for the supposed original text was. As soon as the webpage opened, rage flooded Collin's veins, burning its way up his neck. His eyes met the professor. – Adam wouldn't plagiarise. – he assured. – He's always on my- He's always nagging me about it.

- I know he wouldn't.

Collin smiled. – Really?

- But, - she continued, - like I told him, that doesn't matter. There's the date of publishing on that blog, if he can't prove he was the first to write it, I can't do anything about it.

- But what about his degree?

- He can probably still get it fixed in time for the special season.

- And the job opportunity?

She didn't reply, but there was no need to, her expression said everything he needed to know. His stomach sunk imagining how Adam must be feeling. No wonder he was on the verge of tears.

He let his body slump back into the chair. – Who could have done this?

- That was my question to Adam as well, but he said no one had access to this file. For all we know, the laptop could have been hacked or someone might have snooped around while Adam wasn't looking.

For some reason, those words draped over Collin's chest with impressive weight and twirled in his mind, again and again, as the picture came into focus. When he realized, his breath went brittle.

Adam had lied. There was someone who had full access to that file.

The rage in Adam's face when he had looked at Collin gained a whole different meaning, and it pierced Collin's chest like a cold dagger.

He blinked a few times, snapping back to the present where the professor looked at him, probably curious by his sudden silence. Wanting to escape any possible questions about his knowledge on the subject, Collin stood up and grabbed his stuff.

- Thank you for making time for me.

After a polite goodbye and another apology for interrupting her work, Collin left the office. Submerged in thoughts, he made his way through the halls.

Adam had just lost what he had worked so hard for and Collin couldn't do anything about it. Worse than that, worse than not being able to help him, was that Adam could be thinking Collin had been the one to ruin his plans for the future. Would he think that? Would he suspect Collin? No, he wouldn't. They were friends, they were close friends.

Should he call him? He could try, but Adam probably wasn't in the mind-set to talk with anyone at that time. Collin should bare that uneasiness for at least the rest of the day and give Adam some time to cool off. Maybe limit himself to a small text telling Adam he was there for him.

He could do that. He could be patient. Even if Adam was in fact considering the possibility of Collin being the culprit, he would realize how implausible it was and that Collin would never do something like that, even to someone he didn't get along with at first. Adam was a sensible person and his friend, Collin just had to wait for a bit.

Without even realizing the path he was following, Collin found himself in front of the lab. Peeking through the small door windows, he caught a glimpse of Jane sitting at a balcony, typing on a calculator and writing on a notebook. The sound of the door opening broke her focus and she looked up at him, at first with a smile but it faded as soon as their eyes met.

She swivelled in her stool to face him as she put down the pencil, - What happened?

A heavy sigh left Collin's chest. He glanced at the drinks that were beginning to put a strain on his wrist and then back at her, motioning to them with a weak smile on his lips.

- You like chocolate iced mocha?

A few minutes later, Collin and Jane sat at a bench outside, drinking under the shade of a tree, watching people pass by. The stone under him was still warm from the sun, the air had the scent exclusive to the beginning of summer, and the bubble tea wasn't that warm considering he had been walking around with it. It would be a pleasant time under other circumstances.

- That's awful. – was Jane's reaction once she heard what had happened.

Collin nodded, popping a flavoured boba pearl in his mouth. Even that had lost its fun. – Yeah, - he mumbled. – And I don't know what to do. What if he really thinks it was me?

- Everyone knows you wouldn't do that, including Adam. – she nudged him lightly with her elbow. – Even if he's too oblivious to realize your crush on him.

He scoffed. – Apparently he's the only one.

- You're not exactly subtle about it.

- Not trying to be. – he joked, but it didn't take long for his true mood to return and enfold any trace of levity in him. He took an extra-long sip from his tea, trying to swallow the knot in his throat that insisted on growing. It didn't work. – Even if he doesn't think it was me, - he continued, using his thumb to wipe the layer of moister on the cup. – it breaks my heart that Adam has to suffer because of some jealous asshole.

- Science is a cut-throat field, Adam knows that. – at Collin's frown, Jane put up her free hand as if in surrender. – I'm not saying it's a good thing, it's just reality.

- But it's so unfair! – Collin punched his thigh with a side fist. – He worked so hard, and this ruined his future.

- That doesn't have to be true. – Jane spoke in a calm voice, twirling her drink in its cup in a slow movement. – This is probably just a setback for him. From what you said, he'll still be able to get his degree.

- But he lost the chance at the job. You know how much that meant for him.

- Yes, I do, but I also know there will be other opportunities in the future. – she said. – Besides, he's the professor's golden boy, she'll probably help him out when he gets his PhD.

Collin rolled his eyes, mumbling against the wide straw. – Not so golden if she pushes him aside like this.

- Believe me, Adam's definitely her favourite, if she could help him I have no doubt she would. – she gave him a sweet smile, laying a hand on his shoulder with a soft squeeze. – Try not to worry too much about this, ok? I know it hurts like hell to lose something you worked for, but, in the end, it all comes together.

Although not worrying wasn't an option for him at that moment, Collin had to appreciate Jane trying to make him feel better. Maybe once everything was settled he would be able to believe her words. For now, however, the least he could do was to return her smile.

- Thank you. – he said.

She waved her hand. – Don't mention it.

The sound of a notification shifted their attention. Jane pulled her phone from her pocket, already standing up.

- I have to go. – she said. – I have a meeting with the professor in ten minutes.

- Oh yeah, I forgot, you're also defending your thesis soon.

- Yeah, so I really have to get going. It took me a week to get a meeting with her and I'll lose my spot if I'm late.

- You should try barging in. – Collin shrugged, smiling against the straw. – I survived.

- Beginner's luck. – she joked and turned to the building keeping her eyes on him and motioning to the cup in her hand. – Thanks for the drink.

- Adam paid, but you're welcome.

Jane shook her head with a smile and began to walk towards the entrance. She was a few steps from the bench when he called out to her.

- Good luck. – he said. – I hope your thesis wasn't hacked too.

- Don't even joke about that!

So...? Anything to say about this chapter? 
ALSO, I think most of you haven't read the Q&A I've done so I think I should give you a heads-up: this book will have about (still not sure of the exact number) 60 chapters 
Follow me on Instagram @almost_introverted  if you're interested!!💕

Thank you for reading!!!