I walk up the stairs to 2nd floor, I have already complained to the maintenance department thrice this month. The lift is always out of service when I walk into it.

Stupid people! They literally have one job, they are not able to do that as well.

Huffing and puffing, I reach the door, when I press down the handle to push it open, it remains locked. After trying several times, I look around the corridor to find anyone.

But since it's after lunch break, everyone are in classes maybe. Then I start inspecting the door and the posters on the wall.

That's when my eyes land on the poster pasted on the top of the door, it's a physics problem. I mentally slap myself, for not finding it earlier and it's actually quite common practice in our college.

Each department have their unique way of putting forward a question like the English department has this poem written and we have to find the key words according to the theme and their first letter, makes up the passcode.

In our math department we stick onto the good old trigonometry. But bleh who cares!

I take out my iPad and work out the problem, thank god it's from the gravity chapter, I revised it recently only.

I open the door and as I enter, I notice two things, first why is it so dark? Next, why am I the only one here?

I look down at my Apple Watch which shows the time as 2:15 pm. I sit down onto the red couch and place my bag on the ground.

Suddenly the sound of the projector being switched on and a screen comes down from the roof.

A gentle voice of a man starts speaking, it takes me a while to wrap my mind on what exactly the words were.

Then, the PowerPoint starts and it explains, the aim and the objectives of the study. The study period being three months. I will have to fill out an NDA and that I have to complete my final project in next two days. Thank god I already submitted mine. Also, that I am exempted from the exams and that I will also be given attendance. Finally the last slide displays in black bold letters 'Q&A'.

I stare it for a while then I ask, "Where are the others?"

That's when a shadow comes from behind and the light is switched on abruptly, I close my eyes shut in reflex.

I feel a presence in front of me and as I open my eyes slowly I see our senior David in front of me, he is a 6 foot 2 inches with black hair that is neatly trimmed, he is cleanly shaven which is unlike the David I know who always has a subtle. He smiles brightly at me and gives me a hug.

I chuckle and hug him back. You guys may wonder, how I know this guy and what the hell is happening?

Actually, David and I are cousins, it's because of him only I joined this course! He is my inspiration, I have been working along with his project for a while now. But I had my exams and other stuff coming back to back. So we came up with this plan, of him coming here and asking for help and like that a bunch of us could be selected.

That's when I ask him, "David what about the others, where are they?"

He sheepishly smiles and says, "You are the only one who made the final cut."

I was shocked is an understatement, like eventhough I knew about the project the essay was totally unrelated, I legit wrote about BTS. I still can't believe how I got selected.

Cause the deal was to try to be part of the team, but now it looks like I am the team.

I huff and sit down onto the couch with a thud. David crouches down to my height and says, "Hayley, you know how much this project means to me right?"

I nod and he continues, "I really have to select a team with the best of people. Especially someone who I can trust with all my heart."

"I can understand that David, but the thing is I just in my final year, I really have no idea how to help you, yes I can help you with some computer work or with the paperwork. But that's it, you need someone with experience and knowledge. Why don't we ask the professor to give some names of our senior or people from other universities?"
I say in one breath with despair written all over the words.

"Actually Hayley, I have been hiding something from you for a while." He says slowly.

I blink my eyes, but then remain silent for him to continue, "The thing is the prototype is ready."

My eyes widen and I am afraid they will fall out of the socket, "What did you say? The prototype is ready, but how? When?"
I ask looking at him confusedly.

"Few days back only, I got help from the sponsors, they wanted to speed up the process. That's why, I am so sorry, I had to keep this as a secret from you, please try to understand."

"Wait, hold up. Then why the hell am I here, why do all of this?" I ask pointing the surroundings.

"Yeah! That's the main thing I want to talk to you about. Ok here it goes, I have to do a test run, and for that..." he stops speaking and I just continue to stare at him.

He takes a deep breath and says, "Hayley, will you please make me the happiest man on this earth, no universe and be my lab rat?"

I just have three words to say about this situation, 'what the fuck?'