"They said we are so different........!
But that's how pieces of puzzle look, so different yet they fit together!
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The day of intercollegiate event has finally arrived. The past few days were peaceful with no trouble. Kathleen got better in a day or two. They didn't have many classes to attend since the event was approaching. They practiced all day for the dance and other committee members worked for long hours without rest to make this event a grand one. It happens every year but this year it's gonna be special since the first year students has been working with immense involvement.
Howard University has 4 different departments in it's campus which are ?Howard University of arts and science,
?Howard University of business
?Howard University of Law
?Howard University of Engineering and architecture. The total population of the university would be 1000 numbers. Kathleen, Laura and Janice were excited about the intercollegiate event. The campus was decorated with posters, lights and it was bustling with students roaming around.
Kathleen and the girls were getting ready in the early morning to attend the inaugural ceremony for the event. Janice was about to give her speech for the Felicitation. Janice chose to wear a pink wrap dress which has a classic silhouette while Laura wore a golden brown peplum dress. Kathleen took up a black laces pencil dress which made her look lean. The girls chose their outfit and later decided to do some make over. They together used pink lipstick and put some mascara to the eyes.
"Alright!! We have groomed enough!! Now let's move out, it's getting late", insisted Laura, since the event was about to began.
"Yeah, I have to reach there on time or else my committee members would kill me", said Janice taking up the files and paper she needed. On the other hand, Kathleen took her dance costume in a bag. The girls marched towards the auditorium.
On the way to the auditorium, they could see students from various universities standing in groups and were chit-chatting. The campus looked colorful and the girls found it gripping as they had never seen such a event in their high school.
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Janice finishes up her Felicitation speech, getting huge round of applause from everyone. Her oration, tone, expression and language was awe inspiring. After few minutes she joins Kathleen, Laura and Noah who sat on the last row. Following Janice, Gerald presented his speech. He gave a stunning performance as well.
"Jay, that was amazing", exclaimed Noah. Janice said thanks grinning at him. She has never been afraid of stages or audience. So it wasn't a big deal for her.
"Yeah, Jay!! You rocked it !!", appreciates Kathleen. Janice chuckled and said, "Enough guys, I find it funny".
"Noah, any updates about the event", Laura asked curiously.
"Yes, there are about 40 events that is to be conducted today. We can participate in those if we wanted to", said Noah.
"Wow, 40 events?? Really?? A single day isn't enough for us to watch out all these events", confessed Janice scratching her head.
"She is right!! We can't participate in them since we have committe stuff to do and we definitely can't witness all the events", shrugged Laura.
"Yeah, guys!! It's possible that we may miss out few events and I have a dance to perform shortly. I can't come anywhere for now", affirmed Kathleen with a pout.
"The forty events includes both sporting and non sporting competitions as well!!", claimed Noah. The girls mouthed a 'Oh' and nodded.
"And how many University have enrolled so far?", questions Kathleen.
"18 different University for now!!", stated Noah.
"So, we get to meet new people from so many different places and Can make new friends", beamed Janice in excitement.
"Hey, is not easy like that!! Some Universities come here every year and they aren't that friendly. So watch out for them", warned Noah. Laura and Kathleen agreed to him.
"Why so, Noah??", questioned Janice wondering, why they were unfriendly.
"The North Western University participated in all the events last year and they made troubles if they don't win in any particular event", proclaimed Noah.
"The committee members found it hard to deal with them last year and they are here now as well. So, we better avoid them for good", stated Noah.
"Oh, great!! It's Better we don't mess things", shrugged Janice.
"Not all Universities are like that, the Yale university and our university, we are in friendly territory", spoke up Noah.
"That's some good news!!", replied janice lazily.
"And for the first time a University from UK is participating as well. The university of Nottingham from United Kingdom is here!!", added Noah.
"What?! England !? they have come a long way", Kathleen was surprised to hear this.
"Yeah, actually they were here on some kinda of study tour to Washington and when they heard about our university and something like this, they decided to show up and participate in the events!", added Noah.
"Cool", Janice and Laura said in unison.
"I met them this morning and had a small chat. They are from the department of Food Science. They were here along with one of their professor named....,", Noah thought for a while.
"Sheril Van Lancaster!! She looked young, I mistook her as a student and later got to know that she was the professor accompanying her students. Then I got a chance to interact with the students", narrates Noah.
"Food and science!! They get to choose such majors in their country's university!! It sounds fun!!", expressed Kathleen.
"Will see if we get to meet any of them", suggested Janice. They agreed upon it.
"So, Noah which event are you gonna organize?", questioned Laura.
