreciate your efforts for all of the coding work." she told me.

She sat down beside me and reviewed the blueprint.

-----

|| Reign

I'm so booored, the three were taking their sweet time in the lab. I want to borrow Maryl so we can have a food trip. It has been almost 2 hours since I started scrolling on Facebook and Twitter, and I'm starting to lose interest. My feed also ran out of video clips of babies or Return of Superman to show.

This made me sigh deeply. What can I do to make this day seem interesting?

"Hey Reign, I'd be going! I have to finish a requirement for my Physics class!" Ian greeted as he walk towards the exit of this facility.

"Be careful on your way home Ian! I know you're already the summa cum laude in your batch, so so take that instead." I told him whilst lazily scrolling on my phone.

"Lol." he answered and tapped his ID on his way out. Yep, we also had to tap our IDs when going out so we could fully monitor our check-in and check-out times.

Glad I'm not that bored to do something stupid and was somewhat tolerable when Axis entered. At last, I won't be sucked in the void of boredom, yay!

"Axiiisss!" I called.

He flusteredly turned around, he seemed like he wasn't used in the way I called him. "What?"

"Since I'm so hecking bored, can we play Mobile Legends? Just classic game." I ordered while I turned my phone to landscape mode and opened ML.

I gave mute Axis a stare.

"Faster, you moron!" I ordered again.

Axis swiftly grabbed out his phone from his pocket, but his type of swift seemed slow to me, still.

"What the hell, so slow. Are you a girl? Make it fast!"

"Alright alright, I already opened! I'm on the loading screen."

I made a lobby and after a couple of seconds, I saw Axis and I immediately added him.

"Waiiit, I'm still claiming rewards!" Axis irritatingly asked.

"You can just claim it later!" I replied. I just wanted to make sure he'd rush himself hehehe.

He exited the pop-up of events accepted my invite. How did I know? Of course, it is obvious that he did!

And then the start button has been clicked.

"You son of a— Lawreign Ellison! I thought classic game, why are we in the rank game!?" Axis asked quizzically for he noticed that we weren't in the classic game but in the rank game.

"Well yep, classic game is a rank game for me." I answered him with a smirk. "Axis if we lose this game, you better hide for you'll see."

He looked at me in fear, and I noticed his throat moving with a gulp, whispering to himself. "Shit, what did I get myself into?"

"Are you saying something?" I asked

"N-nothing." he stuttered.

"What's your role? I'll adjust for you." I asked with a faking nice tone.

"I'd take MM (Marksman) since I'm more used to it."

"Okay. I'll be the support, I'll support you."

After we banned some players since Axis has an epic rank and I'm in legend, we needed to ban heroes from the enemy's side. We banned Harith and Ling, and our new players are Esmeralda and Valir.

Axis used Granger and I used Estes. They also have some skins but I am currently using a season skin. Yeah, I'm that addicted to ML for now

"We'd take the mid since you're the MM and I'll be the support, I won't get you buff."

Axis just nodded in response for he was focusing.

And the game started. I immediately bought some roaming items so Axis could get stronger. He also bought for farming for the same reason.

And I saw three enemies at the mid.

What the fuck.

"3 enemies at the mid, wtf?! No problem, we can do this. Hey Axis, I expect you to do well." I commanded

"You better support me well then."

"Alright!"

After we killed the creeps at the first wave, we approached the monster of bot lane for heal, then we invaded the enemies' buff above. I could tell that the enemies' farming is successful. They approached their lane to defend themselves. After they killed the creeps, they roamed around the bot since some roamed around the mid-lane already.

"Axis I'll go at the back, don't attack just yet."

Axis just ignored me and immediately attacked. Such an animal.

"You son of the— I'm still at Level 3 and I don't have any SS yet! I can't heal you with my first skill!"

I heard the 'first blood'

I couldn't take it so I had to message our team. "Omg guys, our MM is so dumb."

[You have slain the enemy]

And our teammates chatted "The support is so awesome!"

"Axis, you fucking jerk. You better do it on your own for I won't support you anymore. I'm gonna mage build!" I annoyingly told him.

I didn't take my roaming items off. But I built the boots for mana, and I bought the item for the farm.

[You have slain the enemy]

[You have been slain]

[You have slain the enemy]

[You have been slain]

Those noises are heard inside this room.

"What the heck, Axis? Are you just gonna let yourself be fed? You could just farm instead!" I yelled in frustration.

"I don't have damage and the assassin bullies me a lot!" he replied.

"Because you are fucking stupid, You'd be stronger if you didn't have yourself killed!" I arguably replied again.

And I chatted with the team once again. "Guys, let's finish this. We should attack lord 3, their base is an inner tower so they can manage lol. One should be a segue"

And the team followed; me, Axis, and a tank were positioned in the lord. Our two allies went to the tower to destroy it.

[You have slain the lord]

"You can recall guys. Together at lord. Assasin and MM, you should go at the back for the free hit! The enemies are defending, anyways." I chatted with the team.

They were close to the enemy's base, so we took care of their support first, then their MM. But of course, the enemies were after me when I'm almost out of life and my allies are getting fewer. So I used my SS to heal all of us.

[wipe out]

"Gg!"

The nexus crashed and we know what that means...

[Victory!]

After the game, I commended all of my allies, except for Axis for I reported him without notice. I wrote intentional feeding and low-level skill. After that, I turned off my phone.

"I don't want to play with you anymore! I thought you were good because of your rank, but you were actually boosted!" I trashtalked.

"Well, it has been a while since I last played!" Axis reasoned.

"Excuses!" I yelled at him.

We both claimed the rewards and checked the mail.

"WHO THE FUCK REPORTED ME?! ARGH." he irritatedly asked.

"Well good for you since you're a dumb player! Look, the support became a mage, but the standing is 10 0 24! How about you? All of your kills are KS (kill steal), your deaths are bad! 10 total deaths! You fucking dumb!" I exclaimed.

Maryl got out from one of the labs and noticed my annoyed aura. Yey we can now have some snacks!

"What the fuck just happened?" she greeted in confusion.

"Lawreign keeps on arguing with me!" Axis complained.

"No Maryl, Axis is a dumb player!" I complained

And she gave us a confused look.

And also, Carlo got out as well.

"How was it? Are you done making babies?" I asked them both

They both went silent and Maryl gave me a deadly glare.

"You know what Reign, we should get some milk tea. You're picking on Axis again." Maryl asked, and obviously changing the topic.

I immediately stood up and gave the biggest grin my lips could form. "Sure! Let's get some hehehe."

We grabbed our bags bag and we swiftly got out of the lab. We bought some milk tea at a 5-star restaurant looking canteen since it is the nearest.

_____