The Art Of Denial
Vertical fate part 1
Gamal Ray (Ml)
(WAKE UP From sleep ) Oh! its morning already
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Oooo.... Toady is th Day ☺ . Let's hurry (then he go to the washroom for talking a bath )
Akila white (Fl)
(On a phone with benny) Hey, morning.....where are you?
Benny (fl bestie)
Still grabbing my coffee. You know I can’t do these group project meetings without it.
Akila white (Fl)
It’s already 10 AM, Benny. We've had this project for weeks.
Benny (fl bestie)
Relax, we all know I’m the last-minute genius of the group.
Akila white (Fl)
Yeah, well, Gamal’s about to lose it if you don’t get here soon.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Tell Benny to stop making excuses. We’re supposed to be finishing the presentation today.
Akila white (Fl)
Gamal, calm down. We’ve got time. Benny’s not the only procrastinator around here.
ben (ml bestie)
You heard her, man. Besides, no one cares if we’re a few minutes late to the library.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Late starts mean sloppy work, and this project is worth 40% of our grade!
Benny (fl bestie)
Gamal, buddy, we’ve got it covered. You’ve got that A-student anxiety kicking in again.
Akila white (Fl)
Haha, Benny's got a point. You take things way too seriously sometimes, Gamal.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Maybe because I don’t want to spend another semester in this class? And none of you want to either.
ben (ml bestie)
Honestly, I don’t think Akila minds spending more time with you, bro.
Benny (fl bestie)
Awkward…
Akila white (Fl)
okay ok. Don't make it weird. We're just groupmates.😊
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Focus, people. Let’s just meet at the spot. Same table in the library.
Akila white (Fl)
Fine, fine. But if this turns into another one of your “plans” to keep us working late, I’m out. 🤓
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Don’t worry. I have everything mapped out. Just get here, please.
ben (ml bestie)
You two should stop pretending you don’t like each other and just admit it already. The rest of us are tired of waiting.
Akila white (Fl)
Ben. Seriously!
Benny (fl bestie)
Ben’s right. We’ve all seen the way you two look at each other when you think no one’s watching.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Whatever, Benny. Just get your coffee and meet us. I’m not doing this today. So don't worry No over-working 😎
Akila white (Fl)
Same. See you all in 10.
So eveyone agree to meet at 10 in library...but they don't now what fate is planning for them and after today all of their lives with be changed
wait for next episode (^～^)
Vartical fate part 2
[Location: University Library, 10:10 AM]
Akila white (Fl)
I’m here! Finally.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
“Finally” is right. We’re already behind schedule.
Benny (fl bestie)
Oh, relax, Mr. Punctuality. We’re only 10 minutes late.
ben (ml bestie)
Yeah, man. It's not like the world’s ending. Let’s just get this done.
Akila white (Fl)
Exactly. We’ve got this.
[Akila sits down, catching Gamal’s eye for just a second before looking away quickly. Gamal clears his throat and adjusts his notebook.]
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Okay, here’s the breakdown. We’ll finish the last two sections, and then, (he discuss assignment in detail)
Benny (fl bestie)
Whoa, whoa. Where’s my coffee?
ben (ml bestie)
Priorities, Benny.
Benny (fl bestie)
Exactly. Coffee first, then brilliance.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
We don’t have time for distractions—
Akila white (Fl)
Hey, let her have it. You wouldn’t want to deal with a caffeine-deprived Benny.
[Gamal shoots Akila a half-smirk before quickly looking back at his notes. Akila bites her lip, fighting the smile threatening to break out.]
ben (ml bestie)
Gamal, just let them breathe a little. Trust me, it’ll get done faster if you chill.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
I’m not being unreasonable, am I?
[Akila exchanges a quick glance with Benny before looking back at Gamal.]
Akila white (Fl)
No, not at all… just maybe a little... intense.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
[Gamal raises an eyebrow, smirking at Akila’s teasing, but says nothing. Benny nudges Ben, who is very obviously trying not to smile.]
Benny (fl bestie)
He’s got that “I’m serious” look again, doesn’t he?
ben (ml bestie)
Definitely.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Can we focus?
[For the next hour, they all work quietly, but there are stolen glances between Akila and Gamal. Every time their eyes meet, they quickly look away, trying to act normal.]
Benny (fl bestie)
Okay, I think we’ve got it. That’s the last section done.
Akila white (Fl)
We actually finished?
ben (ml bestie)
It’s a miracle. I’m so proud of us.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
We’re not done yet. We need more research. The library’s only going to get us so far.
Benny (fl bestie)
More research? Where, exactly?
Akila white (Fl)
There’s a historical site nearby that ties in with our topic. We could go there for first-hand information.
ben (ml bestie)
Wait, we’re leaving the library? Are we actually going on a field trip?