"I'll manage nearly 20 events. I'm not organizing any of them!!", said Noah.
"And you Laura?", he asked her back.
"I'll be organizing the event 'fun with dodge ball', she replied.
"Fine. So the only free bird is me for now!! And after the dance, kathleen happens to be free as well", confessed Janice. Kathleen bid them bye and walked towards her dance studio.
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The dance studio was busy, few were doing their makeup while other few practiced the steps of tap dance. Few were getting their costume changed. They practiced together for some time and started to walk towards the auditorium. Kathleen and EJ weren't having a lot of conversations in the present time. They were different- no hi, no byes, no smiles but when she is some kinda of trouble he comes there for her. He likes to see Kathleen in trouble but only when he creates it. He never liked it when she gets into some other mess on her own. Kathleen wasn't desperate in talking to EJ. She remained silent around him remembering the fact he has helped her.
On the way to the auditorium, EJ joins Kathleen who was walking at a snail's pace. Kathleen looks at him and shows a smile that lasted for micro seconds. He looked dashing in those white shirt, a black tie with ripped jeans and in those shoes. His velvety hair was neatly combed and it was made into a different style. EJ looked different to Kathleen's eyes.
"Stop admiring!!", said EJ. Kathleen eyes widened and she came back to her senses. Her face turned red in embarrassment.
"What!! Hell no...!! I'm not", she stammered, looking away.
"Oh I see", he smirked. Kathleen put out her tongue showing disapproval. He chuckled softly.
"Finally, after this performance, no more dance sessions. I'm relieved", stated Kathleen for which EJ nodded.
"Dance properly", EJ said to Kathleen.
"Excuse me!! I do dance properly!! When have you seen me not doing it right?", snapped Kathleen.
"Hey, relax!! I said it like Dance well!! Do it well, something like that", gushed EJ calming her down.
"Oh, it's called 'All the best'!! Not dance properly, idiot", spoke back Kathleen rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, I get it", he chuckled.
They reached the auditorium and it was time for them to perform on stage.
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Kathleen performance ends and she joins Janice in wandering around. Noah was busy with his own work while Kathleen and Janice decided to catch up with Laura, who was in the basketball court organizing dodge ball. Kathleen and Janice enters the court to find someone dashing Laura intentionally and? she falls onto the ground. People around her looked shocked while Kathleen and Janice gasped and ran towards her. The person who hit her was a boy, who was tall, had a well built physique and he was staring at her. He was accompanied by 4 other boys who had the similar physique. They looked angry and it was a terrible sight.
Kathleen and Janice helped Laura while the other girls and boys surrounded them. Laura shed few tears in pain, she removed her spectacles.
"Laura, what happened?", yelled Janice.
Laura remained silent, rubbing her eyes.
"Hey, Laura!! Don't cry", said Kathleen who was confused and couldn't understand what was going on. The boys stood there with a smirk plastered on their faces and the other university students watched it silently.
"Kathleen, we were organizing this event 'fun with dodgeball', this north western university students said they wanted to participate, we enrolled and let them play against another university students", narrates a blonde from her class.
Kathleen and janice understood that the boys were the troublemakers from the North Western University and she showed her death glare.
"So, what's the issue?", shouted Janice, while Laura stood there wiping her tears.
"They made a foul in the game. It was not a fair play. So Laura said them that they could no longer continue in the game. But the north western university students couldn't accept what she said. They could into an argument and the leader of the team, Billy, dashed her on purpose. So, Laura fell onto the ground", the blonde finishes off and Kathleen ran towards him to give him a punch.
"Hey, asshole!! How can you hurt like that", she cursed him while the girls around them caught her before she could attack. Billy just laughed at her.
Kathleen was furious at the moment, seeing Billy smile, made her angry. Noah arrived at the spot and he was shocked to see Kathleen arguing with those boys. EJ and his friends walked into court with a serious face.
"You wanted to play right?? Come on let's have a match", yelled Kathleen. Janice, Laura and others were astonished on hearing her say that. Billy and his boys let out a huge laughter.
"We can't play against a girl", teased Billy.
"Why, are you afraid that the girl will defeat you?", Kathleen said with a smirk. This made him furious.
"Well, if you wish, then let it be. But you can't blame me if you get hurt", insisted Billy.
"And you can't blame for hurting you as well", replied Kathleen fearlessly.
"What the hell are you doing Kathleen?", chided Noah.
"I'm playing against him and that's it. End of talk", stated Kathleen with a serious face. She was furious against them for hurting Laura.
"Kath, I'm joining you", stated Janice, she found the boys very annoying.
"Who is gonna let you do it?", questioned Noah with a stern face.
"Who's gonna stop me",stated Kathleen. EJ watched her and he could understand that she was vexed up but didn't know how to stop her from doing it.
"What if you get hurt, girls?", Noah wasn't ready to let them play against the boys.
"Don't worry, Noah. We won't!! They can't hurt us that easily", snapped Janice. Kathleen found that very convincing.
"Fine. I'm playing with you", Noah accepted to play with them since he can't let his friends alone.
"Buckle up, baby! We have a match to fight", kathleen said Janice to change into tracksuit so they can play comfortably. Laura stopped sobbing and she wanted to stop her friends from playing.
"You don't have to do this, let it go!! Please girls", Laura requested them not to play. But the girls weren't lending ears to her request.
"Maybe I'll join you", said a voice standing behind a group. Kathleen and the others turned around to look who it was. That was a familiar voice though. It was Robert.
"I'm joining you guys. 5 players in a team right?!. I'm in", said Robert winking at Kathleen. But Kathleen wasn't in the mood to enjoy his flirty tricks.
"I'm coming too", said Liam, who stood beside EJ. EJ was shocked to hear this, he gave him a stare. EJ thought it was better if he don't play against this boys. Because if he does, he would bet the shit of them, and they are nothing when compared to EJ's strength. It would lead to further problems.
After few minutes, they got ready to play with Billy and his boys. EJ walked towards Kathleen and said, "I'll play this for you!! It's not safe to play against those assholes", uttered EJ. Kathleen was busy adjusting her shoes.
"No, EJ!! I'm fine", she said and walked away.
The match began and the rules were informed - 3 balls per team, they have to throw it against their opponent team members, and if the ball hits them, then the player can't continue further in the game. But if the ball hits the face or head, that aren't considered.
Students cheered up for Kathleen, Janice, Noah, Robert and Liam.
They threw balls against each other, but the boys dodged every ball. Billy threw a ball and it hit Liam's arm, so he had to leave the game. The match continued for some time and the boys threw ball at a greater force. Billy aimed at throwing the ball at Kathleen's face but Kathleen caught it off guard, she smirked at him. And she moved the ball in the direction of Billy, but tricked him by throwing it at his team mate. The ball hits his teammate thigh and he is considered 'out'.
Noah tried to protect Janice and Kathleen from the balls and saved them from forceful balls. Robert did the same. Robert played the game gracefully and he threw the ball at Billy? but he dodged.
The game continued with 4 members in Kathleen's team and 3 in Billy's team. Billy couldn't accept this, he was turning aggressive. All his balls were intense with a heavy force. EJ and others were losing their temper. Luckily no one was hurt so far. The boys, Noah and Robert were playing a good defense.
Janice glared at one of Billy's boys, he mouthed the word bitch at her. This aggrieved Janice, she threw the ball at a super strength. The ball hit him in the stomach make him fall to the ground. He glared at her catching his stomach. Now, she mouthed 'Fuck you asshole!', he walked out of the court. Now only with 2 members left, Kathleen's team played confidently. Robert threw a ball at another one of Billy's teammate and it hit him as well.
Billy was the one left in his team. Kathleen, Janice and Robert threw ball at the same time with the maximum force they could. He dodged them cleverly. Billy continued throwing balls at them but couldn't win. All the while, the audience were cheering, gasping and made noises. EJ watched each and every move that Kathleen made.
It was when Billy bend down to take his ball, kathleen threw the ball with immense power and it hit him forcefully. Kathleen and her team won.
Everyone cheered around them and Laura smiled, she giggled seeing Janice and Kathleen soaked in sweat.
"You little bitch", cursed Billy and ran towards Kathleen, in a way of attacking. EJ, Robert and others ran towards him before he could do anything to Kathleen. But it was late.
Kathleen punched him hard in the face. He fall on to ground.
"You deserve this!!", shouted Kathleen, the whole court gasped seeing the scenario.
"One more time, I see you making trouble, I'll let you know what you are messing with", hissed Kathleen. Everyone's eyes widened up in surprise.
"Come on,Billy!! Let's just leave!!", said one of his teammate. The people in the court returned to do their work. EJ catches Kathleen's wrist and drags her out of the basketball court.
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Hey hope you found this chapter interesting!! Read the next chapter to know more on how this intercollegiate events happened and how Kathleen met up the students from Nottingham University!
I ought to apologize to the author of The eight for using the characters and the places. It's a privilege to feature them in my book. So check out that story `the eight` to know more!