Gamal Ray (Ml)
If we want to ace this project, yes.
Benny (fl bestie)
Ooooh, I’m in. Adventure time.
Akila white (Fl)
Guess we’re all going, then.
[Ben glances at Benny and then quickly looks away, pretending to focus on his bag. Benny catches the glance and smiles to herself, but says nothing.]
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Alright, let’s meet at the entrance in 3pm. We’ll head out together.
Akila white (Fl)
Sounds good.
[As they all pack up, Gamal catches Akila’s eye once more. This time, neither of them looks away immediately. There’s a pause, a silent understanding and then Gamal quickly clears his throat.]
Gamal Ray (Ml)
See you all at the entrance.
ben (ml bestie)
Oh, this is gonna be interesting.
Benny (fl bestie)
Understatement of the year, Ben.
Then they all go to semester class and waiting for 3 pm
Vertical fate part 3
[Location: Historical Site, 03:00 PM]
Akila white (Fl)
This place is actually kind of cool.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
I told you it would be useful.
Benny (fl bestie)
Look at you, Mr. Field Trip Organizer.
ben (ml bestie)
He’s probably got a whole itinerary for us, too.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Actually… I do. We need to hit certain spots for the project.
Akila white (Fl)
You made a plan? Of course, you did.
[Gamal hands out printed maps of the site to everyone. Akila stares at the map, half-impressed, half-amused.]
ben (ml bestie)
Gamal, we’re not on a mission. We’re just students, remember?
Benny (fl bestie)
Exactly. Let’s explore at our own pace. Maybe we’ll find something that isn’t on your perfectly organized list.
Akila white (Fl)
Gotta say, I’m with Benny on this one.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Fine. But if we don’t get the information we need, don’t blame me.
[They start walking through the site. Akila walks ahead with Benny, but keeps glancing back at Gamal, who’s lagging behind with Ben.]
Akila white (Fl)
(whispering to Benny):
You think he’s always this intense?
Benny (fl bestie)
(grinning):
Only when you’re around.
Akila white (Fl)
What? No way.
Benny (fl bestie)
Oh, please. He tries so hard to act calm around you, but it’s obvious. He’s into you.
Akila white (Fl)
You’re imagining things.
[Benny rolls her eyes, but says nothing, as they approach a large, weathered monument. The group gathers around it.]
Gamal Ray (Ml)
This is one of the key locations for our project. Take some pictures, maybe get some notes.
ben (ml bestie)
You and these “key locations”...
Akila white (Fl)
Hey, he’s right about this one. It’s pretty impressive.
[As Akila takes a photo, Gamal steps beside her, and their arms briefly brush. Both freeze for a split second before stepping back awkwardly.]
Akila white (Fl)
(nervously):
So… do you think we need to get any more angles?
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Um, yeah. Definitely. Maybe from over there.
[He points to a shaded area by the monument, and they both move in that direction, still feeling the lingering awkwardness.]
Benny (fl bestie)
(whispering to Ben):
Did you see that? They’re so bad at hiding it.
ben (ml bestie)
They’ve been bad at hiding it for years. It’s like a slow-motion train wreck.
Benny (fl bestie)
Speaking of slow-motion wrecks…
[Benny leans closer to Ben, playfully nudging him. Ben tries not to react but ends up smirking.]
ben (ml bestie)
What’s that supposed to mean?
Benny (fl bestie)
You’re a mystery, Ben. All quiet and sarcastic. I’m starting to wonder what you’re really thinking.
[Ben chuckles and avoids her gaze, but there’s definitely a moment of tension between them.]
ben (ml bestie)
You probably don’t want to know.
Benny (fl bestie)
Oh, I definitely do.
[Meanwhile, Akila and Gamal are still trying to focus on the project. Akila crouches down to take another photo, but loses her balance slightly. Gamal instinctively reaches out, grabbing her arm to steady her.]
Akila white (Fl)
Whoa, thanks. I almost fell.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
You should be more careful.
[Their eyes meet for a second, and the atmosphere between them shifts. Akila pulls away first, brushing off the moment.]
Akila white (Fl)
Yeah, well… it’s not my fault these rocks are uneven.
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Sure, blame the rocks.
[They share a small, awkward laugh before continuing their work.]
ben (ml bestie)
You guys almost done over there?
Gamal Ray (Ml)
Yeah, just a few more shots.
Benny (fl bestie)
Then let’s grab lunch. I’m starving.
Akila white (Fl)
You’re always hungry, Benny.
Benny (fl bestie)
It’s part of my charm.
ben (ml bestie)
Charm, huh? That’s one way to put it.
[Benny laughs, and there’s another small moment between her and Ben. Akila and Gamal glance at each other again, but quickly turn their attention back to the project as they wrap things up.]
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